Effect of L-arginine and selenium added to a hypocaloric diet enriched with legumes on cardiovascular disease risk factors in women with central obesity: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

We aimed to discover if L -arginine and
selenium alone or together can increase the effect of a hypocaloric
diet enriched in legumes (HDEL) on central obesity
and cardiovascular risk factors in women with central obesity.
Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
trial was undertaken in 84 premenopausal women
with central obesity. After a 2-week run-in period on an isocaloric
diet, participants were randomly assigned to a control
diet (HDEL), L -arginine (5 g/day) and HDEL, selenium (200
� g/day) and HDEL or L -arginine, selenium and HDEL for
6 weeks. Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed before
intervention and 3 and 6 weeks afterwards. Results: After
6 weeks, L -arginine had significantly reduced waist circumference
(WC); selenium had significantly lowered fastingconcentrations of serum insulin and the homeostasis model
assessment of insulin resistance index; the interaction between
L -arginine and selenium significantly reduced the
fasting concentration of nitric oxides (NO x ), and HDEL lowered
triglycerides (TG) and WC and significantly increased
the fasting concentration of NO x . HDEL reduced high-sensitivity
C-reactive protein levels in the first half of the study and
returned them to basal levels in the second half. Conclusion:
These data indicate the beneficial effects of L -arginine on
central obesity, selenium on insulin resistance and HDEL on
serum concentrations of NO x and TG