Tocotrienols & Liver / Eggs & Cardiovascular Health / Probiotic & Women

Consuming 5 Eggs Weekly May Support Cardiovascular Health

Eggs contain protein, lutein, zeaxanthin, folate, selenium, and vitamin A. According to a new study, eating 5 or more eggs weekly may help support cardiovascular health.

The researchers included 2,349 adults in their study. They were between the ages of 30 and 64 and took part in the Framingham Offspring Study. Participants completed a 3-day dietary record used to determine weekly egg consumption. Blood pressure and fasting glucose was evaluated at baseline and at the end of the study period.

Participants who consumed 5 or more eggs per week were found to have lower fasting glucose concentrations than those who consumed less than 1 egg per week. They also had lower systolic blood pressure. This effect was strongest in men.

In addition, participants who consumed 5 or more eggs per week had a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

The study was conducted by researchers from Boston University. It was published online ahead of print on January 18, 2023 in the journal Nutrients

A previous study found that consuming up to 6 eggs weekly may provide cognitive function benefits.

article 2Specific Gut Microbiota Linked to Cognitive Health Decline

The gut microbiota is the system of microorganisms in a person's gastrointestinal system. Gut microbiota plays an important role in many bodily functions, including gut health, immune health, and brain health.

A recent study of 169 middle-aged and mature adults found that those experiencing age-related cognitive impairment improved certain aspects of  cognitive performance after taking 10 billion CFUs of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG daily for 3 months.

Researchers used the data from this study to further explore which specific gut microbiota may be associated with early signs of cognitive decline. Their analysis found that 3 bacteria species, Prevotella ruminicola, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, and Bacteroides xylanisolvens, were more prevalent in participants with impaired cognitive status.

In addition, the researchers noted that those with improved cognitive scores after probiotic supplementation tended to also have in a decrease in the amount of Prevotella bacteria after 3 months.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. It was published online ahead of print on September 22, 2022 in the journal Clinical Nutrition.

A previous study found that the probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum may provide cognitive health benefits.

article 3Tocotrienol May Help Support Liver Health

Tocotrienols are a type of vitamin E nutrient that come in 4 forms – alpha, beta, delta, and gamma. They have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and help protect against free radical damage. According to a recent study, the alpha form of tocotrienol may help support liver health.

For their study, researchers from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia used data from 4 clinical trials. Participants in the trial had been diagnosed with liver health issues. They received supplements of alpha-tocotrienol ranging from 400 mg to 600 mg daily. Supplementation duration ranged from 12 to 52 weeks.

The researchers found that alpha-tocotrienol led to improvements in liver profile, fatty liver index, circulating inflammatory markers, and circulating lipid peroxidation markers. Improvements were correlated with the severity of liver health issues.

The study was published online ahead of print on February 6, 2024 in the journal Nutrients.

A previous study found that curcumin may help those struggling with kidney health.

article 45 Strain Probiotic Supplement May Help Support Vaginal Health

Every healthy vagina contains a balance of good and bad bacteria.. However sometimes the bad bacteria grow too much and throw off the balance of bacteria. A new study has found that supplementation with 5 strains of probiotics may help restore the balance of vaginal bacteria.

Participants in the study included 76 women between the ages of 19 and 50. They were given a supplement that contained 1 billion CFUs each of the probiotic strains L. salivarius MG242, L. fermentum MG901, L. plantarum MG989, L. paracasei MG4272, and L. rhamnosus MG4288 or a placebo daily for 12 weeks.

The Nugent score was evaluated at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. All participants had a Nugent score between 4 and 6 at baseline, which indicates an imbalance in vaginal bacteria. The researchers also measured vaginal pH, vaginal microbiota, and symptoms including discharge, odor, and discomfort when urinating.

The Nugent score decreased by 0.36 in the probiotic group, compared to an increase of 0.19 in the placebo group. In addition, participants in the probiotic group saw significant reductions in discharge and discomfort when urinating. Participants in the placebo group saw an increase in discomfort when urinating.

The probiotic group also saw decreases in several harmful bacteria and increases in the beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus plantarum.

The study was conducted by researchers from Hallym University and Soonchunhyang University. It was published online ahead of print on February 9, 2023 in the journal Nutrients.

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