Nutraceutical: Berries

Indication: Cardiovascular disease

Source

: Am J Clin Nutr, February 2008;87(2):323-31.

Research: This study examined the effects of berry consumption on platelet function, HDL cholesterol and blood pressure. Researchers enrolled 72 middle-aged subjects with cardiovascular risk factors to participate in a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention trial. The participants were randomly assigned to consume either berries or control products for 8 weeks. Every other day the berry group consumed 100 grams of bilberries and 50 grams of lingonberries. On the other days, they consumed 100 grams of blackcurrants or strawberries.

Results: At the end of the study, re­searchers found that HDL cholesterol levels increased significantly by over 5% in the berry group in comparison to the control group, which only in­creased .6%. The berry group also ex­perienced an 11% decrease in platelet function in comparison to the control group, which had only a 1.4% decrease. In addition, blood pressure in the berry group decreased significantly compared to the control group. According to researchers, the consumption of moderate amounts of berries resulted in favorable changes in platelet function, HDL cholesterol and blood pressure. Because of this they believe that regular consumption of berries may play a role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Nutraceutical: Choline and betaine

Indication: Inflammation

Source: Am J Clin Nutr, February 2008;87(2):424-30.

Research: The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between dietary choline and betaine consumption and various markers of low-grade systemic inflammation. This cross-sectional survey enrolled 3042 healthy men and women between the ages of 18 to 89 years taking part in the ATTICA Study. A validated food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess dietary intakes and blood samples were collected to measure levels of inflammatory markers.

Results: Researchers reported that participants with the highest intake of choline (over 310 mg daily) had at least 20% lower concentrations of inflammatory markers in comparison to participants with the lowest intake of choline (less than 250 mg daily). Similar results were obtained from betaine intake. The highest intake (over 360 mg daily) resulted in 19% lower concentrations of C-reactive protein, 10% lower homocysteine levels and 12% lower TNF-alpha levels in comparison to participants with the lowest intake of betaine (less than 260 mg daily). The authors concluded that higher consumption of choline and betaine was associated with decreased levels of homocysteine, which may reduce the risk of a number of diseases.

Nutraceutical: EpiCor (fermented yeast product)

Indication: Incidence/duration of cold and flu

Source: Urologic Nursing, February 22, 2008;28(1):50-5.

Research: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted during an acute 12-week period of the year for cold and flu seasonal symptoms. It included 116 participants who had recently been vaccinated against seasonal flu (influenza) and received daily supplementation with 500 mg of EpiCor or placebo.

Results: Extensive quantitative and qualitative data showed that the participants receiving EpiCor had significantly fewer cold and flu symptoms and significantly shorter duration of symptoms as compared to those taking a placebo. Placed in a healthcare context wherein professionals have increased contact with unhealthy patients, this translates into approximately 32% fewer annual sick days. “This is the largest randomized trial to examine the impact of a fermented yeast product on cold- and flu-like symptoms ever conducted,” said Larry Robinson, PhD, a co-author of the study. “If EpiCor can significantly reduce the incidence and duration of colds and flu, imagine the significance this could have on healthcare costs, sick days and lost revenue—in addition to the more obvious impact on people’s overall health.”

Nutraceutical: Ginkgo biloba

Indication: Memory

Source: Neurology, February 27, 2008;[Epub ahead of print]

Research: Researchers in this study set out to assess the feasibility, safety and efficacy of ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on delaying the progression to cognitive impairment in normal elderly people aged 85 and older. This pilot trial used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled model in which 118 cognitively intact subjects were studied for 42 months. Half of the study group took ginkgo three times a day, while the other half took a placebo.

Results: During the study, 21 subjects developed mild memory problems, or questionable dementia—14 of which were on placebo, and seven of which were taking ginkgo. In unadjusted analyses, GBE neither altered the risk of progression from normal to Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) = 0.5, nor protected against a decline in memory function. However, upon secondary analysis taking into account medication adherence, researchers were able to show a protective effect of GBE on the progression to CDR = 0.5 and memory decline. In other words, those subjects that reliably took their study pills in the ginkgo group had a 68% lower risk of developing mild memory problems compared to those taking placebo. Investigators believe the results of larger prevention trials taking into account medication adherence may clarify the effectiveness of GBE.

Nutraceutical: Vegetables and alcohol

Indication: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Source: Am J Epidemiol, February 7, 2008;[Epub ahead of print]

Research: This study examined dietary risk factors for incident benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in 4770 subjects who participated in the placebo-arm of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (1994-2003) who were free of BPH at baseline. BPH was defined as medical or surgical treatment or repeated elevation (>14) on the International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaire. Diet, alcohol and supplement use were assessed by use of a food frequency questionnaire.

Results: Over a period of 7 years, there were 876 incident BPH cases. Men who had consumed two or more alcoholic beverages daily were 33% less likely to develop BPH, while those consuming at least four servings of vegetables daily lowered their risk by 32%. The researchers found no associations between supplements and BPH risk—there was only weak evidence for associations of lycopene, zinc and supplemental vitamin D with reduced risk. Researchers concluded that a diet low in fat and red meat and high in protein and vegetables, as well as regular alcohol consumption, may reduce the risk of symptomatic BPH.

Nutraceutical: Vitamin E

Indication: Cataracts

Source: Arch Ophthalmol, January 2008;126(1):102-9.

Research: The aim of this study was to examine prospective data related to the dietary intake of carotenoids and vitamins C and E and the risk of cataract in women. Dietary intake was assessed at baseline in 39,876 female health professionals by using a detailed food frequency questionnaire. A total of 35,551 women provided detailed information on antioxidant nutrient intake from food and supplements and were free of a diagnosis of cataract. The main outcome measure was cataract, defined as an incident, age-related lens opacity responsible for a reduction in best-corrected visual acuity in the worse eye to 20/30 or worse based on self-report confirmed by medical record review.

Results: At the end of the 10-year study, a total of 2031 women had developed cataracts. Researchers believe these prospective observational data from a large cohort of female health professionals point to higher dietary intakes of lutein/zeaxanthin (18% lower risk) and vitamin E (14% lower risk) from food and supplements as being associated with significantly decreased risks of cataract.

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