The short-term effect of dark chocolate flavanols on cognition in older adults: A randomized controlled trial (FlaSeCo).

BACKGROUND: Cocoa flavanols in the diet have had positive effects on cognition, blood lipid levels, and glucose metabolism. METHODS: Cognitively healthy older adults aged 65-75 years were recruited for an eight-week randomized, double-blind controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of cocoa flavanols on cognitive functions. At baseline, nutrient and polyphenol intakes from diet were assessed with three-day food diaries. The intervention group received 50 g dark chocolate containing 410 mg of flavanols per day, and the control group 50 g dark chocolate containing 86 mg of flavanols per day, for eight weeks. Cognition was assessed with Verbal Fluency (VF) and the Trail Making Test (TMT) A and B as the main outcome measures. Changes in blood lipids and glucose were also measured. RESULTS: The older adults participating numbered 100 (63% women), mean 69 y (range 65 to 74). They were highly educated with a mean 14.9 years of education (SD 3.6). No differences in changes in cognition were seen between groups. The mean change (± SEs) in the time to complete the TMT A and B in the intervention group was -4.6 s (-7.1 to -2.1) and -16.1 s (-29.1 to -3.1), and in the controls -4.4 s (-7.0 to -1.9) and -12.5 s (-22.8 to -2.1)(TMT A p = 0.93; TMT B p = 0.66). No difference was apparent in the changes in blood lipids, glucose levels, or body weight between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The healthy older adults showed no effect from the eight-week intake of dark chocolate flavanols on cognition.

Associations of vitamin D receptor, calcium-sensing receptor and parathyroid hormone gene polymorphisms with calcium homeostasis and peripheral bone density in adult Finns.

BACKGROUND: Thus far the search for osteoporosis candidate genes has focused less attention on the regulation of calcium homeostasis. Associations of vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI, calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) A986S and parathyroid hormone (PTH) BstBI polymorphisms with calcium homeostasis and peripheral bone density were investigated in adult Finns. METHODS: The subgroup of the population-based FINRISK survey consists of 339 healthy adults aged 31-43 years. Lifestyle data were assessed with questionnaires and food diaries. DNA was isolated from blood, and biochemical determinants of calcium metabolism were measured from blood and 24-hour urine samples. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using the DXA method at the distal forearm and by quantitative ultrasound (broadband ultrasound attenuation and speed of sound) at the calcaneus. Subjects were genotyped for VDR FokI, CaSR A986S and PTH BstBI polymorphisms. RESULTS: The CaSR 986S allele was associated with higher serum ionized calcium (p = 0.014). Forearm BMD was lowest for the PTH BstBI genotype bb in males (p = 0.023). VDR FokI and PTH BstBI polymorphisms showed a significant interaction on serum PTH (p = 0.010). The other gene-gene or diet-gene interactions studied showed no significant results. CONCLUSIONS: VDR, CaSR and PTH contribute to the genetic regulation of calcium homeostasis and peripheral bone density.