1. In order to study the effects of chenodeoxycholic acid on serum and biliary lipids in hyperlipoproteinaemia, chenodeoxycholic acid was administered to seven type IIa, eight type IIb and eight type IV patients in a daily dose of 750 mg (1.9 mmol) for 3 months. 2. The serum concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides were determined at 4-week intervals: cholesterol remained unchanged where...

Marine microalgae have been used for a long time as food for humans, such as Arthrospira (formerly, Spirulina), and for animals in aquaculture. The biomass of these microalgae and the compounds they produce have been shown to possess several biological applications with numerous health benefits. The present review puts up-to-date the research on the biological activities and applications of pol...

Gymnema Sylvestre R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae) is a herb distributed throughout the world. The leaves of the plant are widely used for the treatment of diabetes and as a diuretic in Indian proprietary medicines. Gymnemic acid is the main active chemical constituent isolated from the Gymnema Sylvestre plant. The plant is documented to possess beneficial effects as digestive, anti-inflammatory, diuret...

The prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) necessitates vigorous dietary intervention so as to lower the serum cholesterol level by at least 6%. Greater decreases in serum cholesterol can bring about reversal of atherosclerosis. The critical dietary change is the reduction in intake of saturated fat and cholesterol. Some of this fat may be replaced by unsaturated fats, especia...

Many minor components of foods, such as secondary plant metabolites, have been shown to posses antioxidant activities, improving the effects of oxidative stress on diabetes and other disease conditions. This study evaluates the effect of aqueous extracts from Vernonia amygdalina leaves on lipid profiles and oxidative stress in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The results showed that the st...

Many in vivo trials have evaluated the effects of grape products on different CVD risk factors. Most published studies have dealt with some specific aspects of mechanisms of grape flavonoid action or have focused only on one product, such as wine. The aim of the present paper is to review trials dealing with grape products and CVD published during the last 13 years (seventy-five trials). Polyph...