Dietary supplementation with camu-camu and continuous exercises in the treatment of obesity

Amazonian Fruits for Treatment of Non-Communicable Diseases

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The Amazon region has a high biodiversity of flora, with an elevated variety of fruits, such as Camu-Camu (Myrciaria dúbia), Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), Tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum and Astrocaryum vulgare), Fruta-do-conde (Annona squamosa L.), Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum), Graviola (Annona muricata L.), Guarana (Paullinia cupana Kunth var. sorbilis), and Pitanga (Eugenia uniflora), among many others, that are rich in phytochemicals, minerals and vitamins with prominent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential.

RECENT FINDINGS

Studies evaluating the chemical composition of these fruits have observed a high content of nutrients and bioactive compounds. Such components are associated with significant biological effects in treating various non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and related complications. Regular intake of these fruits from Amazonas emerges as a potential therapeutic approach to preventing and treating NCDs as a nutritional strategy to reduce the incidence or mitigate common complications in these patients, which are the leading global causes of death. As studies remain largely unexplored, this narrative review discusses the possible health-beneficial effects for patients with NCDs.

Camu Camu (Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh): An Amazonian Fruit with Biofunctional Properties-A Review

Amazonian Camu camu fruit (Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh) has been called a "superfruit" due to its high levels of bioactive and antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids, and vitamin C. The biofunctional properties of camu camu fruit (including pulp, peel, and seeds) have been well established through several in vitro and in vivo studies. Several reports confirmed the nutritious and biofunctional value of camu camu extracts or its food-derived products, exhibiting antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, antihypertensive, and antiobesity activity, contributing to quality life improvement. Other studies showed antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antihepatotoxic, antihemolytic, antimutagenic, and cell rejuvenation bioactivities. This Review summarizes the bioactive profile of camu camu fruit through the understanding of some physiological modulation processes and its contribution to the Amazon bioeconomy under the development of biofunctional food ingredients exhibiting health benefits.

Aerobic exercise attenuates the effects of ovariectomy and sedentarism on body composition and food intake in female rats

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the impact of low to moderate aerobic exercise and ovariectomy on body composition and food consumption in female rats. Methods Forty adult Wistar female rats (age: 23 weeks; body weight: 275.2±3.6g; mean±SEM) were divided into 4 groups (n=10): laparotomy-sedentary; laparotomy-exercised; ovariectomy-sedentary; and ovariectomy-exercised. The exercised groups were submitted to a treadmill running program (16m/min; 30min/day, 5 days/week), for 8 weeks. Body weight and food consumption were monitored during the experiment. Visceral fat and carcass water, protein, ash, fat and carbohydrate fractions were analyzed. Two-way ANOVA plus the Tukey’s post hoc test was used for comparisons and p<0.05 was considered significant. Results The ovariectomized (ovariectomy-sedentary+ovariectomy-exercised) and sedentary (laparotomy-sedentary+ovariectomy-sedentary) animals showed higher (p<0.05) weight gain, food consumption, food efficiency ratio and weight gain/body weight ratio than laparotomy animals (laparotomy-sedentary+laparotomy-exercised) and exercised (exercised laparotomy+exercised ovariectomy), respectively. The ovariectomized and sedentary animals showed higher (p<0.05) carcass weight, fat percentage and visceral fat than laparotomy and exercised rats, respectively. Conclusion Ovariectomy and physical inactivity increase obesogenic indicators, whereas regular aerobic exercise of low to moderate intensity attenuates these unfavorable effects in female rats.