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Effect of cinnamon spice on continuously monitored glycemic response in adults with prediabetes: a 4-week randomized controlled crossover trial.
Zelicha, H, Yang, J, Henning, SM, Huang, J, Lee, RP, Thames, G, Livingston, EH, Heber, D, Li, Z
The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2024;(3):649-657
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous clinical studies showing that cinnamon spice lowers blood glucose concentrations had inconsistent results. OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of daily cinnamon spice supplementation in an amount commonly used for seasoning on glucose concentrations in adults with obesity and prediabetes. METHODS Following a 2-wk run-in period of maintaining a low polyphenol/fiber diet, 18 participants with obesity and prediabetes underwent a 10-wk randomized, controlled, double-blind, crossover trial (mean age 51.1 y; mean fasting plasma glucose 102.9 mg/dL). The participants were randomly assigned to take cinnamon (4 g/d) or placebo for 4-wk, followed by a 2-wk washout period, and then crossed over to the other intervention for an additional 4-wk. Glucose changes were measured with continuous glucose monitoring. Oral glucose tolerance testing immediately following ingestion of cinnamon or placebo was performed at 4-time points to assess their acute effects both at the baseline and end of each intervention phase. Digestive symptom logs were obtained daily. RESULTS There were 694 follow-up days with 66,624 glucose observations. When compared with placebo, 24-h glucose concentrations were significantly lower when cinnamon was administered [mixed-models; effect size (ES) = 0.96; 95 % confidence interval (CI): -2.9, -1.5; P < 0.001]. Similarly, the mean net-area-under-the-curve (netAUC) for glucose was significantly lower than for placebo when cinnamon was given (over 24 h; ES = -0.66; 95 % CI: 2501.7, 5412.1, P = 0.01). Cinnamon supplementation resulted in lower glucose peaks compared with placebo (Δpeak 9.56 ± 9.1 mg/dL compared with 11.73 ± 8.0 mg/dL; ES = -0.57; 95 % CI: 0.8, 3.7, P = 0.027). Glucose-dependent-insulinotropic-polypeptide concentrations increased during oral glucose tolerance testing + cinnamon testing (mixed-models; ES = 0.51; 95 % CI: 1.56, 100.1, P = 0.04), whereas triglyceride concentrations decreased (mixed-models; ES = 0.55; 95 % CI: -16.0, -1.6, P = 0.02). Treatment adherence was excellent in both groups (cinnamon: 97.6 ± 3.4 % compared with placebo: 97.9 ± 3.7 %; ES = -0.15; 95 % CI: -1.8, 0.2, P = 0.5). No differences were found in digestive symptoms (abdominal pain, borborygmi, bloating, excess flatus, and stools/day) between cinnamon and placebo groups. CONCLUSIONS Cinnamon, a widely available and low-cost supplement, may contribute to better glucose control when added to the diet in people who have obesity-related prediabetes. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04342624.
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Avocado Consumption Increased Skin Elasticity and Firmness in Women - A Pilot Study.
Henning, SM, Guzman, JB, Thames, G, Yang, J, Tseng, CH, Heber, D, Kim, J, Li, Z
Journal of cosmetic dermatology. 2022;(9):4028-4034
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Avocados are a rich dietary source of monounsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds. Clinical studies have demonstrated that oral consumption of carotenoids improved skin aging. However, no studies have investigated whether oral intake of avocado will reduce skin aging. OBJECTIVES We therefore performed this pilot study to assess whether oral consumption of one avocado daily for 8 weeks can reduce skin aging in healthy overweight women assessing skin physical characteristics and resistance to UVB radiation. METHODS Thirty-nine female participants (age 27-73 years) with Fitzpatrick skin type II-IV were randomly assigned to consume either one avocado daily or continue habitual diet for 8 weeks. Facial skin elasticity, firmness, pigmentation, sebum, and hydration were determined using a cutometer on the forehead and under eye. Minimal erythema dose (MED) was determined by standardized protocol at inner arm. RESULTS Elasticity and firmness were increased at forehead comparing 8 weeks to baseline in the avocado group. Comparing avocado to control, change in firmness marker from baseline to week 8 indicated a significant increase in forehead skin firmness in the avocado group. We did not observe any change in hydration, pigmentation, sebum, and UVB resistance between the avocado and control group, although changes in melanin and erythema were observed in both groups over time. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that daily oral avocado consumption may lead to enhanced elasticity and firmness of the facial skin in healthy women. Further studies of other skin locations are required to establish the connection between avocado consumption and skin aging.
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The Impact of Obesity on SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Mortality Risk.
Li, Z, Surampudi, V, Heber, D
Nutrients. 2021;(10)
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has uncovered the increased susceptibility of individuals with obesity to infection and severe disease leading to hospitalization and death. Studies in New York City demonstrated that after advanced age, obesity was the most common risk factor leading to severe disease and death from COVID-19. While the connection has been recognized, there has not been a general recognition of the potential mechanisms for this link between excess body fat and mortality from this viral pandemic including respiratory complications and sequelae of increased activation of the immune system. Despite plans for vaccination of the global population, the risk community spread of COVID-19 and future pandemics will be linked in part to obesity and immunity. This review will detail a number of potential mechanisms through which obesity may contribute to the lethality of this viral infection. These insights will hopefully lead to a greater emphasis on obesity prevention and treatment as part of the global response to this and future pandemic threats.
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The Effect of Broccoli Sprout Extract on Seasonal Grass Pollen-Induced Allergic Rhinitis.
Yusin, J, Wang, V, Henning, SM, Yang, J, Tseng, CH, Thames, G, Arnold, I, Heber, D, Lee, RP, Sanavio, L, et al
Nutrients. 2021;(4)
Abstract
Patients exposed to pollutants are more likely to suffer from allergic rhinitis and may benefit from antioxidant treatment. Our study determined if patients diagnosed with grass-induced allergic rhinitis could benefit from broccoli sprout extract (BSE) supplementation. In total, 47 patients were confirmed with grass-induced allergic rhinitis and randomized to one of four groups: group 1 (nasal steroid spray + BSE), group 2 (nasal steroid spray + placebo tablet), group 3 (saline nasal spray + BSE) and group 4 (saline nasal spray + placebo tablet). Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow (PNIF), Total Nasal Symptoms Scores (TNSS) and nasal mucus cytokine levels were analyzed in samples collected before and after the 3-week intervention. Comparing before and after the intervention, PNIF improved significantly when comparing Groups 1 and 2, vs. placebo, at various time points (p ≤ 0.05 at 5, 15, 60 and 240 min) following nasal challenge, while TNSS was only statistically significant at 5 (p = 0.03), 15 (p = 0.057) and 30 (p = 0.05) minutes. There were no statistically significant differences in various cytokine markers before and after the intervention. Combining nasal corticosteroid with BSE led to the most significant improvement in objective measures.
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Effect of Standardized Grape Powder Consumption on the Gut Microbiome of Healthy Subjects: A Pilot Study.
Yang, J, Kurnia, P, Henning, SM, Lee, R, Huang, J, Garcia, MC, Surampudi, V, Heber, D, Li, Z
Nutrients. 2021;(11)
Abstract
Grapes provide a rich source of polyphenols and fibers. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the daily consumption of 46 g of whole grape powder, providing the equivalent of two servings of California table grapes, on the gut microbiome and cholesterol/bile acid metabolism in healthy adults. This study included a 4-week standardization to a low-polyphenol diet, followed by 4 weeks of 46 g of grape powder consumption while continuing the low-polyphenol diet. Compared to the baseline, 4 weeks of grape powder consumption significantly increased the alpha diversity index of the gut microbiome. There was a trend of increasing Verrucomicrobia (p = 0.052) at the phylum level, and a significant increase in Akkermansia was noted. In addition, there was an increase in Flavonifractor and Lachnospiraceae_UCG-010, but a decrease in Bifidobacterium and Dialister at the genus level. Grape powder consumption significantly decreased the total cholesterol by 6.1% and HDL cholesterol by 7.6%. There was also a trend of decreasing LDL cholesterol by 5.9%, and decreasing total bile acid by 40.9%. Blood triglyceride levels and body composition were not changed by grape powder consumption. In conclusion, grape powder consumption significantly modified the gut microbiome and cholesterol/bile acid metabolism.
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Effects of branched-chain amino acids on glucose metabolism in obese, prediabetic men and women: a randomized, crossover study.
Woo, SL, Yang, J, Hsu, M, Yang, A, Zhang, L, Lee, RP, Gilbuena, I, Thames, G, Huang, J, Rasmussen, A, et al
The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2019;(6):1569-1577
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have shown that circulating branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are elevated in obese, insulin-resistant individuals. However, it is not known if supplementation of additional BCAAs will further impair glucose metabolism. OBJECTIVES The aim of this pilot study was to determine the effects of BCAA supplementation on glucose metabolism in obese, prediabetic individuals. METHODS This is a randomized crossover study involving 12 obese individuals with prediabetes. Participants were randomly assigned to receive a daily supplement containing either 20 g BCAA or protein low in BCAAs for 4 wk with a 2-wk washout in between. At each visit, an oral-glucose-tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. Collected blood samples were used to measure glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance-associated biomarkers. RESULTS BCAA supplementation tended to decrease the plasma glucose area under the curve (AUC) measured by the OGTT (AUC percentage change from supplementation baseline, BCAA -3.3% ± 3%; low-BCAA: 10.0% ± 6%; P = 0.08). However, BCAA supplementation did not affect plasma insulin during OGTT challenge (BCAA: -3.9% ± 8%; low-BCAA: 14.8% ± 10%; P = 0.28). The plasma concentrations of nerve growth factor (BCAA: 4.0 ± 1 pg/mL; low-BCAA: 5.7 ± 1 pg/mL; P = 0.01) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (BCAA: -0.4% ± 9%; low-BCAA: 29.0% ± 18%; P = 0.02) were significantly lowered by BCAA supplementation compared to low-BCAA control. Plasma interleukin 1β was significantly elevated by BCAA supplementation (BCAA: 231.4% ± 187%; low-BCAA: 20.6% ± 33%; P = 0.05). BCAA supplementation did not affect the circulating concentrations of the BCAAs leucine (BCAA: 9.0% ± 12%; low-BCAA: 9.2% ± 11%), valine (BCAA: 9.1% ± 11%; low-BCAA: 12.0% ± 13%), or isoleucine (BCAA: 2.5% ± 11%; low-BCAA: 7.3% ± 11%). CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that BCAA supplementation did not impair glucose metabolism in obese, prediabetic subjects. Further studies are needed to confirm the results seen in the present study. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03715010.
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Mixed Spices at Culinary Doses Have Prebiotic Effects in Healthy Adults: A Pilot Study.
Lu, QY, Rasmussen, AM, Yang, J, Lee, RP, Huang, J, Shao, P, Carpenter, CL, Gilbuena, I, Thames, G, Henning, SM, et al
Nutrients. 2019;11(6)
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Plain language summary
An increasing body of evidence suggests that the gut microbiota has a profound impact on human health. While the microbiome of a healthy individual is relatively stable, gut microbial dynamics can be influenced by host lifestyle and dietary choices. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mixed spices (cinnamon, oregano, ginger, black pepper, and cayenne pepper) at culinary doses consumed over 2 weeks in a standardized 5g capsule on the production of gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids The study is a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind pilot study carried out with a total of 31 healthy women and men aged between 18 and 65. The subjects were randomly allocated to one of the two intervention groups. Results indicate that daily intake of 5g of mixed spices for 2 weeks in healthy subjects resulted in a significant reduction in the relative abundance of the phylum Firmicutes (bacteria), and a trend of increasing in phylum Bacteroidetes (bacteria) as compared with a matched control group. Authors conclude that a mixture of spices at culinary doses affects the composition of gut microbiota.
Abstract
Spices were used as food preservatives prior to the advent of refrigeration, suggesting the possibility of effects on microbiota. Previous studies have shown prebiotic activities in animals and in vitro, but there has not been a demonstration of prebiotic or postbiotic effects at culinary doses in humans. In this randomized placebo-controlled study, we determined in twenty-nine healthy adults the effects on the gut microbiota of the consumption daily of capsules containing 5 g of mixed spices at culinary doses by comparison to a matched control group consuming a maltodextrin placebo capsule. The 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing data were used for microbial characterization. Spice consumption resulted in a significant reduction in Firmicutes abundance (p < 0.033) and a trend of enrichment in Bacteroidetes (p < 0.097) compared to placebo group. Twenty-six operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were different between the spice and placebo groups after intervention. Furthermore, there was a significant negative correlation between fecal short-chain fatty acid propionate concentration and Firmicutes abundance in spice intervention group (p < 0.04). The production of individual fecal short-chain fatty acid was not significantly changed by spice consumption in this study. Mixed spices consumption significantly modified gut microbiota, suggesting a prebiotic effect of spice consumption at culinary doses.
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Memory and Brain Amyloid and Tau Effects of a Bioavailable Form of Curcumin in Non-Demented Adults: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled 18-Month Trial.
Small, GW, Siddarth, P, Li, Z, Miller, KJ, Ercoli, L, Emerson, ND, Martinez, J, Wong, KP, Liu, J, Merrill, DA, et al
The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. 2018;(3):266-277
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Because curcumin's anti-inflammatory properties may protect the brain from neurodegeneration, we studied its effect on memory in non-demented adults and explored its impact on brain amyloid and tau accumulation using 2-(1-{6-[(2-[F-18]fluoroethyl)(methyl)amino]-2-naphthyl}ethylidene)malononitrile positron emission tomography (FDDNP-PET). METHODS Forty subjects (age 51-84 years) were randomized to a bioavailable form of curcumin (Theracurmin® containing 90 mg of curcumin twice daily [N = 21]) or placebo (N = 19) for 18 months. Primary outcomes were verbal (Buschke Selective Reminding Test [SRT]) and visual (Brief Visual Memory Test-Revised [BVMT-R]) memory, and attention (Trail Making A) was a secondary outcome. FDDNP-PET signals (15 curcumin, 15 placebo) were determined in amygdala, hypothalamus, medial and lateral temporal, posterior cingulate, parietal, frontal, and motor (reference) regions. Mixed effects general linear models controlling for age and education, and effect sizes (ES; Cohen's d) were estimated. RESULTS SRT Consistent Long-Term Retrieval improved with curcumin (ES = 0.63, p = 0.002) but not with placebo (ES = 0.06, p = 0.8; between-group: ES = 0.68, p = 0.05). Curcumin also improved SRT Total (ES = 0.53, p = 0.002), visual memory (BVMT-R Recall: ES = 0.50, p = 0.01; BVMT-R Delay: ES = 0.51, p = 0.006), and attention (ES = 0.96, p < 0.0001) compared with placebo (ES = 0.28, p = 0.1; between-group: ES = 0.67, p = 0.04). FDDNP binding decreased significantly in the amygdala with curcumin (ES = -0.41, p = 0.04) compared with placebo (ES = 0.08, p = 0.6; between-group: ES = 0.48, p = 0.07). In the hypothalamus, FDDNP binding did not change with curcumin (ES = -0.30, p = 0.2), but increased with placebo (ES = 0.26, p = 0.05; between-group: ES = 0.55, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Daily oral Theracurmin may lead to improved memory and attention in non-demented adults. The FDDNP-PET findings suggest that symptom benefits are associated with decreases in amyloid and tau accumulation in brain regions modulating mood and memory.
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Randomized clinical trial of brewed green and black tea in men with prostate cancer prior to prostatectomy.
Henning, SM, Wang, P, Said, JW, Huang, M, Grogan, T, Elashoff, D, Carpenter, CL, Heber, D, Aronson, WJ
The Prostate. 2015;(5):550-9
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Preclinical and epidemiologic studies suggest chemopreventive effects of green tea (GT) and black tea (BT) in prostate cancer. In the current study we determined the effect of GT and BT consumption on biomarkers related to prostate cancer development and progression. METHODS In this exploratory, open label, phase II trial 113 men diagnosed with prostate cancer were randomized to consume six cups daily of brewed GT, BT or water (control) prior to radical prostatectomy (RP). The primary endpoint was prostate tumor markers of cancer development and progression determined by tissue immunostaining of proliferation (Ki67), apoptosis (Bcl-2, Bax, Tunel), inflammation (nuclear and cytoplasmic nuclear factor kappa B [NFκB]) and oxidation (8-hydroxydeoxy-guanosine [8OHdG]). Secondary endpoints of urinary oxidation, tea polyphenol uptake in prostate tissue, and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) were evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography and ELISA analysis. RESULTS Ninety three patients completed the intervention. There was no significant difference in markers of proliferation, apoptosis and oxidation in RP tissue comparing GT and BT to water control. Nuclear staining of NFκB was significantly decreased in RP tissue of men consuming GT (P = 0.013) but not BT (P = 0.931) compared to water control. Tea polyphenols were detected in prostate tissue from 32 of 34 men consuming GT but not in the other groups. Evidence of a systemic antioxidant effect was observed (reduced urinary 8OHdG) only with GT consumption (P = 0.03). GT, but not BT or water, also led to a small but statistically significant decrease in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION Given the GT-induced changes in NFκB and systemic oxidation, and uptake of GT polyphenols in prostate tissue, future longer-term studies are warranted to further examine the role of GT for prostate cancer prevention and treatment, and possibly for other prostate conditions such as prostatitis.
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Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and prognosis of breast cancer among African-American and Hispanic women.
Mishra, DK, Wu, Y, Sarkissyan, M, Sarkissyan, S, Chen, Z, Shang, X, Ong, M, Heber, D, Koeffler, HP, Vadgama, JV
PloS one. 2013;(3):e57967
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vitamin D plays a role in cancer development and acts through the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Although African-Americans have the lowest levels of serum vitamin D, there is a dearth of information on VDR gene polymorphisms and breast cancer among African-Americans and Hispanics. This study examines whether VDR gene polymorphisms are associated with breast cancer in these cohorts. METHODS Blood was collected from 232 breast cancer patients (Cases) and 349 non-cancer subjects (Controls). Genotyping for four polymorphic variants of VDR (FokI, BsmI, TaqI and ApaI) was performed using the PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS An increased association of the VDR-Fok1 f allele with breast cancer was observed in African-Americans (OR = 1.9, p = 0.07). Furthermore, the FbTA, FbtA and fbtA haplotypes were associated with breast cancer among African-Americans (p<0.05). Latinas were more likely to have the VDR-ApaI alleles (Aa or aa) (p = 0.008). The VDR-ApaI aa genotype was significantly associated with poorly-differentiated breast tumors (p = 0.04) in combined Cases. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed decreased 5-year disease-free-survival (DFS) in breast cancer patients who had the VDR-Fok1 FF genotype (p<0.05). The Cox regression with multivariate analysis revealed the independent predictor value of the VDR-FokI polymorphism for DFS. The other three variants of VDR (BsmI, TaqI and ApaI) were not associated with disease outcome. CONCLUSIONS VDR haplotypes are associated with breast cancer in African-Americans, but not in Hispanic/Latinas. The VDR-FokI FF genotype is linked with poor prognosis in African-American women with breast cancer.