Impact of diet and nutraceutical supplementation on inflammation in elderly people. Results from the RISTOMED study, an open-label randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Eating habits may influence the life span and the quality of ageing process by modulating inflammation. The RISTOMED project was developed to provide a personalized and balanced diet, enriched with or without nutraceutical compounds, to decrease and prevent inflammageing, oxidative stress and gut microbiota alteration in healthy elderly people. This paper focused on the effect on inflammation and metabolism markers after 56 days of RISTOMED diet alone or supplementation with three nutraceutical compounds. METHODS:A cohort of 125 healthy elderly subjects was recruited and randomized into 4 arms (Arm A, RISTOMED diet; Arm B, RISTOMED diet plus VSL#3 probiotic blend; Arm C, RISTOMED diet plus AISA d-Limonene; Arm D, RISTOMED diet plus Argan oil). Inflammatory and metabolism parameters as well as the ratio between Clostridium cluster IV and Bifidobacteria (CL/B) were collected before and after 56 days of dietary intervention, and their evolution compared among the arms. Moreover, participants were subdivided according to their baseline inflammatory parameters (erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR), C-Reactive Protein, fibrinogen, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alfa (TNF-α), and Interleukin 6) in two clusters with low or medium-high level of inflammation. The evolution of the measured parameters was then examined separately in each cluster. RESULTS:Overall, RISTOMED diet alone or with each nutraceutical supplementation significantly decreased ESR. RISTOMED diet supplemented with d-Limonene resulted in a decrease in fibrinogen, glucose, insulin levels and HOMA-IR. The most beneficial effects were observed in subjects with a medium-high inflammatory status who received RISTOMED diet with AISA d-Limonene supplementation. Moreover, RISTOMED diet associated with VSL#3 probiotic blend induced a decrease in the CL/B ratio. CONCLUSIONS:Overall, this study emphasizes the beneficial anti-inflammageing effect of RISTOMED diet supplemented with nutraceuticals to control the inflammatory status of elderly individuals

Does the longevity of one or both parents influence the health status of their offspring?

According to the findings of some recent studies, the centenarians' offspring appear to represent a promising model for research on longevity and healthy aging. This study compares the health status and the functional status of three groups of subjects: 1. individuals with two long-lived parents (one of whom centenarian), 2. individuals with only one long-lived (centenarian) parent, and 3. individuals with no long-lived parents. The goal is to verify whether the centenarians' offspring display any advantage over the offspring of both non-long-lived parents and to evaluate whether the longevity of the non-centenarian parent provides a further advantage. A total of 374 subjects (mean age approximately 70 years) was examined. A threshold for longevity was established for non-centenarian parents through demographic data available for Italy (males surviving to at least 81 years of age and females to 87 years). The participants were assessed for their health and functional status by means of a standardized questionnaire and tests of physical performance. Data were analyzed using multivariate regression models adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors for age-related pathologies. The results of the study show that centenarians' offspring have a better functional status, a reduced risk for several age-related pathologies and reduced drug consumption than the offspring of non-long-lived parents. In addition, the health status of centenarians' offspring does not appear to be influenced by the longevity of the second parent. It therefore seems possible to conclude that at ages around 70 years the genetic contribution to health status deriving from having one centenarian parent is not substantially improved if the other parent is also long-lived

Remodelling of biological parameters during human ageing: evidence for complex regulation in longevity and in type 2 diabetes.

Factor structure analyses have revealed the presence of specific biological system markers in healthy humans and diseases. However, this type of approach in very old persons and in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is lacking. A total sample of 2,137 Italians consisted of two groups: 1,604 healthy and 533 with T2DM. Age (years) was categorized as adults (≤65), old (66-85), oldest old (>85-98) and centenarians (≥99). Specific biomarkers of routine haematological and biochemical testing were tested across each age group. Exploratory factorial analysis (EFA) by principal component method with Varimax rotation was used to identify factors including related variables. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to confirm factor solutions for each age group. EFA and SEM identified specific factor structures according to age in both groups. An age-associated reduction of factor structure was observed from adults to oldest old in the healthy group (explained variance 60.4% vs 50.3%) and from adults to old in the T2DM group (explained variance 57.4% vs 44.2%). Centenarians showed three-factor structure similar to those of adults (explained variance 58.4%). The inflammatory component became the major factor in old group and was the first one in T2DM. SEM analysis in healthy subjects suggested that the glucose levels had an important role in the oldest old. Factorial structure change during healthy ageing was associated with a decrease in complexity but showed an increase in variability and inflammation. Structural relationship changes observed in healthy subjects appeared earlier in diabetic patients and later in centenarians

Centenarians' offspring as a model of healthy aging: a reappraisal of the data on Italian subjects and a comprehensive overview

Within the scenario of an increasing life expectancy worldwide it is mandatory to identify determinants of healthy aging. Centenarian offspring (CO) is one of the most informative model to identify trajectories of healthy aging and their determinants (genetic and environmental), being representative of elderly in their 70th whose lifestyle can be still modified to attain a better health. This study is the first comprehensive investigation of the health status of 267 CO (mean age: 70.2 years) and adopts the innovative approach of comparing CO with 107 age-matched offspring of non-long-lived parents (hereafter indicated as NCO controls), recruited according to strict inclusion demographic criteria of Italian population. We adopted a multidimensional approach which integrates functional and cognitive assessment together with epidemiological and clinical data, including pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines, lipid profile, and insulin resistance. CO have a lower prevalence of stroke, cerebral thrombosis-hemorrhage, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and other minor diseases, lower BMI and waist circumference, a better functional and cognitive status and lower plasma level of FT4 compared to NCO controls. We conclude that a multidimensional approach is a reliable strategy to identify the health status of elderly at an age when interventions to modify their health trajectory are feasible

Effects of rye green manure application in soil physical and chemical characteristics in maragheh dryland condition zone

In order to study of green manure application effects on soil physical and chemical characteristics in dryland condition, this project was carried out with 4 rye green manure treatments along with nitrogen factors included; 0, 26, 103 and 337 kg N.ha-1 from urea fertilizer plus check (without green manure) treatment in 3 rotation system (green manure-wheat) in RCBD desigin with 4 blocks at 1999-2007 in Maragheh Dryland Research Station. Results showed that, althrough treatment effects on dryland wheat grain yield was not significant, but maximum grain yield with 2484 kg.ha-1 obtained from application of rye green manure along with 26 kg N.ha- 1. This grain yield was 442 kg.ha-1 (22 percentage) more than check (without green manure) treatment. Application of green manure without nitrogen factors increased soil pH, T.N.V.% and E.C (dS.m-1), but decreased O.C%, P (av.), Fe (av.), Cu (av.), Mn (av.), Zn (av.), saturation% and sand% in soil. With application of nitrogen factors along with green manure increased saturation%, clay%, E.C (dS.m-1) in soil, but decreased O.C%, P (av.), Cu (av.), Mn (av.), Zn (av.) sand% in soil. Soil moisture decreased 8% in green manure application treatment without nitrogen applicalion in 0-20 cm depth, but with nitrogen application along with rye green manure, soil moisture increased 6% compare to check. It can be concluded that, green manure application is useful in long term along with nitrogen fertilizer application. Green manure application in addition to increasing of soil moisture content, increase dryland wheat grain yield. Green manure application changes soil characteristics for example, increasing of soil T.N.V%. This problem is decreased of availability of some essential nutrient for dryland wheat, therefore in this condition dryland wheat fertilizer requirments must estimate via soil testing

Human aging and longevity are characterized by high levels of mitokines

Mitochondrial stress elicits the production of stress response molecules indicated as mitokines, including FGF21, GDF15 and Humanin (HN). Many diseases are characterized by progressive mitochondrial dysfunction with alterations of mitokine secretion. It is still controversial whether healthy aging and extreme longevity are accompanied by altered production of mitokines. We analyzed FGF21, HN and GDF15 plasma levels in 693 subjects aged from 21 to 113 years, and the association of these mitokines with parameters of health status. FGF21, HN and GDF15 resulted increased in old age, with the highest levels found in centenarians. These molecules are associated with worsened parameters (such as handgrip strength, insulin sensitivity, total triglycerides), particularly in 70-year-old persons, and their levels are inversely correlated with survival in the oldest subjects. Considering the positive biological effect of these molecules, our results can be interpreted in the framework of the hormetic paradigm as an attempt of the cells/tissues to cope with a stress that can have beneficial or detrimental effects depending on its intensity. Finally, persons with Down Syndrome (characterized by accelerated aging) have higher levels of GDF15 and HN with respect to their siblings, suggesting that these molecules, especially GDF15, could be considered markers of biological age

Quality of life: psychological symptoms-effects of a 2-month healthy diet and nutraceutical intervention; a randomized, open-label intervention trial (RISTOMED)

Depression symptoms and lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are associated with inflammation. This multicenter dietary intervention was shown to reduce inflammation in older people. This was the main outcome. Here, we describe the effects on HRQoL, anxiety, and depressive symptoms according to inflammation status. Overall, 125 healthy older subjects (65-80 year) were recruited (Italy, France, and Germany) and randomized into four arms (A, Healthy diet (HD); B, HD plus De Simone Formulation probiotic blend; C, HD plus AISA d-Limonene; D, HD plus Argan oil). The HD was weight maintaining, rich in antioxidant vitamins, polyphenols, polyunsaturated fatty acids (n6: n3 ratio = 3:1), and fiber. Data on inflammatory parameters, mental (MCS) and physical (PCS) component summaries of HRQoL (SF-36), anxiety symptoms (STAI state), and depressive symptoms (CES-D) were collected before and after 56 days of intervention. Body fat mass proportion (BFM) was considered a co-variable. A decrease of CES-D score was seen in the four arms (A: -40.0%, p = 0.001; B: -32.5%, p = 0.023; C: -42.8%, p = 0.004; and D: -33.3%, p = 0.21). Within the subgroups of subjects with medium/high inflammation a similar decrease in CES-D score occurred in all groups (A: -44.8%, p = 0.021; B, -46.7%, p = 0.024; C, -52.2%, p = 0.039; D, -43.8%, p = 0.037). The effect of interventions on CES-D was not related to baseline inflammation. MCS-HRQoL improved in A and C. There was no change in anxiety or PCS-HRQoL. In this trial with no control group, a decrease in depressive symptoms in healthy older volunteers was observed after a 2-month healthy diet intervention, independently of inflammation but with possible limitations due to participation

Breaking the Stigma of Breadwinners: Exploring the Struggles and Challenges of Single Filipinos Overseas in Qatar, A Phenomenology

Background: Qatar is a melting pot of cultures. Qatar’s welcoming approach has led more and more expatriates over the years—including single Filipinos who seek better opportunities and stability for themselves and their families. This research study endeavors to understand Single Overseas Filipino workers’ lived experiences, analyzing their struggles and challenges in Qatar. Methods: This qualitative research utilized a phenomenological research design exploring and acknowledging single Filipino breadwinners’ experiences in Qatar. It corresponds to the central question: “How does the reality of being a single overseas Filipino worker in Qatar, providing for their families back home in the Philippines, affect their current state?” The data set was gathered in the form of an interview and was analyzed through a dendrogram. Findings: Based on the responses of the purposely-chosen participants, four themes were created. These are (1) Personal Circumstances which includes Managing Emotions, Conquering Homesickness, and Finding Self-Direction; (2) Familial Facets, which encompasses Undertaking Responsibilities, Facing Expectations, and Understanding Situations; (3) Social Influences which incorporates Adapting Socially, Strengthening Relationships, and Diverging Connections; (4) Financial Foes which involves Generating Income, Managing Remittances, and Stabilizing Finances. Conclusion: The inspiring stories of the single Overseas Filipino Workers who served as the family’s breadwinners serve as an eye-opener to the struggles, opportunities, and strategies they employ to make sense of the journey they are taking. These will also serve as footnotes to aspiring Filipino expatriates who put families at the center of their lives. Recommendations: Future researchers may focus on various aspects and factors beyond this research, such as those with families, married, or widows. Furthermore, jobs are part of different collar jobs with different genders or social statuses