Zinc supplementation raises serum zinc and 5'-nucleotidase activities in healthy, USA middle-aged men.

Background: Many types of people have been noted to show less than maximum zinc functional status. One group that has not been examined is healthy middle-aged, non-vegetarian men in the USA. Aim: To determine if supplementation with zinc improves values for two plasma indicators of zinc status. Methods: Zinc arginate (30 mg zinc/day) was given for 6 weeks to healthy middle-aged men. Results: Supplementation produced statistically significant, but small increases in plasma values for zinc and activity of 5'-nucleotidase, a zinc enzyme. Conclusion: These results suggest that middle-aged, healthy, meat-eating US males tend to show close to maximal zinc functional status. However, such men may not have a safety margin in zinc stores that covers situations where higher than normal zinc needs develop.

Borage oil intake by overweight young adults: no effect on metabolic rate; beneficial effects on plasma triglyceride and HDL cholesterol readings.

Some research has raised the possibility that gamma linolenic acid (GLA) can increase resting metabolic rate (RMR), which can help with weight control. However, in overweight young adults with a family history of obesity, no effect on RMR was seen after a 6 weeks treatment with borage oil (880 mg GLA per day) or evening primrose oil (540 mg GLA per day). On the other hand, borage oil did lower plasma triglyceride readings and raise HDL cholesterol readings (mean starting values in normal range for triglycerides, borderline low for HDL). No effect was seen for body mass index, plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or glucose. Thus, in the type of subjects studied here, borage oil, a source of GLA, did not show promise as a weight control aid, but could help prevent undesirable readings for two blood lipid measures.

Comparison of Thymulin Activity with Other Measures of Marginal Zinc Deficiency.

Activity of the immunoregulatory peptide thymulin reflects differences in zinc status. This study compared thymulin activity with four other zinc status measures in rats fed zinc at either 5 or 25 ppm. Rats fed the lower zinc showed the following results compared with rats with adequate zinc intake: serum thymulin activity 61% lower, serum zinc 31% lower, serum extracellular superoxide dismutase 18% lower, serum 5'-nucleotidase activity 26% lower, and liver metallothionein 28% lower. Thus, thymulin activities showed more sensitivity to restricted zinc intake than did four other parameters.

Ferritin readings in young adult, female university student recreational runners.

BACKGROUND: Elite female athletes have shown vulnerability to various degrees of iron deficiency. Less is known about recreational fitness exercisers. A study was done to examine plasma ferritin, an assessor of iron status, in young adult, university student fitness runners. METHODS: The present study examined serum ferritin concentrations, an indicator of iron status, in 39 female university students (age 18-25) who ran for fitness, but ran less than competition runners. Selected subjects all reported themselves as not anemic. RESULTS: Mean + SD for 3 mile run time was 26.25 + 3.0 min. The mean ferritin reading was low: 12.4 + 12.3 ng/mL (+ SD). Out of the 39 women, 29 had readings that fell below 15 ng/mL, which some consider the cutoff for iron deficiency. In addition, all but 2 subjects had values below 35, which has been proposed as Stage 1 iron deficiency for athletes. Ferritin levels did not correlate with 3 mile run times (Pearson correlation coefficient, P > 0.05). A 1 mo intervention with 3 minerals that included iron (36 mg/day) significantly raised ferritin values when the iron was bisglycinate (p < 0.05), but not when it was ferrous sulfate (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, a degree of iron deficiency was seen in most of a group of female fitness runners (each of whom had self reported as not being anemic).

A Pilot, Randomized Study in Women of Nutrition-Related Clinical Chemistry at 6 Weeks after Roux en Y Gastric Bypass: Comparison of Two Nutrition Support Plans.

BACKGROUND: The current pilot study tested a twofold hypothesis: some nutrition-related chemical measures change by 6 weeks after Roux en Y Gastric Bypass (RNYGB); one of two nutrition support plans will prevent chemical signs of nutrition problems at 6 weeks better than the other. After RNYGB, nutrition support should begin right away. However, studies on nutritional status mostly examine subjects much later. In addition, little attention has been paid to optimizing nutrition support plans. METHODS: Premenopausal females scheduled for RNYGB were given either a commercially available meal replacement product (2 servings/day) + other supplements or just a new meal replacement (2 servings/day). The latter included some nutrient versions that might enhance absorption. Blood and urine samples were taken before and 6 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: In both groups, plasma vitamin D and B12 did not change, plasma osteopontin and vascular endothelial growth factor rose, while plasma retinol binding protein and a bone resorption marker declined. Copper status changes differed between groups based on plasma ceruloplasmin. Iron status improved in both groups (ferritin to c-reactive protein ratios). With the new formulation, magnesium status may have improved, urinary potassium rose, and blood sugar fell. In the other group, a liver damage marker increased, while homocysteine decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Nutrition-related parameters showed varying trends 6 weeks after RNYGB. Some of the trends were affected by the type of nutritional support provided.

Enhanced aerobic exercise performance in women by a combination of three mineral Chelates plus two conditionally essential nutrients.

BACKGROUND: Certain essential and conditionally essential nutrients (CENs) perform functions involved in aerobic exercise performance. However, increased intake of such nutrient combinations has not actually been shown to improve such performance. METHODS: For 1 mo, aerobically fit, young adult women took either a combination of 3 mineral glycinate complexes (daily dose: 36 mg iron, 15 mg zinc, and 2 mg copper) + 2 CENs (daily dose: 2 g carnitine and 400 mg phosphatidylserine), or the same combination with generic mineral complexes, or placebo (n = 14/group). In Trial 1, before and after 1 mo, subjects were tested for 3 mile run time (primary outcome), followed by distance covered in 25 min on a stationary bike (secondary outcome), followed by a 90 s step test (secondary outcome). To test reproducibility of the run results, and to examine a lower dose of carnitine, a second trial was done. New subjects took either mineral glycinates + CENs (1 g carnitine) or placebo (n = 17/group); subjects were tested for pre- and post-treatment 3 mile run time (primary outcome). RESULTS: In Trial 1, the mineral glycinates + CENs decreased 3 mile run time (25.6 ± 2.4 vs 26.5 ± 2.3 min, p < 0.05, paired t-test) increased stationary bike distance after 25 min (6.5 ± 0.6 vs 6.0 ± 0.8 miles, p < 0.05, paired t-test), and increased steps in the step test (43.8 ± 4.8 vs 40.3 ± 6.4 steps, p < 0.05, paired t-test). The placebo significantly affected only the biking distance, but it was less than for the glycinates-CENs treatment (0.2 ± 0.4. vs 0.5 ± 0.1 miles, p < 0.05, ANOVA + Tukey). The generic minerals + CENs only significantly affected the step test (44.1 ± 5.2 vs 41.0 ± 5.9 steps, p < 0.05, paired t-test) In Trial 2, 3 mile run time was decreased for the mineral glycinates + CENs (23.9 ± 3.1 vs 24.7 ± 2.5, p < 0.005, paired t-test), but not by the placebo. All changes for Test Formula II or III were high compared to placebo (1.9 to 4.9, Cohen's D), and high for Test Formula II vs I for running and biking (3.2 & 3.5, Cohen's D). CONCLUSION: In summary, a combination of certain mineral complexes plus two CENs improved aerobic exercise performance in fit young adult women.

A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study of spirulina supplementation on indices of mental and physical fatigue in men.

Spirulina may increase people's ability to resist mental and physical fatigue. This study tested that hypothesis in a randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled study in men. After 1 week, a 3 g/day dose of spirulina produced a small, but statistically significant increase in exercise output (Kcals consumed in 30 min exercise on a cross trainer machine). A mathematical based mental fatigue test showed improved performance 4 h after the first time of supplementation as well as 8 weeks later. Similarly, a subjective survey for a sense of physical and mental fatigue showed improvement within 4 h of the first supplementation as well as 8 weeks later. These results show that spirulina intake can affect fatigue in men.

A pilot comparison of phospolipidated lutein to conventional lutein for effects on plasma lutein concentrations in adult people.

BACKGROUND: The percent absorption of lutein from supplements falls well below that from lutein enriched egg yolk, a rich source of phospholipids. Therefore, a supplement of lutein plus phospholipids was tested for effects on serum accumulation. METHODS: A 10 day supplementation with a solid-lipid particle (SLP) lutein complex or conventional lutein ester was done in apparently healthy people (both supplement types taken with fat containing meals). Plasma lutein was measured pre- and post-supplementation as well as 7 days after supplementation stopped. Changes within each supplement group were analyzed by paired t-test; group comparisons were done by unpaired t-test. RESULTS: The solid-lipid particle complex lutein gave much higher plasma lutein values than conventional lutein ester. The lutein complex showed superior effects based on absolute mean value after 10 days of supplementation, change in value from baseline to 10 days, and value at 7 days after supplement discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: A solid lipid lutein complex strongly increased plasma lutein levels compared to a conventional form.

Moderately High Dose Zinc Gluconate or Zinc Glycinate: Effects on Plasma Zinc and Erythrocyte Superoxide Dismutase Activities in Young Adult Women.

Some zinc (Zn) research studies have used either Zn gluconate or Zn glycinate, but the two forms have not been compared much. Therefore, a moderately high dose of the two forms (60 mg Zn/day) were compared in a 6-week intervention in young adult women. Plasma Zn, the traditional assessment of Zn status, was increased in all subjects given Zn glycinate (N = 10), while no significant change was seen overall for Zn gluconate or placebo (N = 10 each). Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity, a marker for Zn-induced copper deficiency, was unchanged in all three groups. Thus, for the conditions of this study, Zn glycinate effectively changed Zn status better than Zn gluconate, but neither impacted copper status.

Diverse effects of a low dose supplement of lipidated curcumin in healthy middle aged people.

BACKGROUND: Curcumin extracts of turmeric are proposed to produce health benefits. To date, human intervention studies have focused mainly on people with existing health problems given high doses of poorly absorbed curcumin. The purpose of the current study was to check whether in healthy people, a low dose of a lipidated curcumin extract could alter wellness-related measures. METHODS: The present study was conducted in healthy middle aged people (40-60 years old) with a low dose of curcumin (80 mg/day) in a lipidated form expected to have good absorption. Subjects were given either curcumin (N = 19) or placebo (N = 19) for 4 wk. Blood and saliva samples were taken before and after the 4 weeks and analyzed for a variety of blood and saliva measures relevant to health promotion. RESULTS: Curcumin, but not placebo, produced the following statistically significant changes: lowering of plasma triglyceride values, lowering of salivary amylase levels, raising of salivary radical scavenging capacities, raising of plasma catalase activities, lowering of plasma beta amyloid protein concentrations, lowering of plasma sICAM readings, increased plasma myeloperoxidase without increased c-reactive protein levels, increased plasma nitric oxide, and decreased plasma alanine amino transferase activities. CONCLUSION: Collectively, these results demonstrate that a low dose of a curcumin-lipid preparation can produce a variety of potentially health promoting effects in healthy middle aged people.

A randomized trial of copper supplementation effects on blood copper enzyme activities and parameters related to cardiovascular health.

Marginal copper deficiency, which may affect cardiovascular disease risk, is proposed to occur in many adults in Western industrialized countries. The present study tested the hypothesis that in a group of USA adults, increased copper intake would alter readings for blood copper enzymes and markers relevant to cardiovascular disease risk. Healthy middle aged adults with moderately high cholesterol, were given either placebo or copper supplementation (2 mg copper/day as copper glycinate) for 8 weeks. Blood samples were taken before and after the 8 weeks. Copper, but not placebo, raised activities for two copper enzymes, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase 1 and plasma ceruloplasmin. In contrast, five cardiovascular health related plasma parameters were not changed significantly by copper: C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and cholesterol (total, LDL and HDL). However, changes in erythrocyte superoxide dismutase 1 correlated positively with changes in plasma HDL and negatively with plasma homocysteine. Also, copper lowered mean oxidized LDL values, a result that was statistically significant, but inconsistent. In this test population, increased copper intake raised copper enzyme activities, but did not consistently improve the cardiovascular health measures studied.

A comparison of zinc metabolism, inflammation, and disease severity in critically ill infected and noninfected adults early after intensive care unit admission.

BACKGROUND: Zinc deficiency is a cause of immune dysfunction and infection. Previous human studies have shown that the activation of the acute phase response alters zinc metabolism. Whether the alteration in zinc metabolism is predictive of disease severity in the setting of critical illness is unclear. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether differences occur in zinc metabolism at the onset of critical illness between infected (septic) and noninfected subjects. DESIGN: We conducted this prospective study in an adult medical intensive care unit (MICU) at a tertiary care hospital. Subjects were enrolled within 24 h of intensive care unit admission. Subjects who did not meet sepsis criteria were considered for the critically ill control (CIC) arm. After patient consent, blood was immediately collected to measure plasma zinc and cytokine concentrations and zinc transporter gene expression in peripheral blood monocytes. Clinical data during the MICU stay were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 56 patients were evaluated (22 septic, 22 CIC, and 12 healthy subjects). Plasma zinc concentrations were below normal in CIC patients and further reduced in the septic cohort (57.2 ± 18.2 compared with 45.5 ± 18.1 µg/dL). Cytokine concentrations increased with decreasing plasma zinc concentrations (P = 0.05). SLC39A8 gene expression was highest in patients with the lowest plasma zinc concentrations and the highest severity of illness. CONCLUSIONS: The alteration of zinc metabolism was more pronounced in septic patients than in noninfected critically ill patients. Specifically, sepsis was associated with lower plasma zinc concentrations and higher SLC39A8 mRNA expression, which correlated with an increased severity of illness, including cardiovascular dysfunction.

Selenium glycinate supplementation increases blood glutathione peroxidase activities and decreases prostate-specific antigen readings in middle-aged US men.

Two concepts are often currently applied to selenium in adult men in the United States: • Intake is generally enough to maximize blood glutathione peroxidase activities. • In such men, selenium supplementation does not reduce risk of prostate cancer. In contrast to these concepts, 30 healthy middle-aged men were studied to test the following hypothesis: 6-week supplementation of 200 µg of selenium as glycinate can raise activities of 2 blood selenium enzymes and lower a marker of prostate cancer risk. The hypothesis was confirmed, in that selenium supplementation raised activities for erythrocyte and plasma glutathione peroxidase as well as lowered values for plasma prostate-specific antigen. The enzyme activity increases were not extremely large, but based on a chicken study, changes in blood glutathione peroxidase activities can reflect bigger changes in the prostate. Placebo treatment did not duplicate the selenium effects in 30 other men. In conclusion, this study suggests that US middle-aged men may not typically consume optimal amounts of selenium.

Zinc for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: placebo-controlled double-blind pilot trial alone and combined with amphetamine.

OBJECTIVE: To explore effects of zinc supplementation in American children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Mideastern trials reported significant benefit from 13-40 mg elemental zinc as the sulfate. METHOD: We randomly assigned 52 children aged 6-14 with DSM-IV ADHD to zinc supplementation (15 mg every morning [qAM] or two times per day [b.i.d.] as glycinate, n = 28) or matched placebo (n = 24) for 13 weeks: 8 weeks monotherapy and then 5 weeks with added d-amphetamine (AMPH). AMPH dose was weight-standardized for 2 weeks and then clinically optimized by week 13. Zinc glycinate was chosen as having less gastrointestinal discomfort than sulfate. Hypotheses were that zinc would improve inattention more than placebo by effect size of d > 0.25 at 8 weeks; zinc+AMPH would improve ADHD symptoms more than placebo+AMPH by d > 0.25, and optimal dose of AMPH with zinc would be 20% lower than with placebo. An interim analysis requested by the National Institute of Mental Health resulted in an increased dosage, so that 20 received 15 mg/day qAM and 8 received 30 mg/day (15 mg b.i.d.) RESULTS: Only the third hypothesis was upheld: Optimal mg/kg AMPH dose with b.i.d. zinc was 37% lower than with placebo. Other clinical outcomes were equivocal, sometimes favoring zinc, sometimes placebo, but objective neuropsychological measures mostly favored b.i.d. zinc (d = 0.36-0.7). Safety tests and adverse events were not different between groups. Copper and iron blood indices were not impaired by 8 weeks of 30 mg/day zinc. CONCLUSION: Doses up to 30 mg/day of zinc were safe for at least 8 weeks, but clinical effect was equivocal except for 37% reduction in amphetamine optimal dose with 30 mg/day zinc (not with 15 mg). Possible reasons for difference from mideastern reports include endemic diets, population genetics, relative rate of zinc deficiency, difference in background nutrition, insufficient dosage or absorption, or wrong anion (sulfate may be necessary for reported benefit). Dose may be especially important: All visually impressive advantages over placebo appeared only with 15 mg b.i.d. rather than once a day. Future research should use larger doses than 15 mg/day, provide a basic recommended daily allowance/intake multivitamin/mineral supplement for all to standardize background nutrition, select participants for low zinc, and consider the issue of anion interaction.

Anti-heartburn effects of a fenugreek fiber product.

Frequent heartburn occurs in many people, some of whom prefer alternative treatments over conventional drugs. In a pilot study of subjects with frequent heartburn, 2 week intake of a fenugreek fiber product, taken 30 min before two meals/day, diminished heartburn severity. This conclusion was based on symptom diary results and reduced the use of a mild antacid as a rescue medicine. Improvement for each of the 2 weeks was judged by comparison with results from a baseline week. Placebo also produced some statistically significant effects, but the fiber product's effects differed significantly from the placebo. Moreover, the fenugreek fiber effects were generally similar to the results produced by an OTC antacid medication (ranitidine at 75 mg, twice a day). This study suggests that people with certain degrees of heartburn can benefit from a fenugreek fiber product.

A pilot study of copper supplementation effects on plasma F2alpha isoprostanes and urinary collagen crosslinks in young adult women.

Marginal copper deficiency has been proposed to occur frequently, but the benefits of correction remain largely uncharacterized. Two benefits could be reduced oxidant stress and better crosslinking of collagen in bone. Copper intake was increased in 8 female university students by supplementation with copper glycinate (2 mg copper/day) for 8 weeks. Supplementation improved copper status based on serum activity of two copper enzymes, ceruloplasmin and diamine oxidase (9% and 75% mean increase, respectively). No effect was seen for erythrocyte copper-zinc superoxide dismutase. Supplementation produced a 39% mean decrease in plasma for F(2alpha)-isoprostanes (a marker of oxidant stress), and gave a 62% increase in the urine ratio of collagen crosslinks to a measure of total collagen. None of the supplementation effects were duplicated for 8 women given placebo. In conclusion, this pilot study found that in young adult women, increased copper intake can alter biochemical parameters relevant to copper function.

Zinc deficiency increases organ damage and mortality in a murine model of polymicrobial sepsis.

OBJECTIVE: Zinc deficiency is common among populations at high risk for sepsis mortality, including elderly, alcoholic, and hospitalized patients. Zinc deficiency causes exaggerated inflammatory responses to endotoxin but has not been evaluated during bacterial sepsis. We hypothesized that subacute zinc deficiency would amplify immune responses and oxidant stress during bacterial sepsis {lsqb;i.e., cecal ligation and puncture (CLP){rsqb; resulting in increased mortality and that acute nutritional repletion of zinc would be beneficial. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study. SETTING: University medical center research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Adult male C57BL/6 mice. INTERVENTIONS: Ten-week-old, male, C57BL/6 mice were randomized into three dietary groups: 1) control diet, 2) zinc-deficient diet for 3 weeks, and 3) zinc-deficient diet for 3 weeks followed by oral zinc supplementation for 3 days (n = 35 per diet). Mice were then assigned to receive either CLP or sham operation (n = 15 each per diet). CLP and sham-operated treatment groups were further assigned to a 7-day survival study (n = 10 per treatment per diet) or were evaluated at 24 hours (n = 5 per treatment per diet) for signs of vital organ damage. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Sepsis mortality was significantly increased with zinc deficiency (90% vs. 30% on control diet). Zinc-deficient animals subject to CLP had higher plasma cytokines, more severe organ injury, including increased oxidative tissue damage and cell death, particularly in the lungs and spleen. None of the sham-operated animals died or developed signs of organ damage. Zinc supplementation normalized the inflammatory response, greatly diminished tissue damage, and significantly reduced mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Subacute zinc deficiency significantly increases systemic inflammation, organ damage, and mortality in a murine polymicrobial sepsis model. Short-term zinc repletion provides significant, but incomplete protection despite normalization of inflammatory and organ damage indices.

Pomegranate extract mouth rinsing effects on saliva measures relevant to gingivitis risk.

Pomegranate components have properties that could promote oral health, including reducing the risk of gingivitis. The present study examined young adults (n = 32, split evenly among both genders), for the effects of 4 weeks of thrice daily mouth rinsing with the pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) extract PomElla dissolved in water. This treatment changed salivary measures relevant to oral health including gingivitis. The changes were: reduced total protein (which can correlate with plaque forming bacteria readings), reduced activities of aspartate aminotransferase (an indicator of cell injury), reduced alpha-glucosidase activity (a sucrose degrading enzyme), increased activities of the antioxidant enzyme ceruloplasmin (which could give better protection against oral oxidant stress) and increased radical scavenging capacity (though this increase was significant only by nonparametric statistical analysis). A placebo of cornstarch in water did not affect these measures. These data raise the possibility of using pomegranate extracts in oral health products such as toothpaste and mouthwashes.