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Acute beetroot juice reduces blood pressure in young Black and White males but not females.
Grosicki, GJ, Flatt, AA, Cross, BL, Vondrasek, JD, Blumenburg, WT, Lincoln, ZR, Chall, A, Bryan, A, Patel, RP, Ricart, K, et al
Redox biology. 2023;63:102718
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Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Out of all ethnic groups, CV disease is particularly common in black Americans. High blood pressure (BP) is one of the main contributors to CV disease, and black Americans exhibit a disproportionally higher incident rate of high BP when compared to other ethnic groups. Partly this is due to genetic and physiological differences, yet is also influenced by social, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. One physiological difference that may contribute to higher BP in black adults appears to be a reduced availability of nitric oxide (NO). NO is a gas that is abundant in the human body. It regulates vascular tone and elasticity of the arteries, and therefore helps to manage blood pressure. Nitrates that occur in foods can be converted to NO and thus contribute to NO levels in the body. Beetroot juice (BRJ) is rich in nitrates. This study examined whether BRJ supplementation can reduce resting BP and cardiovascular reactivity in adults. The randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover-design study was completed by 18 black and 20 white young adults, male and female, with an average age of 21. The study monitored heart rate, BP and arterial stiffness in a variety of settings. The study also assessed socioeconomic status, perceived discrimination, sleep and dietary intake. The main findings from this investigation were that despite young black adults having higher resting BP, acute BRJ supplementation reduced the pressure to a similar extent in young black and white adults, but primarily in males. This reduction correlated with increased levels of circulating nitrites. However, acute BRJ supplementation did not influence resting arterial stiffness. The result also highlighted previously seen racial differences relating to social determinants of health and lifestyle, which may contribute to the elevated BP values seen in black participants. The study demonstrated that dietary nitrate from beetroot juice has the potential to be a cost-effective blood pressure-lowering strategy for young black and white males. Yet the findings also highlighted the complex interplay of social, lifestyle, and underlying physiological factors that influence racial differences when it comes to CV health
Abstract
A complex interplay of social, lifestyle, and physiological factors contribute to Black Americans having the highest blood pressure (BP) in America. One potential contributor to Black adult's higher BP may be reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Therefore, we sought to determine whether augmenting NO bioavailability with acute beetroot juice (BRJ) supplementation would reduce resting BP and cardiovascular reactivity in Black and White adults, but to a greater extent in Black adults. A total of 18 Black and 20 White (∼equal split by biological sex) young adults completed this randomized, placebo-controlled (nitrate (NO3-)-depleted BRJ), crossover design study. We measured heart rate, brachial and central BP, and arterial stiffness (via pulse wave velocity) at rest, during handgrip exercise, and during post-exercise circulatory occlusion. Compared with White adults, Black adults exhibited higher pre-supplementation resting brachial and central BP (Ps ≤0.035; e.g., brachial systolic BP: 116(11) vs. 121(7) mmHg, P = 0.023). Compared with placebo, BRJ (∼12.8 mmol NO3-) reduced resting brachial systolic BP similarly in Black (Δ-4±10 mmHg) and White (Δ-4±7 mmHg) adults (P = 0.029). However, BRJ supplementation reduced BP in males (Ps ≤ 0.020) but not females (Ps ≥ 0.299). Irrespective of race or sex, increases in plasma NO3- were associated with reduced brachial systolic BP (ρ = -0.237, P = 0.042). No other treatment effects were observed for BP or arterial stiffness at rest or during physical stress (i.e., reactivity); Ps ≥ 0.075. Despite young Black adults having higher resting BP, acute BRJ supplementation reduced systolic BP in young Black and White adults by a similar magnitude, an effect that was driven by males.
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The Influence of Vitamin E and Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Reproductive Health Indices Among Male Workers Exposed to Electromagnetic Fields.
Mohammadi, H, Golbabaei, F, Dehghan, SF, Imani, H, Ramezani Tehrani, F, Khodakarim Ardakani, S
American journal of men's health. 2022;16(1):15579883221074821
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Studies have suggested that low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) may have a detrimental effect on male fertility. Lower hormone levels and higher free radicals in the body damaging sperm cells have been indicated to play a role in this relationship. Supporting the development of sperm cells in individuals who have been subjected to EMF may be an effective therapy. Sperm cells contain large amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3 and supplementation may be of benefit. Although high amounts of omega-3 can have side effects, which can be limited with the dual supplementation of vitamin E. This randomised control trial aimed to determine the effect of omega-3 and vitamin E supplementation on reproductive indices of individuals who work with EMF. The results showed that EMF exposure affected sperm count, morphology, and motility and that the supplementation of omega-3 and vitamin E in conjunction could limit effects on morphology and motility. It was concluded that simultaneous vitamin E and omega-3 consumption could be of benefit for fertility in men exposed to EMF, however further studies are required to confirm this finding due to study limitations and size. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to understand that EMF is of detriment to fertility in men but there may be ways to limit the effects involving the use of omega-3 and vitamin E supplementation.
Expert Review
Conflicts of interest:
None
Take Home Message:
- Vitamin E and Omega 3 fatty acids have been reported to influence sperm morphology and sperm motility.
- This study reported that the intake of 100 mg of vitamin E accompanied by Omega 3 fatty acids (180 mg eicosatetraenoic acid [EPA] and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) had a significant improvement in sperm morphology and motility after 3 months.
- In addition, this study also reported that electric magnetic fields may have a negative effect on sperm morphology and motility.
Evidence Category:
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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:
Introduction
A block-randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to investigate the effects of using vitamin E and Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation on reproductive indices among workers in an automobile parts manufacturing facility. The effect of exposure to electromagnetic fields on certain sex hormones and sperm parameters was also assessed.
Methodology
92 married males between the ages of 20-50 were deployed into 4 groups. The first group was given vitamin E (100 mg) accompanied by a placebo capsule. The second group was given Omega 3 fatty acids (180 mg eicosatetraenoic acid [EPA] and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) accompanied by a placebo capsule. The third group was given vitamin E along with Omega 3 fatty acids. Finally, the fourth group acted as a placebo group and was given 2 placebo capsules.
The semen parameters of the participants were analysed before and after three months of consuming the supplements. Sex hormones within the blood serum were also analysed after the 3-month supplement period. At the endpoint, 80/92 subjects completed the study.
Results
Primary clinical outcomes were:
- Certain demographic parameters had significant effects on sluggish and full sperm motility: age (B = −1.344, p = .034); employment duration (B = −1.863, p = .022); and smoking (B = −94.24, p = .003).
- The difference in the level of testosterone before and after the intervention was not statistically significant for any age group.
- The difference in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) before and after the intervention were not statistically significant for any of the supplement groups.
- There was a statistically significant effect on sperm count and sperm with full motility before and after the intervention in the vitamin E + Omega 3 group, p =.016.
- The effect of supplement use on sperm morphology was significant in the vitamin E + Omega 3 group (B = -4.961; p = .001).
- The effect of supplement use on full and sluggish sperm motility was also significant in the vitamin E + Omega 3 group (B = 72.211, p = .021).
Secondary clinical outcomes were:
- Electric fields had the largest effect on the percentage of immotile sperm amongst the exposure variables (B = 9.541; p = .053).
Clinical practice applications:
- Prior studies have reported on the antioxidant effects of vitamin E and the effect of Omega 3 fatty acids on the testicles and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
- This study concluded that participants increased their normal sperm morphology by 16% and their sperm motility by 12% over a 3-month period by supplementing with vitamin E and Omega 3 fatty acids.
- Based on these findings, a practitioner could therefore consider recommending 100 mg of vitamin E accompanied by Omega 3 fatty acids (180 mg eicosatetraenoic acid [EPA] and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) for at least 3 months to help support the reproductive health of their male patients struggling with sperm morphology and/or sperm motility.
Considerations for future research:
- In this study vitamin E and Omega 3 did not show significant effects on certain sex hormones (testorterone, FSH and LH) therefore, there is a need to investigate if a higher dosage or longer consumption of the supplements could make a difference to these outcomes.
- There are mixed findings on the potential effects of electric magnetic fields on male reproductive indices and therefore there is a need for further clinical studies to be done using the same type of frequency, intensity, and exposure protocols to draw further conclusions.
Abstract
The present study aims to investigate the effects of using the supplementation of vitamin E and Omega 3 fatty acids on reproductive indices among workers in an automobile parts manufacturing plant. The effect of exposure to electromagnetic fields on certain sex hormones and sperm parameters will also be assessed. The participants were deployed into four groups as per the double-blind block randomization method. Semen parameters and sex hormones of the participants were analyzed before and after 3-month consumption of supplements. The level of workers' exposure to low-frequency magnetic and electrical fields was measured through the recommendation of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Univariate analysis of variance indicated that exposure to electric fields had a statistically significant effect on sperm count, morphology, and motility. The simultaneous consumption of vitamin E + Omega 3 had a statistically significant effect on sperm morphology and motility.
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Prospective association between organic food consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes: findings from the NutriNet-Santé cohort study.
Kesse-Guyot, E, Rebouillat, P, Payrastre, L, Allès, B, Fezeu, LK, Druesne-Pecollo, N, Srour, B, Bao, W, Touvier, M, Galan, P, et al
The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity. 2020;17(1):136
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The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has significantly increased over recent decades, concomitantly to the obesity epidemic. Among the emergent risk factors, exposure to environmental contaminants including pesticides is of major concern. In fact, a recent European Food Safety Authority report indicated that 44% of conventional crop-based food contained at least one quantifiable pesticide residue, vs 6.5% in organic-labelled foods (OF). The aims of this study were (a) to investigate the prospective association between OF consumption and the risk of T2D, and (b) to estimate the mediation effect by the potential healthiness of a plant-based diet. This study is prospective cohort study based on the data from the web-based NutriNet-Santé study with an analysis sample of 33,256 participants. Results indicate an inverse association between organic plant-based food consumption and T2D risk especially in women. The association persisted after accounting for potential confounding effects of various factors, including lifestyles, dietary patterns and adiposity. Authors conclude that further studies are needed to replicate these findings for confirmation purposes and to elucidate underlying mechanisms.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Organic food (OF) consumption has substantially increased in high income countries, mostly driven by environmental concerns and health beliefs. Lower exposure to synthetic pesticides has been systematically documented among consumers of organic products compared to non-consumers. While experimental studies suggest that pesticides currently used in food production may be associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D), no well-conducted prospective studies have investigated the potential association between consumption of organic products and the risk of T2D, controlling for potential confounding factors. The objective of this prospective study was to estimate the association between OF consumption and the risk of T2D. METHODS A total of 33,256 participants (76% women, mean (SD) age: 53 years (14)) of the French NutriNet-Santé prospective cohort study who completed the organic food frequency questionnaire were included (2014-2019). The proportion of OF in the diet (as weight without drinking water) was computed. The associations between the proportion of OF in the diet (as 5% increment and as quintiles) and the risk of T2D were estimated using multivariable Hazard Ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) derived from proportional hazards models adjusted for confounders (sociodemographic, anthropometric, lifestyle, medical and nutritional factors). RESULTS During follow-up (mean = 4.05 y, SD = 1.03 y, 134,990 person-years), 293 incident cases of T2D were identified. After adjustment for confounders including lifestyle (physical activity, smoking status, alcohol consumption) and nutritional quality of the diet assessed by the adherence to the French food-based dietary guidelines, OF consumption was associated with a lower risk of T2D. Participants with the highest quintile of OF consumption, compared with those with the lowest quintile, had 35% lower risk of T2D (95% CI = 0.43-0.97). Each increment of 5% in the proportion of OF in the diet was associated with 3% lower risk of T2D (HR 0.97, 95% CI = 0.95-0.99). CONCLUSIONS In this large prospective cohort study, OF consumption was inversely associated with the risk of T2D. Further experimental and prospective studies should be conducted to confirm these observations. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT03335644 ).
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Respiratory and Allergic Effects in Children Exposed to Pesticides-A Systematic Review.
Buralli, RJ, Dultra, AF, Ribeiro, H
International journal of environmental research and public health. 2020;17(8)
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Agricultural pesticides are harmful chemicals used to protect plants from pests and diseases. There has been previous research showing a link between pesticide usage and respiratory symptoms, asthma, allergies, and lung function irregularities in children. To evaluate the relationship between pesticide usage and allergic and respiratory effects in children, 21 studies were included in this systematic review. This systematic review reports an association between multiple sources of pesticide exposure during fetal and early development and respiratory symptoms and allergies among children. Compared to high-income countries, children in the middle- and low-income countries were exposed to multiple pesticide sources. As current scientific evidence is sparse, more research is needed to determine the causal relationship between pesticides and respiratory and allergic symptoms in children. Robust research in low- and middle-income countries is necessary. Healthcare professionals can use the results of this study to understand the harmful effects of pesticide exposure in children and to take clinical decisions to reduce the exposure and its effects.
Abstract
Pesticide exposure may affect children's respiratory and allergic health, although results from epidemiological studies have not reached consensus. This review aims to analyze the scientific evidence on respiratory and allergic effects of exposure to agricultural pesticides in children aged up to 12 years old. The databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scielo, and Lilacs were screened to select articles published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese, and 21 articles were included in this review. Most investigations were conducted in North America (mostly in the United States), while no studies conducted in Latin America or Africa were found, despite their intensive use of pesticides. Children are exposed to pesticides through multiple pathways from the prenatal period throughout later developmental stages and may experience several respiratory effects. Most studies (79%) found positive associations with pesticide exposure and children's respiratory and allergic effects such as asthma, wheezing, coughs, acute respiratory infections, hay fever, rhinitis, eczema, chronic phlegm, and lung function impairments. Contrastingly, 21% of the studies found no associations between pesticide exposure and children's respiratory health. The vast differences among the characteristics of the studies hamper any comparison of the results. Exposure to pesticides may have several impacts on childhood respiratory health. More studies must be conducted, especially in low- and middle-income countries, preferably with comparable research protocols adapted to local realities. Efforts should be made to develop comprehensive risk mitigation strategies and behavioral interventions to reduce children's exposure to pesticides used in agriculture and respiratory health effects, and to ensure healthy childhood growth.
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Fluoride exposure and kidney and liver function among adolescents in the United States: NHANES, 2013-2016.
Malin, AJ, Lesseur, C, Busgang, SA, Curtin, P, Wright, RO, Sanders, AP
Environment international. 2019;132:105012
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Fluoride is added to the water supply in some parts of the UK, US and Canada to help prevent tooth decay, but there is some concern that long-term exposure to fluoride could be harmful to health. Animal studies have indicated that fluoride may cause kidney and liver damage. This US study aimed to evaluate whether greater fluoride exposure is associated with altered kidney and liver function in adolescents. This cross-sectional study looked at data collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2016). The average age of adolescents was 15 years. Fluoride levels were measured in blood and in household tap water. Higher levels of fluoride in the blood were associated with a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, a higher blood uric acid concentration, and a lower blood urea nitrogen concentration. Higher levels of fluoride in tap water were associated with a lower blood urea nitrogen concentration. The researchers concluded that fluoride exposure may contribute to complex changes in kidney and liver function in US adolescents. However, researchers could not rule out the possibility that an altered kidney or liver function may impact the body’s ability to absorb or metabolise fluoride.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepato- and nephrotoxicity of fluoride have been demonstrated in animals, but few studies have examined potential effects in humans. This population-based study examines the relationship between chronic low-level fluoride exposure and kidney and liver function among United States (U.S.) adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate whether greater fluoride exposure is associated with altered kidney and liver parameters among U.S. youth. METHODS This cross-sectional study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2016). We analyzed data from 1983 and 1742 adolescents who had plasma and water fluoride measures respectively and did not have kidney disease. Fluoride was measured in plasma and household tap water. Kidney parameters included estimated glomerular filtration rate (calculated by the original Schwartz formula), serum uric acid, and the urinary albumin to creatinine ratio. Liver parameters were assessed in serum and included alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and albumin. Survey-weighted linear regression examined relationships between fluoride exposure and kidney and liver parameters after covariate adjustment. A Holm-Bonferroni correction accounted for multiple comparisons. RESULTS The average age of adolescents was 15.4 years. Median water and plasma fluoride concentrations were 0.48 mg/L and 0.33 μmol/L respectively. A 1 μmol/L increase in plasma fluoride was associated with a 10.36 mL/min/1.73 m2 lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (95% CI: -17.50, -3.22; p = 0.05), a 0.29 mg/dL higher serum uric acid concentration (95% CI: 0.09, 0.50; p = 0.05), and a 1.29 mg/dL lower blood urea nitrogen concentration (95%CI: -1.87, -0.70; p < 0.001). A 1 mg/L increase in water fluoride was associated with a 0.93 mg/dL lower blood urea nitrogen concentration (95% CI: -1.44, -0.42; p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS Fluoride exposure may contribute to complex changes in kidney and liver related parameters among U.S. adolescents. As the study is cross-sectional, reverse causality cannot be ruled out; therefore, altered kidney and/or liver function may impact bodily fluoride absorption and metabolic processes.
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Inhalational Alzheimer's disease: an unrecognized - and treatable - epidemic.
Bredesen, DE
Aging. 2016;8(2):304-13
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Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the third leading cause of death in the USA, with around 5.2 million Americans diagnosed with AD. Effective treatment with medications has yet to be found. A recent multiple therapy programme (originally known as MEND, now called ReCODE) proposed by Professor Bredesen and team, has shown some promising anecdotal results. Identifying sub-types of AD has been proposed as a means to develop targeted protocols for treatment. Recently, 3 sub-types of AD have been described: Type 1 (inflammatory), Type 2 (non-inflammatory or decreasing brain size) and Type 3 (damage to the outer layer of the cerebrum). This report describes 7 patients with Type 3 AD. Type 3 AD is characterised by exposure to specific toxins (usually inhaled) and is often associated with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). The report provides the symptoms, signs and laboratory values representative of Type 3 AD and could be used by Nutrition Practitioners to help with implementation of appropriate nutrition protocols when working with clients with AD.
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is one of the most significant healthcare problems today, with a dire need for effective treatment. Identifying subtypes of Alzheimer's disease may aid in the development of therapeutics, and recently three different subtypes have been described: type 1 (inflammatory), type 2 (non-inflammatory or atrophic), and type 3 (cortical). Here I report that type 3 Alzheimer's disease is the result of exposure to specific toxins, and is most commonly inhalational (IAD), a phenotypic manifestation of chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), due to biotoxins such as mycotoxins. The appropriate recognition of IAD as a potentially important pathogenetic condition in patients with cognitive decline offers the opportunity for successful treatment of a large number of patients whose current prognoses, in the absence of accurate diagnosis, are grave.