November 2019

How Deep Sleep May Help The Brain Clear Alzheimer’s Toxins

The brain waves generated during deep sleep appear to trigger a cleaning system in the brain that protects it against Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Electrical signals known as slow waves appear just before a pulse of fluid washes through the brain, presumably removing toxins associated with Alzheimer’s, researchers reported Thursday in the journal Science.

The finding could help explain a puzzling link between sleep and Alzheimer’s, says Laura Lewis, an author of the study and an assistant professor in the department of biomedical engineering at Boston University.

If you wish to continue reading this article it is on the following page: How Deep Sleep May Help The Brain Clear Alzheimer’s Toxins

October 2019

Plant-based diets might reduce men’s risk of prostate cancer

Victorian A Cameron Oct 22, 20
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men, with an 11.6% lifetime risk, according to the National Cancer Institute.

The United States’ rate of new cases, 101.8 per 100,000 men, in 2016 was not the highest prostate cancer rate in the world—Australia and New Zealand had rates of 111.6 per 100,000 men in 2012, according to the World Cancer Report 2014—but it was far higher than the worldwide rate of 34.2 per 100,000 men.

China, Japan and India have the lowest rates, and residents of those countries also consume fewer dairy products than Americans do. Increasingly, research is finding a possible link between plant-based diets and lower risks of prostate cancer. For this study, researchers from the Mayo Clinic reviewed previous publications looking for an association between diet and prostate cancer.

“Our review highlighted a cause for concern with high consumption of dairy products,” lead author John Shin, M.D., a Mayo Clinic oncologist, said in a released statement. “The findings also support a growing body of evidence on the potential benefits of plant-based diets.”

Summary: After examining 47 studies of varies sizes, the researchers determined that most of the studies found a relationship between eating plant-based foods and a lower risk of prostate cancer; animal-based foods—especially dairy products—are associated with increased risk of prostate cancer.

The study: Researchers looked for studies published between 2006 and February 2017 that included terms such as prostate cancer, dairy products, milk, vegan and plant-based diet. After eliminating articles that did not investigate a link between diet and prostate cancer, studies were grouped by design and size for analysis.

The 47 chosen studies included 29 cohort studies of various sizes; 13 case-control studies; four meta-analyses; and one population study. The cohort studies consisted of two with 100,000 or more subjects; six with between 40,000 and 99,999 subjects; 11 with 10,000 to 39,999 subjects; and 10 with less than 10,000 subjects. All the studies examined were conducted in English and involved human participation.

The findings: Regarding vegetarian diets, two of the five cohort studies found an association between plant-based diets and lower risks of prostate cancer; three cohort studies did not find a change in the risk. Three studies involving vegan diets all found that following a vegan diet lowers the risk of prostate cancer.

Researchers reviewed 12 studies, including a large population study, to look at the effect of eating meat and fish on the risk of prostate cancer. The large population study found an association between eating meat and developing prostate cancer, but two cohort studies found no effect. One case-control study found that consumption of beef, pork or lamb was linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer; two found that men who eat the most meat have a higher risk than men who eat less.

Of the 24 studies that considered an association between dairy consumption and prostate cancer, two meta-analyses, seven cohort studies and one case-controlled study found an increased risk of prostate cancer. One cohort study found a decreased risk when men consumed dairy as children. Thirteen other analyzed works did not find an association between dairy and prostate cancer.

Study conclusions: The researchers found that most studies looking at consumption of plant-based foods “showed either no significant association or an association with decreased risk” of prostate cancer. Alternately, the majority of cohort studies found increased risk or no change in risk of prostate cancer when animal-based foods, including dairy, are consumed.

“Furthermore, increased intake of calcium also appeared to be associated with increased (prostate cancer) risk. Since dairy products are rich in calcium, this raises the possibility of calcium playing an important role in the link between dairy and (prostate cancer),” the study’s authors wrote.

They added, “There does not appear to be a clear association between increased (prostate cancer) risk and increased consumption of other types of animal-based foods, including red, white, or processed meat, fish, and eggs.”

Why the research is interesting:

• The National Cancer Institute estimates that 31,620 men in the United States will die of prostate cancer this year—the second-highest mortality rate of all cancers in men.
• As Americans consume less meat and dairy products and eat more plant-based foods, mortality rates for several common cancers are decreasing, according to a 1997 study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. A 1981 study estimated that 35% of cancers could be linked to diet, and a follow-up study in 2015 essentially supported those findings.
• The 47 studies reviewed here including more than 1 million participants. Researchers looked at dietary patterns as well as how subsets of foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains affected prostate-cancer risks.

Points to consider:

• Studies such as this cannot prove causation, just a relationship. Therefore, other factors—participants’ regular diets, exercise habits, smoking and drinking history—could affect the findings without the researchers’ knowledge.
• The studies reviewed here primarily collected information about participants’ diets based on the participants’ memories, which may not be as reliable as having participants keep food diaries, for example.
• Some of these studies looked at the incidence of prostate cancer, while others considered only mortality.
• The authors suggest that more randomized, controlled studies are needed to verify these findings. Research also is needed to understand the effects of other factors such as smoking and exercise on the risk of prostate cancer.

Authors: John Shin, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Denise Millstine, M.D., Women’s Health Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale Arizona; and Barbara Ruddy, M.D., Mark Wallace, M.D. and Heather Fields, M.D., Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona.

You can read the full study HERE.

September 2019

Teenager goes blind from years-long diet of french fries, potato chips and white bread

A teenager’s strict diet of french fries, potato chips and white bread slowly caused him to permanently lose his eyesight, according to a case study published in a medical journal.

Scientists from the University of Bristol examined the case of a young patient whose extremely picky eating is believed to have caused his blindness — and have sounded the alarm on the dangers of a poor diet.

The unidentified patient told doctors he consumed a limited diet of french fries, potato chips, white bread and some slices of processed meat since elementary school. The young boy also avoided foods with certain textures. He first visited his general practitioner at age 14, complaining of tiredness, according to a case report published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on Monday.

The teen was not taking any medication; had a normal BMI and height; and showed no visible signs of malnutrition. Doctors discovered that he had low levels of vitamin B12 and anemia, and he was treated with vitamin B12 injections and offered dietary advice.

A year later, the patient experienced hearing loss and difficulty seeing, but doctors did not find the cause.
By the time the patient reached 17, his vision had worsened to the point of blindness, according the report. Further investigation revealed that the patient had vitamin B12 deficiency; low copper, Vitamin D and selenium levels; a high zinc level; and reduced bone mineral density. At this point, the patient’s vision was permanently impaired.

Researchers from Bristol Medical School and the Bristol Eye Hospital examined the case and concluded that the patient’s “junk food” diet and “limited intake of nutritional vitamins and minerals” resulted in the onset of nutritional optic neuropathy, a dysfunction of the optic nerve.

In developed countries, nutritional optic neuropathy is mostly caused by bowel problems or medication that interferes with the absorption of nutrients, the researchers noted. The condition is rarely caused entirely by an unhealthy diet, because nutritious food is readily available.

Elsewhere in the world, poverty, war and drugs are linked to higher rates of nutritional optic neuropathy, the researchers said.

If caught and treated early, the condition is reversible. If left untreated, however, it can lead to blindness.

“Our vision has such an impact on quality of life, education, employment, social interactions and mental health,” said Dr. Denize Atan, the study’s lead author and an ophthalmologist at Bristol Medical School and Bristol Eye Hospital. “This case highlights the impact of diet on visual and physical health, and the fact that calorie intake and BMI are not reliable indicators of nutritional status.”

The researchers said a poor diet and limited intake of vitamins and minerals caused vision loss in this case. They warned that nutritional optic neuropathy could become more widespread due to the regular and widespread consumption of junk food around the world. And they further noted that the “growing popularity of veganism” could contribute to the condition’s prevalence “if the vegan diet is not supplemented appropriately to prevent vitamin B12 deficiency.”

To prevent similar conditions from happening, doctors should ask patients about their dietary history as part of routine clinical examinations, the researchers advised.

“This may avoid a diagnosis of nutritional optic neuropathy being missed or delayed as some associated visual loss can fully recover if the nutritional deficiencies are treated early enough,” they said.

August 2019

PFAS Being Eliminated

Chemical giant and Teflon maker Chemours has quietly stopped making some non-stick coatings used in disposable food packaging amid public debate about their health effects, the company told POLITICO.

The DuPont spinoff said it no longer manufactures three products containing PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in the U.S. or globally that were applied to paper food packaging to resist oil and grease. The company told POLITICO it has also asked the Food and Drug Administration to voluntarily withdraw approval of the products.

Chemours did not comment on why it decided to stop making the three PFAS-based products, only stating that its business is more focused on other markets like consumer electronics, energy storage and automotives. Manufacturers of PFAS maintain the chemicals are not a public health risk, and FDA previously backed them up, signing off on the safety of dozens of food-packaging uses of the chemicals. However, the agency said this summer it had launched a review because new evidence suggests they may be harmful.

“Since our inception as a company in 2015, food packaging has never been a focus for Chemours,” the company said in a statement, adding that it has no intention of developing any new PFAS-based products for food packaging. “We do not believe our withdrawals … will have any impact on the food packaging marketplace — we have not meaningfully participated in this marketplace for some time.”

Chemours’ move comes as the Trump administration faces pressure from states and public health advocates to reduce Americans’ exposure to PFAS, a class of nearly 5,000 chemicals that since the 1940s have been used in everything from cookware and fabric to carpeting and firefighting foam. They are commonly found in sandwich and dessert wrappers, as well as compostable paper bowls and plates and fast-food boxes. Chains like Chipotle and Sweetgreen use packaging containing PFAS, The New Food Economy reported earlier this week.

Some PFAS are known to cause health problems in part because they are extremely long-lasting and accumulate over time in the human body and the environment. As FDA reviews the chemicals, some states are taking the lead in efforts to ban PFAS in everyday products, including food packaging, to protect water quality and public health. Manufacturers including Chemours, DuPont and 3M are also facing a litany of lawsuits over PFAS contamination.

Chemical companies years ago stopped making two of the most well-studied PFAS, known as PFOS and PFOA, because of links to kidney and testicular cancer, hypertension and developmental and reproductive issues. They were removed from food packaging in 2011 under an agreement between FDA and major manufacturers like 3M, BASF and DuPont.

But those two chemicals have been replaced by newer PFAS variations that chemical companies say are significantly safer. A number of these have been approved by FDA for use in food packaging over the past two decades.

The agency evaluates the safety of non-stick coatings and other food-packaging products through an obscure notification system that relies on data submitted by chemical manufacturers, such as what the coatings are made from, their toxicity and how much of a given chemical could migrate into food. FDA said it limits these uses for food packaging to ensure consumer safety.

But in June the agency announced it was reviewing the approvals because recent studies suggested newer PFAS on the market may pose a risk to human health. FDA is working with other federal agencies to determine next steps.

It is unclear whether Chemours’ decision to discontinue three PFAS-based substances was related to the FDA review. The company did not comment on what portion of its business has been dedicated to food-packaging chemicals.

Chemours’ latest financial report states that it earned $2.9 billion last year from its line of “fluoroproducts.” The products include Teflon, repellents for leather and floor tile, foam used to extinguish fires, refrigerants and industrial cleaners, as well as a “foam blowing agent” for food packaging, according to the company’s website.

Chemours makes at least six other coatings that come into contact with food, primarily through use in food processing equipment, that appear to contain PFAS, according to a review of an FDA database. The company did not return a request for comment on whether it has stopped, or plans to stop, manufacturing those products.

There are no estimates of how much of the food-packaging supply is made with PFAS-based chemicals, said Lynn Dyer, president of the Foodservice Packaging Institute, a trade association. She said consumers should not be concerned about the chemicals because FDA’s review process is rigorous. The industry is working on finding alternatives to PFAS-based products that perform well and could be marketed at a competitive price, she added.

Erika Schreder, science director at Toxic-Free Future, an advocacy and research group that lobbies policymakers to strengthen chemical protections, said Chemours’ decision reflects the reality that the chemicals are “dangerous and unnecessary.”

“When PFAS is used in food packaging, we end up with these persistent chemicals in our food and in our bodies, and when we’re done eating, the packaging ends up contaminating compost and water,” Schreder told POLITICO.

July 2019

How Weight Training Changes the Brain

By Gretchen Reynolds

Weight training may have benefits for brain health, at least in rats. When rats lift weights, they gain strength and also change the cellular environment inside their brains, improving their ability to think, according to a notable new study of resistance training, rodents and the workings of their minds.

The study finds that weight training, accomplished in rodents with ladders and tiny, taped-on weights, can reduce or even reverse aspects of age-related memory loss. The finding may have important brain-health implications for those of us who are not literal gym rats.
Most of us discover in middle age, to our chagrin, that brains change with age and thinking skills dip. Familiar names, words and the current location of our house keys begin to elude us.

But a wealth of helpful past research indicates that regular aerobic exercise, such as walking or jogging, can prop up memory and cognition. In these studies, which have involved people and animals, aerobic exercise generally increases the number of new neurons created in the brain’s memory center and also reduces inflammation. Unchecked, inflammation in the brain may contribute to the development of dementia and other neuro-degenerative conditions.

Far less has been known, though, about whether and how resistance training affects the brain. A few studies with older people have linked weight training to improved cognition, but the studies have been small and the linkages tenuous. While researchers know that lifting weights builds muscle, it is not yet clear how, at a molecular level, it would affect the cells and functions of the brain.

So, for the new study, which was published this month in the Journal of Applied Physiology, Taylor Kelty, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Missouri in Columbia, began to consider rats and ladders. He and his collaborators knew that to closely study brain changes related to resistance training, they would need to induce animals to lift weights. But how?

Mr. Kelty’s solution, a modification of methods used in some earlier studies, involved a 100-centimeter-long ladder (a little over three feet) and bags of weighted pellets gently taped to the rats’ rear ends. The animals received a Froot Loop (cereal) when they reached the top of the ladder and soon started climbing willingly, even without rewards. After several weeks, the climbers showed increased muscle mass, indicating that the activity was effective weight training.

Next, to test the training’s brain effects, Mr. Kelty and his colleagues injected a separate group of animals with a substance known to induce inflammation in the brain, creating a rodent form of mild cognitive impairment or early dementia.
Half of these rats then began a weekly program of weight training. As the climbing became easier, the mass of the pellets in their bags was increased, just as people progressively add to the weight they lift at gyms.

After five weeks, all of the animals, including an untouched control group, were loosed individually into a brightly lit maze with a single, darkened chamber. Rodents gravitate toward dark places and during repeated visits to the maze, the animals would be expected to learn the location and aim for that chamber.

But their success differed. In the first few tests, the control animals were fastest and most accurate, and the rodents with mild cognitive impairments faltered. With a little practice, though, the weight-trained animals, despite their induced cognitive impairments, caught up to and in some cases surpassed the speed and accuracy of the controls.

The weight training had “effectively restored” their ability to think, Mr. Kelty says.
The untrained animals with mild cognitive impairments, meanwhile, continued to lag far behind the others in their ability to find and recall the chamber.

Finally, to better understand how ladder climbing might have changed the rats’ brains and minds, Mr. Kelty and his collaborators microscopically examined brain tissue from each of the groups. As expected, they found signs of inflammation in the brains of the animals that had been injected.

But they found, too, that the memory centers of the brains in the weight trainers teemed now with enzymes and genetic markers that are known to help kick-start the creation and survival of new neurons, while also increasing plasticity, which is the brain’s ability to remodel itself.

In effect, the brains of the weight-trained rats were remaking themselves to resemble those of brains that had not been inflamed and impaired.

Of course, this was a study with rats, and rats are not people. We rarely weight train by climbing ladders with heavy bags strapped to our rears, for one thing. So, it is impossible to know from this experiment if our brains will respond in quite the same way to lifting weights.
The study also cannot tell us whether aerobic exercise leads to similar, differing or complementary molecular changes in our brains, or if healthy people gain the same benefits as those with impairments.

But the findings are suggestive, Mr. Kelty says.
“I think it’s safe to say that people should look into doing some resistance training,” he says. “It’s good for you for all kinds of other reasons, and it appears to be neuroprotective. And who doesn’t want a healthy brain?”

May 2019

Low humidity of winter reduces resistance to influenza, Yale researchers say

Studying mice, researchers found that bodies in low ambient humidity are more susceptible to the flu virus and suffer more severe symptoms.

Around the world, about half a million people die of influenza each year. Most outbreaks occur during the winter months in each hemisphere, for a variety of reasons. Researchers from Yale set out to determine if the body’s response to the virus differed in low ambient humidity compared with average humidity.

Summary: When exposed to influenza, mice in low humidity environments became sicker than those in normal humidity. Their bodies’ reactions to the virus were impaired, leading to more severe weight loss and quicker deaths.

The study: Mice that were genetically modified to have a human-like resistance to viral infections were kept in chambers of low humidity (10% or 20%) or average humidity (50%) for several days, then exposed to the influenza A virus. Researchers then studied the mice’s temperature, weight, viral load and other physical reactions to the virus and compared the findings among the three groups.

The findings: Dry air impairs the ability of cilia to clear the trachea of pathogens and debris; reduces the body’s ability to fight the viral infection; and inhibits the mechanism that repairs tissue damaged by the virus. The infected mice in low humidity lost weight more rapidly and did not survive as long as those in the normal humidity group.

The study’s authors also noted that the body’s reaction to dehydration, as well as the buildup of pathogens in respiratory tract, could negatively affect its ability to fight the infection. However, more study is needed to determine why dry air impairs the antiviral response.

Study conclusions: Because low relative humidity made the mice less capable of fighting the influenza A virus, they were more likely to die than mice in normal relative humidity. The study specifically shows the impact of low humidity on the mechanics of the immune system and might explain the correlation of lower absolute humidity and the increase in flu-related deaths.

“Our study suggests that increasing ambient humidity may be a viable strategy to reduce disease symptoms and to promote more rapid recovery in influenza-infected individuals,” the authors wrote.

Why the research is interesting: Influenza is prevalent in the United States, despite widespread recommendations for residents to be immunized. A 2018 study published in the journal Vaccine updated the economic impact of the virus, finding that healthcare costs as well as indirect costs such as absenteeism cost an average of $11.2 billion a year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that from the 2010-2011 flu season through the 2017-2018 flu season, annual hospitalizations ranged from 140,000 to 960,000 and annual deaths from 12,000 to 79,000. The 2017-2018 flu season was the worst season included in the report.

Points to consider: Humidity doesn’t affect immune responses universally, as the influenza A virus thrives in wet, warm regions such as tropical and subtropical climates. More studies are needed to determine the reasons for the differences.

Authors: Akiko Iwasaki, professor of immunology and molecular, cellular and developmental biology, Yale University School of Medicine, and investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Eriko Kudo, postdoctoral associate, department of immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine; and Dr. Robert J. Homer, professor of pathology, director of thoracic pathology and director of medical studies for pathology at Yale University School of Medicine. Other authors are research associate Tasfia Rakib and graduate students Eric Song, Laura J. Yockey and Patrick W. Wong.

April 2019

Plant-based diet may reduce heart failure risk by 41%

Judie Bizzozero | Apr 23, 2019

Individuals who consume a plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables and fish have a 41 percent less risk of developing heart failure, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

The findings also suggest a diet rich in fats, fried foods, processed meat, and sugary drinks can raise the risk of heart failure by 73 percent. Heart failure affects about 5.7 million people in the United States and approximately 26 million people worldwide.

For the study, researchers examined associations between five dietary patterns—convenience, plant-based, sweets, Southern, and alcohol/salads—and incident hospitalizations for heart failure among U.S. adults. They examined data from the REGARDS (Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke) trial, a prospective study of black and Caucasian adults who were followed from 2003-2007 through 2014. Eligible participants completed a food frequency questionnaire and had no coronary heart disease or heart failure at baseline.

The study included 16,068 participants (mean age 64.0 ± 9.1 years). After a median 8.7 years of follow-up, 363 participants had incident heart failure hospitalizations. The highest quartile of adherence to the plant-based dietary pattern was associated with a 41 percent lower risk of heart failure in multivariate models, compared with the lowest quartile. The highest adherence to the Southern dietary pattern was linked with a 72 percent higher risk of heart failure after adjustments for age, sex, race, and other potential confounders such as education, income, region of residence, total energy intake, smoking, physical activity and sodium intake.

 

How companies are shipping frozen food more sustainably

Rachel Cernansky | Apr 08, 2019

As consumers become more savvy, the planet more threatened by climate change, and more natural brands expand their frozen options, it’s more important than ever for brands to ensure their efforts at sustainability extend beyond the food itself. Shipping frozen is inherently a resource-intensive practice, so we checked with a few companies to ask how they minimize the impacts from this aspect of the supply chain.

Adam Zbar, the CEO and co-founder of Sun Basket, said:

“Moreover, our ice packs are made of a gel that’s 98% water and 2% non-GMO cotton. You can cut open the plastic bag and drain the gel into your trash or curbside compost bin. The water will evaporate, leaving only the dried, compostable cotton behind. Alternatively, you can use the gel to water your garden. The lining can be processed at recycling centers that accept #4 plastic films.”

A spokesperson for Cali’flour Foods shared some of its best practices:

“When shipping directly to consumers, we ship our products shelf-stable. We do so by using vacuum-sealed bags that allow for 7-10 days of freshness. Since we don’t use any preservatives, we then encourage the consumer to freeze upon arrival and extend the shelf life to nine months.”

“We also offer what we call stack packs to our consumers, which completely eliminate the retail packaging of our pizza crusts. This of course helps to reduce package waste immensely, while also freeing up some precious freezer space for the consumer!”

Thinking differently inside the box

Another company that’s been growing out of the UK, Woolcool, has come up with insulation made out of felted sheep’s wool—a byproduct of the shearing process—that’s sealed in a polyethylene wrap. The company has a range specifically for deliveries of chilled and frozen foods, from fresh vegetables, fruit and fish to gourmet menus and ready-to-eat meals. Among its customers are Unilever and a number of smaller, mostly UK-based brands like Riverford Organic, a vegetable box delivery company.

March 2019

Nutrients for better pregnancies

If children are our future, then maternal nutrition is the soothsayer. Moms devote plenty of time to making sure their children get the right nutrients. But women, too, need a solid nutritional foundation to help ensure both fertility and a healthy pregnancy.

Protein—“Proteins supply important amounts of essential amino acids for fetal development,” said David Corcoran, dairy business manager, Bioriginal Food & Science. “Making new muscle and tissue as well as special signaling molecules require adequate amounts of these essential amino acids.” The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an increase in daily protein intake of 1 g in the first trimester, 10 g in the second trimester, and 31 g in the third trimester.

Omega-3s—Essential fatty acids (EFAs) come in the form of alpha linolenic acid (ALA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA is an essential nutrient for both pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Iron—Iron has long been known for its role in preventing anemia, but a growing body of evidence shows the mineral is also involved in brain development and cognition during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Choline—Choline is an essential nutrient involved in several biological processes. “Its principal role is metabolism, but also membrane construction in the brain and nervous tissues,” explained Merete Lindberg Hartvigsen, pediatric research scientist, Arla Foods Ingredients. “The role of choline in neuronal development makes it critical during pregnancy.” Selenium—Adequate selenium intake is essential for the health of women both during and after pregnancy. Low selenium levels may be responsible for up to 36 percent of cases of preeclampsia—a dangerous pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure.

Calcium—During pregnancy, fetuses need up to 330 mg of calcium daily to support their developing skeleton. If a mom-to-be doesn’t get enough—either through food or supplements—her body will pull calcium from her own bones to ensure the fetus gets what it needs.

Outmuscling Sarcopenia

By Connor Lovejoy

While sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass over time, remains an inevitability as we age; the ways in which manufacturers are combating it are evolving.

“Starting at age 40, adults can lose up to 8 percent of their muscle mass per decade. This rate can double by the age of 70,” said Suzette Pereira, research scientist at Abbott, a leader in nutrition science behind brands that include Pedialyte®, Ensure® and PediaSure®, among others. “The good news is, age-related muscle loss can be prevented or reversed with exercise and proper nutrition, including protein.”

Maintaining proper exercise is surprisingly not the biggest struggle for older adults.

“Many don’t know that as you get older, your body requires more protein to maintain muscle, yet research from Abbott and The Ohio State University using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [NHANES] data shows more than one in three adults over the age of 50 still aren’t getting the protein they need daily.”1

Abbott offers Ensure® nutrition drinks with protein and nutrients to help adults rebuild or maintain muscle for strength and energy. Additionally, they’ve introduced Ensure® Enlive—a specialized oral nutrition supplement containing muscle-specific ingredients

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The healing evolution of sage in natural products

As people around the world continue to look back at traditional medicines and incorporate herbal-based remedies and dietary supplements, an ancient herbal solution has a longstanding reputation used by Greek, Roman, Ayurvedic, Native American and Chinese medicines: Salvia officinalis, or more commonly known as sage.

Sage has been historically used in both medicinal and culinary purposes. It is a plant of the Lamiaceae family, and is native to the Middle East and the Mediterranean. The genus Salvia derives from the Latin word salvere, meaning “to save,” which may refer to the long-proposed healing properties of the plant.³ S. officinalis is one of the oldest cultivated species of sage, having a long history of use with recorded applications dating back to the first century (Pliny the Elder).

This plant has been traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments including wound healing, cough and dizziness relief, according to an article on sage in HerbalGram, and behavioral functions like depression, memory enhancement and cognitive function.² Sage has also been noted for strengthening the nervous system.

Sage was in common usage throughout medieval times in Europe and featured in British herbal apothecaries from the 16th century onwards.⁵ In the 1500s, an English herbalist by the name of John Gerard claimed that sage was good for the brain, head and memory, and in the 1600s Nicholas Culpeper, a physician and herbalist, reported sage improved memory, noted HerbalGram.

Consistent with its traditional uses, sage has now been clinically studied to show a wide range of pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and strong cognitive benefits.

Continue

 

February 2019

Alpha lipoic acid for healthy aging

In a time where antioxidants are essential, consumers are looking for the right ingredient to combat free radicals. Known as thioctic acid, alpha lipoic acid is generated through small amounts in the mitochondria—otherwise known as “the powerhouse of the cell.” One study found that “As an antioxidant, [alpha lipoic acid] directly terminates free radicals, chelates transition metal ions (e.g., iron and copper), increases cytosolic glutathione and vitamin C levels, and prevents toxicities associated with their loss.”1 Also known to help with the aging process, another study found ALA helps lower oxidative stress associated with aging.2

In addition, according to Clinical Nutrition, ALA plays a key part in boosting energy production, as it helps the physiological responses to stress.3 As aging occurs, the body is not capable of maintaining the same level of cellular energy production. The Clinical Nutrition study evaluated the efficacy of carnitine, a mitochondrial metabolite, and lipoic acid. The research indicated that an age-dependent decrement in the levels of the TCA cycle enzymes and electron transport chain complexes, in which supplementation of carnitine (300 mg/kg bw/d) and lipoic acid (100 mg/kg bw/d) for 30 days brought the activities close to normal levels. This suggested that alpha lipoic acid helped reverse the age-related decline.

An additional study found that added with L-carnitine, alpha lipoic acid reduced oxidative stress and improved mitochondrial function.4 In the double blind, crossover study, researchers examined the effects of alpha lipoic acid with acetyle L-carnitine treatment on vasodilator function and blood pressure in 36 subjects for eight weeks compared to placebo. The results indicated that active treatment increased brachial artery diameter by 2.3 percent and reduced systolic blood pressure for the entire group. Moreover, there was a dramatic effect in the subgroup with blood pressure above the median, and in the subgroup with the metabolic syndrome. This strongly indicated alpha lipoic acid’s effect on blood pressure and endothelia function in the brachial artery.

As an important part of cellular production, alpha lipoic acid plays a profound impact on oxidative stress. Indeed, the right ingredient to combat free radicals could be Alpha lipoic acid—and helpful ingredient to provide consumers a long and healthy life.

Note: It is not mentioned in the research article what type of alpha-lipoic acid was used in the study and it was (R)-alpha-lipoic acid, R-lipoic acid occurs naturally in food and the one to choose.

Wake Forest leads large study on diet, exercise and Alzheimer’s risk

Researchers in Finland recently found that lifestyle choices can help older adults stay mentally sharp.

Now scientists at Wake Forest School of Medicine hope confirm this is indeed the case by coordinating a large, national clinical trial sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association through a $28 million grant.

The Alzheimer’s Association U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER) is a $35 million project that will compare the effects of two different lifestyle interventions on brain health in older adults who may be at risk for memory loss in the future. U.S. POINTER is the first such study to be conducted in a large group of Americans across the United States.

“We must evaluate all options to treat and prevent cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias,” said Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., the Alzheimer’s Association’s chief science officer. “Concrete answers could help prevent millions from dying with Alzheimer’s and alleviate the dramatic impact this disease has on families. The Alzheimer’s Association is proud to launch this clinical trial with our scientific partners.”

An estimated 5.7 million Americans of all ages are living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. There are approximately 50 million people worldwide with the disease—for which there is no known cure—and that total is expected to double every 20 years.

“An urgent need exists to find effective approaches for Alzheimer’s that can arrest or reverse the disease at its earliest stages,” said Laura Baker, Ph.D., associate professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest School of Medicine, located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and one of the study’s principal investigators.

“Lifestyle interventions focused on combining healthy diet, physical activity and social and intellectual challenges represent a promising therapeutic strategy to protect brain health,” Baker said.

Approximately 2,000 volunteers at five U.S. sites will be enrolled and followed for two years in the study. The site led by Wake Forest School of Medicine already has begun enrolling participants. Other sites in California and Illinois will begin enrollment later this year. The remaining two sites will be added soon.

People age 60 to 79 will be randomly assigned to one of two lifestyle interventions. Both groups will be encouraged to include more physical and cognitive activity and a healthier diet into their lives and will receive regular monitoring of blood pressure and other health measurements.

Participants in one intervention group will design a lifestyle program that best fits their own needs and schedules. Participants in the other intervention group will follow a specific program that includes weekly healthy lifestyle activities.

The two-year Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (the FINGER trial) highlighted the promise of lifestyle interventions in slowing cognitive decline and serves as the model for U.S. POINTER.

“This growing coalition, assembled with leadership from the Alzheimer’s Association, demonstrates the strong global interest in collaborating to test whether lifestyle changes can protect brain health and prevent dementia for all people,” Baker said.

Anyone interested in joining the study should call 1-833-361-7591.

Three other principal investigators will help lead the U.S. trial: Mark Espeland, Ph.D., professor of public health sciences at Wake Forest School of Medicine; Rachel Whitmer, Ph.D., professor at the University of California at Davis School of Medicine; and Miia Kivipelto, M.D., Ph.D., professor of clinical geriatric epidemiology and neurology at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.

Jeff Williamson, M.D., professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine, and Jo Cleveland, M.D., associate professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine, at Wake Forest School of Medicine, are overseeing the clinical trial in North Carolina.

Source: Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center

FDA warns companies selling drugs as supplements for Alzheimer’s and other diseases

FDA has warned several companies to stop selling and marketing unapproved new drugs and/or mis-branded drugs as dietary supplements to prevent, treat or cure Alzheimer’s and other serious diseases.

The agency posted 12 warning letters and five online advisory letters issued to foreign and domestic companies for selling such illegal products, including pills, patches and essential oils. The sale of these products violates the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, FDA noted.

“These products, which are often sold on websites and social media platforms, have not been reviewed by the FDA and are not proven safe and effective to treat the diseases and health conditions they claim to treat,” the agency noted in a press release.

The FDA letters posted on the same day FDA’s top official released a statement on the agency’s plan to modernize its regulation of dietary supplements to keep up with innovation and changes in the booming industry since the passing of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) almost 25 years ago.

FDA advised the public these products may be ineffective, unsafe and could prevent a person from seeking an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

FDA requested companies receiving warning letters respond within 15 days with how the violations will be corrected. Failure to correct the violations may result in additional enforcement, including seizure and injunction, the agency cautioned.

The advisory letters, which were sent in November 2018 to owners of websites taking orders online for illegal Alzheimer’s disease products, requested corrections to the violations within 30 days or the letters, with company name and website information, would be published.

“Alzheimer’s is a challenging disease that, unfortunately, has no cure,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., in a statement. “Any products making unproven drug claims could mislead consumers to believe that such therapies exist and keep them from accessing therapies that are known to help support the symptoms of the disease, or worse as some fraudulent treatments can cause serious or even fatal injuries. Simply put, health fraud scams prey on vulnerable populations, waste money and often delay proper medical care—and we will continue to take action to protect patients and caregivers from misleading, unproven products.”

Peter Lurie, M.D., president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), noted the Alzheimer’s community is especially vulnerable to illegal marketing, and he commended FDA for targeting companies seeking to exploit such a vulnerability.

“This is a useful shot across the bow of the supplement industry on the part of the FDA, and there is certainly no shortage of other targets that the agency could pursue,” he said in a statement. “In January 2018, FDA took similar action against supplements marketed as treatments for opioid withdrawal after a complaint from CSPI in December 2017.”

July 2018

Products of omega-3 fatty acid metabolism may have anticancer effects, study shows

A class of molecules formed when the body metabolizes omega-3 fatty acids could inhibit cancer’s growth and spread, according to a new study by University of Illinois researchers published recently in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

The molecules, called endocannabinoids, are made naturally by the body and have similar properties to cannabinoids found in marijuana, but without the psychotropic effects.

In mice with tumors of osteosarcoma, a bone cancer that is notoriously painful and difficult to treat, endocannabinoids slowed the growth of tumors and blood vessels, inhibited the cancer cells from migrating, and caused cancer cell death.

“We have a built-in endocannabinoid system which is anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing. Now we see it is also anti-cancer, stopping the cells from proliferating or migrating,” said Aditi Das, PhD, lead author and a professor of comparative biosciences and an affiliate of biochemistry at Illinois. “These molecules could address multiple problems: cancer, inflammation and pain.”

In 2017, the Illinois team identified a new group of omega-3 fatty-acid metabolites called endocannabinoid epoxides, or EDP-EAs. They found that these molecules had anti-inflammatory properties and targeted the same receptor in the body that cannabis does.

Since cannabis has been shown to have some anti-cancer properties, the researchers investigated whether EDP-EAs also affect cancer cells. They found that in mice with osteosarcoma tumors that metastasized to their lungs, there was an 80 percent increase in naturally occurring EDP-EAs in cancerous lung tissues over the lungs of healthy mice.

“The dramatic increase indicated that these molecules were doing something to the cancer – but we didn’t know if it was harmful or good,” Das said. “We asked, are they trying to stop the cancer, or facilitating it? So we studied the individual properties and saw that they are working against the cancer in several ways.”

The researchers found that in higher concentrations, EDP-EAs did kill cancer cells, but not as effectively as other chemotherapeutic drugs on the market. However, the compounds also combated the osteosarcoma in other ways. They slowed tumor growth by inhibiting new blood vessels from forming to supply the tumor with nutrients, prevented interactions between the cells, and most significantly, appeared to stop cancerous cells from migrating.

“The major cause of death from cancer is driven by the spread of tumor cells, which requires migration of cells,” said Timothy Fan, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, study coauthor and a professor of veterinary clinical medicine and veterinary oncology. “As such, therapies that have the potential to impede cell migration also could be useful for slowing down or inhibiting metastases.”

The researchers isolated the most potent of the molecules and are working to develop derivatives that bind better to the cannabinoid receptor, which is plentiful on the surface on cancer cells.

“Dietary consumption of omega-3 fatty acids can lead to the formation of these substances in the body and may have some beneficial effects. However, if you have cancer, you want something concentrated and fast acting,” Das said. “That’s where the endocannabinoid epoxide derivatives come into play – you could make a concentrated dose of the exact compound that’s most effective against the cancer. You could also mix this with other drugs such as chemotherapies.”

Next, the researchers plan to perform preclinical studies in dogs, since dogs develop osteosarcoma spontaneously, similarly to humans. They also plan to study the effects of EDP-EAs derived from omega-3 fatty acids in other cancer types.

“Particular cancers that might be most interesting to study would be solid tumors or carcinomas, which tend to spread and cause pain within the skeleton,” said Fan, who is also a member of the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the Cancer Center at Illinois and the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. ”Some of the most common tumors that behave this way are breast, prostate, and lung carcinomas, and we can certainly explore these tumors in the future.

December 7th 2017

New (natural) hope for the painful reality of endometriosis

Research is finding that the supplement N-acetylcysteine has potential to decrease endometriosis and improve fertility.

Endometriosis is a gynecological disease that affects roughly 10 percent of reproductive-age women. It causes severe pain and cramping in the pelvis and lower abdomen, extremely painful menstrual cramping, pain from penetration during sex, abnormal bleeding, and, ultimately, infertility.

It’s an incredibly challenging disease that women contend with and, until recently, the only courses of action for treatment were highly disruptive hormone therapy, heavy-duty pain killers or invasive surgery.

Luckily, research is starting to show that a natural supplement called N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can drastically decrease endometriosis and improve fertility—without the negative side effects that come from messing with our hormones, taking pain killers or having surgery.

One study in particular, conducted in Italy, shows promising results. Ninety-two women were divided into two groups: 47 were given 600 mg of NAC three times a day, three consecutive days a week, for three months. Forty-five were not. All 92 women suffered from endometriosis, had not had any hormonal treatment in the previous two months and were scheduled for surgery.

The results were significant: In the NAC group, 24 patients canceled their surgery, 14 had decreased ovarian cysts (a painful byproduct of endometriosis and contributor to the overall condition), eight had a complete disappearance of cysts, 21 had pain reduction and one became pregnant.

In both groups, four patients saw new cyst growth.

So what do the numbers mean?

NAC may be just as effective at reducing the impacts of endometriosis and treating its growth, without the side effects of current treatments. A huge consideration for women with endometriosis is their fertility; hormone treatment can often be just as disruptive to fertility as the disease itself. NAC, on the other hand, has been shown to improve fertility. In fact, eight patients from the NAC group in the above study became pregnant soon after the trial.

The suffering caused by endometriosis and its relatively high incidence among women in their prime childbearing years is a genuine cause for concern. What’s more, invasive treatment of the disease has been the only option for a long time. NAC may represent a new, natural hope for those suffering from this unfortunate condition.

 

December 1st 2017
Rick Polito | Dec 01, 2017

Consumer Reports says supplements work for cold and flu—but you shouldn’t take them

In The Truth About Cold and Flu Supplements, Consumer Reports uses small risks to overshadow proven benefits. Is it an abundance of caution to negate an abundance of benefit?

Damning with faint praise is one thing. Whispering that faint praise and then kicking your knees out from under you is another.
Nobody who follows coverage of supplements in Consumer Reports will be surprised to learn that “The Truth About Cold and Flu Supplements” article posted Nov. 30 holds that truth to be: nobody should bother taking them.

But it’s the evidence to support the “truth” that is so puzzling in this article, which will also appear in the January 2018 printed edition. After quoting the Nutrition Business Journal estimate of $3 billion spent in 2016 on supplements formulated for colds and flu, writer Rachel Rabkin Peachman goes on to examine echinacea, garlic, probiotics, homeopathics, vitamin C and zinc. For each, she cites evidence and delivers a recommendation in varying degrees of negative. Again, we’re not surprised that Consumer Reports is going to tell readers to avoid supplements, but for each ingredient, the writer cites positive evidence. For echinacea, the article points to a 2014 review of 24 trials that supported the idea that echinacea teas or supplements might prevent colds. Consumer Report actually uses the word “prevent.”

And then they recommend waiting until you’re sick to drink tea, not necessarily echinacea tea, but “any tea.” According to Consumer Reports, taking supplements to help prevent colds is not worth it.

The article tells a similar story about garlic. Yes, garlic extract pills “might help prevent colds,” but—you guessed it—don’t bother actually taking those pills. Probiotics may help “prevent respiratory tract infections,” but Consumer Reports readers are advised to stick to yogurt. Vitamin C gets the same treatment. A review of 29 trials found that regular users might have “slightly shorter colds.” But don’t take supplements. Eat greens and citrus fruit. The article points to a 2015 analysis finding that taking zinc lozenges and zinc syrup during a cold can make those colds shorter and less severe.

But, by all means, don’t take that advice.

Of course, there are real risks and Consumer Reports spends a lot of time on them. Apparently, garlic in high doses raise the risk of bleeding for people taking Coumadin and make HIV drugs less effective. One would hope those people’s doctors would tell them that. It’s hard to imagine a safer substance than garlic for the rest of us. The same with probiotics: people with weakened immune systems can have problems so maybe those people shouldn’t take them. We’re guessing those people know who they are, and talk to their doctors pretty frequently.

So nobody should be surprised by Consumer Reports turning negative on supplements. It’s just interesting to see them bend into such imaginative verbal yoga poses to do it. Our recommendation: Consumer Reports might be a great magazine to read if you are buying a car or shopping for a refrigerator, but you probably shouldn’t read it. Why? If you leave it near an open flame you might burn your house down.

July 27th 2017

How California classified glyphosate as a carcinogen

California recently added the herbicide glyphosate to Proposition 65, legislation that requires businesses to provide warning labels.
California thanks to a landmark piece of legislation called Proposition 65, the 1986-established law designed to protect the state’s drinking water from toxic chemical contamination. Also known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (or simply Prop 65), the legislation requires that “the Governor revise and republish at least once per year the list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.” Pursuant to the law, businesses are also required to provide warnings about possible exposure to such chemicals through proper labels and/or signage. The idea is to empower Californians to make informed decisions about the products they buy and the companies they patron.

Prop 65’s list is comprehensive, containing around 900 naturally occurring and synthetic chemicals such as household products, foods, dyes, drugs, solvents and pesticides. Alcohol is on there too. As of July 7, 2017, glyphosate, one of the most contentious pesticides in the food industry, has been added to the list.

A quick recap of glyphosate’s importance to some modern farmers: glyphosate is the main active chemical in the widely used Monsanto-owned weed killer, Roundup. Many large-scale agricultural operations use Roundup to cultivate their genetically engineered commodity crops such as corn, soybeans and canola designed to withstand glyphosate sprayings. In a nutshell, farmers are able to liberally apply Roundup to their fields to kill weeds while sparing crops. Not surprisingly, Monsanto is adamant that glyphosate “does not present an unreasonable risk of adverse effects to humans, wildlife or the environment.”

But according to the state of California, there is enough evidence to label glyphosate as a possible carcinogen. Back in 2015, California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) first announced intent to place glyphosate on Prop 65’s list following publication of a critical monograph by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The monograph provided a detailed examination of published research investigating the connection between glyphosate exposure and cancer in both humans and animals. The report cited over 270 studies, and ultimately concluded there is limited evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of glyphosate (but possibly a connection to non-Hodgkin lymphoma) and “sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of glyphosate.”

As Prop 65 specifically says possible carcinogens in humans or animals should contain consumer warnings, IARC’s conclusion sparked OEHHA to announce glyphosate would be added to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer on March 28, 2017.

Monsanto wasn’t going to let its flagship herbicide ingredient be slapped with a mandatory cancer-causing warning label without a fight, however. Soon after OEHHA said they would place glyphosate on Prop 65’s list, Monsanto hit the organization with a lawsuit, suspending the chemical in limbo for three months.

The lawsuit was ultimately unsuccessful in the trial court (Monsanto immediately requested for a stay in the pending case, which was denied by the U.S. Court of Appeal), but Monsanto then filed a petition with the OEHHA to reconsider the classification of glyphosate as a “probable carcinogen,” noting that IARC failed to consider 2013 data that found no evidence of a link between glyphosate and cancer. The data set was garnered from the Agricultural Health Study (AHS), a large study of farmworkers and their families. The AHS’s 2013 work was not considered by IARC in its examination of glyphosate due to one very important factor: the data was unpublished, making it ineligible for IARC to consider in its 2015 monograph.
April 23rd 2017

6 nutrients that improve the well-being of mitochondria, the cell’s power plant

Mitochondria is the root of all good.

Each cell contains 1,500 mitochondria—organelle that are basically the cell’s power plant. In fact, some 60 percent of the cell’s volume is mitochondria. They have their own DNA and are passed along from mother to child.
Because mitochondria accumulate in organs and tissues with a high need for energy, they are particularly important for muscles, and especially so for the heart. That’s why the mitochondria’s favorite supplement ingredient is coenzymeQ10. CoQ10 converts the energy found in carbohydrates and fats to ATP—the energy currency.
But while heart disease oftentimes has its genesis in mitochondria dysfunction, problems with mitochondria are also implicated in much more than that—everything from fatigue to irritable bowel, pain to sleep disturbances, fibromyalgia to Lyme disease.

“When we look at them, the commonality is mitochondrial dysfunction,” said Gaetano Morello, ND, who treats complex chronic diseases such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and Lyme disease at BC Women’s Hospital in Vancouver.
In order to improve the condition of the body’s mitochondria, Gaetano says there are a number of avenues to health.

Old-school ubiquinone vs. the reduced ubiquinol

First, as you might expect, is coQ10. While the conventional wisdom of coQ10 intake is to use 100 mg/day for maintenance and 300 mg/day for therapeutic purposes, Morello uses as much as 400 to 600 mg/day, and the reduced ubiquinol version, which is the newer version now in commercial circulation. Ubiquinol is more expensive, but because it’s a reduced version you don’t need as much, though there is certainly a great deal more research validating the older, ubiquinone version.
There is much debate about ubiquinol vs. ubiquinone. Rat studies show ubiquinol has higher bioavailability compared to the oxidized ubiquinone version. The reduced coenzyme (ubiquinol) is more efficiently incorporated into cells. The form of coQ10 found in the blood is the reduced, ubiquinol version, though that is also purported to be more easily oxidized.

Lab studies have shown ubiquinol has “significantly” greater absorption than ubiquinone, but no research has yet done the math on exactly how much more. The question remains whether a person would benefit from ubiquinol from a cost/benefit perspective, particularly with the various enhanced-bioavailability ubiquinone coQ10 forms already on the market and with validated studies supporting ubiquinone’s efficacy.
Other mitochondrial masters

Beyond coQ10, other nutrients are also valuable in improving mitochondrial health.
• L-carnitine is a carrier of energy into the mitochondria, especially long-chain fatty acids.
• Vitamin B complexes are important in mitochondrial respiration and used in energy production.
• Magnesium bisglycinate (an amino acid chelate), in addition to acting as an antioxidant within mitochondria, is also required by mitochondria to generate ATP.
• Glucose, and the best way to get it, says Morello, is through protein. Twenty-five grams in the morning, he says, will also help with blood-sugar stabilization.
• PQQ has a fairly unique capability of increasing mitochondrial biogenesis—i.e., not improving the function of the organelle but actually increasing the number of mitochondria. This could mean that PQQ may be beneficial in diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.

January 18th, 2017

Nuts may crack inflammation

Previous research has suggested that people who eat more nuts are healthier than people who don’t eat nuts. Now researchers may have cracked the mystery around why this is. Nuts’ healthy powers may lie in their relationship with inflammation—the root of just about all evils when it comes to health.

In a recent study that appeared in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that people who ate more nuts had lower levels of biomarkers of inflammation. “Population studies have consistently supported a protective role of nuts against cardiometabolic disorders such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and we know that inflammation is a key process in the development of these diseases,” corresponding author Ying Bao, MD, ScD, an epidemiologist at BWH, said in a university release. “Our new work suggests that nuts may exert their beneficial effects in part by reducing systemic inflammation.”

For the study, Bao and her team performed a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Nurses’ Health Study, which includes more than 120,000 female registered nurses, and from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, which includes more than 50,000 male health professionals. The team assessed diet with questionnaires and looked at the levels of certain telltale proteins in blood samples collected from the study participants. They measured three well-established biomarkers of inflammation: C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL6) and tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2).

Subjects who ate five or more servings of nuts per week had lower levels of CRP and IL6 than those who never or almost never ate nuts. Things were even better for people who swapped three servings of meat, eggs or refined grains each week for nuts; they had had significantly lower levels of CRP and IL6.

What is it about nuts that helps tames inflammation? Scientists aren’t sure yet. Bao and her colleagues say they hope to isolate different components in the food in future trials.

Big Gulp of soda, bigger chance of cancer

A soda habit could rot your teeth, make you fat, weaken your bones, make you wheeze, and even boost your chances of a heart attack. But if you need another reason to stay away from sugary beverages, a new study suggests that drinking the stuff may increase risk of getting rare gallbladder and bile duct cancers.

Researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden analyzed survey data on the eating and drinking habits of more than 70,000 adults, then followed them for more than 13 years to see if any cancers developed. People who drank two or more sugar-sweetened drinks a day had more than twice the risk of developing gallbladder tumors and a 79 percent higher risk of getting biliary tract cancer, based on the results. The research was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

It’s the first study to show a link between drinking sweetened beverages and the risk of biliary tract cancer, according to Reuters.

Though the study has its limitations, and the exact reasons for the connection between the soda and the tumors is unclear, the message is still simple, Igor Astsaturov, a medical oncologist at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia (who wasn’t involved in the study), told the news source: “Regardless of the cause, it is easy enough to quench the thirst with water to stay fit and healthy.”

January 5th, 2017

Burt’s Bees offering new protein powder

Burt’s Bees on Monday extended its personal care powerhouse brand to the nutrition aisle with the introduction of three protein formulas with Burt’s Bees Plant-Based Protein Shakes, marking the company’s first foray into the functional food arena.

“Entering the functional foods space is a natural extension for us,” stated Jim Geikie, general manager for Burt’s Bees. “For three decades, Burt’s Bees has connected people to the beauty, wisdom and power of nature. And for just as long, we’ve held the belief that real beauty and well-being should be nourished from the inside out. We’ve been nurturing skin with nature’s most powerful ingredients. Now we’re helping to nourish the body with them.”

The line includes Daily Protein, Protein +Gut Health with Probiotics and Protein +Healthy Radiance with Antioxidant Vitamins A, C and E. All formulas provide 15 grams of protein per serving from five sources: pea, rice, flaxseed, sunflower seed and oat — all selected to achieve high digestibility and a complete essential amino acid profile.

The new protein shakes also feature vitamins extracted from real fruits and veggies, such as spinach, shiitake mushroom and strawberry. The line is non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free and made without artificial sweeteners or flavors.

The brand’s commitment to people and the environment accompanies its entry to the new category, the company stated. Burt’s Bees designed the shakes with plant-based protein, a more sustainable alternative to animal protein, requiring fewer natural resources — land, water and fossil fuels — for production, and helping to ensure a lower impact on the environment.

The protein line is also made with 70% organic ingredients, certified by California Certified Organic Farmers, and the tubs are manufactured from 100% post-consumer recycled HDPE.

“We’ve created formulas that not only enhance your daily nutrition, but also support specific areas,” Geikie added. “Burt’s Bees Protein +Gut Health supports digestive health as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, and Protein +Healthy Radiance gives skin a healthy glow. Both are new benefit offerings in the category that we believe strengthen holistic beauty.”

In addition to the target benefits, Protein +Gut Health and Protein +Healthy Radiance provide 4.5 servings of fruits and vegetables that come from a vitamin blend extract as well as one-third cup of real fruits and vegetables, including tomato, strawberry, pumpkin, sweet potato and spinach. Daily Protein offers 2 servings of fruits and vegetables.

Sweetened with honey, monk fruit extract and Stevia leaf extract and available in vanilla or chocolate flavor, Burt’s Bees Protein Shakes range from $29.99 – $39.99 and offer 16-18 servings per tub.

“We have an incredible offering and a name that people trust and believe in as nature’s champion,” Geikie said. “We want to build a meaningful relationship with them in the functional food space and in the authentic way Burt’s Bees has always done — delighting people with the quality of our products and our purpose as a brand.”

Burt’s Bees Protein Shakes are available on Burtsbees.com, Amazon.com and at select retailers.

Ashwagandha could offer knee pain intervention alternative, study says

Ashwagandha, a powerful herb used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, is known for its immune-boosting and restorative benefits. In fact, it’s commonly referred to as “Indian ginseng” and has been used since ancient times to help people strengthen their immune system after an illness. A new study conducted on Natreon’s ashwagandha extract, Sensoril, shows that they herb could also affect joint health and relieve knee pain, according to a report published in the Journal of Ayurvedic and Integrative Medicine.

The study began in India when researchers from Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment on 60 subjects with a mean age of 58 years old who suffered from knee pain. The subjects consisted of 43 males and 17 females, who were divided into three groups to take either a placebo or one of two Sensoril capsules, 125 or 250 milligrams, twice daily. The effects of the intervention were measured against baseline values at four, eight, and twelve weeks using Modified Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Knee Swelling Index (KSI), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores.

Researchers found that both doses of the ashwagandha extract produced significant reduction in knew pain symptoms, with the higher dose group showing a significantly better response. The therapeutic response appears to be dose dependent and free of any significant gastrointestinal disturbances, according to researchers.

The capsule’s effects are the result of bioactives within the botanical, according to Dr. Aparna Kalidindi, Pharm D, manager of technical sales and marketing at Natreon. The main bioactives, Withanolide glycosides, have a significant effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis, which regulates serum cortisol concentrations. Sensoril reduces serum cortisol levels, resulting in improvements in symptoms of chronic stress. In addition, the anti-inflammatory effects have been attributed to its Withaferin A and its antioxidant activity.

Ashwagandha offers a vegan alternative to many mainstream joint pain medications, which often come from animal sources. Researchers say it will be difficult to compare the two treatments side-by-side, though, due to different dosages and frequency of dosages.

In addition to joint health and healthy aging positioning, the new study could open opportunities for ashwagandha use in sports nutrition and medicine. The data currently pertains to older individual already suffering from knee pain symptoms, but researchers say the treatment could work on knee pain in younger, active individuals and athletes.

January 1st, 2017

4 in 10 St. John’s wort supplements are adulterated

In a test of 37 commercial supplement samples, a consortium of testing laboratories discovered that 38 percent of them were adulterated as fake product.

The lab group also offered ways to detect what is seen as economically motivated adulteration—a not-uncommon practice with well-selling ingredients.

“It’s common knowledge that when an herbal product is a strong seller, there will be unscrupulous vendors who try to find ways around established testing methods,” said Sidney Sudberg, Alkemist Labs founder and chief science officer, who was one of six researchers on the study, published in Journal of AOAC International. “Collaboration between industry experts to strengthen analytical methods is the best way to combat this practice, and for people like us, it’s incredibly satisfying.”

Although fallen from its superstar status in the late 1990s, St. John’s wort is still a big seller for its utility in combating mild to moderate depression.

The goal of the study was to investigate St. John’s wort ingredients and products suspected to be adulterated first using preliminary high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) tests. Commercial samples were analyzed following the USP monograph methodology, with additional visualization under white light.

The inauthentic products presented with either an admixture of synthetic dyes combined with an uncharacteristic flavonoid pattern (about 22 percent) or exhibited an uncharacteristic flavonoid pattern only (about 16 percent). None of the raw herb samples were adulterated with dyes—this was found only with extracts and finished products. The researchers developed a new reversed-phase HPTLC method to identify the cheats. In the study, the proposed enhanced authentication procedures are accompanied with a decision flowchart to systematically rule out adulteration of St. John’s wort.

“I think this work is an excellent example illustrating the great potential of HPTLC, unlocked by standardized methodology, suitable equipment and validated methods provided by CAMAG, when it comes to analysis of highly complex and naturally variable samples such as botanicals,” said Débora Frommenwiler, a researcher with CAMAG, a manufacturer of HPTLC equipment.

It’s important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all botanical authentication test. A combination of methodologies and strong quality and traceability management systems are the only way to guarantee authenticity. For more on this important issue, see this infographic on the keys to proper botanical authentication.

June 15th 2016

Natural Options for Osteoarthritis

Arthritis can take credit for a significant portion of healthcare costs in the United States. By 2030, as many as 67 million U.S. adults over the age of 18 will be diagnosed with some form of arthritis, according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates1; back in 2013, nearly a quarter of U.S. adults had already been diagnosed with the disease.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is by far the most prevalent form of arthritis. Nearly 27 million adults were diagnosed with osteoarthritis in 2005.2 OA symptoms develop over time, the most common among them joint pain and tenderness, stiffness, and loss of flexibility. Studies suggest that frequent knee pain (resulting from arthritis and other causes) affects approximately 25% of adults3, leading to significantly limited function and mobility and adversely impacting quality of life. Risk factors for OA include increasing age, obesity, and the presence of other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, gout, or rheumatoid arthritis.4

The cost of dealing with these symptoms is great. Even as far back as 2003, the CDC estimated that medical care and lost earnings resulting from arthritic conditions totaled $128 billion. And, of course, no dollar figure can quantify the impact of lost quality of life those with arthritis face.

Views on Arthritis Are Changing

While inflammation plays a big role in autoimmune joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, OA has historically not been considered an inflammatory condition. However, the paradigm through which OA is viewed has shifted dramatically over the years.

Researchers now suggest that inflammatory processes localized within joint tissue play a significant part in the progression of OA.5 Similarly, research is also showing that inflammatory processes play a role in knee pain that occurs as a result of strenuous activity, even when the criteria for OA are not met.6 Thus, inflammation is an important factor in rheumatoid arthritis, OA, and frequent knee pain and discomfort.

Conventional medicine currently offers no known cure for OA; instead, treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms with acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.4 These drugs, however, are not without their risks; worse, they may even accelerate the degradation of cartilage within joint tissue with longer-term use.7 Thus, natural alternatives that are effective and that don’t come with these downsides are attractive to consumers looking for joint support.

The popularity of glucosamine and chondroitin as natural therapeutics for joint health is well documented; however, these compounds aren’t effective for everyone with OA or non-OA related joint pain. Recent research has illuminated the benefits of several unique and potentially effective brand-name nutraceutical compounds derived from natural sources that may be used in conjunction with glucosamine and chondroitin supplements or as alternatives to these popular choices. These include NEM eggshell membrane, UC-II undenatured type II collagen, and AppleActiv dried apple peel powder.

NEM Eggshell Membrane

Eggshell membranes are the soft membranes that line and peel away from the inner wall of an eggshell. These membranes are a natural source of compounds including chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, and glycosaminoglycans. Extracts from the membrane have been studied for their ability to support joint health.

A recent multicenter, open-label clinical study led by Ulrich Danesch and colleagues from Germany was conducted to assess the effectiveness of NEM eggshell membrane from ESM Technologies (Carthage, MO) in individuals with knee and hip OA.8 Forty-four individuals aged 18 and over with moderate, persistent knee or hip pain due to OA were included in the trial and were asked to consume 500 mg of NEM daily. The primary outcome measures included changes in pain and stiffness based on a questionnaire derived from the Western Ontario and McMasters University Osteoarthritis Index questionnaire (WOMAC). Individuals were assessed at baseline and then again at 10, 30, and 60 days after initiation of supplementation with eggshell membrane.

Significant reductions in pain were noted with eggshell membrane supplementation at 10 days, and a greater magnitude of pain relief was found at 30 and 60 days. Measures of joint stiffness were also improved at 30 and 60 days, with high physician and patient ratings of treatment effectiveness. More than 75% of individuals showed moderate or significant improvement from baseline by the end of the study period. In addition, the use of acetaminophen as rescue medication (assessed for the 30 days prior to study initiation) dropped substantially after 30 and 60 days in individuals supplementing with NEM. The results of the study indicate that NEM is effective for rapid as well as sustained pain relief in individuals with hip and knee OA.

The study by Danesch and colleagues highlighted above followed earlier human studies conducted in the United States showing efficacy of NEM eggshell membrane for individuals with OA. These studies showed that NEM was also effective in a European population.

One of the earlier clinical trials was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which 60 participants with moderate OA of the knee (the intent-to-treat population) received either NEM (500 mg daily) or placebo for eight weeks.9 The primary endpoint of this trial was the change in overall WOMAC scores as well as changes in the pain, stiffness, and function subscales of the same questionnaire. Individuals were assessed at baseline and again at 10, 30 and 60 days after supplementation commenced.

There was a trend towards improvement. The overall dropout rate of the participant group in this study was relatively high and may have contributed to the lack of statistically significant improvements in overall WOMAC and functional improvement scores; however, the pain and stiffness subscales of the WOMAC questionnaire showed significant improvement, resulting in reduced joint pain and stiffness compared to placebo at 10, 30, and 60 days.

This placebo-controlled study came on the heels of two pilot open-label trials in which individuals over the age of 18 with joint and connective tissue disorders consuming 500 mg of eggshell membrane daily for four weeks had significantly improved joint flexibility and reduced overall pain as well as reductions in range-of-motion associated pain10, suggesting substantial benefits of NEM eggshell membrane for joint health and pain reduction.

Recent investigations have focused on determining the potential mechanisms behind eggshell membrane’s joint-health benefits. The clinical effects seen in human studies as well as preliminary in vitro studies indicate that a potential mechanism of NEM is an anti-inflammatory one.

Kevin Ruff and Dale Devore of ESM Technologies and Membrell LLC (Carthage, MO) undertook an exploratory study in rats in which the animals consumed NEM for seven days, and effects on inflammatory cytokines were evaluated.11 The results of the study showed that two major cytokines identified as primary mediators of arthritic inflammation in the early phase, IL-1β and TNF-α, demonstrated trends towards reduction in rats after seven days, while nearly all of the cytokines known to play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of late-phase inflammation in arthritis—including those known to impact cartilage degradation and disrupt chondrocyte activity (cells involved in cartilage synthesis and repair)—were significantly reduced by NEM.

A further rat study conducted at Daejon University in Daejon, South Korea, by Boo Yong Sim and colleagues seems to provide the first evidence of a direct cartilage-protective or -preserving effect of eggshell membrane.12 Rats in which arthritis was chemically induced received NEM at three different concentrations. The results of this study showed that several inflammatory cytokines and cartilage-degrading enzymes were reduced in serum, while the production of nitric oxide and high-sensitivity CRP—markers of inflammation—was also decreased in comparison with controls. In addition, patellar cartilage volume increased significantly in rats given NEM, indicating its benefits for cartilage preservation.

In other research, investigators from Missouri State University in Springfield, MO, found that eggshell membrane actually activates the signaling protein NF-κB in vitro.13 While this may initially seem to be a counterproductive benefit—that NEM activated this protein involved in promoting pro-inflammatory effects—the authors suggest that this preliminary finding may indicate that NEM functions by inducing oral tolerance via activation of NF-κB in the gastrointestinal tract. (Oral tolerance may be induced by repeated exposure of the immune system to an antigen that is taken in from the diet, leading to the body becoming “tolerant” to the substance, preventing the immune system from mounting an unnecessary or inappropriate immune response.) If this mechanism is born out in future research on NEM, it gives greater importance to the comprehensive joint-supportive benefits this natural substance confers.

UC-II Undenatured Collagen

UC-II from InterHealth Nutraceuticals Inc. (Benicia, CA) is an extract from chicken sternal cartilage containing approximately 25% undenatured type II collagen. Undenatured collagen is native collagen that is extracted to maintain its unprocessed or natural form.

Data from two recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies on UC-II collagen were presented at the 2015 Scripps Natural Supplement Conference in San Diego, California.14 A total of 186 individuals with OA were divided into three groups and asked to consume either 40 mg of UC-II, 1500 mg of glucosamine hydrochloride with 1200 mg of chondroitin sulfate, or a placebo daily for 180 days. The primary outcome measure was a change in WOMAC scores compared to placebo.

The results of the studies showed that UC-II supplementation led to a statistically significant reduction in WOMAC scores versus placebo treatment, with individuals in the UC-II group reporting significant reductions in pain and stiffness, and improved joint function.
An earlier study published in 2009 also supports the beneficial effect of UC-II in OA of the knee joint.15 In this comparative clinical trial, a total of 52 subjects (male and female, aged 40 to 75) with moderate OA of the knee were randomly assigned daily for 90 days to either supplementation with UC-II (40 mg per day, with 10 mg of bioactive undenatured type II collagen) or a combination of 1500 mg of glucosamine hydrochloride plus 1200 mg of chondroitin sulfate. Clinical assessments were conducted on each individual at the initial visit as well as at 30, 60, and 90 days. The assessments included WOMAC questionnaires, pain scores as measured on a visual analog scale, and a functional assessment using Lequesne’s index.

Supplementation with UC-II reduced WOMAC scores by 33% compared to a reduction of only 14% by glucosamine plus chondroitin at 90 days, while pain scores on the visual analog scale assessed at 90 days declined by 40% in the UC-II group versus by 15% in the group taking glucosamine and chondroitin. Furthermore, participants consuming UC-II saw significant improvements in Lequesne’s functional index from baseline to 90 days, indicating superiority of UC-II versus glucosamine and chondroitin in the study population and highlighting its overall benefits to joint function and pain.

A subsequent clinical trial aimed to determine the benefits of UC-II in healthy individuals with no prior history of OA but who experience knee pain and discomfort with strenuous physical activity.6 Fifty-five subjects with an average age of 46 years were recruited to participate in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. For 120 days, participants were asked to consume 40 mg of UC-II daily or a placebo. Joint function was assessed by measuring changes in knee range of motion as well as measuring the time to onset of knee pain and recovery following a step mill exertion task. Participants were assessed at a screening visit and then again at baseline and at 7, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days. Forty-six individuals completed the study and were included in the final analysis.

The authors found that supplementation with UC-II led to statistically significant increases in knee extension compared to placebo and to baseline function after 120 days. In addition, supplementation led to a statistically significant increase in time to onset of initial joint pain as measured during the stepmill exertion test versus baseline at both 90 and 120 days. The findings of the study indicate that UC-II is able to improve joint function in healthy individuals experiencing joint pain with strenuous activity.

In discussing the potential mechanism of action of UC-II for joint-health issues, the authors point to evidence indicating that the substance works via an oral tolerance mechanism by desensitizing the immune system from mounting an inappropriate immune response, resulting in a localized decrease in inflammation in the affected joint. In fact, earlier investigations into UC-II and its effects in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition, demonstrate its ability to function via an oral tolerance mechanism.16

Given the relatively small dose required for benefits, it seems that modulating the immune response to reduce localized joint inflammation is indeed also the way in which UC-II benefits joint health in OA and in healthy individuals with joint discomfort.

AppleActiv Dried Apple Peel Powder

Apples contain a variety of phytonutrients that confer health benefits. The peel of the apple contains the highest concentration of such antioxidant-rich polyphenols and flavonoids.17 AppleActiv, an ingredient from Leahy Orchards Inc. (Franklin, QC, Canada), is an organic dried apple peel powder.

A recent pilot study evaluated dried apple peel powder (AppleActiv) for its benefits to joint health and range of motion.18 Twelve participants (male and female) aged 45–75 with more than six months of chronic joint pain and decreased joint range of motion in well-defined areas were included in the open-label clinical trial. Individuals consumed 4.25 g of dried apple peel powder daily (divided into three doses per day) for a period of 12 weeks and were monitored at baseline and after 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Comprehensive range-of-motion assessments were conducted at each visit using digital inclinometry.

Range-of-motion improvements occurred rapidly in some joints, while improvements in other joints also were shown to be statistically significant compared to baseline at the 8- or 12-week visit. Moreover, eight of the study participants had an area of primary pain in a joint where range of motion was being assessed using the digital inclinometry. Of these eight individuals, seven showed an improvement of range of motion in the primary joint during the study period, while in six of these individuals, the authors classified the improvement as robust. Pain reduction measured by a visual-analog scale also reached statistically significant levels at four weeks for both the primary and secondary areas of complaint in each individual and continued to improve throughout the 12-week study.

Additional explorations by the authors in the same study aimed to assess the mechanism of action of the apple peel powder in improving joint function and reducing pain. Using an assay known as CAP-e, which is a measure of the ability of compounds with antioxidant effects to show these benefits inside of cells, the authors of the study found the apple peel powder to provide a clear dose response, indicating measurable cellular protection. In addition, serum measures of antioxidant protection were also found to be significant and increased throughout the first eight weeks of the study in individuals consuming the apple peel powder capsules.

Furthermore, the effects of apple peel powder on inflammation were assessed in multiple ways, with results indicating that the supplement inhibits the production of free radicals from polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), a type of white blood cell. The dried apple peel powder also inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and lipoxygenase enzymes in laboratory assays. (Both inflammatory enzymes contribute to joint inflammation and dysfunction.) Thus, it is likely that both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits are at play here with regard to dried apple peel powder’s benefits on joint function and pain relief.

Moving Forward

Joint-health issues, and specifically joint pain and discomfort, are naturally front and center in the minds of those suffering through them. When an individual is in pain, the natural instinct is to do whatever it takes to remove the pain. Thus, symptomatic relief is an important goal for those with OA and other joint concerns.

While comprehensively addressing joint conditions includes addressing the risk factors associated with poor joint health, the armamentarium for natural therapies that address the fundamental experience of pain and discomfort continues to grow. Utilizing these nutraceutical options with existing therapies for joint conditions may have an additive effect. The fact that these natural substances also address long-term goals of a joint-health protocol, including reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as providing structural support to joint tissue, is also a big plus. Furthermore, unlike conventional symptomatic therapies that are often counterproductive to the long-term healing process of the joint, natural solutions have a high degree of safety and deserve consideration for their potential to benefit a chronically suffering population.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevalence of Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis and Arthritis-Attributable Activity Limitation — United States, 2010–2012. MMWR 62, 870–873 (2013).

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Arthritis – Data and Statistics – Arthritis Related Statistics. at www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/arthritis_related_stats.htm. Accessed October 4, 2015.

3. Nguyen US et al., “Increasing prevalence of knee pain and symptomatic knee osteoarthritis,” Annals of Internal Medicine, vol. 155, no. 11 (December 6, 2011): 725–732

4. Osteoarthritis – Mayo Clinic. www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/basics/definition/…. Accessed October 4, 2015.

5. Berenbaum F., “Osteoarthritis as an inflammatory disease (osteoarthritis is not osteoarthrosis!),” Osteoarthritis Cartilage, vol. 21, no. 1 (January 2013): 16–21

6. Lugo JP et al., “Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II®) for joint support: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteers,” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 10, no. 1. Published online October 24, 2013.

7. Hauser RA, “The acceleration of articular cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,” Journal of Prolotherapy, vol. 2, no. 1 (2010): 305–322

8. Danesch U, “NEM brand eggshell membrane effective in the treatment of pain associated with knee and hip osteoarthritis: Results from a six center, open label German clinical study,” Journal of Arthritis. Published online July 20, 2014.

9. Ruff KJ et al., “Eggshell membrane in the treatment of pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis of the knee: A randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study,” Clinical Rheumatology, vol. 28, no. 8 (August 2009): 907–914

10. Ruff KJ et al., “Eggshell membrane: A possible new natural therapeutic for joint and connective tissue disorders. Results from two open-label human clinical studies,” Clinical Interventions in Aging. Published online June 9, 2009.

11. Ruff KJ et al., “Reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines in rats following 7-day oral supplementation with a proprietary eggshell membrane-derived product,” Modern Research in Inflammation, vol. 3 (2014): 19–25

12. Sim BY et al., “Effects of natural eggshell membrane (NEM) on monosodium iodoacetate-induced arthritis in rats,” The Journal of Nutrition Health and Aging, vol. 48, no. 4 (2015): 310–318

13. Ruff KJ et al., “Eggshell membrane hydrolyzates activate NF-kappaB in vitro: possible implications for in vivo efficacy,” Journal of Inflammation Research. Published online February 9, 2015.

14. UCII. InterHealth Nutraceuticals, www.interhealthusa.com/ingredients/UC-II.aspx. Accessed October 4, 2015.

15. Crowley DC et al., “Safety and efficacy of undenatured type II collagen in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: A clinical trial,” International Journal of Medical Sciences, vol. 6, no. 6 (October 9, 2009): 312–321

16. Bagchi D et al., “Effects of orally administered undenatured type II collagen against arthritic inflammatory diseases: a mechanistic exploration,” International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Research, vol. 22, no. 3-4 (2002): 101–110

17. Wolfe K et al., “Antioxidant activity of apple peels,” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, vol. 51, no. 3 (January 29, 2003): 609–614

18. Jensen GS et al., “Consumption of dried apple peel powder increases joint function and range of motion,” Journal of Medicinal Food, vol. 17, no. 11 (November 2014): 1204–1213

 

April 12, 2016

Consumers Likely Underestimate How Carbs Contribute to Weight Gain, Survey Finds

Feb 15, 2016
UC-II Collagen Might Be More Effective for Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms than Glucosamine and Chondroitin

A new study published in Nutrition Journal finds that UC-II, an undenatured type II collagen ingredient, may be more effective at improving symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) than a placebo or glucosamine hydrochloride plus chondroitin sulfate (GC).

Supplied by InterHealth Nutraceuticals (Benicia, CA), UC-II is a collagen supplement derived from chicken sternum cartilage that has shown promise in past studies for joint function. But this new study finds UC-II may be more effective than GC at relieving knee symptoms of osteoarthritis.

The multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conduced at 13 centers in southern India, and included 191 volunteers aged 40–75 years. Participant criteria included moderate-to-severe OA by physical examination in one or both knees and knee pain for at least three months prior to the start of the study.

For 180 days, subjects were randomized to consume a daily dose of 40 mg UC-II, 1500 mg glucosamine and 1200 mg chondroitin, or a placebo. The study’s primary endpoint was the change in total Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) from baseline to day 180, with secondary endpoints including WOMAC subscales, the Lequesne Functional Index (LFI), and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain.

At the conclusion of the 180-day trial period, the overall WOMAC score for the UC-II group was significantly reduced compared to placebo (p=0.002) and GC (p=0.04) groups. The UC-II group also experienced significant changes for all three WOMAC subscales: pain (p=0.0003 vs. placebo, p=0.016 vs. GC), stiffness (p=0.004 vs. placebo, p=0.044 vs. GC), and physical function (p=0.007 vs. placebo). Compared to baseline WOMAC subscale scores, the UC-II group experienced a 41% reduction in pain, a 40% reduction in stiffness, and 39% reduction in physical function, according to InterHealth.

Researchers concluded that UC-II “significantly improved knee function in OS subjects by day 180, compared to placebo and to GC, and was well-tolerated. Based on the data presented herein, we believe that additional research is warranted both to confirm and to define these findings more extensively.”

InterHealth also noted that this is the first study to show “UC-II responders may express high levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), a biomarker associated with cartilage breakdown.”
– See more at: http://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/jointbone-health/uc-ii-collagen-more-effective-knee-osteoarthritis-symptoms-glucosamine-and-chondroitin#sthash.uWoyTC5I.dpuf

Feb 2nd, 2016

Berberine–A natural alternative for diabetes treatment?

Berberine is a yellow compound found in several different plants including barberry, goldenseal, phellodendron and Oregon grape. Berberine has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and immune enhancing properties, but in recent years, much research has been published around its role in protecting against cardiovascular disease as well as treating diabetes and insulin resistance.
Berberine activates a specific enzyme called adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, or AMPK. AMPK is also sometimes called the “metabolic master switch” because it plays an important role in regulating metabolism in the body.

For those with diabetes, AMPK more efficiently stimulates the uptake of glucose into the cells, improves insulin sensitivity and reduces glucose production in the liver.

In cardiovascular disease, AMPK prevents harmful fat deposition and boosts fat burning in the mitochondria. It also stimulates the release of nitric oxide (NO), which in turns increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure.
In a clinical trial published in the journal Metabolism in 2008, newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics were randomly divided into groups and assigned to take berberine or metformin (500 mg 3 times a day) in a 3-month trial.

Berberine was able to control blood sugar and lipid metabolism as effectively as metformin. Significant decreases in hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose and plasma triglycerides were observed in the berberine group as well. In addition, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were decreased significantly.

Overall, the results were incredibly promising for a more natural form of diabetes treatment.

A recent meta-analysis by Dong et al combined data from 14 randomized trials involving 1068 participants. Treatment with both berberine and lifestyle modifications showed significant blood sugar and cholesterol lowering effects. These effects did not differ from those obtained by the standard diabetic drugs metformin, glipizide, or rosiglitazone, but avoided the side-effects caused by the more conventional pharmaceuticals.

A December 2004 article described berberine as “a novel cholesterol-lowering drug” that worked through a “unique mechanism distinct from statins.” In this study, berberine was given to 32 patients with high cholesterol for 3 months. The treatment reduced serum cholesterol by 29 percent, triglycerides by 35 percent, and LDL-cholesterol by 25 percent.

Dec 23rd, 2015

Natural Options for Osteoarthritis

Arthritis can take credit for a significant portion of healthcare costs in the United States. By 2030, as many as 67 million U.S. adults over the age of 18 will be diagnosed with some form of arthritis, according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates1; back in 2013, nearly a quarter of U.S. adults had already been diagnosed with the disease.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is by far the most prevalent form of arthritis. Nearly 27 million adults were diagnosed with osteoarthritis in 2005.2 OA symptoms develop over time, the most common among them joint pain and tenderness, stiffness, and loss of flexibility. Studies suggest that frequent knee pain (resulting from arthritis and other causes) affects approximately 25% of adults3, leading to significantly limited function and mobility and adversely impacting quality of life. Risk factors for OA include increasing age, obesity, and the presence of other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, gout, or rheumatoid arthritis.4

The cost of dealing with these symptoms is great. Even as far back as 2003, the CDC estimated that medical care and lost earnings resulting from arthritic conditions totaled $128 billion. And, of course, no dollar figure can quantify the impact of lost quality of life those with arthritis face.

While inflammation plays a big role in autoimmune joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, OA has historically not been considered an inflammatory condition. However, the paradigm through which OA is viewed has shifted dramatically over the years.

Researchers now suggest that inflammatory processes localized within joint tissue play a significant part in the progression of OA.5 Similarly, research is also showing that inflammatory processes play a role in knee pain that occurs as a result of strenuous activity, even when the criteria for OA are not met.6 Thus, inflammation is an important factor in rheumatoid arthritis, OA, and frequent knee pain and discomfort.

Conventional medicine currently offers no known cure for OA; instead, treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms with acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.4 These drugs, however, are not without their risks; worse, they may even accelerate the degradation of cartilage within joint tissue with longer-term use.7 Thus, natural alternatives that are effective and that don’t come with these downsides are attractive to consumers looking for joint support.

The popularity of glucosamine and chondroitin as natural therapeutics for joint health is well documented; however, these compounds aren’t effective for everyone with OA or non-OA related joint pain. Recent research has illuminated the benefits of several unique and potentially effective brand-name nutraceutical compounds derived from natural sources that may be used in conjunction with glucosamine and chondroitin supplements or as alternatives to these popular choices. These include NEM eggshell membrane, UC-II undenatured type II collagen, and AppleActiv dried apple peel powder.

NEM Eggshell Membrane

Eggshell membranes are the soft membranes that line and peel away from the inner wall of an eggshell. These membranes are a natural source of compounds including chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, and glycosaminoglycans. Extracts from the membrane have been studied for their ability to support joint health.

A recent multicenter, open-label clinical study led by Ulrich Danesch and colleagues from Germany was conducted to assess the effectiveness of NEM eggshell membrane from ESM Technologies (Carthage, MO) in individuals with knee and hip OA.8 Forty-four individuals aged 18 and over with moderate, persistent knee or hip pain due to OA were included in the trial and were asked to consume 500 mg of NEM daily. The primary outcome measures included changes in pain and stiffness based on a questionnaire derived from the Western Ontario and McMasters University Osteoarthritis Index questionnaire (WOMAC). Individuals were assessed at baseline and then again at 10, 30, and 60 days after initiation of supplementation with eggshell membrane.

Significant reductions in pain were noted with eggshell membrane supplementation at 10 days, and a greater magnitude of pain relief was found at 30 and 60 days. Measures of joint stiffness were also improved at 30 and 60 days, with high physician and patient ratings of treatment effectiveness. More than 75% of individuals showed moderate or significant improvement from baseline by the end of the study period. In addition, the use of acetaminophen as rescue medication (assessed for the 30 days prior to study initiation) dropped substantially after 30 and 60 days in individuals supplementing with NEM. The results of the study indicate that NEM is effective for rapid as well as sustained pain relief in individuals with hip and knee OA.

The study by Danesch and colleagues highlighted above followed earlier human studies conducted in the United States showing efficacy of NEM eggshell membrane for individuals with OA. These studies showed that NEM was also effective in a European population.

One of the earlier clinical trials was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which 60 participants with moderate OA of the knee (the intent-to-treat population) received either NEM (500 mg daily) or placebo for eight weeks.9 The primary endpoint of this trial was the change in overall WOMAC scores as well as changes in the pain, stiffness, and function subscales of the same questionnaire. Individuals were assessed at baseline and again at 10, 30 and 60 days after supplementation commenced.

There was a trend towards improvement. The overall dropout rate of the participant group in this study was relatively high and may have contributed to the lack of statistically significant improvements in overall WOMAC and functional improvement scores; however, the pain and stiffness subscales of the WOMAC questionnaire showed significant improvement, resulting in reduced joint pain and stiffness compared to placebo at 10, 30, and 60 days.

This placebo-controlled study came on the heels of two pilot open-label trials in which individuals over the age of 18 with joint and connective tissue disorders consuming 500 mg of eggshell membrane daily for four weeks had significantly improved joint flexibility and reduced overall pain as well as reductions in range-of-motion associated pain10, suggesting substantial benefits of NEM eggshell membrane for joint health and pain reduction.

Recent investigations have focused on determining the potential mechanisms behind eggshell membrane’s joint-health benefits. The clinical effects seen in human studies as well as preliminary in vitro studies indicate that a potential mechanism of NEM is an anti-inflammatory one.

Kevin Ruff and Dale Devore of ESM Technologies and Membrell LLC (Carthage, MO) undertook an exploratory study in rats in which the animals consumed NEM for seven days, and effects on inflammatory cytokines were evaluated.11 The results of the study showed that two major cytokines identified as primary mediators of arthritic inflammation in the early phase, IL-1β and TNF-α, demonstrated trends towards reduction in rats after seven days, while nearly all of the cytokines known to play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of late-phase inflammation in arthritis—including those known to impact cartilage degradation and disrupt chondrocyte activity (cells involved in cartilage synthesis and repair)—were significantly reduced by NEM.

A further rat study conducted at Daejon University in Daejon, South Korea, by Boo Yong Sim and colleagues seems to provide the first evidence of a direct cartilage-protective or -preserving effect of eggshell membrane.12 Rats in which arthritis was chemically induced received NEM at three different concentrations. The results of this study showed that several inflammatory cytokines and cartilage-degrading enzymes were reduced in serum, while the production of nitric oxide and high-sensitivity CRP—markers of inflammation—was also decreased in comparison with controls. In addition, patellar cartilage volume increased significantly in rats given NEM, indicating its benefits for cartilage preservation.

In other research, investigators from Missouri State University in Springfield, MO, found that eggshell membrane actually activates the signaling protein NF-κB in vitro.13 While this may initially seem to be a counterproductive benefit—that NEM activated this protein involved in promoting pro-inflammatory effects—the authors suggest that this preliminary finding may indicate that NEM functions by inducing oral tolerance via activation of NF-κB in the gastrointestinal tract. (Oral tolerance may be induced by repeated exposure of the immune system to an antigen that is taken in from the diet, leading to the body becoming “tolerant” to the substance, preventing the immune system from mounting an unnecessary or inappropriate immune response.) If this mechanism is born out in future research on NEM, it gives greater importance to the comprehensive joint-supportive benefits this natural substance confers.

UC-II

UC-II from InterHealth Nutraceuticals Inc. (Benicia, CA) is an extract from chicken sternal cartilage containing approximately 25% undenatured type II collagen. Undenatured collagen is native collagen that is extracted to maintain its unprocessed or natural form.

Data from two recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies on UC-II collagen were presented at the 2015 Scripps Natural Supplement Conference in San Diego, California.14 A total of 186 individuals with OA were divided into three groups and asked to consume either 40 mg of UC-II, 1500 mg of glucosamine hydrochloride with 1200 mg of chondroitin sulfate, or a placebo daily for 180 days. The primary outcome measure was a change in WOMAC scores compared to placebo.

The results of the studies showed that UC-II supplementation led to a statistically significant reduction in WOMAC scores versus placebo treatment, with individuals in the UC-II group reporting significant reductions in pain and stiffness, and improved joint function.

An earlier study published in 2009 also supports the beneficial effect of UC-II in OA of the knee joint.15 In this comparative clinical trial, a total of 52 subjects (male and female, aged 40 to 75) with moderate OA of the knee were randomly assigned daily for 90 days to either supplementation with UC-II (40 mg per day, with 10 mg of bioactive undenatured type II collagen) or a combination of 1500 mg of glucosamine hydrochloride plus 1200 mg of chondroitin sulfate. Clinical assessments were conducted on each individual at the initial visit as well as at 30, 60, and 90 days. The assessments included WOMAC questionnaires, pain scores as measured on a visual analog scale, and a functional assessment using Lequesne’s index.

Supplementation with UC-II reduced WOMAC scores by 33% compared to a reduction of only 14% by glucosamine plus chondroitin at 90 days, while pain scores on the visual analog scale assessed at 90 days declined by 40% in the UC-II group versus by 15% in the group taking glucosamine and chondroitin. Furthermore, participants consuming UC-II saw significant improvements in Lequesne’s functional index from baseline to 90 days, indicating superiority of UC-II versus glucosamine and chondroitin in the study population and highlighting its overall benefits to joint function and pain.

A subsequent clinical trial aimed to determine the benefits of UC-II in healthy individuals with no prior history of OA but who experience knee pain and discomfort with strenuous physical activity.6 Fifty-five subjects with an average age of 46 years were recruited to participate in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. For 120 days, participants were asked to consume 40 mg of UC-II daily or a placebo. Joint function was assessed by measuring changes in knee range of motion as well as measuring the time to onset of knee pain and recovery following a stepmill exertion task. Participants were assessed at a screening visit and then again at baseline and at 7, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days. Forty-six individuals completed the study and were included in the final analysis.

The authors found that supplementation with UC-II led to statistically significant increases in knee extension compared to placebo and to baseline function after 120 days. In addition, supplementation led to a statistically significant increase in time to onset of initial joint pain as measured during the stepmill exertion test versus baseline at both 90 and 120 days. The findings of the study indicate that UC-II is able to improve joint function in healthy individuals experiencing joint pain with strenuous activity.

In discussing the potential mechanism of action of UC-II for joint-health issues, the authors point to evidence indicating that the substance works via an oral tolerance mechanism by desensitizing the immune system from mounting an inappropriate immune response, resulting in a localized decrease in inflammation in the affected joint. In fact, earlier investigations into UC-II and its effects in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition, demonstrate its ability to function via an oral tolerance mechanism.16

Given the relatively small dose required for benefits, it seems that modulating the immune response to reduce localized joint inflammation is indeed also the way in which UC-II benefits joint health in OA and in healthy individuals with joint discomfort.

Apple Peel Powder

Apples contain a variety of phytonutrients that confer health benefits. The peel of the apple contains the highest concentration of such antioxidant-rich polyphenols and flavonoids.17 AppleActiv, an ingredient from Leahy Orchards Inc. (Franklin, QC, Canada), is an organic dried apple peel powder.

A recent pilot study evaluated dried apple peel powder (AppleActiv) for its benefits to joint health and range of motion.18 Twelve participants (male and female) aged 45–75 with more than six months of chronic joint pain and decreased joint range of motion in well-defined areas were included in the open-label clinical trial. Individuals consumed 4.25 g of dried apple peel powder daily (divided into three doses per day) for a period of 12 weeks and were monitored at baseline and after 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Comprehensive range-of-motion assessments were conducted at each visit using digital inclinometry.

Range-of-motion improvements occurred rapidly in some joints, while improvements in other joints also were shown to be statistically significant compared to baseline at the 8- or 12-week visit. Moreover, eight of the study participants had an area of primary pain in a joint where range of motion was being assessed using the digital inclinometry. Of these eight individuals, seven showed an improvement of range of motion in the primary joint during the study period, while in six of these individuals, the authors classified the improvement as robust. Pain reduction measured by a visual-analog scale also reached statistically significant levels at four weeks for both the primary and secondary areas of complaint in each individual and continued to improve throughout the 12-week study.

Additional explorations by the authors in the same study aimed to assess the mechanism of action of the apple peel powder in improving joint function and reducing pain. Using an assay known as CAP-e, which is a measure of the ability of compounds with antioxidant effects to show these benefits inside of cells, the authors of the study found the apple peel powder to provide a clear dose response, indicating measurable cellular protection. In addition, serum measures of antioxidant protection were also found to be significant and increased throughout the first eight weeks of the study in individuals consuming the apple peel powder capsules.

Furthermore, the effects of apple peel powder on inflammation were assessed in multiple ways, with results indicating that the supplement inhibits the production of free radicals from polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), a type of white blood cell. The dried apple peel powder also inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and lipoxygenase enzymes in laboratory assays. (Both inflammatory enzymes contribute to joint inflammation and dysfunction.) Thus, it is likely that both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits are at play here with regard to dried apple peel powder’s benefits on joint function and pain relief.

The Future

Joint-health issues, and specifically joint pain and discomfort, are naturally front and center in the minds of those suffering through them. When an individual is in pain, the natural instinct is to do whatever it takes to remove the pain. Thus, symptomatic relief is an important goal for those with OA and other joint concerns.

While comprehensively addressing joint conditions includes addressing the risk factors associated with poor joint health, the armamentarium for natural therapies that address the fundamental experience of pain and discomfort continues to grow. Utilizing these nutraceutical options with existing therapies for joint conditions may have an additive effect. The fact that these natural substances also address long-term goals of a joint-health protocol, including reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as providing structural support to joint tissue, is also a big plus. Furthermore, unlike conventional symptomatic therapies that are often counterproductive to the long-term healing process of the joint, natural solutions have a high degree of safety and deserve consideration for their potential to benefit a chronically suffering population.

Oct 26th, 2015

Duke University EWG Study Finds Toxic Nail Polish Chemical In Women’s Bodies

Researchers at Duke University and Environmental Working Group have found evidence of a suspected endocrine-disrupting chemical widely used in popular nail polishes in the bodies of more than two-dozen women who participated in a biomonitoring study.

The study, published today in Environment International, found that all women had a metabolite of triphenyl phosphate, or TPHP, in their bodies just 10 to 14 hours after painting their nails. Their levels of diphenyl phosphate or DPHP, which forms when the body metabolizes TPHP, had increased by nearly sevenfold.

“It is very troubling that nail polish being marketed to women and teenage girls contains a suspected endocrine disruptor,” said Johanna Congleton, Ph.D., MSPH, a senior scientist at EWG and co-author of the Duke-EWG study. “It is even more troubling to learn that their bodies absorb this chemical relatively quickly after they apply a coat of polish.”

According to EWG’s Skin Deep® cosmetics database, more than 1,500 nail products including polishes made by Sally Hansen, OPI and Wet N Wild, contain TPHP.

More nail polishes may contain undisclosed TPHP. The Duke-EWG study tested 10 polishes for TPHP and found the chemical in eight of them. Two of the eight with TPHP did not list the ingredient on their labels.

A number of laboratory studies have found that exposure to TPHP caused endocrine disruption. In animal studies, it has caused reproductive and developmental problems. Recent scientific research suggests that TPHP may contribute to weight gain and obesity.

The chemical probably functions as a plasticizer in nail polish, rendering it more flexible and durable. For years, it has been is used in plastics manufacturing and as a fire retardant in foam furniture.

“It is possible that TPHP is now being used in nail polish as a replacement for phthalates, which also have endocrine-disrupting properties and are toxic to the reproductive system,” said Heather Stapleton, Ph.D., associate professor at Duke University and principal investigator of the Duke-EWG study. “However, it’s not clear that TPHP is the better alternative. There is growing evidence suggesting that TPHP may affect hormone regulation, metabolism, reproduction and development.”

The new study raises the prospect that millions of American teens, tweens and even younger girls are being exposed to a suspected hormone-disrupting chemical at a time when their bodies are rapidly developing and entering puberty. Nails Magazine, a nail salon industry trade publication, reported in August, 2014, that according to market surveys an overwhelming 97 percent of American girls ages 12 to 14 used nail products, including polish, and 14 percent of all teens and tweens used them daily.

Entrepreneur and eco expert Erin Schrode has dedicated her time to educating teens about healthier, safer lifestyle choices since co-founding the non-profit, Turning Green, in 2005. After learning about the dangers of toxic ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products, she launched her organization and went on to participate in a 2008 EWG study that found a host of endocrine disrupting chemicals used in everyday items in her body.

“It is alarming to think my ruby red nail polish could come with a side of toxic ingredients that could ultimately end up in my body,” said Schrode. “We cannot control far too many exposures to harmful chemicals in our world today, but each of us can become informed and spread the word, support legislation that protects our health, and make smarter choices whenever possible. By voting with our dollars we can shift the marketplace towards safer, healthier products…beginning with my own bottle of bright, glossy nail polish.”

Today, EWG launched a consumer petition to press companies that make popular nail polish brands to stop using TPHP. Click here to sign the petition. EWG has long called on Congress to update federal chemical and cosmetics laws to better protect consumers from endocrine disruptors, and other potentially toxic ingredients in personal care products.

To avoid exposing yourself and your children to TPHP in nail polish, you can find a list of brands that use TPHP in EWG’s Skin Deep®, link below.
http://www.ewg.org/research/nailed

Oct 1st, 2015

Lemon Verbena Extract May Help Athletes Sleep, Recover

New research suggests PLX, an extract from lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla), may provide both mental and physical benefits to athletes recovering from exercise.

The study, soon to be published in an upcoming issue of Current Topics in Nutraceutical Research, investigated the ability of PLX to address several symptoms commonly associated with poor recovery in athletes, including sleep difficulties, muscle pain, anxiety, and fatigue. Researchers at the University of Miguel Hernandez of Elche (Alicante, Spain) conducted the study, which was commissioned by PLX-supplier Monteloeder (Alicante, Spain).

Researchers found that, compared to a placebo treatment, athletes who consumed 1.2g of PLX per day for 21 days slept longer each night, reported less muscle pain, and had reduced levels of key blood markers for oxidative stress and inflammation that can inhibit recovery, according to Monteloeder.

“The results of this study show that our unique lemon verbena extract improves both the psychological and physiological symptoms that slow down recovery after exercise,” says Fernando Cartagena, global head of marketing, Monteloeder.

Study Details

A total of 26 volunteers participated in the double-blind study, with 14 of them consuming 1.2g per day of PLX while the remaining 12 were given a placebo. All 26 participants followed the same aerobic routine and diet. Researchers quizzed volunteers daily about their “feelings of recovery following a night of sleep,” and each week participants were asked to take a “Profile of Mood States” test.

Participants in the PLX group reported a 44% improvement in quality of sleep over the course of the study, in addition to experiencing reduced levels of perceived fatigue and anxiety, compared to the placebo group, according to Monteloeder.

Additionally, blood tests performed at the beginning and end of the study measured for protein carbonyls, malondialdehyde, and myeloperoxide, key markers of oxidative stress and inflammation that can inhibit recovery. According to Monteloeder, the results suggested that “the PLX group presented significantly reduced levels of these markers in their blood.”

Cartagena celebrated the two-pronged approach of PLX’s mental and physical potential in a Monteloeder press release.

“In general, most sports supplements offering recovery benefits focus only on physical factors,” says Cartagena. “However, as any sports psychologist will tell you, there is more to it than just muscular pain. By improving sleep patterns and reducing anxiety and fatigue, PLX also enhance the mental recovery that is essential for sporting success.”

PLX is a proprietary extract from the leaves of the lemon verbena plant that contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components including verbascocide, phenylpropanoids, and flavoids such as luteolin, says Monteoloeder. It has been incorporated into finished products in Spain, Finland, Canada, Germany, Romania, Taiwan, and the United States.

September 28, 2015

Alzheimer Help

Natreon (New Brunswick, New Jersey) has received a new patent for a derivative of its Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) ingredient Sensoril. The patent covers a group of indolealkylamino-withasteroid conjugates isolated from Ashwagandha and purified for “possible treatment of dementia and dementia-related disorders, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, anxiety, and depressive disorders in a patient,” says Natreon.

Early human clinical studies have shown Sensoril to be effective in “decreasing stress levels and improving cognition,” according to Natreon. The company believes the newly patented Sensoril derivative may offer a better option than prescription medication for those suffering from dementia and dementia-related disorders.

“Prescription medications used to treat Alzheimer’s Disease, such as Aricept and Exelon, are marginally effective at best and can have serious side effects,” says Natreon. “Thus, there is a need for a better class of more efficacious drugs without adverse effects. These indolealkylamino-withasteroid conjugates isolated from Withania somnifera may help fill this need.”

Vitamin D And Cognitive Decline

Vitamin D has been found to promote bone health, calcium absorption, and the healthy function of many different organs, but vitamin D levels may also be linked to cognitive health as people age. Researchers are now suggesting that low levels of vitamin D may be associated with more rapid cognitive decline among older people, based on the results of a new study.

The study, published in JAMA Neurology, followed a multiethnic group of 382 adults with an average age of 75 years. The researchers measured vitamin D levels based on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) content in the blood and assessed cognitive function with the Spanish and English Neurophyschological Assessment Scales.

Upon comparing a baseline assessment with follow-up results taken an average of 4.8 years later, the researchers found 25-OHD levels were “lower in the dementia group compared with the mild cognitive impairment and cognitively normal group,” according to the study. The dementia group averaged 16.2 ng/mL 25-OHD levels, compared with 20.0 and 19.7 ng/mL levels for the mildly cognitive impaired and cognitively normal groups, respectively.

“About 60% of the group, regardless of their race or ethnicity, was low in vitamin D,” says Joshua W. Miller, PhD, one author of the study, in a press release from the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN; Washington, DC).

“Those low in vitamin D declined more in short term memory, known as episodic memory, as well as more complex cognitive tasks, known as executive function,” says Miller. “They were declining about two and a half times faster than those who had adequate vitamin D.”

Vitamin D status, however, did not seem to be associated with a decline in semantic memory or visuospatial ability, the researchers concluded. They added that it remains to be determined whether Vitamin D supplementation can actually slow cognitive decline.

The study also found that mean 25-OHD levels were significantly lower for African American and Hispanic participants compared with white participants: 17.9 ng/mL for African American participants, 17.2 ng/mL for Hispanic participants, and 21.7 ng/mL for white participants.

Vitamin D status was defined in the study as follows: less than 12 ng/mL for deficient, 12 to less than 20 ng/mL for insufficient, and 20 to less than 50 ng/mL for adequate. Among the group of 382 participants, 61.8% were women, 41.4% were white, 29.6% were African American, 25.1% were Hispanic, and 3.9% were of another race/ethnicity. Diagnosis at enrollment included 17.5% of participants with dementia, 32.7% with mild cognitive impairment, and 49.5% cognitively normal.

September 3rd 2015

New Studies On The Dangers Of BPA And Phthalates

The concept that exposure to certain chemicals during pregnancy can have detrimental effects on the fetus is not new. Adverse effects on fetal development and long-term health due to cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy are well documented. Now, new research is regularly being published on the effects of environmental toxins such as BPA and phthalates on fetus growth and development.

Chemicals such as BPA and phthalates are widely used, and many people are unaware of our day-to-day exposure.

Phthalates are chemical plasticizers that have been widely used since the 1950s to soften plastics that would otherwise be brittle and crack when bent. Phthalates are not chemically bound to the plastics they are added to, and for this reason they are continuously released into the air or food or liquid.

Phthalates are used in personal care products to help lubricate other substances, to help lotion penetrate the skin and to help fragrances last longer. They are also used in toys, electronics, insecticides and many household products.

BPA is another common chemical found in plastics, food and beverage can linings, thermal receipts and other consumer products. BPA is known to mimic estrogen, and studies have linked developmental exposure to BPA to reproductive harm, increased cancer susceptibility and abnormalities in brain development and fat metabolism.

The mother is the ‘gatekeeper’ of her baby’s development and future health, so any external influences on the baby largely come from the mother. It is also being recognized that the predisposition to some conditions in the mother determines the quality of the baby’s development in the womb and after birth. These health conditions include type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity.

The increasing concern over the potential for exposure of environmental chemicals to the mother and baby to cause adverse health effects is ongoing, with epidemiological research linking exposure to some of these chemicals in pregnancy with adverse birth outcomes: pregnancy loss, preterm birth, low birth weight, congenital defects, childhood morbidity, obesity, cognitive dysfunction, impaired immune system development, asthma and early puberty. In addition, fertility in women and testicular development and reproductive function in males has also been associated with fetal exposure to certain everyday chemicals.

In fact, the newest research out of Harvard University has now linked endocrine disrupting chemical exposure to altered gene function in pregnant women’s placentas, thus hindering fetal growth. The placenta plays a key role in the nutrition of the fetus. It mediates the active transport of nutrients and metabolic wastes across the barrier separating maternal and fetal compartments. The function of the placenta is essential to the growth of a healthy fetus.

This is the first study to show that exposure to BPA and phthalates may alter how genes are expressed in the placenta of pregnant women and suggest that this may hamper proper growth and development of the fetus.

“Altered expression of a gene is of concern because we will have more or less of a protein,” said senior author of the study, Karin Michels, a professor and epidemiologist at the Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, in an emailed response. “Proteins have essential function, for example, as hormones in the body.”

Researchers tested the urine of 179 women in their first trimester of pregnancy for bisphenol-A and phthalate metabolites. They then tested how certain genes were expressed in the placenta. The study found that exposure to these chemicals was associated with altering certain molecules that regulate the expression of genes in the placenta. The proper functioning of these genes is crucial for the development and health of both the placenta and growing fetus.

August 20th 2015

New Trend In Detox: Activated Charcoal

If you love cold-pressed juice for its vibrant, Technicolor hue, you may be disappointed. The hottest beverage trend on the market is activated charcoal—charcoal that has been oxygenated with steam to make it super porous.

According to Dirty Lemon, a new detox beverage brand, just one gram of activated charcoal has a surface area of up to 2,000 square feet, allowing it to adsorb (yes, adsorb—when molecules gather on the surface of another substance) environmental toxins like pesticides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and more. “Activated charcoal is highly binding, especially when ingested,” explains Lori Kenyon Farley, co-founder of Project Juice and certified nutrition consultant. “Since it has no taste, it can easily be included in a beverage to increase the detoxifying effects.”

Activated charcoal is not a new ingredient—for centuries it has been administered to people who ingested poison or who overdosed on drugs—especially within the first hour of poisoning. And it’s long been used for air and water purification. Your Brita water filter? Yup, that’s made with activated charcoal.

But as consumers continue to seek improved detox and cleansing products, a slew of cold-pressed raw beverage companies are blending powerful, flavorless activated charcoal with other ingredients (dandelion root, lemon juice, ginger) that stoke detox organs like your liver.

Do these Activated Charcoal Beverages Work?

The first thing to know about activated charcoal is that it can’t discern what it’s adsorbing—it removes the bad stuff (farming pesticides, VOCs) along with the good stuff (vitamins, minerals, fats). This is why brands warn users not to drink beverages with activated charcoal within five hours of consuming medications—it can render them less effective.

According to toxicology expert John Hibbs, ND, clinical supervisor at Bastyr Center for Natural Health, activated charcoal doesn’t just work in the stomach—when taken with food, the ingredient can also function in the small intestine by vacuuming up toxins released by the liver. “The liver excretes many poisons in a fluid called bile and stores the bile in the gall bladder,” Hibbs says. The gall bladder is uniquely designed to release the bile when food rushes into the small intestine, he adds. Charcoal in the small intestine may then bind to the toxins and flush them through the large intestine, ensuring they are not reabsorbed into the body.

Hibbs stresses, however, that eating more soluble and insoluble fiber sources such as whole grain brans, fruits and vegetables help detox in the same way and are probably more effective—a sentiment echoed by other natural health practitioners.

“I wish people would worry less about toxins and their effects on the body and more about being moderate, maintaining a low body fat percentage and exercising,” says Charlie Seltzer, MD, founder of Lean4Life. “A little ‘toxin’ … is much less dangerous than being sedentary and overweight.”

As for helping with hangovers? Probably not. Alcohol is metabolized by many different cells and organs—not just the liver—which makes it unlikely for charcoal to meaningfully soak up aldehyde, the compound that really makes you feel horrible.

August 13, 2015

A new overview of recent Canadian and American research on the link between fish oil and memory pulls together recent studies and finds that evidence supports that older people with and without memory problems could all be helped by omega-3s. The review appeared in the journal Prostaglandims, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids (PLEFA) and was noted in the Daily Mail. The reviewers provide handy links to more than one hundred relevant studies.

The reviewers found that while omega-3s, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in particular, may be most beneficial to people who already have memory problems, convincing evidence exists that polyunsaturated fatty acids can help otherwise healthy people who struggle to remember events from their lives. One study suggested that the fish oil boosted recall after just sixth months of taking the supplement.

A study that focused on 485 elderly people with memory problems found “significant improvement” in memory test scores of subjects who took marine oil supplements for 24 weeks compared to scores of people who had taken a placebo.

In their conclusion, the reviewers note the potential of DHA when used early to treat age-related cognitive decline as well as Alzheimer’s disease, especially because of the low safety risk related to using the compound.

Of course, research is beginning to support fish oil for improved brain function in people who aren’t old enough to experience the befuddlement of forgetting why they’ve walked into a room. One study found “significant” improvement in the working memory of millennials who had taken daily omega-3s for six months. A great source of Omega 3 is Krill oil our only sustainable source on the planet, READ MORE HERE!

August 4th 2015

More Evidence Backs Bugs Against Diabetes

A defensive line of tiny microbes may help an increasingly fat nation stave off diabetes. Research published in the British Journal of Nutrition suggests that probiotics may prevent healthy people from developing the disease, even if they stuff themselves with a Western diet.

Eating probiotics has already been shown to reduce fasting blood glucose concentrations in type 2 diabetic patients, according to the BJN article. Whether they could also prevent diet-induced insulin resistance in healthy subjects remained a mystery.

To find out, scientists fed 17 healthy subjects either a probiotic (Lactobacillus casei Shirota/ Yakult, twice daily) or a control for a month. For the first three weeks, subjects ate their normal diet. For the last week, they gorged on a high-fat (65 percent of energy), high-energy (50 percent increase in energy intake). Researchers tested the subjects’ insulin sensitivity before and after the “overfeeding.”

For the people in the control group, the high-fat overfeeding decreased insulin sensitivity by 27 percent. But insulin sensitivity didn’t change at all among the group who ate the probiotics before, even though they also gorged on high-fat and high-calorie meals.

“These results suggest that probiotic supplementation may be useful in the prevention of diet-induced metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes,” write the study’s authors in the abstract.

Furthermore, the results provide more insight into the impact the microscopic residents of our gut can have on the rest of our body. The authors write in the article: “These results provide further indirect evidence that compositional changes in the gut microbiota lead to the development of human metabolic disease and that probiotic supplementation could be useful in preventing insulin resistance induced by excessive consumption of high-fat foods (i.e. a Westernized diet).

August 4th, 2015

 

 Is Banana the Hot New Water Flavor?

There’s no shortage of suggestions when predicting the next breakout bottled-water celebrity after coconut water. Will it be maple water? Cactus water? Flavor specialist Virginia Dare (Brooklyn, NY) has its own proposal: banana water.

“Bananas have certainly been around for a long time and have been incorporated into smoothies, nectars, cocktails, and many other kinds of drinks. When coconut water began its meteoric rise in popularity some time ago, the marketing insights team at Virginia Dare carefully studied its product profile,” says Anton Angelich, group vice president, marketing.

In short, he says, what the team determined is that banana water shares some of the very same health perks that made coconut water a star in markets like the United States. Coconut water is celebrated for its rich supply of rehydrating electrolytes—namely, potassium—which, as you may have heard, bananas contain a lot of.

Citing banana as a “widely appealing and popular taste,” Virginia Dare has at least two product concept suggestions. The first drink is clear and aimed at thirst quenching, with clarified banana juice concentrate and such flavors as banana cream, pineapple banana, raspberry banana, strawberry banana, and chocolate banana.

The second is a cloudier, juicy beverage made with banana puree and pear juice. Flavors might include banana cream, pineapple banana, raspberry banana, or strawberry banana, the firm says.

Perhaps the biggest boon is the strong connection consumers already draw between bananas and potassium content. “The association between bananas and potassium is well known,” Angelich says, particularly among baby boomers and mature consumers who may have failed to connect with coconut water, perhaps because initial marketing for coconut water skewed towards “celebrity endorsed [marketing], targeted at younger fitness-interested consumers,” and being premium priced, to boot.

These very consumers, he says, may more readily accept banana water. “Add on to this the fact that coconut can be a polarizing flavor, bananas are very popular in taste, and banana concentrates and juices are in good year-round supply,” and bananas bring a lot to the table, he adds.

For a market that’s recently “seen artichoke, cucumber, watermelon, beet, rhubarb, and mint waters come onto the horizon, banana water stands a good chance of making it with the consumer in the marketplace,” he concludes.
June 17th, 2015

By June of 2018, the food industry must replace the existing use of partially hydrogenated oils in the marketplace.

The reason the FDA is outlawing trans fats is that the substance is no longer Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). It’s simple as that.

You’d think this was a no-brainer—ever since research from the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands published a study in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1990 finding that trans fats raised LDL cholesterol and lowered HDL cholesterol, the death knell was upon trans fats. The Institute of Medicine concluded that trans fat “provides no known health benefit and that there is no safe level of consumption of artificial trans fat.”

FDA Commish Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., put a number on it. “Further reductions in the amount of trans fat in the American diet could prevent an additional 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 deaths from heart disease each year—a critical step in the protection of Americans’ health.”

So first the FDA went the labeling route, which had the effect of compelling the major food manufacturers to simply avoid using trans fats. (Nevermind that a confused public did not always know whether trans fats were the good fats or the bad ones. That same public is similarly confused over the meaning of natural vs organic.) And since trans fat labeling went into effect in 2006, between 67 and 78 percent of trans fats have vanished from the market, and American consumption has dropped from 4.6 grams per day to about 1 gram per day.

That left the intransigent 20 percent remaining foods that just benefited too much from trans fats—your cupcakes, french fry oil and other partially hydrogenated soybean oil confections. The extended shelf life, the mouthfeel, it was too much to just seek out alternatives.

June 3rd, 2015

BPA may hike blood pressure within hours

It might not be that energy drink that’s jacking your blood pressure after you chug a can. A new study suggests bisphenol A, or BPA, can seep into drinks and raise blood pressure within just a few hours.

Read More Here!

May 3rd, 2015

Spearmint Extract Improves Cognitive Performance

The results of a new clinical study suggest that a spearmint extract may improve cognitive performance in older adults. Neumentix Phenolic Complex K110-42, a patent-pending spearmint extract from supplier Kemin (Des Moines, IA), was first launched at SupplySide West last fall. The latest study seems to confirm the ingredient’s intended benefits of aiding working memory and improving the ability to fall asleep.

90 participants aged 58-60 were randomly assigned to consume either 900 mg of Neumentix, 600 mg of Neumentix, or a placebo once daily with breakfast for 90 days. The trial was randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled, and cognitive health was assessed using the computerized Cognitive Drug Research (CDR) battery at 0, 45, and 90 days into the trial. Additionally, participants completed the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire at the beginning and conclusion of the trial. Blood samples were also collected to assess tolerability to the ingredient.

Researchers found that the accuracy and quality of working memory improved on the CDR test battery in the Neumentix group more than in the placebo group. Participants taking Neumentix were also found to have an improved ability to fall asleep and greater feelings of vitality and energy, according to a press release from Kemin. The researchers reported near-perfect subject compliance, no adverse events, and no problematic tolerability issues.

“These results suggest the proprietary spearmint extract, Neumentix, was well tolerated and a beneficial nutritional intervention for cognitive health in older subjects with AAMI [age-associated memory impairement],” the researchers wrote.

Neumentix is sourced from Kemin’s own-grown, patent-pending, non-GMO spearmint.

“The demand for cognitive health products is growing worldwide, and we are very excited about these strong clinical results,” said Anita Norian, president of the human nutrition and health division at Kemin. “Working memory is critical to our overall cognitive performance, and we feel this research opens up some great opportunities for customers who use Neumentix in their finished products.”

Cook C et al. “Effects of a proprietary spearmint extract on cognitive function and tolerance parameters in men and women with age-associated memory impairment.” The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, vol. 29, no. 1 (April 2015): supplement 900.15.

April 23rd, 2015

Oral Health and the Role of Dietary Supplements

Gargle some mouthwash, brush and floss your teeth, and drop into the dentist’s chair a couple times each year. Sound familiar? Even if many people fall short of following it, the conventional wisdom for maintaining good oral health has become fairly ubiquitous. However, there may be more to the story.

The supplement world has produced a deluge of research, applications, and products relating to oral health in the last few years. From probiotic strains working to cultivate the proper bacterial climate, to omega-3 ingredients fighting periodontitis, there’s a mouthful of options for a market that may be gradually moving “beyond dental.” A mix of cost-efficiency, natural appeal, and promising research are all driving the hype.

A Bacteria Balancing Act

One crucial element of oral health that conventional measures often fail to address is maintaining a healthy microbial balance. Most mouthwashes strive to rid the mouth of harmful bacteria that contribute to tooth decay and gingivitis, but do they go too far?

The problem with antimicrobial rinses and mouthwashes is that they “inhibit the growth and functioning of beneficial strains of bacteria that help protect the oral cavity from colonization by the pathogenic strains,” says Nena Dockery, technical support manager, Stratum Nutrition (St. Charles, MO). Beyond contributing to tooth decay and bad breath, these harmful strains may also infect the throat and upper respiratory tract.

To that end, the BLIS M18 and K12 probiotic strains from Stratum Nutrition are designed to restore protective bacteria in the oral cavity. Derived from Streptococcus salivarius, a naturally occurring oral bacteria, both strains are meant to “protect the oral cavity from occupancy by deleterious strains of bacteria through competitive inhibition,” says Dockery. But each strain takes a slightly different approach.

BLIS M18 for Periodontal Health

With three bacteriocins targeting harmful Streptococcus mutans, BLIS M18 is intended to improve gum and tooth condition, especially among patients with poor periodontal health. Study results1 announced in January suggest Stratum may well be on the right track with this strain.

Researchers at the A.J. Institute of Dental Sciences (Mangalore, India) conducted a study of BLIS M18 probiotic lozenges on 28 participants aged 20-60 years who suffered from “varying degrees of poor periodontal health,” according to a press release. An experimental group took the lozenges every day for 30 days and was then examined at 15-day intervals for 60 days in comparison with a control group. All the participants underwent professional scaling and root planing at the outset of the study.

By the end of the 30-day probiotic administration period, “the M18 supplement group showed a significant reduction in all clinical parameters, including plaque index, gingival index, modified sulcular bleeding index, and probing pocket depth when compared to that of the control group,” says Dockery. At 60 days, the experimental group still scored higher on these parameters, but the periodontal health benefits did gradually decline after the probiotic administration stopped, reported the researchers. Dockery points out that “regular supplementation” would be necessary to sustain the possible benefits.

BLIS M18 also produces enzymes that are meant to neutralize acidic conditions that can wear down tooth enamel and degrade dextran, a component of dental plaque, says Dockery.

BLIS K12 for Children

Although it acts by a similar mechanism, Stratum’s BLIS K12 targets a different harmful strain, Streptococcus pyogenes, which can cause pharyngeal infections. K12 produces two bacteriocins that are meant to inhibit S. pyogenes, among other harmful strains, says Dockery.

A clinical study2 published in Drug, Healthcare and Patient Safety in February 2014 explored possible benefits of K12 supplementation among children who suffer from recurrent oral streptococcal disorders. Thirty children aged 3-13 were treated for 90 days with a daily, slow-release oral tablet containing at least 1 billion colony-forming units/tablet of S. salivarius K12. The experimental group was compared with a control group of 30 untreated children. It was a multicenter, open, nonrandomized, controlled clinical trial.

By the end of the 90-day period, the treated group experienced a 96.79% reduction of pharynogtonsilitis episodes caused by S. pyogenes, and near-perfect patient tolerability and compliance. While the control group spent a combined 900 days taking antibiotics and missed 228 days of school or preschool, the BLIS K12 group spent only 30 combined days under antibiotics and missed just 16 days of school.

Beyond showing “excellent tolerability and ease of compliance of K12 supplementation,” this research “built upon prior studies showing that the K12 strain can be a valid therapeutic solution in the prevention of infections of the oral cavity, whether of streptococcal or viral etiology, and in particular those of a recurrent nature,” says Dockery.

A Market for Oral Probiotics?

Even if oral probiotics have shown promise in recent research, is the market there? One advantage may be the acceptance that probiotics have already found in other applications.

“Most consumers now recognize the benefits of probiotics in the GI tract, so they are more receptive to understanding the role that probiotics can have in supporting oral health as well,” says Dockery. “The market is definitely growing.”

Entering the probiotic market also poses the challenge of finding ways to market specific strains and make finished products stand out, according to Heather Thompson, global marketing manager, Stratum Nutrition. Rather than a weakness, the novelty of oral probiotics may actually be a strength for suppliers looking to differentiate new products.

“We are now trying to educate on another angle with a different kind of probiotic. The mouth is a primary entry point for all bacteria—good and bad,” says Thompson. “Why not be proactive in building the positive balance within this gateway to our overall health?”

Stratum’s probiotics are not intended as replacements for daily brushing and flossing, but Thompson hopes consumers will turn to oral probiotics more and more as part of a well-rounded oral health regimen.

Fighting Plaque? There’s a PAC for That

Another relative newcomer to the oral health world is the cranberry, which has recently begun making appearances in powders, toothpastes, and chewing gums as an ingredient aimed at reducing harmful biofilm in the mouth. Could it be that the same proanthocyanidins (PACs) often claimed to provide relief from urinary tract infections (UTIs) may also reduce dental plaque?

Cranberry Toothpaste and Chewing Gum

On the basis of two promising preliminary trials, Nexira (Rouen, France) is promoting its Exocyan cranberry extract as a “natural oral care solution for decreasing dental plaque.” Just last year, Nexira launched Exocyan Cran 70S, named for the up to 70% possible standardized PAC levels in the extract.

Dental plaque arises out of the formation of a white viscous layer of harmful biofilm, but Nexira says the PACs in Exocyan disrupt the formation of this biofilm due to their anti-adhesive properties. If the PACs are able to prevent bacteria from attaching and growing in the mouth, inhibiting biofilm formation, then it may be possible to decrease the “main risk factor of gingivitis and periodontitis,” according to Nexira.

Researchers at the University of Bordeaux (Talence, France) conducted two small preliminary human studies on Exocyan’s effect on oral health in chewing gum and toothpaste. In the chewing gum study, conducted in 2008, nine participants chewed four pieces of gum every day for four weeks, with each piece of gum containing 36 mg of Exocyan PACs. According to Nexira, researchers saw an average 28% decrease in dental plaque over the course of the study, as measured by the Turesky plaque index score.

The 2011 study on PAC toothpaste involved 18 participants who brushed their teeth three times daily with toothpaste containing Exocyan. After six weeks, researchers noted a 15% decrease in plaque, also measured by the Turesky plaque index score. In both studies, the participants were healthy volunteers without cavities who were approximately 21 years old. Both study results are unpublished but currently featured in Nexira’s marketing materials.

“The natural action in oral health of Exocyan, as well as its natural origin, makes it perfectly suitable for the formulation of healthy and clean-label products,” says Vanessa Agnolutto, marketing and communication manager, Nexira. She adds that Exocyan is available in organic grade and suitable for soluble and insoluble applications.

Cranberry Powder

Cranberry ingredient supplier Fruit d’Or Nutraceuticals (Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, QC, Canada) recently launched its own cranberry powder for oral health, called Oral Cran. Acting on the same biofilm-disrupting mechanism as Exocyan, Oral Cran is currently available in a powder that Fruit d’Or claims may help fight plaque buildup, cavities, gum bleeding, and bad breath.

A recent pilot study of 33 patients aged 33-80 showed promising potential for Oral Cran, according to Fruit d’Or. The participants all suffered from halitosis, gum bleeding, or generally poor gum condition prior to treatment. After two months of tooth brushing with Oral Cran powder, study organizer Hilary Rodrigues, PhD, reported overwhelmingly positive findings.

“The periodontal condition has improved, and in all cases bleeding from the gums has ended,” Rodrigues said in a press release. “Swelling of gums was reduced, bad breath was eliminated, and blue-tinged gums turned back to a normal pink color.”

The preliminary study consisted entirely of patients from Dr. Rodrigues’s private practice, and the results are unpublished, but Fruit d’Or has plans to launch a larger-scale study of Oral Cran, according to Stephen Lukawski, director, sales and business development. Lukawski also posits Oral Cran as a less expensive complement to professional teeth cleaning, especially for patients undergoing chemotherapy who are advised not to get their teeth cleaned for fear of infection.

Omega-3s: A Friend for Gums in Need?

Omega-3 fatty acids have racked up an expansive lineup of possible health benefits over the years, but we may soon be adding one more to the list. Recent research has shown omega-3s may ease several symptoms of periodontitis, possibly due to the anti-inflammatory action of the famous fatty acids.

Omega-3s and Aspirin

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial3 published last year in the Journal of Dental Research explored the effect of omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on adults with moderate periodontitis. Over the course of three months, 46 participants took either 2000 mg per day of DHA or identical placebo capsules. All study participants also received 81 mg of aspirin per day, which was intended to reduce enzymatic inactivation of DHA and enhance possible “protection against inflammation-induced tissue and bone loss from periodontitis,” according to the researchers.

Although bleeding on probing and plaque index were not affected in either group, researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Boston) observed a significant decrease of mean pocket depth and gingival index in the experimental group, two indicators of problematic inflammation and separation of the gum from the tooth. The proportion of DHA in red blood cell plasma membranes also increased from 3.6% to 6.2% in the omega-3 group, compared with no change among the control group.

The researchers concluded that “aspirin-triggered DHA supplementation significantly improved periodontal outcomes in people with periodontitis, indicating its potential therapeutic efficacy.”

Omega-3s Alone

Researchers at India’s Dental College and Research Centre (Kolhapur, India) also released the results of a similar study4 last year, except in this case aspirin was not included in the study design. For 12 weeks, 58 participants with moderate and severe chronic periodontitis were given either a 300-mg tablet of omega-3s daily or a placebo. Each omega-3 capsule contained 180 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 120 mg of DHA. The trial was randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled.

Four parameters of gum health—gingival index, sulcus bleeding index, pocket depth, and clinical attachment levels—all saw significant reductions in the omega-3 group compared with the control group, researchers reported. They concluded that omega-3 supplementation may have “potential benefits as a host modulatory agent in the prevention and/or adjunctive management of chronic periodontitis.”

New Products?

Clearly, the research for omega-3 applications in oral health is growing, but it’s still not a “slam dunk,” says Harry Rice, PhD, vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs, Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (Salt Lake City). Rice is also a member of Nutritional Outlook’s editorial advisory board.

In the last five years, omega-3 research has taken enormous strides in moving from animal models to human trials, says Rice, but there is still a scarcity of companies marketing omega-3 products specifically for oral health. As always, a big question is: would there be a demand among consumers?

“Perhaps the appeal would be that omega-3s have additional benefits above and beyond cardiovascular health,” says Rice, adding that periodontists would likely need to begin endorsing omega-3 products to jumpstart the market. “Provided the research builds in support of a solid benefit, there could be a demand, but I think it would be a niche market.”

With so many new and promising options, dietary supplements are poised to play an evermore important role in consumers’ oral healthcare routines.

References

Scariya L et al. “Probiotics in periodontal therapy.” International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences, vol. 6, no. 1 (January 2015): 242-250.
Di Pierro F et al. “Use of Streptococcus salivariusK12 in the prevention of streptococcal and viral pharyngotonsillitis in children.” Drug, Healthcare and Patient Safety. Published online February 13, 2014.
Naqvi AZ et al. “Docosahexaenoic acid and periodontitis in adults: a randomized controlled trial.” Journal of Dental Research,vol. 93, no. 8 (June 2014); 767-773.
Deore GD et al. “Omega 3 fatty acids as a host modulator in chronic periodontitis patients: a randomised, doubled-blind, palcebo-controlled, clinical trial.” Journal of Periodontal & Implant Science, vol. 44, no. 1 (February 2014): 25-32.

February 10, 2015

Stopping Prostate Cancer With Saffron

Saffron’s been used in traditional medicine for more than 3,000 years, as everything from an aphrodisiac to an antidote to poison. Could it hold the key to fighting the second-leading cause of cancer death in America?

An Italian study suggests compounds found in the golden-orange spice may help give hope to those with prostate cancer.

The study focused on crocins, a carotenoid found in saffron, Crocus sativus L., and a compound our gastrointestinal tract produces after we eat saffron, called crocetin esters. Italian researchers found both had cancer-fighting powers in cancer cell cultures and in mice with prostate cancer.

“Saffron and its ingredients could be considered as a promising candidate for clinical anticancer trials in aggressive prostate cancer with a high risk of metastases,” wrote the study’s authors in the journal BioMed Research International. The research was noted on foodconsumer.org.

This study comes after research last year pointed to the possibilities of using vitamin A to prevent and treat the diseases. That research, conducted in the U.K., suggested vitamin A switches on genes that halt the spread of cancer cells and could be used to enhance clinical treatments of prostate cancer. The research was published in Oncogenesis.

Another study published last year in Cancer Prevention Research suggested that tomatoes and soy may be a powerful, prostate cancer-fighting combo when consumed together. Research from the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences found that mice fed both foods had significantly less instances of prostate cancer, even though the critters used in the study were genetically engineered to easily develop the disease.

February 10, 2015

Ginger compound helps memory deficit in rodents

Confucius never had a meal without it. For thousands of years, it’s been prized around the world for powers ranging from soothing inflammation to inflaming the sex drive. Now, research suggests that ginger might help fight Alzheimer’s disease.

About five million American aged 65 and older suffer from the disease. The number of people with the irreversible, progressive brain disease is growing as our population ages, according to the National Institute of Health.

Through a recent study, researchers suggest that a compound found in ginger, called 6-shogaol, may be a promising weapon against the disease. The study was published in the journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications and noted on foodconsumer.org. The study suggested that supplementation with 6-shogaol helped prevent cognitive impairment in animals.

In previous studies, 6-shogaol showed memory-enhancing and antioxidant properties. Research has also suggested it has anti-neuro-inflammatory effects against Parkinson’s disease.

The anti-inflammatory powers of ginger may extend beyond the brain, according to research from Georgia College and State University. Researchers there found that two grams from raw or heat-treated ginger can reduce the pain associated with muscle injury after exercising—by about 25 percent.
November 24, 2014

What Studies Say about Hemp CBD

In the United States, hemp is often confused with marijuana. It’s a consumer misconception that has, for decades, slowed the market potential for hemp in the food, dietary supplement, textile, and even lumber industries. The dietary supplement industry, in particular, has a lot to gain from hemp, and not just with hemp oil and hemp protein. A substance called cannabidiol (CBD) has shown nutritional potential for years, yet the taboo around Cannabis has kept CBD off the radar. Now, with hemp gaining a better reputation, it looks as though its little compound is finally poised for big market growth. And much of that growth could be in stress and anxiety formulas.

What Is CBD?

CBD is a phytocannabinoid that is found in industrial hemp and marijuana, which are two different varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant. The current market for CBD as a dietary supplement is based on industrial hemp, not marijuana, because marijuana also contains significant amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a phytocannabinoid that is psychoactive and, thus, capable of making a person high. Industrial hemp contains only negligible amounts of THC—no more than, say, poppy seeds contain opiates—and so it will not get you high. The plant is, thus, safe for human consumption and useful for components including CBD.

While CBD is not psychoactive like THC, it can still have a profound influence on the human brain, but first—is CBD legal?

Legal Status of CBD

In order to understand if CBD is legal for sale and consumption, one must look at the legality of hemp oil, which can be tailor-made for high concentrations of CBD.

Hemp oil is listed on the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (with no restrictions on CBD content) meaning that hemp oil is a legal U.S. import. This is important because federal law prohibits the farming of hemp in the United States. Hemp can only be purchased as an import. Some state laws override this federal law, but most of these, for now, just legalize hemp farming. At the time of this writing, Colorado and Kentucky are the only states that have laws permitting the farming and sale of hemp, and these are both very recent laws. The market for U.S.-grown hemp, thus, relies almost entirely on legal imports from established markets. Canada, Europe, and China are some of the world’s biggest hemp producers, so they control the U.S. market supply and will for at least a while longer.

As long as CBD-rich oils are imported, or farmed in states where cultivation and production is permitted by state law, CBD-rich hemp oils are legal. But they are not legal if their THC content is above 0.3%.1 This threshold keeps the distinction between hemp and marijuana in place.

Scientific Studies on CBD

As for how CBD works, CBD and other phytocannabinoids influence the brain by interacting with the brain’s very own cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids.

“Generally, phytocannabinoids like CBD can help to restore a more balanced ‘tone’ within the endocannabinoid system,” says Stuart Tomc, vice president of human nutrition for CBD oil supplier CannaVest Corp. (San Diego). “As such, CBD may positively, broadly affect various processes that control brain signaling, via neurotransmitter function, ion channel and membrane dynamics, inflammatory responses, and even gene expression.” It’s worth noting that Cannabis compounds aren’t the only ones capable of interacting with the brain’s endocannabinoid system. Compounds from flax and Brassica species, for instance, have shown potential to interact with the endocannabinoid system, too.2–3 With that said, why is this brain system so important?

The endocannabinoid system has broad influence over areas of the brain involved in sensations such as pain perception, movement, emotion, cognition, and sleep. For this reason, the endocannabinoid system likely has big sway over some brain health conditions. A blockage of cannabinoid receptors called CB1 receptors has been linked to behavioral effects consistent with antidepressant activity.4 Enhancement of anandamide, the first discovered endocannabinoid, may relieve chronic pain associated with neuropsychiatric disorders.5 Post-traumatic stress disorder appears to involve cannabinoid pathways, too.6

For all of the ways the endocannabinoid system can influence brain health, CBD’s own interaction with the endocannabinoid system could translate into some very significant health effects, and previously published studies so far offer positive indications. For extensive reading, a 2012 review of CBD studies provides a thorough overview of most of the existing human clinical trials (34 in total) on CBD for healthy and/or clinical patients.7 Here are some of the trials that stand out.

Anxiety

To explore the impact of an ingredient on anxiety, scientists often first look at that ingredient’s impact on cortisol levels in the human blood after ingestion. Cortisol levels are heightened when animals are under extreme duress, and when Brazilian researchers investigated the effect of CBD doses on human cortisol levels in 11 volunteers in 1993, they found that CBD decreased cortisol levels significantly more than placebo. CBD subjects also reported a sedative effect from the treatment.8

Also in 1993, the same researchers compared the effects of CBD and two anxiety medications, ipsapirone and diazepam, on a group of 40 healthy individuals assigned to a simulated public speaking test. Using a Visual Analogue Mood Scale (VAMS) to assess personal anxiety before and after the public speaking test, the researchers determined that diazepam lowered anxiety before and after the test, while the ipsapirone and CBD only lowered anxiety after the test.9 Years later, in 2004, another team of Brazilian researchers analyzed CBD, but they upped the dosage by 100 mg (now 400 mg of CBD). Compared to placebo, subjects in this study reported significantly decreased anxiety and increased mental sedation. Brain imaging tests suggested that such effects were mediated in specific regions of the brain.10

Aside from a potential influence on healthy volunteers, CBD has shown some promise in subjects with established social anxiety disorders. Two studies in 2011 yielded favorable results for CBD supplementation in this type of population. In the first study, CBD use was associated with decreases in subjective anxiety and was accompanied by (presumably significant) changes in regional cerebral blood flow.11 The second study tied CBD to reduced anxiety and discomfort in response to a simulated public speaking test.12

Curiously, the presence of CBD alongside THC, in marijuana, has even shown potential to alleviate THC-induced anxiety and psychosis.13–14

Sleep

Early research suggests that CBD consumption can also affect sleep in a positive way—in particular, it may block rapid eye movement (REM) sleep—but such an effect may be more related to CBD’s anxiolytic (anxiety-inhibiting) properties than direct sleep regulation, per se.15 While the basis for this CBD-and-sleep theory is largely made in rodent studies, some research has been done on sleep-impaired but otherwise healthy humans.

In a 1981 Brazilian study, researchers at the Escola Paulista de Medicina in São Paulo assigned 15 insomniacs to a CBD dose (ranging between 40 mg and 160 mg), placebo, or nitrazepam, a hypnotic drug indicated for relief from anxiety and insomnia. With the highest CBD dose, sleep significantly increased, although dream recall was reduced, compared to placebo.16 The reduction of dream recall is presumably due to a reduction of REM sleep, wherein dreams are most active.

Also relating to sleep, somnolence, a state of feeling drowsy or sleepy, has been reported with CBD consumption. While the onset of somnolence may help humans sleep, such an effect should also be examined further for the sake of other CBD uses not related to sleep.

Schizophrenia

In light of the notion made earlier that CBD may attenuate the psychotic effect of THC, such anti-psychotic potential might conceivably help subjects with schizophrenia. This population can be burdened by acute psychosis, but also by anxiety.

Unfortunately, the outcomes from CBD studies on schizophrenia patients are a mixed bag. Where a 2009 German study found 600 mg of CBD to be as effective as amisulpride (an anti-psychotic drug) in reducing psychotic symptoms after four weeks,17 a Brazilian case series in 2006 found CBD well-tolerated but not necessarily effective for treatment-resistant schizophrenia.18 And of two studies conducted in 2010, one found CBD useful for managing schizophrenia, and the other did not.19–20

Market Outlook

The ongoing CBD research discussed herein provides broad market potential for the CBD supplements already in trade today. While concerns such as stress and poor sleep may provide avenues for selling CBD oils to the general population, manufacturers can also capitalize on some much more particular health concerns. Epilepsy, a health condition not discussed in detail here, provides one of the biggest opportunities for CBD today. In fact, the state of Missouri passed a bill earlier this year that legalizes the sale of “hemp extracts” containing CBD as prescribable medicine, but only for children with a rare form of epilepsy called intractable epilepsy.

Creating demand for CBD oil shouldn’t prove difficult, but creating a pro-hemp industry around the world is still a challenge.

“There are many international markets that are well ahead of the game when it comes to CBD,” says Andrew Hard, public relations director for CBD oil supplier HempMeds (Poway, CA). “Unfortunately, the United States is a huge influence on drug policies internationally, which has probably kept these [other] markets from growing as much as they could. We’re hopeful that as the attitudes and laws towards Cannabis in the United States change, the world will adjust accordingly.”

Fortunately, the laws are already changing, and none have proved so significant for hemp as the 2014 U.S. Farm Bill. Signed by President Barack Obama at the beginning of the year, the Farm Bill contains a provision that legalizes hemp research pilot programs in states where cultivation is legal under state law. Through state and university agriculture departments, interested parties can now cultivate hemp and start to learn about its local harvest and local marketability. Since climate and soil conditions are far different in the United States than they are in, say, Canada, this research phase will help industry determine just what U.S.-grown hemp is made of. One thing about U.S. hemp is certain, though: it can be bred for high amounts of CBD.

References

1. Agricultural Act of 2014, HR 2642, 113th Cong., section 7606, part B, subsection 2.

2. M Styrczewska et al., “Cannabinoid-like anti-inflammatory compounds from flax fiber,” Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters, vol. 17, no. 3 (September 2012): 479–499.

3. J Gertsch et al., “Phytocannabinoids beyond the Cannabis plant—Do they exist?” British Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 160, no. 3 (June 2010): 523–529.

4. JM Witkin et al., “A role for cannabinoid CB1 receptors in mood and anxiety disorders,” Behavioral Pharmacology, vol. 16, no. 5–6, (September 2005): 315–331.

5. E Lomazzo et al., “Therapeutic potential of inhibitors of endocannabinoid degradation for the treatment of stress-related hyperalgesia in an animal model of chronic pain,” Neuropsychopharmacology, published online on August 6, 2014.

6. RJ Ursano et al., “PTSD and traumatic stress from gene to community and bench to bedside,” Brain Research, vol. 1293 (October 1, 2009): 2–12.

7. S Zhornitsky et al., “Cannabidiol in humans—The Quest for Therapeutic Targets,” Pharmaceuticals, vol. 5, no. 5 (May 21, 2012): 529–552.

8. AW Zuardi et al., “Effect of cannabidiol on plasma prolactin, growth hormone, and cortisol in human volunteers,” Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, vol. 26, no. 2 (February 1993): 213–217.

9. AW Zuardi et al., “Effects of ipsapirone and cannabidiol on human experimental anxiety,” Journal of Psychopharmacology, vol. 7, supplement 1 (January 1993): 82–88.

10. JA Crippa et al., “Effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on regional cerebral blood flow,” Neuropsychopharmacology, vol. 29 (2004): 417–426.

11. JA Crippa et al., “Neural basis of anxiolytic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in generalized social anxiety disorder: A preliminary report,” Journal of Psychopharmacology, vol. 25 (2011): 121–130.

12. MM Bergamaschi et al., “Cannabidiol reduces the anxiety induced by simulated public speaking in treatment-naive social phobia patients,” Neuropsychopharmacology, vol. 36 (2011): 1219–1226.

13. IG Karniol et al., “Cannabidiol interferes with the effects of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol in man,” European Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 28 (1974): 172–177.

14. AB Ilan et al., “Neurophysiological and subjective profile of marijuana with varying concentrations of cannabinoids,” Behavioral Pharmacology, vol. 16 (2005): 487–496.

15. Y-T Hsiao et al., “Effect of cannabidiol on sleep disruption induced by the repeated combination tests consisting of open field and elevated plus-maze in rats,” Neuropharmacology, vol. 62, no. 1 (January 2012): 373–384.

16. EA Carlini et al., “Hypnotic and antiepileptic effects of cannabidiol,” Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, vol. 21, no. S1 (August–September 1981): 417S–427S.

17. FM Leweke et al., “Antipsychotic effects of cannabidiol,” European Psychiatry, vol. 24 (2009): S207.

18. AW Zuardi et al., “Cannabidiol monotherapy for treatment-resistant schizophrenia,” Journal of Psychopharmacology, vol. 20, no. 5 (September 2006): 683–686.

19. AW Zuardi et al., “Cannabidiol was ineffective for manic episode of bipolar affective disorder,” Journal of Psychopharmacology, vol. 24, no. 1 (January 2010): 135–137.

20. JE Hallak et al., “Performance of schizophrenic patients in the Stroop Color Word Test and electrodermal responsiveness after acute administration of cannabidiol (CBD),” Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, vol. 32, no. 1 (March 2010): 56–61.

October 10, 2014

New-High Performance Sports Nutrition Ingredients Hitting The Market

There was a time not too long ago when sports nutrition ingredients and supplements were targeted specifically to bodybuilders and high-level endurance athletes. But ask any ingredient supplier active in this market today, and it soon becomes very clear that the category’s consumer base is as diverse as ever. In fact, according to data from Euromonitor, bodybuilders and extreme athletes make up just 5% of total sales in this sector. The reason is simple: as more and more Americans prioritize a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise, many of them are turning to supplements to boost their energy, enhance their workout, and aid in recovery.

Euromonitor data show that in 2008–2013, the sports nutrition market grew 8% annually to $8.8 billion. The market researcher predicts 10% market growth in 2014. “This growth is best explained by expanding beyond the hardcore athlete, who made up the market for years,” says Mathieu Dondain, director of marketing and communication at Nexira (Somerville, NJ), echoing Euromonitor findings that indicate a shift towards what the firm calls “casual users” like amateur athletes and “health and image users” drawn in by the category’s implicit link with health and wellness. And with a diversified audience comes a product and ingredient landscape to match, as consumers look “to achieve different results from their sports nutrition needs,” says Dondain.

The protein aisle is feeling a large proportion of the category’s growing pains now that suppliers offer an expanded, customizable view of what constitutes a sports supplement. According to Michael Crabtree, sales manager for sports nutrition and supplements for Bioenergy Life Science (Ham Lake, MN), “standalone ingredient systems are seen with increasing rarity, and protein supplements are the archetypal isolated agent.” Instead, condition-specific or otherwise multi-ingredient offerings demanded by the general public are eclipsing single-ingredient platforms, which are used only by extreme athletes looking for optimum customizability.

Despite their differences, what amateurs and expert athletes have in common is an eye toward energy—keeping it high and steady during exercise, and replenishing it effectively afterward.

Avoiding the Mid-Exercise Crash

For many athletes, avoiding a mid-exercise energy crash is paramount. The common target? Rapidly depleting glucose.

SelectSIEVE Apple PCQ from Nutraceuticals International Group (Bloomingdale, NJ) was the recent subject of a survey appearing in Nutrafoods¹, which confirmed the ingredient’s potential to regulate glucose metabolism and therefore provide athletes with a steadier stream of energy during exercise. Specifically, the ingredient was found to improve antioxidant enzyme modulation by up to 31.65%, compared to control. “SelectSIEVE Apple PCQ is an active ingredient based on balanced and highly standardized glycosylated polyphenols from apple,” explains Nichole De Block, the company’s marketing director. “These components are reported to reduce glucose absorption and slow the release of glucose in the blood stream.” When taken right before working out, the ingredient can help maintain a constant glycaemia during exercise, reducing the sensation of fatigue and breathlessness. SelectSIEVE achieves this by reducing glucose absorption through a competitive bond of phloridzin to the SGLT1/GLUT, responsible for glucose translocation into the intestinal cells.

Carnipure, an L-carnitine ingredient from Lonza Inc. (Allendale, NJ), has a track record of enhancing recovery through diminishing muscle soreness by increasing blood flow, but new research shows exciting applications in glucose regulation. “A study published in 2011 by the Greenhaff research group at the University of Nottingham² found that L-carnitine content can be increased when taken in conjunction with an insulin-stimulating substance, such as a carbohydrate,” explains Kevin Owen, PhD, Nafta head of technical marketing and scientific affairs. Researchers found that not only did muscle L-carnitine increase after Carnipure supplementation, but also that the supplement positively impacted substrate utilization during low-intensity exercise. “Practically speaking, such glucose sparing during low-intensity exercises could potentially improve performance by prolonging the use of glycogen as fuel,” Owen says.

Kyowa Hakko USA (New York, NY) is also tapping into consumers’ desires to optimize energy mid-workout with Sustamine, a dipeptide ingredient combining the amino acids L-alanine and L-glutamine. A 2012 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition³ supplemented athletes during rehydration breaks in a 40-minute competitive basketball game with two concentrations of the ingredient: 1 g/500 ml and 2 g/500 ml. The group taking the lower dose increased their shooting performance and visual reaction time; the group administered the higher dose had less fatigue. Researchers think the ingredient may have contributed to a more efficient fluid and electrolyte uptake than water alone can provide—especially at a low pH, which is common during exercise—therefore minimizing the negative effects dehydration may have had on the athletes.

Recovering after Training

“People are realizing the importance of recovery following an intense training session and are interested in products that can provide them with an advantage in this area,” explains Shawn Baier, chief operating officer of Metabolic Technologies Inc. (Ames, IA). And, he says, with competitive training programs like Crossfit popping up in towns and cities nationwide, consumers who never entered the sports supplement arena are finding themselves perusing the aisles looking for what might give them a competitive edge in their next workout—which might be as soon as the very next morning.

The company’s HMB, a metabolite of the essential amino acid leucine, and BetaTOR, a pure, free-acid form of HMB (HMB-FA), are both designed to aid in recovery while also increasing strength and improving endurance. “The calcium salt form of HMB (caHMB) aids in increasing muscle protein by decreasing protein breakdown and increasing protein synthesis,” Baier explains. BetaTOR is more rapidly absorbed to produce higher peak levels in the blood as well as improved retention by tissues. A 2014 placebo-controlled study appearing in the European Journal of Applied Physiology⁴ found that highly trained men supplemented with acid-free HMB for 12 weeks minimized or eliminated losses in strength and power during a two-week overt-training session, demonstrating improved recovery after particularly intense training. This echoed the findings of a 2013 study in the British Journal of Nutrition⁵ demonstrating that HMB free-acid taken before a muscle-damaging, resistance-training session decreased muscle damage and improved perceived readiness to train in the next session. Both studies confirmed athletes were able to recover quicker and train harder—and sooner—with HMB free-acid supplementation.

Peak ATP is a patented form of adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP) disodium, a pre-workout ingredient intended to be taken at 400 g, 30 to 60 minutes prior to exercise. According to its supplier, TSI USA Inc. (Missoula, MT), Peak ATP is capable of increasing total strength and lean body mass, reducing muscle fatigue, and increasing muscle thickness by increasing muscle excitability (resulting in more power) and blood flow (improving oxygen and nutrient flow to the muscles). But it’s with post-exercise recovery where the newest research, appearing in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition⁶, shows promise.

Researchers fed rats a human-equivalent dose of either 100, 400, 1,000, or 1,600 mg of Peak ATP, and monitored blood flow continuously. Researchers also supplemented college-aged human subjects with 400 mg ATP for 12 weeks. Rats fed the 1,000- and 1,600-mg doses exhibited the most robust increases in blood flow during exercise and into the recovery period, while humans at weeks 1, 8, and 12 showed significant increases in blood flow post-exercise. Researchers determined that the ingredient’s efficacy in increasing post-exercise blood flow makes it particularly effective during exercise recovery; however, the exact mechanism whereby ATP increases blood flow during recovery warrants additional research.

In light of these findings, TSI and Metabolic Technologies teamed up to create BetaATP, a combination of BetaTOR and Peak ATP. “What these two supplements do when combined is enhance your ability to train hard and recover faster, so you can do it again,” noted lead study author and sports nutrition researcher Jacob M. Wilson, PhD, in a press statement. His study, appearing in the European Journal of Applied Physiology⁷, showed the ingredient (at 3 g HMB-FA and 400 mg ATP) could have significant implications for elite athletes engaging in high-level conditioning because it delivers a one-two punch of ATP for fatigue and HMB-FA for speeding muscle regeneration after a prolonged workout. The double-blind study found that athletes, when supplemented with the ingredient for 12 weeks, had lean body mass increases of 12.7%, post-training strength gains of 23.5%, and an increase in vertical jump and Wingate power numbers of 21.5% and 23.7%, respectively.

Another important component in the post-workout recovery arena is a body’s nitric oxide levels, which, when healthy, promote the relaxation of smooth muscle in blood vessels, increasing blood flow as well as nutrient and oxygen delivery and therefore improving recovery and overall muscle health. Nutrition 21 (Purchase, NY) recently presented encouraging findings in this area with regards to Nitrosigine, its inositol-stabilized arginine silicate. The study, scheduled for publication in an upcoming issue of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal, demonstrated significant increase in plasma arginine and serum silicon levels after just a single dose of Nitrosigine. After 14 days, nitric oxide levels—measured as salivary nitrates—were also significantly elevated due to the fact that arginine is a known metabolic donor of nitric oxide.

A Caffeinated Problem

“There are very few ingredients currently gaining traction that do not purport to benefit the athlete in terms of performance enhancement or post-exercise recovery,” says Crabtree. “Everything is implicitly energy-based.” And while caffeine, ribose, and glucose are known sources of energy, Bioenergy Life Science researchers recently put these ingredients to the test using a fatigue model. In other words, they supplemented their subjects as people do in real life: when they’re actually tired.

For this study in particular⁸, the company’s scientists used a mice fatigue model—they had the mice swim to a point of exhaustion for three days to achieve confirmed low energy. On the fourth day, they were fed their normal diet plus one of four treatments: either glucose, caffeine, ribose, or a 50/50 split of ribose and caffeine. Swimming time improved by 150% when the combination ingredient was used (as opposed to ribose alone improving time by 135%, and caffeine alone causing time to actually drop). Researchers speculate that without the ribose to provide energy, caffeine’s stimulating effects can cause the heart to beat shallowly and quickly, actually exhausting it. On deck are human clinical studies to confirm these findings, which wrapped in November 2013.

Indeed, caffeine is no stranger to negative headlines. Scientists and health organizations alike have recently discouraged the use of caffeine energy drinks on the grounds that they can lead to rapid heart rate, palpitations, a rise in blood pressure, or—in extreme cases—seizure or even death. Consumers are hearing these concerns loud and clear, and consequently, so are manufacturers and ingredient suppliers who have to “continue to innovate and develop products that answer consumers’ needs while considering health concerns and regulatory issues,” explains Dondain. He speculates that natural and caffeine-free products may represent a big part of the market in the coming years, as a result.

His company’s ingredient, ViNitrox, is composed of a proprietary combination of apple and grape botanical extracts and developed to answer the demands of the healthy athlete looking for an all-natural, caffeine-free label. ViNitrox helps to “ignite muscle performance and break through the fatigue barrier with enhanced and lasting performance,” says Dondain. A recent study⁹ enlisted 48 male volunteers practicing an average of about four hours of sports per week. Compared to placebo, ViNitrox allowed athletes to extend their endurance test by 2.5 minutes, delay a perceived maximum exertion, and extend VO₂ half-recuperation time. Researchers chalk this up to grape extract’s influence on nitric oxide production, thereby increasing blood flow to recovering muscles, and apple extract’s effect on oxidative stress reduction and vasodilation.

“Now that our mainstream market wants less-processed products in their diet, more products are becoming natural and cleaner than before,” says Nutraceutical International’s De Block.

Beyond Conventional Ingredients

As the general public integrates exercise into their daily life, general-wellness ingredient suppliers are researching their products’ impact on exercise. Such is the case with PLT Health Solutions (Morristown, NJ), which markets Wellmune WGP on behalf of Biothera (Eagan, MN). Wellmune, a baker’s yeast beta 1,3/1,6 glucan, is traditionally marketed for immune-boosting formulations; however, “Immune health is of growing importance to athletes for reasons that include overall improved health and for the ability to maintain consistent, high-functioning training activities,” says Barbara Davis, PhD, RD, PLT Health Solutions’ director of medical and scientific affairs. “High-intensity exercise has been shown to temporarily weaken the immune system. This can create an ‘open window’ in the body’s defenses and lead to less-than-optimal health that may derail training programs and performance gains.”

Researchers found that after taking 250 mg/day of Wellmune for four weeks, runners completing the 2011 Texas Marathon experienced a 40% reduction in upper respiratory tract infection symptoms and a 37% reduction in the number of cold/flu symptoms, through the ingredient’s ability to activate “billions of innate immune cells to respond more effectively to foreign challenges without over-stimulating the immune system,” explains Davis.¹⁰

“From athletes in search of high-performance solutions to young adults interested in energy products, seniors who want to maintain their vitality and a good quality of life, and casual athletes who want to achieve better performance and stay in good health, this market should continue to grow,” says Dondain. “The biggest opportunity for growth stems from the fact that the audience for sports performance ingredients continues to grow.”

References

1. Borotollo V et al. “Apple biophenol synergistic complex and its potential benefits for cardiovascular health.” Nutrafoods, vol. 12, no. 3 (September 2013): 71-79.
2. Wall BT et al. “Chronic oral ingestion of L-carnitine and carbohydrate increases muscle carnitine content and alters muscle fuel metabolism during exercise in humans.” The Journal of Physiology, vol. 589 (February 2011): 963-973.
3. Hoffman JR et al. “L-alanyl-L-glutamine ingestion maintains performance during a competitive basketball game.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 9, no 4 (March 2012).
4. Wilson JM et al. “The effects of 12 weeks of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate free acid supplementation on muscle mass, strength, and power in resistance-trained individuals: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.” European Journal of Applied Physiology, vol. 114, no. 6 (June 2014): 1217-1227.
5. Wilson JM et al. “Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate free acid reduces markers of exercise-induced muscle damage and improves recovery in resistance-trained men.” British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 110, no. 3 (August 2013): 538-544.
6. Jager R et al. “Oral adenosine-5’-triphosphate (ATP) administration increases blood flow following exercise in animals and humans.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 11, no. 28 (June 2014).
7. Lowery Ryan et al. “Interaction of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate free acid (HMB-FA) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) on muscle mass, strength, and power in resistance trained individuals.” Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. Published online ahead of print April 7, 2014.
8. Zhang S et al. “Treating exercise-induced fatigue with a combination of D-ribose and caffeine, a new approach for caffeine reduction and sustained energy for better performance.” Conducted by Bioenergy Life Sciences with Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. November 2013.
9. Nexira Laboratories, European Centre for Nutritional Studies. Approved January 2012.
10. McFarlin BK et al. “Baker’s yeast beta glucan supplementation increase salivary IgA and decreases cold/flu symptomatic days after intense exercise.”Journal of Dietary Supplements, vol. 10, no. 3 (September 2013): 171-183.

 

August 18, 2014

Curcumin may relieve symptoms of major depression—especially atypical depression, a subtype of major depression—according to a new study1 in Australia.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, studied the effects of 500 mg of curcumin (Curcuma longa) twice daily for eight weeks on 56 human subjects. Subjects self-reported the severity and frequency of their primary depression symptoms using the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology scale. Secondary outcomes were measured via the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scale.

In the first four weeks, the treatment group showed improvements in depression symptoms according to the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology scale, as well as improvements in most secondary outcome measures. In the second four weeks, the improvement compared to placebo became significant. Additionally, subjects with atypical depression seemed to benefit even more from the curcumin treatment.

Atypical depression is a unique form of major depression. Unlike other types of major depression, such as melancholic depression, which is associated with oversleeping, loss of appetite, and lack of mood improvement even if a positive event happens, atypical depression sufferers often experience insomnia, increased appetite or weight gain, fatigue, and the ability for mood to lift if something happy occurs. Subjects are also very sensitive to feelings of rejection. Atypical depression is quite common.

How does curcumin work on depression? The effects are likely partially due to the curcuminoid’s anti-inflammatory properties, the researchers surmise, at least when it comes to atypical depression, which is often associated with higher levels of inflammation. Other factors might also be at play. “Curcumin, the principal curcuminoid from the spice turmeric, influences several biological mechanisms associated with major depression, namely those associated with monoaminergic activity, immune-inflammatory and oxidative and nitrosative stress pathways, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, and neuroprogression,” the Journal of Affect Disorders researchers state.

Note that the researchers used a specific brand of curcumin in the study: BCM-95, a high-absorption curcumin ingredient from DolCas Biotech Inc., exclusively distributed in the United States by curcumin products brand EuroPharma. Curcumin ingredients often compete on bioavailability and other curcumin factors, so the companies make sure to point out that this study applies to their ingredient specifically.

“There is now increasing support for the antidepressant effects of curcumin, with a previous study2 demonstrating BCM-95 curcumin to be as effective as a pharmaceutical antidepressant for the treatment of depression,” said the study’s lead researcher, Adrian Lopresti, PhD. The researchers advise that additional studies be done with larger sample sizes, longer treatment periods, and various curcumin dosages.

References

Lopresti AL et al., “Curcumin for the treatment of major depression: A randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled study,” Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 167 (October 1, 2014): 368-375.
Sanmukhani J et al., “Efficacy and safety of curcumin in major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial,” Phytotherapy Research, vol. 28, no. 4 (April 2014): 579-585.

Thinking of Testosterone Replacement Therapy, Read This First!

Treating low testosterone may be all the rage these days among men of a certain age. But men bothered by a midlife dip in energy and sex drive may want to think twice about bumping up their “low T” with a testosterone supplement, a new study says.

The new research found that among 8,709 older men who were assessed for the possibility of blocked arteries, those taking testosterone were 30% more likely to suffer an adverse event — a stroke, a heart attack or death.

“Our findings raise some uncertainty regarding the potential safety of testosterone use in men,” concluded the authors, a group of physicians and epidemiologists in Colorado and Texas. While patients taking testosterone should not abandon the medication willy-nilly, they added, “it is important to inform patients that long-term risks are unknown and there is a possibility that testosterone therapy might be harmful.”

The latest research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Assn. (JAMA), is the second major study to suggest there may be public health dangers in a booming market for “low T” medication. In 2010, researchers called an early end to a clinical trial of testosterone supplementation in frail older men, many of whom had cardiovascular disease, after they detected a notably higher rate of heart attacks and strokes in the group getting testosterone.

Some 2.9% of all U.S. men over 40 are currently taking prescription testosterone to treat such common symptoms as flagging energy and libido and weight gain. Driven by a surge in direct-to-consumer advertising, yearly prescriptions for these “low T” medications increased fivefold between 2000 and 2011. Today, it’s a market worth $1.6 billion annually.

Many men may not have paid attention when the galloping growth of women on hormone replacement therapy came to a screeching halt in 2002, amid news that the popular treatment for menopause symptoms might be driving up the rate of other diseases, such as breast cancer and stroke, among those taking it. But a growing number of researchers have openly fretted that the booming popularity of testosterone treatments — essentially a form of hormone replacement for men — may also have unforeseen effects.

In the latest JAMA study, the 14% of men who initiated testosterone therapy after undergoing angiography were generally younger and slightly healthier than the 86% who did not take testosterone. But when all the men were followed for an average of three years, those who took testosterone were almost 30% more likely than those who did not to have an ischemic stroke, a heart attack or to have died of any cause.

Unlike many of the trials of medications’ safety, this one looked at men whose health is far from perfect — in other words, a population of subjects who are typical of American males nearing 60 who are likely to see ads for “low T” medications and wonder if they might feel better on them. A little over half were obese, with a similar proportion having diabetes. Between 85% and 90% had high blood pressure or worrisome cholesterol readings. Almost 6 in 10 showed signs that plaque was obstructing the arteries feeding blood to their hearts.

In the three-year period they were followed, 25.7% of the men taking testosterone supplementation had suffered a stroke, a heart attack or death. Among the men who did not take testosterone, 19.9% suffered one of those outcomes. Notably, among men who took testosterone, those who had come into the study with clear, unobstructed coronary arteries were just as likely to suffer one of those outcomes as were those with established coronary artery disease.

“In light of the high volume of prescriptions and aggressive marketing by testosterone manufacturers, prescribers and patients should be wary,” warned physician and epidemiologist Anne R. Cappola of the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine in an invited editorial. “There is mounting evidence of significant cardiovascular risk” which should both spur further research and slow the growth of prescribing the hormone replacement to middle-aged men.

At High Doses, Rice Protein Contends with Whey Protein

Wild Blueberries Show Prebiotic Potential

University of Maine researchers have uncovered what they believe to be prebiotic qualities in blueberries. When rats were fed a control diet or a wild blueberry–enriched diet for six weeks, those munching on berries displayed better biodegradation and metabolism of several unwanted compounds, including xenobiotic materials (chemicals foreign to the body) and Enterococcus bacteria, which are capable of causing infections.  Counts of a healthful bacteria known as Actinobacteria phylum also improved with the wild blueberry diet.

Lead researcher Vivian Chi-Hua Wu said that blueberry’s benefit to gut flora appears to be accompanied by a protective anti-inflammatory effect. Her team’s research complements previous work on animals and humans, finding benefits to microbial gut profiles after the consumption of various forms of wild blueberries.

Ginseng Lowers Fatigue in Cancer Study

A phase III study on ginseng and cancer patients suggests that American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) can combat cancer-related fatigue.

In a study involving 40 universities, researchers assigned 364 fatigued cancer survivors to 2 g (2000mg) of ginseng or placebo daily for eight weeks. At baseline, four weeks, and eight weeks, subjects were evaluated for fatigue scores, measured using the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory–Short Form. Many subjects dropped out of the study before its completion—80, according to Reuters—but that would still leave 284 subjects

At eight weeks, ginseng users displayed significantly lower fatigue scores compared placebo users, and with no significant difference in adverse event reports (many of which are cancer treatment-related symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting). Benefits of ginseng appeared greater in subjects undergoing active cancer treatment.

The phase III study on ginseng and cancer patients, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, complements much previous research on ginseng and fatigue in various populations. In 2013 alone, at least two other studies have looked at ginseng and fatigue—both with positive results.

 

Burn Fat Safely

At the recent SupplySide West tradeshow, InterHealth Nutraceuticals Inc. (Benicia, CA) showcased its new weight management ingredient LOWAT, which clinical science shows may encourage weight loss over nine pounds in eight weeks.

The patent-pending Ayurvedic ingredient, derived from Piper betle and Dolichos biflorus, was also the subject of a presentation at the 51st American College of Nutrition Meeting in New York City, held earlier this month.


In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 50 patients were assigned to 900 mg LOWAT or placebo for
eight weeks. LOWAT was reported to significantly increase weight loss more than twice as effectively as placebo with weight loss of over nine pounds observed at eight weeks.

“We also measured two hormones – the fat-burning hormone, adiponectin and the hunger-inducing hormone, ghrelin,”
said Archana Chatterjee, MD, PhD, researcher at the Creighton University School of Medicine, who presented the study. “Adiponectin levels were significantly increased by 15% compared to placebo and ghrelin levels were significantly decreased by 17%,” said Dr. Chatterjee. “The increase in adiponectin is particularly compelling as this observation suggests a possible reduction in fat stores since adiponectin is inversely correlated with body fat percentage.”

Helps Change Fat into Fit

LOWAT™ is a patent-pending weight management ingredient consisting of Piper betle leaf and Dolichos biflorus seed extracts that has been clinically shown to promote weight loss. These natural extracts uniquely combine to target fat.
Clinical research has shown that LOWAT™ significantly increases serum adiponectin concentration, indicating a possible reduction in fat stores. Adiponectin, a hormone produced and secreted by fat cells, regulates the breakdown of fat.

Preliminary research suggests that LOWAT™ inhibits adipogenesis (generation and accumulation of fat in the fat cells) and increases lipolysis (breakdown of stored fat) in mature fat cells. LOWAT™ has been shown in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled research to significantly reduce body weight 2.4x better than placebo after eight weeks. While weight loss was already evident two weeks into the study, significant weight loss of around 9 lbs was seen at week eight.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, eight-week study, 50 human subjects took 900 mg a day (300 mg 3x/day, 30 minutes before meals) of LOWAT™ or a placebo. All subjects followed a 2,000 calorie daily diet and walked for 30 minutes five days a week.

Results showed that LOWAT:

* Significantly decreased body weight 2.4x better than placebo at 8 weeks (p<0.00005) – 9.4 lbs compared to 3.9 lbs
* Reduced body weight as early as 2 weeks – 3.1 lbs compared to 1.7 lbs
* Significantly reduced BMI 2.4x better than placebo at 8 weeks (p<0.00005) – 1.66 kg/m2 compared to 0.71 kg/m2
* Reduced BMI as early as 2 weekss – 0.54 kg/m2 compared to 0.31 kg/m2

The supplemented group also showed a 15% increase in serum adiponectin concentration compared to placebo (p<0.05).
This observation suggests a possible reduction in fat stores in supplemented subjects since adiponectin promotes
the burning of fat for energy, maintains a high metabolic rate and is inversely correlated with body fat percentage.
The supplemented group also showed a 17% reduction in serum levels of the hunger-inducing hormone ghrelin compared to
placebo (p<0.05). Better reduction in serum glucose and triglycerides was observed in the supplemented group compared
to placebo.

The study is pending publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Extensive safety research has been conducted already on the ingredients, according to the company.

This looks very promising since old mature fat cells are the hardest to lose and generally only a ECA stack works on the older fat, but the side affects of this is very dangerous if not done properly. This product only affects the CNS slightly which is positive, we need to keep our eyes on this, this could be a winner.