Effects of high-dose B vitamin complex with vitamin C and minerals on subjective mood and performance in healthy males

A multi-nutrient supplement reduced markers of inflammation and improved physical performance in active individuals of middle to older age: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND

While exercise acts to combat inflammation and aging, the ability to exercise may itself be compromised by inflammation and inflammation's impact on muscle recovery and joint inflammation. A number of nutritional supplements have been shown to reduce inflammation and improve recovery. The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the effect of a multi-nutrient supplement containing branched chain amino acids, taurine, anti-inflammatory plant extracts, and B vitamins on inflammatory status, endothelial function, physical function, and mood in middle-aged individuals.

METHODS

Thirty-one healthy and active men (N = 16, mean age 56 ± 6.0 yrs) and women (N = 15, mean age = 52 ± 7.5 yrs) participated in this investigation. Subjects completed one 28 day cycle of placebo supplementation and one 28 day cycle of multi-nutrient supplementation (separated by a one week washout period) in a balanced, randomized, double-blind, cross-over design. Subjects completed weekly perceptual logs (PROMIS-57, KOOS) and pre- and post- testing around the supplementation period. Testing consisted of brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD), blood measures, and physical performance on vertical jump, handgrip strength, and balance (dispersion from center of pressure). Significance for the investigation was p ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS

IL-6 significantly decreased in both men (from 1.2 ± 0.2 to 0.7 ± 0.4 pg·mL(-1)) and women (from 1.16 ± 0.04 to 0.7 ± 0.4 pg·mL(-1)). Perceived energy also improved for both men (placebo: 1.8 ± 0.7; supplement: 3.7 ± 0.8 AUC) and women (placebo: 1.2 ± 0.7; supplement: 2.8 ± 0.8 AUC). Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (from 108.9 ± 38.6 to 55.5 ± 22.2 ug·mL(-1)), Creatine Kinase (from 96 ± 34 to 67 ± 23 IU·L(-1)), general pain, and joint pain decreased in men only, while anxiety and balance (from 0.52 ± 0.13 to 0.45 ± 0.12 cm) improved in women only. Men showed increased performance in vertical jump power (from 2642 ± 244 to 3134 ± 282 W) and grip strength (from 42.1 ± 5.9 to 48.5 ± 4.9 kg).

CONCLUSIONS

A multi-nutrient supplement is effective in improving inflammatory status in both men and women, markers of pain, joint pain, strength, and power in men only, and both anxiety and balance (a risk factor for hip fracture) in women. Therefore, a multi-nutrient supplement may help middle-aged individuals to prolong physical function and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.

Utility of imaging for nutritional intervention studies in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multi-factorial neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of dementia, wherein synapse loss is the strongest structural correlate with cognitive impairment. Basic research has shown that dietary supply of precursors and co-factors for synthesis of neuronal membranes enhances the formation of synapses. Daily intake of a medical food containing a mix of these nutrients for 12 weeks in humans improved memory, measured as immediate and delayed verbal recall by the Wechsler Memory Scale-revised, in patients with very mild AD (MMSE 24-26). An improvement of immediate verbal recall was noted following 24 weeks of intervention in an exploratory extension of the study. These data suggest that the intervention may improve synaptic formation and function in early AD. Here we review emerging technologies that help identify changes in pathological hallmarks in AD, including synaptic function and loss of connectivity in the early stages of AD, before cognitive and behavioural symptoms are observable. These techniques include the detection of specific biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid, as well as imaging procedures such as fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), amyloid PET, structural/functional magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG). Such techniques can provide new insights into the functional and structural changes in the brain over time, and may therefore help to develop more effective AD therapies. In particular, nutritional intervention studies that target synapse formation and function may benefit from these techniques, especially FDG-PET and EEG/MEG employed in the preclinical or early stages of the disease.

Vitamins and psychological functioning: a mobile phone assessment of the effects of a B vitamin complex, vitamin C and minerals on cognitive performance and subjective mood and energy

OBJECTIVES

Despite being widely consumed, the effects of multi-vitamin supplements on psychological functioning have received little research attention.

METHODS

Using a mobile phone testing paradigm, 198 males (30-55 years) in full-time employment took part in this randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-groups trial assessing the effects of a multi-vitamin/mineral on cognitive performance and psychological state/mood. Participants completed two cognitive tasks and a number of visual analogue scales (VAS) before and after a full day's work, on the day before, and 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after, commencing their treatment.

RESULTS

Participants in the vitamin/mineral group rated themselves as having greater 'physical stamina' across assessments and weeks. They also rated themselves as having had greater 'concentration' and 'mental stamina' during the working day at the assessment carried out after a day's work, but not at the time of the assessment completed prior to work. Participants in this group also reported greater subjective 'alertness' on Bond-Lader mood scales during the post-work assessment on day 14 and both the pre and post-work assessments on day 28.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings complement the results from the laboratory-based, randomised-controlled trial in the same cohort and suggest that healthy members of the general population may benefit from augmented levels of vitamins/minerals via direct dietary supplementation.

A proteomics study reveals a predominant change in MaoB expression in platelets of healthy volunteers after high protein meat diet: relationship to the methylation cycle

Studies investigating the impact of high meat intake on cognition have yielded contradictory results as some show improved cognitive performance, whereas others report an increase of risk factors for dementia. However, few studies were designed to directly assess the effect of a high protein (HP) diet on both cognitive performance and corresponding biochemical parameters. A randomised intervention study was conducted with 23 healthy males (aged 19-31 years) to investigate the effects of a usual (UP) versus a HP diet on cognitive function and on the platelet proteome a well-established model for neurons. The study individuals were assigned to either a UP diet (15% energy) or a HP diet (30% energy) for 3 weeks with controlled intake of food and beverages. Blood samples were taken along with measurements of cognitive functions at the beginning and at the end of the intervention period. Among 908 reproducibly studied platelet proteins only the level of monoamine oxidase B (MaoB), a neurotransmitter degrading enzyme, decreased by 26% significantly (adjusted P value < 0.05) due to the HP diet. In addition, we found a correlation (r = 0.477; P < 0.02) between the decrease of MaoB expression and the shortened reaction time (cognitive function) which is in accordance with reports that dementia patients show increased MaoB activity. Plasma vitamin B(12) concentration was increased by the HP diet and correlates inversely with platelet MaoB expression (r = -0.35; P < 0.02). Healthy young males on a HP diet showed improved cognitive function and counteract well-known dementia biomarkers such as platelet MaoB and components of the methylation cycle such as vitamin B(12) and homocysteine.

Effects of a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement on cognitive function and fatigue during extended multi-tasking

OBJECTIVES

A significant minority of the population consume multi-vitamins/minerals for their putative health benefits, including potentially beneficial effects on cognitive performance, fatigue and mood. The current study investigated the effect of supplementation with a multi-vitamin/mineral on fatigue and cognitive function in healthy females.

METHODS

In this placebo-controlled, double blind, randomized, parallel groups trial the effect of a multi-vitamin/mineral (Supradyn) was assessed in 216 females aged 25-50 years. Participants attended the laboratory before and 9 weeks after commencing treatment. During both visits cognitive function and the modulation of task related mood/fatigue were assessed in two discrete 20-min assessment periods during which participants completed a four-module version of the Multi-Tasking Framework.

RESULTS

Those in the vitamin/mineral group exhibited an attenuation of the negative effects of extended task completion on mood/fatigue. Multi-tasking performance for this group was also improved in terms of accuracy across all tasks, and on two of the individual tasks (Mathematical Processing and Stroop) in terms of both faster and more accurate responses. Analysis of a subsection (N = 102) demonstrated significant reductions in homocysteine levels following the vitamins/mineral supplement.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that healthy members of the general population may benefit from augmented levels of vitamins/minerals via direct dietary supplementation.