Aged garlic extract supplementation modifies inflammation and immunity of adults with obesity: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: Obesity is a serious global health issue and often results in low-grade systemic inflammation, increasing the risk for several chronic diseases. If obesity-induced inflammation could be reduced, fewer complications and co-morbidities might occur.

Objective: To investigate whether daily supplementation with aged garlic extract (AGE) could reduce chronic inflammation and improve immune function in adults with obesity.

Consuming Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) Mushrooms Daily Improves Human Immunity: A Randomized Dietary Intervention in Healthy Young Adults.

Background: Mushrooms are widely cited for their medicinal qualities, yet very few human intervention studies have been done using contemporary guidelines.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether consumption of whole, dried Lentinula edodes (shiitake) mushrooms could improve human immune function. Primary objectives were to ascertain whether L.

Consumption of cranberry polyphenols enhances human γδ-T cell proliferation and reduces the number of symptoms associated with colds and influenza: a randomized, placebo-controlled intervention study.

Background: Our main objective was to evaluate the ability of cranberry phytochemicals to modify immunity, specifically γδ-T cell proliferation, after daily consumption of a cranberry beverage, and its effect on health outcomes related to cold and influenza symptoms.

Methods: The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel intervention. Subjects drank a low calorie cranberry beverage (450 ml) made with a juice-derived, powdered cranberry fraction (n = 22) or a placebo beverage (n = 23), daily, for 10 wk.

Preparation, characterization, and induction of cell apoptosis of cocoa procyanidins-gelatin-chitosan nanoparticles.

Cocoa procyanidins (CPs)-gelatin-chitosan nanoparticles were fabricated based on the procyanidin-protein and electrostatic interactions, with an objective to enhance the stability and bioactivity of CPs. The CPs were purified using chromatographic methods and analyzed using HPLC equipped with a fluorescence detector (FLD) and mass spectrometer (MS). The purified CPs had a purity of 53.

Supplementation with aged garlic extract improves both NK and γδ-T cell function and reduces the severity of cold and flu symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled nutrition intervention.

Background & Aims: Earlier studies show that dietary bioactive compounds can modify proliferation of γδ-T cells. Garlic contains numerous compounds that have this potential and, in addition, has been shown to influence NK cell function. Our primary aim was to demonstrate that aged garlic extract could modify these immune cells.

Regular consumption of concord grape juice benefits human immunity.

γδ T cells are important immune surveillance cells residing in epithelial layers lining the intestine, lung, and reproductive tract. The main objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that consumption of dietary compounds from grapes would modify γδ T-cell function. Other factors related to immune function after grape juice consumption were also tested.

Standardized capsule of Camellia sinensis lowers cardiovascular risk factors in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Objective: Previous studies examining the effect of tea drinking on cardiovascular health have produced mixed results due to their observational nature and qualitatively and quantitatively imprecise definitions of active tea components. The objective of this study was to determine if a standardized and defined decaffeinated green tea (Camellia sinensis) product lowers blood pressure, serum lipids, oxidative stress, and markers of chronic inflammation.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study on 111 healthy adult volunteers 21-70 y old was performed.

Specific formulation of Camellia sinensis prevents cold and flu symptoms and enhances gamma,delta T cell function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Objective: Determine if a specific formulation of Camellia sinensis (CSF) can prevent illness and symptoms due to cold and flu, and enhance gammadelta T cell function

Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Subjects: Healthy adults 18-70 years old.

Intervention: Proprietary formulation of Camellia sinensis (green tea) capsules, or a placebo, twice a day, for 3 months.

Immunity and antioxidant capacity in humans is enhanced by consumption of a dried, encapsulated fruit and vegetable juice concentrate.

The daily consumption of fruits and vegetables is a common dietary recommendation to support good health. We hypothesized that a commercially available encapsulated fruit and vegetable juice powder concentrate (FVJC) could support functional indices of health due to increased intake of various phytonutrients. This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled investigation of 59 healthy law students who consumed either FVJC or placebo capsules for 77 d.

Inhibition of neoplastic transformation of benzo[alpha]pyrene-treated BALB/c 3T3 murine cells by a phytochemical extract of passionfruit juice.

The phytochemical composition of passionfruit juice (PFJ) was hypothesized to have valuable anti-cancer activity, and this was tested in a BALB/c 3T3 neoplastic transformation model. A higher concentration of PFJ compared with a lower concentration was effective in reducing the number, size, and invasiveness of transformed foci. When incubated with another mammalian cell line, the MOLT-4, PFJ was unable to alter the cell cycle kinetics while at the same time was successful in inducing the activity of caspase-3, an enzyme that commits the cell to apoptosis.