Effect of Antioxidant Intake on Cardiovascular Risk

There is increasing evidence showing that inflammation is implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous chronic conditions and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Also, high-fat meals have been shown to induce postprandial oxidative stress and inflammation. Polyphenols are compounds found ubiquitously in plants and are known to regulate many processes like plant growth, reproduction, seed germination as well as resistance to pathogens and predators. They are present in fruits and vegetables and exhibit favorable physiological effects that even if they remain not fully understood, still allow the classification of phenolic compounds as antiinflammatory molecules.

Resveratrol is a polyphenol that is found in berries, grapes and red wine among others. Interest for resveratrol as a health-promoting molecule has flourished in recent years as it has been shown to prevent co-morbidities associated with diabetes and CVD. Evidence of the physiological benefits of resveratrol in humans is somewhat limited, but nonetheless supports an antiinflammatory action.

There is also an increasing body of evidence supporting the role of curcumin, a polyphenol from the curcuminoid family, as a modulator of the inflammatory pathway.These observations underline the anti-inflammatory potential of curcumin and how it may serve in the prevention and treatment of chronic conditions like diabetes and CVD.

The general objective of this project is to investigate the acute effect of consuming dietary supplement combining resveratrol and curcumin on the inflammatory response following the consumption of a high-fat meal in healthy individuals with slightly elevated waist girth.

Inclusion criteria

• Men and postmenopausal women aged between 45-70 years
• When applicable, menopause will be defined as the absence of menses for at least 1 year
• Weight stable (for at least three (3) months)
• Otherwise healthy individuals
• No medication
• Waist circumference >=94 cm for men or >=80 cm for women
• With one (and no more than one) of the following:
• triglycerides >=1.7 mmol/L
• HDL-c <=1.03 mmol/L for men and <=1.29 mmol/L for women
• fasting glucose >=5.6 mmol/L
• systolic blood pressure >=130 or diastolic blood pressure >=85 mmHg

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of hypertension, CVD, T2D or endocrine disorders
• Aversion/intolerance to spice
• ≥ 3 risk factors for the metabolic syndrome (IDF)
• Fasting triglycerides > 4 mmol/L