Probiotic Supplementation Improves Gut Microbiota and Provides Neuroprotective Effects in Elderly Subjects

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. 12-week supplementation of a probiotic containing 1 x 109 CFU Bifidobacterium bifidum BGN4 and Bifidobacterium longum BORI in soybean oil/day significantly increased IPA levels (p < 0.05) and in vitro treatment with IPA significantly decreased proinflammatory TNF-α concentration in activated microglia (p < 0.05).  (more…)

The Positive and Negative Effects of Caffeine Consumption

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. Clinical research has associated caffeine consumption with improved brain health, cardiovascular function, and has been linked to a lower risk of all-cause mortality. However, overconsumption can lead to negative effects on nervous system and cardiovascular health. (more…)

A Combination of Vitamins and Mineral Supplementation May Improve Hetero-aggression in Children and Youth

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. Results of the systematic review of 22 studies shows that supplementation with a board range of vitamins and minerals was significantly more effective at reducing hetero-aggressive behavior in adolescents compared to single micronutrient or macronutrient supplementation.  (more…)

Probiotic Bifidobacterium longum BB68S Significantly Improves Cognitive Function in Healthy Older Adults

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. 10-week intervention using the probiotic BB68S resulted in significantly greater changes in total RBANS score and in 4 domains: immediate memory (p < 0.0001), visuospatial/constructional (p<0.001), attention (p < 0.001), and delayed memory (p < 0.0001) compared to the control group.  (more…)

Vitamin D Supplementation Reduces Depressive Symptoms in Subjects with Major Depressive Disorder

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. Significant findings of this systemic review and meta-analysis of 41 papers with a total of 53,235 participants show that subgroup analysis in participants with clinically relevant depressive symptoms (including subjects with MDD) yielded a moderate effect favoring vitamin D supplementation (Hedges’ g = −0.604, 95% CI −0.802 to −0.406, p < 0.001, I2 = 78.4%).  (more…)