An innovative nutritional intervention study, recently published in the journal Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, has highlighted the potential benefits of consuming parsley seed-supplemented bread for improving serum osteopontin levels and renal health in obese women. The study, which presents a promising approach for managing kidney disorders associated with obesity, brings new insight into the role of functional foods in clinical nutrition.
Obesity, a pressing global health crisis, predisposes individuals to a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide. With obesity numbers skyrocketing, researchers are continually seeking effective strategies to mitigate associated health risks. The recent interventional study conducted by a research team from the National Research Center in Cairo, Egypt, offers hope for a dietary approach to improve renal health in obese patients.
The study, led by Essa Hend A. Hend et al., involved 85 obese women with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 35.68 ± 0.47 kg/m², who engaged in an 8-week nutritional intervention that included the consumption of 100g of ground parsley seed bread daily, complemented by a healthy balanced low caloric diet for the first four weeks. The second phase of the study saw a return to the participants’ typical diet, substituting the parsley seed bread with Baladi bread, which provided an equal caloric intake, for another four weeks.
This approach allowed the researchers to assess the specific effects of the parsley seed-enriched bread. Various health parameters were measured, including anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, dietary recall, and a comprehensive set of biochemical parameters such as osteopontin, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-10 (IL-10), kidney function markers, and lipid profiles.
The findings, which are detailed in the article with DOI 10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.12.022, revealed remarkable improvements following the initial intervention phase. There was a significant reduction in mean anthropometric measurements, lipid parameters, and risk factors, all of which are pivotal in managing obesity and its related comorbidities. Most notably, levels of osteopontin—a marker associated with inflammation and renal disorders—decreased significantly, along with creatinine and IL-1β concentrations, while markers of kidney function like estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and creatinine clearance, as well as IL-10 levels, increased.
However, the omission of the parsley seed-supplemented bread in the second phase of the intervention led to a reversion of these improved values to elevated levels, highlighting the specific influence of the supplemented bread on these health outcomes. A significant negative correlation was demonstrated between levels of serum osteopontin and creatinine clearance, further illustrating the role of osteopontin in renal health.
The interplay of osteopontin with renal function and obesity-related inflammation is complex, and this study shines a light on the potential of dietary interventions to positively affect these parameters. Osteopontin, a protein implicated in various biological processes, including tissue remodeling and inflammation, has been linked to the pathophysiology of both CKD and obesity. An elevated level of serum osteopontin is often observed in individuals with impaired renal function.
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum), a commonly used herb, is known for its high antioxidant content and health-promoting properties. The use of parsley seeds, in particular, has been less explored in clinical settings, making this study an important contribution to the field of functional foods and their therapeutic potential.
The findings of the study advocate for the incorporation of parsley seed-enriched products into diets to help manage obesity-related renal disorders, showcasing a practical and accessible form of nutritional intervention. This is especially relevant at a time when public health strategies emphasize the importance of dietary management in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.
The promising results of the study could influence dietary guidelines and public health recommendations, potentially leading to the development of new functional foods specifically targeted at populations at risk of CKD and other obesity-related diseases. Moreover, this research contributes to a growing body of evidence supporting the therapeutic role of specific dietary elements in managing chronic health conditions.
The study’s findings have been published with the following references and DOI:
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.12.022
S2405-4577(23)02247-7
Keywords
1. Obesity and renal health
2. Functional foods and nutrition
3. Parsley seed benefits
4. Serum osteopontin and CKD
5. Nutritional intervention study
Conclusion
The study by Essa Hend et al., “Efficacy of parsley seed-supplemented bread in improving serum osteopontin level and renal health in obese women: A nutritional intervention study,” is a testament to the potency of functional foods in clinical nutrition. With obesity being a growing concern worldwide, such research paves the way for innovative dietary strategies to combat associated health risks. Ensuring that functional foods, such as parsley seed bread, are accessible to those in need could have profound implications for public health, particularly in the prevention and management of obesity-related renal disorders. The full potential of such interventions remains to be explored further in future research.
References
1. Essa Hend A. HA, et al. (2024). Efficacy of parsley seed-supplemented bread in improving serum osteopontin level and renal health in obese women: A nutritional intervention study. Clin Nutr ESPEN, 59, 287-295.
2. World Health Organization. (2020). Obesity and Overweight.
3. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2020). Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
4. Vaziri, N. D., & Norris, K. (2011). Lipid Disorders and Their Relevance to Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease. Blood Purification, 31(1-3), 189-196.
5. Riser, B. L., Denichilo, M., Cortes, P., et al. (2000). Regulation of Connective Tissue Growth Factor Activity in Cultured Rat Mesangial Cells and Its Expression in Experimental Diabetic Glomerulosclerosis. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 11(1), 25-38.