PMID: 

J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2019 Jun ;18(1):119-125. Epub 2019 Mar 22. PMID: 31275882

Abstract Title: 

Effects of ginger supplementation on anthropometric, glycemic and metabolic parameters in subjects with metabolic syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Abstract: 

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is one of the worldwide most chronic endocrine disorders. The disease can also lead to several other chronic disorders such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, renal diseases and cancers. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ginger powder on biochemical and anthropometric parameters in patients with MetS.Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 37 patients with MetS. We supplemented the individuals with MetS with either 2 g per day ginger powder or placebo for 12 weeks. Biochemical and anthropometric parameters before and after the intervention were compared between the two groups.Results: After 12 weeks of treatment, the levels of triglyceride (TG), FBS, and insulin resistance were significantly improved in the patients receiving ginger in compare to the placebo group ( 

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PMID: 

Eur J Clin Invest. 2020 Jan 21:e13201. Epub 2020 Jan 21. PMID: 31960952

Abstract Title: 

Effects of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 in IBS patients.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder, which still lacks effective therapy. We aimed to investigate the effects of a novel formulation of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 with vitamin B6 (LBB) on symptoms, intestinal permeability, cultivable bacteria and metabolome in IBS subjects.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five IBS patients (Rome IV criteria) (M:F= 8:17; age 48 yrs± 11 SD) were randomized to treatment (LBB) or placebo (one month each) in a crossover randomized double-blind controlled trial. Symptoms, intestinal habits, disease severity, intestinal permeability, and intestinal microbiota were analysed at 0, 30, 45, and 60 days.RESULTS: Percentage decrease from baseline of abdominal pain (-48.8% vs. -3.5%), bloating (-36.35% vs. +7.35%) and severity of disease (-30.1% vs. -0.4%) was significantly (p

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PMID: 

Benef Microbes. 2019 Dec 9 ;10(8):823-839. Epub 2019 Sep 29. PMID: 31965839

Abstract Title: 

-fermented rice bran and rice bran supplementation affects the gut microbiome and metabolome.

Abstract: 

This study investigated gut microbiota composition along with food, host, and microbial derived metabolites in the colon and systemic circulation of healthy mice following dietary rice bran and fermented rice bran intake. Adult male BALB/c mice were fed a control diet or one of two experimental diets containing 10% w/w rice bran fermented byor 10% w/w non-fermented rice bran for 15 weeks. Metabolomics was performed on the study diets (food), the murine colon and whole blood. These were analysed in concert with 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of faeces, caecum, and colon microbiomes. Principal components analysis of murine microbiota composition displayed marked separation between control and experimental diets, and between faecal and tissue (caecum and colon) microbiomes. Colon and caecal microbiomes in both experimental diet groups showed enrichment of, andrelated amplicon sequence variants compared to control. Bacterial composition was largely similar between experimental diets. Metabolite profiling revealed 530 small molecules comprising of 39% amino acids and 21% lipids that had differential abundances across food, colon, and blood matrices, and statistically significant between the control, rice bran, and fermented rice bran groups. The amino acid metabolite, N-delta-acetylornithine, was notably increased byrice bran fermentation when compared to non-fermented rice bran in food, colon, and blood. These findings support that dietary intake of rice bran fermented withmodulates multiple metabolic pathways important to the gut and overall health.

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PMID: 

Food Sci Nutr. 2019 Aug ;7(8):2584-2594. Epub 2019 Jul 4. PMID: 31428346

Abstract Title: 

Effect ofleaf powder supplementation on reducing anemia in children below two years in Kisarawe District, Tanzania.

Abstract: 

Anemia is a nutritional disorder that affects mostly children below 2 years and is mainly contributed by iron deficiency.leaves are rich in iron and other essential nutrients necessary for iron metabolism. We investigated the effect ofleaf powder supplementation on reducing anemia among children below 2 years. A community-based interventional study was conducted that enrolled 95 anemic children who were followed for 6 months. The intervention communities receivedleaf powder and nutrition education, while control communities only received nutrition education. Changes on mean hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and anemia prevalence were compared between the two groups usingtest and proportional test where appropriate. At baseline, the mean Hb concentrations of control and intervention groups were 7.9 g/dl  ( = 1.3) and 8.3 g/dl ( = 1.6) g/L, respectively (-value = 0.0943). After 6 months, anemia prevalence significantly decreased in the intervention group by 53.6% (100%-46.4%; 

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PMID: 

Heliyon. 2019 Dec ;5(12):e02935. Epub 2019 Dec 4. PMID: 31872118

Abstract Title: 

Protective role ofleaf extract on cardiac antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

Abstract: 

is a medicinal plant with great therapeutic potential. The leaves ofare used by Indians in herbal medicines to treat diabetes. The present study is aimed to determine the protective role ofin cardiac tissues under diabetic conditions. Diabetic rats were treated orally with methanolic extract ofleaves at a dose of 300 mg/Kg body weight for 60 days. The effect of extract on serum glucose, glycated hemoglobin, plasma insulin and the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), hydroperoxides (HP), conjugated dienes (D), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-reductase (GRD) and reduced glutathione content (GSH) were estiated. Metformin and atorvastatin were used as standard drugs. A significant increase in plasma insulin, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-reductase (GRD) and reduced glutathione content (GSH) and a significant decrease in serum glucose, glycated hemoglobin, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), hydroperoxides (HP) and conjugated dienes (CD) were observed in the treated groups. This study evaluated the antioxidant potential of methanolic extract ofleaves. These findings suggest the protective role ofagainst oxidative stress in the heart of diabetic rats.

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PMID: 

J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2019 Dec ;18(2):323-331. Epub 2019 Jun 24. PMID: 31890657

Abstract Title: 

Anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin D and resistance training in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus and vitamin D deficiency: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Abstract: 

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin D and resistance training in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus and vitamin D deficiency.Design: This study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical trial.: IRCT20190204042621N1.Participants: Forty-eight patients with type 2 diabetes aged 40-65 (from a total of 52 volunteers in Ardabil diabetes clinic) were randomly assigned to either the vitamin D supplementation with resistance training group (VD + RT: = 12), the resistance training group (RT: = 12), the vitamin D supplementation group (VD: = 12), or the control group (CON: = 12).Intervention: The subjects in VD group took vitamin D supplements at 50000 IU per 2 weeks for 3 months; the subjects in RT group exercised 3 times per week for 12 weeks; and the subjects in VD + RT group participated in both treatments. Subjects in CON group were asked to maintain normal daily life pattern for the duration of the study.Measurements: Serum Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were determined at pre and post-test and the data were compared among the four groups and between two tests (4 × 2) using two-way ANOVA with repeated measures.Results: IL-6 decreased significantly ( = 0.001) in all groups (VD + RT = % -71.73, RT = % -65.85, VD = % -61.70). TNF-α decreased significantly ( = 0.001) in VD + RT (% -44.90) and RT (% -40) groups. CRP showed no significant change in any group ( > 0.05).Conclusion: Results demonstrated that vitamin D supplementation in addition to resistance training had positive effects on some inflammatory markers in T2D and vitamin D deficient men. Vitamin D supplementation was especially effective when it was complemented with exercise training.

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PMID: 

J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2019 Dec ;18(2):487-494. Epub 2019 Nov 15. PMID: 31890674

Abstract Title: 

Molecular effects of Moringa leaf extract on insulin resistance and reproductive function in hyperinsulinemic male rats.

Abstract: 

Background: Many studies have reported that insulin resistance impairs the antioxidant defense system and causes male infertility.is a medicinal plant that has been employed for the medicament of many disorders. It controls the levels of glucose and manages male sexual disorders. However, its extracts can reverse insulin resistance-linked metabolic alterations remains unknown. Therefore, the current study investigated the potential of the aqueous leaves extract fromto reverse insulin resistance and testicular disorders in rats.Methods: Rats were fed either a chow (as a control group) or a high fructose diet (HFD, to persuade a state of insulin resistance), in addition to a group of rats fed HFD and treated with(300 mg/kg) for 4 weeks.Results: reversed hepatic insulin insensitivity and this was linked to up-regulation of genes involved in insulin receptors and glucose uptake in the liver. These results were associated with amended the insulin level in serum and standardization of insulin sensitivity. In addition, it improved the serum testosterone level and the gene expression of the testicular steridogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD).Conclusion: Taken together, our findings demonstrate thatreversed HFD diet-induced insulin resistance and improved the testicular function.

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PMID: 

Clin Exp Hypertens. 2020 Jan 22:1-12. Epub 2020 Jan 22. PMID: 31965874

Abstract Title: 

leaf extract induces vasorelaxation via endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization and calcium channel blockade in mesenteric arterial beds isolated from L-NAME hypertensive rats.

Abstract: 

: An aqueous extract ofleaves (MOE) is known to cause relaxation of mesenteric resistance arteries of rats in which hypertension has been induced by the administration of L-NAME, but the mechanism(s) of action of MOE remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate these mechanisms in mesenteric arterial beds isolated from L-NAME induced hypertensive rats. Methods: An investigation of vascular reactivity was conducted on isolated mesenteric arterial beds by measuring the changes in perfusion pressure using ansystem.: MOE (0.001-3 mg in 0.1 ml injection volume) caused a dose-dependent relaxation in methoxamine (5µM) pre-contracted arterial beds, which was partially abolished by endothelium removal. The endothelium-dependent component of vasorelaxation was insensitive to both L-NAME (100 µM) and indomethacin (10 µM), while completely inhibited in high KCl (45 mM)-induced contraction. MOE (1 and 3 mg/ml) showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on CaCl-induced contractions of denuded preparations in Ca-free medium containing a high KCl (60 mM) or methoxamine (10µM). In Ca-free medium, MOE (3 mg/ml) also inhibited phenylephrine-induced contractions of denuded preparations. Conclusion: These findings suggest that MOE relaxes mesenteric arterial beds of L-NAME hypertensive rats via both endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent mechanisms. The endothelium-dependent action occurred via endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-mediated hyperpolarization. The endothelium-independent action was related to blocking the entry of extracellular Cavia voltage-operated and receptor-operated Cachannels, and inhibiting mobilization of sarcolemmal Cavia inositol trisphosphate receptor Cachannels. MOE may be potentially useful as a natural vasodilator against hypertension.

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CBD, the cannabinoid compound in the cannabis plant may have benefits such as easing pain, reducing inflammation, anxiety, and more. More recently, the health and beauty industry has taken notice of the trend and discovered CBD might help with skin and hair issues including one that often plagues men more than women-hair loss. 

While CBD is not a cure-all for hair loss, adding it to your hair care routine might help in preventing hair loss related to non-genetic causes.

Here are a few ways CBD might help with hair loss:

• Amino and Fatty acids– CBD oil is rich in amino acids, the backbone of the hair follicle protein keratin that makes up about 88% of hair. Keratin contains 18 different amino acids that aid in red blood cell production. Amino acids also play a significant role in red blood cell production. This is important because red blood cells supply nutrients and oxygen to hair follicles. Researchers at Belgravia Centre found and published a study citing CBD contains fatty acids omega 3 and omega 6. Both fatty acids have shown promise in fighting hair loss by promoting blood flow to the scalp. 
• Antioxidants– CBD oil also contains a long list of antioxidants, including vitamin E, vitamin A, calcium, and magnesium. Antioxidants protect against hair loss-causing free radical damage and are proven to help keep hair healthy.
• Inflammation– There is a connection between hair loss and inflammation, including male pattern baldness and other forms of alopecia. Studies show that the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD might help calm an overactive immune response and reduce inflammation related to autoimmune conditions that cause hair loss.
• Stress reduction-Increased stress can cause symptoms that are not tied to any illness, including skin issues and hair loss. Research suggests CBD might reduce stress and increases blood flow to parts of the brain associated with anxiety.
• Sebum production- Sebum is the natural oil produced by your body that protects and moisturizes your skin, hair, and scalp. CBD has shown promise in helping ease dry skin. A moisturized scalp can help keep hair follicles healthy.

Often, male hair loss is genetic. If you are experiencing sudden hair loss or other symptoms, it is best to see your doctor.

PMID: 

Nutrients. 2020 Jan 16 ;12(1). Epub 2020 Jan 16. PMID: 31963293

Abstract Title: 

A Review of Micronutrients and the Immune System-Working in Harmony to Reduce the Risk of Infection.

Abstract: 

Immune support by micronutrients is historically based on vitamin C deficiency and supplementation in scurvy in early times. It has since been established that the complex, integrated immune system needs multiple specific micronutrients, including vitamins A, D, C, E, B6, and B12, folate, zinc, iron, copper, and selenium, which play vital, often synergistic roles at every stage of the immune response. Adequate amounts are essential to ensure the proper function of physical barriers and immune cells; however, daily micronutrient intakes necessary to support immune function may be higher than current recommended dietary allowances. Certain populations have inadequate dietary micronutrient intakes, and situations with increased requirements (e.g., infection, stress, and pollution) further decrease stores within the body. Several micronutrients may be deficient, and even marginal deficiency may impair immunity. Although contradictory data exist, available evidence indicates that supplementation with multiple micronutrients with immune-supporting roles may modulate immune function and reduce the risk of infection. Micronutrients with the strongest evidence for immune support are vitamins C and D and zinc. Better design of human clinical studies addressing dosage and combinations of micronutrients in different populations are required to substantiate the benefits of micronutrient supplementation against infection.

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