Green Beat (Austria)

With a constantly growing elderly population, incidences of neurodegenerative diseases are also rising and are expected to further increase over the next years, while costing health systems across the world trillions of dollars. Therefore, biomarkers to detect manifestations of brain aging early and interventions to slow down its pace are of great interest. In the last years, the importance of the neurotrophins brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the context of cognitive function and the aging brain has increased, besides the already well-established amyloid-beta (Aβ) and tau plaques. Due to their wide range of beneficial health effects as well as their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, a class of secondary plant-metabolites, the so-called polyphenols, gained increasing attention. In this review, we discuss the roles of BDNF, Aβ, NGF, and tau proteins as biomarkers of brain aging and the effect of dietary polyphenol interventions on these biomarkers, assessed via blood analysis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET).

IntroductionSeveral clinical trials have documented that supplementations with a whole food based encapsulated fruit/berry/vegetable juice powder supplement (Juice Plus+®) improved markers of redox biology, low‐grade inflammation and circulation. The aim of this study was whether this product provides bioavailable carotinoides and vitamins A, E and C to support mechanistic explanations for the beneficial outcomes observed in the past.MethodsIn this one‐arm clinical trial 18 healthy subjects (m/f, 20 – 50 yrs), non‐smokers, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria received the product over 8 weeks. 6 capsules a day, 2 of the fruit blend + 2 of the berry blend + 2 of the vegetable blend, were taken with meals. After wash‐out of all food supplements and dietetic foodstuff the bioavailability of several carotenoids and vitamins C, A, E was determined at baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention with the nutraceutical.ResultsAfter 8 weeks of supplementation the plasma carotenoids α‐carotene, β‐cryptoxanthine, and lycopene increased significantly (p<0.05). β‐carotene increase almost reached significance (p=0.053). Also plasma concentrations of vitamins C, A (all‐trans retinol), and α‐tocopherol increased significantly after eight weeks of supplementation. We observed no differences between genders. For those micronutrients with known reference ranges like α‐carotene, β‐carotene, and vitamins C, E and A, all observed increases leveled off around the upper limit of the individual reference range.ConclusionThe data demonstrate that the investigated fruit‐, berry‐ and vegetable‐juice concentrate is able to increase plasma carotenoids and vitamin concentrations of healthy subjects within 8 weeks. Our observations let us assume that carotenoid‐ and vitamin‐malnourished subjects could benefit from supplementation with this whole food based nutraceutical.Support or Funding InformationThis study was funded by Green Beat, Graz, Austria

Trotz Verbesserungen bei der Manufaktur von Nahrungserganzungen und bei den gesetzlichen Regelungen sind verunreinigte Nahrungserganzungsmittel fur Athleten, die unter WADA/NADA-Kontrolle (world anti doping agency/national anti doping agency) stehen, ein wichtiges Thema. Eine Kontamination eines Sportnahrungsproduktes mit verbotenen Substanzen kann zu einem positiven Dopingbefund fuhren und in weiterer Folge zu einer Sperre oder gar Karriereende des Athleten.

Obesity and sedentary lifestyle are associated with increased oxidative stress, inflammation and vessel dysfunction. Previous research has shown that an encapsulated fruit/berry/vegetable juice powder (FBV) supplement or controlled exercise training improve the markers of redox biology, low-grade inflammation and circulation. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of 8 weeks of supplementation with FBV or placebo, and a single bout of controlled walking on the markers of oxidation, inflammation and skin capillary microcirculation in forty-two obese pre-menopausal women (41 (SD 5) years, non-smokers and BMI 34·5 (SD 3·8) kg/m(2)) using a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. All assessments were made before and after 8 weeks of capsule supplementation, and pre- and post-30 min of controlled treadmill walking at 70 % of VO2max. Venous blood was collected for the determination of carbonyl proteins (CP), oxidised LDL (ox-LDL), total oxidation status (TOS) of lipids, malondialdehyde, TNF-α and IL-6. Capillary blood flow, O2 saturation of Hb (SO2Hb) and the relative concentration of Hb (rHb) were assessed at a 2 mm skin depth. Following 8 weeks of supplementation, compared with placebo, the FBV group had a significant (P< 0·05) reduction in CP, ox-LDL, TOS and TNF-α, and a significant increase in blood flow, SO2Hb and rHb. Independent of supplementation, moderate exercise significantly increased blood flow and rHb, with a trend towards increased SO2Hb. Compared with placebo, 8 weeks of supplementation with FBV decreased the markers of systemic oxidation and inflammation. Both FBV supplementation and a single walking bout improved the markers of the microcirculation in these obese women.