The Waianae Diet Program is a community-based intervention strategy designed to be culturally appropriate by using a pre-Western-contact Hawaiian diet to reduce chronic-disease risk factors in Native Hawaiians. This paper describes a trial of the traditional Hawaiian diet fed ad libitum to Native Hawaiians with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease to assess its effect on obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. Twenty Native Hawaiians were placed on a pre-Western-contact Hawaiian diet for 21 d. The diet was low in fat (7%), high in complex carbohydrates (78%), and moderate in protein (15%). Participants were encouraged to eat to satiety. Average energy intake decreased from 10.86 MJ (2594 kcal)/d to 6.57 MJ (1569 kcal)/d. Average weight loss was 7.8 kg (P less than 0.0001) and average serum cholesterol decreased 0.81 mmol/L (P less than 0.001) from 5.76 to 4.95 mmol/L. Blood pressure decreased an average of 11.5 mm Hg systolic (P less than 0.001) and 8.9 mm Hg diastolic (P less than 0.001).
Objective: This study examined the association between 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and glucose tolerance. Design: A double blinded, randomized prospective parallel-group comparison study. Setting: Participants were recruited from the community in Honolulu, Hawaii, using radio and TV ads, and at community events. Participants: One hundred fi fty-four males and females ages 40-70 years, with evidence of prediabetes: hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 5.8%-7.0% at the screening visit. Intervention: Participants were randomized equally to one of three study groups: (1) low dose 5-ALA supplement (15 mg capsule); (2) high dose 5-ALA (50 mg capsule); and (3) control (placebo capsule of identical size and color). Main outcome measures: HbA1c and 2 hours post-oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) glucose levels. Results: Among individuals taking 5-ALA supplements for 12 weeks, 2 hours post-OGTT glucose levels declined signifi cantly compared to those not taking the supplement ( p = 0.02). The relationships were stronger among those with baseline glucose intolerance, or 2 hours post-OGTT glucose measurements greater than 140 mg/dL ( p = 0.005 and p = 0.02 for the low and high dose group, respectively). Similar trends were observed for HbA1c but results were of borderline signifi cance ( p = 0.07). No untoward effects were reported. Conclusions: Further studies are indicated. The potential benefi ts of 5-ALA dietary supplementation are affi rmed by this investigation.
Problem: 5-ALA has been used for many years at relatively high dose amounts in single doses for photodynamic therapy and immunofluorescence of tumors. An analysis of compiled data relating to safety and any side-effects about the use of 5-ALA at low doses has not yet been published. Purpose: This report analyzes data about the safety of the use of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid (5-ALA) in low doses as a supplement over an extended period of time. Methods: This investigation is a systematic analysis of the current literature ((Medline, and SBI) and snowballing techniques) related to the safety and efficacy of 5-ALA in animals and humans. Clinical trials in progress using 5-ALA were also analyzed. Constant comparative analyses were used to synthesize the findings. Results: The safety of low-dose 5-ALA as a supplement has been demonstrated by animal and human studies. The results suggest that none of the investigations document the presence of symptoms or abnormal laboratory results of clinical significance. The minor laboratory changes documented were judged not clinically significant.
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