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The effects of supplementing with constituents of flaxseed during exercise training on inflammation in older adults

This thesis evaluated supplementation with two components of flaxseed during exercise training on inflammation in older adults.<P>Experiment 1: This experiment assessed secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) supplementation during aerobic exercise training on inflammation in older adults. Methods: One hundred subjects aged 50y or older were randomized to receive either SDG or placebo before completing a 6-month walking program. Fasting concentrations of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-á, glucose, triacylglycerol (TAG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein, and total cholesterol as well as leukocyte cell count were measured every two months while body composition, resting blood pressure, and a composite Z-score of six metabolic syndrome risk factors were assessed at baseline and 6 months. Results: Men on placebo increased metabolic syndrome composite Z-score (p<0.05). TAG increased (p=0.017) in men on placebo relative to men on SDG and men on SDG decreased (p=0.045) DBP relative to men on placebo. Conclusions: SDG had no effect on inflammation while it is effective in attenuating risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome in older males but not females.<p>Experiment 2: This experiment evaluated alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) supplementation during strength exercise training on inflammation in older adults. Methods: Fifty-one healthy older adults (65.4±0.8y) were randomized to receive ALA or a placebo before completing a 12 wk strength training program. Subjects were evaluated at baseline and 12 weeks for TNF-á and IL-6, muscle strength, body composition, and muscle thickness. Results: Males supplementing with ALA decreased IL-6 concentration (p=0.003). The female placebo and male ALA group had a significant increase in knee flexor thickness (p<0.05). Chest and leg press strength, lean tissue mass, and muscle thickness significantly increased, while percent fat and total body mass decreased with training (p<0.05), with no difference between ALA and placebo. Conclusions: ALA lowers IL-6 in older men, but has minimal effect on muscle mass and strength during resistance training.<p>General Conclusion: A composite score of metabolic syndrome is attenuated in males supplementing with SDG. ALA reduces IL-6 in older men. Older men, but not older women, derive specific health benefits from increased consumption of components of flaxseed consumed during an exercise program.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:SSU.etd-06042008-104302
Date05 June 2008
CreatorsCornish, Stephen Mark
ContributorsDrinkwater, Donald T., Chilibeck, Philip D., Chad, Karen, Baxter-Jones, Adam D. G., Alcorn, Jane, Faulkner, Robert A., Hepple, Russell
PublisherUniversity of Saskatchewan
Source SetsLibrary and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
Formatapplication/pdf
Sourcehttp://library.usask.ca/theses/available/etd-06042008-104302/
Rightsunrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to University of Saskatchewan or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report.

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