Effects of chitin-glucan fiber on oxidized low-density lipoprotein

Chitin-glucan (CG) is an insoluble dietary fiber extracted from the cell wall of fungi. The potential health benefits of this novel ingredient have been tested in animal models, and it has been shown to lower plasma triglycerides (TGs), reduce aortic cholesterol and development of fatty streaks and increase hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities. CG treatment also significantly decreased high fat diet-induced body weight gain, fat mass development, fasting hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, hepatic TG accumulation and hypercholesterolemia, independent of caloric intake in animal studies. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study with six weeks of intervention and four parallel intervention arms was conducted to examine the efficacy and safety of CG alone and CG with olive extract in a clinical study in hypercholesterolemic subjects. Administration of  4.5 g/day CG for six weeks significantly reduced oxidized LDL compared with placebo (P=0.035). At the end of study, CG was associated with lower LDL-C levels relative to placebo, although this difference was statistically significant only for the CG 1.5 g/day group (P=0.019). CG did not significantly affect high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin or F2-isoprostane levels. Adverse events did not substantively differ between treatments and placebo. These results suggest that there is potential therapeutic utility of CG in patients at risk for CHD. 

Does exercising before breakfast increase 24-hour fat oxidation?

Fat oxidation during exercise is suppressed by ingestion of a meal before exercise, and this effect persists for at least four hours after a meal. Many studies have examined how fat oxidation is impacted by exercise in the post-exercise recovery period, but it is still inconclusive whether or not exercise performed in the fasting state increases 24-hour fat oxidation more than exercise performed in the postprandial state. A study was conducted to determine whether 24-hour fat oxidation was affected by time of exercise relative to breakfast ( i.e., in the fasting versus postprandial state). Using a room-size metabolic chamber, effects of exercise performed before and after breakfast on 24-hour energy metabolism were compared. Results from the study indicate that during the 60 minutes of exercise, energy expenditure in the two exercise trials were equivalent, but exercise in the fasting state led to a lower respiratory quotient (RQ) compared with that in the postprandial state (P < 0.01). Lower RQ indicates greater fat oxidation. The time of exercise relative to breakfast did not affect 24-hour energy expenditure (P > 0.5); however, 24-hour fat oxidation was higher (P < 0.05) when exercise was performed in the fasting state. Greater fat oxidation is protective of weight gain over time; therefore, exercising before breakfast may be beneficial in helping to prevent weight gain. 

A review of late-stage drug candidates for the treatment of obesity