Abstract
We investigated dietary intakes of patients awaiting heart surgery. Their intakes of fruits, vegetables, fiber, vitamin D and fish oil-fatty acids (EPA+DHA) proved below recommendations, but comparable with the healthy Dutch population. Their unbalanced diets may increase the risk of unfavorable surgical outcomes. Intervention studies aiming at rapid preoperative improvement of their diets are urgently needed.
We subjected healthy volunteers to pseudo-Stone-Age-lifestyle conditions during 4 and 10 days. Body weight, body fat, (metabolic)inflammation and lipoprotein-cholesterol were measured. Most parameters improved. Consequently, mimicking our Paleolithic lifestyle may positively affect risk factors of metabolic-inflammatory disorders, e.g. obesity and diabetes mellitus.
We studied relations between fatty acid-status and lipoproteins in five Tanzanian groups and one Dutch group. A high saturated fatty acid (SFA)-status, but not a high SFA-intake, proved to be associated with increased total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol (a risk factor). Interaction with other lifestyle factors, not SFA-intake per se, determines whether SFA have a relevant influence on chronic inflammation, lipoproteins and cardiovascular disease risk.
We investigated astaxanthin (an antioxidant) supplementation in healthy subjects and patients with sickle cell disease in Sint Maarten. Astaxanthin was incorporated in red blood cell membranes. This may favorably affect the hemolytic component of sickle cell disease.
In a case-control study with chronic fatigue syndrome patients, we found (among others) normal TSH-levels, but low ‘free thyroid hormone’, consistent with the ‘low T3 syndrome’; a form of hibernation.
Summarizing: for healthy aging we have to return to the lifestyle of our Paleolithic ancestors while maintaining the culture of the 21st century.
We subjected healthy volunteers to pseudo-Stone-Age-lifestyle conditions during 4 and 10 days. Body weight, body fat, (metabolic)inflammation and lipoprotein-cholesterol were measured. Most parameters improved. Consequently, mimicking our Paleolithic lifestyle may positively affect risk factors of metabolic-inflammatory disorders, e.g. obesity and diabetes mellitus.
We studied relations between fatty acid-status and lipoproteins in five Tanzanian groups and one Dutch group. A high saturated fatty acid (SFA)-status, but not a high SFA-intake, proved to be associated with increased total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol (a risk factor). Interaction with other lifestyle factors, not SFA-intake per se, determines whether SFA have a relevant influence on chronic inflammation, lipoproteins and cardiovascular disease risk.
We investigated astaxanthin (an antioxidant) supplementation in healthy subjects and patients with sickle cell disease in Sint Maarten. Astaxanthin was incorporated in red blood cell membranes. This may favorably affect the hemolytic component of sickle cell disease.
In a case-control study with chronic fatigue syndrome patients, we found (among others) normal TSH-levels, but low ‘free thyroid hormone’, consistent with the ‘low T3 syndrome’; a form of hibernation.
Summarizing: for healthy aging we have to return to the lifestyle of our Paleolithic ancestors while maintaining the culture of the 21st century.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Awarding Institution |
|
| Supervisors/Advisors |
|
| Award date | 25-Apr-2018 |
| Place of Publication | [Groningen] |
| Publisher | |
| Print ISBNs | 978-94-034-0471-4 |
| Electronic ISBNs | 978-94-034-0470-7 |
| Publication status | Published - 2018 |