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ARS Home » Plains Area » Grand Forks, North Dakota » Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center » Healthy Body Weight Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #77205
Title: DIETS HIGH IN PHYTOCHEMICALS AND FIBER MAY DECREASE THE NEED FOR INTRINSIC DEFENSE AGAINST OXIDATIVE DAMAGE

Author
item SPILLER, G - SPHERA FOUNCATION
item BRUCE, B - SPHERA FOUNDATION
item Klevay, Leslie
item GALLAGHER, SANDRA - UNIV OF NORTH DAKOTA

Submitted to: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/6/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: To study the effects of a plant-based diet, high in phytochemicals (PHC), unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and dietary fiber (DF) on antioxidant defenses and lipoproteins, 12 hyperlipidemic, free-living women consumed first a diet based on refined plant foods and low in fruits and vegetables (DIET1) for 4 weeks, followed by 4 weeks on a diet (DIET2) based on unrefined plant food and high in sun-dried raisins, nuts, sesame seeds, whole grains, olive oil, green tea and yellow fruits and vegetables. Calories and total fat intake were similar for both diets with SFA dropping by 62%, replaced by UFA on DIET2. On DIET2 tocopherols, other phenolics and carotenoids all increased by over 500% and vitamin C by 130%. Diet 2 caused a drop of 13% (p<0.005) in total serum cholesterol, of 16% (p<0.001) in low density lipoprotein (LDL) and of 19% in triglycerides with no change in high density lipoprotein (HDL). Red cell superoxide dismutase (SOD)(pyrogallol method) decreased from 0.79 to 0.24 u/mg hemoglobin (p<0.0l)and plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPX) from 6.34 to 4.10 EU (P<0.01). The lower values for SOD and GPX indicate that this type of diet may decease the need for intrinsic defense mechanisms against oxidative damage, in addition to lowering LDL without affecting HDL.