Trends in Nutrient- and Non-Nutrient-Containing Dietary Supplement Use among US Children from 1999 to 2016.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize dietary supplement use among US children, including product type, motivations, user characteristics, and trends over time with a primary focus on non-vitamin/non-mineral dietary supplements (NVNM). STUDY DESIGN: Overall, NVNM, and vitamin and/or mineral dietary supplement only (VM-only) use; motivations for use; and trends in use over time were examined in children (≤19 years of age) using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2016 data (n = 42 510). RESULTS: Between 1999 and 2016, overall dietary supplement and VM-only dietary supplement use among all children remained relatively stable at ∼30%; yet, NVNM dietary supplement use increased from 2.9% to 6.4%, mainly due to increased use of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. NVNM use was greater in boys than in girls (3.9% vs 3.3%), and greater in older children than in younger children (Ptrend < .0001), the opposite of what was observed with VM-only dietary supplement use. Although both user groups shared 2 primary motivations, both motivations were reported by a significantly greater percent of vitamin and/or mineral dietary supplement users vs NVNM users: to maintain health (38.7% vs 23.1%) and to improve health (33.1% vs 22.6%). NVNM users were much more likely to use dietary supplement for relaxation, stress, and sleep; for mental health; and for colon and bowel health. CONCLUSIONS: Although the prevalence of any dietary supplement and VM-only dietary supplement use among US children has both remained stable, the prevalence of NVNM use has increased substantially over time. Yet, NVNM use remains relatively low overall. NVNM use exhibited different patterns by sex, age, and motivations when compared with vitamin and/or mineral dietary supplement use. Despite increasing NVNM use, high-quality evidence supporting their use is lacking, especially in children.

A Strategy to Deliver Precise Oral Doses of the Glucosinolates or Isothiocyanates from Moringa oleifera Leaves for Use in Clinical Studies.

The tropical tree Moringa oleifera produces high yields of protein-rich leaf biomass, is widely used as a food source, contains an abundance of phytochemicals, and thus has great potential for chronic disease prevention and perhaps, treatment. We have developed and characterized standardized ways of preparing aqueous "teas" from moringa leaves to deliver precisely calibrated levels of phytochemicals for use in clinical trials. These phytochemicals, especially the glucosinolate glucomoringin and the isothiocyanate moringin, produced from it following hydrolysis by the enzyme myrosinase, provide potent anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective indirect antioxidant activity. The taste of both hot and cold teas is palatable without the need for flavor masking. These teas can be easily and reproducibly prepared in underserved tropical regions of the world where moringa is cultivated. Isothiocyanate yield from a cold extraction was rapid and essentially complete after 30 min and its anti-inflammatory potential is comparable to that of equimolar purified moringin. A preparation similar to this may be safe to consume with respect to its bacterial titer even after 48 h without refrigeration. Thus, facile delivery of moringa tea to both adults and children for clinical evaluation of their effects on such conditions as autism, diabetes, and hypertension, is now possible.

Bioavailability of Sulforaphane Following Ingestion of Glucoraphanin-Rich Broccoli Sprout and Seed Extracts with Active Myrosinase: A Pilot Study of the Effects of Proton Pump Inhibitor Administration.

We examined whether gastric acidity would affect the activity of myrosinase, co-delivered with glucoraphanin (GR), to convert GR to sulforaphane (SF). A broccoli seed and sprout extract (BSE) rich in GR and active myrosinase was delivered before and after participants began taking the anti-acid omeprazole, a potent proton pump inhibitor. Gastric acidity appears to attenuate GR bioavailability, as evidenced by more SF and its metabolites being excreted after participants started taking omeprazole. Enteric coating enhanced conversion of GR to SF, perhaps by sparing myrosinase from the acidity of the stomach. There were negligible effects of age, sex, ethnicity, BMI, vegetable consumption, and bowel movement frequency and quality. Greater body mass correlated with reduced conversion efficiency. Changes in the expression of 20 genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were evaluated as possible pharmacodynamic indicators. When grouped by their primary functions based on a priori knowledge, expression of genes associated with inflammation decreased non-significantly, and those genes associated with cytoprotection, detoxification and antioxidant functions increased significantly with bioavailability. Using principal components analysis, component loadings of the changes in gene expression confirmed these groupings in a sensitivity analysis.

Crucifers and related vegetables and supplements for neurologic disorders: what is the evidence?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Neurologic disorders have varied pathophysiology, yet many of them appear to have core molecular pathways that are aberrant. We review the evidence that a dietary component may have utility in ameliorating or preventing at least some of them. RECENT FINDINGS: The weight of evidence supporting prescriptive dietary recommendations to promote or enhance healthspan has been building for decades. Cruciferous vegetables are a key part of the arsenal of nutrition-based approaches for reducing the burden of chronic disease. Much new evidence suggests that neurological disorders are among the potential targets for this approach. This evidence includes at least nine clinical studies of neurodevelopmental conditions like autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia, and there are a great many studies in animal model systems, of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. This review highlights the most bioactive and most well-studied compounds from crucifers - the isothiocyanates, in particular sulforaphane. SUMMARY: There is great promise for the regular use of cruciferous vegetables or supplements containing standardized levels of bioactives in the treatment and prevention of neurologic disorders. Many clinical and animal studies are underway, and the evidence is building to support this strategy.