Search results for "Dietary Supplements"
showing 10 items of 290 documents
Phytochemical indicaxanthin suppresses 7-ketocholesterol-induced THP-1 cell apoptosis by preventing cytosolic Ca(2+) increase and oxidative stress.
2012
7-Ketocholesterol (7-KC)-induced apoptosis of macrophages is considered a key event in the development of human atheromas. In the present study, the effect of indicaxanthin (Ind), a bioactive pigment from cactus pear fruit, on 7-KC-induced apoptosis of human monocyte/macrophage THP-1 cells was investigated. A pathophysiological condition was simulated by using amounts of 7-KC that can be reached in human atheromatous plaque. Ind was assayed within a micromolar concentration range, consistent with its plasma level after dietary supplementation with cactus pear fruit. Pro-apoptotic effects of 7-KC were assessed by cell cycle arrest, exposure of phosphatidylserine at the plasma membrane, varia…
RESVEGA, a Nutraceutical Omega-3/Resveratrol Supplementation, Reduces Angiogenesis in a Preclinical Mouse Model of Choroidal Neovascularization
2021
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that is characterized by damage to the central part of the retina, the macula, and that affects millions of people worldwide. At an advanced stage, a blind spot grows in the center of vision, severely handicapping patients with this degenerative condition. Despite therapeutic advances thanks to the use of anti-VEGF, many resistance mechanisms have been found to accentuate the visual deficit. In the present study, we explored whether supplementation with Resvega®, a nutraceutical formulation composed of omega-3 fatty acids and resveratrol, a well-known polyphenol in grapes, was able to counteract laser-induced choroidal neovascularizat…
Beyond Physical Exercise: The Role of Nutrition, Gut Microbiota and Nutraceutical Supplementation in Reducing Age-related Sarcopenia
2021
Sarcopenia is a commonly prevalent geriatric condition mainly characterized by progressive loss of the skeletal muscle mass that results in noticeably reduced muscle strength and quality. Most of the geriatric population above 60 years of age are overweight, leading to the accumulation of fat in the muscles resulting in abated muscle function. The increased loss of muscle mass is associated with high rates of disability, poor motility, frailty and mortality. The excessive degeneration of muscles is now also being observed in middle-aged people. Therefore, geriatrics has recently started shifting towards the identification of early stages of the disability in order to expand the life span o…
Impact of nutraceuticals on markers of systemic inflammation: Potential relevance to cardiovascular diseases - A position paper from the Internationa…
2021
Inflammation is a marker of arterial disease stemming from cholesterol-dependent to -independent molecular mechanisms. In recent years, the role of inflammation in atherogenesis has been underpinned by pharmacological approaches targeting systemic inflammation that have led to a significant reduction in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Although the use of nutraceuticals to prevent CVD has largely focused on lipid-lowering (e.g, red-yeast rice and omega-3 fatty acids), there is growing interest and need, especially now in the time of coronavirus pandemic, in the use of nutraceuticals to reduce inflammatory markers, and potentially the inflammatory CVD burden, however, there is still not en…
Effect of Calcifediol on Physical Performance and Muscle Strength Parameters: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
2022
There is general agreement that optimal vitamin D status is necessary for bones, muscles, and general health, particularly in older adults, who are at higher risk of negative consequences of vitamin D deficiency, including sarcopenia; vitamin D supplementation is proposed as a potential intervention to mitigate sarcopenia. Several RCTs have reported that calcifediol (25(OH)D) was more potent than cholecalciferol in increasing plasma 25(OH)D. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the effects of calcifediol on physical performance and muscle strength. We searched databases from inception to 1 January 2022 for studies investigating calcifediol on physical performan…
Medicinal Mushrooms as Part of the "Third Mission" Activities of Univesities - A Science to Business Initiative Related to Mycotherapy
2021
In Italy, the National Agency for the Evaluation of the University System and Research (ANVUR) carries out a systematic evaluation of the "Third Mission" activities of universities and research bodies. In this perspective, universities already engaged in research on medicinal mushrooms and on their potential applications in the industrial sector set the frame for collaboration with large, well-reputed private companies. In Italy, one of the major problems of mycotherapy is related to lack of certification and the dubious origin/identity of mushroom extracts used by the industry. Hence, products deriving from medicinal mushrooms that are in trade do not often meet the required quality criter…
Risks Associated with the Use of Garcinia as a Nutritional Complement to Lose Weight
2021
Nowadays, obesity is one of the great nutritional problems facing public health. The prevalence of this pathology has increased in a worrying way over recent years, currently reaching epidemic proportions. In this context, nutritional supplements are presented as a therapeutic alternative to which more and more people are turning to. Nutritional supplements to lose weight based on the Garcinia plant, specifically on Garcinia cambogia, are commonly used. The active principle of this plant to which these properties have been attributed, is hydroxycitric acid (HCA). The aim of the present review is to gather reported data concerning the effectiveness of nutritional supplements based on Garcini…
PROTEIN SUPPLEMENT USE AMONG NETSURFERS VISITING HEALTH AND FITNESS COMMUNITY: FINDINGS FROM AN INTERNET-BASED SURVEY
2012
Introduction It is largely known that protein supplement (PS) use is a widespread and accepted practice by athletes and people who attend commercial gyms (Bianco et al., 2011). However, only few studies have been carried out in order to investigate supplement use and lifestyle in netsurfers of health and fitness community. For this reason the purpose of this preliminary study was to investigate the use of PS, age and lifestyle of people who visited a specific Italian sporting website: www.fitnessa360.com. Methods 273 subjects netsurfing in the www.fitnessa360.com completed the 6-item online-questionnaire about age, gender, daily cigarette consumption, protein supplement use, information sou…
The protein supplements consumption among people attending commercial gyms: The Protein Project
2015
Nowadays, in an European gym context we may find more than three people amongst ten who declare protein supplements consumption. Health, physical fitness, self-esteem, performance and muscle hypertrophy are usually the main reasons inducing such kind of consumption. It well documented that particularly active individuals use supplements to build muscle, gain strength or prevent future diseases and illnesses. Furthermore, scientific researchers have shown that in general people have different opinions about the use of supplements and the appropriate food to eat. As reported by Bianco and colleagues in 2011, proteins are the most widely ingested supplements in people attending commercial gyms…
The Role of Nutraceuticals in Statin Intolerant Patients.
2018
Abstract Statins are the most common drugs administered for patients with cardiovascular disease. However, due to statin-associated muscle symptoms, adherence to statin therapy is challenging in clinical practice. Certain nutraceuticals, such as red yeast rice, bergamot, berberine, artichoke, soluble fiber, and plant sterols and stanols alone or in combination with each other, as well as with ezetimibe, might be considered as an alternative or add-on therapy to statins, although there is still insufficient evidence available with respect to long-term safety and effectiveness on cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment. These nutraceuticals could exert significant lipid-lowering activ…