<p dir="ltr">Accumulating evidence suggests a potential role for almond consumption in ameliorating post-prandial glycemia. Yet their effect on HbA1c, an indicator of long-term glycemic control, is mixed. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential of sustained almond consumption to reduce HbA1c concentrations among individuals with elevated HbA1c concentrations. A 16-week randomized, parallel-arm, controlled trial was conducted. Eighty-one adults with elevated HbA1c concentrations (>5.7%) were randomly assigned to incorporate two servings (2 oz) of raw almonds (A group; N=39) or energy-matched snacks (pretzels C group; N=42) into their daily diets. Half of these intervention foods were to be ingested at breakfast and the other half as a replacement for either a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack. Throughout the intervention period, measurements were made of body weight, body composition, plasma lipids, HbA1c, alpha and gamma-tocopherol, glycemia (by meal tolerance test) and continuous glucose monitoring, dietary intake, and hedonic responses to test foods at stipulated time points. Participants consuming almonds ingested 253 kcal/d more than participants in the control group (p=0.02), but this did not result in a significant difference in body weight (A: 0.2kg SEM ±0.5, C: 0.4kg SEM ±0.5); p>0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in HbA1c concentrations (A: 0.1% SEM ±0.1, C: 0% SEM ±0.1; p>0·05), blood chemistries, body composition, or glycemia over time or between groups. However, Healthy Eating Index scores improved within the almond group as compared to the control group (A: 8.3 points SEM ±1.9, C: -2.3 points SEM ±2.1; p<0.001). Additionally, the hedonic rating of almonds did not decline within the almond group in comparison to the control group's reduced liking of the pretzel snack. Alpha-tocopherol increased significantly, and gamma-tocopherol tended to decrease in the almond group, indicating compliance with the dietary intervention. Overall, daily ingestion of 2 oz of raw almonds in a regular diet for 16 weeks did not alter short-term or longer-term glycemia or HbA1c concentrations in adults with elevated HbA1c concentrations, but they were well-tolerated and improved diet quality without promoting weight gain.</p>

<p>Obesity is a globally increasing disease particularly in developing countries and among children. It is mainly caused by intake of diets high in fat and the lack of physical activity. Obesity is a risk factor for diseases such as type II diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and certain cancers. Prediabetes is a condition where blood glucose levels are above normal but have not&nbsp / reached those of diabetes. It is difficult to diagnose, as there are no signs or symptoms. Some type II diabetes patients bear no symptoms at all and the disease is discovered late. Proteomics is a field that can provide opportunities for early diagnosis of diseases through biomarker discovery. The early diagnosis of diabetes can assist in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Therefore there is a need for the early diagnosis of diabetes. Twenty Wistar rats were used. The rats were initially fed a CHOW diet, which is the standard balanced diet for rats, for 4 weeks. The rats were then divided into 2 groups of 10 where 1 group was fed CHOW and another was fed a high fat (HF) diet in order to induce obesity. The two groups were fed their respective diets for 18 weeks. Rats were weighed. Rats were placed in metabolic chambers and 24 hour urine samples were collected. Ketone levels were measured by Ketostix. Urine proteins were precipitated by acetone, quantified and separated on both the 1D SDS-PAGE and the 2D SDS-PAGE. Protein expression changes between CHOW and HF fed rats were determined and identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Protein spots intensities increased and decreased between the CHOW and HF fed rats. Transducin (beta)-like 3 was identified as the only differentially expressed protein, which might serve as a potential biomarker for prediabetes.</p>

<p>Obesity is a globally increasing disease particularly in developing countries and among children. It is mainly caused by intake of diets high in fat and the lack of physical activity. Obesity is a risk factor for diseases such as type II diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and certain cancers. Prediabetes is a condition where blood glucose levels are above normal but have not&nbsp / reached those of diabetes. It is difficult to diagnose, as there are no signs or symptoms. Some type II diabetes patients bear no symptoms at all and the disease is discovered late. Proteomics is a field that can provide opportunities for early diagnosis of diseases through biomarker discovery. The early diagnosis of diabetes can assist in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Therefore there is a need for the early diagnosis of diabetes. Twenty Wistar rats were used. The rats were initially fed a CHOW diet, which is the standard balanced diet for rats, for 4 weeks. The rats were then divided into 2 groups of 10 where 1 group was fed CHOW and another was fed a high fat (HF) diet in order to induce obesity. The two groups were fed their respective diets for 18 weeks. Rats were weighed. Rats were placed in metabolic chambers and 24 hour urine samples were collected. Ketone levels were measured by Ketostix. Urine proteins were precipitated by acetone, quantified and separated on both the 1D SDS-PAGE and the 2D SDS-PAGE. Protein expression changes between CHOW and HF fed rats were determined and identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Protein spots intensities increased and decreased between the CHOW and HF fed rats. Transducin (beta)-like 3 was identified as the only differentially expressed protein, which might serve as a potential biomarker for prediabetes.</p>