Boris V Nemzer, Nelli Fink, Bruno Fink
Journal: Food science & nutrition 2014;2(6):828-39
PMID: 25493202
A healthy balance between levels of free radicals and levels of related antioxidants is important for good health as well as healthy ageing. SPECTRA™ is a full-spectrum antioxidant supplement consisting of a combination of fruit, vegetable, and herb extracts and concentrates, with a high oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). The aim of this study was to examine the effects of SPECTRA™ on oxidative stress markers in human participants. 22 healthy participants (13 females and nine males) with a mean age of 41 years took part in this double-blind, single-dose, crossover, placebo-controlled study. Participants were given breakfast (bread roll and glass of water) alongside the SPECTRA™ supplement or a placebo. Blood was drawn before breakfast, and then again at 1hr, 2hrs and 3hrs after, and examined for oxidative stress markers. 1 hour after a single dose of SPECTRA™, there was a significant decrease in generation of reactive oxygen species and metabolic activity of blood cells. These effects persisted for another 2 hours followed by a significant trend toward baseline 3 hours after administration. SPECTRA™ also lowered glucose concentrations in the participants' blood. The researchers concluded that the unique activity of SPECTRA™ suggests potential for the use of the supplement in the modulation of oxidative stress, nitric oxide bioavailability, inflammatory response, blood glucose levels, and ultimately supporting optimal health.
The research community is generally agreed that maintenance of healthy levels of free radicals and related oxidants are important for good health. However, utilization of the "redox stress hypothesis" can provide us with concrete nutritional targets in order to better support and maintain "optimal health." Following this hypothesis we performed a crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose study on the effects of SPECTRA™, a dietary supplement, on oxidative stress markers (OSM) in human participants (n = 22). The measurement of OSM (ex vivo intra- and extracellular formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS, O2 (-), H2O2, OH(-)) in whole blood, respiratory activity of blood cells, as well as mitochondrial-dependent ROS formation, and respiratory activity), was performed using EPR spectrometer nOxyscan, spin probe CMH, and oxygen label NOX-15.1, respectively. Furthermore, we investigated the ability of SPECTRA™ to modulate ex vivo cellular inflammatory responses induced by stimulation with exogenous TNF-α and also followed changes in bioavailable NO concentrations. In this clinical study, we demonstrated that administration of SPECTRA™ resulted in statistically significant long-term inhibition of mitochondrial and cellular ROS generation by as much as 17% as well as 3.5-times inhibition in extracellular NADPH system-dependent generation of O2 (-), and nearly complete inhibition of extracellular H2O2 formation. This was reflected in more than two times inhibition of ex vivo cellular inflammatory response and also increases in bioavailable NO concentration. For the first time, we have measured synergetic, biological effects of a natural supplement on changes in OSM and cellular metabolic activity. The unique design and activity of the plant-based natural supplement, in combination with the newly developed and extended Vitality test, demonstrates the potential of using dietary supplements to modulate OSM and also opens the door to future research into the use of natural supplements for supporting optimal health.
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