Una dieta hipocalórica con omega-3 y antioxidantes podría ayudar a perder peso y prevenir alteraciones asociadas a la obesidad
A hypocaloric per diem expenses with omega-3 and antioxidants could help to lose weight and prevent alterations associated with obesity.
The project, led by researchers from the School of Pharmacy of the University of Navarra, is looking for volunteers to participate in the study.
A group of researchers from the School of Pharmacy of the University of Navarra, led by Professor María Jesús Moreno, has launched a new project to analyze the benefits of a hypocaloric per diem expenses combined with an omega-3 fatty acid and/or a potent antioxidant on weight loss and the prevention of 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 phase, the analysis will require volunteers who for 10 weeks will follow a hypocaloric per diem expenses supplemented with EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and lipoic acid.
The researchers will analyze the metabolic and biochemical parameters of the participants, as well as their body composition. In addition, they will conduct a genetic and metabolic study, with the goal to understand the processes that are activated in the organism during weight reduction, avoiding the development of complications associated with obesity, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, etc.
As Professor Moreno explains, this is one of the first interventions that delves into the effects of lipoic acid supplements, "a molecule that is present in our body, but that we can also obtain from spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, whole grains, brewer's yeast, liver, kidney and other viscera"; and an omega-3 fatty acid, EPA, "abundant in fish oils and with potential beneficial actions on obesity, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia that could derive from its anti-inflammatory properties," adds the expert.
The project, moreover, has a multidisciplinary character, since apart from the nutritional intervention in humans, it covers programs of study molecular in cell cultures of adipocytes (fat cells) and in animal models.
16.5% obesity rate in women in Navarre, Basque Country and La Rioja
The researcher from the department of Food Sciences, Physiology and Toxicology of the University of Navarra recalls that obesity is increasing among women, with figures in Navarra, the Basque Country and La Rioja of around 16.5% compared to men, with 11.5%.
"This high prevalence means that it is already considered the epidemic of the 21st century, since it is accompanied by other problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, etc., and represents an additional significant expense for health systems of around 2,500 million euros per year, so it is essential to prevent it in its initial phase," stresses Dr. Moreno.
Although the project has already been launched, the recruitment of volunteers to participate in it will continue in the month of August. Those interested can obtain more information by emailing voluntariosnut@unav.es.