Hydrolyzed Collagen Combined with Djulis and Green Caviar Improve Skin Condition: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Aging is a natural process that will cause physiological changes in organs. The effects of djulis and green caviar in skincare are currently unclear. This study combined hydrolyzed collagen with djulis and green caviar to develop new functional formulas that improve skin parameters. Fifty subjects were randomly assigned and divided into a placebo group (n=25) and a collagen drink group (n=25), and gave 50 ml of collagen of a collagen drink or placebo drink daily for 28 days, and we examined skin moisture, elasticity, gloss, spot, wrinkle, roughness, smoothness, pore, collagen and erythema. We find that intake of collagen drinks group improved skin parameters at 14 days and 28 days compared with baseline (0 day). The collagen drinks group improved skin parameters at 28 days compared with the placebo group. This clinical study proved the combination of collagen with djulis and green caviar for the substantial improvements in moisture, elasticity, gloss, spot, wrinkle, roughness, smoothness, pore, collagen, and erythema in the skin.

Exogenous Beta-Hydroxybutyrate Ketone Salts Elevate Circulating Acetoacetate Levels

Objectives Ketones are compounds that provide both fuel and protection against various diseases; they are produced naturally by the liver or exogenously to be ingested. Beta-hydroxybutyrate is the most stable ketone and therefore, often used in ketone supplements. Beta-hydroxybutyrate interconverts with acetoacetate, the least stable ketone. Acetoacetate may offer greater neuroprotection than beta-hydroxybutyrate. Therefore, it is important to find methods to increase acetoacetate levels. The purpose of this study was to determine if exogenous beta-hydroxybutyrate salts significantly elevate blood acetoacetate levels 30-minutes after consumption. Methods Sixteen young adults participated in this randomized, triple-blinded, cross-over, placebo-controlled study and met for three laboratory visits: 1) familiarization visit, and 2–3) data collection visits separated by at least one week for washout. During visits two and three, blood samples were collected at baseline and again 30-minutes after consuming either the racemic ketone-salt supplement or placebo. Acetoacetate was stabilized in the blood samples and analyzed via mass spectrophotometry. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted to determine the effects of drink and time on blood acetoacetate levels. Results There was a significant (p = .008) interaction between drink and time. Bonferroni-adjusted simple main effects tests demonstrated that between baseline and 30-minutes post drink, blood acetoacetate was not different (p = .50) for the placebo but was significantly increased (p = .001) for the ketone salt supplement. The gain score analysis from a paired samples t-test demonstrated that the increase in acetoacetate after ingestion of ketone salts was significantly (p = .01) and substantially (d = .842) larger than the increase following ingestion of the placebo drink. Conclusions Blood acetoacetate levels can be significantly elevated by exogenous ketone salts, demonstrating a quick interconversion of exogenous beta-hydroxybutyrate to acetoacetate. More studies are needed to determine if this acute increase in acetoacetate is great enough to confer protective benefits demonstrated in previous studies. Funding Sources Augusta University and Keto-Mojo, inc.

Effects of Probiotics on Anxiety, Stress, Mood and Fitness of Badminton Players

Background: Reports of probiotic consumption on athletes’ performance are debatable due to their equivocal results. There is a need for more evidence on the effects of probiotic intake on psychological state and fitness level. Thus, this study determined the effects of daily probiotic consumption on competitive anxiety, perceived stress and mood among university badminton players, besides their fitness like aerobic capacity, strength, speed, leg power and agility. Methods: Thirty university badminton players aged from 19 to 22 years old were randomly divided equally into two groups, where the probiotic group (PG; n = 15) received a drink that contained Lactobacillus casei Shirota (3 × 1010 CFU) and placebo group (CG; n = 15) a placebo drink for six weeks. Anxiety, stress and mood levels were determined using the CSAI-2R, PSS and BRUMS questionnaires, respectively. Fitness levels were measured using by subjecting the players to 20-m shuttle runs (aerobic capacity), handgrips (muscular strength), vertical jumps (leg power), 40-m dash (speed) and T-test (agility). The Student’s t-test (p < 0.05) was used to determine the differences between PG and CG players. Results: After six weeks, the anxiety and stress levels of PG players significantly decreased by 16% (p < 0.001) and 20% (p < 0.001), respectively, but there were no significant changes detected in CG players. Supplementation of probiotics also improved aerobic capacity in PG players by 5.9% (p < 0.001) but did not influence the speed, strength, leg power and agility. Conclusions: Probiotics supplementation showed improved aerobic capacity and relieve anxiety and stress. However, further studies need to be carried out to determine the mechanisms through which probiotic intake produces these effects.

An Apple Extract Beverage Combined with Caffeine Can Improve Alertness, Mental Fatigue, and Information Processing Speed

The psychological effects of low-dose caffeine combined with polyphenols from apples have rarely been explored scientifically yet synergistic effects are plausible. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over experiment was used to test the psychological effects of apple extract beverages combined with 10, 20, 37.5, and 75 mg caffeine. Comparisons were made to both a placebo drink that was artificially sweetened and colored to mimic the test beverages and a positive control drink with 75 mg caffeine but without apple extract. Compared to placebo, it was hypothesized that dose-dependent improvements in cognitive performance, mood, and motivation would be realized after consuming the beverage with apple extract containing added caffeine. Outcomes were assessed before, 60 to 110, and 125 to 175 min post-beverage. The positive control beverage resulted in more serial seven subtractions, greater motivation to perform cognitive tasks, and reduced feelings of fatigue (all p < .005). The study found that psychological effects (i) were not observed for beverages containing apple extract and 10 or 20 mg caffeine, (ii) of the apple extract beverage containing 75 mg caffeine generally mimicked the effects of the positive control drink and significantly increased serial seven processing speed, and (iii) of the apple extract beverage containing 37.5 mg improved feelings of alertness and mental fatigue. In sum, effects of apple extract combined with caffeine were not dose-dependent; the apple extract beverage containing 75 mg caffeine improved information processing speed and the apple extract beverage with 37.5 mg caffeine improved feelings of alertness and mental fatigue.

Pomegranate Metabolites Impact Tryptophan Metabolism in Humans and Mice

ABSTRACT Background We showed that pomegranate juice (PomJ) can help to maintain memory in adults aged &gt;50 y. The mechanism for this effect is unknown, but might involve Trp and its metabolites, which are important in brain function. Objectives We aimed to test the hypothesis that PomJ and its metabolites ellagic acid (EA) and urolithin A (UA) affect Trp metabolism. Methods Stool and plasma from a cohort [11 PomJ, 9 placebo drink (PL)] of subjects enrolled in our double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (NCT02093130) were collected at baseline and after 1 y of PomJ or PL consumption. In a mouse study, cecum and serum were collected from DBA/2J mice receiving 8 wk of dietary 0.1% EA or UA supplementation. Trp metabolites and intestinal microbiota were analyzed by LC-MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, respectively. Results In the human study, the change in the plasma Trp metabolite indole propionate (IPA) over 1 y was significantly different between PomJ and PL groups (P = 0.03). In serum of experimental mice, we observed a 230% increase of IPA by EA but not UA, a 54% increase of indole sulfate by UA but not EA, and 43% and 34% decreases of kynurenine (KYN) by EA and UA, respectively. In cecum, there was a 32% decrease of Trp by UA but not EA, and an 86% decrease of KYN by EA but not UA (P &lt; 0.05). The abundance of 2 genera, Shigella and Catenibacterium, was reduced by PomJ in humans as well as by UA in mice, and their abundance was negatively associated with blood IPA in humans and mice (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions These results suggest a novel mechanism involving the regulation of host and microbial Trp metabolism that might contribute to the health benefits of ellagitannins and EA-enriched food, such as PomJ.

A randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial of a decaffeinated energy drink shows no significant acute effect on mental energy

ABSTRACT Background “Energy drinks” are heavily marketed to the general public, across the age spectrum. The efficacy of decaffeinated energy drinks in enhancing subjective feelings of energy (s-energy) is controversial. Objective The authors sought to test the efficacy of the caffeine-free version of a popular energy drink compared with a placebo drink. Methods This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial in 223 healthy men and women aged 18–70 y with intention-to-treat and completers analysis. Participants were randomly assigned to consumption of either the decaffeinated energy drink or a placebo drink on testing day 1, and the other drink a week later. A battery of computer-based mood and cognitive tests to assess s-energy was conducted at baseline and at 0.5, 2.5, and 5 h post-ingestion. The main outcome measures were 1) mood, which was assessed by using a General Status Check Scale and the Profile of Mood States 2nd edition brief form, and 2) cognitive measures, including the N-back task (reaction time and accuracy), Reaction Time test, Flanker task (distraction avoidance), and Rapid Visual Information Processing test. Results No statistically significant or meaningful benefits were observed for any outcome measure, including mood and cognitive measures. Analyses of mean differences, slopes, and median differences were consistent. Conclusions No differences were detected across a range of mood/cognitive/behavioral/s-energy–level tests after consumption of the energy drink compared with a placebo drink in this diverse sample of adults. Thus, we found strong evidence that the energy drink is not efficacious in enhancing s-energy levels, nor any related cognitive or behavioral variables measured. In light of federal regulations, these findings suggest that labeling and marketing of some products which claim to provide these benefits may be unsubstantiated. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02727920.

A single dose of purple grape juice improves physical performance and antioxidant activity in runners: a randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo study

Purpose To investigate the effects of a single dose of juice on physical performance, oxidative stress, inflammation and muscle damage in runners. Methods Fourteen recreational male runners (39 ± 9 years, VO2peak = 55.9 ± 6.5 ml/kg/min) performed two running tests to exhaustion at 80% of VO2max after ingesting grape juice or a placebo drink (10 ml/kg/day) randomly. Blood samples were taken before and 2 h after supplementation and immediately after running to analyze total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (A1GPA), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Results The participants ran for an average of 59.2 ± 27.8 min until exhaustion in the placebo group and for 68.4 ± 29.7 min until exhaustion in the grape juice intake group, which was a significantly longer time (p = 0.008). This improvement in physical performance was accompanied by a 43.6% increase in TAC (p = 0.000) at the post-exercise timepoint compared to the level at baseline. MDA, A1GPA, hs-CRP, CK, and LDH did not exhibit changes. In contrast, no significant change in any variable was observed after consuming the placebo drink. Conclusion The single-dose intake of purple grape juice demonstrated an ergogenic effect in recreational runners by increasing run time to exhaustion and increasing antioxidant activity.

Effect of Pomegranate Juice Consumption on Plasma Indole Propionic Acid, a Bacterial-Derived Tryptophan Metabolite (P20-003-19)

Objectives The gut microbiota produces numerous metabolites from dietary nutrients that can circulate systemically and influence the host physiology. Bacterial enzymes convert dietary L-tryptophan (Trp) to indole, from which several metabolites can be formed by mammalian and bacterial enzymes. The bacterial metabolite indole propionic acid (IPA) is anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and has been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Little is known about which bacteria are responsible for IPA formation. Pomegranates (Pom) are excellent sources of ellagitannins (ET) and ellagic acid (EA) with prebiotic function. Therefore, it was our hypothesis that long-term Pom consumption will change bacterial Trp metabolite formation. Methods We performed a 12-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of pomegranate juice in middle-aged and older, healthy adults. Nineteen subjects (ages 50–60) were randomized to consume 8 oz of pomegranate juice (the Wonderful Company, LLC) (N = 11) or placebo drink (N = 8) every day. The placebo drink contained high fructose corn syrup, Pom essence and flavor and FD&C Red#40, Blue#1. Stool samples were collected at baseline and after 1 year of Pom J consumption. Bacterial composition was determined using 16S rRNA microbiome sequencing. Plasma IPA concentrations were determined by HPLC. Correlation between fecal bacterial content and plasma IPA was evaluated in all samples using Spearman's analysis. Results The IPA was significantly reduced in the placebo group (P = 0.017), while there was no change in the Pom J group (P = 0.458). The change in plasma IPA during one year of Pom J compared to placebo drink consumption was significantly different (P = 0.028). At 12 months, plasma IPA concentration was significantly positively correlated with the relative proportion of Roseburia (0.57), Lachnospira (0.53) in the phylum Firmicutes; Sutterella (0.63) in the phylum Proteobacterium and Collinsella (0.46) in the phylum Actinobacteria. A significant negative correlation was observed with the relative proportion of Campylobacteraceae (−0.46). Conclusions Formation of IPA associated with a microbial profile supported by Pom J consumption might contribute to the cardiovascular health benefits of Pom. Funding Sources Supported by Center for Human Nutrition, UCLA.

Chokeberry Juice Containing Polyphenols Does Not Affect Cholesterol or Blood Pressure but Modifies the Composition of Plasma Phospholipids Fatty Acids in Individuals at Cardiovascular Risk

Chokeberry polyphenols have been suggested to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure and thus protect against cardiovascular diseases (CVD), but the evidence in humans is limited and inconsistent. This randomized double-blinded three-parallel groups trial investigated the changes in various anthropometric and clinical biomarkers, and in plasma phospholipids fatty acids (PPFA) in volunteers at cardiovascular risk after a four-week intervention with 100 mL/day of (1) chokeberry juice with a high-dose of polyphenols (1177.11 mg gallic acid equivalents, GAE); (2) chokeberry juice with a low-dose of polyphenols (294.28 mg GAE) and; (3) a nutritionally matched polyphenol-free placebo drink. Our results indicate that the intake of chokeberry juice containing either the low or the high dose of polyphenols cannot be linked with a reduction in total- and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)cholesterol or in systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure in comparison with the consumption of the placebo drink. However, we found evidence of moderate changes in the PPFA, i.e., increased saturated fatty acids (SFA), mostly palmitic acid, and reduced n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), principally linoleic acid (LA) with the intake of chokeberry against the placebo. These effects may be associated with the polyphenols but we could not differentiate a clear dose-response effect. Further research is still needed to elucidate the contribution of the polyphenolic fraction to the potential cardiovascular effects of the chokeberry and to build up the evidence of its potential benefit via the modulation of PPFA composition.

Effect of carbohydrate ingestion on central fatigue during prolonged running exercise in moderate hypoxia

To determine whether acute exposure to moderate hypoxia alters central and peripheral fatigue and to test whether carbohydrate ingestion impacts fatigue characteristics, 12 trained runners completed three running trials lasting 1 h each at 65% of normoxic maximum oxygen uptake. The first trial was performed in normoxia [inspired O2 fraction ([Formula: see text]) = 0.21], and the last two trials were completed in hypoxia ([Formula: see text] = 0.15). Participants ingested a placebo drink in normoxia (NORM-PLA), a placebo drink in hypoxia (HYP-PLA), or a carbohydrate solution in hypoxia (HYP-CHO). HYP conditions were randomized. Peripheral [change in potentiated quadriceps twitch force (ΔQtw,pot)] and central [change in voluntary activation (ΔVA)] fatigue were assessed via preexercise-to-postexercise changes in magnetically evoked quadriceps twitch. In HYP, blood was drawn to determine the ratio of free-tryptophan (f-TRP) to branched-chain amino acids (BCAA). After exercise, peripheral fatigue was reduced to a similar degree in normoxia and hypoxia (ΔQtw,pot = −4.5 ± 1.3% and −4.0 ± 1.5% in NORM-PLA and HYP-PLA, respectively; P = 0.61). Central fatigue was present after normoxic and hypoxic exercise but to a greater degree in HYP-PLA compared with NORM-PLA (ΔVA: −4.7 ± 0.9% vs. −1.9 ± 0.7%; P < 0.01). Carbohydrate ingestion did not influence central fatigue (ΔVA in HYP-CHO: −5.7 ± 1.2%; P = 0.51 vs. HYP-PLA). After exercise, no differences were observed in the ratio of f-TRP to BCAA between HYP-PLA and HYP-CHO ( P = 0.67). Central fatigue increased during prolonged running exercise in moderate hypoxia although the ratio of f-TRP to BCAA remained unchanged. Ingesting carbohydrates while running in hypoxia did not influence fatigue development. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Hypoxic exposure influences the origin of exercise-induced fatigue and the rate of fatigue development depending on the severity of hypoxia. Our data suggest that moderate hypoxia increases central, but not peripheral, fatigue in trained runners exercising at 65% of normoxic maximum oxygen uptake. The increase in central fatigue was unaffected by carbohydrate intake and occurred although the ratio of free tryptophan to branched-chain amino acids remained unchanged.