Exercise capacity of vegan, lacto-ovo-vegetarian and omnivorous recreational runners

Background In search of the right nutrition for the athlete, numerous nutritional strategies and diets were discussed over time. However, the influence of plant-based diets, especially veganism, on exercise capacity has not been clarified. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study to compare the exercise capacity of vegan (VEG, n = 24), lacto-ovo-vegetarian (LOV, n = 26) and omnivorous (OMN, n = 26) recreational runners. To determine maximal exercise capacity, participants performed an incremental exercise test on a bicycle ergometer until voluntary exhaustion. During the test capillary blood samples were taken at several time points for the measurement of arterial lactate [lac] and glucose [glc] concentrations. To determine nutrient intake, a 24 h dietary recall was conducted. Results The groups showed comparable training habits in terms of training frequency (mean 3.08 ± 0.90 time/wk., p = 0.735), time (mean 2.93 ± 1.34 h/wk., p = 0.079) and running distance (mean 29.5 ± 14.3 km/wk., p = 0.054). Moreover, similar maximum power output (PmaxBW) was observed in all three groups (OMN: 4.15 ± 0.48 W/kg, LOV: 4.20 ± 0.47 W/kg, VEG: 4.16 ± 0.55 W/kg; p = 0.917) and no differences regarding [lac] throughout the exercise test and maximum lactate could be observed between the groups (OMN: 11.3 ± 2.19 mmol/l, LOV: 11.0 ± 2.59 mmol/l, VEG: 11.9 ± 1.98 mmol/l; p = 0.648). Conclusion The data indicate that each examined diet has neither advantages nor disadvantages with regard to exercise capacity. These results suggest that a vegan diet can be a suitable alternative for ambitious recreational runners

Characterization, dietary habits and nutritional intake of omnivorous, lacto-ovo vegetarian and vegan runners – a pilot study

Background The number of people preferring plant-based nutrition is growing continuously in the western world. Vegetarianism and veganism are also becoming increasingly popular among individuals participating in sport. However, whether recreationally active vegetarian and vegan populations can meet their nutritional needs is not clear. Methods The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to compare the nutrient intake of omnivorous (OMN, n = 27), lacto-ovo vegetarian (LOV, n = 25) and vegan (VEG, n = 27) recreational runners (two to five training sessions per week) with intake recommendations of the German, Austrian and Swiss Nutrition Societies (Deutsche, Österreichische und Schweizerische Gesellschaften für Ernährung, D-A-CH) for the general population. Lifestyle factors and supplement intake were examined via questionnaires; dietary habits and nutrient intake were determined based on 3-day dietary records. Results More than half of each group did not reach the recommended energy intake (OMN: 10.4, 8.70–12.1; LOV: 9.67, 8.55–10.8; VEG: 10.2, 9.12–11.3 MJ). Carbohydrate intake was slightly below the recommendations of > 50 EN% in OMN (46.7, 43.6–49.8 EN%), while LOV (49.4, 45.5–53.3 EN%) and VEG (55.2, 51.4–59.0 EN%) consumed adequate amounts (p = 0.003). The recommended protein intake of 0.8 g/kg body weight (D-A-CH) was exceeded in all three groups (OMN: 1.50, 1.27–1.66; LOV: 1.34, 1.09–1.56; VEG: 1.25; 1.07–1.42 g/kg BW; p = 0.047). Only VEG (26.3, 22.7–29.8 EN%) did not achieve the recommended fat intake of 30 EN%. The supply of micronutrients, such as vitamin D and cobalamin, was dependent on supplement intake. Additionally, female OMN and LOV achieved the recommended daily intake of 15 mg iron only after supplementation, while VEG consumed adequate amounts solely via food. Conclusion All three groups were sufficiently supplied with most nutrients despite the exceptions mentioned above. The VEG group even showed advantages in nutrient intake (e.g. carbohydrates, fiber and iron) in comparison to the other groups. However, the demand for energy and several macro- and micronutrients might be higher for athletes. Thus, it is also necessary to analyze the endogenous status of nutrients to evaluate the influence of a vegetarian and vegan diet on the nutrient supply of athletes

Exercise-induced oxidative stress, nitric oxide and plasma amino acid profile in recreational runners with vegetarian and non-vegetarian dietary patterns

This study investigated the exercise-induced changes in oxidative stress, nitric oxide (NO) metabolism and amino acid profile in plasma of omnivorous (OMN, n = 25), lacto-ovo-vegetarian (LOV, n = 25) and vegan (VEG, n = 23) recreational runners. Oxidative stress was measured as malondialdehyde (MDA), NO as nitrite and nitrate, and various amino acids, including homoarginine and guanidinoacetate, the precursor of creatine. All analytes were measured by validated stable-isotope dilution gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric methods. Pre-exercise, VEG had the highest MDA and nitrate concentrations, whereas nitrite concentration was highest in LOV. Amino acid profiles differed between the groups, with guanidinoacetate being highest in OMN. Upon acute exercise, MDA increased in the LOV and VEG group, whereas nitrate, nitrite and creatinine did not change. Amino acid profiles changed post-exercise in all groups, with the greatest changes being observed for alanine (+28% in OMN, +21% in LOV and +28% in VEG). Pre-exercise, OMN, LOV and VEG recreational runners differ with respect to oxidative stress, NO metabolism and amino acid profiles, in part due to their different dietary pattern. Exercise elicited different changes in oxidative stress with no changes in NO metabolism and closely comparable elevations in alanine. Guanidinoacetate seems to be differently utilized in OMN, LOV and VEG, pre- and post-exercise

The Berlin Brain-Computer Interface: Progress Beyond Communication and Control

The combined effect of fundamental results about neurocognitive processes and advancements in decoding mental states from ongoing brain signals has brought forth a whole range of potential neurotechnological applications. In this article, we review our developments in this area and put them into perspective. These examples cover a wide range of maturity levels with respect to their applicability. While we assume we are still a long way away from integrating Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology in general interaction with computers, or from implementing neurotechnological measures in safety-critical workplaces, results have already now been obtained involving a BCI as research tool. In this article, we discuss the reasons why, in some of the prospective application domains, considerable effort is still required to make the systems ready to deal with the full complexity of the real world.EC/FP7/611570/EU/Symbiotic Mind Computer Interaction for Information Seeking/MindSeeEC/FP7/625991/EU/Hyperscanning 2.0 Analyses of Multimodal Neuroimaging Data: Concept, Methods and Applications/HYPERSCANNING 2.0DFG, 103586207, GRK 1589: Verarbeitung sensorischer Informationen in neuronalen Systeme

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Insulin Sensitivity in Overweight or Obese Subjects May Be Linked Through Intrahepatic Lipid Content

Objective: Low cardiorespiratory fitness predisposes to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus in part independently of body weight. Given the close relationship between intrahepatic lipid content (IHL) and insulin sensitivity, we hypothesized that the direct relationship between fitness and insulin sensitivity may be explained by IHL. Research Design and Methods: We included 138 overweight to obese, otherwise healthy subjects (age: 43.6 +/- 8.9 yrs., body mass index: 33.8 +/- 4 kg/m(2)). Body composition was estimated by bio-impedance analyses. Abdominal fat distribution, intramyocellular, and intrahepatic lipid content were assessed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy and tomography. Incremental exercise testing was performed to estimate individual's cardiorespiratory fitness. Insulin sensitivity was determined during an oral glucose tolerance test. Results: For all subjects, cardiorespiratory fitness was related to insulin sensitivity (r=0.32, p<0.05), IHL (r=-0.27, p<0.05), visceral (r=-0.25, p<0.05) and total fat mass (r=-0.32, p<0.05), but not to intramyocellular lipids (r=-0.08, ns). Insulin sensitivity correlated significantly with all fat depots. In multivariate regression analyses, independent predictors of insulin sensitivity were IHL, visceral fat and fitness (r(2)=-0.43, p<0.01; r(2)=-0.34 and r(2)=0.29, p<0.05, respectively). However, the positive correlation between fitness and insulin sensitivity was abolished after adjustment for IHL (r=0.16, ns), whereas it remained significant when adjusted for visceral- or total body fat. Further, when subjects were grouped into high versus low IHL, insulin sensitivity was higher in those subjects with low IHL, irrespective of fitness levels. Conclusions: Our study suggests that the positive effect of increased cardiorespiratory fitness in overweight to obese subjects on insulin sensitivity may be mediated indirectly through IHL reduction

Telemonitoring-Supported Exercise Training in Employees With Metabolic Syndrome Improves Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis

INTRODUCTION:Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major health problem worldwide and the main risk factor for metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Established treatment options are lifestyle interventions facilitating dietary change and increased physical activity. Here, we tested the effect of a telemonitoring-supported intervention on liver parameter of inflammation and fibrosis in individuals with MetS.METHODS:This was a prospective, randomized, parallel-group, and assessor-blind study performed in workers of the main Volkswagen factory (Wolfsburg, Germany). Volunteers with diagnosed MetS were randomly assigned (1:1) to a 6-month lifestyle intervention focusing on supervised, activity-tracker-guided exercise or to a waiting-list control group. This secondary analysis assessed the effect of the intervention on liver enzymes and MAFLD-related parameters.RESULTS:We screened 543 individuals between October 10, 2017, and February 27, 2018, of whom 314 were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 160) or control group (n = 154). Liver transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase significantly decreased after 6 months in the intervention group compared with the CG. Furthermore, an aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index score as a marker for liver fibrosis significantly decreased in the intervention group. These improvements were associated with changes in obesity and exercise capacity.DISCUSSION:A 6-month lifestyle intervention based on exercise training with individualized telemonitoring-based supervision led to improvements of liver inflammation and fibrosis in employees with MetS. Therefore, this intervention shows therapeutic potential for individuals at high risk of MAFLD (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03293264)

Dupilumab but not cyclosporine treatment shifts the microbiome toward a healthy skin flora in patients with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) patients display an altered skin microbiome which may not only be an indicator but also a driver of inflammation. We aimed to investigate associations among AD patients' skin microbiome, clinical data, and response to systemic therapy in patients of the TREATgermany registry. Methods: Skin swabs of 157 patients were profiled with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing before and after 3 months of treatment with dupilumab or cyclosporine. For comparison, 16s microbiome data from 258 population-based healthy controls were used. Disease severity was assessed using established instruments such as the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI). Results: We confirmed the previously shown correlation of Staphylococcus aureus abundance and bacterial alpha diversity with AD severity as measured by EASI. Therapy with Dupilumab shifted the bacterial community toward the pattern seen in healthy controls. The relative abundance of Staphylococci and in particular S. aureus significantly decreased on both lesional and non-lesional skin, whereas the abundance of Staphylococcus hominis increased. These changes were largely independent from the degree of clinical improvement and were not observed for cyclosporine. Conclusions: Systemic treatment with dupilumab but not cyclosporine tends to restore a healthy skin microbiome largely independent of the clinical response indicating potential effects of IL-4RA blockade on the microbiome