Search Results (210)

This study compares the nutritional and metabolic properties of unconventional cold-pressed vegetable oils available on the Polish market. Twelve oils—milk thistle, evening primrose, flaxseed, camelina sativa, black cumin, pumpkin seed, sesame, mustard seed, sea buckthorn, blue poppy seed, borage, and safflower—were examined. The chosen oils were investigated based on their fatty acids profiles, total phenolic compounds (TPC), tocopherols, and pigment contents. Despite the high polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) content raising concerns about oxidative stability, the significant tocopherol levels and polyphenols content contribute to antioxidative protection. These oils’ favorable hypocholesterolemic, antiatherogenic, and antithrombogenic properties were highlighted by key nutritional indices, showing potential benefits for cardiovascular health. These results suggest that these oils are a promising dietary supplement for promoting both cardiovascular health and sustainability, owing to their rich content of essential fatty acids and bioactive compounds. Moreover, high correlations were found between theoretical and experimental established oxidative stability of the tested oils at the ending stage of the thermostat test. Full article

Vitamin D is the only vitamin that is conditionally essential, as it is synthesized from precursors after UV light exposure, whilst also being obtained from the diet. It has numerous health benefits, with deficiency becoming a major concern globally, such that dietary supplementation has more recently achieved vital importance to maintain satisfactory levels. In recent years, measurements made from blood have, therefore, become critical to determine the status of vitamin D levels in individuals and the larger population. Tests for vitamin D have routinely relied on laboratory analysis with sophisticated equipment, often being slow and costly, whilst rapid immunoassays have suffered from poor specificity and sensitivity. Here, we have evaluated a new rapid immunoassay test on the market (Rapi-D & IgLoo) to quickly and accurately measure vitamin D levels in small capillary blood specimens and compared this to measurements made using the standard laboratory method of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Our results show that vitamin D can be measured very quickly and over a broad range using the new method, as well as correlate relatively well with standard laboratory testing; however, it cannot be fully relied upon currently to accurately diagnose deficiency or sufficiency in individuals. Our statistical and comparative analyses find that the rapid immunoassay with digital quantification significantly overestimates vitamin D levels, leading to diminished diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency. The speed and simplicity of the rapid method will likely provide advantages in various healthcare settings; however, further calibration of this rapid method and testing parameters for improving quantification of vitamin D from capillary blood specimens is required before integration of it into clinical decision-making pathways. Full article

The global sleep aids market has grown significantly due to rising stress and increased awareness of sleep’s importance. Melatonin, available in the EU as a prescription or over-the-counter medicine, depending on the country, is also permitted in dietary supplements with country-specific limits. Recent reports indicate concerning levels of excessive melatonin in EU dietary supplements, necessitating accurate quantification methods. We developed and validated, by applying accuracy profiles, ISO17025-compliant, rapid ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) methodologies coupled with either diode array detection (DAD) or high-resolution accurate mass spectrometry (HRAM MS). The cost-effective UHPLC-DAD method is suitable for medicines and most dietary supplements, except those more complex herbal matrices containing passionflower, hop, hemp, lime tree or lavender or their extracts, where UHPLC-HRAM MS is recommended due to selectivity issues of the DAD methodology. To demonstrate the applicability, we analyzed 50 dietary supplements claiming to contain melatonin—25 from legal supply chains and 25 from suspicious sources claiming therapeutic melatonin content. Our findings confirmed previous reports of high melatonin content in online products, especially when purchased through rogue internet pharmacies. Moreover, 12% of legal supply chain samples violated current legislation through unauthorized health claims or contained at least triple the melatonin amount permitted in Belgium. This research provides reliable analytical methods for regulatory bodies and confirms the circulation of non-compliant melatonin-containing dietary supplements in the EU market, even in the legal supply chain. Full article

In recent years, an increasing number of case reports have mentioned the presence of illicit nootropics, smart drugs or mind doping products on the market. To better understand the extent of the problem, a market surveillance study was organised by the General European Official Medicines Control Laboratory Network and associated member Australia to detect substandard, falsified or illegal medicines or dietary supplements containing unauthorised nootropic molecules of natural or synthetic origin. From January 2020 to September 2024, 159 different samples were documented, which yielded a comprehensive dataset of 166 molecular identification entries. Within this dataset, 34 distinct molecules were identified. Most samples were sold or presented as dietary supplements (49%) or medicines (32%). The vast majority (69%) were collected from the illegal market. Prescription drugs and non-authorised drugs only available on prescription in Russia were found in pharmacological quantities; some of the latter (noopept, phenylpiracetam and phenibut) were intercepted as large bulk quantities of raw material. Unauthorised novel foods, prescription or higher amounts of melatonin, and clinically uncharacterised research molecules were also reported. This study highlights the need for more active monitoring and screening of such products, as consumption of some of the reported samples could have detrimental health effects. Furthermore, as a large number of the samples were presented as dietary supplements, consumers may not be aware of the possible dangers and side-effects of these products. Full article

The production of novel oligosaccharides with potential prebiotic effects is of interest to expand the current market and explore the effectiveness of new functional carbohydrate forms. The utilization of glucansucrases is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly biotechnological strategy for producing novel gluco-oligosaccharides through acceptor reactions. In this study, an active glucansucrase (GS53) was used to produce gluco-oligosaccharides via its acceptor reactions with glucose, maltose, and maltotriose, and these oligosaccharides were tested in terms of structure and their gut microbiome modulatory effects. The formations of oligosaccharides were monitored by TLC analysis, and GS53 was active for the three acceptors but not for the other sugars tested. The structural characterization of the gluco-oligosaccharides by ¹H NMR analysis revealed the glycosylation of each acceptor with α-(1 → 3) and α-(1 → 6) linkages, whereas LC-MS analysis demonstrated the formations of DP 8, DP 7, and DP 6 oligosaccharides with acceptors maltose, maltotriose, and glucose, respectively. In vitro fecal fermentation analysis, in which microbial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and microbial compositional changes were assessed using gas chromatography and 16S rRNA sequencing, respectively, demonstrated that the gluco-oligosaccharides formed SCFAs—particularly propionate and butyrate—at levels comparable to those observed with inulin, a well-established prebiotic. Additionally, the gluco-oligosaccharides were found to promote the growth of Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Blautia OTUs, which are known to have important physiological functions beneficial to human health. Overall, these results demonstrate that gluco-oligosaccharides synthesized using GS53 through acceptor reactions exhibit prebiotic potentials and could be utilized in the future as dietary supplements as well as in the development of functional foods targeting colonic health. Full article

Background/Objectives: The term “nutraceuticals” refers to food and dietary supplements promoted for their health benefits in addition to their nutritional value. These products contain plant- or animal-derived nutrients, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and similar compounds aimed at enhancing skin health and influencing visible skin quality. This review provides an overview of the current research on nutraceuticals and the scientific evidence supporting their effects on skin health. Methods: The literature on more than 50 selected nutraceuticals was examined to assess any clinically substantiated, beneficial effects on skin health. The assessment was based on scientific evidence, including the quality and quantity of empirically gathered and evaluated findings. Results: A total of 17 common dietary supplements, either as individual compounds or categorized into groups, along with some combination products, were identified as nutraceuticals with well-supported effects on skin health. These include, among others, vitamins A, B7, C, and E; collagen peptides; carotenoids; and various plant extracts. For many other nutraceuticals, clinical evidence for their effects on skin health is limited or insufficient. Conclusions: The literature indicates that many nutraceuticals marketed for skin health are more or less suitable for this application based on the evidence assessment. Full article

Background: Dietary supplements (DSs) are products classified as foodstuffs, but frequently wrongly identified as medicines. The aim of the study was to determine the mercury (Hg) content in DSs supporting weight loss. The analysis concerned DSs’ main active ingredient, form and manufacturer. The exposure to Hg resulting from the consumption of the supplements tested and the potential risk to health were also assessed. The results were compared to the permissible standards specified by the EU. Materials and Methods: The study used 47 preparations available on the Polish market. The studies were performed by means of an AMA 254 Hg analyzer using the atomic absorption spectrometry method with the amalgamation technique. Results: The Hg content in slimming DSs ranged from 0.12 to 46.27 µg/kg; the arithmetic mean was 5.80 µg/kg, whereas the median value was lower—2.44 µg/kg. The highest average Hg content (21.58 µg/kg) was found in supplements containing chlorella, followed by preparations containing white mulberry—10.98 µg/kg. The lowest Hg content was noted in preparations with L-carnitine (1.07 µg/kg). Conclusions: In none of the supplements tested did the amount of Hg exceed the permissible standard, indicating that their consumption in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations does not pose a risk to consumers’ health. To assess the risk of exposure, the THQ (Target Hazard Quotient) index was calculated and found to be higher than 1 for 11 DSs. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is a likely risk of side effects associated with the consumption of the DSs tested. Full article

Background: The prevalence of diabetes among young individuals has reached concerning levels, posing significant public health risks and exacerbating the economic burden on healthcare systems. The health outcomes of individuals with diabetes are heavily influenced by malnutrition and unhealthy dietary habits, which not only hamper effective blood glucose management but also negatively affect overall health perceptions. Introduction: This study analyzes the factors influencing malnutrition, food habits, and health perceptions among diabetic patients. Methods: A well-structured questionnaire was designed to collect data. A cross-sectional survey of 503 diabetic patients across various regions in India was conducted. Additionally, structural equation modeling, as well as mediation and moderation analyses, were performed. Results: The study findings revealed that dietary knowledge, dietitian-led interventions, and economic factors significantly influenced malnutrition and health outcomes. Conversely, nutritional quality did not emerge as a significant predictor. Discussions: The study will help pharmaceutical companies, governments, and healthcare practitioners in marketing dietary supplements, design focused dietary programs, and develop health education campaigns to improve diabetes patients’ quality of life. The findings illuminated the critical roles of dietary knowledge, dietitian-led interventions, economic factors, and lifestyle modifications in managing malnutrition and enhancing health outcomes. Conclusions: The study demonstrated significant mediation and moderation effects, emphasizing the complex interplay between food habits and malnutrition on health perceptions. However, nutritional quality was not a significant predictor, and the research underscored the necessity of holistic, personalized interventions. This will also help medical marketers in devising their marketing strategies. Full article

Fish oil is one of the most popular dietary nutritional supplements. Reports on the qualities of fish oils from Chinese markets are scarce, although the consumption of fish oil products in China is huge and increasing. This study systematically investigated the qualities of commercial encapsulated fish oils (CFs) and bulk fish oils (BFs) from Chinese markets, including oxidative level, sensory quality, color, metal element content, and unsaturated fatty acid content. Significant quality variations were observed both among individual CFs and between BFs: 65.2% of CFs (excluding one flavored sample) and one BF sample met China’s Grade II fish oil oxidation product standards; 80.8% of CFs and three BFs were within regulatory limits for heavy metal contamination. A distinct fishy odor was detected in four CFs and one BF sample, while a pronounced rancid odor was observed in one CF sample. The EPA contents in 64% of CFs and DHA contents in 48% of CFs met their labeled claims. Furthermore, these five quality parameter categories demonstrated non-significant intercorrelations, with the fish oil unit price being independent of quality. These findings indicated that most BFs require refinement, and CFs require implementation of low-temperature dark storage/transportation protocols. This study provided comprehensive quality benchmarks for fish oil production and marketing. Full article

The growing popularity and consumption of herbal slimming supplements can be attributed to their perception as natural products that lack side effects. However, the composition and ingredient quality listed on their labels often undergo insufficient control. As a result, some manufacturers add undeclared synthetic pharmaceuticals to enhance weight loss effects. The synthetic adulterants, particularly the anorectic stimulants, have been associated with increased risks of cardiovascular adverse effects, posing significant health risks to consumers. This study aimed to analyze various weight loss supplements marketed as “natural” products to detect possible adulterants. A new high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was used for initial screening, while gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS) served as a confirmation tool. Additionally, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to analyze phenolphthalein. A total of 34 supplements acquired online or from specialty stores were analyzed. It was found that most of them contain caffeine from herbal ingredients included in the products’ formulation. Some products list the added caffeine, but the measured levels significantly exceeded the labeled values. The most commonly detected adulterants were sibutramine and phenolphthalein. These results highlighted the inadequacies and inconsistencies in labeling, as all herbal supplements were declared “natural” despite containing adulterants. Furthermore, they highlighted the suitability of the HPTLC method as an effective and cost-effective screening tool for detecting adulterants in dietary supplements. Full article

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is an increasingly used natural product in botanical dietary supplements, valued for its bioactive compounds. However, inconsistent standardized analytical methods raise concerns over product authenticity, mislabeling, and quality control. This study employs a multi-analytical approach to differentiate wildcrafted chaga canker from North American chaga dietary supplements, particularly those containing mycelia fermented grain products. High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC), Liquid Chromatography with Evaporative Light Scattering Detection (LC-ELSD) or Photo/Diode Array Detection (LC-PDA/DAD), Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (LC-QToF-MS), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and iodine-starch assays were used to evaluate key markers, including triterpenoids, polysaccharides, and melanin. Whole chaga canker contained triterpenoids (inotodiol, trametenolic acid) and phenolics, like osmundacetone, while melanin absorbance at 500 nm differentiated it from fermented grain products. β-Glucan quantification and iodine-starch assays confirmed starch-rich composition in fermented grains and its absence in authentic chaga canker. NMR fingerprinting and LC-QToF-MS metabolomics demonstrated stark compositional deviations between wildcrafted chaga canker, I. obliquus mycelium, and fermented grain products. By integrating complementary techniques, we establish a framework that can reliably distinguish genuine chaga canker from misrepresented products, ensuring consumer safety and fostering trust in the functional mushroom, canker, and mycelium markets. Full article

Regarded as a panacea in non-traditional medicine, Spirulina (“Arthrospira platensis”) refers to cyanobacteria that are highly consumed due to their mineral and bioactive compounds. Despite its wide popularity and availability, Spirulina is often present on the market as an insufficiently regulated dietary supplement with scarce quality control and has high batch-to-batch variability. The present study aims to provide the first comprehensive survey of the Spirulina commercialized on the Romanian market. Therefore, a highly diverse sample set, including an in-house cultivated sample, was analyzed and compared in regard to the ¹³C isotopic signature and the elemental profile of twenty-three elements, including macro-nutrients (Na, Mg, Ca, and K), essential trace elements (e.g., Fe, Zn, Co, and Mn), and possible toxic contaminants (e.g., As, Cd, Cr, and Pb). Results confirmed the potency of Spirulina as a proper mineral supplement source. The in-depth analysis performed in the present work takes into account several critical factors, like formulation, packaging type and material, geographical origin, and labeled growing system, in order to assess whether these marketing strategies are supported. Additionally, the statistical relationships among the price, isotope, and elemental determinations were assessed by Pearson correlation coefficients and subsequently discussed in regard to the biochemical and physiological processes. Full article

Background: Nutrients consumed with food undergo the digestion process, and only some of them are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and enter the bloodstream. Minerals, including Mg, are crucial for maintaining the body’s homeostasis, but their beneficial effect depends on their bioavailability, i.e., the part that can be absorbed and used by the body. The bioavailability of nutrients taken in pharmaceutical form is usually higher than the same nutrients contained in food, because their absorption requires prior release from the food matrix. Objectives: The main objective of the conducted research was to assess the bioavailability of Mg from dietary supplements and medicinal products, considering the influence of the type of diet and pharmaceutical form on bioavailability. Methods: The experiments were conducted using a previously developed and optimized two-stage in vitro digestion model using cellulose dialysis tubes and ICP-OES method. The influence of three types of diets—standard, basic and high-residue—on the bioavailability of Mg was evaluated. Results: The bioavailability of Mg from the studied diets was within the range of 48.74–52.51%. Conclusions: In the models studied, it was observed that the factors influencing bioavailability were the nutritional composition of the diets and the chemical form of Mg. Full article

Diuretics are essential medicines used in the management of hypertension, heart failure, edema, and other medical conditions. Due to their effectiveness in promoting water loss, many cases of undeclared diuretics in dietary supplements (DSs) have been reported. Most of these DSs were marketed for “weight loss promotion” and “detoxification”. Diuretics are regarded as doping compounds as well because of their significant potential to cause weight loss or mask the usage of other doping compounds. The intake of DSs that contain undeclared diuretics can result in serious consequences, including side effects, drug–drug interactions, and the violation of anti-doping rules if such products are taken by professional athletes. The aim of the present study was to develop a rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for monitoring DSs for undeclared diuretics. The validated method allows for simultaneous monitoring for furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, and torasemide. The LOD and LOQ were 0.78 μg/mL and 2.38 μg/mL for hydrochlorothiazide, 0.99 μg/mL and 3.01 μg/mL for torasemide, and 0.69 μg/mL and 2.08 μg/mL for furosemide. The method was successfully utilized to screen ten DSs for undeclared diuretics. Contamination was detected in only one sample. These results underscore the critical need for regulatory oversight and independent quality control of DSs. Implementing routine screening could significantly reduce the risk of adverse health effects and unintentional doping among athletes. Ultimately, this study contributes to enhancing consumer safety and ensuring fair competition in sports. Full article

Omega-3 fatty acids are an important factor contributing to the prevention and cure of numerous diseases, and therefore their supplementation with diet is a significant issue. There are numerous supplements on the market containing omega-3 acids, of both plant and animal origin. In our study, we compared an effect of linseed oil, ethyl esters of linseed oil and fish oil supplementation to rats’ diet on their blood serum and erythrocyte fatty acid profile. The animals were divided into nine groups, three groups did not receive supplements and differed in dietary fat content, three were fed a high-fat diet for the whole experiment and supplemented, three were fed a high-fat diet and then the control one together with supplements. The experiment lasted 12 weeks. Significant changes in the profile of omega-3 fatty acids, as well as the ration of omega-6 to omega-3, were found in supplemented groups compared to the controls, the changes were more beneficial in groups supplemented with ethyl esters of linseed oil. The results were also more beneficial in groups where in addition to supplementation, there was also a dietary change from high fat to control during the supplementation period. In the case of the erythrocytes, the alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) content in ethyl ester-supplemented groups increased (p < 0.05) by about 60–120%, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) by 80%, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by 41–60% compared to the control. In turn, in the blood serum, this increase (p < 0.05) was about 70–125%, 26–40%, and 38–54%, respectively. In the case of ethyl esters, except for an increase in EPA and DHA acids, higher values of ALA were found, which can be further used in the process of conversion to longer-chain omega-3. Full article