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Fish is an important source of nutrients, particularly the long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs). The incorporation of fish into the diet has been shown to have several health benefits, including lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Elevated plasma lipids are one of the main modifiable risk factors contributing to CVD and may be partly mediated by n-3 PUFAs. Although n-3 PUFAs in the form of supplementation have been shown to exert lipid modifying effects, the effects of fish consumption on the lipid profile have not been well summarised to date. Therefore, the aim of the present review is to discuss the current evidence from intervention studies investigating the effect of fish consumption on the lipid profile in both apparently healthy and non-healthy populations. Existing evidence appears to support the role of fish in promoting a shift towards a less inflammatory lipid profile through raising n-3 PUFAs and potentially lowering n-6 PUFA and triglyceride concentrations in both healthy and non-healthy populations. Fish consumption has a negligible effect on cholesterol concentrations; however, fish consumption may promote a small increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol amongst people with lower HDL at baseline. Limited studies have shown fish consumption to result in shifts in phospholipid and sphingolipid species and structure, albeit it is not yet clear whether these alterations have any meaningful impact on CVD risk. Future well-designed studies that utilise NMR and/or lipidomics analysis are warranted to explore the effects of these shifts in lipid content and structure in the context of disease development. Public health guidance should emphasise the cardioprotective benefits of fish and encourage consumption particularly in the Global North where fish consumption remains low., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The immunomodulatory properties of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) are reported to reduce bone loss through alteration of bone remodelling and n-3 LCPUFA, therefore, may benefit bone health in post-menopausal women, a vulnerable group at high risk of osteoporosis., Methods: Measures of bone mineral density (BMD) were determined using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in 300 post-menopausal women. The bone turnover markers osteocalcin (OC), C-terminal telopeptides of type 1 collagen (CTX) and total alkaline phosphatase were quantified in serum along with urinary creatinine corrected deoxypyridinoline (DPD/Cr) and CTX/Cr and the CTX:OC ratio calculated. Total serum n-6 PUFA (LA + AA) and n - 3 LCPUFA (ALA + EPA + DPA + DHA) were measured and the n - 6:n - 3 ratio was calculated., Results: Mean (SD) age and body mass index (BMI) were 61 (6.4) years and 27.4 (4.8) kg/m 2 , respectively with participants being 12.6 (7.6) years post-menopause. Multiple regression analysis identified no association between n-3 LCPUFA and any of the measures of T-score or BMD albeit a significant positive association between total n - 3 LCPUFA and femur BMD (β = 0.287; p = 0.043) was observed within those women with a low n - 6:n - 3 ratio. There was a significant inverse association between ALA and urinary DPD/Cr (β = - 0.141; p = 0.016)., Conclusion: A favourable low n - 6:n - 3 ratio was associated with higher femur BMD and a higher n - 3 LCPUFA (ALA) was associated with lower bone resorption. These results support a beneficial role for n - 3 LCPUFA in reducing postmenopausal bone resorption and favourably influencing BMD., Trial Number & Date of Registration: ISRCTN63118444, 2nd October 2009, "Retrospectively registered"., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Maternal fish consumption increases infant methylmercury (MeHg) exposure and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentrations. The n-3 PUFA are regulators of inflammation while MeHg may impact the cord cytokine profile and, subsequently, contribute to immune mediated outcomes. This study aimed to investigate associations between infant MeHg exposure and cord cytokine concentrations while adjusting for cord PUFA., Methods: We studied participants in the Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS) Nutrition Cohort 2 (NC2), a large birth cohort in a high fish-eating population. Whole blood MeHg, serum PUFA and serum cytokine concentrations (IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-12p70, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IL-6 and IL-8) were measured in cord blood collected at delivery (n = 878). Linear regression examined associations between infant MeHg exposure and cord cytokines concentrations, with and without adjustment for cord PUFA. An interaction model examined cord MeHg, cytokines and tertiles of the n-6:n-3 ratio (low/medium/high)., Results: There was no overall association between cord MeHg (34.08 ± 19.98 μg/L) and cytokine concentrations, with or without adjustment for PUFA. Increased total n-3 PUFA (DHA, EPA and ALA) was significantly associated with lower IL-10 (β = -0.667; p = 0.007) and lower total Th2 (IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13) (β = -0.715; p = 0.036). In the interaction model, MeHg and IL-1β was positive and significantly different from zero in the lowest n-6:n-3 ratio tertile (β = 0.002, p = 0.03)., Conclusion: Methylmercury exposure from fish consumption does not appear to impact markers of inflammation in cord blood. The association of cord n-3 PUFA with lower IL-10 and total Th2 cytokines suggests that they may have a beneficial influence on the regulation of the inflammatory milieu. These findings are important for public health advice and deserve to be investigated in follow up studies., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Purpose: This study investigated metabolic benefits of protein hydrolysates from the macroalgae Palmaria palmata, previously shown to inhibit dipeptidylpeptidase-4 (DPP-4) activity in vitro., Methods: Previously, Alcalase/Flavourzyme-produced P. palmata protein hydrolysate (PPPH) improved glycaemia and insulin production in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Here the PPPH, was compared to alternative Alcalase, bromelain and Promod-derived hydrolysates and an unhydrolysed control. All PPPH's underwent simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGID) to establish oral bioavailability. PPPH's and their SGID counterparts were tested in pancreatic, clonal BRIN-BD11 cells to assess their insulinotropic effect and associated intracellular mechanisms. PPPH actions on the incretin effect were assessed via measurement of DPP-4 activity, coupled with GLP-1 and GIP release from GLUTag and STC-1 cells, respectively. Acute in vivo effects of Alcalase/Flavourzyme PPPH administration on glucose tolerance and satiety were assessed in overnight-fasted mice., Results: PPPH's (0.02-2.5 mg/ml) elicited varying insulinotropic effects (p < 0.05-0.001). SGID of the unhydrolysed protein control, bromelain and Promod PPPH's retained, or improved, bioactivity regarding insulin secretion, DPP-4 inhibition and GIP release. Insulinotropic effects were retained for all SGID-hydrolysates at higher PPPH concentrations. DPP-4 inhibitory effects were confirmed for all PPPH's and SGID counterparts (p < 0.05-0.001). PPPH's were shown to directly influence the incretin effect via upregulated GLP-1 and GIP (p < 0.01-0.001) secretion in vitro, largely retained after SGID. Alcalase/Flavourzyme PPPH produced the greatest elevation in cAMP (p < 0.001, 1.7-fold), which was fully retained post-SGID. This hydrolysate elicited elevations in intracellular calcium (p < 0.01) and membrane potential (p < 0.001). In acute in vivo settings, Alcalase/Flavourzyme PPPH improved glucose tolerance (p < 0.01-0.001) and satiety (p < 0.05-0.001)., Conclusion: Bioavailable PPPH peptides may be useful for the management of T2DM and obesity., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

The maternal immune response is essential for successful pregnancy, promoting immune tolerance to the fetus while maintaining innate and adaptive immunity. Uncontrolled, increased proinflammatory responses are a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. The Th1/Th2 cytokine shift theory, characterised by bias production of Th2 anti-inflammatory cytokine midgestation, was frequently used to reflect the maternal immune response in pregnancy. This theory is simplistic as it is based on limited information and does not consider the role of other T cell subsets, Th17 and Tregs. A range of maternal peripheral cytokines have been measured in pregnancy cohorts, albeit the changes in individual cytokine concentrations across gestation is not well summarised. Using available data, this review was aimed at summarising changes in individual maternal serum cytokine concentrations throughout healthy pregnancy and evaluating their association with preeclampsia. We report that TNF- α increases as pregnancy progresses, IL-8 decreases in the second trimester, and IL-4 concentrations remain consistent throughout gestation. Lower second trimester IL-10 concentrations may be an early predictor for developing preeclampsia. Proinflammatory cytokines (TNF- α , IFN- γ , IL-2, IL-8, and IL-6) are significantly elevated in preeclampsia. More research is required to determine the usefulness of using cytokines, particularly IL-10, as early biomarkers of pregnancy health., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests., (Copyright © 2021 Toni Spence et al.)

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes and overweight/obesity are increasing globally. Food supplementation as a preventative option has become an attractive option in comparison to increased pharmacotherapy dependency. Hydrolysates of fish processing waste and by-products have become particularly interesting in a climate of increased food wastage awareness and are rapidly gaining traction in food research. This review summarizes the available research so far on the potential effect of these hydrolysates on diabetes and appetite suppression. Scopus and Web of Science are searched using eight keywords (fish, hydrolysate, peptides, satiating, insulinotropic, incretin, anti-obesity, DPP-4 [dipeptidylpeptidase-4/IV]) returning a total of 2549 results. Following exclusion criteria (repeated appearances, non-fish marine sources [e.g., macroalgae], and irrelevant bioactivities [e.g., immunomodulatory, anti-thrombotic]), 44 relevant publications are included in this review. Stimulation of hormone secretion, regulation of glucose uptake, anorexigenic potential, identified mechanisms of action, and research conducted on the most potent bioactive peptides identified within these hydrolysates are all specifically addressed. Results of this review conclude that despite wide methodological variation between studies, there is significant potential for the application of fish protein hydrolysates in the management of bodyweight and hyperglycemia., (© 2020 The Authors. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Twenty-two novel dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory peptides (with IC 50 values <200 µM) and fifteen novel insulinotropic peptides were identified in a boarfish protein hydrolysate generated at semi-pilot scale using Alcalase 2.4L and Flavourzyme 500L. This was achieved by bioassay-driven semi-preparative reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography fractionation, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and confirmatory studies with synthetic peptides. The most potent DPP-IV inhibitory peptide (IPVDM) had a DPP-IV half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) value of 21.72 ± 1.08 µM in a conventional in vitro and 44.26 ± 0.65 µM in an in situ cell-based (Caco-2) DPP-IV inhibition assay. Furthermore, this peptide stimulated potent insulin secretory activity (1.6-fold increase compared to control) from pancreatic BRIN-BD11 cells grown in culture. The tripeptide IPV exhibited potent DPP-IV inhibitory activity (IC 50 : 5.61 ± 0.20 µM) comparable to that reported for the known DPP-IV inhibitor IPI (IC 50 : 3.20 µM). Boarfish proteins contain peptide sequences with potential to play a role in glycaemic management in vivo., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Exposure to the environmental toxicant mercury (Hg) has been associated with immune dysregulation, including autoimmune disease, but few human studies have examined methylmercury (MeHg) exposure from fish consumption., Objectives: We examined associations between MeHg exposure and biological markers of autoimmunity and inflammation while adjusting for long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA)., Method: At age 19 years, hair total Hg (Y19Hg), LCPUFA status, a panel of 13 antinuclear antibodies (ANA), total serum immunoglobulins (Ig) IgG, IgA, and IgM and serum markers of inflammation (IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, C-reactive protein (CRP), IFN-γ, TNF-α) were measured in the Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS) Main Cohort (n = 497). Multivariable regression models investigated the association between Y19Hg and biomarkers, adjusting for prenatal total hair Hg (MatHg) and other relevant covariates, and with and without adjustment for LCPUFA., Results: With each 1 ppm increase in Y19Hg (mean 10.23 (SD 6.02) ppm) we observed a 4% increased odds in a positive Combined ANA following adjustment for the n6:n3 LCPUFA ratio (β = 0.036, 95%; CI: 0.001, 0.073). IgM was negatively associated with Y19Hg (β = -0.016, 95%CI: 0.016, -0.002) in models adjusted for n-3, n-6 LCPUFA and when separately adjusted for the n-6:n-3 LCPUFA ratio. No associations were observed with MatHg. Total n-3 LCPUFA status was associated with reduced odds of a positive anti-ribonuclear protein (RNP) A. The n-3 LCPUFA were negatively associated with IL-6, IL-10, CRP, IFN-γ, TNF-α and positively with TNF-α:IL-10. There were positive associations between the n-6:n-3 ratio and IL-6, IL-10, CRP, IFN-γ, TNF-α and a negative association with TNF-α:IL-10., Discussion: The Y19Hg exposure was associated with higher ANA and lower IgM albeit only following adjustment for the n-3 LCPUFA or the n-6:n-3 LCPUFA ratio. The clinical significance of these findings is unclear, but warrant follow up at an older age to determine any relationship to the onset of autoimmune disease., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Brown seaweeds are known to be a rich source of fiber with the presence of several non-digestible polysaccharides including laminarin, fucoidan and alginate. These individual polysaccharides have previously been shown to favorably alter the gut microbiota composition and activity albeit the effect of the collective brown seaweed fiber component on the microbiota remains to be determined., Methods: This study investigated the effect of a crude polysaccharide-rich extract obtained from Laminaria digitata (CE) and a depolymerized CE extract (DE) on the gut microbiota composition and metabolism using an in vitro fecal batch culture model though metagenomic compositional analysis using 16S rRNA FLX amplicon pyrosequencing and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) analysis using GC-FID., Results: Selective culture analysis showed no significant changes in cultured lactobacilli or bifidobacteria between the CE or DE and the cellulose-negative control at any time point measured (0, 5, 10, 24, 36, 48 h). Following metagenomic analysis, the CE and DE significantly altered the relative abundance of several families including Lachnospiraceae and genera including Streptococcus, Ruminococcus and Parabacteroides of human fecal bacterial populations in comparison to cellulose after 24 h. The concentrations of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and total SCFA were significantly higher for both the CE and DE compared to cellulose after 10, 24, 36 and 48 h fermentation (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the acetate:propionate ratio was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) for both CD and DE following 24, 36 and 48 h fermentation., Conclusion: The microbiota-associated metabolic and compositional changes noted provide initial indication of putative beneficial health benefits of L. digitata in vitro; however, research is needed to clarify if L. digitata-derived fiber can favorably alter the gut microbiota and confer health benefits in vivo.

Seaweeds are an underexploited and potentially sustainable crop which offer a rich source of bioactive compounds, including novel complex polysaccharides, polyphenols, fatty acids, and carotenoids. The purported efficacies of these phytochemicals have led to potential functional food and nutraceutical applications which aim to protect against cardiometabolic and inflammatory risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and some cancers. Concurrent understanding that perturbations of gut microbial composition and metabolic function manifest throughout health and disease has led to dietary strategies, such as prebiotics, which exploit the diet-host-microbe paradigm to modulate the gut microbiota, such that host health is maintained or improved. The prebiotic definition was recently updated to "a substrate that is selectively utilised by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit", which, given that previous discussion regarding seaweed prebiotics has focused upon saccharolytic fermentation, an opportunity is presented to explore how non-complex polysaccharide components from seaweeds may be metabolised by host microbial populations to benefit host health. Thus, this review provides an innovative approach to consider how the gut microbiota may utilise seaweed phytochemicals, such as polyphenols, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and carotenoids, and provides an updated discussion regarding the catabolism of seaweed-derived complex polysaccharides with potential prebiotic activity. Additional in vitro screening studies and in vivo animal studies are needed to identify potential prebiotics from seaweeds, alongside untargeted metabolomics to decipher microbial-derived metabolites from seaweeds. Furthermore, controlled human intervention studies with health-related end points to elucidate prebiotic efficacy are required., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Recent interest in seaweeds as a source of macronutrients, micronutrients, and bioactive components has highlighted prospective applications within the functional food and nutraceutical industries, with impetus toward the alleviation of risk factors associated with noncommunicable diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. This narrative review summarizes the nutritional composition of edible seaweeds; evaluates the evidence regarding the health benefits of whole seaweeds, extracted bioactive components, and seaweed-based food products in humans; and assesses the potential adverse effects of edible seaweeds, including those related to ingestion of excess iodine and arsenic. If the potential functional food and nutraceutical applications of seaweeds are to be realized, more evidence from human intervention studies is needed to evaluate the nutritional benefits of seaweeds and the efficacy of their purported bioactive components. Mechanistic evidence, in particular, is imperative to substantiate health claims., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Life Sciences Institute.)

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a proposed environmental stimulus in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Humans are primarily exposed to MeHg through fish consumption. Fish are also important sources of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA). This in vitro study investigated the inflammatory response of isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), when exposed to either MeHg alone or with added n-3 LCPUFA, from SLE patients (N = 12) compared to healthy sex matched controls (N = 12). The PBMCs were isolated and exposed to 200 nM of MeHg for 24 h with or without pre-exposure to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) at a concentration of 100 μM each. Supernatants were analyzed for the inflammatory markers. Following exposure to MeHg , mean TNF-α concentrations were significantly higher in SLE patients (2226.01 ± 348.98pg/ml) compared to controls (701.40 ± 680.65 pg/ml) (P = .008). Pre-exposure of cells with MeHg and EPA resulted in a significantly higher concentration of IL-8 in supernatants from SLE patients (2137.83 ± 1559.01 pg/ml) compared to that of the controls (879.26 ± 979.49 pg/ml) (P = .030). EPA and DHA attenuated the pro-inflammatory inducing effects of MeHg in SLE and control cells. In summary, exposure to MeHg stimulated a higher TNF-α response in SLE patients compared with healthy controls; nevertheless the presence of n-3 LCPUFA reduced the overall inflammatory response, albeit to a lesser degree in SLE patients., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Large quantities of low-value protein rich co-products, such as salmon skin and trimmings, are generated annually. These co-products can be upgraded to high-value functional ingredients. The aim of this study was to assess the antidiabetic potential of salmon skin gelatin and trimmings-derived protein hydrolysates in vitro. The gelatin hydrolysate generated with Alcalase 2.4L and Flavourzyme 500L exhibited significantly higher (p < 0.001) insulin and GLP-1 secretory activity from pancreatic BRIN-BD11 and enteroendocrine GLUTag cells, respectively, when tested at 2.5 mg/mL compared to hydrolysates generated with Alcalase 2.4L or Promod 144MG. The gelatin hydrolysate generated with Alcalase 2.4L and Flavourzyme 500L showed significantly more potent (p < 0.01) DPP-IV inhibitory activity than those generated with Alcalase 2.4L or Promod 144MG. No significant difference was observed in the insulinotropic activity mediated by any of the trimmings-derived hydrolysates when tested at 2.5 mg/mL. However, the trimmings hydrolysate generated with Alcalase 2.4L and Flavourzyme 500L exhibited significantly higher DPP-IV inhibitory (p < 0.05:Alcalase 2.4L and p < 0.01:Promod 144MG) and GLP-1 (p < 0.001, 2.5 mg/mL) secretory activity than those generated with Alcalase 2.4L or Promod 144MG. The salmon trimmings hydrolysate generated with Alcalase 2.4L and Flavourzyme 500L when subjected to simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGID) was shown to retain its GLP-1 secretory and DPP-IV inhibitory activities, in addition to improving its insulin secretory activity. However, the gelatin hydrolysate generated with Alcalase 2.4L and Flavourzyme 500L was shown to lose GLP-1 secretory activity following SGID. A significant increase in membrane potential (p < 0.001) and intracellular calcium (p < 0.001) by both co-product hydrolysates generated with Alcalase 2.4L and Flavourzyme 500L suggest that both hydrolysates mediate their insulinotropic activity through the K ATP channel-dependent pathway. Additionally, by stimulating a significant increase in intracellular cAMP release (p < 0.05) it is likely that the trimmings-derived hydrolysate may also mediate insulin secretion through the protein kinase A pathway. The results presented herein demonstrate that salmon co-product hydrolysates exhibit promising in vitro antidiabetic activity., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background/objectives: Body fat distribution has been shown to be a predictor of adhesion molecule and inflammatory marker expression albeit the effect of modest weight change on concentrations of adhesion molecules and inflammatory markers in postmenopausal women are not fully understood. The primary aim was to investigate the effects of weight change on adhesion molecules and inflammatory markers over 24 months in postmenopausal women., Subjects/methods: Body composition was assessed in 254 healthy postmenopausal women using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Adhesion molecules and inflammatory markers were analysed by multiplex ELISA. Participants weight gain/loss at 24 months was defined as any value that was either above/below the weight value recorded at baseline., Results: Postmenopausal women with an average weight loss of 3% had significantly decreased leptin concentrations by 18% at 24 months (P < 0.01). A 4% increase in body weight or a 9% increase in FMI significantly increased intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and leptin concentrations in postmenopausal women at 24 months (P < 0.01)., Conclusions: Modest weight loss in postmenopausal women has a lowering effect on leptin concentrations over 24 months which may improve inflammatory status whilst modest weight gain increases ICAM-1, leptin and TNF-α, markers which are associated with a pro-inflammatory state and vascular complications.

Autoimmune diseases result from an interplay of genetic predisposition and factors which stimulate the onset of disease. Mercury (Hg), a well-established toxicant, is an environmental factor reported to be linked with autoimmunity. Hg exists in several chemical forms and is encountered by humans in dental amalgams, certain vaccines, occupational exposure, atmospheric pollution and seafood. Several studies have investigated the effect of the various forms of Hg, including elemental (Hg 0 ), inorganic (iHg) and organic mercury (oHg) and their association with autoimmunity. In vitro studies using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy participants have shown that methylmercury (MeHg) causes cell death at lower concentrations than iHg albeit exposure to iHg results in a more enhanced pro-inflammatory profile in comparison to MeHg. In vivo research utilising murine models susceptible to the development of metal-induced autoimmunity report that exposure to iHg results in a lupus-like syndrome, whilst mice exposed to MeHg develop autoimmunity without the formation of immune complexes. Furthermore, lower concentrations of IgE are detected in MeHg-treated animals in comparison with those treated with iHg. It appears that, oHg has a negative impact on animal models with existing autoimmunity. The research conducted on humans in this area is diverse in study design and the results are conflicting. There is currently no evidence to implicate a role for Hg 0 exposure from dental amalgams in the development or perpetuation of autoimmune disease, apart from some suggestion of individual sensitivity. Several studies have consistently shown a positive correlation between iHg exposure and serum autoantibody concentrations in gold miners, although the clinical impact of iHg remains unknown. Furthermore, a limited number of studies have reported individuals with autoimmune disease have higher concentrations of blood Hg compared to healthy controls. In summary, it appears that iHg perpetuates markers of autoimmunity to a greater extent than oHg, albeit the impact on clinical outcomes in humans is yet to be elucidated., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Recent literature suggests that Ca supplements have adverse effects on cardiovascular health. The effects of a Ca-rich supplement administered alone or in combination with short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) on serum lipids in postmenopausal women were examined using secondary data from a 24-month double-blind randomised controlled study. A total of 300 postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to daily supplements of 800 mg of Ca (2·4 g Aquamin) (Ca), 800 mg of Ca with 3 g of scFOS (CaFOS) or control (maltodextrin) (MD). A full lipid profile, body composition, blood pressure and a range of cytokines were measured at baseline and after 24 months. Intention-to-treat ANCOVA assessed treatment effects between the groups. A significant time-by-treatment effect was observed for LDL and total cholesterol for the Ca and CaFOS groups, with both groups having lower LDL and total cholesterol concentrations compared with MD after 24 months. The control group had mean (5·2 mmol/l) total cholesterol concentrations above the normal range (≤ 5 mmol/l) at 24 months, whereas values remained within the normal range in the treatment groups. There was no significant treatment effect on HDL-cholesterol, TAG, body composition, blood pressure or cytokine concentrations at 24 months, with the exception of IL-4, where there was a significant increase in the CaFOS group compared with the placebo. This study demonstrates a lipid-lowering effect of both the Ca-rich supplement alone and the supplement with scFOS. At the 4-year follow-up, there was no significant difference between the groups for reported diagnosed cardiovascular conditions.

This 24-mo randomized, double-blind, controlled trial aimed to examine whether supplementation with a natural marine-derived multi-mineral supplement rich in calcium (Ca) taken alone and in conjunction with short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide (scFOSs) has a beneficial effect on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers (BTMs) in postmenopausal women. A total of 300 non-osteoporotic postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to daily supplements of 800 mg of Ca, 800 mg of Ca with 3.6 g of scFOS (CaFOS), or 9 g of maltodextrin. BMD was measured before and after intervention along with BTMs, which were also measured at 12 mo. Intention-to-treat ANCOVA identified that the change in BMD in the Ca and CaFOS groups did not differ from that in the maltodextrin group. Secondary analysis of changes to BTMs over time identified a greater decline in osteocalcin and C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) in the Ca group compared with the maltodextrin group at 12 mo. A greater decline in CTX was observed at 12 mo and a greater decline in osteocalcin was observed at 24 mo in the CaFOS group compared with the maltodextrin group. In exploratory subanalyses of each treatment group against the maltodextrin group, women classified with osteopenia and taking CaFOS had a smaller decline in total-body (P = 0.03) and spinal (P = 0.03) BMD compared with the maltodextrin group, although this effect was restricted to those with higher total-body and mean spinal BMD at baseline, respectively. Although the change in BMD observed did not differ between the groups, the greater decline in BTMs in the Ca and CaFOS groups compared with the maltodextrin group suggests a more favorable bone health profile after supplementation with Ca and CaFOS. Supplementation with CaFOS slowed the rate of total-body and spinal bone loss in postmenopausal women with osteopenia-an effect that warrants additional investigation. This trial was registered at www.controlled-trials.com as ISRCTN63118444.

Seaweeds may have an important role in modulating chronic disease. Rich in unique bioactive compounds not present in terrestrial food sources, including different proteins (lectins, phycobiliproteins, peptides, and amino acids), polyphenols, and polysaccharides, seaweeds are a novel source of compounds with potential to be exploited in human health applications. Purported benefits include antiviral, anticancer, and anticoagulant properties as well as the ability to modulate gut health and risk factors for obesity and diabetes. Though the majority of studies have been performed in cell and animal models, there is evidence of the beneficial effect of seaweed and seaweed components on markers of human health and disease status. This review is the first to critically evaluate these human studies, aiming to draw attention to gaps in current knowledge, which will aid the planning and implementation of future studies.