None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) seed is catalogued as a pseudocereal due to the similarity with the cereal family but with a different nutrient composition. Quinoa is a crop related to beetroot and spinach, grown primarily for its edible seeds. Cultivated in the Andean region between Bolivia and Peru, recent interest in this plant has been due to the nutritional value of the seeds in comparison to other cereals. Comparative to other cereals, quinoa is high in protein and rich in antioxidants (Vega-Galvez et al., 2010; Gorinstein et al., 2007). The quinoa seeds are highly nutritious and contain 60% starch and 15% protein. In addition, quinoa is a rich source of anti-oxidants including flavonoids, phenolic acids and squalene. Research has shown a potential role for quinoa in reducing oxidative stress which is increased in response to a high sugar diet (Pasko et al., 2010), and has also been reported to reduce adiposity in response to a high fat diet (Foucault et al., 2012). We have recently shown quinoa, contributing to 25% of the diet, to significantly increase adiponectin levels in C57BL/6 mouse models of obesity. Several studies have shown the benefits of increased circulating adiponectin particularly in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, some cases of type 2 diabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome (Hotta et al., 2000; Spranger et al., 2003; Matsuzawa et al., 2004). Whilst body composition did not significantly change, a number of markers of health including lipid profiles were improved. The current study aims to assess the effect of quinoa seeds in varying quantities on adiponectin levels, blood lipid profiles and physical activity and body composition in overweight and obese humans. We hypothesise that inclusion of quinoa in the human diet will increase adiponectin levels and improve blood lipid profile in overweight and obese humans Participants receive either 25, 50, or 100 grams of quinoa per day for 12 weeks and results compared to a control group (0 grams quinoa/day).
Interventions
Participants are randomly allocated into one of the four different treatment groups receiving either 0, 25, 50, or 100 grams of quinoa per day during 12 weeks intervention period. Participants are advised to consume the white quinoa seeds supplied at their convenience filling a quinoa calendar provided every day when quinoa is consumed, this calendar is returned in the following appointment.
Sponsors
La Trobe University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Participants are checked against eligibility criteria before inclusion in the study. Inclusion criteria includes: BMI greater than 25, be able to communicate in English, age between 18 and 65 years old.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria includes BMI lower than 25, diagnosis diabetes or heart disease, pregnancy and also those taking medication for blood cholesterol management.
Outcome results
None listed