Probiotic–phytonutrient blends may improve gut function
Probiotic–phytonutrient blends containing Lacticaseibacillus and Bifidobacterium strains plus citrus bioflavonoids and dandelion root extract could improve bowel function and gut health, according to a new study.
Writing in Nutrients, researchers from South Korea and the US suggested that supplementation may influence gut microbial activity and gut barrier-related biomarkers through microbiome-mediated metabolic modulation.
The eight-week study also reported that probiotic–phytonutrient blends increased short-chain fatty acid levels, especially butyrate and acetate.
Sustained-release melatonin may boost sleep outcomes and wellbeing for poor sleepers: RCT
A low dose of sustained-release melatonin may improve sleep quality, including falling asleep faster and fewer nighttime awakenings.
This is based on a 28-day study which evaluated the melatonin ingredient branded Melotime from India-based Nutriventia.
Findings published in Clocks & Sleep reported that the intervention group fell asleep approximately 10 minutes faster on average post-trial, while that of the placebo group was lengthened by over 15 minutes.
dAKG associated with biological age reversal
Supplementation of delayed-release alpha-ketoglutarate (dAKG) could reverse biological age, says a new study from Singapore.
The study, led by researchers from the Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, part of the National University of Singapore, assessed the association between 84 commonly used supplements and biological age measured as Age Residual.
Findings published in Aging Cell showed that supplement users had significantly younger Age Residual than non-users, based on cross-sectional analysis. A non-significant benefit of taking supplements was also seen in the longitudinal analysis.
Lutein-zeaxanthin supplements may boost attention in teenagers: RCT
Daily supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin may boost attention and processing speed in teenagers, says a new clinical trial that claims to be the first to study the effects of the carotenoids in teenagers.
Writing in Nutrition Research, researchers from Australia reported that supplementation with 10 mg lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin per day was also associated with increases in macula pigment optical density (MPOD) – a measure of lutein/zeaxanthin levels in the eye.
The study used the Lute-gen ingredient from Bio-gen Extracts Pvt. Ltd, which also funded the trial.
Can iron intake combat pelvic inflammatory disease?
Women who consumed iron had a significantly lower risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), especially when the mineral was taken at a specific dose range.
Writing in the journal Medicine, researchers at Nanjing Medical University in China used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2013 to 2020 to explore the possible link between dietary iron consumption and PID.
Notably, participants with the highest iron use experienced a 30% reduction in PID risk.
