Nutrition
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Despite having disease-specific pathologic features and symptoms, neurodegenerative diseases share common mechanisms, such as excitotoxicity, neuroinflammation, and neurotransmitter dysregulation. Although the common underlying cause of these neurodegenerative processes has yet to be identified, accumulating evidence suggests that branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) could be involved. ⋯ Furthermore, emerging evidence indicates that BCAA metabolism may be dysregulated in major neurodegenerative diseases, namely Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In this review, we identified the neurodegenerative mechanisms of BCAAs and outlined their potential roles in neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that targeting BCAA metabolism may represent a new approach to identifying new therapeutic targets for multifaceted neurodegenerative diseases.
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Gastrointestinal tract diseases are characterized by an imbalance in physiological functions, which may involve inflammatory and metabolic pathways and trigger chronic, multifactorial, and idiopathic inflammatory disorders. The association of probiotics with prebiotics has the potential to remedy these afflictive conditions, because they attenuate or even block the adhesion of pathogenic microorganisms in the enteric environment. ⋯ The importance of products containing probiotics and fibers from Psyllium as prebiotics becomes increasingly evident when there is a health bias. Emerging health challenges and advances in research will drive selective approaches in biotechnology to discover and evaluate new probiotics and prebiotics that can potentially contribute to human health.
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The potential clinical effects of licorice (Glycyrrhiza spp.) and its extracts have been investigated since ancient times. Whether pseudohyperaldosteronism, with consequent arterial hypertension, is the only endocrine effect produced by licorice is uncertain, and a role in the reproductive system has been proposed. This review aimed to summarize the current knowledge on the pharmacologic effects of licorice on male and female reproductive systems. ⋯ Licorice consumption can affect the reproductive system. However, its role needs to be further explored, especially due to the great variability of bioactive compounds used in existing studies.
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Review Meta Analysis
Influence of age, sex, and type of exercise on the efficacy of creatine supplementation on lean body mass: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
Creatine supplementation has been shown to increase measures of lean body mass (LBM); however, there often is high heterogeneity across individual studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically review and meta-analyze randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating creatine supplementation on LBM. Subanalyses were performed based on age, sex, and type of exercise. Based on PRISMA guidelines, we searched the following databases: Pubmed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and Scopus (PROSPERO register: CRD42020207122) until May 2022. ⋯ Further subanalyses found that males on creatine increased LBM by 1.46 kg (95% CI, 0.47-2.46), compared with a non-significant increase of 0.29 kg (95% CI, -0.43 to 1.01) for females. In conclusion, the addition of creatine supplementation to a resistance training program increases LBM. During a resistance training program, males on creatine respond more favorably than females.
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Review Meta Analysis
Influence of age, sex, and type of exercise on the efficacy of creatine supplementation on lean body mass: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
Creatine supplementation has been shown to increase measures of lean body mass (LBM); however, there often is high heterogeneity across individual studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically review and meta-analyze randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating creatine supplementation on LBM. Subanalyses were performed based on age, sex, and type of exercise. Based on PRISMA guidelines, we searched the following databases: Pubmed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and Scopus (PROSPERO register: CRD42020207122) until May 2022. ⋯ Further subanalyses found that males on creatine increased LBM by 1.46 kg (95% CI, 0.47-2.46), compared with a non-significant increase of 0.29 kg (95% CI, -0.43 to 1.01) for females. In conclusion, the addition of creatine supplementation to a resistance training program increases LBM. During a resistance training program, males on creatine respond more favorably than females.