Effects of Saffron Extract on Sleep Quality: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial

A saffron extract has been found to be effective in the context of depression and anxiety, but its effect on sleep quality has not been investigating yet using objective approaches. For this purpose, a randomized double-blind controlled study was conducted in subjects presenting mild to moderate sleep disorder associated with anxiety. Sixty-six subjects were randomized and supplemented with a placebo (maltodextrin) or a saffron extract (15.5 mg per day) for 6 weeks. Actigraphy was used to collect objective data related to sleep quality at baseline, at the middle and at the end of the intervention. Sleep quality was also assessed by completion of the LSEQ and PSQI questionnaires and quality of life by completion of the SF-36 questionnaire. Six weeks of saffron supplementation led to an increased time in bed assessed by actigraphy, to an improved ease of getting to sleep evaluated by the LSEQ questionnaire and to an improved sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, and global scores evaluated by the PSQI questionnaire, whereas those parameters were not modified by the placebo. In conclusion, those results suggest that a saffron extract could be a natural and safe nutritional strategy to improve sleep duration and quality.     

Nutritional supplementation with Chlorella pyrenoidosa for mild to moderate hypertension

Pharmacological treatment of hypertension reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease; however, randomized, controlled clinical trials and population studies have also shown that abnormally high blood pressure (BP) can be lowered with diet modification and exercise. The objective of this pilot study was to determine whether daily dietary supplementation with 10 g Chlorella tablets and 100 ml Chlorella extract for 2 months would reduce BP in subjects with a mean sitting diastolic BP (SiDBP) between 90 and 115 mm Hg. Thirty-three people were enrolled and underwent a 4-week washout period from all antihypertensive medications, during which they consumed placebo. At completion of this washout/placebo period, 24 subjects were considered evaluable (i.e., had a SiDBP between 90 and 115 mm Hg) and were continued in the study. After 1 or 2 months of dietary Chlorella supplementation, the average heart rate, sitting systolic BP, and SiDBP changed only slightly; after 2 months of Chlorella consumption, the group's mean SiDBP was 96.5 +/- 6.6. However, a heterogenous response pattern to Chlorella existed, with 25% (6/24) of the subjects achieving their BP goal (SiDBP less than 90 mm Hg). Furthermore, the BP of nonresponders did not increase significantly above washout values. Quality-of-life questionnaires indicated an overall perception that health had significantly improved in conjunction with Chlorella consumption. The results indicate that, for some subjects with mild to moderate hypertension, a daily dietary supplement of Chlorella reduced or kept stable their SiDBP.     

An in vivo study of the antioxidant potentials of a plant food concentrate

OBJECTIVE: A plant food concentrate (PF) is a source of antioxidants. Its influence on antioxidant status has never been studied. The present longitudinal study investigated the antioxidant and lipidemic responses in 15 moderately hypercholesterolemic (>5.2 mmol/L) male subjects to the supplemental intakes of PF. METHODS: The participants underwent a two-week period where any previous supplemental intakes were withdrawn. This was followed by a two-week baseline period at entry (control). The baseline period was followed by taking PF concentrate (8.5 g twice daily) for two weeks followed by a washout period for two weeks. All subjects completed food frequency questionnaires at pre-supplemental (baseline) and post-PF period. Fasting heparinized and EDTA blood samples were collected at the end of each period. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), whole blood glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and plasma concentrations of zinc and copper, along with plasma levels of lipids, were determined. RESULTS: The PF supplement contributed significantly to the daily intakes of total dietary fiber. The zinc and copper-dependent SOD but not GPX activity were significantly elevated. The total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in the plasma were significantly decreased while the ratio of HDL/LDL cholesterol was increased post-PF intake. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the antioxidant and cholesterol status of moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects can be potentially improved with the supplemental intake of PF concentrate.     

Clinical study on the combined effect of capsaicin, green tea extract and essence of chicken on body fat content in human subjects

This study was conducted to assess the body fat content of free-living healthy human subjects taking a health supplement containing 0.4 mg capsaicin, 625 mg green tea extract (125 mg catechins and 50 mg caffeine) and 800 mg essence of chicken (CGTE). Subjects were advised to maintain their regular dietary habits and routine physical activity throughout study duration. Their body fat content was measured before and throughout the trial duration using a hand-grip body fat monitor. After 2 wk of supplementation with CGTE, the mean body fat percentage of males and female subjects was significantly less than the initial value (p < 0.05; t-test). 70.6%, of volunteers showed a trend for decreasing body fat content with 4 subjects showing a significant decrease in body fat content over time. The findings suggested that the effects were more prominent in subjects with higher initial body fat content. It was also demonstrated that the resting energy expenditure (REE) of the subjects taking the test samples were significantly increased in groups supplemented with CGTE, compared to placebo group. Thus, the combined thermogenic effect of capsaicin, green tea extract and essence of chicken could translate to a positive clinical effect by reducing approximately 460 g of body fat, following 2 wk of supplementation and the application of this natural health supplement for excess fat regulation, should be considered.     

Probiotic supplementation to enhance natural immunity in the elderly: effects of a newly characterized immunostimulatory strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 (DR20™) on leucocyte phagocytosis

Consumption of some species and strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) has been shown to enhance immunity in humans. In this study, the effect of dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 (DR20™), a newly characterized LAB strain, on immune cell function in healthy elderly subjects was investigated. The study comprised three stages, each lasting 3 weeks. In stages 1 (run-in) and 3 (washout), subjects (n = 13) received low fat milk (LFM, 200 mL twice daily) as a base diet. In Stage 2 (supplement intervention), subjects received LFM supplemented with L. rhamnosus HN001 (1.25 × 10⁸ CFU/mL). Assessment of immune function was made at the beginning, and the end of each stage. Consumption of milk supplemented with L. rhamnosus HN001 for three weeks resulted in a significant increase in the phagocytic activity of peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cells and monocytes. These responses returned to baseline following 3 weeks washout with un-supplemented milk. This suggests that L. rhamnosus HN001 is able to enhance aspects of natural immunity in humans, and could be used as a dietary adjunct for optimizing immune responsiveness in the elderly.     

The antioxidant activity and thermal stability of lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla) infusion

Because of its good sensorial attributes, lemon verbena is used as a primary ingredient in infusions and nonalcoholic drinks. The present study was designed to assess the antioxidant activity (AA) of lemon verbena infusion (LVI) as well as the thermal stability of its AA and the content of polyphenolic compounds. The values reflecting the AA of LVI, including AA index, fast scavenging rate against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, and hydroxyl radical scavenging, are higher than those of many herbal infusions and antioxidant drinks estimated from reported data. In addition, the slope lag time and specific oxyradical antioxidant capacity values of LVI are comparable to those of a commercial antioxidant drink based on green tea. Hence, LVI is a source of bifunctional antioxidants, and thus in vivo studies of the antioxidant capacity of LVI would be useful to evaluate its potential as an ingredient in antioxidant drinks.     

An in Vivo Study of the Antioxidant Potentials of a Plant Food Concentrate

Objective: A plant food concentrate (PF) is a source of antioxidants. Its influence on antioxidant status has never been studied. The present longitudinal study investigated the antioxidant and lipidemic responses in 15 moderately hypercholesterolemic (>5.2 mmol/L) male subjects to the supplemental intakes of PF.

Methods: The participants underwent a two-week period where any previous supplemental intakes were withdrawn. This was followed by a two-week baseline period at entry (control). The baseline period was followed by taking PF concentrate (8.5 g twice daily) for two weeks followed by a washout period for two weeks. All subjects completed food frequency questionnaires at pre-supplemental (baseline) and post-PF period. Fasting heparinized and EDTA blood samples were collected at the end of each period. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), whole blood glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and plasma concentrations of zinc and copper, along with plasma levels of lipids, were determined.

Results: The PF supplement contributed significantly to the daily intakes of total dietary fiber. The zinc and copper-dependent SOD but not GPX activity were significantly elevated. The total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in the plasma were significantly decreased while the ratio of HDL/LDL cholesterol was increased post-PF intake.

Conclusions: These results indicate that the antioxidant and cholesterol status of moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects can be potentially improved with the supplemental intake of PF concentrate.     

Effect of Alpha-S1-Casein Tryptic Hydrolysate and L-Theanine on Poor Sleep Quality: A Double Blind,Randomized Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial

This randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover and double-blind study investigates the effects of RLX2™ containing alpha-s1-casein tryptic hydrolysate and L-theanine in working adults affected by poor sleep quality. The supplement or placebo was randomly and blindly assigned to 39 subjects for four weeks and the changes in the subjective sleep assessment via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), heart rate, blood pressure, salivary cortisol by high-performance liquid chromatography method and alpha power of awake electroencephalogram (EEG) were studied. The data were analyzed in two ways, by crossover and crossover summed up. The latter depicted that RLX2™ improved PSQI total score, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep habitual efficiency, daytime dysfunction, and increased total and frontal alpha power significantly (p < 0.05). The supplement prolonged the total sleeping time by 45 min in the supplement receiving group compared to the placebo group (p < 0.001). However, only sleep duration and sleep habitual efficiency showed a profound effect in both analyses (p < 0.05). In conclusion, being given its beneficial effects without notable adverse events, it would be advantageous to use these nutraceutical ingredients to promote better sleep quality. Further studies with a larger number participants are warranted to support these findings.     

Stress and health-related well-being among mothers with a low birth weight infant: the role of sleep

This U.S.A.-based study examined the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of sleep, as well as the role of sleep, in the association of stress with depression, fatigue, and health-related quality of life (H-QOL) among mothers with a low-birth-weight, preterm infant in the neonatal intensive care unit at early postpartum. Fifty-five first-time mothers kept a sleep diary and filled out a battery of questionnaires. The wrist actigraphy method was also applied to collect information on maternal sleep. We tested a path model, with sleep disturbance and depression mediating the effect of stress on health-related well-being. Results showed that the majority of the study participants were stressed, depressed, fatigued, and at risk for poor physical and mental health. Poor sleep quality as perceived by mothers was significantly associated with their stress, fatigue, and poor mental and physical H-QOL. A cascading effect was found in the path model where maternal stress contributed to poor sleep quality and depression, which in turn contributed to poor mental H-QOL. In addition, poor sleep quality was associated with fatigue, which in turn contributed to poor physical and mental H-QOL. The underlying neurobiological mechanisms through which sleep affects the stress-health relation are discussed. The implications of sleep for intervention and prevention are also addressed.     

Bioavailability and antioxidant activity of tea flavanols after consumption of green tea, black tea, or a green tea extract supplement

BACKGROUND: Green and black tea polyphenols have been extensively studied as cancer chemopreventive agents. Many in vitro experiments have supported their strong antioxidant activity. Additional in vivo studies are needed to examine the pharmacokinetic relation of absorption and antioxidant activity of tea polyphenols administered in the form of green or black tea or tea extract supplements. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetic disposition of tea polyphenols and their effect on the antioxidant capacity in plasma 8 h after a bolus consumption of either green tea, black tea, or a green tea extract supplement. DESIGN: Thirty healthy subjects were randomly assigned to 3 different sequences of green tea, black tea, or a green tea extract supplement in a 3 x 3 crossover design with a 1-wk washout period in between treatments. RESULTS: Flavanol absorption was enhanced when tea polyphenols were administered as a green tea supplement in capsule form and led to a small but significant increase in plasma antioxidant activity compared with when tea polyphenols were consumed as black tea or green tea. All 3 interventions provided similar amounts of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations suggest that green tea extract supplements retain the beneficial effects of green and black tea and may be used in future chemoprevention studies to provide a large dose of tea polyphenols without the side effects of caffeine associated with green and black tea beverages.     

Sleep Polysomnography and Reported Stress Across 6 Weeks

Despite the common notion that stress impairs sleep there is little published data showing that sleep (polysomnography (PSG)) is impaired across several sleep episodes in individuals who complain of daily stress during the same period. The present paper aimed at investigating such a connection. 33 subjects had 3 sleeps recorded with PSG at home across 6 weeks and kept a sleep/wake diary each day, including 3-hourly ratings of stress (scale 1–9). The stress ratings and the conventional PSG parameters were averaged across time. A stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the best predictors of stress were Stage 1 sleep (beta = 0.49), latency to Stage 1 sleep (0.47) (adjusted for anxiety and age). Other sleep continuity variables had significant correlations with stress (reversed) but did not enter the multiple regression analysis. The correlation between stress before the start of the study and PSG data was not significant. It was concluded that moderately increased stress over a longer period of time is related to moderate signs of disturbed sleep during that period. This may be of importance when considering stress as a work environment problem.     

Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 on Depressive Symptoms and Sleep Quality in Self-Reported Insomniacs: A Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial

Recent animal studies have supported that Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 (PS128) can reduce the severity of anxiety and depression. However, previous studies did not focus on the sleep quality and mood of humans. This study determines whether PS128 reduces the severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms, regulates autonomic nervous system function, and improves sleep quality. Forty participants between 20 and 40 years of age with self-reported insomnia were randomly assigned to two groups, a PS128 group and a placebo group, in a double-blind trial. Participants took two capsules of either PS128 or a placebo after dinner for 30 days. Study measures included subjective depressive symptoms, anxiety and sleep questionnaires, and miniature-polysomnography recordings at baseline and on the 15th and 30th days of taking capsules. Overall, all outcomes were comparable between the two groups at baseline and within the 30-day period, yet some differences were still found. Compared to the control group, the PS128 group showed significant decreases in Beck Depression Inventory-II scores, fatigue levels, brainwave activity, and awakenings during the deep sleep stage. Their improved depressive symptoms were related to changes in brain waves and sleep maintenance. These findings suggest that daily administration of PS128 may lead to a decrease in depressive symptoms, fatigue level, cortical excitation, and an improvement in sleep quality during the deep sleep stage. Daily consumption of PS128 as a dietary supplement may improve the depressive symptoms and sleep quality of insomniacs, although further investigation is warranted.     

Naturalistic sleep monitoring in women suffering from bulimia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Eating disorders may be associated with alterations in sleep. There is evidence that some bulimia nervosa (BN) patients have sleep abnormalities. No studies of their sleep-wake cycles in a natural environment have as yet been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an objective and subjective sleep-wake cycle of BN compared to a healthy age-equated control group (CON). METHOD: Twenty-nine BN female and eighteen CON subjects were recruited. Sleep-wake patterns were monitored using ambulatory monitoring, mini-actigraphs (Min-Act), for 1 week. Each subject completed self-report questionnaires. RESULTS: The self-reporting questionnaires revealed that BN complained of significantly more sleep disturbances than CON. The ambulatory sleep data revealed significant differences between BN and CON in sleep onset and offset time. DISCUSSION: BN had sleep onset and sleep offset of 1 hr later, which may be connected to binge-purge patterns during the day. It is suggested that future research should focus on BN after remission.     

The effect of vitamin D supplement on the score and quality of sleep in 20–50 year-old people with sleep disorders compared with control group

Objectives: Sleep quality may be directly related with vitamin D serum level. Some studies found that people with lower vitamin D serum level experienced a lower sleep quality. Consequently, this study aimed at determining the effect of vitamin D supplements on sleep score and quality in 20–50 year-old people with sleep disorders.

Methods: This double blind, clinical trial was performed in November 2015–February 2016 on 89 people with sleep disorders based on Petersburg's Sleep Index. Patient samples were divided randomly into two groups: intervention and placebo. At the end of the study, the data on 89 subjects (44 in intervention group and 45 people in placebo group) were examined. Intervention group received a 50?000-unit vitamin D supplement, one in a fortnight for 8 weeks. Meanwhile, placebo group received placebo. Before and after intervention, Petersburg's Sleep Quality Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, general information questionnaire, sun exposure, vitamin D serum level and 3-day food record questionnaire were assessed and recorded for all participants. To analyze data, t-test, chi square, ANCOVA, U-Mann–Whitney and Wilcoxon statistical tests were used.

Findings: Based on the results of the present study, at the end of the study sleep score (PSQI) reduced significantly in vitamin recipients as compared with placebo recipients (P?P?Conclusion: This study shows that the use of vitamin D supplement improves sleep quality, reduces sleep latency, raises sleep duration and improves subjective sleep quality in people of 20–50 year-old with sleep disorder.     

The Influence of Pain and Stress on Sleep in Children With Sickle Cell Disease

This study explored the relation among pain, stress, and sleep in 24 children with sickle cell disease aged 8 to 12 years. Children and their parents completed a baseline assessment of the children's pain, stress, and sleep. Following the baseline assessment, children completed a daily diary assessing these variables for up to 8 weeks. Children's baseline sleep reports appeared fairly consistent with their parents' reports and the children's daily diaries. Results from regression models indicated that high pain severity was related to poor sleep quality and that this relation was exacerbated at higher levels of stress. Understanding the way in which pain and stress relate to sleep may lead to improved symptom management in pediatric populations.     

广州市大学生睡眠质量与压力典型相关分析

目的 探讨广东省广州市在校大学生睡眠质量与压力的相关性,确定与睡眠质量密切相关的压力因素,为制定针对性干预措施提供依据。方法 采用分层整群抽样方法,抽取来自广州市6所综合院校的1 296名在校大学生,采用匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量表（PSQI）评估睡眠质量,采用大学生压力量表评估压力状况,采用SPSS 13.0统计软件对资料进行典型相关分析。结果 大学生压力总分为（34.19±17.92）分,其中,个人烦扰因子得分最高,为（16.01±9.63）分;PSQI总分为（6.04±3.33）分,睡眠问题（PSQI得分≥8分）检出率为28.4%;睡眠质量与压力第1、2对典型变量的相关性均有统计学意义（P<0.001）,第1、2对典型变量的相关系数分别为0.380、0.244,而前2对典型变量累积贡献率达98.150%;在第1典型变量中,睡眠效率、睡眠障碍与个人烦扰相关,在第2典型变量中,催眠药物、日间功能障碍与学习烦扰、个人烦扰相关。结论 广州市大学生的压力状况对其睡眠效率、睡眠障碍、日间功能障碍以及催眠药物使用情况有明显影响,而学习烦扰、个人烦扰是主要相关因素。     

Comparison between Egg Intake versus Choline Supplementation on Gut Microbiota and Plasma Carotenoids in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome

We previously demonstrated that intake of three eggs/d for 4 weeks increased plasma choline and decreased inflammation in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS). The purpose of the current study was to further explore the effects of phosphatidylcholine (PC) provided by eggs versus a choline bitartrate (CB) supplement on the gut microbiota, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) formation, and plasma carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin in MetS. This randomized, controlled crossover clinical trial included 23 subjects with MetS. Following a washout period of 2 weeks without consuming any choline-containing foods, subjects were randomly allocated to consume either three eggs/d or a CB supplement for 4 weeks (both diets had a choline equivalent of 400 mg/day). DNA was extracted from stool samples to sequence the 16S rRNA gene region for community analysis. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and the α-diversity of the community were determined using QIIME software. Plasma TMAO, methionine, betaine, and dimethylglycine (DMG) were quantified by stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Plasma carotenoids, lutein, and zeaxanthin were measured using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. There were significant increases in plasma lutein and zeaxanthin after egg intake compared to the baseline or intake of CB supplement (p < 0.01). In contrast, TMAO was not different between treatments compared to the baseline (p > 0.05). Additionally, while diet intervention had no effects on microbiota diversity measures or relative taxa abundances, a correlation between bacterial biodiversity and HDL was observed. Following egg intake, the observed increases in plasma lutein and zeaxanthin may suggest additional protection against oxidative stress, a common condition in MetS.     

The Influence of Pain and Stress on Sleep in Children With Sickle Cell Disease

This study explored the relation among pain, stress, and sleep in 24 children with sickle cell disease aged 8 to 12 years. Children and their parents completed a baseline assessment of the children's pain, stress, and sleep. Following the baseline assessment, children completed a daily diary assessing these variables for up to 8 weeks. Children's baseline sleep reports appeared fairly consistent with their parents' reports and the children's daily diaries. Results from regression models indicated that high pain severity was related to poor sleep quality and that this relation was exacerbated at higher levels of stress. Understanding the way in which pain and stress relate to sleep may lead to improved symptom management in pediatric populations.     

The sleep of Africans and Europeans in the Ivory Coast: questionnaire study

Sleep behaviour has been extensively studied with questionnaires in industrialised countries to investigate the epidemiology of sleep-wake disorders. However, only few attempts have yet been made to examine sleep behaviour of people living in Africa. Although, a large number of studies in hot or cold environments have used short-term exposures, reporting disrupted sleep for most of them, long-term exposures to stressful thermal environments are rare in the literature. Prior to the present investigation, we used questionnaires to analyse the effects of seasonal heat increase on perceived sleep behaviour and sleep quality in young native African students in Niger [7], even though these methods of investigation are by no means as accurate as polysomnographic recordings. The hypothesis was that sleep behaviour may be influenced by climatic variations in a hot dry tropical climate. Such climatic variations have been shown to induce seasonal heat acclimatisation marked by changes in body temperature rhythms in the hot versus the cool season [13]. Sleep behaviour was examined during two 7-day periods in January ("cool-dry" season, 88 subjects) and May ("hot-dry" season, 53 subjects). The questionnaire was completed after night sleep and/or naps. The subjects slept an average of 7 1/2 hours a day, most of them having afternoon naps. They experienced no major seasonal variation in their sleep behaviour, but for an increased number of awakenings during the hot season. Restorative quality of sleep scored lower after a nap than after nocturnal sleep. Therefore, general sleep characteristics were not modified by seasonal temperature variations in African native students, perhaps because of the limited changes in daylight under the low latitude of Niamey. Another investigation was carried out using the same 12-item questionnaire in Abidjan on 78 medical students who did not have a nap [9]. Contrary to the Niamey students, the Abidjan subjects adopted short duration sleep schedules, without any effect on the subjective quality of the restorative properties of their sleep.     

职业紧张与健康的研究现状

研究互联网企业程序员职业紧张与睡眠质量和工作满意度的关系,探索睡眠质量在职业紧张和工作满意度之间的中介效应,为采取有效措施提高工作满意度提供理论依据。

采用工作内容问卷（JCQ）、匹兹堡睡眠指数量表和McLean职业紧张问卷的第3部分对上海市某互联网企业271名程序员进行调查,并对调查结果进行统计学分析。

该互联网企业程序员职业紧张阳性率为66.7%,其中睡眠质量一般为34.3%,睡眠质量较差为28.0%,工作满意度得分为（47.70±6.78）分。相关性分析显示职业紧张越高,睡眠质量越差,工作满意度越低。职业紧张、睡眠质量对工作满意度的作用均有统计学意义,职业紧张对工作满意度的总效应为-0.35,睡眠质量在职业紧张与工作满意度之间的中介效应为-0.04,占总效应的12.0%。

互联网企业程序员的睡眠质量在职业紧张和工作满意度间起部分中介作用,可以通过改善睡眠等措施来提高程序员工作满意度。