Assessing the Ability of an Oral Supplement to Increase Hair Growth in Women with Thinning Hair.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the ability of an oral supplement to increase hair growth in women with thinning hair. Design: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Setting: One United States clinical site. Participants: Healthy women aged 21 to 75 years with Fitzpatrick I to IV photo skin types with self-perceived thinning hair. Measurements: Subjects were randomized to treatment with the study medication (N=10) or placebo (N=5) twice daily for 180 days. A 4cm2 area of scalp was selected for hair counts performed after 90±7 and 180±7 days of treatment. The primary efficacy measure was the change in terminal and vellus hairs in each target area. The secondary measure was changes in a self-assessment questionnaire. Results: The mean (SD) number of terminal vellus hairs among placebo-treated subjects at baseline was 256.0 (24.1), remaining at 245.0 (22.4) and 242.2 (26.9) after 90 and 180 days, respectively. The mean baseline number of terminal hairs in control-treated subjects was 271.0 (24.2) increasing to 571 (65.7) and 609.6 (66.6) after 90 and 180 days, respectively (for each, p<0.001 vs. placebo). The mean number of vellus hairs among placebo-and control-treated subjects did not significantly change. Significantly more control-treated subjects perceived improvements in overall hair volume, scalp coverage, and thickness of hair body after 90 days. Additional improvement after 180 days included hair shine, skin moisture retention, and skin smoothness. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion: The oral supplement assessed in this study safely and effectively promotes significant hair growth in women with temporary hair thinning.

Androgenic alopecia or male-pattern baldness is the most common form of hair loss in men and less commonly a cause of hair loss in women. More common causes of hair loss in women include medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism; medications including oral contraceptives; nutritional deficiencies; and physiological and emotional stresses. The causes of hair loss in elderly women may be multifactorial.Among 100 adult women with diffuse hair loss in one study, probable causes were determined to be psychological stress (30%), fever (33%), abortion and delivery (21%), trauma or surgical operations (13%), and hypothyroidism (10%).4 More than 50 percent of women had more than one likely cause of hair loss while a cause could not be determined in six percent.

The effects of hair loss on self-image and self-esteem have been well documented. In one study, significantly diminished quality of life among adult men and women with various forms of hair loss was significantly correlated with symptoms of clinical depression, and the psychological impact of hair loss among women appears to be more severe than for men. Consequently, a drug therapy that will safely and effectively increase hair growth in women is highly desirable.

An oral compound consisting of proteins and glycosaminoglycans of marine origin was found to have beneficial effects on women with sun-damaged skin. The results of two studies demonstrated improvements in the appearance of sun-damaged skin and increased skin thickness and elasticity. Brittle hair and nails returned to normal after 90 days of treatment. Subsequent studies assessed the use of a similar marine extract with the addition of other natural compounds (Viviscal® Hair Nourishment System; Lifes good, Inc., Chicago, Illinois) for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Several six-month, randomized, controlled studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Viviscal (the product used in these studies was originally marketed under the brand name Hairgain® [Parexel Medstat AS, Lillestrøm, Norway]) for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Similar results were achieved in 8- and 12-month, open-label studie Since these studies enrolled men, less is known about the use of Viviscal in women with thinning hair.

The objective of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to test the hypothesis that the administration of this new oral supplement over a six-month period will increase hair growth in adult women with self-perceived thinning hair associated with poor diet, stress, hormonal influences, or abnormal menstrual cycles. Preliminary results of this study have been presented elsewhere.

Resource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Resource: http://www.nutritionforest.com/

Association of Green Tea with Risk of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

Abstract

Prospective studies on the association of green tea with risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) incidence were scarce. This study examined whether green tea can reduce CHD incidence and have a beneficial effect on CHD-related risk markers in middle-aged and older Chinese population. We included 19 471 participants who were free of CHD, stroke or cancer at baseline from September 2008 to June 2010, and were followed until October 2013. Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the hazard ratios (HR) of CHD incidence in relation to green tea consumption. Linear regression models were used to evaluate the effect of green tea on 5-year changes of CHD-related biomarkers. Compared with non-green tea consumers, the multivariable-adjusted HR for CHD was 0.89 (95% CI, 0.81-0.98) in green tea consumers. Particularly, the reduced risk of CHD incidence with green tea consumption was more evident among participants who were male, more than 60 years old, overweight, or with diabetes mellitus. In addition, green tea consumption improved multiple CHD-related risk markers including total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, mean platelet volume, and uric acid. In conclusion, green tea consumption was associated with a reduced risk of CHD incidence in the middle-aged and older Chinese populations, and the association might be partly due to altered CHD-related biomarkers.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become the leading cause of death and continues to exert a heavy burden in China. The number of patients with CVD increased to 290 million in 2014 with one out five Chinese adults suffering from the disease1. Coronary heart disease (CHD) accounts for the greatest proportion of CVD, and the prevalence of Chinese people with CHD is increasing substantially due to ageing, imbalanced diets, unhealthy behaviors and the raising standard of living. Thus, early prevention and control of CHD has become an extremely important public health concern.

Tea, a beverage made from leaves of Camellia sinensis, is the second most consumed beverage worldwide, only close to plain water. Tea was generally categorized into black, green and oolong tea according to the manufacturing process. Black tea, which covers about 78% of the total tea production, is usually consumed in the West; whereas green tea, which covers 20%, is consumed primarily in Japan, China and other East Asian countries5. A recent meta-analysis of prospective studies based mainly on evidence from black tea or unspecified tea showed that tea consumption was associated with a reduced risk of CHD, and found that the associations between tea consumption and cardiovascular outcomes differ according to sex, ethnicity, and the type of tea consumed. On the contrary, data on the association between green tea and CHD was limited and inconclusive. Several cohort studies have suggested an inverse association between green tea and CVD mortality. Although dose-response relationship between green tea and risk of CHD was reported in case-control and cross-sectional studies only two cohort studies have examined the impact of green tea consumption on risk of CHD incidence and no significant association was observed. On the other hand, favorable changes in CHD-related biomarkers, such as blood pressure, LDL cholesterol and glucose levels, were reported with green tea in randomized controlled trials which suggested a possible protective effect of green tea against CHD. However, most existing studies have only focused on one aspect: either green tea versus CHD, or green tea versus biomarkers; seldom studies have so far examined both of them on a same population.

Because of the high consumption of green tea in China and relatively high rate of CHD incidence and mortality, exploring the health effects of green tea on CHD might provide clues to resolve an important public health issue. Therefore, we aimed to 1) verify the relationship between green tea and CHD incidence in the Dongfeng-Tongji cohort; 2) examine whether the association between green tea and CHD was modified by differences in population characteristics and disease status; and 3) evaluate the effect of green tea on changes of multiple CHD-related biomarkers.

Resource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Resource: http://www.nutritionforest.com/

Assessing the Efficacy of Green Coffee Extract (GCE) as a Weight Loss Supplement

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to assess the efficacy of green coffee extract (GCE) as a weight loss supplement, using data from human clinical trials. Electronic and nonelectronic searches were conducted to identify relevant articles, with no restrictions in time or language. Two independent reviewers extracted the data and assessed the methodological quality of included studies. Five eligible trials were identified, and three of these were included. All studies were associated with a high risk of bias. The meta-analytic result reveals a significant difference in body weight in GCE compared with placebo (mean difference: −2.47 kg; 95%CI: −4.23, −0.72). The magnitude of the effect is moderate, and there is significant heterogeneity amongst the studies. It is concluded that the results from these trials are promising, but the studies are all of poor methodological quality. More rigorous trials are needed to assess the usefulness of GCE as a weight loss tool.

Introduction

Overweight and obesity have become a serious health concern. Different weight management strategies are presently utilised, and a variety of weight loss supplements sold as “slimming aids” are readily available. However, the efficacy of some of these food supplements remains uncertain. One such supplement is the green coffee extract (GCE).

GCE is present in green or raw coffee. It is also present in roasted coffee, but much of the GCE is destroyed during the roasting process. Some GCE constituents, such as chlorogenic acid (CGA) can also be found in a variety of fruits and vegetables. The daily intake of CGA in persons drinking coffee varies from 0.5 to 1 g. The traditional method of extraction of GCE from green coffee bean, Coffea canephora robusta, involves the use of alcohol as a solvent. Extracted GCE is marketed as a weight loss supplement under a variety of brand names as a weight loss supplement such as “Coffee Slender”, and “Svetol”.

Evidence is accumulating from animal studies regarding the use of GCE as a weight loss supplement. In human subjects, coffee intake has been reported to be inversely associated with weight gain. Consumption of coffee has also been shown to produce changes in several glycaemic markers in older adults. Similarly, other research has indicated that the consumption of caffeinated coffee can lead to some reductions in long-term weight gain, an effect which is likely to be due to the known thermogenic effects of caffeine intake as well as effects of GCE and other pharmacologically active substances present in coffee. GCE has also been postulated to modify hormone secretion and glucose tolerance in humans. This effect is accomplished by facilitating the absorption of glucose from the distal, rather than the proximal part of the gastrointestinal tract.

The objective of this paper is to analyse the results of human clinical trials assessing the efficacy of GCE as a weight-reducing agent.

Resource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Resource: http://www.nutritionforest.com/

Effect of Omega 3 and Omega 6 Fatty Acids on Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Although a causal role of genetic alterations in human cancer is well established, it is still unclear whether dietary fat can modulate cancer risk in a predisposed population. Epidemiological studies suggest that diets rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce cancer incidence. To determine the influence of fatty acids on prostate cancer risk in animals with a defined genetic lesion, we used prostate-specific Pten-knockout mice, an immune-competent, orthotopic prostate cancer model, and diets with defined polyunsaturated fatty acid levels. We found that omega-3 fatty acids reduced prostate tumor growth, slowed histopathological progression, and increased survival, whereas omega-6 fatty acids had opposite effects. Introducing an omega-3 desaturase, which converts omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, into the Pten-knockout mice reduced tumor growth similarly to the omega-3 diet. Tumors from mice on the omega-3 diet had lower proportions of phosphorylated Bad and higher apoptotic indexes compared with those from mice on omega-6 diet. Knockdown of Bad eliminated omega-3–induced cell death, and introduction of exogenous Bad restored the sensitivity to omega-3 fatty acids. Our data suggest that modulation of prostate cancer development by polyunsaturated fatty acids is mediated in part through Bad-dependent apoptosis. This study highlights the importance of gene-diet interactions in prostate cancer.

Introduction

A causal role of genetic alterations in human cancer is well established; however, environmental influence on cancer risk is not clearly understood. Over 2 decades, epidemiologic studies have been reported on the effect of dietary fat on prostate cancer risk. However, the mechanistic role of dietary fat in prostate cancer remains ill defined. Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and a leading cause of cancer death in men in the US. There is a wide variation in international prostate cancer mortality rates; these are particularly high in Northern Europe and North America and much lower in Japan and other Asian countries. Yet small, latent carcinomas of the prostate diagnosed at autopsy are as common in Asian countries as in Western countrie. Immigrants from Poland and Japan exhibit a significant increase in the risk of developing clinical prostate cancer when resident in the US. These findings implicate environmental variables, and possibly diet, as significant contributing factors.

Omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) are essential FAs: mammals can neither synthesize them de novo nor interconvert them; therefore, they have to be taken in from diet. Many vegetable oils contain high levels of omega-6 PUFAs, whereas fish oil is a rich source of omega-3 PUFAs, mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3). Diets with an omega-6/omega-3 PUFA ratio of 1 are recommended for human consumption by a panel of nutritionists, and diets with a similar ratio are consumed by some populations such as the Inuit . Current Western diets have omega-6/omega-3 ratios of approximately 30 , although they can be as high as 50. Some evidence suggests that cyclooxygenase inhibitors, which block the metabolism of omega-6 PUFAs, are beneficial in prevention of colon and prostate cancer. However, the cardiovascular toxicity of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors has jeopardized the clinical utility of these drugs. Reducing the intake of omega-6 PUFAs and increasing the proportion of dietary omega-3 is an attractive approach.

Inaccuracy in reporting dietary intake and difficulties in conducting mechanistic studies on human populations have hampered investigations on the role of dietary fat in prostate cancer development. Most experiments using animals have been performed in xenograft models and are limited by the fact that tumors grow at an ectopic site in an immune-deficient host environment. Moreover, dietary composition in animal diets is often poorly defined, and dietary intake is inadequately monitored. In an effort to overcome these limitations, we used prostate-specific Pten-knockout mice, an immune-competent, orthotopic prostate cancer model, and designed diets to investigate the influence of dietary PUFAs on prostate cancer risk in animals with this defined genetic lesion.

Resource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Resource: http://www.nutritionforest.com/

Association of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Blood Levels with Telomere Length in Coronary Heart Disease Patient.

Abstract

Context

Increased dietary intake of marine omega-3 fatty acids is associated with prolonged survival in patients with coronary heart disease. However, the mechanisms underlying this protective effect are poorly understood.

Objective

To investigate the association of omega-3 fatty acid blood levels with temporal changes in telomere length, an emerging marker of biological age.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Prospective cohort study of 608 ambulatory outpatients in California with stable coronary artery disease recruited from the Heart and Soul Study between September 2000 and December 2002 and followed up to January 2009 (median, 6.0 years; range, 5.0-8.1 years).

Main Outcome Measures

We measured leukocyte telomere length at baseline and again after 5 years of follow-up. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to investigate the association of baseline levels of omega-3 fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] and eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]) with subsequent change in telomere length.

Results

Individuals in the lowest quartile of DHA3EPA experienced the fastest rate of telomere shortening (0.13 telomere-to-single-copy gene ratio [T/S] units over 5 years; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09-0.17), whereas those in the highest quartile experienced the slowest rate of telomere shortening (0.05 T/S units over 5 years; 95% CI, 0.02-0.08; P<.001 for linear trend across quartiles). Levels of DHA+EPA were associated with less telomere shortening before (unadjusted β coefficient × 10−3=0.06; 95% CI, 0.02-0.10) and after (adjusted β coefficient × 10−3=0.05; 95% CI, 0.01-0.08) sequential adjustment for established risk factors and potential confounders. Each 1-SD increase in DHA+EPA levels was associated with a 32% reduction in the odds of telomere shortening (adjusted odds ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.47-0.98).

Conclusion

Among this cohort of patients with coronary artery disease, there was an inverse relationship between baseline blood levels of marine omega-3 fatty acids and the rate of telomere shortening over 5 years.

Resource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Resource: http://www.nutritionforest.com/

Therapies on Omega - 3 Fatty Acids - Overview

Abstract

The triglyceride (TG)-lowering benefits of the very-long-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are well documented. Available as prescription formulations and dietary supplements, EPA and DHA are recommended by the American Heart Association for patients with coronary heart disease and hypertriglyceridemia. Dietary supplements are not subject to the same government regulatory standards for safety, efficacy, and purity as prescription drugs are; moreover, supplements may contain variable concentrations of EPA and DHA and possibly other contaminants. Reducing low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels remains the primary treatment goal in the management of dyslipidemia. Dietary supplements and prescription formulations that contain both EPA and DHA may lower TG levels, but they may also increase LDL-C levels.

Two prescription formulations of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids are available in the U.S. Although prescription omega-3 acid ethyl esters (OM-3-A EEs, Lovaza) contain high-purity EPA and DHA, prescription icosapent ethyl (IPE, Vascepa) is a high-purity EPA agent. In clinical trials of statin-treated and non–statin-treated patients with hypertriglyceridemia, both OM-3-A EE and IPE lowered TG levels and other atherogenic markers; however, IPE did not increase LDL-C levels.

Results of recent outcomes trials of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, fibrates, and niacin have been disappointing, failing to show additional reductions in adverse cardiovascular events when combined with statins. Therefore, the REDUCE–IT study is being conducted to evaluate the effect of the combination of IPE and statins on cardiovascular outcomes in high-risk patients. The results of this trial are eagerly anticipated.

INTRODUCTION

It is now established that omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids play important roles in human health and disease. Both are considered essential fatty acids, because they are not endogenously synthesized and must be obtained from the diet. Long-chain omega-6 fatty acids include linoleic, gamma-linolenic, and arachidonic acids. Omega 3 Fish Oil 1000mg acids include the long-chain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

EPA and DHA are often called very-long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. The typical Western diet is rich in omega-6 fatty acids because of the abundance of linoleic acid present in corn, sunflower, and safflower oils.Conversely, omega-3 fatty acids account for only a small percentage of the daily dietary fat intake and are obtained from two main dietary sources—plants and fish. Plant oils from walnuts, flaxseed, and canola contain the omega-3 fatty acid ALA, which is a metabolic precursor of the very-long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA; however, the conversion from ALA to EPA and DHA in the body is inefficient. The most concentrated food source of EPA and DHA is fatty fish such as albacore tuna, salmon, mackerel, sardines, and herring.

Following consumption, polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, are incorporated into cell membranes, where they modulate membrane protein function, cellular signaling, and gene expression. Dietary omega-3 fatty acids compete with omega-6 fatty acids for incorporation into cell membranes. When omega-6 fatty acids predominate in cell membranes, proinflammatory mediators such as thromboxanes, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes are produced via the cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways. Conversely, the presence of omega-3 fatty acids promotes secretion of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins and less potent leukotrienes, resulting in a shift to a milieu of less inflammatory mediators.These proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects represent the primary pharmacological difference between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

In addition to their anti-inflammatory activity, very-long-chain omega-3 fatty acids have well-described effects on various risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Epidemiological and clinical studies support the cardiovascular benefits of EPA and DHA; however, there is less evidence to support the benefits of ALA. Potential mechanisms for the cardioprotective effects of omega-3 fatty acids include.

•     reduction of triglyceride (TG) levels.
•     attenuation of atherosclerotic plaques.
•     exertion of antidysrhythmic, antithrombotic, and anti-inflammatory effects.
•     lowering of systolic and diastolic blood pressures.
•     improvement in endothelial function.

Resource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Read More: http://www.nutritionforest.com/

Experiment of Transplantation of Entire Bones with their Joint Surfaces

Abstract

Arthur Bruce Gill was born in Western Pennsylvania and obtained his undergraduate degree at Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio. He then obtained his medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania in 1905, interned there, and remained on the staff for 47 years. He became the third chairman of that department in 1920. He was active in a large number of organizations well into the 1950s.

One writer noted he “...was not a prolific writer, but whatever he wrote was extremely clear and well prepared. There are sixty-nine publications listed under his name in the Index Medicus and Quarterly Cumulative Index...” A substantial number of those publications related to problems of childhood and at least six related to new procedures. Yet, Dr. Gill was wary of new operations. In his Presidential lecture at the AAOS in 1938, he wisely commented, “Let us beware of adopting new methods too hastily.” He added, “Are too many operations performed in the practice of orthopaedic surgery?...many of our young men believe that they can attain distinction only by the invention of a new operation,” and recognized the need to refrain from “fads and fancies”.

We republish an abridged version of experiments he performed in 1914 in which he transplanted whole bones with their joint surfaces within one animal. Portions excluded include his description of the six operations and their results, and a scholarly discussion of the knowledge of transplantation and regeneration at the time. (Interested readers in such material would be well advised to also review an extensive discussion of the knowledge of bone biology in Sir Arthur Keith’s classic monograph, “Menders of the Maimed”.) Dr. Gill concluded fresh bone with cartilage surfaces was readily transplantable as long as “periosteum, medulla, and bony tissue” were all included in the graft. Immunology as a field was not well developed at the time, nor the known problems with transplantation between individuals and species. Nonetheless, his experiments formed a basis for the principles of whole bone transplantation.

The following experiments in bone transplantation were undertaken to determine whether or not it is possible to secure the healing in of entire bones with their articular surfaces, and whether or not such bones, if they do become healed in, will remain alive and unabsorbed, and, finally, to observe any other conditions that may have a bearing upon the subject of bone transplantation in general.

Full-grown dogs were operated upon under complete surgical anaesthesia by ether. The second long metatarsal bone was excised in the front paws and each one was implanted in the opposite paw. The ends of the bone were held in the position by chromic catgut sutures. Tendons and fascia were sutured over it with interrupted sutures of silk floss. Asepsis was attempted by shaving the paws and painting the skin with tincture of iodine and by clamping the margin of the incision to sterile towels. After the incision was closed it was painted with tincture of iodine. No dressings were applied and the dogs were permitted to walk about. This they usually did on the day following operation without any evidence of pain.

Resource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Resource: http://www.nutritionforest.com/