Science shorts: Kewpie, Asahi, Glac Biotech on new findings for hyaluronic acid, pre/probiotics

Vitamin B1 and brain power: Increased dietary intake linked with better cognition in over 60s - cross-sectional study​  

Increased dietary intake of vitamin B1 has been linked to better cognitive function in individuals aged over 60, according to a cross-sectional observational study by academics in China.

Based on the data of 2,422 participants, the research found that that vitamin B1 intake was positively associated with cognitive scores, such as higher scores for Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) which assesses processing speed and the Animal Fluency Test (AFT) for executive function.

Writing in the Journal of Translational Medicine​, the researchers said additional randomised controlled studies were needed to confirm the findings, but concluded, "increased dietary intake of vitamin B1 was associated with better cognitive function in individuals aged over 60."​

Probiotics increase stool frequency in adults suffering from constipation – meta-analysis​  

Probiotic supplementation has been shown to increase stool frequency in adults suffering from constipation, new findings from a meta-analysis conducted by Chinese researchers have shown.

Writing in Pharmacology and Therapeutics, ​the researchers analysed a total of 17 RCTs involving 1,256 adults suffering from functional constipation.

The probiotics studied consisted of both single and multi-strains products containing Bifidobacterium​ and Lactobacillus​, and inulin, xylooligosaccharide, fructooligosaccharide, and psyllium husk as prebiotics.

Hyaluronic acid supplementation helps older adults maintain knees in “healthy condition” – Kewpie 12-week RCT​

Oral supplementation of hyaluronic acid in the form of sodium hyaluronate could help older adults maintain their knees in “healthy condition”, says findings from a 12-week RCT funded by Kewpie.

For instance, adults on sodium hyaluronate supplementation reported significantly lower knee pain, stiffness, and knee discomfort as compared to the placebo group.

According to findings published on Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, ​the study was conducted on 56 healthy adults, with the intervention group taking a capsule containing 111mg of sodium hyaluronate, while the placebo group took dextrin.

Multi-strain probiotics show potential to slow progression and improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease – Glac Biotech-funded RCT​  

Multi-strain probiotics supplementation has been found to have positive effects on neurotrophic factors, oxidative stress and inflammation, which play important roles in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), according to Taiwan researchers.

The multi-strain probiotics were provided by Glac Biotech and were namely Bifidobacterium longum​ subsp. infantis​ BLI-02, B. breve​ Bv-889, B. animalis ​subsp. lactis ​CP-9, B. bifidum​ VDD088, and Lactobacillus plantarum​ PL-02.

Writing in Nutrients, ​the researchers said that the intervention group demonstrated significant reduction in inflammatory cytokine IL-1β and an increase in antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. No significant change was found in the control group.

Yeast-derived prebiotic could enhance gut motility and sleep quality – Asahi-funded study​

Dietary supplementation of yeast mannan (YM) as a prebiotic could boost gut motility, improve constipation symptoms, and contribute to better sleep quality, say Japanese researchers.

Findings published in Nutrients ​showed a significant increase in defecation frequency in the intervention group as compared to the placebo group.

The findings were based on data of 37 participants who completed the trial, where they were randomised to take 1.1grams of YM or placebo each day for four weeks.