Welcome to the February 2024 issue of Research Extracts. “The Extracts” is designed to keep busy practitioners and savvy consumers up to date on the latest research on diet, nutrients, botanicals, the microbiome, the environment, and lifestyle approaches to good health and wellness. Our medical team, including NDs, MDs, PhDs, RDs, an MS clinical nutrition, an MS biology, and an LAc, summarizes the essence of several interesting recent studies.

In this issue, the first two extracts focus on nutrients or botanicals that support physical performance: creatine to support high-intensity tasks in firefighters and mango extract/quercetin phytosome for performance by basketball players. Reviews of the role of diet in inflammation and neurological function and integrating the obesogen model with other models of obesity round out this issue of Extracts.

Creatine Improves Firefighters’ Occupational Performance

Creatine has long been studied for its ergogenic benefits, particularly for athletes.* Because firefighters routinely perform at maximum aerobic capacity, they require specialized physical training, fitness requirements, and nutritional strategies. 

A double-blind trial of 28 male firefighters (average age 34) examined the effect of protein, carbohydrate, and creatine supplementation on work training performance. Participants were randomized to either receive a protein and carbohydrate mixture (ProCarb) consisting of 25 grams of whey protein isolate and 25 grams of carbohydrate powder or the same ProCarb mixture with the addition of 5 grams of creatine daily for an average of 23 days. No other supplements were allowed during the trial and a 4-week washout period was implemented for participants previously taking supplements.

Firefighters completed a multitude of performance tests at baseline and again at the end of the trial, beginning with an aerobic speed test consisting of a 3.5 km (2.17 miles) distance on an air-braked cycle ergometer at maximal effort. Within 48 hours of the initial time trial, participants sequentially completed a series of occupational exercises as quickly as possible: carrying a fire hose 100 feet, a 100-foot mannequin body drag “rescue,” climbing up and down four flights of stairs, and a forced entry exercise using a Keiser hammer. Participants were allowed 30 seconds of rest between each task, and the total time to complete each task was recorded in addition to the total completion time for all tasks cumulatively. No significant differences in performance were found between groups at the beginning of the study. 

At the end of the study, however, the group taking ProCarb alone showed significantly improved completion time compared to baseline for the rescue, stair climb, overall time to complete all tasks, and cycling time trial performance. The experimental group benefitted from the addition of creatine and saw significantly greater improvements in the time to complete the rescue and forced entry tasks compared to the protein carbohydrate mixture alone. 

The authors conclude that the addition of creatine to protein and carbohydrate supplementation improves firefighter performance in specific areas of high-intensity tasks and should be considered as a potential nutritional strategy.

Note: Thorne’s high-quality Creatine powder delivers 5 grams per serving and pairs excellently with Thorne’s Whey Protein Isolate (available in chocolate or vanilla). 

Contributed by Carina Toledo, MS Clinical Nutrition, MHI 

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Mangiferin-Quercetin Supplementation for Sports Performance

As the performance demands of athletes increase, so does the interest in leveraging nutritional supplementation to support them. In laboratory-based studies, the combination of mangiferin (from mango leaf extract) and quercetin has been shown to improve muscle power, reaction time, and recovery in the general population.* Could a single dose of a mangiferin-quercetin supplement improve field-based sports performance among elite level athletes?

To study this question, 38 highly trained male basketball players were introduced to a basketball exercise simulation test (BEST) in which each participant completed 24 circuits of up to 30 seconds each during a 12-minute testing period. One week later, all participants received a placebo prior to completing the BEST. After another seven days, participants, who had been randomized into two groups, were given either mangiferin-quercetin (84 mg/140 mg) supplementation or placebo before completing the BEST a second time.

Participants who received supplementation with mangiferin-quercetin had improvements in mean circuit time during the BEST. The single dose of mangiferin-quercetin also led to a lower level of perceived exertion during the BEST.* The authors suggest mangiferin-quercetin supplementation can enhance athletic performance by improving high-intensity efforts.*

Note: Thorne’s Daily Greens Plus and Pre-Workout Elite contain both mango leaf extract and quercetin. Daily Greens Plus provides a comprehensive approach to foundational daily nutrition, while Pre-Workout Elite can be used before a workout to optimize focus, strength, output, and recovery.* These two Thorne supplements contain the same mango leaf extract (Zynamite®) used in the present study.

Contributed by Jennifer L. Greer, ND, MEd

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The Role of Diet in Inflammation and Neurological Function

Many different factors can impact neurological functioning – from natural aging processes to nerve or brain injury. Genetics, environment, and personal lifestyle habits also play a role in neurological functioning, as well as the risk for developing neurological conditions like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease.

The current review looked at pro- and anti-inflammatory foods to examine their influence on incidence and progression of a variety of neurological disorders. Overall, diet patterns rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, omega-3 fatty acids, lean animal protein, and vegetarian protein options tend to be anti-inflammatory. Diets rich in herbs and spices also provide beneficial bioactive compounds, promoting neurological health by protecting against inflammation. By contrast, a standard Western diet, characterized by an abundance of highly processed foods, simple carbohydrates, and red meats, is associated with more inflammation, higher risk of chronic disease, and higher levels of inflammatory blood markers.

The Dietary Inflammation Index (DII) identifies the impact of various dietary compounds and nutrients on inflammation status, and by extension, disease risk. Specific dietary components that have a low DII score and show protective effects against inflammation and neurological decline include omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, and polyphenol and antioxidant nutrients that help regulate oxidative stress in the body. The Mediterranean, DASH, and vegetarian diets have been studied frequently for their health benefits, largely due to the anti-inflammatory and nutritious foods that make up their diet patterns. 

Not only do the actual foods we eat impact inflammation and its effects on health, but these foods also impact the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome has been studied for its impact on neurological disease, including its immune, endocrine, and vagal connections. Supporting a diverse and healthy gut microbiome can promote cognition, mood, behavior, and the integrity of neural tissue.

Note: Thorne’s Advanced Nutrients, a multi-vitamin/mineral complex with added nutrients that resist oxidative stress, can fill nutrient gaps, while an omega-3 fish oil like Thorne’s Super EPA supports a healthy brain and helps maintain the body’s normal inflammatory response.*

Contributed by Carly Duffy, MPH, RD

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Integrating the Obesogen Model with Other Models of Obesity

This review discusses four models of obesity – with an emphasis on obesogens – and merges them into a single unifying model to better address the worldwide obesity epidemic.

The four models discussed are:

  • Energy balance model: Emphasizes a balance between energy (calories consumed) in and energy (calories expended) out. In this model, the cause of obesity is overeating and living a sedentary lifestyle, with treatment focusing on decreasing calories and increasing exercise.
  • Carbohydrate-insulin model: Focuses on the body’s ability to metabolize carbohydrates with higher-than-normal insulin levels contributing to energy storage in fat cells. This model focuses on improving metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
  • Oxidation-reduction model: Proposes that after energy production needs in the mitochondria are met, reactive oxygen species (ROS; free radicals) are generated that impact metabolic signaling, including increasing fat storage in adipocytes.
  • Obesogen model – Obesogens are environmental exposures that impact fat metabolism and lead to adipogenesis (accumulation of fat cells). This model looks at environmental impacts on obesity; for example, endocrine disruptors (chemicals from food and the environment) can block hormones from carrying on normal metabolic processes, leading to weight gain. 

Environmental exposures, even in utero, can affect sensitivity to weight gain years later. Example of environmental sources of obesogens include pesticides, solvents, constituents of plastics like bisphenol-A and phthalates, non-stick coatings, flame retardants, and furniture coatings. Obesogens can also be acquired in the diet via food additives and pesticide residues.

Cumulatively, obesogens can interfere with hormone metabolism, stimulate production of ROS, and, in turn, disrupt metabolism resulting in:

  • Faulty glucose metabolism with resulting insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia
  • Interference with lipid metabolism, resulting in inflammation and increased number and size of fat cells
  • Decreases in the brain’s ability to detect satiety (fullness)
  • Increased food intake and resultant negative effects on the microbiome
  • Slowed metabolic rate
  • Weight gain

A multi-factorial approach to weight management is likely the best approach.

Note: In addition to avoidance of environmental obesogens, the MediClear Detox and Allergy Elimination Program helps eliminate dietary obesogens, while promoting satiety and metabolism and elimination of toxins.* In addition, Metabolic Health promotes lipid and glucose metabolism, while FloraMend Prime Probiotic nurtures a healthy gut microbiome.*

Contributed by Kathi Head, ND

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