Protective role of dairy and its constituents on vascular function independent of blood pressure-lowering activities

Milk-Fat-Globule-Membrane-Enriched Dairy Milk Compared with a Soy-Lecithin-Enriched Beverage Did Not Adversely Affect Endotoxemia or Biomarkers of Gut Barrier Function and Cardiometabolic Risk in Adults with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial

Full-fat dairy milk may protect against cardiometabolic disorders, due to the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), through anti-inflammatory and gut-health-promoting activities. We hypothesized that a MFGM-enriched milk beverage (MEB) would alleviate metabolic endotoxemia in metabolic syndrome (MetS) persons by improving gut barrier function and glucose tolerance. In a randomized crossover trial, MetS persons consumed for two-week period a controlled diet with MEB (2.3 g/d milk phospholipids) or a comparator beverage (COMP) formulated with soy phospholipid and palm/coconut oil. They then provided fasting blood and completed a high-fat/high-carbohydrate test meal challenge for evaluating postprandial metabolism and intestinal permeability. Participants had no adverse effects and achieved high compliance, and there were no between-trial differences in dietary intakes. Compared with COMP, fasting endotoxin, glucose, incretins, and triglyceride were unaffected by MEB. The meal challenge increased postprandial endotoxin, triglyceride, and incretins, but were unaffected by MEB. Insulin sensitivity; fecal calprotectin, myeloperoxidase, and short-chain fatty acids; and small intestinal and colonic permeability were also unaffected by MEB. This short-term study demonstrates that controlled administration of MEB in MetS persons does not affect gut barrier function, glucose tolerance, and other cardiometabolic health biomarkers, which contradicts observational evidence that full-fat milk heightens cardiometabolic risk. Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03860584).

Associations between dairy consumption, physical activity, and blood pressure in Chinese young women

Introduction

The prevalence of hypertension (HTN) has been increasing in young adults. A healthy dietary pattern and increasing physical activity (PA) are commonly recommended as lifestyle modifications needed to manage blood pressure (BP). However, little is known about the relationship between dairy intake, PA, and BP in Chinese young women. The aim of this study was to examine whether BP was associated with dairy intake, moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity (TPA) in a sample of Chinese young women.

Methods

A total of 122 women (20.4 ± 1.4) who had complete data sets from the Physical Fitness in Campus (PFIC) study were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Data related to dairy intake and PA was collected using a food frequency questionnaire and an accelerometer. BP was measured following standardized procedures. The association between BP with dairy intake and PA was examined using multivariable linear regression models.

Results

After controlling for potential covariables, we observed a significant and independent relationship only between systolic BP with dairy intake [standardized beta (b) = -0.275, p < 0.001], MVPA (b = -0.167, p = 0.027), and TPA (b = -0.233, p = 0.002). Furthermore, we found a decrease of 5.82 ± 2.94, 1.13 ± 1.01, and 1.10 ± 0.60 mm Hg in systolic BP for daily additional servings of dairy, 10 min of MVPA, and 100 counts per minute of TPA, respectively.

Conclusion

Our results suggested that the higher amount of dairy consumption or PA was associated with lower level of SBP in Chinese young women.

Milk Fermented with Mushrooms Prevents Stroke in the Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Independently of Blood Pressure

OBJECTIVES

In a previous study, a mushroom was shown to digest milk protein to a mixture of oligopeptides and free amino acids. The aim of this study was to examine effects of this mixture, i.e., mushroom-fermented milk, on blood pressure and stroke susceptibility in the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were fed mushroom-fermented milk with or without 1 % salt water. Blood pressure was monitored either by the tail-cuff method or the telemetry system. Symptoms of stroke were examined every day to determine the stroke latency.

RESULTS

Mushroom-fermented milk at 120 mg/Kg BW/day (estimated as a peptides/amino acids content) did not ameliorate hypertension in SHRSP. In contrast, mushroom-fermented milk significantly improved stroke susceptibility under salt-loading. The effects were replicated using milk fermented with three different mushrooms. To elucidate the effective components in mushroom-fermented milk, spermidine (3 mM), one of major components of mushroom-fermented milk, and a mixture of amino acids (0.8 g/L) was examined, both of which showed no significant effects on stroke susceptibility. Intake of mushroom-fermented milk did not affect sodium content significantly either in feces or in urine of the rats given 1% salt water. This observation indicated sodium absorption by the digestive system was not inhibited by intake of mushroom-fermented milk.

CONCLUSION

Despite that the mechanisms were not elucidated, intake of mushroom-fermented milk effectively prevented stroke in SHRSP. Mushroom-fermented milk would be a new candidate for a supplemental nutrient supporting the cardiovascular health.

Dairy Foods and Dairy Fats: New Perspectives on Pathways Implicated in Cardiometabolic Health

Low-fat and nonfat dairy products have been promoted as part of a healthy dietary pattern by both US dietary guidelines and professional organizations for several decades. The basis for this recommendation stems in part from the putative negative cardiometabolic effects associated with saturated fat consumption. However, as nutrition research has shifted from a single nutrient to a whole-food/dietary pattern approach, the role of dairy foods and dairy fat in the diet-disease relationship is being reexamined. Most observational and experimental evidence does not support a detrimental relationship between full-fat dairy intake and cardiometabolic health, including risks of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Indeed, an expanded understanding of the dairy food matrix and the bioactive properties of dairy fats and other constituents suggests a neutral or potentially beneficial role in cardiometabolic health. To consider how consuming dairy foods, including full-fat dairy, is associated with cardiometabolic health, this review provides an innovative perspective on mechanisms that link dairy consumption to 3 main biological systems at the core of metabolic health, the gastrointestinal, hepatic, and vascular systems.

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH): potential mechanisms of action against risk factors of the metabolic syndrome

The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of disorders dominated by abdominal obesity, hypertriacylglycerolaemia, low HDL-cholesterol, high blood pressure and high fasting glucose. Diet modification is a safe and effective way to treat the metabolic syndrome. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is a dietary pattern rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products, and low in meats and sweets. DASH provides good amounts of fibre, K, Ca and Mg, and limited quantities of total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and Na. Although DASH was initially designed for the prevention or control of hypertension, using a DASH diet has other metabolic benefits. In the present review, the effect of each dietary component of DASH on the risk factors of the metabolic syndrome is discussed. Due to limited fat and high fibre and Ca content, individuals on the DASH diet are less prone to overweight and obesity and possess lower concentrations of total and LDL-cholesterol although changes in TAG and HDL-cholesterol have been less significant and available evidence in this regard is still inconclusive. Moreover, high amounts of fruit and vegetables in DASH provide great quantities of K, Mg and fibre, all of which have been shown to reduce blood pressure. K, Mg, fibre and antioxidants have also been effective in correcting glucose and insulin abnormalities. Evidence is provided from cross-sectional investigations, cohort studies and randomised controlled trials, and, where available, from published meta-analyses. Mechanisms are described according to human studies and, in the case of a lack of evidence, from animal and cell culture investigations.

Comparative Metabolomics Elucidates Postprandial Metabolic Modifications in Plasma of Obese Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome

Although higher intakes of dairy milk are associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS), the underlying protective mechanism remains unclear. This study investigated the dynamic metabolic profile shift following the ingestion of low-fat milk or an isocaloric volume of rice milk in obese individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS). In a randomized, double-blind, crossover study, postprandial plasma samples ( n = 266) were collected from 19 MetS participants. Plasma samples were analyzed by a targeted metabolomics platform which specifically detects 117 metabolites from 25 metabolic pathways. The comprehensive time-course metabolic profiling in MetS participants indicated that the postprandial metabolic profiles distinguish low-fat milk and rice milk consumption in a time-dependent manner. Metabolic biomarkers, such as orotate, leucine/isoleucine and adenine, showed significantly different trends in the two test beverages. Bayesian statistics identified 12 metabolites associated with clinical characteristics of postprandial vascular endothelial function, such as flow-mediated dilation (FMD), postprandial plasma markers of oxidative stress and NO status. Furthermore, metabolic pathway analysis based on these metabolite data indicated the potential utility of metabolomics to provide mechanistic insights of dietary interventions to regulate postprandial metabolic excursions.

The role of noninvasive cardiovascular testing, applied clinical nutrition and nutritional supplements in the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease

Numerous clinical trials suggest that we have reached a limit in our ability to decrease the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) utilizing the traditional diagnostic evaluation, prevention and treatment strategies for the top five cardiovascular risk factors of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity and smoking. About 80% of heart disease (heart attacks, angina, coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure) can be prevented by optimal nutrition, optimal exercise, optimal weight and body composition, mild alcohol intake and avoiding smoking. Statistics show that approximately 50% of patients continue to have CHD or myocardial infarction (MI) despite presently defined 'normal' levels of the five risk factors listed above. This is often referred to as the 'CHD gap'. Novel and more accurate definitions and evaluations of these top five risk factors are required, such as 24 h ambulatory blood pressure (ABM) results, advanced lipid profiles, redefined fasting and 2 h dysglycemia parameters, a focus on visceral obesity and body composition and the effects of adipokines on cardiovascular risk. There are numerous traumatic insults from the environment that damage the cardiovascular system but there are only three finite vascular endothelial responses, which are inflammation, oxidative stress and immune vascular dysfunction. In addition, the concept of translational cardiovascular medicine is mandatory in order to correlate the myriad of CHD risk factors to the presence or absence of functional or structural damage to the vascular system, preclinical and clinical CHD. This can be accomplished by utilizing advanced and updated CV risk scoring systems, new and redefined CV risk factors and biomarkers, micronutrient testing, cardiovascular genetics, nutrigenomics, metabolomics, genetic expression testing and noninvasive cardiovascular testing.

Recent Science and Clinical Application of Nutrition to Coronary Heart Disease

One of the greatest threats to mortality in industrialized societies continues to be coronary heart disease (CHD). Moreover, the ability to decrease the incidence of CHD has reached a limit utilizing traditional diagnostic evaluations and prevention and treatment strategies for the top five cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity, and smoking). It is well known that about 80% of CHD can be prevented with optimal nutrition, coupled with exercise, weight management, mild alcohol intake, and smoking cessation. Among all of these factors, optimal nutrition provides the basic foundation for prevention and treatment of CHD. Numerous prospective nutrition clinical trials have shown dramatic reductions in the incidence of CHD. As nutritional science and nutrigenomics research continues, our ability to adjust the best nutrition with an individualized approach is emerging. This article reviews the role of nutrition in the prevention and treatment of CHD and myocardial infarction (MI).

What Is the Relationship Between Dairy Intake and Blood Pressure in Black and White Children and Adolescents Enrolled in a Weight Management Program?

BACKGROUND

The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) clinical trials and other studies have demonstrated a relationship between diet and cardiovascular outcomes in adults, yet little is known of this relationship in children. Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, with similar increases in hypertension among this population. The purpose of our study was to examine the association between dairy intake and blood pressure (BP) in a cohort of children and adolescents (aged 4-17 years) enrolled in a weight management program.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Dietary intake was assessed using the Block Kids 2004 food frequency questionnaire in a cross-sectional sample of participants enrolled in the Pediatric Metabolic Syndrome Study at the Children's Hospital (Charleston, SC). BP and other anthropometrics were obtained at baseline. Only children with complete baseline data and food frequency questionnaires were included in this analysis (n=117). Associations between food group/nutrient intake and BP were examined across race and sex using ANOVA and Pearson correlations. Linear regression models were controlled for body mass index and age. In the total sample, a significant inverse relationship was found between the intake of dairy and systolic BP (r=-0.24, P=0.009). The effect of dairy on systolic BP, however, differed by race. We observed a decrease of 11.2 mm Hg for each serving of dairy consumed by white children, and no decrease in systolic BP in black children (P=0.001 for the race-dairy serving interaction).

CONCLUSIONS

Nutrition professionals must consider nonnutrition factors contributing to childhood hypertension, as current dietary recommendations appear to have differential outcomes across races.

Dairy cheese consumption ameliorates single-meal sodium-induced cutaneous microvascular dysfunction by reducing ascorbate-sensitive oxidants in healthy older adults

Chronic dairy product intake is associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes, whereas high dietary Na impairs endothelial function through increased oxidative stress and reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of acute cheese consumption with consumption of Na from non-dairy sources on microvascular function. We hypothesised that dairy cheese ingestion would augment NO-dependent vasodilation compared with Na from non-dairy sources. On five visits, fourteen subjects (61 (sem 2) years, eight male/six female) consumed either 85 g dairy cheese (560 mg Na), 85 g soya cheese (560 mg Na), 65 g pretzels (560 mg Na), 170 g dairy cheese (1120 mg Na) or 130 g pretzels (1120 mg Na). Two intradermal microdialysis fibres were inserted in the ventral forearm for delivery of lactated Ringer's solution or 10 mm-ascorbate (antioxidant) during local skin heating (approximately 50 min). Erythrocyte flux was measured continuously by laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF), and cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC=LDF/mean arterial pressure) was normalised as %CVCmax (28 mm-sodium nitroprusside). Following a plateau in CVC, 15 mm-N G -nitro-l-arginine-methyl-ester was perfused to quantify NO-dependent vasodilation (approximately 45 min). NO-dependent vasodilation was greater following consumption of dairy products (560 mg Na 57 (sem 3) %) (1120 mg Na 55 (sem 5) %) compared with soya (560 mg Na 42 (sem 3) %; P=0·002) or pretzels (560 mg Na 43 (sem 4) %; P=0·004) (1120 mg Na 46 (sem 3) %; P=0·04). Ascorbate augmented NO-dependent vasodilation following intake of soya (control: 42 (sem 3) v. ascorbate: 54 (sem 3) %; P=0·01) or pretzels (560 mg Na; control: 43 (sem 4) v. ascorbate: 56 (sem 3) %; P=0·006) (1120 mg Na; control: 46 (sem 5) v. ascorbate: 56 (sem 3) %; P=0·02), but not dairy products. Na ingestion via dairy products was associated with greater NO-dependent vasodilation compared with non-dairy products, a difference that was ameliorated with ascorbate perfusion. The antioxidant properties of dairy proteins may protect against Na-induced reductions in NO-dependent dilation.