Beta-Carotene Protects Against Sunburns

Oral supplements of beta-carotene may protect against sunburn, and the longer the supplementation period the greater the protection, says a new meta-analysis.

Ten weeks of supplementation were required to produce a protective effect, according to pooled data from seven studies reported in the journal Photochemistry and Photobiology.

"This meta-analysis indicates that beta-carotene supplementation of humans is effective in providing protection against the development of a sunburn reaction,"
"This observation emphasizes that systemic photoprotection by beta-carotene is quite different from that achieved with a topically applied sunscreen,"

There is a growing body of science focusing on the potential benefits of nutrients to boost skin health from within, with lutein, lycopene and superoxide dismutase (SOD) having been reported to improve skin health.

Moreover, for every additional month of supplementation, the degree of protection increased, added Kopcke and Krutmann.

"This observation emphasizes that systemic photoprotection by beta-carotene is quite different from that achieved with a topically applied sunscreen," they said. "Whereas proper use of modern sunscreens provides protection against the development of a sunburn reaction within minutes after topical application, beta-carotene-induced photoprotection builds only slowly over several weeks of supplementation."

Responsibly, they stressed that the carotenoid was not a replacement for sunscreen, particularly under strong sun exposure, but may work in addition to topicals. Beta-carotene's sun protection factor (SPF) was "at best" about four, they said.

Mechanism

The researchers said the exact mechanism or mechanisms behind beta-carotenoid's sun protection were unknown, but said it was tempting to speculate that the carotenoid's antioxidant activity may be responsible. On exposure to UV radiation, particularly UV-B, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced in the skin that may result in oxidative stress, a known accelerator of the ageing process. Beta-carotene may quench these ROS and thereby offer skin protection.

SCOTT'S COMMENTS
No surprise here, antioxidants protect against oxidative damage! So eat lots of vegetables and take a good multivitamin. Animal paks, GNC's Mega Men, and Multi Maxx by Maxx Essentials are my favs. Oh and stay out of the sun! Ya, like any of us are going to listen to that advice!

Nestle & Jamba Juice Partner to launch new RTDs

Nestle the world's largest food and beverage company, and Jamba Juice, the leading blender of fruit and other naturally healthy ingredients, today announced the launch of a line of Jamba(R) ready-to-drink beverages made with real fruit and boosted with extra nutrients.

Jamba Smoothies and Jamba Juicies are now available in major grocery retailers, convenience stores and select Jamba Juice store locations in eight Western states: California, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Washington and Colorado. Confirmed retail accounts include Target, Safeway, Albertsons, Ralph's, 7-Eleven, Raley's, and Walgreens.

"This is the first step in our strong partnership with Nestle," said Paul Coletta, senior vice president, marketing and brand development at Jamba. "Our teams continue to work together on future product extensions that will build and drive the synergy of Jamba retail and ready-to-drink."

"The response from accounts has been outstanding," said Steve Presley, vice president, general manager premium ready-to-drink, Nestle Beverage Division. "They recognize the value and growth potential that Jamba RTD brings to the super premium juice category."

The 2008 Jamba ready-to-drink product line includes six SKUs: three Jamba Smoothies, named Strawberries Wild w/Energy Boost, Orange Dream Machine w/Immunity, Banana Berry w/Heart Healthy Boost; and, three Jamba Juicies named Orange Strawberry Banana w/Protein Boost, Mango Orange Peach w/Fiber Boost, Very Berry w/Calcium Boost.

Cocoa Increases Vascularity!

Ok, mom was right - all you have to do is eat your Cocoa Puffs every morning! Well, not exactly ... Scientists have found that consuming cocoa flavanols -- naturally occurring compounds in cocoa may have the potential to positively impact the blood vessel dysfunction associated with diabetes, suggests a first-of-its-kind study recently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology by an international group of scientists. Study participants who regularly consumed a cocoa flavanol-rich beverage made using the Mars, Incorporated Cocoapro(R) process experienced a 30 percent improvement in measured vessel function at the completion of a 30-day trial.

Poor blood vessel function is recognized as an early stage in the development process of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. For more than 20 million Americans living with diabetes, these vascular impairments can eventually lead to heart disease and stroke, the cause of death for two-thirds of those who suffer from diabetes. Despite good diabetes control and medical treatment, adults with the disease often continue to experience vascular dysfunction. This has led scientists on a search for novel medical or nutritional options to improve the health and quality of life for people with diabetes.

"We are still seeing the devastating complications of diabetes with the standard medical treatments available, so we are increasingly looking to lifestyle changes and new approaches to help address risks associated with diabetes," said Paul Zimmet, MD, PhD, Director of the International Diabetes Institute in Australia. "While more research is needed, this study shows tremendous potential for future flavanol-based applications."

In this study, the impact of both immediate and regular consumption of a flavanol-rich cocoa drink on vascular function in diabetic adults was investigated. In the first part of this study, medically-treated adults with type 2 diabetes -- a population known to have impaired blood vessel function, putting them at higher risk for cardiovascular disease -- drank a well-characterized and standardized cocoa beverage made using the Mars Cocoapro(R) process that contained different flavanol levels, ranging from 75 to 963 milligrams, and had their blood vessel function measured for several hours following consumption. The researchers found a positive correlation between the flavanol dose consumed and immediate improvements in FMD (flow mediated dilation, a measure of vessel health, i.e. the ability of a vessel to relax).
In a subsequent controlled 30-day, double-masked clinical trial, adults with established diabetes who were medically controlled, drank either a flavanol-containing cocoa beverage or a low-flavanol control three times a day. The cocoa beverages contained either 25 milligrams of cocoa flavanols (control) or 321 milligrams of cocoa flavanols (treatment) and were matched for calories, nutrients and other cocoa compounds such as theobromine and caffeine

Beyond the immediate improvements in FMD following flavanol consumption, participants experienced sustained improvements in blood vessel function upon consuming the flavanol-containing cocoa over a period of 30 days (30 percent increase in FMD between day one and 30).

"We were pleasantly surprised by the magnitude of impact of cocoa flavanols on vascular function in these diabetic adults," said Mars, Incorporated Chief Science Officer Harold Schmitz, PhD.

The Body of Evidence
Contrary to statements often made in the popular media, the collective research demonstrates that the cardiovascular effects of cocoa flavanols are independent of general "antioxidant" effects that cocoa flavanols exhibit. While research aimed at studying the potential role of cocoa flavanols in the context of blood vessel and circulatory function continues, a number of previously published studies already suggest that the consumption of cocoa flavanols can have important beneficial effects on the function of the body's network of blood vessels. The body of research not only suggests that cocoa flavanols may provide a dietary approach to maintaining cardiovascular function and health, but also points at new possibilities for cocoa flavanol-based interventions for vascular complications associated with cognitive performance, skin health and age-related blood vessel dysfunction.

SCOTT'S NOTE:
Look for supplement companies to start adding Cocoa extracts to Nitric Oxide stimulating supplements and male libido enhancers. Of course, the various supplements aimed at helping Type II diabetes patients will also start carrying these extracts in an effort to keep consumers interested in their brands and to stay current with the latest research.

At only 25 mg of flavanols needed per dose, this amount will easily fit into any capsulate or pill format supplement and won't likely drive the price up too high. Unfortunately, if Mars charges an excessive amount for their "special" flavanol ingredient mix, supplement companies will just come up with a "similar" cocoa extract, label it as a special "proprietary cocoa favanol blend" and make the same claims that Mars is making with their product.

FDA Busts LG Sciences

The FDA has seized more than 1 million dollars worth of illegal dietary supplements from a Michigan based company.

The products were being marketed to the bodybuilding world and were being sold online and in stores by the names: “Methyl 1-D,” “Methyl 1-D XL” and Formadrol Extreme XL.

The company is called LG Sciences and is located in Brighton. According to FDA officials the products that they were manufacturing contain food additives and other ingredients not approved for use in the United States.

The products "previously were tested and found to contain one or more unapproved food additives and/or new dietary ingredients for which there is inadequate information to provide reasonable assurance that the ingredients do not present a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury," the FDA said.

The FDA is warning consumers of any of these products to consult their doctors as soon as possible.

A lawyer for the company Ronald Berry, says that all of their products are legal and that the FDA just wants to insure that this is the case.

GSK petitions FDA to ban dietary supplements

GlaxoSmithKline's petition to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban dietary supplements from making weight loss claims, has opened a cupboard and only the deluded would deny the presence of one or two skeletons rattling around in there.

The petition seeks to reclassify weight loss health claims as disease claims and by most accounts is unlikely to succeed, but it has brought into focus issues industry has not managed to lay to bed.

Inadequate or incomplete scientific substantiation, question marks over efficacy, health claim exaggeration, formula contamination and mislabelling continue to dog the dietary supplements industry despite the best intentions of the 1994 Dietary Supplements Health Education Act (DSHEA) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations enacted last year.

It's a situation that leaves industry open to the kind of attack GSK has mounted and drives the urgent need for it to get its house in order.

But the existence of rogue players hell bent on exploiting consumer weight management concerns only provides further ammunition to critics who caste the industry as being unregulated, unefficacious and unsafe.

"We're never short of targets in the weight loss industry," Michelle Rusk, from Federal Trade Commission's division of advertising practices, said at Expo West in Anaheim in March. The FTC, along with the FDA, polices claims and labelling transgressions in the US.

The fact the FTC has busted more than 100 companies since 1990 for labelling and claim breaches and is in the midst of a crackdown, is an unhealthy statistic for industry and even unhealthier for its public image.

Yet at something like $4bn the market is hardly flagging - consumer interest in weight management is stronger than ever as obesity-related problems have increased.

Just as the vitamin E market was delivered a serious blow a few years ago after a meta-analysis questioned the nutrient's efficacy, GSK's action - successful or not - may already have dented sales in the sector.

GSK says weight loss dietary supplements don't work and that obesity and the secondary diseases like diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular problems it is linked with are too serious a matter for dietary supplements to be making claims about without pre-market, pharma-style, disease claim approval.

Make no mistake - GSK's 33-page petition is a very strong one. It is well-researched, well-written and premised on a public safety logic that has many advocates, some of whom are likely to be involved in FDA's decision-making process that has about another five months to run.

It assesses a range of ingredients used in weight loss products - from bitter orange to hoodia to CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) - and concludes not one of them has been scientifically proven to manage weight.

"There is no credible scientific evidence that would support any type of a claim accompanying a weight loss supplement," the petition states.

This then becomes an issue of semantics - as there are many studies that demonstrate botanical and other ingredients can benefit weight loss, but GSK says the trials are not rigorous enough, or numerous enough, and therefore discounts them.

Yet companies like DSM, Cognis and Sabinsa possess clinical data supporting their own branded weight management ingredients which may stand up to pharma scrutiny if the petition succeeded.

Commercial versus public interest

The fact GSK just last year launched "Alli" the only OTC weight loss drug that is a direct competitor to weight loss supplements has to be considered among its concern for the public's health.

It is hard to deny the commercial benefit GSK would gain if FDA accepted its petition and re-classified weight loss claims as disease claims.

It's offering, alli, has quickly become the third highest-selling weight management drug in the world, with sales of close to $150m so there is much at stake.

That aside, GSK's action has thrown a light on industry that can yield positive results in the form of greater scientific verification.

When that is in place there will be less cracks in a predominantly honest industry for unscrupulous players to exist in. Until that happens, however, the bullets will continue to fly from the likes of GSK.

Optimum Nutrition Donates 8,400 lbs. of Bars!

Optimum Nutrition (ON) has donated 8,400 pounds of Lift™ Bars, Steel Bars and other high-protein energy bars to the Northern Illinois Food Bank in St. Charles which is an affiliate of America’s Second Harvest, a national network that secures and distributes over 2 billion pounds of food and grocery items annually to more than 200 food banks. In addition to containing at least 20 grams of high-quality proteins, each bar supplies about the same amount of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, vitamins and essential minerals that would be consumed with a small, nutritious meal.

“We could easily have used these bars as promotional samples, but we consider helping American families a much higher priority,” said Jay Jacobsen, ON’s Marketing Manager. “Our team is dedicated to making a difference for others, whether it’s meeting customer needs or setting an example for community service.”

This is a great gesture to those in need and one that many supplement companies should consider doing, especially when their bars are close to expiration and turn as hard as a 45 pound plate. Not to say that this is what Optimum has done but it is something that more supplement companies should do when their bars solidify (something inevitable when protein bars sit on the shelf for a while). I hate when companies keep selling bars long after they have hardened up just because they don't want to lose money. I once bit into an NHF "Ultra Whey" bar and loosened my tooth it was so solid! Negative word-of-mouth advertising spreads VERY fast on confectionary items like bars and RTDs and other low-price impulse buys.

World's Best Tasting Protein?

I have almost tried them all, but I think Whey Gourmet is the best tasting on the market. Now CytoSport (makers of Muscle Milk have an amazing tasting straight whey protein that is a close second for sure.) You won't find Whey Gourmet too much around the U.S. but it is big in Canada, especially B.C. where they are manufactured.

Hispanics and African Americans more likely to use weight loss supplements?

A survey sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline suggests Hispanics and African Americans are more likely than whites to use unproven dietary supplements for weight loss.

The data was presented this month at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO).

The data reveals that Hispanics and African Americans are less likely to use commercial weight loss programs and more likely to exercise and use dietary supplements for weight loss compared to whites. The researchers have not publicized what constitutes 'unproven' dietary supplements.

The survey is significant in that it highlights that different ethnic groups have a predisposition towards different dietary supplement or functional food products. This is information likely to be of use to marketers looking to steer their products across a gamut of consumer demographics.

A recent major trend in the US has been for food marketers to target Hispanic consumers with ethnic and Latin flavours.

The initial survey was conducted between November 18, 2005 and January 10, 2006 at the Center for Survey Research & Analysis (CSRA) at the University of Connecticut.

A sample of 3,500 people completed the telephone interview for a response rate of 28 percent.

The researchers defined commercial weight loss programs as organized programs where clients attend regular meetings either in person or online, while they define dietary supplements for weight loss as herbs or plant extracts.

According to the National Institutes of Health, 66 percent of US adults are overweight or obese, with Hispanic and African Americans tending to have higher rates than whites.

The researchers highlighted factors that may have contributed to ethnic differences in reported use of supplements. These include: differences in preference, specific knowledge of weight loss options and supplement advertising targeted to ethnic minorities.

Cheap (Yet Very Effective) Pre-Workout Supplement

Go to any drug store and ask the pharmacists if you can buy some empty capsules. They will sell them to you for just a few cents each (you need to buy at least 30). On your kitchen counter (clean the surface first!) take ordinary baking soda, stuff the capsules with baking soda until you have 30 in total. Before your next high-rep training session, take all 30 capsules 30 minutes before training on an empty stomach.

Chemically speaking, baking soda is a "base" which means it will neutralize an "acid". Since high-rep training produces acid in the muscle you are training in the form of lactic acid, taking a "base" will neutralize the acid and allow you to not experience the "burn' that normally comes with high-rep training. Be careful though because you don't want to push a mucle too far past the point where you normally stop because of the pain associated with the burn, as you dong so could injury your muscle. But if you monitor it closely, you can notice an immediate imporvement in stamina (the number of reps you can get on a set). Stack this with some Sugar-Free Red Bull or REDLINE EXTREME energy drink or one serving of NO XPLODE and you're in for a hell of a workout!

Whey's Price Going Up

The price of whey, a dairy byproduct used as fertilizer and as an ingredient in many other foods, has soared to record highs as global demand has surged and supplies have tightened.
Prices of other dairy products, including whole milk, also are increasing for a variety of reasons. The average retail price of whole milk could rise to $3.35 per gallon, up from $3.07 in January, according to economist Ken Bailey at Penn State University.
"If you are a dairy farmer, you are delighted. If you are a consumer . . . it's going to hurt a little," said Bruce Jones, an economics professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Alto Dairy, a 113-year-old farmers' cooperative in Waupun, produces about 80 million pounds of whey annually at its cheese plant.
Years ago, whey didn't have much value and was spread on farm fields as fertilizer.
Now, at about 79 cents a pound, it's valuable both as animal feed and as a food ingredient exported globally.
"We are seeing a huge export demand for whey," said Karen Endres, Alto Dairy spokeswoman.
The cooperative sells whey to Main Street Ingredients, a La Crosse food company. Main Street manufactures whey protein concentrates and non-fat dry milk. Whey has nutritional value, said Bill Schmitz, company president.
"It's a widely accepted product now, compared to years ago," he said. "Alto puts a lot of whey in our pockets, and we have to move it."
In Wisconsin, the economic impact of dairy farming is more than twice as large as the citrus industry's impact in Florida. Dairy farming contributes roughly $20.6 billion a year to the state's economy and employs 160,000 people, according to industry figures.
The prices that processors pay farmers for their milk are expected to rise significantly this year, following a down year in 2006. Whey, as part of a federal milk pricing formula, is contributing to the increases.
The average farm-milk price should rise from $14.50 per hundred pounds to a peak of about $16.62 in August, according to Bailey.
That's good news for farmers, whose petroleum and other energy costs have surged.
Price boost
Dairy-cow feed costs - especially corn and soybean meal prices - have risen rapidly as a result of increasing demand for these feedstocks for ethanol and biodiesel fuel production.
"Since feed represents half the cost of producing milk, farmers are getting squeezed financially, even though milk prices are rising," Bailey wrote. "In fact, there was evidence already in January and February that farmers cut back on milk production. Less milk means higher prices in the grocery store."

Fitness enthusiasts have already noticed price increases for whey-based protein supplements.
Ken Weber, owner of the Brickyard Gym, said his costs for protein supplements have gone up twice in the last six months, and another price increase is coming.
"Nothing else seems to have gone up except for that," he said.
Normally, retail milk prices go up very quickly when farm milk prices rise, but decline slowly when farmers face lower prices.
"Since processors are expected to pay more for milk, the retail price will also rise," Bailey wrote.
Wisconsin cheese plants with the equipment to process whey currently get about 79 cents a pound for it.
That's nearly three times higher than the five-year average price. But, unlike Alto Dairy, many plants don't have whey-processing equipment because they don't produce enough of the byproduct to justify the costs.

On average, it takes about 10 pounds of milk to make one pound of cheese. There's about nine pounds of liquid in the process, and most of it is whey.

If you're an avid whey protein user you will have already noticed a price hike by most supplement companies. Other companies have begun pushing "protein blends" over straight whey protein where they combine whey, milk, egg, and soy proteins. The marketing story they are using here is that each protein "time releases" in the body and keeps you anabolic. The last time I spoke with a represeantative from one of the largest whey-protein manufactuers in the world - Century Foods
at this year's Expo West, the prices for whey protein had come down slightly now. It is my opinion though that supplement companies will keep their prices stable in case the price rises again. This will also allow them to make up for lost margins suffered when the prices rose so suddenly.

Scientists Develop Cranberry Protein Powder

A new cranberry protein powder can allow food and drink companies to add protein to their products without turning to the usual dairy or soy sources, says its manufacturer.

AHD International, a US firm that says it focuses on new-to-market ingredients, claims to be the first company to be tapping into the protein potential of cranberry seed.

As well as protein, the company said its new Luravida cranberry powder is a good source of fiber, and also contains omega 3, 6 and 9. Applications it can be used in include baked goods, snacks, bars, smoothies, protein blends and dietary supplements.

The cranberry protein powder is produced using a patented cold extrusion and filtration process from the seeds of the American cranberry. No enzymes or extraction solvents are used in this process, said AHD.

Composition

The new ingredient contains 23-30 percent protein, 5-20 percent soluble fiber and 40-47 percent insoluble fiber.

It contains one percent omega 3, one percent omega 6 and 0.75 percent omega 9, and is also said to be rich in flavonoids.

AHD said its powder also has a full amino acid profile, including tyrosine (0.5-2g/100g), glutamic acid (5-7g/100g), phenylalanine (1-3g/100g), glycine (1-3g/100g), alanine (1-3g/100g) and cysteine (0.3-2g/00g).

The cranberry powder also contains potassium (5000-5600ppm), calcium (1400-2500ppm) and iron (30-80ppm).

Market niche

AHD president John Alkire said he believes the new product will find a niche in the protein ingredient market.

"The main protein sources have so far been from dairy or soy. But manufacturers are always looking for new ways to differentiate their products, and making 'cranberry protein' claims on their products will be one way of doing this," he told NutraIngredients-USA.com.

More Herbal Sex Pills Contain Viagra

FDA issued a warning about dangerous sexual performance products marketed as dietary supplements and originating from China that contain undeclared drug ingredients. The agency warned consumers not to buy or use Super Shangai, Strong Testis, Shangai Ultra, Shangai Ultra X, Lady Shangai, and Shangai Regular, also marketed as Shangai Chaojimengnan, products. The products are marketed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and for sexual enhancement, but they contain undeclared active ingredients of FDA-approved prescription ED drugs and are, thus, illegal without FDA approval.

FDA testing revealed Super Shangai, Strong Testis, Shangai Ultra, Shangai Ultra X, and Lady Shangai contain sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, while Shangai Regular, also marketed as Shangai Chaojimengnan, contains an unapproved substance with a structure similar to sildenafil that may cause similar side effects and drug interactions. The agency reported neither sildenafil nor the analog of sildenafil is listed as an ingredient on the label of any of these products.

FDA warned the undeclared ingredients may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. The agency noted consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease often take nitrates. It added ED is a common problem in men with these medical conditions, who may seek “natural” products because they have been advised against taking ED drugs. Additionally, FDA advised the safety, efficacy, and purity of these ingredients can not be validated because the manufacturing source of the active ingredients in these products is unknown

Buckwheat Protein Reduces Cholesterol

Ever since David Jenkins (who in my humble opinion is the most knowledgeable protein expert in the supplement industry) and the infamous Dan Duchaine launched whey protein under the brand "Designer Protein" in the early 90s, scientists have searched for other forms of protein to exceed the power of whey. One such protein that has caught interest lately is made from tartary buckwheat and common buckwheat grain. In a recent study this protein extract helped reduce cholesterol levels in rats on a high cholesterol diet by at least 25 per cent, report Japanese researchers.

If the results can be reproduced in humans, the proteins may offer an alternative for functional food formulators and dietary supplements to tap into the burgeoning cholesterol reduction market, currently dominated by phytosterols and stanols.

The research, published in the Journal of Food Science, reports that supplementation of a high cholesterol diet with protein from common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) and tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn) reduced serum cholesterol levels in rats by 32 and 25 per cent, respectively.

In a second experiment, the researchers looked at the effect of the proteins to reduce the formation of gallstones (lithogenesis), measured by the lithogenic index. Supplementation with common (BWP) and tartary buckwheat (TBP) led to reductions of the lithogenic index of 62 and 43 per cent, respectively.

"Taken together, these results suggest a potential source of TBP as a functional food ingredient as well as BWP," wrote the authors.

High cholesterol levels, hypercholesterolaemia, have a long association with many diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD), the cause of almost 50 per cent of deaths in Europe.

Analysis of the chemical composition of TBP was found to be 45.8 per cent protein, 7.8 per cent lipids, and 2.7 per cent dietary fibre, while BWP was composed of 65.8 per cent protein, 22.0 per cent lipids, and 7.0 per cent dietary fibre.

TBP was also found to contain more rutin and quercetin than BWP, with 5.3 and 4.4 mg of rutin per 100 grams, respectively, and 1710 and 5.4 mg of quercetin per 100 grams, respectively.

"In this study, TBP contained much amount of quercetin, and its concentration is much higher than BWP, while the content of rutin was very low in both TBP and BWP," wrote the authors. "The results imply that the rutin in tartary buckwheat flour might be largely degraded to quercetin during the alkali extraction process."

The researchers note that a synergy might exist between quercetin and tartary buckwheat protein, both of which have been reported to offer protective benefits to the colon.

"A large amount of quercetin in TBP might transfer to large bowel together with indigestible protein. It is possible that quercetin in the TBP may exert potentially beneficial effects on protecting colon oxidative damage," they stated.

Additional studies need to be performed, with human interventions a priority, before the potential benefits for cholesterol reduction and colon health can be accepted, but the initial results from animal studies appear promising.

So far the only two companies in the sport nutrition area that have released buckwheat protein supplements are: Legal Gear (now LG Sciences) and Kemistry (under the brand name Pro Core). Sources say that the LG Sciences product has been discontinued and Pro Core is on the market but doesn't seem to be outselling whey protein, that's for damn sure!

ARTIC ROOT® Helps Treat Mild Depression

A new clinical trial has found that a specific extract of Rhodiola rosea roots and rhizomes demonstrated anti-depressive activity in patients with mild to moderate depression. The extract is found in the product "Arctic Root" which is made by ProActive BioProducts (see www.proactivebio.com).

This is the first double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of Rhodiola rosea in patients diagnosed with depression. Patients given the Swedish-made Rhodiola rosea extract showed significant improvements in depression compared to those given placebo.

The trial, published in the Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, utilized a proprietary Rhodiola rosea root extract called SHR-5, a standardized extract used in the product Arctic Root® produced by the Swedish Herbal Institute in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The authors concluded that SHR-5 demonstrates clear and significant anti-depressive activity in patients suffering from mild to moderate depression, evident from both overall depression levels as well as from specific symptom levels of depression. They further noted that no adverse effects could be detected in either of the groups given the Rhodiola rosea extract.

Alexander Panossian, PhD, research director of the Swedish Herbal Institute and a co-author of the study, noted that all synthetically-derived, conventional pharmaceutical antidepressant drugs have adverse effects. He added that St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), a popular herbal antidepressant, has been associated with herb-drug interactions, particularly with the pharmaceutical blood-thinner warfarin.

“Because of this drug interaction problem, there is a big demand for new natural antidepressants,” stated Dr. Panossian. “We have found that our SHR-5 extract of Rhodiola has a significant anti-depressive effect in human and animal studies, with no effect on the pharmacological activity and concentration of warfarin in blood after their oral administration together with SHR-5. It is a very safe extract.”

Richard P. Brown, MD, associate professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and a co-author of a comprehensive review of Rhodiola rosea2 and a book on the subject3 likewise commented on the need for new, safe anti-depression medications. “At least 50% of patients given prescription anti-depressants stop them within 3 months due to unpleasant side effects,” said Dr. Brown (e-mail to M. Blumenthal, November 19, 2007). He cited a recent National Institutes of Health-funded multi-center study in which only 30% of patients responded to citalopram, a standard antidepressant medication. “Many patients have partial responses and are left with residual symptoms,” he said.

Dr. Brown stated that this clinical trial on SHR-5 has shown promising results: “Two dose levels of Rhodiola rosea [SHR-5 extract] were found to significantly reduce symptoms of depression in patients with mild to moderate depression compared to placebo in this randomized clinical trial. In addition to mood elevation, evidence indicates that R. rosea has numerous other benefits, including enhancement of cognitive function, sexual function, and both mental and physical performance under stress. Additional studies are needed to explore and establish the potential applications of this herbal extract. In the meantime, phytomedicinal researchers and consumers can be encouraged by these findings.”

According to Dr. Panossian, the SHR-5 Rhodiola rosea extract is already widely used and trusted in some areas of the world. “Four hundred million daily doses have been sold in the last 20 years in Scandinavia, where Rhodiola (notably SHR-5) is used as an adaptogen in cases of decreased performance, such as fatigue and sensation of weakness.”

On a previous post I made on this study, I was mistaken as I had thought this study would apply to all forms of Rhodiola Rosea Extract but it does NOT. According to Dave Jensen (a 25 year veteran in the biotech, pharmaceutical, and dietary supplement fields), "It is important to realize that this trial was a PRODUCT SPECIFIC TRIAL of one PARTICULAR EXTRACT. The results do not have anything to say broadly about Rhodiola, but only specifically that SHR-5 (Arctic Root brand in the USA, through ProActive BioProducts) has these qualities."

Two Supplements Recalled for Containing Viagra

The FDA rcently posted a release from Palo Alto Labs (dated February 28) announcing a voluntary nationwide recall of the company's supplement products sold under the name Aspire36 and Aspire Lite. Palo Alto Labs is conducting this recall after being informed by representatives of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that lab analysis by FDA of Aspire36 and Aspire Lite samples found that the products contained Aildenafil in trace amounts and Dimethyl sildenafil thione (sulfoaildenafil) a purported analog of Sildenafil, an FDA-approved drug used as treatment for male Erectile Dysfunction (ED). Sulfoaildenafil is close in structure to Sildenafil and is expected to possess a similar pharmacological and adverse event profile. This may pose a threat to consumers because the analogue may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates. ED is a common problem in men with these conditions, and consumers may seek these types of products to enhance sexual performance.

Aspire36 and Aspire Lite are sold nationwide. The products are sold as a blister pack containing one liquid capsule or a bottle containing either three (3) or twelve (12) liquid capsules.

Consumers who have Aspire36 and Aspire Lite in their possession should stop using them immediately. In the event of any adverse side effects due to the consumption of these products, consumers should contact a physician right away. Any adverse events that may be related to the use of these products should be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Program by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088 or by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178 or by mail at MedWatch, HF-2, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787.

The Company is advising consumers to return any unused Aspire36 and Aspire Lite, for a refund of the full purchase price, to the retail location from which it was purchased or to the Company directly if it was purchased from the Company as a part of its Direct Response Program. Consumers can call 1-(877)240-3340 for instructions on the return and refund process.

Study Proves That Phosphatidylserine Can Improve Your Golf Game

A study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition proves that the consumption of a phosphatidylserine containing functional food can improve performance in golfers.

The participation in physical activity often challenges a variety of physiological systems; consequently, the ability to maintain normal cellular function during activity can determine sporting performance. Previous clinical trials have proven that phosphatidylserine supplementation results in improved physical and mental stress resistance. These findings suggest that phosphatidylserine supplementation might be beneficial for sports demanding high levels of concentration and coordination such as the game of golf.

“The golf swing requires the interaction of the central nervous system and skeletal muscles as well as the correct combination of power, velocity and endurance” said Prof. Michael Weiß with the Department of Sport and Health of the University of Paderborn, one of the study’s investigators. “The golf swing is a complex motion and especially teeing off and putting creates high levels of tension” he continued.

In a gold standard clinical trial (randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind) twenty golfers with handicaps between 15 and 40 had to tee-off 20 times in 15-second intervals and were asked to hit a target at a distance of 135 meters. After the pre-test, the golfers consumed one IQ PLUS™ BAR containing 200 mg phosphatidylserine per day and repeated the test after 6 weeks. As a result, golfers consuming the IQ PLUS™ BAR had lower levels of perceived stress and significantly improved the number of good ball flights during tee-off which might result in an improved handicap.

“For the first time, a functional food was used as study material in a nutritional intervention study on golf performance” said Dr. Martin Purpura, Managing Member of Increnovo LLC and co-author of the study. “This clearly differentiates the IQ PLUS™ BAR from other products that are marketed for golfers”. Additionally, Scott Hagerman, president of Chemi Nutra, sponsor of the study’s publication and leader in the production of phosphatidylserine said, “It is well known that phosphatidylserine benefits mental capabilities as well as improve exercise performance, and this study adds to the existing body of science”.

Brewer's Yeast Makes A Comeback!

The bioavailability of zinc organically bound in yeast (as found in Brewer's Yeast) is superior when compared to zinc gluconate salts, claim two recent studies backed by Lallemand Health Ingredients. One of the studies demonstrated that zinc-enriched yeast was 3.7 times more bioavailable - absorbed and found in greater concentration than the the very popular "zinc gluconate", report the scientists.
Zinc, one of the most plentiful trace elements in the body, second only to iron, mediates many physiological functions including maintaining a healthy immune system, memory, muscle strength and endurance in adults and testosterone, IGF-! and Insulin function.

I think it would be interesting to test the bioavailability of zinc bound in yeast vs. zinc monomethionate (as found in ZMA) vs. zinc picolinate vs. zinc polynicotinate to see which is the best overall!

Optimum Nutrition Releases New NO Product

Bodybuilders and strength athletes live for the pumped-up feeling that comes with intense weight lifting. The physiological precursor to the ‘Pump’ is nitric oxide (N.O.), a cellular gas that dilates vessels to increase the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients to muscles. For those involved in resistance training, this increased blood flow also facilitates the clearing of metabolic waste that can bring on fatigue during a workout.

Numerous studies have identified the conditionally essential amino acid arginine as one of the most effective N.O. activators. This is precisely why Optimum Nutrition included 3 grams of arginine compounds in every serving of their new Vassive N.O. Formula-X sustained release tablets. There are other N.O. activators, of course. The ‘X’ was used in the product’s name as a Roman Number 10 to highlight the number of N.O. promoting compounds present in each tablet.

“Along with arginine, Vassive N.O. Formula-X contains nine additional ‘pump-potentiating’ compounds,” said Phil Brown, a Food Scientist at ON’s Aurora Product Development Laboratory. “Citrulline malta (Editor's Note: I think he meant "Malate"), quercetin, American ginseng and rhodiola extracts, histidine, cnidium monnier, norvaline, pomegranate and theobromine have been specifically formulated to work synergistically with arginine and promote muscle fullness and vascularity for an extended period.“

Founded in 1987, Optimum Nutrition is recognized as an innovative manufacturer of premium sports supplements. The company maintains two distinct brands – Optimum Nutrition and American Body Building – each offering a comprehensive line of liquid, powder, energy bar, capsule and tablet products. ON owns and operates state-of-the-art cGMP-approved manufacturing facilities to assure the highest standards of quality and consistency.

Whey Protein Lowers Glycemic Index

In a recent human clinical trial, test subjects experienced a statistically significant reduction of up to 37.8 Glycemic Index units when a novel whey protein mixture called "Prolibra" was added to a liquid meal consisting of 50 g of glucose. Prolibra is a partially hydrolyzed whey protein isolate, high in protein and low in fat. Glanbia's suggested uses for the ingredient include beverages, powdered beverage mixes and snack bars. Since protein has been shown to reduce the speed of digestion of carbohydrates, this study result is not surprising. If viscous fibers such as Conjac were added to this mix, the GI-lowering effect should be even greater.

Makers of ENZYTE sued for $450 Million!

Federal authorities are not through with Berkeley Nutraceuticals, the Ohio-based company charged with civil and criminal penalties over the past few years stemming from fraudulent business practices. In the recent past, Berkeley reached settlements with various state attorneys general, and several Berkeley executives have been indicted. Recently, the feds asked U.S. District Judge S. Arthur Spiegel to order forfeiture of Berkeley assets, including cash and real estate, to the sum of around $450 million. Authorities cite money laundering, false advertising and fraud as the charges.

"This wasn't a series of little frauds here and there," Mark Josephs, a U.S. Department of Justice lawyer, told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "This was a big scheme."

However, Berkeley's lawyers countered it is unreasonable and unfair to seize a large portion of the company's profits, some of which were earned legally.

Similarly, Berkeley Founder Steve Warshak's attorney, Martin Weinberg, refuted the charge that Berkeley's revenue was dirtied by its practice of automatically charging for and sending herbal supplements—including the male enhancement product Enzyte—to customers every month, even if they signed up for just one delivery. Weinberg argued most of the company's earnings were outside of this continuity program of automatic charging.

"The jury never found a dollar figure of loss," he said. "We proved that Berkeley, at its core, is a legitimate company that is selling quality products."

Despite these arguments, Judge Speigel reported that under federal law, the government is authorized to seize an entire account or asset even if just some of the value is tied to criminal activity. He further noted the false advertising claims may render a large portion of the company's profits as tainted. He vowed to determine how much the company and Warshak must forfeit when Warshak is sentenced later this year.

Green Tea May Fight Brain Damage!

Compounds found in green tea may help ward off the neurological damage that can come with the breathing disorder sleep apnea, a new animal study hints. Researchers found that when they added green tea antioxidants to rats' drinking water, it appeared to protect the animals' brains during bouts of oxygen deprivation designed to mimic the effects of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The findings suggest that green tea compounds should be further studied as a potential OSA therapy, the researchers report in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

OSA is a common disorder in which soft tissues in the throat temporarily collapse and block the airway during sleep, causing repeated stops and starts in breathing throughout the night.

The immediate symptoms include chronic loud snoring and gasping, as well as daytime sleepiness. Left untreated, OSA can eventually have widespread effects in the body; it's linked to high blood pressure, and research suggests that the intermittent dips in oxygen to the brain may lead to memory and learning difficulties.

In the new study, Dr. David Gozal and colleagues at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Kentucky looked at whether green tea compounds called catechin polyphenols could help shield the brain from this oxygen deprivation.

Catechin polyphenols act as antioxidants, which means they help neutralize cell-damaging particles called oxygen free radicals. Free radicals are normal byproducts of metabolism, but in excess they lead to a state known as oxidative stress.

It's thought that the oxygen deprivation of OSA leads to oxidative stress, and that this, at least in part, explains the cognitive problems seen in some people with the sleep disorder.

Gozal and his colleagues found that when rats were exposed to periodic bouts of oxygen deprivation over 14 days, it did boost signs of oxidative stress in the brain. This didn't happen, however, if rats had been given water containing green tea polyphenols.

What's more, compared with rats given plain water, these animals performed better on a standard test of learning and memory -- a water "maze" designed to encourage the animals to remember the location of an escape platform.

In theory, Gozal told Reuters Health, a regular cup of green tea could be beneficial, used alongside standard OSA treatment.

"However," he said, "definitive proof that green tea would help will have to await a trial in human patients."

CURCUMA May Lower Glucose

In a recent study at Sunchon National University, researchers found curcumin to be a potential glucose-lowering agent and antioxidant in type 2 diabetic mice (Mol Nutr Food Res. 2008) Diabetic and non-diabetic male mice were fed with or without curcumin (0.02 percent) for six weeks. Curcumin significantly lowered blood glucose, HbA1c levels, hepatic activities of fatty acid synthase, beta-oxidation, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme reductase, and acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase. It suppressed body weight loss in diabetic mice and improved homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and glucose tolerance, and elevated the plasma insulin level. Hepatic glucokinase activity was significantly higher in the curcumin-supplemented diabetic group, whereas glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activities were significantly lower. Curcumin significantly lowered plasma free fatty acid, cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations; increased the hepatic glycogen and skeletal muscle lipoprotein lipase in diabetic mice; and normalized erythrocyte and hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities in diabetic mice that resulted in a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation. However, curcumin showed no effect on the blood glucose, plasma insulin and glucose regulating enzyme activities in non-diabetic mice.