scholarly journals An Assessment of the Glyconutrient Ambrotose™ on Immunity, Gut Health, and Safety in Men and Women: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1751
Author(s):  
Richard J. Bloomer ◽  
Matthew Butawan ◽  
Marie van der Merwe ◽  
Faith H. Keating
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
The Impact

Background: Certain dietary fibers have been reported to improve gut health and cellular immunity. Ambrotose is a glyconutrient supplement that contains mannose-rich polysaccharides (acemannan), reported to improve immune function. A more nutrient-dense version of this dietary supplement has been developed recently, with added aloe leaf gel powder (acemannan). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the traditional and newly developed Ambrotose products on immunity, gut health, and psychological well-being in healthy men and women. Methods: Seventy-five men and women were randomly assigned in double-blind manner to one of five treatments, as follows: Ambrotose Advanced (AA) at 2 or 4 g daily, Ambrotose LIFE (AL) at 2 or 4 g daily, or placebo. Subjects ingested their assigned treatment daily for eight weeks. Resting heart rate, blood pressure, and measures of psychological well-being were analyzed before and after four and eight weeks of supplementation. Blood samples were collected at the same times and analyzed for zonulin, hematology measures, and cytokines—IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, and TNF-α (analyzed both with and without stimulation via lipopolysaccharide [LPS]). Results: All Ambrotose treatments were well-tolerated. There were no differences among treatments in heart rate or blood pressure across time. Self-reported well-being scores were generally higher for the Ambrotose treatments but there were no changes of statistical significance across time (p > 0.05). Differences of statistical significance were noted for select biochemical variables, the most notable being a dramatic decrease in monocytes in the Ambrotose groups. No change was noted in the cytokine response to LPS stimulation in all groups, indicating a maintenance of a healthy immune response. Conclusion:Regular supplementation with Ambrotose is safe and can improve subclinical cellular adversity (as evidenced by a decrease in monocytes), without unnecessary activation of an immune response.

The Effects of a Caffeine Placebo and Experimenter Expectation on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Well-Being, and Cognitive Performance

2001 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Walach ◽  
Stefan Schmidt ◽  
Yvonne-Michelle Bihr ◽  
Susanne Wiesch
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Being There ◽  
To Receive

We studied the effect of experimenter expectations and different instructions in a balanced placebo design. 157 subjects were randomized into a 2 × 4 factorial design. Two experimenters were led to expect placebos either to produce physiological effects or not (pro- vs. antiplacebo). All subjects except a control group received a caffeine placebo. They were either made to expect coffee, no coffee, or were in a double-blind condition. Dependent measures were blood pressure, heart rate, well-being, and a cognitive task. There was one main effect on the instruction factor (p = 0.03) with the group “told no caffeine” reporting significantly better well-being. There was one main effect on the experimenter factor with subjects instructed by experimenter “proplacebo” having higher systolic blood pressure (p = 0.008). There was one interaction with subjects instructed by experimenter “proplacebo” to receive coffee doing worse in the cognitive task than the rest. Subjects instructed by experimenter “antiplacebo” were significantly less likely to believe the experimental instruction, and that mostly if they had been instructed to receive coffee. Contrary to the literature we could not show an effect of instruction, but there was an effect of experimenters. It is likely, however, that these experimenter effects were not due to experimental manipulations, but to the difference in personalities.

scholarly journals Physiological and Psychological Effects of Nature Experiences in Different Forests on Young People

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1391
Author(s):  
Qiaohui Liu ◽  
Xiaoping Wang ◽  
Jinglan Liu ◽  
Congying An ◽  
Yuqi Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Mental Health ◽  
Urban Site ◽  
Walking Activity ◽  
The Impact

Many studies have proved that having nature experiences in forests is conducive to human physiological and psychological health. However, currently there is little research focusing on the effects of forest characteristics and the experiential characteristics of nature experiences on changes in health. In the study, three types of forest (mixed forest; deciduous forest; coniferous forest) and an urban site were used to measure the effects of these environments on participants’ physiological and psychological restoration after nature experience activities (sitting and walking activities). The study participants were 30 young adult students from Beijing Forestry University. Restorative effects were measured by physiological indicators (blood pressure and heart rate) and four psychological questionnaires (Profile of Mood States (POMS); Restorative Outcome Scale (ROS); Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS); Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS)). Results demonstrated that all types of forest were beneficial to lower blood pressure and heart rate as well as to reduce negative feelings while boosting positive emotions. The mixed forest was more effective in lowering blood pressure and heart rate as well as increasing vitality. The levels of restoration and positive mental health increased significantly, while all subscales of the POMS (with the exception of vigor) decreased greatly in the coniferous forest. Relative to the sitting activity, obvious decreases in blood pressure and negative emotions were observed, while significant increases in restoration, vitality and positive mental health were observed after the walking activity. In conclusion, the impact on subjects’ health restoration varied with different forest characteristics, and the experiential characteristics of exposure may be helpful for creating supportive interventions and lifting the benefits of forest therapy as people interact with the forest.

Parenthood and Psychological Well-Being Among the Formerly Married

1989 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 463-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAEL HUGHES
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Married Women ◽  
Parental Role ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Married Men ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
The Impact

Previous studies have found that children have a negative, albeit fairly weak, impact on the psychological well-being of parents. These studies have generally focused on married respondents and, to a somewhat lesser extent, unmarried women, but have generally ignored unmarried men. For the most part, studies of parenthood and well-being have not considered the issue of adult and/or absent children. Defining parenthood so it includes relations with adult children, absent children, and dependent children in the home, the present study compares the impact of parenthood on the well-being of formerly married men and women to that of married men and women. The findings confirm that nonparents experience better mental health than parents and further indicate that (1) variation in the parental role is more strongly associated with psychological well-being for men than for women, (2) parenthood is most strongly related to well-being among formerly married men, for whom the greatest problems occur with the presence of young children, (3) the negative effect of the absence of children on parents is greater than the effect of the presence of children for married men and formerly married women, and (4) much of the negative effect of being divorced or being widowed has to do with the impact of children on psychological well-being, particularly for men. Theoretical implications are discussed.

scholarly journals Impact of Nuun Electrolyte Tablets on Fluid Balance in Active Men and Women

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 3030
Author(s):  
Jacquelyn Pence ◽  
Richard J. Bloomer
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Single Dose ◽  
Fluid Balance ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Body Weight Loss ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Adequate Hydration ◽  
The Impact

Background: Maintaining adequate hydration is important for overall health and has major implications for athletes involved in physically demanding tasks. While water is viewed as an effective means to rehydrate, and is inexpensive and readily available, electrolyte beverages appear to be more beneficial, in particular for athletes who routinely lose electrolytes through sweating. Nuun tablets contain a mix of electrolytes and are quickly dissolved in water to create an electrolyte-rich beverage. We determined the impact of Nuun tablets on the fluid balance of healthy, exercise-trained men and women at rest. Methods: Eight men (25.9 ± 4.5 yrs) and 10 women (28.2 ± 9.4 yrs) ingested either water only or water with Nuun electrolyte tablets, at both a single and double strength concentration, in random order, on three occasions separated by approximately one week, in a fasted and euhydrated state. A total of 1 L of fluid was ingested at each visit over a 30 min period. Urine was collected from each subject at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 h post-ingestion. Urine mass values were used to calculate fluid balance and the beverage hydration index (BHI; i.e., the volume of urine produced after drinking the Nuun beverages, relative to that of water only—control condition). Heart rate and blood pressure were measured throughout the four-hour period, while body weight was measured at the start and end of the experiment. Results: Neither heart rate nor blood pressure were impacted by beverage consumption. Nuun tablets resulted in a lower urine output compared to water, with fluid balances for both concentrations more favorable compared to water (p < 0.05), beginning at 2 h post-ingestion and continuing at the 3 h and 4 h times. Body weight loss was less with Nuun at the single dose (0.38 kg; p = 0.02) and double dose (0.43 kg; p = 0.08), compared to water (0.57 kg). The BHI was higher for Nuun (single dose in particular) compared to water at both 2 h (p = 0.05) and 4 h (p = 0.02). Conclusion: The addition of Nuun electrolyte tablets to water improves the fluid balance and BHI in healthy men and women. Results were similar for both concentrations, suggesting that additional electrolytes are not necessary when in a rested state. Future studies should determine the impact of various concentrations of the Nuun beverage during physical exercise—in particular, exercise in the heat, when sweat loss may be highest.

Comparison of Controlled Hypotension Due to the Use of Dexmedetomidine, Magnesium Sulfate, and Esmolol in Craniotomy Surgery

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 44-49
Author(s):  
Seyed Ali Ahmadi ◽  
Behnam Mahmodiyeh ◽  
Alireza Farsi ◽  
Alireza Kamali
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Magnesium Sulfate ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
The Other ◽  
Controlled Hypotension ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Bleeding Score

Introduction: Craniotomy includes the temporary removal of bone flap from calvarium to access the intracranial contents, which is usually used to reduce intracranial pressure. Induced or controlled hypotension is a method by which arterial blood pressure is predictably reduced, thus reducing bleeding. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the dexmedetomidine, magnesium sulfate, and esmolol in controlled hypotension in craniotomy of patients with brain injury. Materials and methods: In this randomized double-blind clinical trial, 45 patients entered into study based on inclusion criteria. All patients were monitored when entering operating room. The questionnaire was completed by all groups, in which PR, MAP (Mean Arterial Pressure), mean bleeding score, mean of received packed cells, controlled hypotension and bradycardia, and survival of patients were recorded. Data were analyzed using spss software version 19, and ANOVA and T-Test were used for statistical significance analysis. Results: The mean age and standard deviations of the three groups of dexmedetomidine, esmolol and magnesium sulfate were 36.78±10.32, 34.47±10.58, and 39.67±11.99 years, respectively. There was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of age, gender, initial heart rate and baseline blood pressure (BP). The MAP and bleeding score (P=0.04 and P=0.0001) was significantly lower in the dexmedetomidine group than in the other two groups. Although the heart rate in the esmolol group was lower than the other two groups, the difference was not significant (P = 0.128). Unlike esmolol and magnesium sulfate groups, GOS did not decrease in the dexmedetomidine group. Conclusion: Comparison of the three groups in controlled hypotension in craniotomy surgery showed that the MAP and bleeding score of dexmedetomidine group was significantly lower than the other two groups, and the GOS didn’t decrease in this group. In general, dexmedetomidine would be a better choice for controlled hypotension in craniotomy.

Caffeine and Placebo Expectation

2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunfeng Sun ◽  
Yinling Zhang ◽  
Ning He ◽  
Xufeng Liu ◽  
Danmin Miao
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Sleep Deprivation ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Cardiovascular Regulation ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Pressure Tests ◽  
Healthy Males

Abstract. Caffeine placebo expectation seems to improve vigilance and cognitive performance. This study investigated the effect of caffeine and placebo expectation on vigilance and cognitive performance during 28 h sleep deprivation. Ten healthy males volunteered to take part in the double-blind, cross-over study, which required participants to complete five treatment periods of 28 h separated by 1-week wash-out intervals. The treatments were no substance (Control); caffeine 200 mg at 00:00 (C200); placebo 200 mg at 00:00 (P200); twice caffeine 200 mg at 00:00 and 04:00 (C200-C200); caffeine 200 mg at 00:00 and placebo 200 mg at 04:00 (C200-P200). Participants were told that all capsules were caffeine and given information about the effects of caffeine to increase expectation. Vigilance was assessed by a three-letter cancellation test, cognitive functions by the continuous addition test and Stroop test, and cardiovascular regulation by heart rate and blood pressure. Tests were performed bihourly from 00:00 to 10:00 of the second day. Results indicated that C200-P200 and C200-C200 were more alert (p < .05) than Control and P200. Their cognitive functions were higher (p < .05) than Control and P200. Also, C200-P200 scored higher than C200 in the letter cancellation task (p < .05). No test showed any significant differences between C200-P200 and C200-C200. The results demonstrated that the combination of caffeine 200 mg and placebo 200 mg expectation exerted prolonged positive effects on vigilance and cognitive performance.

Reduction in Pain Sensitivity from Pharmacological Elevation of Blood Pressure in Persons with Chronically Low Blood Pressure

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 104-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Duschek ◽  
Heike Heiss ◽  
Boriana Buechner ◽  
Rainer Schandry
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Pain Sensitivity ◽  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
Drug Effects ◽  
Pressure Effects ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Low Blood Pressure ◽  
Present Trial

Recent studies have revealed evidence for increased pain sensitivity in individuals with chronically low blood pressure. The present trial explored whether pain sensitivity can be reduced by pharmacological elevation of blood pressure. Effects of the sympathomimetic midodrine on threshold and tolerance to heat pain were examined in 52 hypotensive persons (mean blood pressure 96/61 mmHg) based on a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind design. Heat stimuli were applied to the forearm via a contact thermode. Confounding of drug effects on pain perception with changes in skin temperature, temperature sensitivity, and mood were statistically controlled for. Compared to placebo, higher pain threshold and tolerance, increased blood pressure, as well as reduced heart rate were observed under the sympathomimetic condition. Increases in systolic blood pressure between points of measurement correlated positively with increases in pain threshold and tolerance, and decreases in heart rate were associated with increases in pain threshold. The findings underline the causal role of hypotension in the augmented pain sensitivity related to this condition. Pain reduction as a function of heart rate decrease suggests involvement of a baroreceptor-related mechanism in the pain attrition. The increased proneness of persons with chronic hypotension toward clinical pain is discussed.

Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Reactivity

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew C. Whited ◽  
Kevin T. Larkin
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Gender Roles ◽  
Cardiovascular Reactivity ◽  
Task Type ◽  
Conflict Task ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Conflicting Evidence ◽  
Blood Pressure Responses

Sex differences in cardiovascular reactivity to stress are well documented, with some studies showing women having greater heart rate responses than men, and men having greater blood pressure responses than women, while other studies show conflicting evidence. Few studies have attended to the gender relevance of tasks employed in these studies. This study investigated cardiovascular reactivity to two interpersonal stressors consistent with different gender roles to determine whether response differences exist between men and women. A total of 26 men and 31 women were assigned to either a traditional male-oriented task that involved interpersonal conflict (Conflict Task) or a traditional female-oriented task that involved comforting another person (Comfort Task). Results demonstrated that women exhibited greater heart rate reactions than men independent of the task type, and that men did not display a higher reactivity than women on any measure. These findings indicate that sex of participant was more important than gender relevance of the task in eliciting sex differences in cardiovascular responding.

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