Muscle Function, Handgrip Strength Test

This study will evaluate the effects of policosanol supplementation, concurrent exercise training, and their combination on physical fitness, muscle recovery, inflammatory markers, and blood lipid profiles in adults with elevated blood lipids who are not currently indicated for lipid-lowering medication. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups for 12 weeks: policosanol plus exercise training, policosanol alone, placebo plus exercise training, or placebo without structured exercise training. Participants assigned to the supplementation groups will take policosanol 5 mg per day, while those assigned to the placebo groups will take a matching placebo. Participants assigned to the exercise groups will complete a standardized concurrent exercise training program combining aerobic and resistance exercise. The study will compare changes in physical fitness, lipid profiles, and selected blood biomarkers before and after the intervention. The findings may help determine whether low-dose policosanol, alone or combined with exercise training, can support cardiometabolic health and physical fitness in adults with dyslipidemia.

Current recommendations for protein intake after bariatric surgery are not based on strong scientific evidence. It remains unclear how much protein should be eaten to minimize muscle loss and preserve the metabolism and function of individuals post-bariatric surgery. The objective of this study is to analyze the relationships between changes in body composition, nutrition and protein intake, and muscle function after bariatric surgery to further our understanding of the nutritional needs of patients after bariatric surgery. We intend to recruit around 75 participants, men and women, aged between 18 and 65 years. Participants will be recruited from the Bariatric Surgery Clinic, McGill University Health Center.