Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of Cs-4 Ò (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy elderly subjects. Design: Twenty (20) healthy elderly (age 50-75 years) subjects were enrolled in this double-blind, placebocontrolled, prospective trial. The subjects were taking either Cs-4 333 mg or placebo capsules 3 times a day for 12 weeks. Measurement: Subjects received baseline screening including physical examination and laboratory tests. Maximal incremental exercise testing was performed on a stationary cycle ergometer using breath-by-breath analysis at baseline and at the completion of the study. Results: After receiving Cs-4 for 12 weeks, the metabolic threshold (above which lactate accumulates) increased by 10.5% from 0.83 AE 0.06 to 0.93 AE 0.08 L=min ( p < 0.02) and the ventilatory threshold (above which unbuffered H þ stimulates ventilation) increased by 8.5% from 1.25 AE 0.11 to 1.36 AE 0.15 L=min. Significant changes in metabolic or ventilatory threshold were not seen for the subjects in the placebo group after 12 weeks, and there were no changes in _ v vo 2 max in either group. Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that supplementation with Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) improves exercise performance and might contribute to wellness in healthy older subjects.
The growing popularity of botanical dietary supplements (BDS) has been accompanied by concerns regarding the quality of commercial products. Health care providers, in particular, have an interest in knowing about product quality, in view of the issues related to herb-drug interactions and potential side effects. This study assessed whether commercial formulations of saw palmetto, kava kava, echinacea, ginseng and St. John's wort had consistent labeling and whether quantities of marker compounds agreed with the amounts stated on the label. We purchased six bottles each of two lots of supplements from nine manufacturers and analyzed the contents using established commercial methodologies at an independent laboratory. Product labels were found to vary in the information provided, such as serving recommendations and information about the herb itself (species, part of the plant, marker compound, etc.) With regard to marker compound content, little variability was observed between different lots of the same brand, while the content did vary widely between brands (e.g. total phenolic compounds in Echinacea ranged from 3.9–15.3 mg per serving; total ginsenosides in ginseng ranged from 5.3–18.2 mg per serving). Further, the amounts recommended for daily use also differed between brands, increasing the potential range of a consumer's daily dose. Echinacea and ginseng were the most variable, while St. John's wort and saw palmetto were the least variable. This study highlights some of the key issues in the botanical supplement market, including the importance of standardized manufacturing practices and reliable labeling information. In addition, health care providers should keep themselves informed regarding product quality in order to be able to appropriately advise patients utilizing both conventional and herbal medicines.
Nutrition occupies a central position in the treatment of SUDs. Given the paradox that food can have apparently opposing effects in either causing addiction or in influencing its remedy, it is important to clarify this difference. Evidence is mounting that diseases such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and mental health disorders including addiction have a common root cause related to the increase in sugar and processed food consumption rather than fat consumption as has been commonly held. In addition to new integrative approach models encompassing a holistic perspective, new developments in genetics and epigenetics as well as the human microbiome and gut-brain health provide further evidence of the mechanisms by which a healthy approach to nutrition can change outcomes. Building upon the neurobiological theory of addiction and reward deficiency, these breakthroughs lead to new hope for a successful approach to recovery.
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