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Glucosamine (GLU) is a natural compound found in cartilage, and supplementation with glucosamine has been shown to improve joint heath and has been linked to reduced mortality rates. GLU is poorly absorbed and may exhibit functional properties in the gut. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of glucosamine on gastrointestinal function as well as changes in fecal microbiota and metabolome. Healthy males (n = 6) and females (n = 5) (33.4 ± 7.7 years, 174.1 ± 12.0 cm, 76.5 ± 12.9 kg, 25.2 ± 3.1 kg/m2, n = 11) completed two supplementation protocols that each spanned three weeks separated by a washout period that lasted two weeks. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover fashion, participants ingested a daily dose of GLU hydrochloride (3000 mg GlucosaGreen®, TSI Group Ltd., Missoula, MT, USA) or maltodextrin placebo. Study participants completed bowel habit and gastrointestinal symptoms questionnaires in addition to providing a stool sample that was analyzed for fecal microbiota and metabolome at baseline and after the completion of each supplementation period. GLU significantly reduced stomach bloating and showed a trend towards reducing constipation and hard stools. Phylogenetic diversity (Faith's PD) and proportions of Pseudomonadaceae, Peptococcaceae, and Bacillaceae were significantly reduced following GLU consumption. GLU supplementation significantly reduced individual, total branched-chain, and total amino acid excretion, with no glucosamine being detected in any of the fecal samples. GLU had no effect on fecal short-chain fatty acids levels. GLU supplementation provided functional gut health benefits and induced fecal microbiota and metabolome changes.

1-Methylxanthine (1-MX) is the major metabolite of caffeine and paraxanthine and might contribute to their activity. 1-MX is an adenosine receptor antagonist and increases the release and survivability of neurotransmitters; however, no study has addressed the potential physiological effects of 1-MX ingestion. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of 1-MX on memory and related biomarkers in rats compared to control. Memory (escape latency in the Morris water maze test), neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, dopamine, gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)), and neurochemicals (BDNF, catalase, glutathione, Amyloid Beta and cyclic GMP) were analyzed from whole brain samples in young (8-weeks-old) and aged (16-months-old) rats following 12 days of supplementation (100 mg/d HED of 1-MX [UPLEVEL®, Ingenious Ingredients L.P., Lewisville, TX, USA]) via oral gavage. 1-MX supplementation reduced escape latency by 39% in young animals and 27% in aged animals compared to controls (both p<0.001). Additionally, 1-MX increased the levels of acetylcholine, dopamine, GABA, and cyclic GMP (all p<0.001). Furthermore, 1-MX supplementation led to reduced amyloid beta and higher catalase, BDNF and glutathione concentrations (p<0.001). Collectively, our findings suggest that 1-MX may have cognitive-enhancing and neuroprotective properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The complex relationship among sleep, exercise, and the gut microbiome presents a unique opportunity to improve health and wellness. Here, we conducted the first large-scale investigation into the influence of a novel elite athlete-derived probiotic, consisting of a multi-strain Lactobacillus consortium, on sleep quality, exercise recovery, and gut microbiome composition in both elite athletes (n = 11) and the general population (n = 257). Results: Our two-phase study design, which included an open-label study followed by a controlled longitudinal study in a professional soccer team, allowed us to identify key interactions between probiotics, the gut microbiome, and the host. In the placebo-controlled study, we observed significant improvements in self-reported sleep quality by 69%, energy levels by 31%, and bowel movements by 37% after probiotic intervention relative to after placebo. These improvements were associated with a significant decrease in D-ROMS (a marker of oxidative stress) and a significantly higher free-testosterone/cortisol ratio. Multi-omics analyses revealed specific changes in microbiome composition and function, potentially providing mechanistic insights into these observed effects. Conclusion: This study provides novel insights into how a multi-strain Lactobacillus probiotic modulates sleep quality, exercise recovery, and gut microbiome composition in both the general population and elite athletes, and introduces potential mechanisms through which this probiotic could be influencing overall health. Our results emphasize the untapped potential of tailored probiotic interventions derived from extremely fit and healthy individuals in improving several aspects of health and performance directly in humans. 7acX3x-ZJN7KWMrJbRbZzQ Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated if paraxanthine (PX) impacts energy expenditure, lipolysis and perceptual responses. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover fashion, 21 adults (13 M, 8 F; 26.0 ± 6.4 years, 174.9 ± 11.5 cm, 81.0 ± 15.7 kg body mass, 26.3 ± 3.4 kg/m2) consumed a placebo (PLA), 100 mg (PX100), 200 mg (PX200), and 300 mg of PX (PX300, enfinity®, Ingenious Ingredients, L.P. Lewisville, TX, USA). Venous blood was collected 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min (min) after ingestion and analyzed for glycerol and free fatty acids. Resting hemodynamics, metabolic rate and perceptual indicators of hunger, appetite and anxiety were evaluated. Mixed factorial analysis of variance were used to evaluate changes time within and between groups. Heart rate decreased in PX100 compared to PLA 60 (p =.022) and 180 min (p =.001). Blood pressure did not change. Hunger ratings in PLA increased 30 (p =.05), 60 (p =.04), 90 (p =.02), and 180 min (p =.05) after ingestion when compared to PX200. PX200 increased energy expenditure (all p <.05) when compared to PLA. Rates of fat oxidation tended to increase 90 (p =.056) and 120 min (p =.066) in PX200 compared to PLA. Free fatty acids increased in PX300 compared to PLA (p =.002). Glycerol did not change. Ingestion of PX200 augmented energy expenditure and hunger ratings when compared to PLA without impacting hemodynamics or lipolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) and its methylated analogues anserine and balenine are highly concentrated endogenous dipeptides in mammalian skeletal muscle that are implicated in exercise performance. Balenine has a much better bioavailability and stability in human circulation upon acute ingestion, compared to carnosine and anserine. Therefore, ergogenic effects observed with acute carnosine and anserine supplementation may be even more pronounced with balenine. This study investigated whether acute balenine supplementation improves physical performance in four maximal and submaximal exercise modalities. A total of 20 healthy, active volunteers (14 males; six females) performed cycling sprints, maximal isometric contractions, a 4-km TT and 20-km TT following either preexercise placebo or 10 mg/kg of balenine ingestion. Physical, as well as mental performance, along with acid–base balance and glucose concentration were assessed. Balenine was unable to augment peak power (p =.3553), peak torque (p =.3169), time to complete the 4 km (p =.8566), nor 20 km time trial (p =.2660). None of the performances were correlated with plasma balenine or CN1 enzyme activity. In addition, no effect on pH, bicarbonate, and lactate was observed. Also, the supplement did not affect mental performance. In contrast, glucose remained higher during and after the 20 km time trial following balenine ingestion. In conclusion, these results overall indicate that the functionality of balenine does not fully resemble that of carnosine and anserine, since it was unable to elicit performance improvements with similar and even higher plasma concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to conduct a detailed and comparative analysis of body composition and dietary habits in elite swimming and water polo athletes. Through the examination of these key parameters, this study seeks to compare the dietary intake of these two distinct aquatic sports disciplines. Methods: A total of 10 top-level swimmers and 13 water polo athletes participated in anthropometric and body composition assessments, as well as a detailed analysis of nutritional intake. To compare the two groups, an independent samples t-test was used, and variance homogeneity was checked using Levene's test. The effect size of the group differences was evaluated using Hedges' g. Results: Water polo athletes showed significantly greater height (189.4 ± 2.9 vs. 186.5 ± 2.0 cm, p = 0.013), body mass index (24.3 ± 1.4 vs. 22.1 ± 0.5 kg/m2, p < 0.001), fat-free mass (62.9 ± 1.4 vs. 61.1 ± 1.38 kg, p < 0.001), skeletal muscle mass (47.1 ± 1.3 vs. 43.9 ± 1.6 kg, p < 0.001), and overall weight (86.9 ± 6.9 vs. 76.7 ± 2.2 kg, p < 0.001) in comparison to swimmers. Swimmers consumed greater amounts of mean daily energy (60.0 ± 1.0 vs. 39.0 ± 1.0 kcal/kg, p < 0.001), carbohydrate (7.8 ± 0.3 vs. 4.4 ± 0.5 g/kg, p < 0.001), protein (1.7 ± 0.5 vs. 1.4 ± 0.5 g/kg, p < 0.001), and fat (2.4 ± 0.5 vs. 1.7 ± 0.5 g/kg, p < 0.001) compared to water polo athletes. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the need for differentiated targeted nutritional interventions to enhance athletic performance in different types of water sports. Compared to water polo athletes, swimmers consumed significantly higher amounts of calories, matching their increased calorie demand from their specific training regime. However, this is an observational study and the differential needs of energy and macronutrients in water sports should be confirmed by studies with energy expenditure measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feeding and resistance exercise stimulate myofibrillar protein synthesis (MPS) rates in healthy adults. This anabolic characterization of "healthy adults" has been namely focused on males. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the temporal responses of MPS and anabolic signaling to resistance exercise alone or combined with the ingestion of protein in postmenopausal females and compare postabsorptive rates with young females. Sixteen females [60 ± 7 yr; body mass index (BMI) = 26 ± 12 kg·m−2] completed an acute bout of unilateral resistance exercise before consuming either: a fortified whey protein supplement (WHEY) or water. Participants received primed continuous infusions of L-[ring-13C6]phenylalanine with bilateral muscle biopsies before and after treatment ingestion at 2 h and 4 h in nonexercised and exercised legs. Resistance exercise transiently increased MPS above baseline at 0–2 h in the water condition (P = 0.007). Feeding after resistance exercise resulted in a late phase (2–4 h) increase in MPS in the WHEY condition (P = 0.005). In both conditions, resistance exercise did not enhance the cumulative (0–4 h) MPS response. In the nonexercised leg, MPS did not differ at 0–2 h, 2–4 h, or 0–4 h of the measurement periods (all, P > 0.05). Likewise, there were no changes in the phosphorylation of p70S6K, AMPKα, or total and phosphorylated yes-associated protein on Ser127. Finally, postabsorptive MPS was lower in premenopausal versus postmenopausal females (P = 0.023). Our results demonstrate that resistance exercise-induced changes in MPS are temporally regulated, but do not result in greater cumulative (0–4 h) MPS in postmenopausal women. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: An adequate quality and quantity of skeletal muscle is relevant to support physical performance and metabolic health. Muscle protein synthesis (MPS) is an established remodeling marker, which can be hypertrophic or nonhypertrophic. Importantly, protein ingestion and resistance exercise are two strategies that support healthy muscle by stimulating MPS. Our study shows postmenopause modulates baseline MPS that may diminish the MPS response to the fundamental anabolic stimuli of protein ingestion and resistance exercise in older females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Capsaicinoids and capsinoids (CAP) are natural substances found primarily in chili peppers and other spicy foods that agonize the transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 in the mouth, stomach, and small intestine. Several studies have shown CAP to be a potential antiobesity agent and to exhibit an analgesic effect in both rodents and humans. However, there is no scientific consensus about the effects of CAP on physical exercise performance and its physiological mechanisms of action. Purpose: This systematic review aimed to better elucidate the effects of CAP compounds as ergogenic aids and to discuss underlying mechanisms of action by which this supplement may potentially enhance endurance performance and muscular strength. Conclusions: Among 22 studies included in the review, 14 examined the effects of capsaicinoid or capsinoid compounds on endurance and resistance exercise performance in animals, with 9 studies showing benefits on performance. In humans, 8 studies were included: 3 demonstrated significant acute endurance benefits and 2 showed acute resistance exercise performance benefits compared with a placebo condition. Therefore, while more mechanistic studies are necessary to confirm these outcomes in humans, the available scientific literature appears to suggest that these compounds could be considered an effective nutritional strategy to improve exercise performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]