Health

Epidemiologic studies, including trials, suggest an association between potassium intake and blood pressure (BP). However, the strength and shape of this relationship is uncertain. We performed a meta‐analysis to explore the dose‐response ...

Creatine is widely used by both elite and recreational athletes as an ergogenic aid to enhance anaerobic exercise performance. Older individuals also use creatine to prevent sarcopenia and, accordingly, may have therapeutic benefits for muscle ...

There is a robust and compelling body of evidence supporting the ergogenic and therapeutic role of creatine supplementation in muscle. Beyond these well-described effects and mechanisms, there is literature to suggest that creatine may also be ...

Background Creatine is an organic compound that facilitates the recycling of energy-providing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in muscle and brain tissue. It is a safe, well-studied supplement for strength training. Previous studies have shown that supplementation increases brain creatine levels, which might increase cognitive performance. The results of studies that have tested cognitive performance differ greatly, possibly due to different populations, supplementation regimens, and cognitive tasks. This is the largest study on the effect of creatine supplementation on cognitive performance to date. Methods Our trial was preregistered, cross-over, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and randomised, with daily supplementation of 5 g for 6 weeks each. We tested participants on Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices (RAPM) and on the Backward Digit Span (BDS). In addition, we included eight exploratory cognitive tests. About half of our 123 participants were vegetarians and half were omnivores. Results Bayesian evidence supported a small beneficial effect of creatine. The creatine effect bordered significance for BDS (p = 0.064, η2P = 0.029) but not RAPM (p = 0.327, η2P = 0.008). There was no indication that creatine improved the performance of our exploratory cognitive tasks. Side effects were reported significantly more often for creatine than for placebo supplementation (p = 0.002, RR = 4.25). Vegetarians did not benefit more from creatine than omnivores. Conclusions Our study, in combination with the literature, implies that creatine might have a small beneficial effect. Larger studies are needed to confirm or rule out this effect. Given the safety and broad availability of creatine, this is well worth investigating; a small effect could have large benefits when scaled over time and over many people. Trial registration The trial was prospectively registered (drks.de identifier: DRKS00017250, https://osf.io/xpwkc/ ).

Background: Fruits and vegetables are generally rich in antioxidants such as carotenoids. Consumption of carotenoids is expected to have benefits on cognitive functions in humans. However, previous randomized controlled trials (RCT) using ...

Background The evidence on associations between ultra-processed foods (UPF) and lung cancer risk is limited and inconsistent. Research question Are UPF associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC)？ Methods Data of participants in this study were collected from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. Dietary intakes were assessed through a validated diet history questionnaire. These foods were categorised using the NOVA classification according to the degree of processing in the PLCO Cancer Screening Cohort. All cases of incident lung cancer were pathologically verified. Multivariable Cox regression was used to assess the association between consumption of UPF and lung cancer after adjustment for various potential confounders, including key risk factors related to lung cancer and overall diet quality. Results A total of 1706 cases of lung cancer cases, including 1473 NSCLC and 233 SCLC, were identified during a mean follow-up of 12.2 years among 101 732 adults (mean age 62.5 years). After multivariable adjustments, individuals in the highest quarters for UPF consumption had a higher risk of lung cancer (HR=1.41, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.60), NSCLC (HR=1.37, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.58) and SCLC (HR=1.44, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.10) compared with those in the lowest quarter. These results remained statistically significant after a large range of subgroup and sensitivity analyses. Conclusions Higher consumption of UPF is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, NSCLC and SCLC. Although additional research in other populations and settings is warranted, these findings suggest the healthy benefits of limiting UPF. Data may be obtained from a third party and are not publicly available. Data described in the manuscript, code book and analytic code will not be made available because the authors are prohibited from distributing or transferring the data and code books on which their research was based to any other individual or entity under the terms of an approved NCI Research Proposal and Data and Materials Distribution Agreement through which the authors obtained these data.

Astaxanthin is a natural carotenoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. We conducted a double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to determine the effects of astaxanthin treatment on lipids, CVD markers, glucose tolerance, ...

Astaxanthin (3,3′-dihydroxy-4,4′-diketo-β-β carotene), which belongs to the xanthophyll class, has shown potential biological activity in in vitro and in vivo models including as a potent antioxidant, anti-lipid peroxidation and cardiovascular ...

Background and Objective Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring carotenoid with high anti-oxidant properties, but it is a very lipophilic compound with low oral bioavailability. This study was conducted to compare the pharmacokinetic parameters of a novel astaxanthin preparation based on micellar solubilization technology, NovaSOL® 400-mg capsules (Test product), and those of astaxanthin 400-mg capsules (reference product), after single oral dose administration to healthy male adults. Methods A single oral dose (400 mg equivalent to 8 mg astaxanthin) of test and reference astaxanthin were administered with 240 mL of water to 12 volunteers according to crossover design, in two phases, with a washout period of 1 week in between. Blood samples were collected at hourly intervals for the first 12 h, then at 24.0, 48.0, and 72.0 h after administration. Aliquots of plasma were centrifuged and the clear supernatant was injected into the high performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) system. Plasma concentration of astaxanthin versus time profiles were constructed, and the primary pharmacokinetic parameters, maximum concentration (Cmax), area under concentration time curve from time of administration (0) to time (t) [AUC0-t] or to infinity ∞, [AUC0-∞], half-life (T½) and time to reach Cmax (Tmax) were calculated. Results The test micellar astaxanthin reached a Cmax of 7.21 µg/ml after 3.67 h compared to only 3.86 µg/ml after 8.5 h for the reference native astaxanthin. Conclusion Micellar formulation of astaxanthin is capable of producing a high concentration of astaxanthin in plasma in a shorter time, thereby expected to provide faster potential therapeutic efficacy.

Pharmacokinetics and first-pass metabolism of astaxanthin in rats - Volume 105 Issue 2

Hyperuricemia is an independent risk factor in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Allopurinol and febuxostat are prescription medicines used to treat hyperuricemia but suffer side-effects. Earlier clinical study has shown that an aqueous extract of ...

Glycine, the simple amino acid, is a key component of muscle metabolism with proven cytoprotective effects and hypothetical benefits as a therapeutic nutrient. Cell, in vitro, and animal studies suggest that glycine enhances protection against muscle wasting by activating anabolic pathways and inhibiting proteolytic gene expression. Some evidence indicates that glycine supplementation may enhance peak power output, reduce lactic acid accumulation during high-intensity exercise, and improve sleep quality and recovery. This literature review critically explores glycine’s potential as an ergogenic aid and its relevance to muscle regeneration, muscle strength, endurance exercise performance, and sleep quality. It also underscores key areas for future research. It is concluded that more randomized controlled clinical trials in humans are needed to confirm glycine’s potential as a dietary supplement to support muscle function, recovery, and overall athletic performance as an ergogenic aid and to establish nutritional recommendations for athletic performance. Also, it is essential to consider that high doses (500 mg/kg of body mass) could induce cytotoxic effects and contribute to acute glutamate toxicity. Keywords: human metabolism, physical exercise, sports medicine, athletic performance, oxidative stress, muscle function

Scientific Reports - The effects of Tai Chi exercise on body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness in Chinese university students with obesity: A quasi experiment study

As a fibrinolytic enzyme from fermented soybean, nattokinase has been shown to be potentially beneficial for cardiovascular health, but current clinical evidences regarding the nattokinase supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors are various. ...

Ingwer und Kurkuma. Diese beiden Heilpflanzen haben mehr gemeinsam, als Sie denken, doch ihre Unterschiede in der Wirkung auf Gesundheit sind entscheidend.

Liver supplements may lower the risk of liver disease and improve or protect liver health if you have an existing condition. Learn if they can also detoxify.

Luteolin is a flavone which occurs in medicinal plants as well as in some vegetables and spices. It is a natural anti-oxidant with less pro-oxidant potential than the flavonol quercetin, the best studied flavonoid, but apparently with a better safety profile. It displays excellent radical scav- enging and cytoprotective properties, especially when tested in complex biological systems where it can interact with other anti-oxidants like vitamins. Luteolin displays specific anti-in- flammatory effects at micromolar concentrations which are only partly explained by its anti-oxi- dant capacities. The anti-inflammatory activity includes activation of anti-oxidative enzymes, suppression of the NF κB pathway and inhibition of pro-inflammatory substances. In vivo, luteolin reduced increased vascular permeability and was effective in animal models of inflammation after parenteral and oral application. Although luteolin is only a minor component in our nutrition (less than 1 mg/day) epidemiological studies indicate that it has the potential to protect from diseases associated with inflammatory processes such as cardiovascular disease. Luteolin often occurs in the form of glycosides in plants, but these are cleaved and the aglycones are conjugated and me- tabolized after nutritional uptake which has to be considered when evaluating in vitro studies. Some data for oral and topical bioavailability exist, but more quantitative research in this field is needed to evaluate the physiological and therapeutical po- tential of luteolin.

Apigenin (4,’5,7-trihydroxyflavone) is one of the most studied flavonoids with low toxicity and abundantly present phenolic compound in the plant kingdom. The main sources of apigenin are fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, honey, and plant-based drinks like tea. Numerous plants produce apigenin as a secondary metabolite and its intake is strongly related to its anti-inflammatory propensities. The purpose of present review was to wade through the literature on the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of this metabolite in various diseases and summarize the key objectives as they appear. Existing literature reported that apigenin is a promising candidate in managing a panoply of inflammatory-related diseases including cancer, diabetes, obesity, depression, insomnia, infection, and respiratory, cardiovascular, hepatoprotective, neurodegenerative, and skin diseases. Studies showed that apigenin significantly decreases the secretion of various proinflammatory cytokines specifically tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10. Moreover, apigenin effectively blocks the nitric oxide-mediated cyclooxygenase-2 expression and monocyte attachment and Prostaglandin by lowering iNOS and COX-2 in both microglial and macrophage mouse cells. Apigenin can slow the course of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in vivo by reducing high fat diet (HFD)-induced deposition of lipids and oxidative stress. It also controlled redox imbalances, suppress neuronal death and showed memory enhancement/learning skills and a reduction of fibrillar amyloid deposits with lowered insoluble Aβ concentrations in vivo. Taken together, it can be argued that apigenin can wane inflammation and thus offers a promising future in slowing down the development of chronic diseases and associated complications. KEYWORDS: Apigenin, cancer, flavonoids, oxidative stress, chronic diseases, bioactive compounds, inflammation

Apigenin, a natural flavonoid prevalent in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, has attracted significant interest due to its wide range of pharmacological effects and therapeutic potential. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of apigenin from both preclinical and clinical perspectives, emphasizing its diverse roles in health management and disease treatment. Preclinical research highlights apigenin's effectiveness across numerous biological processes, including its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and antimicrobial properties. The compound exerts its effects through the modulation of various signaling pathways, enzyme activities, gene expression, and cellular mechanisms. Apigenin's capacity to inhibit tumor growth, induce apoptosis, and suppress angiogenesis and metastasis points to its significant anti-cancer potential. Additionally, emerging clinical studies are beginning to affirm apigenin's therapeutic benefits, showing positive effects in treating cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and inflammatory conditions. Clinical trials have evaluated apigenin's safety, bioavailability, and efficacy, shedding light on its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The review also addresses the challenges and opportunities within apigenin research, such as its limited bioavailability, potential drug interactions, and the need for standardized formulations. It discusses strategies to improve apigenin's bioavailability, including nanoformulations and combination therapies. In summary, this comprehensive review synthesizes current knowledge on apigenin, focusing on its extensive pharmacological activities and therapeutic promise. Future research and clinical trials are necessary to better understand apigenin’s mechanisms of action, refine therapeutic dosing, and confirm its efficacy across various diseases, ultimately facilitating its application in clinical settings.

Frankfurt/Main/Tübingen (tmn) - Stress, Angst, Depression – all das belastet nicht nur die Psyche, sondern auch das Herz: «Zahlreiche wissenschaftliche

Learn about the stages of dementia and the scales used to measure the progression of Alzheimer’s and other dementias: the FAST, GDS and CDR scales

TRF plus a low-sugar diet can reduce adiposity and improve liver, lipid, and inflammatory markers in patients with NAFLD.

Supplementation with the natural senolytic agent fisetin attenuated age-related declines in physical function in mice. Better physical function with fisetin was accompanied by lower expression of cel...

In genetically heterogeneous (UM-HET3) mice produced by the CByB6F1 × C3D2F1 cross, the Nrf2 activator astaxanthin (Asta) extended the median male lifespan by 12% (p = 0.003, log-rank test), while meclizine (Mec), an mTORC1 inhibitor, extended the ...

Senescence is a tumor suppressor mechanism activated in stressed cells to prevent replication of damaged DNA. Senescent cells have been demonstrated to play a causal role in driving aging and age-related diseases using genetic and pharmacologic ...

Each compound is given in the diet at the following levels (part per million -ppm- which is defined as milligrams of agent per kilogram of food). All testing is Stage I unless otherwise indicated.

Fisetin, a flavonoid naturally occurring in plants, fruits, and vegetables, has recently gained attention for its potential role as a senotherapeutic …

Cellular senescence and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) contribute to age-related arterial dysfunction, in part, by promoting oxidative stress and inflammation, which reduce the bioavailability of the vasodilatory molecule nitric oxide (NO). In the present study, we assessed the …

Excess cellular senescence contributes to age-related increases in frailty and reductions in skeletal muscle strength. In the present study, we determined the efficacy of oral intermittent treatment (1 week on-2 weeks off-1 week on) with the natural flavonoid senolytic fisetin to improve frailty and …