The Efficacy of Administering Fruit-Derived Polyphenols to Improve Health Biomarkers, Exercise Performance and Related Physiological Responses

open access articlePolyphenols are secondary metabolites involved in a myriad of critical processes in plants. Over recent decades, special attention has been paid to the anti-oxidative role of fruit-derived polyphenols in the human diet, with evidence supporting the contribution of polyphenols in the prevention of numerous non-communicable disease outcomes. However, due to the low concentration in biological fluids in vivo, the antioxidant properties of polyphenols seem to be related to an enhanced endogenous antioxidant capacity induced via signaling through the nuclear respiratory factor 2 pathway. Polyphenols also seem to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and have been shown to enhance vascular function via nitric oxide mediated mechanisms. Consequently, there is rationale to support fruit-derived polyphenol supplementation to enhance exercise performance, possibly via improved muscle perfusion. Fruit-derived polyphenol supplementation in exercise studies have included a variety of fruits, e.g., New Zealand blackcurrant, pomegranate, and cherry, in the form of extracts (multicomponent or purified), juices and infusions to varying degrees of benefit. For example, research has yet to link the health-related benefits of black elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) ingestion to exercise performance in spite of the purported health benefits associated with black elderberry provision in vitro and in vivo models, which has been attributed to their high antioxidant capacity and polyphenol content. This review summarizes the existing evidence supporting a beneficial effect of fruit-derived polyphenols on various biological processes and outlines the potential for black elderberry ingestion to improve nitric oxide production, exercise performance, and the associated physiological responses before-, during- and post-exercise

The Effect of Krill Oil Supplementation on Exercise Performance and Markers of Immune Function

Date of Acceptance: 08/09/2015 Acknowledgments We thank the technical support of the Institute of Medical Sciences Musculoskeletal Programme and the Iain Fraser Cytometry Centre.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Can good fat boost your fitness level?

Fish oil supplements may seem like a relatively recent health fad but they have actually been produced in the UK on a large scale since 1935 by the company Seven Seas Ltd. Since then, the fish oil supplement market has continued to grow, with many beneficial effects claimed for health

Sex differences in the associations between L-arginine pathway metabolites, skeletal muscle mass and function, and their responses to resistance exercise, in old age

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Objectives The current study was designed to explore the associations between L-arginine metabolites and muscle mass and function in old age, which are largely unknown. Design The study used a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Setting The study was carried out in a laboratory setting. Participants 50 healthy older adults [median age 70 years (IQR 67-73); 27 males]. Intervention Participants undertook an 18-week resistance exercise program, and a nutritional intervention (fish oil vs. placebo). Measurements Serum homoarginine, ornithine, citrulline, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and isokinetic torque of the knee extensors at 30° s-1 (MIT), muscle cross sectional area (MCSA) and quality (MQ) were measured at baseline and after the intervention. Results No significant exercise-induced changes were observed in metabolite concentrations. There were significant sex differences in the associations between metabolites and muscle parameters. After adjusting for age, glomerular filtration rate and fish oil intervention, citrulline (P=0.002) and ornithine (P=0.022) were negatively associated with MCSA at baseline in males but not females. However, baseline citrulline was negatively correlated with exercise-induced changes in MVC (P=0.043) and MQ (P=0.026) amongst females. Furthermore, amongst males, baseline homoarginine was positively associated with exercise-induced changes in MVC (P=0.026), ADMA was negatively associated with changes in MIT (P=0.026), L-NMMA (p=0.048) and ornithine (P<0.001) were both positively associated with changes in MCSA, and ornithine was negatively associated with changes in MQ (P=0.039). Conclusion Therefore, barring citrulline, there are significant sex differences in the associations between L-arginine metabolites and muscle mass and function in healthy older adults. These metabolites might enhance sarcopenia risk stratification, and the success of exercise programs, in old age

Роль руководителей занятий в самостоятельной подготовке курсантов ВУЦ

В статье рассматривается роль руководителя учебного занятия в самостоятельной подготовке курсантов военного учебного центра

The Influence of Baseline Metabolic Rate and Exercise Training on Cardio-Respiratory Dynamics

Speeding the VO2 kinetics results in a reduction of the O2 deficit. Two factors might determine VO2 kinetics: oxygen delivery to muscle (Tschakovsky and Hughson 1999) and a muscle 'metabolic inertia' (Grassi et al. 1996). Therefore, in study 1 we investigated VO2 kinetics and cardiovascular system adaptations during step exercise transitions in different regions of the moderate domain. In study 2 we investigated muscle oxygenation and cardio-pulmonary adaptations during step exercise tests before, after and over a period of training. Study 1 methods: Seven subjects (26 ± 8 yr; 176 ± 5 cm; 69 ± 6 kg) performed 4 types of step transition from rest (0-50W; 0-100W) or elevate baseline (25-75W; 25-125W). GET and VO2max were assessed before testing. O2 uptake and were measured during testing. Study 2 methods: 10 subjects (25 ± 4 yr; 175 ± 9 cm; 71 ± 12 kg) performed a step transition test (0 to 100 W) before, after and during 4 weeks of endurance training (ET). VO2max and GET were assessed before and after of ET (40 minutes, 3 times a week, 60% O2max). VO2 uptake, Q and deoxyheamoglobin were measured during testing. Study 1 results: VO2 τ and the functional gain were slower in the upper regions of the moderate domain. Q increased more abruptly during rest to work condition. Q τ was faster than VO2 τ for each exercise step. Study 2 results: VO2 τ became faster after ET (25%) and particularly after 1 training session (4%). Q kinetics changed after 4 training sessions nevertheless it was always faster than VO2 τ. An attenuation in ∆[HHb] /∆VO2 was detectible. Conclusion: these investigations suggest that muscle fibres recruitment exerts a influence on the VO2 response within the moderate domain either during different forms of step transition or following ET

Reduced-fat breakfast impact on appetite regulation in healthy adults: Views from a nutritional and psychological pilot study

The study aimed to assess the impact of modulating fat content in breakfast on psychological and physiological mechanisms of appetite and energy intake. In a crossover design, 8 young healthy adults consumed a standard-breakfast (SB, 505 Kcal) or the same breakfast with 61.6% reduced-fat (RF, 381 Kcal). Glucose, insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) concentrations were collected before and after breakfast at regular intervals up to 90 min (120 min for glucose). Appetite related feelings were noted in visual analogue scales before and after breakfast at regular intervals until lunch. Participants logged food intake for the rest of the day. Physiological responses were significantly different over time: glucose peaked at 15 min, insulin and GLP-1 at 30 min. Yet breakfast type did not influence these responses. Despite no impact in GLP-1, fullness-90 min post-breakfast was higher in SB than RF, p<0.05. Breakfast type did not influence energy day intake. However, lunch-protein and carbohydrate intakes were higher in RF than SB days, p<0.05. This possible energy compensation, along with decreased fullness between breakfast and lunch, deserve further research as it may challenge current low-fat recommendations for weight loss

Elderberries as a potential supplement to improve vascular function in a SARS-CoV-2 environment

The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.. Open access article.Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been triggered by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Although recent studies demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 possibly does not directly infect endothelial cells (EC), the endothelium may be affected as a secondary response due to the damage of neighboring cells, circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, and/or other mechanisms. Long-term COVID-19 symptoms specifically nonrespiratory symptoms are due to the persistence of endothelial dysfunction (ED). Based on the literature, anthocyanins a major subgroup of flavonoid polyphenols found in berries, have been well researched for their vascular protective properties as well as the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related deaths. Elderberries have been previously used as a natural remedy for treating influenza, cold, and consequently cardiovascular health due to a high content of cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) a major anthocyanin found in the human diet. The literature reported many studies demonstrating that EE has both antiviral and vascular protective properties that should be further investigated as a nutritional component used against the (in)direct effect of SARS-CoV-2 in vascular function

Fit with good fat? The role of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on exercise performance

Open Access articleN-3 PUFA (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are a family of fatty acids mainly found in oily fish and fish oil supplements. The effects of n-3 PUFA on health are mainly derived from its anti-inflammatory proprieties and its influence on immune function. Lately an increased interest in n-3 PUFA supplementation has reached the world of sport nutrition, where the majority of athletes rely on nutrition strategies to improve their training and performance. A vast amount of attention is paid in increasing metabolic capacity, delaying the onset of fatigue, and improving muscle hypertrophy and neuromuscular function. Nutritional strategies are also frequently considered for enhancing recovery, improving immune function and decreasing oxidative stress. The current review of the literature shows that data regarding the effects of n-3PUFA supplementation are conflicting and we conclude that there is, therefore, not enough evidence supporting a beneficial role on the aforementioned aspects of exercise performance

Potential Benefits of Berry Anthocyanins on Vascular Function

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link