Supplement Doctor's Blog

Did you know that Bee venom (Apis mellifera) has been used for the treatment of various chronic diseases, such as chronic inflammatory arthritis and chronic liver disease? Heck no I didn't. You learn something every day.   

Study Summary:
Alcohol consumption increases apoptosis of hepatocytes. Death of hepatocytes is a characteristic feature of chronic liver disease for various causes. Bee venom (Apis mellifera) has been traditionally used for the treatment of various chronic diseases, such as chronic inflammatory arthritis and chronic liver disease. However, the precise mechanism for bee venom in chronic liver disease is not still cleared. To assess the effects of bee venom in chronic liver disease, we investigated the potential role of the bee venom in the ethanol-induced hepatocyte apoptosis. Bee venom treatment inhibited the apoptotic cell morphology and increased the cell viability in ethanol-induced hepatocyte apoptosis. With ethanol treatment, bee venom-treated hepatocytes increased activity of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, reduced activity of Bax, Caspase and PARP. In conclusion, bee venom treatment in ethanol-induced hepatocyte apoptosis occurred through the regulation of Bcl family with subsequent inactivation of the Caspase and PARP. These results suggest that bee venom could be an effective agent to reduce ethanol-induced hepatocyte apoptosis.

Reference
Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2010 Mar 4. [Epub ahead of print]
The Protective Effect of Bee Venom against Ethanol-Induced Hepatic Injury via Regulation of the Mitochondria-Related Apoptotic Pathway.
Kim KH, Kum YS, Park YY, Park JH, Kim SJ, Lee WR, Lee KG, Han SM, Park KK.
Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu, Republic of Korea.

What's your momma say: don't read in a dark room and don't watch TV with your face 1 inch away from the screen! I'm not sure if momma was right about that, but she was right when she said that eating egg yolks and dark green leafy veggies is good for you. In fact, the lutein in egg yolks is damn good for your eye. Yes, check out this new study published online in the Archives of Ophthalmology that offers hope for the prevention of visual field loss in patients suffering from retinitis pigmentosa. http://www.npicenter.com/anm/templates/newsATemp.aspx?articleid=26897&zoneid=2

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether lutein supplementation will slow visual function decline in patients with retinitis pigmentosa receiving vitamin A. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, double-masked trial of 225 nonsmoking patients, aged 18 to 60 years, evaluated over a 4-year interval. Patients received 12 mg of lutein or a control tablet daily. All were given 15,000 IU/d of vitamin A palmitate. Randomization took into account genetic type and baseline serum lutein level.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the total point score for the Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) 30-2 program; pre-specified secondary outcomes were the total point scores for the 60-4 program and for the 30-2 and 60-4 programs combined, 30-Hz electroretinogram amplitude, and Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study acuity.

RESULTS: No significant difference in rate of decline was found between the lutein plus vitamin A and control plus vitamin A groups over a 4-year interval for the HFA 30-2 program. For the HFA 60-4 program, a decrease in mean rate of sensitivity loss was observed in the lutein plus vitamin A group (P = .05). Mean decline with the 60-4 program was slower among those with the highest serum lutein level or with the highest increase in macular pigment optical density at follow-up (P = .01 and P = .006, respectively). Those with the highest increase in macular pigment optical density also had the slowest decline in HFA 30-2 and 60-4 combined field sensitivity (P = .005). No significant toxic effects of lutein supplementation were observed.

CONCLUSION: Lutein supplementation of 12 mg/d slowed loss of mid-peripheral visual field on average among nonsmoking adults with retinitis pigmentosa taking vitamin A.(1)

Reference
1. Berson EL, Rosner B, Sandberg MA, et al. Clinical trial of lutein in patients with retinitis pigmentosa receiving vitamin A. Arch Ophthalmol. Apr;128(4):403-411.

That's right. Leucine is the king of the essential amino acids. "Leucine-rich amino acid mixture or proteins appeared more efficient than leucine alone to improve muscle mass and performance."

Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Leucine does not only serve as a substrate for protein synthesis but is also recognized as a potent signal nutrient that regulates protein metabolism. Accordingly, leucine supplementation has been suggested to develop muscle mass or prevent protein loss in several conditions characterized by muscle protein wasting. In the present review, we reported the recent results related to the effect of dietary leucine or leucine-rich amino acid mixture and proteins on whole body composition. RECENT FINDINGS: Although recent studies corroborate that increasing plasma leucine concentration generally induces an increase in muscle protein synthesis, long-term dietary leucine supplementation has been poorly investigated. Chronic free leucine supplementation alone did not improve lean body or muscle mass during resistance training or in elderly, whereas it was able to limit the weight loss induced by malnutrition. Contradictory data were also reported concerning the effect of leucine supplementation for weight management in obese patients. Leucine-rich amino acid mixture or proteins appeared more efficient than leucine alone to improve muscle mass and performance, suggesting the efficacy of leucine depends nevertheless on the presence of other amino acids. SUMMARY: Until now, there is no evidence that chronic leucine supplementation is efficient in promoting muscle mass or preventing protein loss during catabolic states. Further studies are required to determine the duration and nutritional conditions of long-term leucine supplementation and to establish whether such nutritional interventions can help to prevent or treat muscle loss in various pathological or physiological conditions.

Reference
Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2010 May;13(3):265-70.
Long-term effects of leucine supplementation on body composition.
Balage M, Dardevet D.
INRA, UMR 1019 Nutrition Humaine, Saint Genès Champanelle, France.

Abstract
Previous studies have shown effects of high-protein diets, especially whey protein, on energy expenditure and satiety, yet a possible distinction between the effects of whey or alpha-lactalbumin has not been made. The present study assessed the effects of the addition of total whey protein (whey) or caseinomacropeptide-depleted alpha-lactalbumin-enriched whey protein (alpha-lac) to a breakfast yoghurt drink on energy expenditure and appetite suppression in human subjects. A total of eighteen females and seventeen males (aged 20.9 (sd 1.9) years; BMI 23.0 (sd 2.1) kg/m2) participated in an experiment with a randomised, three-arm, cross-over design where diet-induced energy expenditure, respiratory quotient and satiety were measured. Breakfasts were isoenergetic and subject-specific: a normal-protein (NP) breakfast consisting of whole milk (15, 47 and 38 % energy from protein, carbohydrate and fat, respectively), a high-protein (HP) breakfast with additional whey or a HP breakfast containing alpha-lac (41, 47 and 12 % energy from protein, carbohydrate and fat, respectively). Resting energy expenditure did not differ between the three conditions. HP breakfasts (area under the curve: whey, 217.1 (se 10.0) kJ x 4 h; alpha-lac, 234.3 (se 11.6) kJ x 4 h; P < 0.05) increased diet-induced thermogenesis more compared with a NP yoghurt at breakfast (179.7 (se 10.9) kJ x 4 h; P < 0.05). Hunger and desire to eat were significantly more suppressed after alpha-lac (hunger, - 6627 (se 823); desire to eat, - 6750 (se 805) mm visual analogue scale (VAS) x 4 h; P < 0.05) than after the whey HP breakfast (hunger, - 5448 (se 913); desire to eat, - 5070 (se 873) mm VAS x 4 h; P < 0.05). After the HP breakfasts, a positive protein balance occurred (alpha-lac, 0.35 (sd 0.18) MJ/4 h; whey, 0.37 (sd 0.20) MJ/4 h; P < 0.001); after the NP breakfast a positive fat balance occurred (1.03 (sd 0.29) MJ/4 h; P < 0.001). In conclusion, consumption of a breakfast yoghurt drink with added whey or alpha-lac increased energy expenditure, protein balance and decreased fat balance compared with a NP breakfast. The alpha-lac-enriched yoghurt drink suppressed hunger and the desire to eat more than the whey-enriched yoghurt drink.

Reference

Br J Nutr. 2010 Mar;103(5):775-80. Epub 2009 Oct 29.
Effects of a breakfast yoghurt, with additional total whey protein or caseinomacropeptide-depleted alpha-lactalbumin-enriched whey protein, on diet-induced thermogenesis and appetite suppression.
Hursel R, van der Zee L, Westerterp-Plantenga MS.
Department of Human Biology, The Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. rick.hursel@hb.unimaas.nl

This study investigated effects of a high protein (PROT) versus a high carbohydrate (CHO) diet on performance and physiological responses during an ultraendurance climbing race at moderate altitude. On two different periods, in a randomised crossover design, ten climbers (30.0+/-0.9 years) participated in the race (duration 29 h approximately, energy expenditure 43.6+/-1.2 MJ.day (-1)) and were fed either with the PROT (30% protein content) or the CHO diet (68% carbohydrate) each providing 16.74 MJ. Mental performance was assessed by the Stroop test and we estimated maximal voluntary strength of quadriceps muscle. We quantified metabolic and hormonal circulating concentrations. Mental performance was unaffected after the two races, while muscular performance and body weight were decreased (both p<0.01) with no diet effects. Decreases were measured for IGF-I concentration and its binding protein IGFBP-3 (p<0.001), and increases for cortisol and norepinephrine (p<0.01) with no diet effects. Glucose concentration decreased (p<0.05) without diet effects, while amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine, and tyrosine) decreased in CHO group (p<0.001). Leptin concentration decreased (p<0.001) without diet effects, whereas total ghrelin increased in CHO group (p<0.01). Our results showed that a high PROT or high CHO intake during physical exertion at moderate altitude maintained mental performance, but did not limit muscle force reduction and body weight loss. There was decreased glucose availability, and hormonal responses indicated both catabolism and extreme energy deficiency induced by exercise with opposite responses of ghrelin and leptin. The ghrelin response was additionally indicative of macronutrient intake during the race.

Reference
Horm Metab Res. 2010 Jan;42(1):31-7. Epub 2009 Oct 9.
Influence of protein- versus carbohydrate-enriched feedings on physiological responses during an ultraendurance climbing race.
Bourrilhon C, Lepers R, Philippe M, Beers PV, Chennaoui M, Drogou C, Beauvieux MC, Burnat P, Guezennec CY, Gomez-Merino D.
Department of Physiology, IMASSA, 91223 Brétigny-sur-Orge, France. cbourrilhon@imassa.fr

Interesting that eating a high carb diet may exacerbate the inflammatory response post-exercise!

Abstract - Inflammation associated with adipose tissue is modulated by macronutrient availability. For example, glucose increases inflammation in obese but not lean individuals. Little is known about how macronutrient intake influences inflammation associated with muscle. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of macronutrient intake differences during recovery from eccentric exercise on the inflammatory response. The study was a cross-over design in which young men and women (n = 12) completed high and low carbohydrate (CHO) conditions. Both conditions consisted of six sets of ten maximal high-force eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors and extensors followed by a controlled diet for the first 8 h post-exercise. Glucose, insulin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and C-reactive protein were measured from blood samples pre-exercise, 1.5, 4, 8, and 24 h post-exercise. Perceived muscle soreness, strength loss, and serum CK activity were measured through 120 h post-exercise. Perceived soreness was elevated (P < 0.001) at all time points post-exercise in both conditions and was higher (P < 0.05) in the high compared to the low CHO condition. IL-1beta increased (P = 0.05) 24 h post-exercise in the high compared to the low CHO condition. There was a trend (P = 0.06) for IL-6 to be elevated in the high compared to the low CHO condition. We conclude that inflammation induced by high-force eccentric exercise in skeletal muscle is greater when a high CHO compared to a low CHO diet is consumed during recovery.

Eur J Appl Physiol. 2010 Apr 3. [Epub ahead of print] Enhanced inflammation with high carbohydrate intake during recovery from eccentric exercise. Depner CM, Kirwan RD, Frederickson SJ, Miles MP. Department of Health and Human Development, Montana State University, Box 173540, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA.

Abstract
The balance between muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and muscle protein breakdown (MPB) is dependent on protein consumption and the accompanying hyperaminoacidemia, which stimulates a marked rise in MPS and mild suppression of MPB. In the fasting state, however, MPS declines sharply and MPB is increased slightly. Ultimately, the balance between MPS and MPB determines the net rate of muscle growth. Accretion of new muscle mass beyond that of normal growth can occur following periods of intense resistance exercise. Such muscle accretion is an often sought-after goal of athletes. There needs to be, however, an increased appreciation of the role that preservation of muscle can play in offsetting morbidities associated with the sarcopenia of aging, such as type 2 diabetes and declines in metabolic rate that can lead to fat mass accumulation followed by the onset or progression of obesity. Emerging evidence shows that consumption of different types of proteins can have different stimulatory effects on the amplitude and possibly duration that MPS is elevated after feeding; this may be particularly significant after resistance exercise. This effect may be due to differences in the fundamental amino acid composition of the protein (i.e., its amino acid score) and its rate of digestion. Milk proteins, specifically casein and whey, are the highest quality proteins and are quite different in terms of their rates of digestion and absorption. New data suggest that whey protein is better able to support MPS than is soy protein, a finding that may explain the greater ability of whey protein to support greater net muscle mass gains with resistance exercise. This review focuses on evidence showing the differences in responses of MPS, and ultimately muscle protein accretion, to consumption of milk- and soy-based supplemental protein sources in humans.

Reference
J Am Coll Nutr. 2009 Aug;28(4):343-54. The role of milk- and soy-based protein in support of muscle protein synthesis and muscle protein accretion in young and elderly persons.
Phillips SM, Tang JE, Moore DR. Exercise Metabolism Research Group, Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, CANADA. phillis@mcmaster.ca

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Only a few cross-sectional studies have assessed the association between coffee, tea and caffeine and the risk of depression. Our aim was to determine the association in a population-based cohort study. DESIGN: The population-based Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study cohort was recruited between 1984 and 1989 and followed until the end of 2006. We investigated the association between the intake of coffee, tea and caffeine and depression. SETTING: Eastern Finland. SUBJECTS: Middle-aged men (n 2232). RESULTS: Altogether, forty-nine men received a discharge diagnosis of depression. We classified subjects into quartiles according to their mean daily coffee intake: non-drinkers (n 82), light drinkers (<375 ml/d, n 517), moderate drinkers (375-813 ml/d, n 1243) and heavy drinkers (>813 ml/d, n 390). Heavy drinkers had a decreased risk (RR = 0.28, 95 % CI 0.08, 0.98) for depression when compared with non-drinkers, after adjustment for age and examination years. Further adjustment for socio-economic status, alcohol consumption, smoking, maximal oxygen uptake, BMI and the energy-adjusted daily intakes of folate and PUFA did not attenuate this association (relative risk (RR) = 0.23, 95 % CI 0.06, 0.83). No associations were observed between depression and intake of tea (drinkers v. non-drinkers; RR = 1.19, 95 % CI 0.54, 2.23) or caffeine (highest quartile v. lowest quartile; RR = 0.99, 95 % CI 0.40, 2.45). CONCLUSIONS: Coffee consumption may decrease the risk of depression, whereas no association was found for tea and caffeine intake.

Reference
Public Health Nutr. 2010 Apr 1:1-6. [Epub ahead of print]
Coffee, tea and caffeine intake and the risk of severe depression in middle-aged Finnish men: the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study.
Ruusunen A, Lehto SM, Tolmunen T, Mursu J, Kaplan GA, Voutilainen S.
1Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, Kuopio Campus, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland.

Abstract
The multi-billion dollar organic food industry is fueled by consumer perception that organic food is healthier (greater nutritional value and fewer toxic chemicals). Studies of the nutrient content in organic foods vary in results due to differences in the ground cover and maturity of the organic farming operation. Nutrient content also varies from farmer to farmer and year to year. However, reviews of multiple studies show that organic varieties do provide significantly greater levels of vitamin C, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus than non-organic varieties of the same foods. While being higher in these nutrients, they are also significantly lower in nitrates and pesticide residues. In addition, with the exception of wheat, oats, and wine, organic foods typically provide greater levels of a number of important antioxidant phytochemicals (anthocyanins, flavonoids, and carotenoids).

Although in vitro studies of organic fruits and vegetables consistently demonstrate that organic foods have greater antioxidant activity, are more potent suppressors of the mutagenic action of toxic compounds, and inhibit the proliferation of certain cancer cell lines, in vivo studies of antioxidant activity in humans have failed to demonstrate additional benefit. Clear health benefits from consuming organic dairy products have been demonstrated in regard to allergic dermatitis.

Reference
Altern Med Rev. 2010 Mar;15(1):4-12. Organic foods contain higher levels of certain nutrients, lower levels of pesticides, and may provide health benefits for the consumer. Crinnion WJ. 1982 graduate, Bastyr University; private practice treating chronic diseases caused by environmental toxic burden; conducts post-graduate seminars in environmental medicine; Professor, Chair, Environmental Medicine, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. E-mail: w.crinnion@scnm.edu.

Guess what? Those chubby club-footed looking Artic mammals have plenty of healthy fat in ‘em. Seal oil! As good as fish oil!

Science Says: As meat is a rich source of the omega-3 fatty acid docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and Australians consume six times more meat than fish, investigation of the potential health benefit of DPA is warranted. The aims were to compare the effects of seal oil supplementation with fish oil, on measures of plasma lipids and blood pressure in hypertriglyceridaemic subjects. Forty-eight volunteers were recruited from the Wollongong community and were randomly allocated to one of three groups either receiving 1 g/day of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) using one of three oils: seal oil capsules (340 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 230 mg DPA, 450 mg DHA), fish oil capsules (210 mg EPA, 30 mg DPA, 810 mg DHA) or placebo capsules (containing sunola oil) for 6 weeks. Plasma triglycerides remained unchanged in the placebo group, whilst reductions of 7 and 14% (P < 0.05) were seen in the fish oil and seal oil groups respectively. Systolic blood pressure improved by 8 and 5 mmHg with seal oil and fish oil respectively (P < 0.05). The mean arterial pressure was significantly lower after seal oil supplementation (P < 0.005) compared with the placebo group. These results indicate oil in lowering plasma triglycerides and blood pressure.

Reference
Lipids. 2009 Sep;44(9):827-35.
Comparison of seal oil to tuna oil on plasma lipid levels and blood pressure in hypertriglyceridaemic subjects.
Meyer BJ, Lane AE, Mann NJ.
School of Health Sciences, Metabolic Research Centre, Smart Foods Centre, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. bmeyer@uow.edu.au