Supplements derived from mixtures of fruits, vegetables and berries can prevent the immediate adverse impact of a fatty meal, according to the manufacturers Natural Alternatives International (NAI) and Memphis-based NSA International.
The companies report on a study in the May 21, 2003 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology which found their product Juice Plus+ to virtually eliminate the deleterious effect of a high fat meal in people taking the supplement over a four-week period.
The Juice Plus+ product line, distributed in 25 countries worldwide, are described as whole food-based products containing a widevariety of nutrients found in fresh fruits, vegetables, berries and grapesin a highly bio-available and concentrated form.
Study authors Dr Gary D. Plotnick and Dr Robert A. Vogel hadshown previously that consuming a high fat meal (900 kcal; 50 per cent calories from fat) caused constriction of major arteries and restriction of blood flow by one-half, an impairment which lasted up to five hours. However, the concentrated Juice Plus+ juice powders could reverse this effect.
In the study conducted at the University of Maryland, blood flow in thebrachial artery ("BART") was measured before and three hours after a highfat meal in 38 healthy volunteers. Subjects were randomly assigned to four-weeksupplementation with JP+ Orchard & Garden Blends or JP+ Orchard, Garden & Vineyard Blends or a placebo. At 21 and 28 days, BART was repeated bothbefore and after a high fat meal.
In the placebo group, the arterial bloodflow remained restricted by 38 per cent after a high fat meal, while the JP+ O & G group showed a 16 per cent restriction and the JP+ O, G & V group virtually eliminated the detrimental effect on blood flow, even when the supplementwas not administered with the meal on day 28.
"Maintenance of arterial blood flow after a fatty meal appears to bedependent on healthy functioning of the arterial wall lining or endotheliumby protecting it from oxidative stress, and Juice Plus+ supplementationmaximizes this important cardiovascular function mediated by natural plantantioxidants," said Dr John A. Wise, chief science officer of NAI.
"The results suggest another beneficial role of the numerous phytonutrients found in fruit and vegetable juice powder concentrates and supports future studies to validate the utility of such products."