The Effect Of Soy Dietary Supplement And Low Dose Of Hormone Therapy On Main Cardiovascular Health Biomarkers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

To assess the effects of a soy dietary supplement on the main biomarkers of cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women compared with the effects of low-dose hormone therapy (HT) and placebo. Double-blind, randomized and controlled intention-to-treat trial. Sixty healthy postmenopausal women, aged 40-60 years, 4.1 years mean time since menopause were recruited and randomly assigned to 3 groups: a soy dietary supplement group (isoflavone 90mg), a low-dose HT group (estradiol 1 mg plus noretisterone 0.5 mg) and a placebo group. Lipid profile, glucose level, body mass index, blood pressure and abdominal/hip ratio were evaluated in all the participants at baseline and after 16 weeks. Statistical analyses were performed using the χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), paired Student's t-test and Wilcoxon test. After a 16-week intervention period, total cholesterol decreased 11.3% and LDL-cholesterol decreased 18.6% in the HT group, but both did not change in the soy dietary supplement and placebo groups. Values for triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, glucose level, body mass index, blood pressure and abdominal/hip ratio did not change over time in any of the three groups. The use of dietary soy supplement did not show any significant favorable effect on cardiovascular health biomarkers compared with HT. The trial is registered at the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos - ReBEC), number RBR-76mm75.

Dietary Supplement Usage And Motivation In Brazilian Road Runners.

The consumption of dietary supplements is highest among athletes and it can represent potential a health risk for consumers. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of consumption of dietary supplements by road runners. We interviewed 817 volunteers from four road races in the Brazilian running calendar. The sample consisted of 671 male and 146 female runners with a mean age of 37.9 ± 12.4 years. Of the sample, 28.33% reported having used some type of dietary supplement. The main motivation for this consumption is to increase in stamina and improve performance. The probability of consuming dietary supplements increased 4.67 times when the runners were guided by coaches. The consumption of supplements was strongly correlated (r = 0.97) with weekly running distance, and also highly correlated (r = 0.86) with the number of years the sport had been practiced. The longer the runner had practiced the sport, the higher the training volume and the greater the intake of supplements. The five most frequently cited reasons for consumption were: energy enhancement (29.5%), performance improvement (17.1%), increased level of endurance (10.3%), nutrient replacement (11.1%), and avoidance of fatigue (10.3%). About 30% of the consumers declared more than one reason for taking dietary supplements. The most consumed supplements were: carbohydrates (52.17%), vitamins (28.70%), and proteins (13.48%). Supplement consumption by road runners in Brazil appeared to be guided by the energy boosting properties of the supplement, the influence of coaches, and the experience of the user. The amount of supplement intake seemed to be lower among road runners than for athletes of other sports. We recommend that coaches and nutritionists emphasise that a balanced diet can meet the needs of physically active people.

PAKs supplement improves immune status and body composition but not muscle strength in resistance trained individuals

Mixed formula supplements are very popular among recreational and professional weightlifters. They are usually known as PAKs and they are supposed to have a synergistic effect of their different nutrients. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of chronic (4 weeks) PAKS supplementation in combination with strength training on body composition, immune status and performance measures in recreationally trained individuals with or without PAKs supplementation. Methods: Twelve male subjects (Placebo n = 6 and PAKs supplement n = 6) were recruited for this study. The body composition, one maximum strength repetition tests and immune status were assessed before and after 4 week supplementation. Our data showed that, 4 week PAK supplementation associated with strength exercise not was effective in change strength than compared with placebo group. However, we observed that, PAK supplement was able to improve immune status and reduced body composition when compared with placebo group. These results indicate that, a mixed formula supplement is able to improve immune status and body composition but not maximum strength in recreational strength trained subjects in a 4 weeks period.

Development of a dietary supplement database

Data describing the composition of dietary supplements are not readily available to the public health community. As a result, intake from dietary supplements is generally not considered in most dietary surveys and, hence, little is known about the significance of supplement intake in relation to total diet or disease risk. To enable a more comprehensive analysis of dietary data, a database of the composition of various dietary supplements has been compiled. Active ingredients of all dietary supplements sold in Australia are included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), maintained by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Products included in the database were restricted to those vitamin, mineral and other supplements identified in dietary data collected from studies conducted in southeast Queensland and New South Wales (850 supplements). Conversion factors from ingredients compounds to active elements were compiled from standard sources. No account has been made for bioavailability, consistent with current practice for food composition databases. The database can be queried by ARTG identification number, brand, product title, or a variety of other fields. Expected future developments include development of standard formulations for use when supplements are incompletely specified, and expansion of products included for more widespread use.

Low Expression of Human Histocompatibility Soluble Leukocyte Antigen-G (HLA-G5) in Invasive Cervical Cancer With and Without Metastasis, Associated With Papilloma Virus (HPV)

Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a non-classical major histocompatibility complex class lb molecule that acts as a specific immunosuppressor. Some studies have demonstrated that human papillomavirus (HPV) seems to be involved in lower or absent HLA-G expression, particularly in cervical cancer. In this study, we performed a cross-sectional study, systematically comparing the qualitative expression of the HLA-G5 isoform in invasive cervical carcinoma (ICC), stratifying patients according to the presence [ICC with metastasis (ICC(W))) and absence [ICC without metastasis (ICC(WT))] of metastasis, correlating these findings with interference of HPV and demographic and clinical variables. Seventy-nine patients with a diagnosis of ICC were stratified into two groups: ICC(WT) (n=52 patients) and ICC(W) (n=27). Two biopsies were collected from each patient (one from the tumor lesion and one from a lymph node). Immunohistochemistry analyses were performed for the HLA-G5 isoform, for HPV detection, and virus typing. HLA-G5 isoform molecules were detected in 25 cases (31.6%), 17 (32.7%) without metastasis and 8 (29.6%) with metastasis. HPV was detected in the cervical lesions of 74 patients (93.7%), but low expression of the HLA-G5 isoform was observed in all HPV-related cases. These findings are important; however, additional studies are necessary to identify the influence of HPV with HLA-G5 isoform expression on invasive cervical malignancies. (J Histochem Cytochem 58:405-411, 2010)

Zinc Supplement Modifies Auditory Brainstem Responses in Patients with Tinnitus

Introduction: Zinc is an essential element for human homeostasis being clearly related to almost all metabolic pathways. It is found in some neural circuitries, probably acting as a modulator of glutamatergic excitatory synapsis. In the auditory system its presence has been demonstrated within the cochlea and cochlear nuclei. Tinnitus symptoms are correlated to zinc physiology, and it has been postulated that the oligoelement could be used as an alternative treatment for this clinical situation. Aim: This study has evaluated the brainstem responses (ABR) in patients who suffer from chronic idiophatic tinnitus, before and after being treated with zinc. Neural transmissions in the brainstem auditory structures were also compared in both conditions. Materials and Methods: Forty-one patients (22 with tinnitus and 19 controls, groups I and II, respectively) were included in the study and submitted to anamnesis, otorhinolaryngologic examinations, biochemical evaluation and audiological tests. Group I patients received an specific zinc formulation for 90 days. ABR tests were performed at the beginning of the study and at the end of the zinc treatment. Results: First ABR tests showed no differences between the groups, but on the second evaluation there was a significant prolongation of the wave V latency and an enlargement of wave V amplitude shown in group I. Conclusion: Treatment with systemic zinc could change some aspects of auditory neurotransmission in the brainstem.

Dietary and supplement treatment of iron deficiency results in improvements in general health and fatigue in Australian women of childbearing age

Objective: To examine the effects of iron deficiency and its treatment by iron supplementation or a high iron diet on fatigue and general health measures in women of childbearing age. Design: Randomised controlled trial to compare supplement and dietary treatment of iron deficiency. Subjects: 44 iron deficient (serum ferritin < 15 mug/L or serum ferritin 15-20 mug/L, plus two of the following: serum iron < 10 mu mol/L, total iron binding capacity > 68 mu mol/L or transferrin saturation < 15%) and 22 iron replete (hemoglobin greater than or equal to 120 g/L and serum ferritin > 20 mug/L) women 18 to 50 years of age were matched for age and parity. Interventions: Iron deficient women were randomly allocated to either iron supplementation or a high iron diet for 12 weeks. Measures of Outcome: Iron deficient and iron replete participants had iron studies performed and completed the Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS) and the SF-36 general health and well-being questionnaire at baseline (TO), following the 12 week intervention (TI) and again after a six-month non-intervention phase (T2). The SF-36 includes measures of physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) health and vitality (VT). Results: MCS and VT scores were lower and PFS scores were higher for iron deficient women (diet and supplement groups) than iron replete women at baseline. Both intervention groups showed similar improvements in MCS, VT and PFS scores during the intervention phase, but mean increases in serum ferritin were greater in the supplement than the diet group. PCS scores were not related to iron status. Conclusions: Treatment of iron deficiency with either supplementation or a high iron diet results in improved mental health and decreased fatigue among women of childbearing age.

Effect of type of grain and oil supplement on the performance, blood lipoproteins, egg cholesterol and fatty ccids of laying hens

The effects of type of grain (wheat vs. sorghum) and oil supplement/kg diet [0, 20g olive oil (OL), 20g safflower oil (SO), 10 g OL plus 10 g SO (OLSO)], over a 12-week period on the performance, plasma and lipoproteins lipids [cholesterol (C), triglycerides (TG), phospholipid (P)], and yolk C and fatty acids concentrations of laying hens were studied. Hens fed on the sorghum diet had significantly (P

Effect of a sardine supplement on C-reactive protein in patients receiving hemodialysis

Objective - The study evaluated the effect of a canned sardine supplement in C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients on hemodialysis (HD) and the compliance and adherence to this supplement. Design - This was a quasi-experimental study: Participants with a serum CRP of 5 mg/dL or less volunteered to consume a sardine supplement or were maintained on the usual cheese/ham sandwich supplement. Setting - The study took place in two outpatient dialysis units in Lisbon, Portugal. Patients - The study comprised 63 patients receiving maintenance HD three times per week for at least 6 months and an initial CRP concentration of 5 mg/dL or less. Exclusion criteria included the presence of graft vascular access or history of cancer. Intervention - After a 4-week washout period, the nutritional intervention included a canned sardine sandwich for the case group (n = 31) and a cheese or ham sandwich for the control group (n = 32), to be ingested during each routine HD session, 3 times per week, for 8 weeks. Main outcome measure - Serum levels of high-sensitivity CRP were the outcome measure. Results - Only 65 patients from the invited 186 patients met the inclusion criteria and agreed to eat the sardine sandwich supplement three times per week and were involved in the study. A significant proportion of 48% (n = 31, case group) consumed the sardine sandwich supplement three times per week for 8 weeks, fulfilling the requirements and completing the study. The present investigation showed that a sardine sandwich supplement had no effect on CRP levels among patients on HD. However, when participants were stratified according to tertiles of CRP distribution values at baseline, a reduction in CRP levels was found for those in the higher tertile, being higher for the case group (P = .047). Although diabetic patients were excluded from the analysis (eight in the sardine supplementation group and seven in the control group) a significant CRP reduction was found (P = .034). Conclusion - Although a supplement of low-dose n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids had no effect on the plasma high-sensitivity CRP of the supplemented group, a reduction in CRP levels was found when patients were stratified for tertiles of CRP (for the upper tertile) and diabetic status (for nondiabetic patients). These findings need to be further confirmed. This canned sardine supplement was accepted by an important proportion of patients, enhancing diet variety and contributing for a greater n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid intake.

Factors associated with dietary supplement use by people who exercise at gyms

OBJECTIVE To assess the factors associated with the use of dietary supplements by people who exercise at gyms.METHODS A cross-sectional study with a sample defined by convenience, considering the number of gyms registered in the Conselho Regional de Educação Física (Regional Council of Physical Education) of Sao Luis, MA, Northeastern Brazil, from July 2011 to July 2012. The final sample comprised 723 individuals who exercise at gyms. The dependent variable was supplement use, and the explanatory variables were length of time and motivation of the physical exercises, duration, goal and self-perception of training, weekly frequency of gym attendance, sex, age, educational attainment, self-perception of body weight, smoking and self-perception of diet. The association between variables was analysed by hierarchical Poisson regression based on a theoretical model.RESULTS Supplement use was reported by 64.7% of the participants. Most of the sample was male (52.6%). The most frequent age group was 20 to 39 years (74.4%). Most participants (46.1%) had been exercising for over a year. The following variables were associated with supplement use: self-perceiving body weight as below ideal (p < 0.001), smoking (p < 0.001), exercising for 7 to 12 months (p = 0.028) or more than one year (p < 0.001), spending more than two hours at the gym (p = 0.051), and perceiving training as moderate (p = 0.024) or intense (p = 0.001).CONCLUSIONS The use of supplements lacks proper professional guidance, being motivated by individuals unsatisfied with their low body weight and who perceive their workout as intense, which raises the need for monitoring this population.

Encyclopédie méthodique. Botanique. Supplement.

t.1

Encyclopédie méthodique. Botanique. Supplement.

t.2