Turmeric, a spice that has long been recognized for its medicinal properties, has received interest from both the medical/scientific world and from culinary enthusiasts, as it is the major source of the polyphenol curcumin. It aids in the management of oxidative and inflammatory conditions, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, anxiety, and hyperlipidemia. It may also help in the management of exercise-induced inflammation and muscle soreness, thus enhancing recovery and performance in active people. In addition, a relatively low dose of the complex can provide health benefits for people that do not have diagnosed health conditions. Most of these benefits can be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Ingesting curcumin by itself does not lead to the associated health benefits due to its poor bioavailability, which appears to be primarily due to poor absorption, rapid metabolism, and rapid elimination. There are several components that can increase bioavailability. For example, piperine is the major active component of black pepper and, when combined in a complex with curcumin, has been shown to increase bioavailability by 2000%. Curcumin combined with enhancing agents provides multiple health benefits. The purpose of this review is to provide a brief overview of the plethora of research regarding the health benefits of curcumin.

Prolonged inactivity and hypercortisolemia represents a persistent catabolic stimulus that exacerbates strength and lean muscle loss via a chronic reduction in muscle protein synthesis.

SUMMARY Background & aim Protein-energy supplementation is routinely employed to combat muscle loss. However, success is often compromised by increased satiety, poor palatability, high costs and low compliance. Methods For 2-weeks we supplemented meals of older individuals with leucine (4 g/meal; 3 meals/day; days 2–14). Metabolic studies were performed prior to (Day 1) and following (Day 15) supplementation. Leucine was not provided on metabolic study days. Venous blood and vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were obtained during a primed constant infusion of L-[ring-13C6] phenylalanine. Mixed muscle fractional synthesis rate (FSR), body composition and markers of nutrient signaling (mTOR, 4E-BP1 and p70S6K1 phosphorylation) were measured before and after a low protein/carbohydrate simulated meal. Results The meal modestly increased FSR on Day 1 (postabsorptive: 0.063 ± 0.004 vs. postprandial: 0.075 ± 0.006%/h; p = 0.03), however, two weeks of leucine supplementation increased postabsorptive FSR (p = 0.004) and the response to the meal (p = 0.01) (postabsorptive: 0.074 ± 0.007 vs. postprandial: 0.10 ± 0.007%/h). Changes in FSR were mirrored by increased phosphorylation of mTOR, 4E-BP1 and p70S6K1 (p ≤ 0.1). No change in fat free mass was observed (p > 0.05). Conclusions In older adults, leucine supplementation may improve muscle protein synthesis in response to lower protein meals.

With over two-thirds (71.6%) of the US adult population either overweight or obese, many strategies have been suggested for weight loss. While many are successful, the weight loss is often accompanied by a loss in lean body mass. This loss in lean body mass has multiple negative health implications. Therefore, weight loss strategies that protect lean body mass are of value. It is challenging to consume a significant caloric deficit while maintaining lean body mass regardless of macronutrient distribution. Therefore, the efficacy of various dietary supplements on body weight and body composition have been a topic of research interest. Chromium picolinate has been shown to improve body composition by maintaining lean body mass. In this paper we review some common weight loss strategies and dietary supplements with a focus on their impact on body composition and compare them to the effect of chromium picolinate.

Zinc-L-carnosine (ZnC), also called polaprezinc known as PepZin GI™, is a chelated compound that contains L-carnosine and zinc. It is a relatively new molecule and has been associated with multiple health benefits. There are several studies that support ZnC’s benefits in restoring the gastric lining, healing other parts of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, improving taste disorders, improving GI disorders, and enhancing skin and liver. Oral mucositis is a common complication of cytotoxic radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. It occurs in almost every person with head and neck cancer who receive radiotherapy. It is often overlooked because it is not considered life threatening. However, mucositis often leads to a decreased quality of life and cessation of treatment, ultimately decreasing positive outcomes. Therefore, solutions to address it should be considered. The primary mechanisms of action are thought to be localized and related to ZnC’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to discuss the research related to ZnC and to explore its benefits, especially in the management of conditions related to damaged epithelial cells, such as oral mucositis. Evidence supports the safety and efficacy of ZnC for the maintenance, prevention, and treatment of the mucosal lining and other epithelial tissues. The research supports its use for gastric ulcers (approved in Japan) and conditions of the upper GI and suggests other applications, particularly for oral mucositis.

Cognitive function is critical for successful prolonged performance in eSports. This double-blind placebo-controlled study examined the effect of an inositol-enhanced arginine silicate oral supplement on cognitive performance and energy in eSports athletes. Sixty healthy men and women who spent 5 or more hours a week playing video games were randomly assigned to take supplement or placebo for 7 days. On day 1 and 7, before and 15 min after dosing, subjects completed the Trail Making Test (TMT), Parts A and B; Stroop Test; and Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire, and then played a video game for 60 min. Immediately after, cognitive tests were repeated. Self-reported energy levels increased, anger decreased, and TMT-B test errors decreased in the supplement group compared to placebo (p < 0.05). Fatigue, TMT-B time, and TMT B-A score improved in the supplement group compared to baseline (p < 0.05). After 60 min of gaming, supplementation decreased Stroop Test errors and TMT-A time (p < 0.05). Adverse events were minimal and not different between groups. These data appear to support the use of the studies product (nooLVL®) in eSports gamers looking to improve their accuracy, decision making, and reaction time during gaming.

The diet heart hypothesis has driven nutrition recommendations and policy for decades. Recent studies have questioned the hypothesis and sparked great controversy over the assumed connection between saturated fat intake and heart disease. Recent evidence suggests that dietary patterns should be the focus of dietary recommendations, not any one food or nutrient. Furthermore, to classify foods as simply saturated fat, polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats is to ignore the many other potential nutrients and health benefits. Coconut is classified as a saturated fat and therefore listed as a food to limit to reduce heart disease risk. However, different saturated fats, medium-chain or long-chain, act differently metabolically and thus have different health effects. The medium-chain fatty acids predominate in coconut are absorbed differently and have been associated with several health benefits, including improvements in cognitive function and a more favorable lipid profile compared to longer chain fatty acids. Coconuts provide a healthful source of saturated fats and should not be considered the same as foods with longer chain saturated fats. Future recommendations should take this research into consideration. It is the purpose of this review to discuss the research regarding the connection between saturated fat intake, specifically coconut consumption, and health, while focusing on dietary patterns and lifestyle behaviors.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic condition that impacts quality of life and functionality for which consumers often seek dietary supplements to provide some relief. The purpose of this double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was to assess the safety and efficacy of a water-soluble chicken eggshell membrane hydrosylate (WSEM) dietary supplement (BiovaFlex®) 450 mg daily on knee function, mobility, and general health and well-being in 88 adults with OA randomized into intervention (n = 44) or placebo (n = 44) groups. Outcomes were assessed periodically over 12 weeks, including the Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the six-minute walk test (6MWT), knee range of motion (ROM) testing, and safety. Normalized analysis (improvement over baseline) showed that the poorest initial performers benefited the greatest from the WSEM by day 5 in the 6MWT, with the rest of the population showing significant improvement over placebo by week 12. The normalized WOMAC Stiffness score was also significantly improved over placebo by day 5 (P < .05). Without normalization, no statistically significant improvements were seen in WOMAC, 6MWT, and ROM testing. The Product was also found to be safe in this study. In conclusion, daily consumption of WSEM significantly enhanced average individual physical capacity (walking distance and ability), reduced stiffness by the fifth day of supplementation with the greatest benefit seen by the most compromised individuals, and was maintained over 12 weeks. A WSEM dietary supplement may offer a safe option for relief from symptoms and increased mobility for those with OA.