Role of ß-Alanine Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Mood, and Physical Function in Older Adults; Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study.

This study investigated 10 weeks of ß-alanine (BA) supplementation on changes in cognitive function, mood, and physical performance in 100 older adults (70.6 ± 8.7 y). Participants were randomized into a BA (2.4 g·d-1) or placebo (PL) group. Testing occurred prior to supplementation (PRE), at the midpoint (MID), and at week-10 (POST). Participants completed cognitive function assessments, including the Montreal cognitive assessment (MOCA) and the Stroop pattern recognition test, at each testing session. Behavioral questionnaires [i.e., the profile of mood states, geriatric depression scale (GDS), and geriatric anxiety scale (GAS)] and physical function assessments (grip strength and timed sit-to-stand) were also conducted. No difference between groups was noted in MoCA scores (p = 0.19). However, when examining participants whose MOCA scores at PRE were at or below normal (i.e., ≤26), participants in BA experienced significant improvements in MOCA scores at MID (13.6%, p = 0.009) and POST (11.8%, p = 0.016), compared to PL. No differences were noted in mood scores, GAS, or any of the physical performance measures. A significant decrease was observed in the GDS for participants consuming BA but not in PL. Results suggested that BA supplementation can improve cognitive function in older adults whose cognitive function at baseline was at or below normal and possibly reduce depression scores.

Effects of High-Dose, Short-Duration ß-Alanine Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Mood, and Circulating Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF) in Recreationally-Active Males Before Simulated Military Operational Stress.

Introduction: ß-alanine (BA) supplementation may improve cognition and mitigate symptoms of anxiety and depression associated with aging, neurological disorders, and physical exertion, which has been attributed to increases in brain carnosine and/or brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). BA also provides beneficial effects on cognition, mood, and physical performance during military operations; however, whether BA can attenuate mood disruptions and cognitive dysfunction associated with the anticipatory stress prior to simulated military operations is unknown.Purpose: The present study examined the effects of 14 days of BA (12 g·day-1) supplementation on cognitive function, mood, and circulating BDNF concentrations in recreationally-active, healthy males with limited inflammation and oxidative stress prior to a 24h simulated military operation.Methods: Participants were randomized into BA (n = 10) or placebo (n = 9; PL) for 14 days. Cognitive function, mood, and circulating BDNF were assessed before (PRE) and after (POST) supplementation. Cognition was assessed via multiple object tracking (Neurotracker™), visuomotor reaction time (Dynavision™), mathematical processing (Serial Subtraction Test), and neuropsychological assessments (ANAM™). Mood was assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. After POST testing, subjects underwent a 24h simulated military operation.Results: No change in measures of cognitive function or BDNF concentrations were observed (p > 0.05). However, BA experienced significant reductions (p = 0.046) in subjective feelings of depression, while PL experienced significant reductions (p = 0.021) in feelings of vigor from PRE to POST.Conclusions: High-dose, short-duration BA supplementation does not appear to affect cognitive function or circulating BDNF, but may mitigate the onset of negative mood states in healthy, recreationally-active males prior to a simulated military operation.

Effect of ß-Alanine Supplementation on Monocyte Recruitment and Cognition During a 24-Hour Simulated Military Operation.

Wells, AJ, Varanoske, AN, Coker, NA, Kozlowski, GJ, Frosti, CL, Boffey, D, Harat, I, Jahani, S, Gepner, Y, and Hoffman, JR. Effect of ß-alanine supplementation on monocyte recruitment and cognition during a 24-hour simulated military operation. J Strength Cond Res 34(11): 3042-3054, 2020-Sustained military operations (SUSOPs) result in psychological stress and cognitive dysfunction, which may be related to the recruitment of classical monocytes into the brain. This study examined the effect of beta-alanine (BA) on cognition and monocyte recruitment during a simulated 24-hour SUSOP. Nineteen healthy men ingested 12-g/d BA or placebo for 14 days before an SUSOP. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), C-C chemokine receptor-2 (CCR2), and macrophage-1-antigen (CD11b) expression were assessed through multiplex assay and flow cytometry. Psychological stress and cognition were assessed through Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM). A composite measure of cognition (COGcomp) was generated from throughput scores extracted from 7 ANAM cognitive tests. Assessments occurred at baseline (0H), 12 hours (12H), 18 hours (18H), and 24 hours (24H). Significance was accepted at p ≤ 0.05. No significant effect of BA was noted for any variable (p's > 0.05). The frequency and severity of symptoms of psychological stress increased significantly at 18 and 24H compared with 0 and 12H (p's < 0.05). COGcomp decreased significantly at 18 and 24H compared with 0 and 12H (p's ≤ 0.001). MCP-1 peaked at 18H was significantly lower at 24H compared with 18H but remained elevated at 24H compared with 0H (p's < 0.001). CCR2 expression was significantly lower at 12 (p = 0.031), 18, and 24H (p's < 0.001). CD11b expression was significantly higher at 12H (p = 0.039) and 24H (p's = 0.003). MCP-1 was negatively associated with COGcomp (ß = -0.395, p = 0.002, r2 = 0.174). Neither CCR2 or CD11b was related to COGcomp (p's > 0.05). Cognitive dysfunction during SUSOPs is related to serum concentrations of MCP-1 but is not influenced by BA supplementation.

Ergogenic Effects of 8 Days of Sceletium Tortuosum Supplementation on Mood, Visual Tracking, and Reaction in Recreationally Trained Men and Women.

Hoffman, JR, Marcus, I, Dubnov-Raz, G, and Gepner, Y. Ergogenic effects of 8 days of Sceletium tortuosum supplementation on mood, visual tracking, and reaction in recreationally trained men and women. J Strength Cond Res 34(9): 2476-2481, 2020-Sceletium tortuosum (ST) is a South African plant that has been reported to promote a sense of well-being in healthy individuals and used in treating people with anxiety, stress, or depression. These studies have been conducted in middle-aged and older adults, but no investigations have been performed in a healthy, young adult population. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of 8 days of ST extract (25-mg) supplementation on changes in reactive agility, visual tracking, and mood. Sixty recreationally trained men (n = 48) and women (n = 12), between 20 and 35 years, were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: ST or placebo (PL). Subjects were tested on 2 occasions: before supplementation and 2-hours after supplementation on day 8. Subjects completed a subjective questionnaire to assess alertness and energy using a visual analog scale (VAS). In addition, subjects completed the Profile of Mood States questionnaire and performed reactive agility and visual tracking assessments. Significant improvements were noted for ST in complex reactive performance that required subjects to respond to repeated visual stimuli with a cognitive load compared with PL. However, no significant changes were noted between the groups in either VAS or total mood score. In addition, no differences were observed in simple reaction assessments. The results of this study demonstrate an ergogenic benefit in complex reactive tasks that include a cognitive load. However, in this subject population studied, no benefits in mood were observed.

The Effect of 2 Weeks of Inactivated Probiotic Bacillus coagulans on Endocrine, Inflammatory, and Performance Responses During Self-Defense Training in Soldiers.

Hoffman, JR, Hoffman, MW, Zelicha, H, Gepner, Y, Willoughby, DS, Feinstein, U, and Ostfeld, I. The Effect of 2-Weeks of Inactivated Probiotic Bacillus coagulans on Endocrine, Inflammatory and Performance Responses During Self-Defense Training in Soldiers. J Strength Cond Res 33(9): 2330-2337, 2019-The effect of 2 weeks of inactivated Bacillus coagulans (iBC) ingestion on performance and inflammatory cytokines was examined during a self-defense course in soldiers. Sixteen male soldiers were randomly assigned to either iBC (n = 8) or placebo (PL; n = 8) in this double-blind study. Participants were garrisoned on base and participated in the same training tasks. Assessments were conducted in a single day before (PRE) and after the supplementation period (POST). During each testing session, participants were assessed for vertical jump power (VJP), muscle endurance, simulated casualty drag, and 2 100-m shuttle runs. Resting blood measures for testosterone, cortisol, creatine kinase, and inflammatory cytokines were also assessed. Mann-Whitney analysis of change (Δ) scores indicated no significant change (p's > 0.05) in any of the performance or blood variables. However, a trend (p = 0.089) was noted in the Δ score for VJP in iBC compared with PL. In addition, trends were observed in the change in IL-10 (p = 0.057) and IFNγ (p = 0.057). Magnitude based inferential analysis indicated that changes in VJP and simulated casualty drag were likely beneficial (90.7 and 80.4% likelihood effect, respectively) for iBC. In addition, iBC supplementation very likely augmented IL-10 concentrations, but was possibly negative for changes in IL-6, and likely negative for changes in TNFα and IFNγ. Changes in all other performance and blood markers were unclear. Results indicated that 2 weeks of iBC supplementation appeared to be beneficial for maintaining power and short-term speed performance, while attenuating the inflammatory response during intense training in a military self-defense course.

Effect of ß-alanine supplementation on carnosine and histidine content in the hippocampus of 14-month-old rats.

Carnosine and histidine content in the hippocampus of 14-month-old male rats was examined following 30 days of ß-alanine supplementation. All animals were provided identical diets; however, 100 mg of ß-alanine was mixed with glucomannan (80:20 blend) in the water of ß-alanine supplemented animals. Hippocampal carnosine content was significantly greater (p = 0.005) for ß-alanine compared with control, while no differences (p = 0.438) were noted in histidine content between groups. Results provide initial evidence that ß-alanine supplementation increases carnosine content in the hippocampus of middle-aged rats, without compromising histidine content. ß-Alanine supplementation increases hippocampal carnosine content without compromising histidine content in middle-aged rats.

ß-Alanine supplementation reduces anxiety and increases neurotrophin expression in both young and older rats.

The effect of 30 days of ß-alanine supplementation (100 mg/kg) on behavioral response and expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and markers of inflammation was examined in both young (4 months) and older (14 months) rats. We hypothesized that animals fed ß-alanine would experience reduced inflammation and an enhanced neurotrophin and behavioral response. Animals were assigned to either a control group, in which young or older rats were fed regular chow and water, or a ß-alanine group, in which rats were fed regular chow and provided ß-alanine in their water. Behavior measures were conducted following the 30-day supplementation period, which included spatial learning, memory, and an anxiety index. Hippocampal expressions of BDNF, NPY, glial fibrillary acidic protein, nuclear factor-κB p50 and p65 subunits, tumor necrosis factor-α, and cyclooxygenase-2 were also analyzed. Learning ability was reduced (P = .001) and anxiety index was higher (P = .001) in older compared to young rats. Similarly, BDNF and NPY expressions were reduced and all inflammatory markers were elevated (P < .05) in the older animals. ß-Alanine increased BDNF expressions in the cornu ammonis area 1 (P = .003) and 3 (P < .001) subregions of the hippocampus. BDNF expression for younger rats in the ß-alanine group was also significantly greater than younger rats in the control group in cornu ammonis area 3. Learning for young animals fed ß-alanine was significantly better than all other groups. Significant reductions in anxiety were noted in both older and younger rats fed ß-alanine compared to age-matched controls. Results indicated that ß-alanine ingestion in both young and older rats was effective in attenuating anxiety and augmenting BDNF expression in the hippocampus.

Benefits of ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate supplementation in trained and untrained individuals.

ß-Hydroxy-ß-Methylbutyrate (HMB) is a metabolite of the branched-chain amino acid leucine and its ketoacid α-ketoisocaproate. HMB has been widely used as an ergogenic supplement to increase muscle strength, muscle hypertrophy and enhance recovery. The physiological mechanisms that underlie these benefits are related to HMB's ability to stimulate muscle protein synthesis and minimize muscle breakdown. Although evidence supporting the benefits of HMB supplementation is not conclusive, many of these studies have suffered from methodological flaws including different formulations, supplement duration and population studied. HMB in its free acid formulation is suggestive of having a greater potential for efficacy in both trained and untrained populations than its calcium-salt form. However, the evidence regarding HMB's role in limiting muscle degradation and increasing muscle protein synthesis has created an exciting interest in examining its efficacy among untrained individuals. Recent investigations examining intense training have demonstrated efficacy in maintaining muscle mass and attenuating the inflammatory response.

Effects of ß-alanine supplementation on physical performance, cognition, endocrine function, and inflammation during a 24 h simulated military operation.

Sustained military operations (SUSOPs) are associated with performance decrements and cognitive dysfunction. ß-Alanine (BA) supplementation may have a role in increasing soldier resiliency by enhancing muscle-buffering capacity and reducing oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of BA on physical performance, cognition, endocrine function, and inflammation during a 24 h simulated SUSOP. Nineteen males were randomized into one of two groups: BA (n = 10) or placebo (n = 9; PLA) (12 g/day) for 14 days preceding the 24 h SUSOP. Assessments were performed at 0 h (0H), 12 h (12H), and 24 h (24H) during the SUSOP. No changes in visual tracking ability, jump power, or upper-body muscular endurance were observed between groups or time points (P's > 0.05). Increases in subjective feelings of soreness and fatigue were noted at 12H compared to 0H (P < 0.05) in PLA, but not in BA. Visual reaction time for PLA was slower at 24H compared to 0H (P = 0.035), and PLA made more errors on reaction time testing at 12H compared to BA (P = 0.048), but motor reaction time was faster (P = 0.016) for PLA. Simulated litter carry and 1 km run completion times increased at 24H compared to 0H in both groups (P < 0.05), however, PLA had a longer 1 km time compared to BA at 24H (P = 0.050). Increases in inflammatory and endocrine markers were observed over the SUSOP, with no differences between groups. BA supplementation appears to maintain some aspects of cognition and physical performance during a 24 h SUSOP, with no effects on endocrine function or inflammation.

Effect of High-Dose, Short-Duration ß-Alanine Supplementation on Circulating IL-10 Concentrations During Intense Military Training.

Hoffman, JR, Gepner, Y, Hoffman, M, Zelicha, H, Shapira, S, and Ostfeld, I. Effect of high dose, short-duration ß-alanine supplementation on circulating IL-10 concentrations during intense military training. J Strength Cond Res 32(10): 2978-2981, 2018-This study examined the effect of ß-alanine as a potential anti-inflammatory agent during intense military training. Twenty soldiers (20.1 ± 0.6 years) from an elite combat unit were randomly assigned to either a ß-Alanine (BA) or placebo (PL) group. Soldiers were provided with 12 g·d of either BA or PL for 7 days between 2 intensive periods of navigational training and restricted sleep. During the initial training period, soldiers navigated on average 27.8 km·d with ∼50% of their body mass in their packs for 5 days. Soldiers returned to base and began a 7-day supplementation program before departing for an additional period of intense field training. During the second period of field training, soldiers navigated 10 km·d for an additional 5 days, carrying similar loading as the initial week, performed tactical missions, and slept approximately 5 hours per day. Blood samples were obtained after the initial training period and after the second training period and analyzed for IL-10. Magnitude-based inferences that were used to provide inferences on the true effect BA may have had on IL-10 concentrations compared with PL, calculated from 90% confidence intervals. Data analysis indicated that changes in circulating IL-10 concentrations (mean difference 0.86 pg·ml) were possibly greater (57%) for BA than PL. Results of this study suggest that 1 week of high-dose BA ingestion may enhance the anti-inflammatory response during intense military training, suggesting a potential therapeutic role of BA during intense training.

Combined effect of Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 and HMB supplementation on muscle integrity and cytokine response during intense military training.

The purpose of this study was to compare the coadministration of the probiotic Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 (BC30) with ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate (HMB) calcium (CaHMB) to CaHMB alone on inflammatory response and muscle integrity during 40 days of intense military training. Soldiers were randomly assigned to one of two groups: CaHMB with BC30 (CaHMBBC30; n = 9) or CaHMB with placebo (CaHMBPL, n = 9). A third group of participants served as a control (CTL; n = 8). During the first 28 days soldiers were garrisoned on base and participated in the same training tasks. During the final 2 wk soldiers navigated 25-30 km per night in difficult terrain carrying ~35 kg of equipment. All assessments (blood draws and diffusion tensor imaging to assess muscle integrity) were conducted before and ~12 h after final supplement consumption. Analysis of covariance was used to analyze all blood and muscle measures. Significant attenuations were noted in IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-6, CX3CL1, and TNF-α for both CaHMBBC30 and CaHMBPL compared with CTL. Plasma IL-10 concentrations were significantly attenuated for CaHMBBC30 compared with CTL only. A significant decrease in apparent diffusion coefficients was also observed for CaHMBBC30 compared with CaHMBPL. Results provide further evidence that HMB supplementation may attenuate the inflammatory response to intense training and that the combination of the probiotic BC30 with CaHMB may be more beneficial than CaHMB alone in maintaining muscle integrity during intense military training.NEW & NOTEWORTHY ß-Hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate (HMB) in its free acid form was reported to attenuate inflammation and maintain muscle integrity during military training. However, this formulation was difficult to maintain in the field. In this investigation, soldiers ingested HMB calcium (CaHMB) with Bacillus coagulans (BC30) or CaHMB alone during 40 days of training. Results indicated that CaHMB attenuated the inflammatory response and that BC30 combined with CaHMB may be more beneficial than CaHMB alone in maintaining muscle integrity during intense military training.

The effect of HMB ingestion on the IGF-I and IGF binding protein response to high intensity military training.

OBJECTIVE: Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a metabolic and anabolic biomarker that has been proposed to reflect physiological adaptations resulting from multistressor environments. The bioactivity of IGF-I is regulated by seven different insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) which act not only as carriers of IGF-1, but also function as a modulator of IGF-I availability and activity. Supplementing with ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate (HMB) has been shown to enhance physiological outcomes associated with intense training, and has been reported to augment the IGF-1 response. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of 23days of HMB supplementation on circulating levels of IGF-I and IGFBPs in combat soldiers during highly intense military training. METHODS: Thirteen male soldiers from an elite infantry unit volunteered to participate in this double-blind, parallel design study. Soldiers were provided 3g·day-1 of either HMB (n=6) or placebo (PL; n=7). During the study soldiers performed advanced military training with periods of restricted sleep and severe environmental stressors. Blood samples were obtained prior to (PRE) and approximately 18h following the final supplement consumption (POST). RESULTS: No significant differences were observed for circulating IGF-1 concentrations between HMB and PL (p=0.568). In addition, no differences were seen between the groups for IGFBP-1 (p=1.000), IGFBP-2 (p=0.855), IGFBP-3 (p=0.520), IGFBP-4 (p=0.103), IGFBP-5 (p=0.886), or IGFBP-6 (p=0.775). A significant difference was noted between HMB (169.9±23.0ng·ml-1) and PL (207.2±28.0ng·ml-1) for IGFBP-7 at POST (p=0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Although the results of this study do not support the influence of HMB supplementation on circulating concentrations of IGF-1 or IGFBPs1-6 during high intensity military training, it does present initial evidence that it may lower circulating IGFBP-7 concentrations. This may provide some indication of a reduced stress response, but further investigation on the physiological role of IGFBP-7 and military training is needed.

Higher visceral adiposity is associated with an enhanced early thermogenic response to carbohydrate-rich food.

BACKGROUND: Studies examining the dynamics of the thermic effect of feeding (TEF) of specific food items and the relationship of TEF to visceral adiposity are limited. METHODS: We measured resting energy expenditure (REE) and early-TEF (40-min postprandial, e-TEF) after 8-h fast by indirect calorimetry in 40 obese men, and imaged abdominal fat tissues by magnetic resonance imaging. Each participant was examined on two occasions, 3-weeks apart. At each examination we measured fasting REE and then postprandial REE following the isocaloric [∼380 kcal] consumption of either 56 gr walnuts [(8% carbohydrates; 84% fat, of which 72% polyunsaturated fat)], or 5-slices (150gr) of whole-grain bread (48% carbohydrates; 32% fat). e-TEF was calculated as the area under the curve between the fasting and postprandial tests. RESULTS: Participants had a mean age of 45 ± 8 years, body-mass-index (BMI) = 31.1 ± 3.8 kg/m(2), total abdominal fat area = 901.4 ± 240 cm(2), visceral fat area (VAT) = 260 ± 102.9 cm(2), fasting REE = 1854 ± 205 kcal, REE/kg = 19.39 ± 1.73 kcal/kg, and respiratory quotient (RQ, CO2 eliminated/O2 consumed) = 0.82 ± 0.04. Individuals who exhibited increased e-TEF (top ΔAUC median) to bread had higher VAT (299 cm(2) vs. 223 cm(2); p = 0.024) and higher BMI (32.4 kg/m(2) vs. 30.0 kg/m(2); p = 0.013), compared to their peers with the lower e-TEF response (ΔAUC below median). As expected, postprandial e-TEF was higher after whole-grain bread consumption [ΔAUC = +14 kcal/40min] compared to walnuts [ΔAUC = -2 kcal/40 min; p < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Higher early thermic effect of high-carbohydrate food, likely reflecting digestion, early absorption and/or sympathetic tone (rather than metabolic utilization (oxidation)), associates with visceral adiposity. Future studies are required to determine if this association represents an added causality between early carbohydrate processing and visceral fat accumulation.