Biochemical assessment
Venous blood samples (10 ml) were collected after 8–12 h fasting at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention at a specialised laboratory. Serum glycated haemoglobin concentration (%) was determined by turbidimetry, and total cholesterol (mg/dl), triglycerides (mg/dl), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c, mg/dl) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c, mg/dl) were determined by an enzymatic colorimetric method. Glutathione peroxidase (μmol/l) was quantified by an enzymatic method and CRP (mg/dl) was evaluated by turbidimetry. All exams were performed using commercials kits.