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Effect of a sustained-release formulation of β-alanine on laboratory parameters and paresthesia in recreational trained men: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.
Maestre-Hernández, AB, Pérez-Piñero, S, López-Román, FJ, Andreu-Caravaca, L, Luque-Rubia, AJ, Ramos-Campo, DJ, Díaz-Silvestre, MJ, Ávila-Gandía, V
Frontiers in nutrition. 2023;:1213105
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Beta-alanine is a non-essential amino acid that has been a focus of increasing research by its role as ergogenic aid to improve muscle performance. METHODS A randomized, double-blind and controlled trial was conducted to determine the effect of a nutritional supplement of a sustained-release formulation of β-alanine in recreational trained men. The active product was an innovative sustained-release β-alanine microgranules powder blend, administered at high doses (15 g/day) divided into 3 intakes during 30 days. There were 10 participants in the experimental group and 9 in the placebo group, with a mean age of 22.5 ± 3.3 years. Participants were testing at baseline and at the end of study. RESULTS In the β-alanine group, there were statistically increases in serum triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, and urea nitrogen at the end of the study as compared with baseline, although there were no differences with the control group. The occurrence of paresthesia, described above all as tickling, was the majority but presented VAS score less than 3/10 in almost all subjects. DISCUSSION More studies are required to evaluate the changes in blood parameters that can be caused by high intake of β-alanine during a long period of time. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier (NCT05334121).
2.
Efficacy of Boswellia serrata Extract and/or an Omega-3-Based Product for Improving Pain and Function in People Older Than 40 Years with Persistent Knee Pain: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial.
Pérez-Piñero, S, Muñoz-Carrillo, JC, Victoria-Montesinos, D, García-Muñoz, AM, Andreu-Caravaca, L, Gómez, M, Schölzel, M, García-Guillén, AI, López-Román, FJ
Nutrients. 2023;(17)
Abstract
A single-center, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial with four arms was conducted in healthy subjects with persistent knee discomfort (pain intensity on 1-10 cm visual analog scale (VAS) > 3) aged 40 years and older treated with a dietary supplement for 8 weeks. The study groups were Boswellia serrata extract (n = 29), an omega-3-based product (AvailOm® 50 High EPA) (n = 31), Boswellia + AvailOm® (n = 30), and placebo (n = 30). The intake of Boswellia + AvailOm® improved the quality of life (QoL) (WOMAC index) and some variables of muscle strength. Statistically significant differences between the AvailOm® and the placebo groups in the decrease of pain intensity were found. Weekly VAS scores showed a significant decrease in pain perception when comparing the AvailOm® product to the placebo, with the lowest VAS scores at week 8. Consumption of Boswellia improved sleep latency. The time to perform the Up and Go test decreased after the intake of AvailOm®. There was an increase in the omega-3 fatty acids, with the greatest increase in the Boswellia + AvailOm® group. AvailOm® was safe and effective in reducing pain and improving the QoL and functionality of subjects over 40 years with persistent knee pain.
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Differential Health Effects on Inflammatory, Immunological and Stress Parameters in Professional Soccer Players and Sedentary Individuals after Consuming a Synbiotic. A Triple-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study.
Quero, CD, Manonelles, P, Fernández, M, Abellán-Aynés, O, López-Plaza, D, Andreu-Caravaca, L, Hinchado, MD, Gálvez, I, Ortega, E
Nutrients. 2021;13(4)
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Synbiotic, a mixture of prebiotics and probiotics, is known to improve neurotransmitter interactions, immune, inflammatory, and stress responses by modulating the gut microbial composition. It is also believed that physical activity plays an important role in the modulation of immune function and stress response. The purpose of this triple-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study was to evaluate the health benefits of symbiotic intervention in fourteen sedentary students and thirteen soccer players, especially in terms of improving immunophysiological and metabolic parameters. The 300mg of symbiotic intervention contained Bifidobacterium lactis CBP-001010, Lactobacillus rhamnosus CNCM I-4036, Bifidobacterium longum ES1(109 colony-forming unit), and fructooligosaccharides (200 mg) plus 1.5 mg of zinc, 8.25 µg of selenium, 0.75 µg of vitamin, and maltodextrin. Following a one-month intervention with synbiotic formulation, soccer players showed improvements in anxiety, sleep quality and stress, a slight reduction in proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β, an exercise-induced significant increase in dopamine and a slight elevation of corticotropin-releasing hormone. For confirmation of results of this pilot study and to assess more significant effects of symbiotic intervention in athletes as well as in the general population, longer-term robust studies are required. The findings of this study can help healthcare professionals understand the extensive health benefits of synbiotic intervention and its relationship to physical activity.
Abstract
The main objective of this research was to carry out an experimental study, triple-blind, on the possible immunophysiological effects of a nutritional supplement (synbiotic, Gasteel Plus®, Heel España S.A.U.), containing a mixture of probiotic strains, such as Bifidobacterium lactis CBP-001010, Lactobacillus rhamnosus CNCM I-4036, and Bifidobacterium longum ES1, as well as the prebiotic fructooligosaccharides, on both professional athletes and sedentary people. The effects on some inflammatory/immune (IL-1β, IL-10, and immunoglobulin A) and stress (epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cortisol) biomarkers were evaluated, determined by flow cytometer and ELISA. The effects on metabolic profile and physical activity, as well as on various parameters that could affect physical and mental health, were also evaluated via the use of accelerometry and validated questionnaires. The participants were professional soccer players in the Second Division B of the Spanish League and sedentary students of the same sex and age range. Both study groups were randomly divided into two groups: a control group-administered with placebo, and an experimental group-administered with the synbiotic. Each participant was evaluated at baseline, as well as after the intervention, which lasted one month. Only in the athlete group did the synbiotic intervention clearly improve objective physical activity and sleep quality, as well as perceived general health, stress, and anxiety levels. Furthermore, the synbiotic induced an immunophysiological bioregulatory effect, depending on the basal situation of each experimental group, particularly in the systemic levels of IL-1β (increased significantly only in the sedentary group), CRH (decreased significantly only in the sedentary group), and dopamine (increased significantly only in the athlete group). There were no significant differences between groups in the levels of immunoglobulin A or in the metabolic profile as a result of the intervention. It is concluded that synbiotic nutritional supplements can improve anxiety, stress, and sleep quality, particularly in sportspeople, which appears to be linked to an improved immuno-neuroendocrine response in which IL-1β, CRH, and dopamine are clearly involved.
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Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Training on Body Composition, Cardiometabolic Risk, and Strength in the Population Who Are Overweight and Obese: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis.
Rubio-Arias, JÁ, Martínez-Aranda, LM, Andreu-Caravaca, L, Sanz, G, Benito, PJ, Ramos-Campo, DJ
Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 2021;(12):2442-2453
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) on body composition, metabolic and cardiovascular risk variables, and lower limb strength in participants who are overweight/obese. DATA SOURCES A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted in 3 databases (PubMed-MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) from inception through to January 26, 2020. STUDY SELECTION Studies analyzing the effect of WBVT on body composition variables, metabolic profile, blood pressure, heart rate, and lower limb strength in the population who are overweight/obese, with interventions of a minimum length of 2 weeks were included. DATA EXTRACTION After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 23 studies involving 884 participants who were obese/overweight (experimental group: 543; weight=79.9 kg; body mass index (BMI) =31.3 kg/m2, obesity class I according to World Health Organization) were used in the quantitative analysis. The sex of the participants involved in the studies were as follows: (1) 17 studies included only female participants; (2) 1 study included only boys, and (3) 5 studies included both sexes. Meta-analysis, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression methods were used to calculate the mean difference and standardized mean difference (SMD; ± 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) as well as to analyze the effects of pre-post intervention WBVT and differences from control groups. DATA SYNTHESIS WBVT led to a significant decrease in fat mass (-1.07 kg, not clinically significant). In addition, WBVT reduced systolic blood pressure (-7.01 mmHg, clinically significant), diastolic blood pressure (-1.83 mmHg), and heart rate (-2.23 bpm), as well as increased the lower extremity strength (SMD=0.63; range, 0.40-0.86). On the other hand, WBVT did not modify the weight, BMI, muscle mass, cholesterol, triglycerides, or glucose. CONCLUSIONS WBVT could be an effective training modality to reduce blood pressure (clinically relevant) and resting heart rate. In addition, WBVT led to improved lower limb strength. However, these findings were not consistent with significant improvements on other variables associated with metabolic syndrome (body composition, cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose).