Serum lipoproteins response to twelve months changes in antioxidants: Influence of nutraceuticals and functional foods intervention on age and gender

The bioactive compounds in encapsulated-nutraceuticals have contributed to reducing oxidative stress. The cost of these encapsulated extracts makes them unaffordable to the low income groups in developing countries such as Nigeria. Thus, the search for alternative affordable antioxidant functional foods is best alternative. This study investigated effect of two antioxidants on blood lipids and lipoproteins. The study was undertaken by healthy volunteers of 96 males and 54 females within the ages of 30-74 years old. Volunteers were randomly divided into three groups and blood samples collected at intervals of baseline and six months. Volunteers were randomized to either 1 capsule per day of antioxidant nutraceutical, antioxidant functional foods or placebo. Blood samples were analysed for Cholestrol, Tryglyceride, LDLc, HDLc, and Uric acid at baseline and twelve monrhs. All were significantly reduced (p<0.05), exception of HDLc that significantly increased (p<0.05). The study indicates that functional foods antioxidants improved the serum lipids and lipoproteins indices.