The group of researchers, led by María Jesús Moreno. PHOTO: Manuel Castells

A group of researchers from the School de Farmacia, led by professor María Jesús Morenohave launched a new project to analyze the benefits of a hypocaloric per diem expenses -supplemented with a high purity omega-3 fatty acid (EPA) and lipoic acid- on weight loss and metabolic alterations associated with obesity.

The study is expected to last three years and is funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation. In its first first phasethe analysis will require volunteers, who for 10 weeks will follow a hypocaloric per diem expenses with the aforementioned supplements. The researchers will collect their metabolic and biochemical parameters, their body composition and the genetic and metabolic study, with the goal to reduce overweight and obesity in the participants avoiding the development of complications such as cardiovascular diseases, etc.

According to Professor MorenoMoreno explains, "this project is one of the first that will delve into the effects of lipoic acid supplements, a molecule that is present in our body, but which can also be obtained from spinach, broccoli or tomatoes; and an omega-3 fatty acid, EPA, abundant in fish oils".

In this sense, the researcher of the department of Food Sciences, Physiology and Toxicology, recalls that obesity is increasing among women "with figures in Navarra, Basque Country and La Rioja that are around 16.5% compared to men, with 11.5%: "This high prevalence makes us consider it as the epidemic of the XXI Century, with an important additional expense for health systems and the need to prevent it in its initial phase".

Although project has already been launched, the search for volunteers to participate in it will continue during the month of August. Those interested can obtain more information by sending an e-mail to voluntariosnut@unav.es.