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The Effect of a Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement on Immune Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial.
Fantacone, ML, Lowry, MB, Uesugi, SL, Michels, AJ, Choi, J, Leonard, SW, Gombart, SK, Gombart, JS, Bobe, G, Gombart, AF
Nutrients. 2020;12(8)
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Vitamins and minerals are essential for a healthy immune system. The prevalence of vitamin and mineral deficiencies increases with age, and this may contribute to age-related decline of the immune system. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a daily multivitamin and mineral (MVM) supplement could improve the immune function of older people. 42 healthy adults aged between 55 and 75 took part in this single-centre, two-armed, parallel, randomised, double-blinded study. Half of the group was given a MVM supplement called Redoxon Vita Immune (VI) containing the vitamins A, D, E, C, B6, B12 and folate plus iron, copper, zinc and selenium daily for 12 weeks, whilst the other half was given placebo tablets for 12 weeks. Participants were instructed to avoid certain foods high in vitamins and minerals such as oily fish, red meat, liver, and citrus fruits during the study period. Blood and saliva samples were taken from all participants at the beginning and end of the study period, to measure vitamin and mineral status and markers of immune function. Participants also kept a diary to record any illnesses or symptoms. At the end of the study, participants given the MVM supplement had increased their blood levels of vitamin C by 126% and zinc by 43%. There was no significant change in blood levels of vitamin D. There was no significant difference in the potential of blood to kill the introduced bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, or in neutrophil activity, nor were there any significant changes in blood levels of cytokines and chemokines. Participants taking the supplement did however report a shorter length, and lower severity of illnesses compared to those taking the placebo. The authors concluded that their findings support further research to test whether MVM supplementation can improve immune outcomes in older adults.
Abstract
Older adults are at increased risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies that contribute to age-related immune system decline. Several lines of evidence suggest that taking a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement (MVM) could improve immune function in individuals 55 and older. To test this hypothesis, we provided healthy older adults with either an MVM supplement formulated to improve immune function (Redoxon® VI, Singapore) or an identical, inactive placebo control to take daily for 12 weeks. Prior to and after treatment, we measured (1) their blood mineral and vitamin status (i.e., vitamin C, zinc and vitamin D); (2) immune function (i.e., whole blood bacterial killing activity, neutrophil phagocytic activity, and reactive oxygen species production); (3) immune status (salivary IgA and plasma cytokine/chemokine levels); and (4) self-reported health status. MVM supplementation improved vitamin C and zinc status in blood and self-reported health-status without altering measures of immune function or status or vitamin D levels, suggesting that healthy older adults may benefit from MVM supplementation. Further development of functional assays and larger study populations should improve detection of specific changes in immune function after supplementation in healthy older adults. Clinical Trials Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT02876315.
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Effects of ascorbic acid supplementation on oxidative stress markers in healthy women following a single bout of exercise.
Yimcharoen, M, Kittikunnathum, S, Suknikorn, C, Nak-On, W, Yeethong, P, Anthony, TG, Bunpo, P
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2019;16(1):2
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Moderately intense exercise often causes muscle damage, which initiates an acute inflammatory response. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is suggested to provide antioxidant protection against oxidative stress. The efficacy of ascorbic acid supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative stress remains unclear. The aim of this crossover study was to determine the effects of ascorbic acid supplementation on circulating biomarkers of oxidative stress and muscle damage in 19 healthy women after a single bout of moderately-intense exercise. Participants performed 30 minutes of cycling after ingesting 1000 mg of ascorbic acid or placebo with a one-week washout period. Blood samples were taken before exercise, immediately after and 30 minutes post-exercise to determine various markers of oxidative stress and muscle damage. This study found ascorbic acid supplementation prior to moderately-intense exercise improves antioxidant capacity but does not prevent muscle damage. The exercise performed in this study did not induce systemic inflammation, only low-grade muscle damage. Based on these results, the authors suggest further investigation of the effects of ascorbic acid supplementation during exercise be done to better understand the molecular interactions of ascorbic acid during exercise.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble chain breaking antioxidant. It scavenges free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are produced during metabolic pathways. Exercise can produce an imbalance between ROS and antioxidants, leading to oxidative stress-related tissue damages. This study was designed to determine the effects of ascorbic acid supplementation on circulating biomarkers of oxidative stress and muscle damage following a single bout of exercise. METHODS In a crossover design with a 1 wk. wash-out period, 19 healthy women performed 30 min moderate-intensity cycling after ingesting 1000 mg of ascorbic acid (AA) or placebo. Blood samples were taken immediately before, immediately after and 30 min post-exercise to determine plasma albumin, total protein, glucose, oxidative stress and muscle damage markers. RESULTS Plasma albumin and total protein levels increased immediately after exercise in placebo alongside slight reductions in glucose (p = 0.001). These effects were absent in AA cohort. Ferric reducing ability of plasma and vitamin C levels in AA cohort significantly increased after exercise (p < 0.05). Superoxide dismutase activity was significantly elevated after exercise (p = 0.002) in placebo but not AA. Plasma malondialdehyde did not change after exercise in placebo but was significantly decreased in AA (p < 0.05). The exercise protocol promoted slight muscle damage, reflected in significant increases in total creatine kinase in all subjects after exercise. On the other hand, plasma C-reactive protein and lactate dehydrogenase remained unchanged. CONCLUSION Supplementation with ascorbic acid prior exercise improves antioxidant power but does not prevent muscle damage.
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Disruption of the Gut Ecosystem by Antibiotics.
Yoon, MY, Yoon, SS
Yonsei medical journal. 2018;59(1):4-12
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The gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem of different micro-organisms, such as bacteria, viruses and fungi, living in the human intestines. It’s involved in numerous functions, such as extracting energy and nutrition from food, protecting against disease-causing microorganisms, and supporting the immune system of the host, and therefore affecting human health and disease. This paper is a review of studies on the effects of antibiotics on the gut microbiota. It outlines how different types of antibiotics can alter the intestinal environment and the composition of the microbes, resulting in various physiological changes that can trigger disease. Relevant mechanisms, such as inflammatory response and the use of intestinal nutrients by infectious bacteria are discussed. Finally, it discusses faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and probiotics as treatment approaches, aimed at restoring a disturbed intestinal environment.
Abstract
The intestinal microbiota is a complex ecosystem consisting of various microorganisms that expands human genetic repertoire and therefore affects human health and disease. The metabolic processes and signal transduction pathways of the host and intestinal microorganisms are intimately linked, and abnormal progression of each process leads to changes in the intestinal environment. Alterations in microbial communities lead to changes in functional structures based on the metabolites produced in the gut, and these environmental changes result in various bacterial infections and chronic enteric inflammatory diseases. Here, we illustrate how antibiotics are associated with an increased risk of antibiotic-associated diseases by driving intestinal environment changes that favor the proliferation and virulence of pathogens. Understanding the pathogenesis caused by antibiotics would be a crucial key to the treatment of antibiotic-associated diseases by mitigating changes in the intestinal environment and restoring it to its original state.
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Effect of purple sweet potato leaf consumption on the modulation of the antioxidative status in basketball players during training.
Chang, WH, Chen, CM, Hu, SP, Kan, NW, Chiu, CC, Liu, JF
Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition. 2007;16(3):455-61
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Purple sweet potato leaves (PSPLs) have a high polyphenol content and have been shown to exhibit free-radical scavenging properties. During a training period athletes experience exercise-induced oxidative stress, and many studies have indicated that polyphenols can help prevent oxidative damage. Currently there is limited information on the physiologic and biochemical effects of dietary PSPLs in humans. The aim of this crossover study was to examine the effect of PSPLs on a variety of antioxidant status biomarkers in fifteen elite basketball players. Participants were enrolled for seven weeks and consumed a PSPL-rich diet and a control diet with a washout period in between. This study found that PSPL consumption for two weeks led to a significant increase in total plasma polyphenol concentration and vitamin E and C levels, and demonstrated a protective effect on lipid and DNA oxidation. The authors conclude that can a polyphenol-rich diet can modulate the anti-oxidative status of athletes during a training period.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of purple sweet potato leaves (PSPLs) consumption on antioxidative status and its modulation of that status in basketball players during training period. Fifteen elite basketball players were enrolled in this study. The seven-week study consisted of a run-in (week 1), PSPLs diet (daily consumption of 200 g PSPLs) (weeks 2, 3), washout (weeks 4, 5), and control diet (low polyphenol, with the amount of carotenoids adjusted to the same level as that of PSPLs) (weeks 6, 7). Blood and urine samples were taken for biochemical analysis. Compared with the control group, the results showed that PSPLs consumption led to a significant increase of plasma polyphenol concentration and vitamin E and C levels. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) lag time was significantly longer in the PSPLs group. A significant decrease of urinary 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was noted; however, there was no significant change in plasma glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant status (TAS) and malondialdehyde + 4-hydroxy-2(E)-nonenal level after consuming the PSPLs diet. In conclusion, consumption of PSPLs diet for 2 weeks may reduce lipid and DNA oxidation that can modulate the antioxidative status of basketball players during training period.