Fatigue, dry eye and menstrual pain are all common irritants and, in some cases, can be debilitating. Recent research suggests that nutrition could play an important role in supporting the body against these complaints.
Find out more in this week’s Nutrition News.
Pomegranates show promise in supporting against fatigue
A new study investigated the effectiveness of pomegranate in reducing feelings of fatigue, thereby offering energy support. The supplement tested contained a chemically characterised pomegranate extract and water-soluble vitamins, including B complex and vitamin C. The pomegranate extract was analysed using advanced techniques, revealing the presence of 59 compounds, with gallotannins and ellagitannins being the most abundant phytochemicals.
The clinical trial, which was reported by Nutraingredients in the article “Pomegranate extract shows promise in reducing prolonged fatigue”, involved 58 participants who were randomly assigned to either the pomegranate group or the placebo group. The effects of pomegranate on fatigue were assessed using validated questionnaires at different time intervals, along with the analysis of biochemical markers. The results showed a significant decrease in fatigue severity scores (measured by the Fatigue Severity Scale questionnaire) at two and three months in the pomegranate group compared to the placebo group. However, the pomegranate and vitamin supplement did not have a considerable impact on the participants' quality of life, as measured by the 12-Item Short Form Survey questionnaire.
Biochemical markers associated with fatigue and stress management did not show significant changes between the beginning and end of the trial for both the supplement and placebo groups. It was also observed that age had an independent effect on fatigue severity, with higher scores associated with older age.
Previous research on pomegranate extract and water-soluble vitamins supports the findings of this study. Pomegranate extract has been shown to have anti-fatigue effects in previous studies and to improve exercise performance in humans. Adequate intake of water-soluble vitamins is important for energy production, oxygen transport, and cognitive function.
Although the pomegranate supplement mix showed promising results in reducing prolonged fatigue, its exact mechanism of action is still unknown. Further research is needed to understand how the combination of pomegranate extract and vitamins exerts its effects. One potential avenue of investigation is the role of gut microbiota, as the pomegranate extract is rich in ellagitannins that can influence gut microbial composition and function, which may be related to prolonged fatigue.
Could probiotics support eye health?
Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine have identified a probiotic bacterial strain that exhibited potential in supporting eye health by improving dry eye symptoms. The research findings were recently presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, as reported by Medical News Today in the article “Could probiotics for dry eyes help treat symptoms?”.
Dry eye occurs when tears, known as the tear film, produced by healthy eyes fail to provide lubrication, remove foreign particles, and protect against infection. Several factors contribute to this, including dysfunction in the tear film, rapid tear evaporation, being over the age of 50, certain medications, environmental factors like smoke and dry climate, eyelid disfiguration, extended use of contact lenses, and certain diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or thyroid disorders. Common symptoms of dry eye include a burning or stinging sensation, feeling like something is in the eye, mucus in or around the eyes, light sensitivity, red or irritated eyes, difficulty wearing contact lenses, blurred vision, and excessive tearing. If left untreated, dry eye can lead to eye infections and corneal damage, potentially resulting in vision loss.
Research has suggested that dietary changes can help combat dry eye and support eye health. Studies have shown that omega-3 and short-term vitamin A consumption can significantly improve eye health, dry eye symptoms, and tear quality. Dr. Laura Schaefer, the lead author of the recent study, emphasised the importance of seeking new options for eye health and dry eye due to the limited options available. Dr. Schaefer and her team investigated the potential of a probiotic bacterial strain in the gut to support the eye against dry eye based on their previous work, which indicated a functional link between gut health and dry eye symptoms. Results of the study showed that subjects given the probiotic strain had healthier corneal surfaces and increased goblet cells in their eye tissue, which produce an essential component of tears called mucin.
Dr. Benjamin Bert, an ophthalmologist not involved in the study, praised the research as a fascinating exploration of the multiple components involved in understanding dry eye. While previous studies have shown the benefits of nutrition, as with omega-3, investigating the gut microbiome and probiotics as a potential support is promising.
How vitamin D may support women’s health
A recent study reported by NutraIngredients in the article “Review: vitamin D may alleviate menstrual cramping” suggests that vitamin D may support women’s health through alleviating mentrual cramping. The research aimed to assess the effects of vitamin D in relieving symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea, which is the medical term for severe and frequent menstrual cramping.
The researchers conducted a comprehensive systematic search of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to investigate the topic. They focused on oral forms of vitamin D supplementation and compared them to a placebo or standard care. The severity of dysmenorrhea pain was measured using a visual analogue scale or numerical rating scale. The outcomes were analysed through a meta-analysis using the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The RCTs were evaluated for quality using the Cochrane risk-of-bias v2 (RoB 2) tool.
The meta-analysis included 8 RCTs with a total of 695 participants. The quantitative analysis revealed a significantly lower degree of pain in those with dysmenorrhea who received vitamin D compared to those who received a placebo (SMD: −1.404, 95% CI: −2.078 to −0.731). Subgroup analysis showed that pain relief occurred when the average weekly dose of vitamin D exceeded 50,000 IU. The duration of vitamin D administration (more or less than 70 days) and the dose interval did not appear to impact the results.
Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that vitamin D deficiency could be a contributing factor to pain caused by primary dysmenorrhea. A notable finding was a significant negative correlation between serum 25(OH)D levels and pain intensity.
The researchers expressed future prospects for exploring the relationship between primary menstrual pain and the consumption of other nutrients such as the arginine amino acid, cysteine, glycine, and glutamine amino acids. They also highlighted the importance of investigating micronutrients and trace elements like vitamin E, vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, and selenium, which are essential for glutathione function and have antioxidant properties.
In summary, the study demonstrated that vitamin D is a promising nutrient for women’s health and could hold the key to reducing pain in primary dysmenorrhea. Further research is needed to explore the role of other nutrients and genetic factors in tailoring nutrition strategies for this area of women’s health.
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Alison is Director and Founder of Metabolics who writes about Metabolics updates, events and natural healthcare. Her experience and passion for natural supplements and healthcare comes from her years of experience as a practising osteopath, having founded Metabolics in her search for high quality, natural products in her own work. Alison has been a qualified and practising Osteopath since 1981 and regularly gives seminars on a range of healthcare subjects to the wider practitioner community helping share her knowledge and experience.