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Effects of lemon verbena extract (Recoverben®) supplementation on muscle strength and recovery after exhaustive exercise: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Buchwald-Werner, S, Naka, I, Wilhelm, M, Schütz, E, Schoen, C, Reule, C
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2018;15:5
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All types of exercise cause muscular breakdown leading to muscle fatigue and muscle soreness, caused by oxidative stress and inflammation. Because of this, the use of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory supplements in athletes is widespread. The aim of this randomised trial was to investigate the effects of lemon verbena extract (Recoverben) on muscle strength and recovery after exhaustive exercise in 44 healthy, active adults. Participants were randomised to receive 400mg lemon verbena extract daily or placebo for 15 days, and performed an exhaustive exercise test on day 10. This trial found the lemon verbena group benefited from less muscle damage and faster recovery. Compared to placebo, the lemon verbena group had significantly less loss of muscle strength and less movement-induced pain. Based on these results, the authors conclude that lemon verbena extract is effective for reducing muscle damage after exhaustive exercise.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exhaustive exercise causes muscle damage accompanied by oxidative stress and inflammation leading to muscle fatigue and muscle soreness. Lemon verbena leaves, commonly used as tea and refreshing beverage, demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a proprietary lemon verbena extract (Recoverben®) on muscle strength and recovery after exhaustive exercise in comparison to a placebo product. METHODS The study was performed as a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study with parallel design. Forty-four healthy males and females, which were 22-50 years old and active in sports, were randomized to 400 mg lemon verbena extract once daily or placebo. The 15 days intervention was divided into 10 days supplementation prior to the exhaustive exercise day (intensive jump-protocol), one day during the test and four days after. Muscle strength (MVC), muscle damage (CK), oxidative stress (GPx), inflammation (IL6) and volunteer-reported muscle soreness intensity were assessed pre and post exercise. RESULTS Participants in the lemon verbena group benefited from less muscle damage as well as faster and full recovery. Compared to placebo, lemon verbena extract receiving participants had significantly less exercise-related loss of muscle strength (p = 0.0311) over all timepoints, improved glutathione peroxidase activity by trend (p = 0.0681) and less movement induced pain (p = 0.0788) by trend. Creatine kinase and IL-6 didn't show significant discrimmination between groups. CONCLUSION Lemon verbena extract (Recoverben®) has been shown to be a safe and well-tolerated natural sports ingredient, by reducing muscle damage after exhaustive exercise. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial was registered in the clinical trials registry (clinical trial.gov NCT02923102). Registered 28 September 2016.
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Nutritional issues in patients with obesity and cirrhosis.
Schiavo, L, Busetto, L, Cesaretti, M, Zelber-Sagi, S, Deutsch, L, Iannelli, A
World journal of gastroenterology. 2018;24(30):3330-3346
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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs when fats accumulate in the liver in the absence of excess alcohol intake and if unmanaged can advance to severe liver disease known as cirrhosis. NAFLD and cirrhosis can be associated with obesity, muscle wastage and nutrient deficiencies. This review of 165 papers aimed to discuss muscle wastage and nutrient deficiencies in patients with obesity and cirrhosis with a view to making supplementation recommendations. The authors first discussed that the risk of muscle wastage in patients with obesity and cirrhosis is high and when combined with obesity may affect other chronic diseases and impact the progression of NAFLD to cirrhosis. The paper then discusses that vitamin and mineral deficiencies are common in patients with cirrhosis possibly due to reduced intake, poor absorption and the reduction of carrier protein production in the liver. Deficiencies in vitamins D and E and zinc and magnesium were extensively featured. Protein and calorie intake were also reviewed and although weight loss should be encouraged in patients with obesity and cirrhosis, over-restriction could exacerbate muscle breakdown. Any low-calorie diets should contain adequate protein content. Bariatric surgery, in patients with obesity and cirrhosis needs to be performed on a case-by-case basis involving many different medical disciplines. It was concluded that obesity and cirrhosis are commonly occurring simultaneously and poses a management challenge for medical professionals. This paper could be used by health care professionals to understand the possible nutritional deficiencies that need to be monitored in patients with obesity and cirrhosis and where bariatric surgery may be indicated.
Abstract
Obesity and metabolic syndrome are considered as responsible for a condition known as the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease that goes from simple accumulation of triglycerides to hepatic inflammation and may progress to cirrhosis. Patients with obesity also have an increased risk of primary liver malignancies and increased body mass index is a predictor of decompensation of liver cirrhosis. Sarcopenic obesity confers a risk of physical impairment and disability that is significantly higher than the risk induced by each of the two conditions alone as it has been shown to be an independent risk factor for chronic liver disease in patients with obesity and a prognostic negative marker for the evolution of liver cirrhosis and the results of liver transplantation. Cirrhotic patients with obesity are at high risk for depletion of various fat-soluble, water-soluble vitamins and trace elements and should be supplemented appropriately. Diet, physical activity and protein intake should be carefully monitored in these fragile patients according to recent recommendations. Bariatric surgery is sporadically used in patients with morbid obesity and cirrhosis also in the setting of liver transplantation. The risk of sarcopenia, micronutrient status, and the recommended supplementation in patients with obesity and cirrhosis are discussed in this review. Furthermore, the indications and contraindications of bariatric surgery-induced weight loss in the cirrhotic patient with obesity are discussed.
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Chronic Ketogenic Low Carbohydrate High Fat Diet Has Minimal Effects on Acid-Base Status in Elite Athletes.
Carr, AJ, Sharma, AP, Ross, ML, Welvaert, M, Slater, GJ, Burke, LM
Nutrients. 2018;10(2)
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The low-fat, high-carbohydrate ketogenic diet has recently been applied to the context of elite athletes to observe potential impact on performance and metabolism during exercise and rest. The aim to this study was to assess the effect of a long-term ketogenic diet on the acid-base status in elite athletes, particularly investigating whether sustained diet change caused alterations in overall acid production. Twenty-one athletes were assigned to a high carbohydrate diet, low carbohydrate diet and periodised carbohydrate availability diet for three sustained weeks. Acid-base balance was measured via blood samples at baseline and post-intervention. The main finding of this study was that a sustained ketogenic diet had no influence of acid-base status. Based on these results, the authors conclude that long-term manipulation of macronutrient intake is unlikely to influence acid-base status in this population. It is also noted that elite athletes may have an increased buffering capacity compared with the general population, and that further research should be done in different participant populations.
Abstract
Although short (up to 3 days) exposure to major shifts in macronutrient intake appears to alter acid-base status, the effects of sustained (>1 week) interventions in elite athletes has not been determined. Using a non-randomized, parallel design, we examined the effect of adaptations to 21 days of a ketogenic low carbohydrate high fat (LCHF) or periodized carbohydrate (PCHO) diet on pre- and post-exercise blood pH, and concentrations of bicarbonate (HCO₃-) and lactate (La-) in comparison to a high carbohydrate (HCHO) control. Twenty-four (17 male and 7 female) elite-level race walkers completed 21 days of either LCHF (n = 9), PCHO (n = 7), or HCHO (n = 8) under controlled diet and training conditions. At baseline and post-intervention, blood pH, blood [HCO₃-], and blood [La-] were measured before and after a graded exercise test. Net endogenous acid production (NEAP) over the previous 48-72 h was also calculated from monitored dietary intake. LCHF was not associated with significant differences in blood pH, [HCO₃-], or [La-], compared with the HCHO diet pre- or post-exercise, despite a significantly higher NEAP (mEq·day-1) (95% CI = [10.44; 36.04]). Our results indicate that chronic dietary interventions are unlikely to influence acid-base status in elite athletes, which may be due to pre-existing training adaptations, such as an enhanced buffering capacity, or the actions of respiratory and renal pathways, which have a greater influence on regulation of acid-base status than nutritional intake.
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Anti-Obesity Effects of Medicinal and Edible Mushrooms.
Ganesan, K, Xu, B
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2018;23(11)
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Medicinal mushrooms have long been considered healthful due to of their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, such as high-quality proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols etc. More recently they have been analysed for their anti-obesity effects. The health implications of obesity are extensive, often affecting all bodily systems. The purpose of this review was to analyse previous animal studies to determine whether consuming edible mushrooms has a positive effect on obesity related illnesses, such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease etc. The authors explore and summarise the different methods used to treat obesity including pharmacotherapy (weight loss drugs), natural products such as Ayurveda medicine and exercise. They present promising results that suggest the therapeutic properties of edible mushrooms have anti-obesity potentials and propose that the findings from animal studies could likely be mirrored in humans and recommend consuming mushrooms to aid weight loss and therefore improve health.
Abstract
Obesity is a group of metabolic disorders caused by multiple factors, including heredity, diet, lifestyle, societal determinants, environment, and infectious agents, which can all lead to the enhancement of storage body fat. Excess visceral fat mass in adipose tissue generate several metabolic disorders, including cardiovascular diseases with chronic inflammation based pathophysiology. The objective of the current review is to summarize the cellular mechanisms of obesity that attenuate by antioxidant potentials of medicinal and edible mushrooms. Studies have showed that mushrooms potentially have antioxidant capacities, which increase the antioxidant defense systems in cells. They boost anti-inflammatory actions and thereby protect against obesity-related hypertension and dyslipidemia. The practice of regular consumption of mushrooms is effective in the treatment of metabolic syndrome, including obesity, and thus could be a good candidate for use in future pharmaceutical or nutraceutical applications.
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Evaluation of Nutritional Status of Patients with Depression.
Kaner, G, Soylu, M, Yüksel, N, Inanç, N, Ongan, D, Başmısırlı, E
BioMed research international. 2015;2015:521481
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The aim of this study was to identify the nutritional status, body composition and biochemical parameters of individuals who had been diagnosed with major depression. Fifty-nine people in Turkey, aged between 18 and 60 years old were randomly assigned to 2 groups – a depression group (29 people on antidepressant medication) and a control group (30 normal, healthy people). A number of measurements were taken: anthropometric measurements, biochemical markers (eg fasting blood glucose, insulin, folate, B12), demographic data, a 24-hour diet recall and activity/exercise levels. Those with serious mental illness such as psychotic disorders, bipolar and schizophrenia were excluded, as were those recently prescribed with thyroid medication, weight loss treatment or diabetes. The anti-depressant medication used by the individuals in the depression group was not identified. The depression group was 65% female and the control group was 60% female. The results showed that the depression group had a lower intake of the nutrients vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, B6, folate, vitamin C, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and zinc, as well as fibre. In addition, median values of body weight, waist and hip circumferences, and waist to hip ratios were significantly higher in this group. The depression group also had lower fasting blood glucose levels, vitamin B12 and folic acid than the control group. Serum insulin and insulin resistance levels were similar in both groups. The rate of night eating was higher, and the consumption of fresh fruit, vegetables and fish was lower in those with depression, although the authors noted that the PUFA intake in both groups was very similar. Levels of light physical exercise were higher in the depression group. The authors concluded that individuals with depression tended to eat a poorer quality diet. Vitamin B consumption, serum B12 and folic acid levels were low in those patients with depression, and they also showed more signs of abdominal obesity. It was also noted that vitamins A and C, and magnesium levels were lower in depression. It was acknowledged that the self-reported diets are likely to contain inaccuracies.
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Our goal was to determine nutritional status, body composition, and biochemical parameters of patients diagnosed with depression based on DSM-IV-TR criteria. METHODS A total of 59 individuals, aged 18-60 years admitted to Mental Health Centre of Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, were included in the study. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups; depression group (n = 29) and control group (n = 30). Anthropometric measurements, some biochemical parameters, demographic data, and 24-hour dietary recall were evaluated. RESULTS 65.5% of depression and 60.0% of control group were female. Intake of vitamins A, thiamine, riboflavin, B6, folate, C, Na, K, Mg, Ca, P, Fe, Zn, and fibre (p < 0.05) were lower in depression group. Median levels of body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in depression group. Fasting blood glucose levels, serum vitamins B12, and folic acid (p < 0.05) in depression group were lower than controls. Serum insulin and HOMA levels of two groups were similar. CONCLUSION Some vitamin B consumption and serum vitamin B12 and folic acid levels were low while signs of abdominal obesity were high among patients with depression. Future research exploring nutritional status of individuals with depression is warranted.