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Tag: Exercise

  • Can postbiotics improve athletic performance and recovery?

    Can postbiotics improve athletic performance and recovery?

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    A recent systematic review published in Nutrients describes the utility of postbiotics in improving exercise performance and recovery.

    Study: It’s Dead! Can Postbiotics Really Help Performance and Recovery? A Systematic Review. Image Credit: Doucefleur / Shutterstock.com

    Probiotics vs. postbiotics

    Probiotics are live microorganisms that are associated with a wide variety of health benefits to the host when administered adequately. For example, probiotics can support gut health, improve mental health, prevent cardiometabolic diseases, improve sleep quality and duration, as well as reduce allergic reactions. Probiotics exert these health benefits through their effects on the immune system by reducing intestinal pH, maintaining intestinal barrier integrity, increasing gut microbial composition and diversity, reducing inflammation, and eliminating pathogens.

    Recently, the International Society of Sports and Nutrition has stated that probiotics might be beneficial for improving exercise performance and recovery, in addition to supporting the training and competition demands of athletes.

    In addition to probiotics, postbiotics have recently gained considerable attention in healthcare due to their potential ability to improve health. A significant advantage of using postbiotics for health purposes is their longer shelf-life and reduced susceptibility to degradation due to changes in ambient conditions.

    According to the International Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), a postbiotic is defined as a preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers health benefits. Existing evidence indicates that postbiotics can exert positive health effects on gastrointestinal, dermatological, and respiratory diseases.

    Some of the different methods used to produce postbiotic preparations from live microorganisms include heat treatment, sonification, chemical treatment, and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Each method, as well as the processing condition, has a differential impact on the functionality of resulting postbiotics.

    About the study

    The authors systematically searched various electronic databases to identify studies that investigated the impact of postbiotic supplementation, specifically on exercise performance, recovery, as well as biomarkers related to muscle immune function, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

    Only peer-reviewed, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trials involving healthy adults were included in the systematic analysis. Postbiotic supplements used in these studies included paraprobiotics, Tyndallized probiotics, ghost biotics, heat-killed probiotics, inactivated probiotics, and nonviable probiotics. The different outcomes measured in these studies included exercise, exercise performance, and recovery.    

    Systematic review findings

    A total of 11 studies, including nine peer-reviewed papers and two conference abstracts, were included in the final review. These studies comprised a total of 477 participants and postbiotic supplementation periods ranging from 13 days to 12 weeks.

    Three studies directly compared the probiotic and postbiotic preparations of the same strains, including Lactiplantibaccilus plantarum TWK10, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei PS23, and Weizmannia coagulans GBI-30 6086.

    In one study investigating probiotic and postbiotic preparations of Weizmannia coagulans GBI-30 6086, none of the preparations were found to modulate the performance of healthy individuals participating in stressful lower-body exercises.

    Another comparative study showed that both probiotic and postbiotic preparations of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei PS23 can reduce the rate of muscle damage caused by maximal vertical jump, facilitate faster recovery, and improve fatigue as compared to placebo. However, only the postbiotic preparation was associated with a greater ability than the probiotic preparation to improve strength recovery.

    In one study investing probiotic and postbiotic preparations of Lactiplantibaccilus plantarum TWK10, both preparations similarly improved exercise performance. However, the probiotic preparation was superior than the postbiotic preparation in reducing glucose, lactate, and ammonia levels in response to exercise stimuli. This study also reported an increased inflammatory response to exercise in individuals supplemented with the postbiotic preparation.

    Another study investigating the effects of a postbiotic preparation of Weizmannia coagulans GBI-30 6086 reported enhanced lower body power and anti-inflammatory profiles in soldiers. Similarly, one study investigating a postbiotic preparation of Lactiplantibaccilus plantarum TWK10 revealed improvements in endurance performance, grip strength, and muscle mass in healthy exercising males.    

    Regarding other health benefits, one study investigating a postbiotic preparation of Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2809 observed preservation of natural killer cell activity and improvements in mood during strenuous exercise. Likewise, another study highlighted the ability of a postbiotic preparation of Lactococcus lactis JCM 5805 in improving antiviral responses and reducing the number of days with upper respiratory tract infection symptoms in athletes performing high-intensity training. Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities were also reported for the postbiotic preparation of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei MCC1849.   

    Significance

    Existing evidence suggests that postbiotics can be beneficial in improving mental health, reducing fatigue, and increasing the readiness of athletes across several weeks of exercise training. Thus, the current systematic review findings support the health and ergogenic benefits of postbiotic supplementation.

    Journal reference:

    • Kerksick, C. M., Moon, J. M., & Jager, R. (2024). It’s Dead! Can Postbiotics Really Help Performance and Recovery? A Systematic Review. Nutrients. doi:10.3390/nu16050720

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  • Study reveals the effects of wearing cosmetic foundation on the skin during aerobic exercise

    Study reveals the effects of wearing cosmetic foundation on the skin during aerobic exercise

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    New research published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology reveals the effects of wearing cosmetic foundation during aerobic exercise on the skin and its pores.

    The study included 43 healthy college students (20 males and 23 females). Foundation cream was applied to participants on half of the face in two different areas (forehead and upper cheek). The other half of the face served as control.

    Moisture increased after exercise in both the non-makeup and makeup zones; however, there was a greater increase in moisture in the makeup zones. This may be a result of makeup preventing moisture from evaporating from the skin. Elasticity of the skin increased after exercise, but to a greater extent in the makeup zones than in non-makeup zones.

    The size of pores increased in skin without makeup after exercise, but not significantly in skin with makeup. This may indicate that wearing makeup may block pores. Oil level increased in the non-makeup zones and decreased in the makeup zones, suggesting that it may be difficult to maintain proper oil levels on the skin when wearing makeup.

    For skin health, it’s best to exercise with your makeup removed.”


    Dongsun Park, PhD, corresponding author of the Korea National University of Education

    Source:

    Journal reference:

    Yoon, E-J., et al. (2024) Influence of cosmetic foundation cream on skin condition during treadmill exercise. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16205.

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  • How residential green spaces impact bone health and osteoporosis risk

    How residential green spaces impact bone health and osteoporosis risk

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    In a recent study published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, scientists investigate whether green spaces in residential areas were associated with a lower risk of incident osteoporosis and changes in bone mineral density.

    Study: Associations of residential greenness with bone mineral density and osteoporosis: the modifying effect of genetic susceptibility. Image Credit: Roschetzky Photography / Shutterstock.com

    The prevalence and health effects of osteoporosis

    Osteoporosis is a highly prevalent metabolic disorder in which the bone microarchitecture deteriorates and bone density decreases. Since the incidence of osteoporosis is often higher with progressing age, it is rapidly becoming a global problem due to rising life expectancy rates throughout the world. Changes in lifestyles due to modernization and the spread of urban spaces also contribute to the increasing risk of osteoporosis.

    Health problems associated with reduced bone density include chronic pain, increased probability of fractures, decreased mobility, and an overall reduction in quality of life, which impose significant economic and social burdens on patients and their families. Previous studies have found that environmental factors can play an important role in the development of osteoporosis, with high air pollution levels strongly associated with a higher risk of developing osteoporosis.

    Green spaces in urban landscapes have been shown to reduce the risk of serious health concerns such as cardiovascular disease and improve mental health by lowering air pollution levels, providing open spaces for exercise, and reducing psychological stress.

    About the study

    The present study analyzed whether long-term exposure to green spaces was associated with a reduced risk of osteoporosis and improved bone mineral density. The scientists also examined whether genetic susceptibility and exposure to green spaces affected the risk of incident osteoporosis.

    A prospective study using data from the United Kingdom Biobank was conducted, which included information on physical examination findings, demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and socioeconomic status of the participants. Green spaces in residential areas were characterized using the normalized difference vegetation index, which is based on the spectral reflectance difference between visible and near-infrared reads in a specified region.

    An ultrasound device was used to estimate the mineral density of the bone. Additionally, T-scores were calculated based on the body mass index (BMI) of the participant and BMI of a healthy adult of matching age and gender. A T-score value of less than -2.5 was set as the cut-off to define prevalent osteoporosis.

    Follow-up information such as medical records, registry data for primary care or death, and self-reports were used to confirm incident osteoporosis. Polygenic risk scores for osteoporosis from the U.K. Biobank, which were calculated using data from genome-wide association studies that were conducted to examine genetic predisposition to osteoporosis, were also included in the analysis.

    The postal codes of the participants’ areas of residence were used to determine whether they resided in rural or urban areas. Other covariates such as sex, age, education levels, annual income, ethnicity, and lifestyle factors such as smoking behavior, consumption of alcohol, and intake of healthy foods were also included as potential confounding factors in the analysis.

    Study findings

    Exposure to green spaces in residential areas was independently associated with a lower risk of developing osteoporosis and higher mineral density in the bones. The incidence of osteoporosis was also consistently lower in areas with a higher percentage of green spaces, natural environments, and domestic gardens.

    Air pollution, specifically involving nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), had a significant role in mediating the association between exposure to green spaces and the risk of osteoporosis. Psychological stress and physical activity levels also influenced the impact of green spaces on osteoporosis risk.

    Genetic susceptibility and exposure to green residential spaces together exhibited a dose-response association with the risk of osteoporosis. Exposure to green residential spaces had a stronger impact in reducing the risk of osteoporosis among individuals with low genetic susceptibility as compared to those who were genetically more susceptible to the disease.

    Conclusions

    The study findings reinforce the positive impact of urban green spaces on human health and elucidate possible mechanisms through which air pollution and exercise impact the risk of osteoporosis.

    More green spaces in urban residential areas were found to lower the risk of osteoporosis by decreasing air pollution, providing residents with green, open spaces to exercise, and lowering psychological stress. The impact of green spaces on osteoporosis risk was also associated with genetic susceptibility to the disease, with individuals who were genetically less susceptible and had more exposure to green spaces having the lowest risk of osteoporosis.

    Journal reference:

    • Tan, T., Tang, L., Guo, X., et al. (2024). Associations of residential greenness with bone mineral density and osteoporosis: the modifying effect of genetic susceptibility. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. doi:10.1136/ard-2023-224941

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  • Wearing make-up during exercise may harm your skin health

    Wearing make-up during exercise may harm your skin health

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    Exercising while wearing foundation can change our skin’s characteristics

    oneinchpunch/Shutterstock

    Wearing foundation while exercising may affect the health of the skin by changing its pore size and the subsequent release of sebum, which plays a role in keeping it healthy.

    Sukho Lee at Texas A&M University, San Antonio, and his colleagues recruited 43 college students, 20 men and 23 women. The participants first washed their faces with a cleanser. The researchers then measured skin variables on different areas of their faces, including pore size and sebum production.

    Next, a single layer of foundation was applied to all the participants’ faces, either their foreheads or cheeks, depending on which they preferred.

    They then did a moderate 20-minute workout, consisting of running on a treadmill for 5 minutes at 3 miles per hour (mph), for 10 minutes at 4 mph and for 5 minutes at 5 mph.

    After the workout, the researchers repeated the various skin measurements, finding that sebum was reduced on the areas with foundation compared with those without make-up.

    “This is a gleaming example of the deleterious effects of make-up use during exercise,” the researchers wrote in their paper. “In this study, make-up use clogged the pores, which led to a negative sebum score.” The optimal amount of sebum is unclear, with too much being linked to acne and too little causing skin irritation.

    The size of the participants’ pores also significantly increased in the areas without foundation, while there was no meaningful change to those in the made-up areas. This suggests that the foundation may have restricted pores from naturally enlarging during exercise, preventing the release of sebum and sweat, which moisturises and cools skin. The researchers didn’t assess whether these changes were linked to any skin issues.

    Wearing foundation while exercising may not have a big effect on most people who do relatively short workouts, but “we don’t know the impact for endurance-type athletes”, says Lee. The team now hopes to investigate the effects during longer exercise routines.

    Shari Lipner at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York says that the study’s split-face design is a good approach, but our skin’s characteristics vary on different parts of our face, complicating comparison. In addition, skin on the nose and around the mouth and eyes differs in thickness compared with that on the forehead or cheeks, so ideally these areas should have also been studied, she says.

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  • Walking 10,000 steps a day really does seem to make us healthier

    Walking 10,000 steps a day really does seem to make us healthier

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    New Scientist Default Image

    Walking 9000 to 10,000 steps a day appears to help ward off an early death and heart-related events

    Pippa Samaya/Getty Images/Cavan Images

    Taking between 9000 and 10,000 steps per day appears to reduce the risk of an early death or heart-related event, adding legitimacy to an idea that has been criticised as unscientific.

    The exact origin of the commonly held belief that people should aim for 10,000 steps a day is unclear, but it has been linked to a marketing campaign promoting pedometers in Japan.

    Now, a study by Matthew Ahmadi at the University of Sydney, Australia, and his colleagues suggests the figure could hold some merit.

    The team analysed more than 72,000 participants, with an average age of 61, in the UK Biobank study as they wore a movement-tracking accelerometer on their wrists for one week. “We were able to quantify daily steps,” says Ahmadi.

    The participants were then tracked for an average of just under seven years, during which time 1633 people died and 6190 heart disease-related events occurred. After adjusting for other factors that could influence the risk of illness or death over that period – such as diet quality, smoking status and doing other forms of exercise – the researchers calculated that the optimal number of steps per day appears to be between 9000 and 10,000, with the benefits then starting to tail off.

    Doing so was linked to a 39 per cent lower risk of dying during the follow-up period and a 21 per cent lower risk of a heart-related incident.

    “This paper helps the field take a great stride forward, pardon the pun, in refining the science that underpins physical activity and sedentary time guidelines,” says Dale Esliger at Loughborough University in the UK. “It does appear to support the notion that the originally non-evidence based 10,000 steps target may indeed be about right.”

    However, while Nicolas Berger at Teesside University in the UK says the study was “extremely well designed” with “rigorous methods and statistical analysis”, Esliger says wrist-worn accelerometers aren’t always the best indicator of step count.

    The researchers also didn’t consider the number of steps taken per minute. “It may be that around 6000 steps performed at a higher cadence may be just as health protective as 10,000 slower steps,” says Esliger.

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  • Increased adherence to DASH diet related to decreased probabilities of metabolic disease conditions among adolescents, particularly overweight girls

    Increased adherence to DASH diet related to decreased probabilities of metabolic disease conditions among adolescents, particularly overweight girls

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    In a recent study published in Scientific Reports, researchers evaluated the relationship between Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and metabolic health status among Iranian overweight and obese adolescents.

    Study: Association of priori-defined DASH dietary pattern with metabolic health status among Iranian adolescents with overweight and obesity. Image Credit: monticello/Shutterstock.com
    Study: Association of priori-defined DASH dietary pattern with metabolic health status among Iranian adolescents with overweight and obesity. Image Credit: monticello/Shutterstock.com

    Background

    Adolescent overweight and obesity are global health concerns associated with metabolic conditions such as hypertension, blood lipid abnormalities, impaired glucose metabolism, and insulin resistance. These diseases increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and early death—lifestyle variables such as food and physical exercise influence metabolic health.

     Recent studies report favorable relationships between high vegetable and fruit intake and low sugary beverages and fats, implying a link between healthy diets and metabolically healthy overweight or obesity. The DASH diet, which contains more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, seeds, and low-fat-type dairy foods, has been researched in adolescents, but disputed findings call for more research.

    About the study

    In the present cross-sectional study, researchers explored the metabolic impact of DASH diets among overweight and obese adolescents.

    The team surveyed 203 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years with overweight or obesity status, as determined by body mass index (BMI) values using the Quetelet formula. Eligible students did not follow weight-loss diets, had no endocrinal or genetic disease, and did not use vitamin or mineral supplements or medications that could alter their metabolic profiles. 

    The researchers obtained dietary intake data using standardized food frequency questionnaires (FFQs). They also collected data on anthropometric parameters such as circulating insulin, blood pressure, lipid profile, and fasting blood sugar. The team characterized DASH scores based on eight components, i.e., higher intake of low-fat dairy foods, whole grains, seeds, nuts, vegetables, fruits, and legumes, and lower consumption of sodium, sweetened beverages, and processed and red meats.

    The team obtained blood samples from all participants for biochemical analysis. They measured insulin levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and ascertained metabolic health status based on insulin resistance, determined using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) criteria.

    The researchers assessed physical activity levels using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) and total calorie intake using the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food composition database. They used multivariate logistic regression to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) for the association between DASH diets and metabolic health, adjusting for age, gender, physical activity, socioeconomic status, and total calorie intake.

    Results

    The mean values for age and BMI of the study participants were 14 years and 27 kg/m2, respectively. Among participants, 79 (42 girls and 37 boys, 39%) suffered from metabolically unhealthy overweight or obesity (MUO) by the IDF definition, and 62 (32 girls and 35 boys, 33%) were MUO following the IDF and HOMA-IR guidelines. Using the IDF definition, MUO prevalence in the DASH diet’s highest tertile was lower compared to the lowest statistical tertile (10 vs. 67%). Using HOMA-IR guidelines yielded similar findings (10 vs. 61%).

    Individuals in the uppermost tertile of the DASH diet were more physically active, with higher HDL-c levels and lower blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, insulin, triglyceride, and HOMA-IR levels, compared to those in the lowest tertile. Confounder adjustment showed that individuals in the highest vs. lowest DASH tertile had 91% and 92% lower MUO odds using the IDF/IR (OR, 0.09) and IDF definition (OR, 0.08), respectively.

    The highest vs. lowest DASH adherence was associated with decreased odds of hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, insulin resistance, and low HDL cholesterolemia, with odds ratios of 0.1, 0.3, 0.1, and 0.3, respectively. Subgroup analysis by BMI and sex indicated that the association was more robust among females (OR, 0.02) than males (OR, 0.09). The DASH diet likely improves metabolic health by lowering inflammation because of its high fiber, antioxidants, potassium, magnesium, and low salt content.

    Conclusions

    Overall, the study findings showed that increased adherence to the DASH diet was related to decreased probabilities of metabolic disease conditions among Iranian adolescents, particularly overweight girls. The study also found that adhering to the DASH diet reduced the risk of hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and low HDL cholesterol. Further research, including prospective surveys, could validate the study findings.

    The inverse association observed between the DASH dietary pattern and the MUO category in the current study indicates that adolescents must increase the intake of health-associated DASH components, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, low-fat-type dairy foods, whole grains, seeds, and nuts while limiting the consumption of unhealthy foods such as processed and red meats, sweetened beverages, and salt to improve dietary quality and decrease the metabolic disease burden.

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  • Can the modulation of the gut microbiome using a prebiotic improve muscle function and cognition?

    Can the modulation of the gut microbiome using a prebiotic improve muscle function and cognition?

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    In a recent study published in Nature Communications, researchers examined the efficacy of a prebiotic in improving muscular and cognitive performance vs. a placebo among elderly individuals.

    Study: Effect of gut microbiome modulation on muscle function and cognition: the PROMOTe randomised controlled trial. Image Credit: Tatiana Shepeleva/Shutterstock.com
    Study: Effect of gut microbiome modulation on muscle function and cognition: the PROMOTe randomised controlled trial. Image Credit: Tatiana Shepeleva/Shutterstock.com

    Background

    As the world’s population ages, age-related disorders such as muscle loss and cognitive impairment become more common. Researchers and physicians must acknowledge cognitive changes as part of healthy aging. Exercise can help reduce muscle loss, although elderly individuals may struggle. Interventions with physical and mental advantages are required.

    According to recent studies, alterations in the gut microbiota might influence muscle physiology and cognitive function, potentially altering anabolic resistance in older muscles and cognition. Prebiotics are associated with improved health in older individuals.

    About the study

    In the present study, researchers explored the role of gut microbiota regulation in enhancing cognition and muscular function benefits from protein supplementation and exercise in elders.

    The team conducted the PRebiotic and PrOtein on Muscle in Older Twins (PROMOTe) trial remotely using video visits, online surveys, cognitive tests, and the sending of equipment and biological samples. Participants were aged ≥60 years and had a low protein consumption of <1.0 g per kg weight per day, as established by the TwinsUK group.

    The team excluded participants with severe food allergies, ongoing or recent antibiotic use, protein supplementation, prebiotics and probiotics, and advanced renal disease. They also excluded individuals with a weight reduction of ≥5.0% of body weight in the previous year, major surgery or injury that could alter physical functions, and current participation in other interventional trials.

    The team randomized twin pairs to receive either a placebo (7.5g maltodextrin) or a prebiotic (intervention, 3.4 g inulin and 3.5 g fructo-oligosaccharides) daily for 12 weeks. They provided all individuals with 3.3g of branched-chain-type amino acid (BCAA) supplementation and resistance training. The primary objective was to reduce chair rise time (the time required to do five chair raises without using arms). Secondary outcomes included the cognitive battery factor score, the SPPB score (including chair rise time and gait speed), grip strength, gait speed, physical activity levels assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and the Simplified Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire (SNAQ) appetite scale.

    The participants completed the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) remotely, including chair rise time and handgrip strength evaluations with a dynamometer with real-time instructions from a qualified researcher. The participants provided stool samples to extract microbial DNA for gut microbiota characterization by shotgun metagenomic sequencing. The CANTAB battery includes cognitive tests for executive function, spatial working memory, and memory. The team evaluated three days of food diary data. They conducted intention-to-treat (ITT), per-protocol (PP), and heritability analyses.

    Results

    Of 626 eligible individuals, 72 were successfully recruited (36 twin pairs). The participants had a mean age of 73 and were 78% female. There were more moderate adverse effects (like abdominal bloating) in the intervention group compared to the placebo group; however, the team found no compliance-related differences, indicating that the supplements were generally well accepted. In either arm, no participants stated gastrointestinal side effects as a cause for non-adherence to the research intervention. No critical adverse effects occurred.

    There were no significant changes in findings between the PP and ITT models. The team found no significant differences between the study groups concerning primary or secondary outcomes. The intervention group outperformed the placebo group in terms of cognition first-factor scores. Furthermore, the specific cognition assessment paired associations learning showed considerably fewer errors in the intervention group than in the placebo group.

    Using Bray-Curtis dissimilarity, twin pairs’ microbiotas were considerably more similar to the microbiota compositions of unrelated people at baseline and the conclusion of the research. The alpha and beta diversity assessments revealed no significant changes between the prebiotic and placebo groups. Compositional bias-adjusted linear modeling controlling for twin- and arm-pair-associated effects showed 144 microbiota characteristics, including 109 microbiome taxa, 33 microbe functions, richness, and Faith’s phylogenetic diversity strongly associated with chair rise time.

    Correlation analysis of changes in microbiota characteristics and chair rise times throughout the research intervention period demonstrated a link between chair rise duration improvement and changes in richness, Shannon diversity, and Faith’s diversity. The study found 11 significant differences between the prebiotic and placebo groups, with the prebiotic group having higher levels of Bifidobacterium, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Phocea massiliensis. Eight microbiome traits were associated with cognitive capacity, including an increase in actinobacteria and improvements in cognition component scores.

    Conclusion

    Overall, the study found that gut microbiome manipulations can enhance cognition in elders, demonstrating the viability of remote trials for older adults. The prebiotic intervention, which was well tolerated and altered gut microbiota, increased the quantity of Bifidobacterium. However, there were no significant changes in chair rise times between the study groups. Future larger-scale research should explore the possibility of gut microbiome-targeted therapies to overcome age-related anabolic resistance.

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  • Research finds link between unhealthy eating and chronic pain severity, calls for comprehensive dietary support

    Research finds link between unhealthy eating and chronic pain severity, calls for comprehensive dietary support

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    In a recent study in Scientific Reports, researchers analyzed trends related to dietary and lifestyle habits among individuals living with chronic pain.

    Their results indicate that despite common suboptimal habits such as fast-food consumption and irregular mealtimes, many younger people, those with obesity, and individuals with extended pain expressed a desire to live healthier.

    These findings can help healthcare professionals address nutrition in pain management regimens.

    Study: Eating habits and the desire to eat healthier among patients with chronic pain: a registry-based study. Image Credit: fizkes/Shutterstock.comStudy: Eating habits and the desire to eat healthier among patients with chronic pain: a registry-based study. Image Credit: fizkes/Shutterstock.com

    Background

    Researchers believe that one in five adults worldwide lives with chronic pain, which should be treated using biopsychosocial strategies that address social, psychological, and biomedical factors and incorporate factors related to nutrition, stress reduction, sleep, exercise, and activity.

    Nutrition is closely related to chronic pain, with better nutrition correlating with better pain outcomes and vice versa. Diet can modulate inflammation, oxidative stress, gut health, and lipid and glucose metabolism while altering the central nervous system.

    Poor diet quality can also result from isolation and depression, which are commonly experienced by people living with chronic pain.

    Understanding dietary behaviors, particularly in terms of eating ultra-processed, nutrient-poor, and energy-rich foods, can help medical professionals treat chronic pain and encourage their patients to adopt more optimal dietary behaviors. However, large-scale surveys have not been used to investigate these factors.

    About the study

    Researchers recruited patients at a specialized pain and rehabilitation center in Sweden, many of whom had been diagnosed with neck pain, lower back pain, hypermobile Ehler-Danos syndrome, and fibromyalgia.

    To be included in the study, patients needed to fill up questionnaires, including self-reported height and weight, and to provide consent that their data could be utilized. Baseline information or data from before a consultation with a physician was used.

    Physical or functional impairments impacted the ability of several patients to work, and many also experienced psychosocial stresses like social isolation, depression, and anxiety.

    The researchers collected information about their pain, psychometric data, quality of life, physical disability, and socio-demographic backgrounds.

    The average pain intensity in the week preceding the survey was scored from 0 (meaning no pain) to 10 (meaning the worst possible pain level).

    Participants also provided information on when they had started feeling their current pain level and the locations of the body where they felt it, which was used to calculate a Pain Region Index (PRI).

    Depression and anxiety were each scored from 0 to 21, with a score over 10 indicating that the patient was depressed or anxious, respectively. Lifestyle factors included tobacco and alcohol consumption, adherence to regular mealtimes, and intake of fruit, vegetables, fast food, and confectionery.

    Participants were also asked to select their priorities from increasing exercise, eating healthier, ceasing smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and reducing weight. They could also state that none of these were priorities.

    Statistical tests, correlation analysis, and regression modeling were used to analyze the data, and sensitivity analysis was used to evaluate bias due to missing data.

    Findings

    Of the 2,152 people included in the study, about 72% were women, 84% had been born in a Nordic country, 20% had been to university, and less than a third were satisfied with their socioeconomic status. On average, they were 46.1 years old, and more than half were obese or overweight.

    More than 50% said they had been in pain for five years or more, reported high pain intensity and spatial extent of pain, and had either depression or anxiety or both. One in three were categorized as clinically emotionally distressed.

    Based on statistical testing, people who said they desired to eat healthier (PD) were more likely to be young than those who did not (PND), had a higher BMI, reported a longer duration of pain, had greater spatial pain extent and emotional distress, and were less satisfied with their socioeconomic status.

    Slightly over 27% of participants reported having irregular mealtimes; these were twice as common among PD participants than among PND participants.

    The PD group also reported lower fruit and vegetable intake and higher confectionary and fast-food consumption. Notably, the PD group reported lower alcohol consumption frequency than the PND group and were slightly more likely to consume tobacco.

    Correlation analysis suggested that mealtime regularity was significantly associated with pain scores, duration, and PRI, but also varied with obesity and social and demographic factors. The pain score was significantly associated with all suboptimal eating habits.

    Even in the regression model, the desire to eat healthier was significantly associated with suboptimal dietary habits.

    Multivariate regression analysis also showed that the PD group was, on average, aged between 18 and 29, more likely to be obese, and more likely to have a higher PRI.

    Conclusions

    The effectiveness of lifestyle interventions, including dietary ones, depends on the motivations and desires of the intervention group.

    These findings show that many people with suboptimal eating habits want to adopt healthier behaviors, indicating an opportunity for healthcare professionals to intervene using behavior change and education strategies to help manage chronic pain.

    Journal reference:

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  • Researchers identify potential treatment for cardiovascular disease linked to Type 2 diabetes

    Researchers identify potential treatment for cardiovascular disease linked to Type 2 diabetes

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    New research at the Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building has discovered a potential treatment for an underlying cause of cardiovascular disease in people with Type 2 diabetes.

    More than 30 million Americans live with Type 2 diabetes. One common feature of diabetes is the hardening and inflexibility of blood vessels caused by damage to the endothelial cells in the vascular system. Over time, this can lead to the development and progression of cardiovascular disease, which is the number one cause of death in diabetics. Because endothelial dysfunction is causally linked to cardiovascular disease, there is a considerable need to identify new therapeutic targets to improve endothelial function in Type 2 diabetics.

    A research team from the University of Missouri has found that neuraminidase activity is elevated in the circulation of Type 2 diabetic mice and humans. In a series of mechanistic experiments in cultured endothelial cells and isolated blood vessels, they were able to link increased neuraminidase to endothelial dysfunction. 

    Because we know that Type 2 diabetics have this increased neuraminidase circulating in their blood, and that the presence of it promotes endothelial dysfunction, it is important to target it as a means of addressing the cardiovascular complications faced by those with Type 2 diabetes.”


    Luis Martinez-Lemus, DVM, PhD, James O. Davis distinguished professor in cardiovascular research at the University of Missouri School of Medicine

    The team also found that neuraminidase inhibition using zanamivir, an oral inhalation drug used to treat the flu virus, improved endothelial function in diabetic mice. 

    “This research lays out the molecular mechanisms by which neuraminidase promotes endothelial dysfunction and these mechanisms can be exploited therapeutically,” said Jaume Padilla, PhD, an associate professor of nutrition and exercise physiology at MU. “Improving vascular function in people with Type 2 diabetes can help them live longer and better lives, which is why this research is so important.”

    “Neuraminidase inhibition improves endothelial function in diabetic mice” and “Neuraminidase-induced externalization of phosphatidylserine activates ADAM17 and impairs insulin signaling in endothelial cells” were recently published in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology. In addition to Martinez-Lemus and Padilla, the research team at MU includes Camila Manrique-Acevedo, MD, distinguished professor in diabetes and director of faculty research at the School of Medicine; Larissa Ferreira-Santos, PhD, Thaysa Ghiarone, PhD and Francisco Ramirez-Perez, PhD, postdoctoral fellows at NextGen Precision Health; Christopher Foote, PhD, assistant research professor of medical pharmacology and physiology; James Smith, Marc Augenreich, Neil McMillan, and Gavin Power, doctoral students in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology; Andrew Wheeler, MD, surgeon, MU Health Care Weight Management Center; Katherine Burr, senior research specialist at the School of Medicine; Annayya Aroor, MD, assistant research professor at the School of Medicine; Shawn Bender, PhD, associate professor, College of Veterinary Medicine; Mariana Morales-Quinones, PhD, senior research specialist at NextGen Precision Health; Morgan Williams and Juan Gonzalez-Vallejo, NextGen Precision Health.

    Source:

    University of Missouri-Columbia

    Journal references:

    • Foote, C. A., et al. (2023). Neuraminidase inhibition improves endothelial function in diabetic mice. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology. doi.org/10.1152/ajpheart.00337.2023.

    • Ferreira-Santos, L., et al. (2024). Neuraminidase-induced externalization of phosphatidylserine activates ADAM17 and impairs insulin signaling in endothelial cells. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology. doi.org/10.1152/ajpheart.00638.2023.

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  • Ginseng enhances muscle recovery and reduces fatigue in athletes

    Ginseng enhances muscle recovery and reduces fatigue in athletes

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    Ginseng is one of the most popular food supplements in the world. It is made out of various plants and herbs and is thought to provide many benefits, with numerous studies pointing at possible anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits as well as anti-cancer effects. A group of researchers at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) has now found that it can also be helpful for exercise.

    According to the findings of the study, which was carried out as part of a master’s degree final project and was recently published in the open-access journal Nutrients, taking ginseng has a direct effect on reducing fatigue and helps muscles to recover after sport.

    “We’ve found that ginseng can play a significant role as a nutritional supplement when it comes to recovering after exercise,” said Borja Muñoz, a fitness coach and one of the study’s lead authors, who has conducted this research under the supervision of his tutor Patricia Martínez, a dietician and nutritionist and course instructor at the UOC’s Faculty of Health Sciences, together with the experts Rafael Bailón and Laura Esquius, a researcher at the UOC’s Foodlab group. To carry out the study, they systematically reviewed over 700 articles from the scientific literature and meticulously analyzed their findings to confirm these benefits for healthy adults engaging in physical exercise.

    When taken together with a balanced diet, ginseng can provide additional nutrition for athletes or anyone else who does physical exercise on a regular basis. It’s also worth noting that, unless it’s medically contraindicated in any given case, taking ginseng on a regular basis is considered beneficial (or at least not harmful) for healthy people.”


    Borja Muñoz, fitness coach and one of the study’s lead authors

    Evidence and benefits of ginseng

    The review has concluded that taking ginseng can significantly reduce post-exercise muscle damage in healthy adults. Furthermore, it improves muscle regeneration and helps the body recover from both muscle fatigue and damage after physical exercise.

    Specifically, the exertion and intensity involved in sport result in damage to muscles. This is mainly inflammatory damage. The active ingredients of the compounds contained in ginseng stimulate the central nervous system, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and regulate cortisol, the stress hormone, benefiting many of the body’s metabolic functions and helping the immune system perform as it should.

    Specifically, taking ginseng systematically for a long time can mitigate the response of the biological markers, mainly creatine kinase (CK) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), responsible for exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammation. Furthermore, it reduces and mitigates the appearance of lactate in the blood. Lactate is a chemical compound produced by the body when muscles have insufficient oxygen due to overexertion that hinders muscles’ ability to contract, the main cause of muscle fatigue.

    Potential to reduce the risk of injury

    It should also be noted that, by reducing fatigue, taking ginseng on a regular basis may also help reduce the risk of injury, particularly in the case of muscles or ligaments, which can in turn improve athletic performance.

    “Although recovery times vary based on the nature of the injury and between individuals, the damaged structures share the same physiological processes. That’s why professionals in this field must obtain the most efficient physiological context, to ensure that each person can recover as well and as quickly as possible. This is where ginseng comes in, as it can play a significant role in recovering from injuries,” said Muñoz about the possible benefits to athletes, based on their own personal characteristics, of taking ginseng according to a schedule.

    A common product in traditional Chinese medicine

    The study arose from Muñoz’s interest in confirming by means of scientific evidence the empirical experiences observed by him when doing work experience as a fitness coach and injury specialist in a football club in China. Muñoz observed that ginseng, a supplement very commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, was widely used by football players, who reported beneficial effects from taking it.

    “Our aim was to learn more about the effects of ginseng in a specific situation, in this case in connection with exercise, and to provide verifiable evidence of its ability to improve the body’s response to the stimuli of chronic load in sport, helping athletes to recover between training sessions, as the footballers themselves reported that it worked just like an energy drink,” said Muñoz. In fact, there are currently countless products for athletes on the market, such as tablets and specific drinks.

    Establishing a scheduled consumption protocol for the future

    According to these experts, this may pave the way for studying the benefits of ginseng in greater depth and assessing how using it as a supplement can improve performance in sport. In fact, one of its main possible effects is stimulating and speeding up the body’s regeneration processes following muscle damage.

    “Of the possible future research we’re considering, a study to establish a scheduled consumption protocol to find out exactly how and when athletes should take ginseng to optimize its benefits within a given timeframe is particularly appealing, as the studies carried out in relation to these cases suffer from a lack of diversity and scientific evidence,” said Martínez.

    The authors stressed in this regard that the methodology to be used in each type of situation must be clarified in order to learn more about how to improve supplementation with ginseng. “There’s still a significant amount of work to do, as ginseng has potential to increase athletes’ physical performance and help prevent certain injuries, particularly muscle injuries,” concluded Muñoz.

     

    Source:

    Universitat Oberta de Catalunya

    Journal reference:

    Muñoz-Castellanos, B., et al. (2023). Effect of Ginseng Intake on Muscle Damage Induced by Exercise in Healthy Adults. Nutrients. doi.org/10.3390/nu16010090.

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