The Walnuts and Healthy Aging Study (WAHA): Protocol for a Nutritional Intervention Trial with Walnuts on Brain Aging

Rajaram, Sujatha; Valls-Pedret, Cinta; Cofán, Montserrat; Sabaté, Joan; Serra‐Mir, Mercè; Pérez-Heras, Ana; Arechiga, Adam; Casaroli-Marano, Ricardo P.; Alforja, Socorro; Sala‐Vila, Aleix; Doménech, Mónica; Roth, Irene; Freitas-Simoes, Tania M; Calvo, Carlos; López-Illamola, Anna; Haddad, Ella; Bitok, Edward; Kazzi, Natalie; Huey, Lynnley; Fan, Joseph; Ros, Emilio

doi:10.3389/fnagi.2016.00333

Cited by 62 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 65 publications

(69 reference statements)

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“…This study is a secondary data analysis within the WAHA study, a two-year, dual center, randomized clinical trial examining the effects of daily walnut consumption on age-related cognitive decline and macular degeneration [22]. In brief, a total of 708 healthy elderly individuals aged 62 to 79 years were recruited from Loma Linda, California (LLU) and Barcelona, Spain (BCN).…”

Section: Study Design and Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Supplementing the Usual Diet with a Daily Dose of Walnuts for Two Years on Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components in an Elderly Cohort

et al. 2020

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Accumulating evidence links nut consumption with an improved risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS); however, long-term trials are lacking. We examined the effects of a daily dose of walnuts for two years on MetS in a large elderly cohort. A total of 698 healthy elderly participants were randomly assigned to either a walnut supplemented or a control diet. The participants in the walnut group were provided with packaged walnuts (1, 1.5, or 2 oz. or ~15% of energy) and asked to incorporate them into their daily habitual diet. The participants in the control group were asked to continue with their habitual diet and abstain from eating walnuts and other tree nuts. Intake of n-3 fatty acid supplements was not permitted in either group. Fasting blood chemistries, blood pressure, and anthropometric measurements were obtained at baseline and at the end of intervention. A total of 625 participants (67% women, mean age 69.1 y) completed this two-year study (90% retention rate). Triglycerides decreased in both walnut (−0.94 mg/dl) and control (−0.96 mg/dl) groups, with no significant between-group differences. There was a non-significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the walnut group (−1.30 and −0.71 mm Hg, respectively) and no change in the control group. Fasting blood glucose decreased by ~1 point in both the walnut and control groups. There were no significant between-group differences in the development or reversion of MetS. In conclusion, supplementing the diet of older adults with a daily dose of walnuts had no effect on MetS status or any of its components, although the walnut group tended to have lower blood pressure.

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Section: Study Design and Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Supplementing the Usual Diet with a Daily Dose of Walnuts for Two Years on Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components in an Elderly Cohort

et al. 2020

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“…The results of WAHA might provide high-level evidence of the benefit of regular walnut consumption in delaying the onset of age-related cognitive impairment and retinal pathology. The findings should translate into public health policy and sound recommendations to the general population 126 .…”

Section: Fruitsmentioning

confidence: 93%

“Polyphenolic-food” Effects on Brain Health (Human Data review)

Stefania¹

2019

BIOMEDJ

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Preventive strategies and nutritional interventions seem to be promising approaches to delay neurocognitive decline and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Among the various nutritional protocols, numerous studies confirm: the Mediterranean diet is the best food style to preserve the decay of our brain and live long. The elderly who constantly follow this type of diet would have a brain less "consumed" than those who follow a different food style. But what are the magic molecules present in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, legumes, able to protect us from aging and degenerative phenomena? The polyphenols: phytochemicals that fight cellular aging by counteracting the action of free radicals. These substances are able to stimulate cell repair systems, to amplify the endogenous antioxidant defenses, to specifically inhibit the action of inflammatory molecules. The trigger of this defensive response is linked to the peculiar ability of the polyphenols to modulate specific signaling mechanisms and transcription factors. Here we review the role of some "polyphenolic-food" of Mediterranean diet for the maintenance of cognitive performance, focusing specifically on human studies and the beneficial effects associated with overall diet composition, rather than single nutrient supplementations, for the prevention or the delay of neurodegenerative diseases.

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“…Details of the Walnuts and Healthy Aging (WAHA) study have been published [ 14 ]. In brief, it was a randomized dual-center trial, conducted at Loma Linda University (California) and Hospital Clínic (Barcelona, Spain).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Detailed procedures for blood collection and analyses in the WAHA study are published [ 14 ]. Fasting blood samples were obtained from all participants at baseline and end of the study.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Long-Term Walnut Supplementation on Body Weight in Free-Living Elderly: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

et al. 2018

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Objective: To assess the effects of chronic walnut consumption on body weight and adiposity in elderly individuals. Methods: The Walnuts and Healthy Aging study is a dual-center (Barcelona, Spain and Loma Linda University (LLU)), 2-year randomized parallel trial. This report concerns only the LLU cohort. Healthy elders (mean age 69 year, 67% women) were randomly assigned to walnut (n = 183) or control diets (n = 173). Subjects in the walnut group received packaged walnuts (28–56 g/day), equivalent to ≈15% of daily energy requirements, to incorporate into their habitual diet, while those in the control group abstained from walnuts. Adiposity was measured periodically, and data were adjusted for in-trial changes in self-reported physical activity. Results: After 2 years, body weight significantly decreased (p = 0.031), while body fat significantly increased (p = 0.0001). However, no significant differences were observed between the control and walnut groups regarding body weight (−0.6 kg and −0.4 kg, respectively, p = 0.67) or body fat (+0.9% and +1.3%, respectively, p = 0.53). Lean body mass, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio remained essentially unchanged. Sensitivity analyses were consistent with the findings of primary analysis. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that walnuts can be incorporated into the daily diet of healthy elders without concern for adverse effects on body weight or body composition.

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The Walnuts and Healthy Aging Study (WAHA): Protocol for a Nutritional Intervention Trial with Walnuts on Brain Aging

Cited by 62 publications

References 65 publications

Effects of Supplementing the Usual Diet with a Daily Dose of Walnuts for Two Years on Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components in an Elderly Cohort

Effects of Supplementing the Usual Diet with a Daily Dose of Walnuts for Two Years on Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components in an Elderly Cohort

“Polyphenolic-food” Effects on Brain Health (Human Data review)

Effects of Long-Term Walnut Supplementation on Body Weight in Free-Living Elderly: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

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