Effects of Bifidobacterium Lactis BS01 and Lactobacillus Acidophilus LA02 on cognitive functioning in healthy women.

A growing body of research studies the relationship between probiotic bacteria in the gut and the host organism, including the impact on cognitive functioning. Data from human studies are scarce; however, recent studies point toward the beneficial role of probiotics for cognitive functioning. One of the mechanisms involved in this relationship is the probiotic's ability to influence inflammation and immune response. The aim of this initial study was to investigate the effects of probiotic supplementation with Bifidobacterium Lactis BS01 and Lactobacillus Acidophilus LA02 on cognitive functioning in healthy, young adult females. A total of 53 participants aged 19-31 were enrolled, and 38 completed the trial. A 6-week probiotic or placebo treatment was conducted. Five measures of cognitive functioning were applied pre- and post-treatment. Both groups showed general improvement at the second assessment. Contrary to our hypothesis, the placebo group improved slightly, but significantly, in four out of five measures of cognitive functioning, with the exception of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). The supplementation group improved significantly in two measures of the WCST, compared to the placebo group. Similar results have been previously reported. Probiotic supplementation, while not harmful, might not be beneficial for cognition in the healthy population, or at least not universally.

Does probiotic supplementation aid weight loss? A randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study with Bifidobacterium lactis BS01 and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA02 supplementation.

PURPOSE: Probiotic supplements are gaining popularity worldwide. This trend is especially present in females, and a common motivation for consumption is weight loss, no matter the BMI. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of probiotic supplementation on weight loss in healthy, young adult females and to put claims made by manufacturers of such products to the test. METHODS: The study utilizes a randomized, single-blind, placebo-control design. 53 females aged 19-33 were enrolled, and 38 completed the trial. A 6 week supplementation with Bifidobacterium lactis BS01 and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA02 or placebo was conducted. Anthropometric measures (body mass, BMI, body fat percentage, arm skinfold fat, waist circumference, and WHR) were applied pre and post-treatment. RESULTS: No significant changes in anthropometric measures were observed in both supplementation and placebo groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this investigation do not support claims made by probiotic products manufacturers, that they aid weight loss. Our results seem to support an argument that weight loss is mostly associated with food habits and dietary behaviors, not probiotic intake. It is possible that probiotic supplementation may play a facilitating weight loss but has no effect without dietary intervention. Another possible explanation is that due to strain specificity-bacteria strains used in this study are not effective for weight loss. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I: randomized controlled trial.

The Interactive Effect of High Doses of Chromium(III) and Different Iron(III) Levels on the Carbohydrate Status, Lipid Profile, and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Female Wistar Rats.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the main and interactive effects of chromium(III) propionate complex (Cr3) supplementation and different iron supply on the carbohydrate metabolism, lipid profile and other selected biochemical parameters of rats. The experiment was carried out in a two-factor design, in which rats were fed a diet with different proportions of Fe(III) and Cr(III) for six weeks. Fifty-four healthy female Wistar rats were divided into nine experimental groups with different Fe(III) levels, i.e. adequate-control group (45 mg/kg)-100% recommended daily dietary dose of Fe for rodents, deficient (5 mg/kg) and oversupply (180 mg/kg-400%). At the same time they were supplemented with Cr(III) of doses 1 (adequate), 50 and 500 mg/kg of diet. The activity and concentrations of most biochemical parameters were measured with standard enzymatic, kinetic, and colorimetric methods. HOMA-IR and QUICKI indexes were calculated according to appropriate formulas. It was found that there was an interactive effect of high Cr(III) doses and different Fe(III) levels in the diet on the carbohydrate metabolism and insulin resistance indexes. The presented results suggested that iron deficient diet fed animals led to insulin resistance; however, an effect is attenuated by Cr(III) supplementation at high doses. There were no significant changes in the rats' lipid profile (except for the high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level) and most of the other biochemical parameters, such as the leptin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), total protein (TP), creatinine (Crea) and the urea (BUN) concentrations. The study proved that the Cr(III) supplementation, independently and in combination with diversified Fe(III) content in the diet, affected the carbohydrate metabolism and insulin resistance indexes but did not affect lipid profile and most of the other biochemical parameters in healthy rats. The findings proved the role of Fe and Cr(III) and their interactions on disturbances carbohydrates metabolism.

Assessment of the nutritional value daily food rations of children aged 1-4 years.

BACKGROUND: An adequately balanced daily food rations (DFR) providing the organism with a sufficient amount of energy and nutrients, including minerals, is particularly important in infanthood and early childhood due to the child's intensive physical, intellectual and motoric development. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluation the supply of energy, nutrients and vitamins in daily food rations of children fed at home and in nursery schools. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 75 children aged 1-4 years were the research subjects. They were divided into three age subgroups: 12-24-month-olds, 25-36-month-olds and 37-48-month-olds. The daily consumption of energy and vitamins was assessed by means of a 7-day 24-hour nutritional interview made with current note taking and by means of a computer database (Dietetyk 2). Significant differences in the content of energy, nutrients and vitamins in the DFR were investigated using the two-way analysis of variance (Statistica 10.0) at significance level p≤0.05. RESULTS: Neither the children's sex nor age had influence on the intake of energy and macronutrients. Apart from the amount of energy (68-101.8% RDA) and proteins (183-288% RDA) these values were generally normal, but they had influence on the content of vitamins in the DFR. The DFR was characterised by generally excessive content of vitamins A, B(2), B(6) and B(12). However, in comparison with the RDA the intake was significantly higher in the DFR of the youngest children (12-24 months old). In the group aged 37-48 months there were significantly higher values in the intake of vitamins B(2) (317% vs 137% RDA) and B6 (334% vs 147% RDA). On the other hand, in comparison with the RDA, the DFR provided too small amounts of vitamins D, E, folates and vitamin C. The DFR of the youngest children (12-24 months old) contained significantly greater amounts of vitamins: D (41.3% vs 16.2% RDA), E (83.6% vs 63.5% RDA) and C (102.0% vs 48.6% RDA), as compared with the children aged 37-48 months. Only the content of vitamins B(1) and PP in the children's DFR was similar or slightly greater than the RDA. CONCLUSIONS: The intake of energy in the DFR of the children aged 1-4 years was generally comparable, but in the children aged 37-48 months it did not satisfy the daily demand. In all the age groups under study the supply of macronutrients satisfied about 100% of the demand, whereas the supply of protein and sucrose was excessive. The children aged 12-24 months consumed more vitamins D, E, B(2), PP, B(6), B(12), C than the children aged 37-48 months. The supply of vitamins D, E, C and folates was too low, whereas the consumption of vitamins: B(2), B(6) and B(12) exceeded the recommended daily intake.

An Assessment of the Consumption of Energy and Selected Minerals and Their Content in the Hair of Children Aged 1-4 Years.

The aim of this study was to assess the consumption of energy and selected minerals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu) and their content in the hair of children aged 1-4 years. Seventy-five children were divided into three age subgroups: 12-24-month-olds, 25-36-month-olds and 37-48-month-olds. The data on energy intake and consumption of nutrients were obtained by means of a nutritional interview. The content of elements in the hair was measured by means of flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) with an AAS-3 spectrophotometer (Zeiss). The daily food rations of children aged 12-36 months were characterised by adequate energy value, but the values of Ca and K were too low, whereas the content of Mg, Zn and Cu was high. On the other hand, the daily food rations of children aged 37-48 months provided sufficient amounts of Mg and Zn, but the value of Cu was too high, whereas energy, Ca, K and Fe were too low. About 42.7% of the children under study were characterised by an abnormal state of nutrition. An inadequately balanced diet needs to be corrected by educating parents or guardians in appropriate nutrition. There are significant correlations (r > 0.9) between the supply of Ca in the diet of children aged 1-4 years and the content of this element in their hair.