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Vitamin C and Immunity - NED Infobite
BANT's scientific NED InfoBites are designed to provide key elements of the latest research using plain language. They provide quick overviews on particular health issues and nutrition topics for a speedy introduction to the science. Visually attractive and easily shareable with clients and social media followers.
2024
Abstract
Since the early 20th century, it has been known that Vitamin C plays a role in human health and susceptibility to infections. Studies show that for specific population groups, the duration of the common cold can be reduced with increased Vitamin C intake. It has also been shown to reduce the length of stay in intensive care units and use of mechanical ventilation by 8% with administration of 1-3g of Vitamin C daily. This NED Infobite highlights some of the latest research into Vitamin C and the immune system, focusing in particular on infections, ICU stays and need for mechanical ventilation.
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2.
The Vaginal Microbiome with Debbie Cotton from Invivo
State of Mind is a podcast hosted by Nutritional Therapist, Grace Kingswell, that interviews personalities in the health, wellness, arts and fitness industries talking health, food, state of mind, sustainability and everything in between.
2023
Abstract
An informative and concise discussion about the vaginal microbiome, how it changes throughout the menstrual cycle and various life stages such as the menopause. They cover urinary tract infections, thrush, and bacterial vaginosis, touching on the differences and similarities between them. The impact of sexual intercourse, swimming, hygiene, sexually transmitted diseases, contraception such as intrauterine devices, blood glucose and Vitamin D levels on vaginal flora is explored, along with suggestions to support the health of the vaginal microbiome using nutritional interventions and probiotics.
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3.
Effect of Lactoferrin Supplementation on Inflammation, Immune Function, and Prevention of Respiratory Tract Infections in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Berthon, BS, Williams, LM, Williams, EJ, Wood, LG
Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.). 2022;13(5):1799-1819
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Human and bovine milk contains Lactoferrin, an iron-binding glycoprotein that may modulate immune function and has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, 25 heterogeneous studies were included to evaluate the efficacy of lactoferrin supplementation on systemic inflammation, immune function, and respiratory tract infections in children and adults with various inflammatory conditions. Supplementation with Lactoferrin reduced only a few inflammatory markers, and beneficial effects were observed in less than half of the studies included. However, a beneficial effect was observed when the intervention was continued for at least three months, and dosages, such as 35 mg/d to 833 mg/d in infants, and 400 mg/d to 600 mg/d in adults, were also found to be beneficial. By modulating the immune system, lactoferrin supplementation reduces respiratory tract infections in children and infants. Based on the findings of this study, healthcare professionals may be able to understand the beneficial effects of Lactoferrin supplementation on immune modulation, inflammation reduction, and respiratory tract infections when supplemented as a combination with other supplements or as Lactoferrin alone. However, it is necessary to conduct further robust research to confirm the clinical effectiveness of Lactoferrin supplementation since the current research is limited in number and heterogeneous in nature.
Abstract
Lactoferrin (Lf) is a glycoprotein present in human and bovine milk with antimicrobial and immune-modulating properties. This review aimed to examine the evidence for the effect of Lf supplementation on inflammation, immune function, and respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in humans. Online databases were searched up to December 2020 to identify relevant, English-language articles that examined the effect of Lf supplementation in human subjects of all ages, on either inflammation, immune cell populations or activity, or the incidence, duration, or severity of respiratory illness or RTIs. Twenty-five studies (n = 20 studies in adults) were included, of which 8 of 13 studies (61%) in adults reported a decrease in at least 1 systemic inflammatory biomarker. Immune function improved in 6 of 8 studies (75%) in adults, with changes in immune cell populations in 2 of 6 studies (33%), and changes in immune cell activity in 2 of 5 studies (40%). RTI outcomes were reduced in 6 of 10 studies (60%) (n = 5 in adults, n = 5 in children), with decreased incidence in 3 of 9 studies (33%), and either decreased frequency (2/4, 50%) or duration (3/6, 50%) in 50% of studies. In adults, Lf reduced IL-6 [mean difference (MD): -24.9 pg/mL; 95% CI: -41.64, -8.08 pg/mL], but not C-reactive protein (CRP) [standardized mean difference: -0.09; 95% CI: -0.82, 0.65], or NK cell cytotoxicity [MD: 4.84%; 95% CI: -3.93, 13.60%]. RTI incidence was reduced in infants and children (OR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.98) but not in adults (OR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.76, 1.32). Clinical studies on Lf supplementation are limited, although findings show 200 mg Lf/d reduces systemic inflammation, while formulas containing 35-833 mg Lf/d may reduce RTI incidence in infants and children, suggesting improved immune function. Future research is required to determine optimal supplementation strategies and populations most likely to benefit from Lf supplementation. This trial was registered at PROSPERO (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021232186) as CRD42021232186.
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Cigarette Smoke Extract Disturbs Mitochondria-Regulated Airway Epithelial Cell Responses to Pneumococci.
Aghapour, M, Tulen, CBM, Abdi Sarabi, M, Weinert, S, Müsken, M, Relja, B, van Schooten, FJ, Jeron, A, Braun-Dullaeus, R, Remels, AH, et al
Cells. 2022;11(11)
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Cigarette smoking can affect airway epithelial cells, causing overproduction of mucus, damage, and inflammation, which may result in the progression of airway diseases. Airway epithelial cells (AEC) rely on mitochondria for energy, and mitochondrial dysfunction may affect innate immunity and the integrity of the airway epithelium. Cigarette smoking is found to accelerate mitochondrial damage within AEC. Maintaining a normal microbial composition within the respiratory tract is essential for maintaining immunity. There is evidence that smoking cigarettes disrupts the microbial composition and increases the spread of pathogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp) which causes inflammation. By exposing 16HBE cells to Sp and cigarette smoke extract (CSE), this study investigated the effect of cigarette smoking on mitochondrial dysfunction in ACE in an in vitro model. Additionally, the study examined the direct and indirect pathways involved in cigarette smoking-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and altered innate immune response to Sp infection. CSE exposure decreases mitochondrial complex protein levels and mitochondrial membrane potential, which affects energy production. It also increases mitochondrial oxidative stress and mitochondrial degradation. All these factors lead to mitochondrial dysfunction in ACE. CSE exposure to ACE was associated with altered gene expression in the tight and adherence junctions that serve as a protective barrier against pathogens and pollutants and reduced type I interferon immune responses to Sp. Using the results of this study, healthcare professionals can gain a better understanding of the impact of cigarette smoking on mitochondrial dysfunction and how it increases susceptibility to Sp-related immune responses. It is necessary to conduct further studies to evaluate the effects of cigarette smoking on mitochondrial dysfunction, microbial composition disruption, and the interaction between AECs and elevated immune responses.
Abstract
Mitochondrial functionality is crucial for the execution of physiologic functions of metabolically active cells in the respiratory tract including airway epithelial cells (AECs). Cigarette smoke is known to impair mitochondrial function in AECs. However, the potential contribution of mitochondrial dysfunction in AECs to airway infection and airway epithelial barrier dysfunction is unknown. In this study, we used an in vitro model based on AECs exposed to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) followed by an infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp). The levels of oxidative stress as an indicator of mitochondrial stress were quantified upon CSE and Sp treatment. In addition, expression of proteins associated with mitophagy, mitochondrial content, and biogenesis as well as mitochondrial fission and fusion was quantified. Transcriptional AEC profiling was performed to identify the potential changes in innate immune pathways and correlate them with indices of mitochondrial function. We observed that CSE exposure substantially altered mitochondrial function in AECs by suppressing mitochondrial complex protein levels, reducing mitochondrial membrane potential and increasing mitochondrial stress and mitophagy. Moreover, CSE-induced mitochondrial dysfunction correlated with reduced enrichment of genes involved in apical junctions and innate immune responses to Sp, particularly type I interferon responses. Together, our results demonstrated that CSE-induced mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to impaired innate immune responses to Sp.
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The role of gut health in psoriasis
Alex Manos is one of the UK’s leading Functional Medicine practitioners who specialises in SIBO and gut-related disorders, as well as mould illness and mycotoxins. He is also very passionate about physical therapy, movement, resiliency, life coaching, nutritional therapy, and biohacking. He is a lecturer at various colleges and institutions including the Institute of Optimum Nutrition (ION) and on the MSc program at The Centre For Nutritional Education and Lifestyle Management (CNELM).
2022
Abstract
This is a really informative and concise presentation (with slides) from Alex summarising the research around the role of gut health in psoriasis. He covers dysbiosis, gut microbiome metabolites, gut inflammation, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), leaky gut and also coeliac and gluten sensitivity. He is quick to point out however that the gut is not the only thing that contributes to psoriasis, as there are many factors that can accumulate and contribute to psoriasis including infections, body composition, environmental toxins, medications, poor diet, and stress. He addresses testing options that are available to help determine which aspect of gut health could be targeted using nutrition and supplements to help alleviate the severity of psoriasis.
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Functional Nutrition & EBV with Dr. Kasia Kines
Genova Diagnostics' podcast, The Lab Report, is focused on functional & integrative medicine, specialty laboratory diagnostics, and natural therapeutics. Join hosts Michael Chapman, ND, Patti Devers, DO, and assorted guests, as they bring their own unique style to the health & wellness discussion. It is aimed at providing the same type of educational content that Genova is well-known for but to a larger audience of functional & integrative practitioners of all experience levels.
2021
Abstract
Dr. Kasia Kines, the guest of this episode of the podcast, holds a doctorate degree in Clinical Nutrition and has helped thousands of patients get to the root cause of their illnesses. Dr. Kines is a key opinion leader on the Epstein-Barr virus and. In this episode, Dr Kines discusses how the reactivation of chronic EBV infection can impact health while analysing the interplay of nutritional interventions, toxic exposure, and stress in chronic EBV. She delves into the pros and cons of monolaurin as a therapeutic treatment, highlighting the importance of literature-backed clinical applications of nutraceuticals such as selenium.
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A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Efficacy of Systemic Enzymes and Probiotics in the Resolution of Post-COVID Fatigue.
Rathi, A, Jadhav, SB, Shah, N
Medicines (Basel, Switzerland). 2021;8(9)
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Coronavirus disease-19 (Covid-19) usually lasts for 7-10 days but in a proportion of individuals, long-term symptoms may develop such as fatigue, which can last for at least 12 weeks. Disruptions to the immune system and parts of the cell which produce energy have been observed in these individuals. This randomised control trial of 200 individuals aimed to determine the combined effects of two different multi-enzyme and probiotic supplements; ImmunoSEB and ProbioSEB on Covid-19 induced fatigue. The results showed that supplementation resolved fatigue and lowered fatigue in those who were still fatigued after 14 days compared to taking a placebo. Mental fatigue was also reduced in the supplemented group compared to placebo. It was concluded that 14 days of supplementation with ImmunoSEB and ProbioSEB resolves post-Covid-19 fatigue. This study could be used by health care professionals to recommend the supplementation of ImmunoSEB and ProbioSEB to improve feelings of and in some case resolve fatigue associated with Covid-19.
Expert Review
Conflicts of interest:
None
Take Home Message:
- Multi-enzymes and specific probiotic strains are reported to show positive results in reducing mental and physical fatigue of post-COVID-19 infected patients.
- These multi-enzymes (Peptizyme SP, an enteric coated serratiopeptidase, bromelain, amylase, lysozyme, peptidase, catalase, papain, glucoamylase and lactoferrin) and probiotics (Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus clausii) have also shown early effects (from day four of the intervention) on mental and physical fatigue.
Evidence Category:
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X
A: Meta-analyses, position-stands, randomized-controlled trials (RCTs)
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B: Systematic reviews including RCTs of limited number
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C: Non-randomized trials, observational studies, narrative reviews
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D: Case-reports, evidence-based clinical findings
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E: Opinion piece, other
Summary Review:
This study reports on a randomized, multicentric, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that was conducted in n=200 subjects with post-COVID-19 fatigue and without active SARSCoV-2 infection, living in India. This study sought to assess the efficacy of a multi-enzyme formulation administered with a probiotic complex on COVID-19-induced fatigue.
Subjects were between the ages of 18 and 75 years, with RT-PCR, confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 at any time followed by an RT-PCR negative test who experienced fatigue and muscle weakness. Subjects were randomized to a test arm (n = 100), an oral supplement of a systemic enzyme complex and a probiotic complex for 14 days, or the control arm (n = 100) which used a placebo.
The multi-enzyme supplement formulation included Peptizyme SP, an enteric coated serratiopeptidase, bromelain, amylase, lysozyme, peptidase, catalase, papain, glucoamylase and lactoferrin. The probiotic supplement included, a blend of Bacillus coagulans LBSC (DSM 17654), Bacillus subtilis PLSSC (ATCC SD 7280) and Bacillus clausii 088AE (MCC 0538).
Treatment efficacy was compared using the Chalder Fatigue scale (CFQ-11), at various time points from days 1 to 14. At endpoint, 200/200 subjects finished the study.
Primary clinical outcomes were:
- The supplemental treatment resulted in the resolution of fatigue by 182 of 200 (91%) in the test arm compared to 30 of 200 (15%) in the control arm on day 14 (p<0.001)
- A beneficial effect was seen even at earlier time points, with a greater proportion of patients in the test arm being fatigue- free on days 4 (16% vs. 0%), 8 (44% vs. 2%), and 11 (87% vs. 7%) vs. the control arm (p<0.001).
The supplements were well tolerated with no adverse events reported.
Secondary clinical outcomes were:
- Subjects in the test arm showed a significant reduction in total as well as physical and mental fatigue scores at all time points vs. the control arm (p<0.001)
- On day 14, there was a significant reduction in all individual measures of physical fatigue (tiredness, need to rest, drowsiness, ability to do things, energy level, muscle strength and feeling of weakness) as well as mental fatigue (concentration, focus and memory) in the test arm vs. the control arm (p<0.001).
Clinical practice applications:
- There have been reports of post-viral fatigue syndrome up to 12 months in other coronavirus infections such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). A lengthy post-infection fatigue impairs quality of life and has a significant impact on individuals, employers, and the healthcare system. It is therefore essential for clinicians to have early interventions to promote recovery of COVID-19 patients.
- Based on this study, practitioners could therefore consider multi-enzymes and probiotics together with other evidence-based multidisciplinary care approaches to improve functional status and quality of life in patients suffering from post-viral fatigue from COVID-19.
Considerations for future research:
- The treatment period of the study was a one-time intervention of 14 days with no long-term follow-up. A long-term follow-up of patients in future studies is needed to evaluate the potential of recurring fatigue.
- Future studies are also needed to replicate these findings and to test for certain inflammatory and immunity markers to provide further insight into the mechanism of action of supplementing with multi-enzymes, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus clausii.
- Additionally, further investigation is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of multi-enzymes, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus clausii in patients with persistent fatigue for six months or beyond to address the needs of patients suffering from chronic fatigue.
- All the subjects in the study were of Indian ethnicity, therefore further studies of other ethnicities are required.
- This study was capped at 75-year-olds, thus studies in older subjects are warranted.
- Conflict of interest statement: This study was fully funded by the manufacturer of the specialty enzymes and probiotics and the authors are paid employees of the manufacturer.
Abstract
Muscle fatigue and cognitive disturbances persist in patients after recovery from acute COVID-19 disease. However, there are no specific treatments for post-COVID fatigue. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the health supplements ImmunoSEB (systemic enzyme complex) and ProbioSEB CSC3 (probiotic complex) in patients suffering from COVID-19 induced fatigue. A randomized, multicentric, double blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 200 patients with a complaint of post-COVID fatigue. The test arm (n = 100) received the oral supplements for 14 days and the control arm (n = 100) received a placebo. Treatment efficacy was compared using the Chalder Fatigue scale (CFQ-11), at various time points from days 1 to 14. The supplemental treatment resulted in resolution of fatigue in a greater percentage of subjects in the test vs. the control arm (91% vs. 15%) on day 14. Subjects in the test arm showed a significantly greater reduction in total as well as physical and mental fatigue scores at all time points vs. the control arm. The supplements were well tolerated with no adverse events reported. This study demonstrates that a 14 days supplementation of ImmunoSEB + ProbioSEB CSC3 resolves post-COVID-19 fatigue and can improve patients' functional status and quality of life.
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Chinese herbal medicine for coronavirus disease 2019: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Xiong, X, Wang, P, Su, K, Cho, WC, Xing, Y
Pharmacological research. 2020;160:105056
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Coronavirus- 2019 (COVID-19) infection, the cause of a global pandemic, can lead to respiratory failure and death. Whilst no specific antiviral drugs or vaccines were available in the early stages of the outbreak, in China Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) had been widely used since the beginning. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the efficacy of CHM to conventional Western medicine treatments for COVID-19 infections, involving 2275 patients from 18 trials. The outcome suggested that the use of CHM exhibited many positive effects on the course of the disease, including fever severity, length of hospital stay, cough, fatigue, anti-inflammatory markers and lung imaging, therefore presenting a promising treatment for reducing the severity and duration of the disease, whilst having little to no side effects. The trials included various formulations predominantly based on traditional Chinese herbal medicine, with the therapeutic principles of ‘dispelling cold’, ‘relieving exterior’, ‘dissipating phlegm’, ‘clearing away heat’, ‘invigorating spleen’, and ‘replenishing qi’. In the included trials a total of 100 different herbs were identified. The five most frequently used herbs being Liquorice Root (Glycyrrhiza spp.), Baikal Skullcap Root (Scutellaria baicalensis), Pinellia Rhizome (Pinelliae tematae), Forsythia Fruit (Forsythia suspensa), and Bitter Apricot Seed (Armeniacae amarum). The treatment course ranged from 5 to 15 days and the most common dosage were tea preparations. The authors describe the meta-analysis as one of the larger ones conducted so far and briefly discuss some of the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of the herbs most used. This meta-analysis yields evidence for alternative strategies in the support and management of COVID-19 infections.
Abstract
Currently, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which can lead to severe respiratory failure and death, is now a global pandemic with no specific anti-viral drugs or vaccines. However, It is worth noting that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), especially Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), has been widely applied in mainland China since outbreak, bringing new hope for the prevention and control of COVID-19. A comprehensive literature searching was conducted in 7 electronic databases from their inception up to June 21, 2020 to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CHM for COVID-19. Eighteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 2275 patients were enrolled. Most of CHMs were originated from classical Chinese herbal formulas. Liquoric Root (Gancao, Radix Glycyrrhizae), Baical Skullcap Root (Huangqin, Radix Scutellariae Baicalensis), Pinellia Rhizome (Banxia, Rhizoma Pinelliae Tematae), Forsythia Fruit (Lianqiao, Fructus Forsythiae Suspensae), and Bitter Apricot Seed (Kuxingren, Semen Armeniacae Amarum) were most frequently used Chinese herbs. The most commonly used dosage formulation was decoction. Our meta-analyses found that comparing CHM group and conventional western medicine group, CHM group has improvements in several clinical parameters including lung CT, clinical cure rate, ranging from mild to critical cases, length of hospital stay, total score of clinical symptoms, fever reduction time, symptom score of fever, number of cough reduction cases, symptom score of cough, number of fatigue reduction cases, symptom score of fatigue, disappearing time of fatigue, TCM syndrome, viral nucleic acid testing, and inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein). Besides, no severe adverse effects was identified by CHM. CHM, especially classical Chinese herbal formulas, could be used as potential candidates for COVID-19 in this battle.
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9.
Vitamin D Supplementation and Covid-19: From Evidence to Action
Ben Brown hosts the Positive Health Podcast. He specialises in nutrition and functional medicine and produces regular content for the podcast, speaking to industry leaders on a wide variety of topics. The podcast can be found on www.scientificwellness.com, a site which aims to connect people with free evidence-based health information focusing on natural and lifestyle medicine for chronic disease prevention and the promotion of optimal health.
2020
Abstract
This podcast features Dr William B Grant, a leading expert on vitamin D, with over 275 publications listed at pubmed.gov. His primary research interests are identifying and quantifying the risk-modifying factors for chronic and infectious diseases, with a particular interest in ultraviolet irradiance and vitamin D. In this interview, Dr Grant explores vitamin D research and it's clinical use with particular focus on the relationship between vitamin D and viral respiratory tract infections including COVID-19.
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10.
Vitamin C in Pneumonia and Sepsis
Anitra C. Carr
2020
Abstract
This chapter exert from 'Vitamin C in Health and Disease' by Anitra Carr and Jens Lykkesfeldt focuses on Vitamin C in pneumonia and sepsis. It provides details of acute lung dysfunction, the role of neutrophils and the mechanisms of action of Vitamin C in infections, including those of the respiratory tract. The complete book is available free for on-line reading from our supporter, MDPI Nutrients at this link https://www.mdpi.com/books/pdfview/book/690.