There has been increasing interest in food- and dietary supplement-based materials that may support healthy cognition. However, few studies have quantitatively measured bioavailability, bioactivity, or cognitive short- and long-term effects of these materials against placebo. Earlier clinical studies reported ability of coffee cherry extract (CCE) to a.) reduce levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human blood and b.) to increase serum and exosomal levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neuroprotein essential for neurogenesis. Here, we examined CCE influence on cognitive performance. Seventy-one adults with mild cognitive decline completed this double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, 28-day regimen. Participants engaged in a cognitive challenge that involved working memory processes. Our results suggest that effects of CCE were notable during the first week and persisted throughout the study period. Specifically, participants on the CCE regimens had significant reductions in reaction time compared to placebo when comparing baseline to days 7 and 28 (p = 0.040, partial eta(2) = 0.130). A main effect of group was not identified for accuracy; however, strong trends were noted between the placebo group and two of the three CCE groups. These results suggest CCE, when taken in the morning or twice per day, is associated with improvements in reaction times and trends toward indications of improved accuracy. Although further research is required, these observations may be indicative of underlying processes such as increased processing speed, sustained attention, and/or focus.

During the last decade, broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) has been recognized as a functional food that potentially confers numerous health benefits. Broccoli contains a glucosinolate, glucoraphanin (4-methylsulfinylbutyl glucosinolate) as well as other glucosinolates, with health promoting effects. Bioavailability of glucosinolates requires at least three hours to be identified in blood upon ingestion. In this study we tested effect of broccoli-based material on blood level of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) during first two hours upon ingestion. Twenty-two adult healthy subjects were recruited for this study. Subjects were randomly assigned to either Placebo or broccoli sprout extract (BSE) groups (n=11). Blood intracellular ATP levels, glucose, lactate and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined throughout the duration of the study. A single dose of 50 mg BSE increased blood levels of ATP up to 55% (p>0.0001) during the duration of the trial. This effect was not associated with any increases in blood ROS or lactate. These results indicate that a single dose of BSE may acutely increase ATP levels in circulating human blood cells without affecting ROS or lactate levels. It is hypothesized that this effect is due to the phytochernicals present in BSE that are other than glucosinolates. Further investigations are justified to identify their phytochemicals.

Background: Adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP) serves as a cellular source of energy for metabolic processes. Maintaining high levels of intracellular ATP has the potential to enhance performance. ElevATP™, a proprietary blend of ancient peat and apple extract, has twice been reported to increase intracellular blood levels of ATP in resting subjects after a single dose per os. More recently, resistance-trained males supplemented with ElevATP™ for 12 weeks, have shown increased resistancetraining- induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy. For this pilot study, we determined the acute effects of a single dose of ElevATP™ on the exercise output of subjects with sedentary lifestyles. Methods and findings: Nine healthy subjects were evaluated before, during, and after 20 minute duration stepping exercise in a blinded three-way crossover study of placebo and a single dose of ElevATP™. Two lots of ElevATP™ (Lot A and Lot B) were each compared to placebo in all subjects. Four (4) female and five (5) male subjects that did not regularly exercise were evaluated. Mean subject age was 27.3 ± 5.0 years and BMI was 28.97 ± 6.6 kg/m². ElevATP™ supplemented subjects (Lot A and Lot B) took a significantly greater number of steps and burned more calories than when treated with placebo. Post-exercise analysis has shown no significant changes in blood lactate or glucose levels between ElevATP™ (Lota A or Lot B) and placebo treatments. Conclusion: All nine subjects experienced an increase in exercise performance after ingesting a single dose of either of the two tested lots of ElevATP™, compared to a placebo control.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S64590.].

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the effect of a betalain-rich red beet concentrate (BRC) on joint discomfort and joint function.Methods: Individuals with self-reported knee discomfort were randomized and blinded to treatment with either oral BRC (50 mg twice a day) or placebo. Symptoms of discomfort and joint function were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) and the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) before treatment and after 5 and 10 days of treatment. The general level of energy was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS) at the same time points.Results: In all, 40 individuals were evaluated in this study, 20 in the BRC group and 20 in the placebo group. The mean participant age was 55 years (range: 45-65). All participants completed the study. Individuals receiving BRC had a 27% better MPQ score after 10 days than did individuals in the placebo group (P=0.003). Furthermore, knee function, as measured by WOMAC score, was 26% better in the BRC group than in the placebo group (P < 0.0013). Participants receiving BRC had a significantly better VAS score for energy after 5 (P=0.002) and 10 days (P=0.012) of treatment than did individuals receiving placebo.Conclusion: Short-term use of BRC in individuals with knee discomfort significantly improved knee discomfort and joint function, as measured by WOMAC and MPQ scores, and energy, as measured by a VAS.

Background: Dermaval (TM) is a composite formulation of various phytochemical-rich plant materials as quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. This blend exerts inhibitory activity on human neutrophil elastase (HNE). An acute, crossover clinical study was performed to assess the effects of Dermaval on glucose-induced HNE activity in 20 healthy subjects.Methods: Participants served as their own controls during this 3-day trial. On day 1, all study participants were fasted and given only 300 mL of water. Blood was drawn before treatment and 60 and 120 minutes post treatment. On day 2, participants were fasted, treated with 75 g of glucose, and similarly tested. On day 3, participants consumed a 50 mg serving of Dermaval followed by 75 g of glucose 15 minutes later. HNE concentration and HNE total activity were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results: Average values for HNE activity in the control group (day 1) did not change. Treatment with a single dose of glucose (day 2) increased blood HNE activity by 175% over baseline levels (P=0.005) during the first 60 minutes. Pretreatment with Dermaval on day 3 prevented the glucose-induced increase in HNE activity (P=0.005 at 60 minutes and P=0.03 at 120 minutes versus respective day 2 values). Interestingly, ingestion of 75 g of glucose resulted in the same blood glucose levels on days 2 and 3, indicating that ingestion of Dermaval did not affect glucose absorption.Conclusion: These results suggest that Dermaval acutely inhibits glucose-induced HNE activity. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the direct and/or indirect mechanism of this effect and to verify whether treatment with Dermaval without glucose may acutely affect activity of HNE as well.

1 Abstract:Objectives: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) participates in a number of biological processes and its levels diminish during aging. We studied the effects of a proprietary combination of a plant-mineral-rich ancient peat material and a polyphenol-rich apple extract, marketed under the trade name elevATP™, on blood ATP levels. Design:Acute, placebo-controlled, prospective clinical trial. Participants:18 generally healthy, adult human subjects. Intervention: A single, 150 mg dose of elevATP™ or 50 mg of encapsulated silica oxide (placebo). Measurements:Blood was collected prior to, and at 60, 90 and 120 minutes after treatment. We measured whole blood ATP, total mammalian target for rapamycin (mTOR), lactate, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and glucose. We also identified and quantified the mineral and bioactive components of elevATP™. Results:When compared to the placebo group, elevATP™ caused an acute increase in blood levels of ATP by 64% (P=0.02). ROS and lactate levels were unchanged by elevATP. Total mTOR levels in blood were modestly, but significantly, lower after treatment. Conclusion:Results show that treatment with a single dose of elevATP™ increased blood ATP levels without increasing ROS. Confirmation of these results in a larger study sample is needed. Trials in older individuals may be particularly informative.

The present single-dose study was performed to assess the effect of whole coffee fruit concentrate powder (WCFC), green coffee caffeine powder (N677), grape seed extract powder (N31) and green coffee bean extract powder (N625) on blood levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Randomly assorted groups of fasted subjects consumed a single, 100 mg dose of each material. Plasma samples were collected at time zero (T-0) and at 30 min intervals afterwards, up to 120 min. A total of two control groups were included: subjects treated with silica dioxide (as placebo) or with no treatment. The collected data revealed that treatments with N31 and N677 increased levels of plasma BDNF by about 31% under these experimental conditions, whereas treatment with WCFC increased it by 143% (n 10), compared with baseline. These results indicate that WCFC could be used for modulation of BDNF-dependent health conditions. However, larger clinical studies are needed to support this possibility.

A pilot study by Reyes [1] previously showed that ingestion of single dose of whole coffee fruit concentrate (WCFC) powder increased blood levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) during the first 60 minutes after ingestion. In the present report, we performed a single dose, placebo-controlled, within-subject study to confirm and further investigate this effect. Twenty healthy subjects with ages ranging from 25 to 35 participated in this study. All fasted and resting subjects received placebo on Day 1, WCFC on Day 2, and a cup of freshly brewed coffee on Day 3. Treatment with WCFC resulted in a statistically significant increase in plasma BDNF compared to placebo (p = 0.0073) or coffee (p = 0.0219) during first 60 minutes. In addition, e isolated exosomes from serum and found that they contained BDNF. Furthermore, oral WCFC consumption acutely increased BDNF levels in serum exosomes. In summary, all presented results justify further clinical investigation of WCFC as a tool to manage BDNF-dependent health conditions.

Acute clinical testing was performed on healthy human subjects to verify whether a single 150mg dose of a proprietary formula marketed under the trade name "Mitochroma TM " (MCRC) can actually increase blood levels of ATP.Sera and blood were collected immediately prior to treatment and at times 30, 60, and 90 minutes after treatment to measure amounts of blood ATP, lactate, ROS, and pO 2 .Additionally, whole blood was collected at 270 minutes after treatment to measure expression of selected cytokines and chemokines.In comparison to the placebo group, samples collected from subjects treated with MCRC showed increased levels of total blood ATP by 12.5% on average and reduced levels of lactate up to 13%.Blood levels of ROS and pO 2 were found unchanged under these experimental conditions.Analyses of blood collected at 270 minutes showed reduced levels of MCP-1 by up to 21%, and increased levels of Interferonalpha up to 16%.In summary, collected data shows that treatment with a single dose of MCRC resulted in an acute increase in blood levels of total blood ATP.These results justify further clinical studies on MCRC in order to determine the effects on a more narrowly selected subject population with reduced blood levels of ATP and increased blood levels of MCP-1.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease which contributes significantly to the burden of physical disability. Conventional management of OA mainly focuses on relief of symptoms using analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Some dietary supplements have shown some potency to reduce symptoms associated with OA conditions. Calcium Fructoborate (commercially marketed under the trade name FruiteX-B®), is a naturally occurring borate complex as first described by Patrick Brown [1]. For this study, FruiteX-B® was characterized by NMR and data from solid and liquidstate 11 B NMR have been obtained and compared against boric acid and fructose for quality purposes. In this study, FruiteX-B® was tested for fourteen days at a serving of 108 mg twice a day on subjects diagnosed with minor osteoarthritis conditions of the knees by CT scan. FruiteX-B® was well tolerated by all study subjects with no reports of adverse effect and resulted in several positive outcomes. On Day 14, WOMAC and McGill indexes were reduced by an average 29% and 14% respectively over Day 1 pre-ingestion values. Blood level of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in 7 out of 10 subjects was found reduced up to 37% compared to Day 1 baseline levels. Interestingly, the study also showed that blood level of endogenous 1, 25(OH) vitamin D was increased more than 19% compared to baseline. However, differences in 25(OH) vitamin D were not observed. These results indicate that FruiteX-B® at a serving as low as 108mg twice a day provides significant benefits to people experiencing conditions associated with knee osteoarthritis. On the basis of these results, a larger clinical efficacy study is highly justified.

Purpose:elevATP™, a supplement containing plant-derived inorganic microelements and apple polyphenols, was previously shown to increase endogenous whole blood ATP levels in healthy human subjects. In this report, we tested the supplement in a larger cohort and assessed the effect of the supplement in muscle. Methods:Twenty healthy, fasted, and resting adult human subjects participated in this acute, placebo-controlled, single-dose crossover clinical study. Oral placebo was administered on the first day of testing followed by a single, 150 mg dose of elevATP™ on the second day. Blood was collected immediately prior to treatment, 60 and 120 minutes after ingestion. Whole blood ATP, plasma ATP, hemoglobin, blood lactate, and blood glucose levels were collected. A muscle biopsy was performed on one resting study subject before, and 60 and 120 minutes after, a single dose of elevATP™. Results:elevATP™ increased whole blood levels of ATP by 40% after 60 minutes (p<0.0001) and by 28% after 120 min (p=0.0009) versus baseline, pre-supplementation levels. ATP plasma levels did not increase after elevATP™ administration under these experimental conditions. Intramuscular ATP levels from biopsy of one patient increased significantly at 60 and 120 minutes after ingestion of elevATP™ and reached higher levels than ATP measured in whole blood. Conclusions:These results indicate that elevATP™ increases intracellular ATP in blood cells, confirming results from a previous study, and suggest that it may increase ATP in muscle tissue. Further clinical testing is needed to confirm tissue- and organ-specific changes in ATP levels following ingestion of elevATP™.