The brain is a complex organ and the role nutrition plays in supporting normal brain health is ongoing. This week’s Nutrition News looks at three recently published nutritional studies on how what we eat impacts our brains and mood.
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Bioactives in mushrooms could support brain health
Mushrooms have gained significant attention due to their potential in supporting brain health and they possess diverse biological functions, nutritional value, and a delicious taste, all of which are closely associated with their active components. Researchers have identified and purified numerous bioactive substances from mushrooms, including proteins, carbohydrates, phenols, and vitamins.
This review, which was highlighted in the article “Mushrooms hailed “treasure troves” of bioactives which may prevent cognitive decline” by FoodNavigator, highlights recent studies on various constituents isolated from mushrooms, such as carbohydrates, peptides, and phenols, for their potential in supporting cognitive health, particularly against the onset of Alzheimer’s Diseases (AD). The underlying molecular mechanisms through which mushroom metabolites exert their effects against AD are also discussed. These mechanisms include antioxidant and anti-neuroinflammatory effects, inhibition of apoptosis, and stimulation of neurite outgrowth. The information presented in this review aims to facilitate the application of mushroom-derived products in the support of brain health and reduce the risk of AD.
However, further research is still necessary to isolate new metabolites from different types of mushrooms and explore their anti-AD effects in vivo. Additionally, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects is required. The review emphasises the importance of ongoing efforts to tap into the vast resources of mushrooms and their potential for cultivation, as well as the need for improving the purification, bioavailability, and production of active compounds. Overall, mushrooms and their metabolites hold significant promise for managing brain, but more work is needed to fully understand their potential.
The link between vitamin D and womens health
Vitamin D deficiency is a global issue, but the role of daily intake as the sole factor affecting its biological functions remains highly debated. Currently, the plasma concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D is the only indicator of circulating vitamin D levels. However, it is hypothesised, as outlined in the paper “Vitamin D: Can Gender Medicine Have a Role?” that the biological functions of vitamin D are not solely dependent on its circulating levels, but also on its overall bioavailability. Vitamin D circulates mostly bound to albumin and vitamin D binding protein (DBP), and the function of DBP is regulated by estrogens, glucocorticoids, and inflammatory cytokines.
Throughout a woman's life, various hormonal and reproductive changes occur, including menarche, pregnancies, breastfeeding, hormonal contraceptive use, and the transition to menopause. Each of these phases has specific nutritional needs and potential vulnerabilities. Studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in 58% to 91% of young women yet little research has been undertaken thus far to explore the relationship between vitamin D and womens health. Factors such as obesity, metabolic disorders, and variations in oestrogen levels can contribute to vitamin D deficiency due to decreased bioavailability from dietary sources, as it gets deposited in body fat compartments.
Overall, vitamin D has multiple biological effects on the body, but conclusive evidence supporting the benefits of vitamin D supplementation in various pathologies is still lacking. However, it has been observed that vitamin D plays a protective role in females, particularly during fertile life and pregnancy, hinting to its role in fertility and conception support. Pathological conditions in pregnant women can affect the health of both the mother and the foetus, emphasising the importance of vitamin D during pregnancy. There is also an interplay between vitamin D and oestrogen, where vitamin D increases oestrogen bioavailability, and oestrogen enhances the efficiency of absorption, transport systems, and affinity with its receptor.
Furthermore, the composition of the intestinal microbiota has been found to be significant in promoting the production of intestinal oestrogens with systemic functions and increasing the absorption of vitamin D. In women, this leads to a stronger immune response, reducing the risk of infections and enhancing the regulatory systems of the immune response, which play a crucial role in protecting against autoimmune diseases.
In conclusion, while the biological effects of vitamin D are diverse, further studies are needed to establish the unequivocal benefits of vitamin D supplementation in various pathologies. Nonetheless, vitamin D has shown a protective role in females, especially during fertile life and pregnancy, and its interplay with oestrogen and the immune system highlights its importance in women's health. Understanding the complex relationship between gender, vitamin D, and physiological changes can guide future research to inform our nutritional understanding.
How probiotics support mood
A recent Randomised Control Trial, reported by NutraIngredients in the article “Gut-brain study: 8-week supplementation with probiotic reduces depressive symptoms”, has explored the potential of probiotics in supporting mood and moderating the effects of major depressive disorder (MDD). The study aimed to assess the acceptability, tolerability, and estimated effect size of probiotics in improving depressive and anxiety symptoms. A total of 49 participants with MDD, who were already taking antidepressant medication but experiencing an incomplete response, were included in the trial.
The participants were randomly assigned to receive either a multistrain probiotic (8 billion colony-forming units per day) or a placebo for a duration of 8 weeks alongside their ongoing antidepressant medication. The outcomes measured included retention, acceptability, tolerability, and changes in clinical symptoms such as depression and anxiety.
The results showed that the probiotic intervention was well-tolerated and had high adherence (97.2%). There were no serious adverse reactions reported, and the attrition rate was low (8%). The group receiving probiotics exhibited greater improvements in depressive symptoms, as indicated by lower scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) and the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS), compared to the placebo group. Furthermore, the probiotic group also experienced greater improvements in anxiety symptoms, as measured by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), compared to the placebo group.
These findings suggest that probiotics and gut health support could contribute to normal mood and cognitive function, further supporting theories around the gut-brain axis. The acceptability, tolerability, and estimated effect sizes on key clinical outcomes indicate that further investigation is warranted in a larger, definitive efficacy trial. Probiotics targeting the microbiota-gut-brain axis present a potentially novel approach for supporting mood, but more safety and efficacy data are needed to support their use.
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Alison is Director and Founder of Metabolics who writes about Metabolics updates, events and natural healthcare. Her experience and passion for natural supplements and healthcare comes from her years of experience as a practising osteopath, having founded Metabolics in her search for high quality, natural products in her own work. Alison has been a qualified and practising Osteopath since 1981 and regularly gives seminars on a range of healthcare subjects to the wider practitioner community helping share her knowledge and experience.