Effects of a curcumin-based supplementation in asymptomatic subjects with low bone density: a preliminary 24-week supplement study

Osteopenia is a chronic bone condition characterized by decreased calcification, density, or bone mass that, if untreated, can lead to osteoporosis and bone fractures. Although its increasing prevalence, nowadays osteopenia is not adequately prevented and managed. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy, in term of changes in bone density, and safety of an oral formulation based on turmeric phytosome (Meriva\uae), in subjects suffering from low bone density

A natural pharma standard supplement formulation to control treatment-related toxicity and oxidative stress in genitourinary cancer: a preliminary study

Oncological treatments are associated with toxicities that may decrease compliance to treatment in most genitourinary cancer patients. Supplementation with pharmaceutical-standardized supplement may be a supplementary method to control the side effects after chemo- and radiotherapy and the increased oxidative stress associated to treatments. This registry study evaluated a natural combination of supplements containing curcumin, cordyceps, and astaxanthin (Oncotris\u2122) used as supplementary management in genitourinary cancer patients who had undergone oncological therapy

Prevention of venous thrombosis and thrombophlebitis in long-haul flights with pycnogenol.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) and its prophylaxis with an oral anti-edema and antithrombotic agent (Pycnogenol®, Horphag, Research Management SA, Geneva, Switzerland) in long-haul flights, in subjects at moderate to high-risk of DVT and SVT. The study pre-included 244 pre-selected subjects; 211 were included (33 were excluded for several reasons due to logistic problems) and 198 completed the study; 13 subjects were lost for follow-up at the end of the flight, all for non-medical problems (i.e., for difficult connections). All subjects were scanned within 90 minutes before the flight and within 2 hours after disembarking. Subjects were supplemented with 100 mg Pycnogenol® per capsule. Treatment subjects received two capsules between 2 and 3 hours before flights with 250 mL of water; two capsules were taken 6 hours later with 250 mL of water and one capsule the next day. The control group received comparable placebo at the same intervals. The flight duration was on average 8 hours and 15 minutes (SD 55 min) (range, 7.45-12.33). In the control group there were five thrombotic events (one DVT and four superficial thromboses) while only nonthrombotic, localized phlebitis was observed in the Pycnogenol®group (5.15% vs. no events; p<0.025). The ITT (intention to treat) analysis detects 13 failures in the control group (eight lost to follow up + five thrombotic events) of 105 subjects (12.4%) vs. five failures (4.7%; all lost, no thrombotic events) in the treatment group (p<0.025). No unwanted effects were observed. In conclusion, this study indicates that Pycnogenol® treatment was effective in decreasing the number of thrombotic events (DVT and SVT) in moderate-to-high risk subjects, during long-haul flights

Pycnogenol&#174; improves cognitive function, attention, mental performance and specific professional skills in healthy professionals aged 35-55

AIM: This 12-week, product-evaluation registry study aimed to compare the effects of supplementation with French Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol\uae) on cognitive function, attention, and mental performance in healthy professionals with increased oxidative stress in a professional context. METHODS: Professionals were screened for increased oxidative stress: 60 subjects (range 35-55 years, no risk conditions, no addictions) voluntarily decided to be followed-up. Diet, alcohol and lifestyle patterns, including exercise, were controlled. Pycnogenol\uae (150 mg/day) was used in combination with a health plan to enhance mental performance and control oxidative stress. RESULTS: A group of 30 professionals used Pycnogenol\uae, and 29 acted as comparable controls for a period of 12 weeks. The two registry groups were comparable. Cognitive function, attention, mental performance, sustained attention, memory, executive functions, mood and oxidative stress values were comparable at inclusion. At 12 weeks the improvement in Pycnogenol\uae subjects was more significant than in controls. Plasma-free radicals (oxidative stress) were significantly decreased (median -30.4%) at 12 weeks in Pycnogenol\uae subjects in comparison with a non-significant variation observed in controls (+0.9%; difference between groups). Considering the cognitive test battery (PASAT, pattern recognition memory, spatial recognition memory, spatial working memory), Pycnogenol\uae subjects showed a small but significant improvement with spatial recognition memory unchanged. Mood parameters (alertness, anxiety, contentedness) also improved in professionals using the supplement. In the evaluation of 12 professional daily tasks all items were improved with Pycnogenol\uae supplementation. The score relative to semi-professional minitasks was improved more in Pycnogenol\uae subjects. Tolerability and compliance were optimal with >94% of the doses of supplement correctly used. CONCLUSION: Pycnogenol\uae supplementation for 12 weeks appears to improve cognitive function and oxidative stress in healthy professionals

Improvement in cochlear flow in patients with tinnitus with the complex supplement Acustop : a product evaluation

AIM: Patients with tinnitus constitute a very large group without a real, specific therapeutic solution. With noninvasive, color duplex it is possible to measure flow in the cochlear artery and to follow duplex flow changes due to treatments in most patients. The aim of this preliminary evaluation was to study flow variations in patients with "mild-to-moderate" tinnitus, possibly associated to cochlear hypo-perfusion, after administration of Acustop (used as a food supplement). The aim was to improve cochlear flow decreasing the level of tinnitus. METHODS: Patients with "mild-to-moderate", "idiopathic", monolateral tinnitus, present for at least 4 weeks were included; no vertigo or important hearing loss had been observed. The origin of tinnitus had been sudden (hours or days). The tinnitus was associated to a decrease in cochlear flow measured by color Duplex at the affected ear. A group of 42 patients was evaluated; 25 used Acustop; there were 17 controls (follow-up only). Groups were comparable for their clinical problem and other details. The average duration of treatment was 4 weeks. RESULTS: No side effects were observed and no drop-outs were recorded. Flow velocity at the level of the affected inner ear was significantly lower (both the diastolic and systolic components; P<0.05) in comparison with the other ear. This was considered an indication of the vascular origin of the tinnitus. With Acustop treatment there was a significant improvement in systolic (P<0.05) and diastolic flow velocity (P<0.05). The increase in flow velocity was not significant in controls. An analogue scale line was used to measure symptoms in the Acustop group: it was 8.2;2 at inclusion; it decreased to 3.1;1.5 at 4 weeks (P<0.05). The score was 8.4;2 in controls at inclusion; at 4 weeks the score was 7.1;2.2 (not significant). Tinnitus scale: the value at inclusion of the tinnitus scale in the Acustop group a was 8.5;1.1 versus 8.3;1.2 in controls. After 4 weeks the score was 3.1;1.1 (P<0.05) in the Acustop group vs 7.2 in controls; the difference between the two groups was significant; P<0.025). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, these results suggest that in selected patients with tinnitus and altered inner ear perfusion Acustop appears to be effective in relieving tinnitus possibly by improving cochlear flow. More studies should be planned to evaluate better the potential applications of Acustop in this very interesting field. This clinical problem affects a large number of patients, without a real therapeutic solution at the moment, decreasing their quality of life and their performing abilities

Beanblock&#174; (standardized dry extract of Phaseolus vulgaris) in mildly overweight subjects : a pilot study

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the efficacy of Beanblock\uae, a standardized extract of Phaseolus vulgaris L., on weight control in healthy overweight subjects on a weight management plan that combined lifestyle and dietary advice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty overweight (BMI 25-30 kg/m2) healthy subjects were enroled. All subjects were instructed to follow a weight management plan, accompanied by dietary advice. Thirty subjects used Beanblock\uae for at least 12 weeks (50 mg tablets, two times daily). The remaining 30 subjects did not receive any supplementation (management-only). The main endpoints were changes in body weight and waist circumference, with plasmatic oxidative stress, satiey and appetite being also evaluated. RESULTS: At week 12, the supplementation with Beanblock\uae was associated with a reduction in body weight (from 82.8 \ub1 9.1 kg to 78.8 \ub1 8.9 kg; p < 0.0001) and a decrease of waist circumference from 94.4 \ub1 10.3 cm to 88.2 \ub1 10.0 cm (p < 0.0001). Conversely, only marginal changes were observed in the control group. Oxidative stress was also significantly decreased with Beanblock\uae (from 380.4 \ub1 14.8 to 340.7 \ub1 14.8 Carr Units; p < 0.0001). Satiety and appetite improved in the supplement group. No side effects were observed and compliance was optimal. CONCLUSIONS: Beanblock\uae, in association with a health management plan, was useful for weight control in mildly overweight healthy subjects