| The information in this column is intended for | | | | any blueberries (also for 8 weeks). Blood pressure |
| informational purposes only, and does not constitute | | | | checks and multiple blood tests were performed at |
| medical advice or recommendations by the author. | | | | both 4 weeks and 8 weeks into the study. |
| Please consult with your physician before making any | | | | When comparing the two groups of patient |
| lifestyle or medication changes, or if you have any | | | | volunteers, the patients in the "blueberry group" were |
| other concerns regarding your health. | | | | found to have significantly greater decreases in their |
| Metabolic syndrome includes a constellation of health | | | | high blood pressure when compared to the control |
| disorders that are associated with a high risk of | | | | group. The level of oxidized LDL cholesterol in the |
| developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. | | | | blood, which is a form of the "bad" LDL cholesterol |
| Specific disorders that are associated with metabolic | | | | that can directly damage the lining of arteries |
| syndrome include high blood pressure, abnormal | | | | throughout the body (atherosclerosis), was also |
| cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, | | | | significantly decreased in the "blueberry group" of |
| obesity, and diabetes (or "pre-diabetes"). In the | | | | patient volunteers. At the same time, there were no |
| United States, where obesity has become an | | | | significant differences between the two groups of |
| epidemic, public health experts estimate that as much | | | | patient volunteers with respect to blood glucose |
| as 25 percent of the population currently meets the | | | | (sugar) levels, triglyceride levels, or the levels of HDL |
| criteria for metabolic syndrome. | | | | (the "good" cholesterol) or LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) |
| Excessive calorie intake, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity | | | | in the blood. |
| in the abdominal and waist areas (central, or visceral, | | | | Therefore, while a brief period of a diet |
| obesity), genetic factors, and other adverse health | | | | supplemented with blueberries did not reverse all of |
| risks are known to contribute to the development of | | | | the abnormalities associated with metabolic |
| metabolic syndrome. Therefore, both the prevention | | | | syndrome, the consumption of the equivalent of |
| and treatment of metabolic syndrome are based | | | | about 350 grams of blueberries each day did appear |
| upon exercise, a healthy low-fat and low-sugar | | | | to significantly improve at least two of the adverse |
| low-carb diet, and weight loss. A new prospective, | | | | health factors associated with this syndrome (i.e., high |
| randomized clinical research study suggests that | | | | blood pressure and blood levels of oxidized LDL |
| consuming blueberries may also help to reduce some | | | | cholesterol). Based upon the intriguing findings of this |
| of the adverse health risks associated with metabolic | | | | small and short-duration study, patients with one or |
| syndrome. | | | | more health factors associated with metabolic |
| In this study, which appears in the current issue of | | | | syndrome might consider adding some blueberries to |
| The Journal of Nutrition, 48 adults (44 females and 4 | | | | their daily diet, in addition to the standard treatment |
| males) with metabolic syndrome were divided into | | | | for this life-threatening disorder! |
| two groups. One group, the "experimental group," | | | | For more information on blueberries, and other |
| consumed 50 grams of freeze-dried blueberries per | | | | sources of dietary polyphenols, as part of a cancer |
| day (equivalent to 350 grams of fresh blueberries per | | | | prevention lifestyle, watch for the publication of my |
| day), in the form of a beverage, for a period of 8 | | | | new landmark evidence-based book, "A Cancer |
| weeks. The other group, the "control group," | | | | Prevention Guide for the Human Race," in September |
| consumed a "placebo" beverage that did not contain | | | | of this year. |