Journal of Dietary Supplements最新文献

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic that can lead to severe respiratory distress requiring hospitalization and can be fatal. Media have reported that various dietary supplements (DS) or their combination with different medications can prevent infection or decrease disease severity. Here, we analyzed data collected from 15,830 patient follow-up telephone interviews from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences COVID-19 testing sites from March 15 to August 1, 2020. Within the REDCap database, we recorded patient demographics and DS and medication use. In total, data on DS and medication use was available for 8,150 study participants, of whom 21.9% and 4.1% reported using DS or medications, respectively, to either prevent or treat COVID-19. The majority of respondents were female (64%) and non-Hispanic whites (44.5%). Most individuals (64.5%) who took DS were younger than 50 years of age. Products such as vitamin C (1,013, 33.2%), multivitamins (722, 23.6%), and vitamin D (294, 9.6%) were the most commonly used DS among the responders. Analysis of the DS use and symptom scores association did not provide a strong evidence of beneficial health effects of DS. The results of this study demonstrate that a significantly higher proportion of study participants considered usage of DS to mitigate or prevent COVID-19-related symptoms compared to those who preferred medications. However, lack of observable health benefits associated with ingestion of DS suggests that more rigorous research is needed to substantiate the label claims.

Nutraceuticals have for several years aroused the interest of researchers for their countless properties, including the management of viral infections. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, studies and research on the antiviral properties of nutraceuticals have greatly increased. More specifically, over the past two years, researchers have focused on analyzing the possible role of nutraceuticals in reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection or mitigating the symptoms of COVID-19. Among nutraceuticals, turmeric, extracted from the rhizome of the Curcuma Longa plant, and spirulina, commercial name of the cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis, have assumed considerable importance in recent years. The purpose of this review is to collect, through a search of the most recent articles on Pubmed, the scientific evidence on the role of these two compounds in the fight against COVID-19. In the last two years many hypotheses, some confirmed by clinical and experimental studies, have been made on the possible use of turmeric against COVID-19, while on spirulina and its possible role against SARS-CoV-2 infection information is much less. The demonstrated antiviral properties of spirulina and the fact that these cyanobacteria may modulate or modify some mechanisms also involved in the onset of COVID-19, lead us to think that it may have the same importance as curcumin in fighting this disease and to speculate on the possible combined use of these two substances to obtain a synergistic effect.

The elderly constitute a vulnerable group for increased anxiety and poor diet during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is limited research on the levels of COVID-19-related anxiety and dietary habits including dietary supplementation practices among the elderly and very elderly in Greece. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 364 non-institutionalized elderly (65-74 y) and very elderly (≥75 y) living in northern Greece, with the aim to investigate the use of dietary supplements and their association with other factors, particularly the COVID-19-related anxiety. Levels of anxiety were assessed with the use of the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS-5). The percentage of dietary supplement users was 62.6%. The most popular dietary supplements used were vitamin D followed by vitamin C and multivitamin and mineral supplements. Multivariate analysis showed that the very elderly and overweight individuals were less likely to consume vitamin D supplements. Approximately a third of the participants (33.8%) exhibited signs of COVID-19-related anxiety but only 8% showed dysfunctional levels of anxiety. Regression analysis indicated that women, former smokers, and people exhibiting any sign of COVID-19 anxiety were approximately two times more likely to consume dietary supplements of any kind (Gender: OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.30-4.19; Smoking: OR 2.15, 95% CI: 1.08-4.26; COVID-19 anxiety: OR 2.16, 95 % CI: 1.20-3.91). Our results provide useful insights into the current practices of dietary supplement use in this population group and could be used by dietetic and medical associations as well as public authorities in the formulation of targeted, safe, and effective interventions for the protection of public health.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a widespread cell signaling network that maintains homeostasis in response to endogenous and exogenous stressors. This has made the ECS an attractive therapeutic target for various disease states. The ECS is a well-known target of exogenous phytocannabinoids derived from cannabis plants, the most well characterized being Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). However, the therapeutic efficacy of cannabis products comes with a risk of toxicity and high abuse potential due to the psychoactivity of THC. CBD, on the other hand, is reported to have beneficial medicinal properties including analgesic, neuroprotective, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and antipsychotic activities, while apparently lacking the toxicity of THC. Nevertheless, not only is the currently available scientific data concerning CBD's efficacy insufficient, there is also ambiguity surrounding its regulatory status and safety in humans that brings inherent risks to manufacturers. There is a demand for alternative compounds combining similar effects with a robust safety profile and regulatory approval. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endocannabinoid-like lipid mediator, primarily known for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and neuroprotective properties. It appears to have a multi-modal mechanism of action, by primarily activating the nuclear receptor PPAR-α while also potentially working through the ECS, thus targeting similar pathways as CBD. With proven efficacy in several therapeutic areas, its safety and tolerability profile and the development of formulations that maximize its bioavailability, PEA is a promising alternative to CBD.

Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) has been used as an ergogenic substance during high-intensity exercises. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of NaHCO³ supplementation on external and internal load parameters during isokinetic exercise in trained subjects. Ten subjects were tested on two occasions: after ingesting 0.3 g.kg-1 of body mass of NaHCO₃ or placebo. Maximum voluntary isometric contraction was performed before and after a dynamic protocol consisting of 10 series of 10 movements of flexion/extension of the knee extensors at 120° s-1 at an interval of 60 s between series. Outcomes considered were: peak torque (isokinetic dynamometry), blood lactate and creatine concentration (CK), analysis of perceptions of effort (OMNI scale), pain (visual analog scale) and recovery (scale raging 6 to 20). Performance was assessed using peak torque values. Muscle damage was assessed prior and 24 h post exercise. The subjective perceptions of effort, pain and recovery were assessed at different times and the internal load of the session was assessed 30 min post-effort. Although significant reductions in peak torque were noted both in isometric (NaHCO₃:-29.11 ± 22.95%, Placebo: -23.51 ± 15.23%; p = 0.38) and isokinetic strength (NaHCO₃:-23.0 ± 13.9%, Placebo:-19.6 ± 9.1%; p = 0.09), there was no effect of supplementation on performance (p > 0.05). The blood CK concentrations (NaHCO₃: pre:225.3 ± 135.9 U/L, post: 418.4 ± 318.4 U/L; Placebo: pre:238 ± 94.03 U/L, post:486 ± 336.6 U/L) increased after protocol (p = 0.005), however, without differences between conditions. In conclusion, the NaHCO₃ did not attribute benefits in performance or in parameters related to the internal load of exercise.

Even after virus elimination, numerous sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) persist. Based on accumulating evidence, large amounts of proinflammatory cytokines are released to drive COVID-19 progression, severity, and mortality, and their levels remain elevated after the acute phase of COVID-19, playing a central role in the disease' sequelae. In this manner, bronchial epithelial cells are the first cells hyperactivated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), leading to massive cytokine release, triggering the hyperactivation of leukocytes and other cells, and mediating COVID-19 sequelae. Therefore, proinflammatory cytokine production is initiated by the host. This in vitro study tested the hypothesis that ImmuneRecov™, a nutritional blend, inhibits the SARS-CoV-2-induced hyperactivation of human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B). BEAS-2B (5x10⁴/mL/well) cells were cocultivated with 1 ml of blood from a SARS-CoV-2-infected patient for 4 h, and the nutritional blend (1 µg/mL) was added in the first minute of coculture. After 4 h, the cells were recovered and used for analyses of cytotoxicity with the (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay and the expression of the IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 mRNAs. The supernatant was collected to measure cytokine levels. SARS-CoV-2 incubation resulted in increased levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in BEAS-2B cells (p < 0.001). Treatment with the nutritional blend resulted in reduced levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 (p < 0.001) and increased levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (p < 0.001). Additionally, the nutritional blend reduced the expression of the IL-1β and IL-6 mRNAs in SARS-CoV-2-stimulated cells and increased the expression of the IL-10 and IFN-γ mRNAs. In conclusion, the nutritional blend exerts important anti-inflammatory effects on cells in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The goal of this study was to evaluate if combinations of ingredients with known anti-cachexia benefits (Fish oil-FO with either curcumin or Green tea extract-GTE), have adverse effects on tumor growth, using human carcinoma xenograft mice models. FO (EPA/DHA 360 mg/kg bw), GTE (90 mg/kg bw), and curcumin (180 mg/kg bw) were administered orally, alone or in combination, to nude mice bearing either A549 human non-small cell lung carcinoma or SW620 human colon carcinoma tumors. Bodyweight, tumor growth, survival time, and other clinical endpoints were assessed. The ingredients either alone or in combinations were well tolerated in both lung and colon tumor-bearing mice. There were no significant group differences between individual or combination treatments for tumor growth (A549 or SW620) as measured by the median time in days to endpoint of tumor volume (TTE). TTE results indicate that these ingredients (alone or combinations) did not adversely impact tumor growth. No significant differences in body weights or survival were observed between controls and treatment groups indicating no adverse health effects of the ingredients. In conclusion, FO, GTE or curcumin administered as monotherapies and in combination were well tolerated and displayed no adverse effects on tumor growth in mouse xenograft models of lung and colon cancer.

We examined effects of intake duration of New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract on cardiovascular responses during supine rest and moderate-intensity walking. Recreationally active men (n = 15, age: 24 ± 6 yr, BMI: 24.7 ± 4.3 kg·m^-2) volunteered in a randomized, cross-over design. One metabolic equivalent (1-MET) was measured (3.97 ± 0.66 mL·kg^-1·min^-1) and an incremental walking test was performed to individualize speed at 4 (n = 3) or 5 (n = 12) METs for the 30-min walk (5.7 ± 0.7 km·hr^-1). NZBC extract (210 mg of anthocyanins) was taken with breakfast for 7 and 14 days, with a 14-days washout. The final dose was ingested 2-hr before recording of the cardiovascular responses (Portapres Model-2). At rest, %changes at 7- and 14-days intake were observed for stroke volume (+6.8% (trend), p = 0.065; +8.5%, p = 0.012), cardiac output (+10.1%, p = 0.007; +8.5%, p = 0.013), total peripheral resistance (-12.0%, p = 0.004; -13.1%, p = 0.011), diastolic (-5.7%, p = 0.045; -9.7%, p = 0.015) and mean arterial pressure (-4.4%, p = 0.040; -7.2%, p = 0.029), but without intake duration effect. During walking, %changes at 7- and 14-days intake were observed for stroke volume (+7.7% (trend), p = 0.063; +9.9%, p = 0.006), cardiac output (+8.7%, p = 0.037; +10.1%, p = 0.007), diastolic blood pressure (-6.2%, p = 0.042; -10.6%, p = 0.001), and total peripheral resistance (-9.6%, p = 0.042; -13.5%, p = 0.005) but without intake duration effect. During walking, %changes at 14-days were observed only for mean arterial pressure (-6.4%, p = 0.018) and arterio-venous oxygen difference (-7.9%, p = 0.019). NZBC extract affects cardiovascular responses at rest and during moderate-intensity exercise with 7- and 14-day intake. Only during moderate-intensity exercise, a longer intake of NZBC extract was required for an effect on some cardiovascular responses.

Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) is a legume used as tea, forage, ornamental, salad, and medicinal plant. The flowers range from white to dark purple with little known about the variation for seed and flower color in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit germplasm collection. Therefore, 26 butterfly pea accessions were analyzed using a principal component analysis (PCA) and average linkage cluster analysis (ALCA). These butterfly pea genotypes ranged from 56% to 99% for viabilities, 2.57 to 5.88 g for 100 seed weight, 34.07 to 226.26 g for total seed weight, and 1,326 to 3,874 for total seed numbers. PCA accounted for 40%, 57%, 70%, 79%, and 86% of the variation using principal components (PCs) 1 through 5, respectively. PC1 was most correlated with 100 and total seed weight, while PC2 correlated with blue, white, and purple flowers. PC3 correlated mostly with germination, purple flowers, and total seed weight. PCs 4 and 5 primarily correlated with blue and purple flowers, respectively. Several significant correlations were also observed. ALCA grouped the 26 butterfly pea genotypes into four distinct seed number-producing clusters. Clusters 1 to 4 represent the lowest to highest seed numbers produced by the butterfly pea genotypes. Several potential health benefits from butterfly pea flowers, leaves, seeds, and roots for human use were identified from the literature.

Most athletes use dietary supplements (DS) to improve health and performance beyond what can be achieved through diet. Improvements in health and exercise performance through the use of DS are especially attractive to older athletes (OA) challenged with age-related declines. However, there are few DS shown to improve endurance performance, and the prevalence of DS in OA are unknown. Two-hundred cyclists, runners, and triathletes (females = 108; age = 39.4 ± 13.5) completed a questionnaire regarding the prevalence and type of DS currently used, in addition to variables associated with using DS such as motivation and sources of information. Overall, 78.0% of athletes reported current DS use. OA used more DS (Total DS = 4.3 ± 3.0) than younger athletes (2.7 ± 1.8, p < 0.001), with ages 40-49 and 50-59 using more DS than ages 18-29 and 30-39 (p < 0.05). The majority of athletes (53.8%) used ≥ 3 DS. Age was the only significant predictor of total DS use (p = 0.002); OA used ≥ 3 DS more than younger (p < 0.001). Specifically, more athletes 40-49 (67.5%) and 50-59 (76.2%) used ≥ 3 DS compared to 18-29 (33.3%, p = 0.003). More OA used electrolytes (p = 0.005), probiotics (p = 0.045), melatonin (p = 0.004), and vitamin D (p = 0.016) than younger athletes. Motivations to use DS were related to age and were supplement specific. Sources of DS information varied by sex more than age. Age is a significant determining factor for DS use in a sample of cyclists, runners, and triathletes. The prevalence and trends of DS warrant further investigation into the benefits and risks of DS to develop safe, targeted, and age-specific DS strategies on a recreative competitive level.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2022.2056670 .