The objective of the study was to evaluate the stratification of young women based on the assessment of body composition according to several currently recommended anthropometric indices and parameters, as well as the presence of obesity, sarcopenic obesity and the risk of premature death. Three hundred and three young Caucasian women aged 18–25 years were included in the cross-sectional observational study. For the purposes of the study, we used the bioelectrical impedance method and applied the obtained data to calculate indices defining obesity, sarcopenic obesity and premature mortality risk (ABSI z-score). We found significant differences between indicators of total and abdominal obesity when determining the rate of risk of premature death and diagnosis of obesity. Our results also suggest that FMI and FM/FFM indices correlate excellently with fat mass and visceral adipose tissue, better than BMI. Even in the case of abdominal obesity, FMI appears to correlate relatively strongly, more so than BMI. The results of the study support the opinion that in the assessment of body composition and health status, the presence of obesity (sarcopenic obesity) and the risk of premature death, anthropometric parameters and indices focusing not only on body weight (BMI, ABSI), but also on the proportionality and distribution of fat (WC, WHR, WHtR, VFA) and muscle tissue (FFMI, SMMI, FM/FFM ratio) should be used.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of short-term consumption of bitter apricot seeds phytonutrients on cardiovascular risk factors with a special focus on LDL cholesterol subfractions using the Lipoprint system. A group of 34 adult volunteers (21 female/13 male) consumed 60 mg kg⁻¹ of body weight of bitter apricot seeds daily for 42 days. Subjects were divided into two groups: one with normal cholesterol levels (NTC) and one with elevated total cholesterol levels (ETC). Blood serum levels of total cholesterol (T-C), low-density cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) did not change significantly (p > 0.05) in NTC group. However, there were significant decreasing of T-C (p ˂ 0.05) and LDL-C (p < 0.01) in ETC group. The LDL₁, LDL₂, and atherogenic LDL₃₋₇ subfractions progressively decreased after 42 days of apricot seeds consumption in ETC group (p < 0.05). Apricot seeds consumption was associated with a significant increase in the mean LDL particle size especially in ETC group (p ˂ 0.01). The results of the present study support the hypothesis that daily consumption of bitter apricot seeds for 42 days positively modified the lipoprotein profile in the group with elevated total cholesterol.

(1) Background: Commonly used anthropometric indices have limitations that discriminate their relevance. The subject of this research was to evaluate the health risks associated with body composition using the new weight-adjusted waist index (WWI). (2) Materials and Methods: The research group consisted of two hundred and thirty-nine Caucasian women. Body composition was analyzed by the MF-BIA method using InBody 970. The WWI was calculated as waist circumference divided by the square root of weight. Biochemical parameters (lipid profile, glucose, hs-CRP and uric acid) were analyzed using a Biolis 24i Premium biochemical analyser. One-factor variance analysis, a post-hoc test, Pearson correlation analysis and WWI quartiles were used for the statistical evaluation. (3) Results: The results showed significant differences between WWI quartiles. Compared to the lowest quartile, participants in the highest quartile groups had the highest values of body weight (58.49 vs. 87.17 kg; p < 0.001), waist circumference (WC) (76.47 vs. 109.45 cm; p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (20.65 vs. 32.06 kg/m²; p < 0.001), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (0.84 vs. 1.03; p < 0.001), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) (0.46 vs. 0.66; p < 0.001), fat-free mass (FFM) (44.97 vs. 49.12 kg; p < 0.001), fat mass (FM) (13.52 vs. 38.05 kg; p < 0.001) and visceral fat area (VFA) (56.94 vs. 150.62 cm²; p < 0.001), confirming a higher risk of obesity. The women in the highest quartile had significantly higher values of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), glucose (GLU), uric acid (UA), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP). The correlations showed a strong positive relationship of the WWI with WC (r = 0.924), VFA (r = 0.907) and FM (r = 0.901) and a strong negative relationship with %FFM (r = −0.9) and %SMM (skeletal muscle mass) (r = −0.887). The correlation analysis also confirmed a strong positive association with WHR (r = 0.964), WHtR (r = 0.944), FMI (r = 0.902) and BMI (r = 0.863). (4) Conclusions: Our results confirmed that the WWI is a useful tool for assessing fat and muscle components, as well as for assessing health risks.

Flaxseed is known for its numerous health benefits and is often used in the prevention and treatment of civilizational diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of consuming crushed flaxseed on cardiovascular risk in 51 menopausal women. The intervention lasted for 8 weeks, during which participants received a daily dose of 40 g of crushed flaxseed from two varieties with differing lignan contents. Participants were divided into three subgroups based on the variety of flaxseed consumed: (1) high-lignan group (HL), (2) low-lignan group (LL), and (3) control group (no flaxseed consumption). Biochemical blood parameters were measured using a BiOLis 24i Premium automatic analyzer. Body composition was assessed using an InBody 720 device. In the lipid profile, we observed a significant increase in total cholesterol (T-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, along with a significant decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in both the HL and LL groups. Triglyceride (TG) levels exhibited no significant change, whereas high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were significantly reduced in both the HL (p < 0.01) and LL (p < 0.01) groups. Visceral fat area (VFA) and percent body fat (PBF) showed a slight decreasing trend in the HL group, whereas in the LL group, VFA showed a slight increase. Body mass index (BMI) remained stable across all groups. These findings suggest that for the modulation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, the daily dosage, duration of consumption, form of intake, and the specific variety of flaxseed (based on lignan content) are crucial factors.

Introduction: Overweight and obesity are major public health concerns, often leading to increased cardiovascular risk. Methods: This eight-week interventional study examined whether regular consumption of two natural bilberry products could improve body composition and lipid profiles in overweight/obese women. A total of 30 participants (aged 50–60 years) were assigned to consume either 125 mL/day of 100% bilberry juice or 10 g/day of 100% bilberry fibre, while maintaining their habitual diets and lifestyles. Results: Although no significant changes were found in anthropometric parameters or blood pressure in either group, both interventions reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Surprisingly, total cholesterol (TC) levels rose in the bilberry juice group (from 6.41 ± 1.23 mmol/L to 6.94 ± 1.30 mmol/L (p < 0.001)), and in the fibre group (from 6.06 ± 1.39 mmol/L to 6.43 ± 1.05 mmol/L (p = 0.046)), likely due to elevated HDL-C (p < 0.001) overshadowing the drop in LDL-C (p < 0.05). Triglyceride (TG) levels did not change significantly and were still within the reference range. Conclusions: Notably, the bilberry juice group experienced a significant reduction in atherogenic small dense LDL (sdLDL) subfractions, suggesting a favourable shift in cardiovascular risk factors. These findings highlight the potential of bilberry-based products as a supportive strategy for improving lipid profiles in overweight/obese women.

Background: Aronia melanocarpa is nowadays valued for its high content of biologically active substances, the main group of which are polyphenols, which include anthocyanins, flavonols, flavanols, proanthocyanidins and phenolic acids. From the available sources, we can conclude that extracts and juices from black chokeberry have a great potential in human nutrition and influence on their health.Objective: The research was to evaluate the effect of regular consumption of 100% organic chokeberry juice on selected anthropometric and lipid parameters of overweight or obese women.Material and Methods: A clinical study consisted of 19 women with overweight and obesity, age from 44 to 63. The probands consumed 50 ml of chokeberry juice daily for 8 weeks as part of their regular diet. Body composition and biochemical indicators were monitored before consumption, after 4 and 8 weeks of nutritional intervention. Body composition was determined using multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MFBIA) – InBody 720. Biochemical analyzes of blood serum were performed using standard methods in an accredited laboratory using automatic biochemical analyzer a BioMajesty JCA-BM6010/C.Results: The monitored group of probands is characterized by menopausale and postmenopausale women, overweight or obese women with hypercholesterolemia without pharmacological treatment. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were observed when evaluating the amount of body fat (BFM) of the probands before the start of consumption and after the consumption of chokeberry juice. We noted a statistically significant reduction especially in the assessment of visceral fat (VFA) (p<0.001). There were no fundamentally significant changes in the lipid profile of women in this intervention study. With short-term consumption of chokeberry juice (after 4 weeks), we recorded an average reduction in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, but without statistical significant. We also focused on the evaluation of the inflammatory marker CRP and noted a significant beneficial reduction of CRP (p˂0.05).Conclusions: In the research, we evaluated the effect of 8 weeks consumption of 100% chokeberry juice on selected anthropometric parameters, focusing on changes in visceral fat and total fat in overweight and obese women. In conclusion, we can state that the regular consumption of chokeberry juice has a beneficial effect on fat tissue in women of reproductive age, which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.