1.
The Effects of Spirulina maxima Extract on Memory Improvement in Those with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.
Choi, WY, Lee, WK, Kim, TH, Ryu, YK, Park, A, Lee, YJ, Heo, SJ, Oh, C, Chung, YC, Kang, DH
Nutrients. 2022;14(18)
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Alzheimer’s disease, which involves the most severe level of memory impairment, is mostly irreversible, thus it is critical to prevent deterioration of cognitive function. Spirulina is a microalga known to be high in nutrients and is considered one of the most perfect dietary supplements for humans because it contains many bioactive substances. The aim of this study was to report the effects of spirulina maxima 70% ethanol extract (SM70EE) on cognitive function in older adults (aged over 60 years) with memory impairment. This study is a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial. The study recruited eighty participants who were randomised into two equal-sized groups of 40 individuals each. The investigators and participants were blinded to the treatment regimens. Results showed statistically significant differences between the visual leading test and the visual working memory test. Furthermore, the vocabulary results showed a statistically significant difference between groups. SM70EE ingestion was determined to be safe for the human body because no clinically significant adverse reactions or physical changes were observed. Authors conclude that continuous intake of SM70EE could show improvement in memory function through improved visual memory and vocabulary.
Abstract
Spirulina maxima is a marine microalga that has been promoted worldwide as a super food. This study was conducted to evaluate its ability to improve memory in the older adults using Spirulina maxima 70% ethanol extract (SM70EE). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial comprised 80 volunteers recruited from Jeonbuk National University Hospital in Jeonju, Republic of Korea, who were randomly assigned to two groups. The participants received either 1 g/day of SM70EE or a placebo without otherwise changing their diet or physical activity. The participants were examined at baseline and after a 12-week interval to determine whether there were changes in their results for visual learning, visual working memory, and verbal learning tests from the Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and beta-amyloid levels, and total antioxidant capacity. Compared to the placebo group, the treatment group showed a significant improvement in visual learning and visual working memory test results and enhanced vocabulary. SM70EE use was shown to improve memory, with no adverse effects. Its efficacy in alleviating Alzheimer's disease symptoms was verified for the first time through this clinical trial. SM70EE could play a role in the management of patients with dementia. This trial is registered with registration number of clinical research information service (CRIS: KCT0006161).
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The association between the metabolic syndrome and iron status in pre- and postmenopausal women: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) in 2012.
Yun, S, Nguyen, HD, Park, JS, Oh, C, Kim, MS
The British journal of nutrition. 2022;127(4):630-640
Abstract
We aim to determine the association between Fe status and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) during menopause. Records of 1069 premenopausal and 703 postmenopausal Korean women were retrieved from the database of the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V 2012) and analysed. The association between the MetS and Fe status was performed using multivariable-adjusted analyses, subsequently develop a prediction model for the MetS by margin effects. We found that the risk of Fe depletion among postmenopausal women was lower than premenopausal women (PR = 0·813, 95 % CI 0·668, 0·998, P = 0·038). The risk of the MetS was 2·562-fold lower among premenopausal women with than without Fe depletion (PR = 0·390, 95 % CI 0·266, 0·571, P < 0·001). In contrast, the risk of the MetS tended to be higher among postmenopausal women with than without Fe depletion (PR = 1·849, 95 % CI 1·406, 2·432, P < 0·001). When the serum ferritin levels increased, the risk of the MetS increased in both premenopausal women and postmenopausal women. The margin effects showed that an increase in serum Hb and ferritin was associated with an increase in the risk of the MetS according to menopausal status and age group. Therefore, ferritin is the most validated and widely used Fe marker, could be a potential clinical value in predicting and monitoring the MetS during menopause. Further prospective or longitudinal studies, especially, clinically related studies on menopause and Fe status, are needed to clarify the causality between serum ferritin levels and the MetS that could offer novel treatments for the MetS.
3.
Effects of Soy Foods in Postmenopausal Women: A Focus on Osteosarcopenia and Obesity.
Tang, S, Du, Y, Oh, C, No, J
Journal of obesity & metabolic syndrome. 2020;29(3):180-187
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The body composition of postmenopausal women changes rapidly due to hormonal changes, including the loss of bone (osteoporosis) and muscle (sarcopenia), usually in the presence of increased adiposity and fat redistribution towards central-type obesity. The aim of this study was to summarise the efficacy of soy foods and their impact on body composition. Research shows that soy products: - may improve the body composition of menopausal and premenopausal women. - delay the physical disabilities of menopausal women with osteosarcopenia and obesity. - may improve muscle mass and bone strength to prevent the development of osteosarcopenia in post-menopausal women. Authors conclude that further research is required since some studies have questioned the mechanism of the protective effect of soybean ingredients on certain metabolic diseases.
Abstract
Chronic diseases in postmenopausal women are caused by rapid changes in hormones and are accompanied by rapid changes in body composition (muscle, bone, and fat). In an aging society, the health of postmenopausal women is a social issue, and people's interest in ingesting high-quality protein is increasing in order to maintain a healthy body composition. This review aims to summarize the efficacy of soy foods and their impact on body composition. The soy protein and isoflavones contained in soy foods can improve muscle and bone density quality and reduce body weight. It is considered a breakthrough in preventing osteosarcopenia and obesity that may occur after menopause.