afsupplements yamamoto allnutrition sfd iafstore atlhetica alldeynn blog collagren injury prevention and increased performance

Collagen, injury prevention and increased performance

author: Dr. Massimiliano Febbi PhD

Collagen is the second most abundant substance in the human body (immediately after the water), and represents about 30% of the total protein. Provides structural support for virtually all organs and soft tissues (including joints). Unfortunately, as we age, our body tends to produce less and less collagen. In fact, upon reaching 60 years of age, the ability to produce collagen is reduced by 50%, thus causing aging of the joints, loss of skin elasticity and loss of lean mass. From here it is clear that the preservation of a good mass of collagen in the joints and skin is an integral part of healthy aging.

collagen injury prevention

Joints and muscles are tied together by connective tissue. In addition to providing structural integrity, connective tissue helps transmit strength, protect muscles and bones from injury, transport nutrients, and repair damaged cells. Each structure plays a different role in the muscle strength production process, which depends not only on the anatomical structure but also on the content and arrangement of the collagen Fibre.

In fact, there are different types of joint connective tissue:

  • Tendons: Tendons connect muscles to bones. They are more elastic than ligaments but stiffer than muscles. They are responsible for much of the transfer of force through the body during movement.
  • Ligaments: Ligaments connect bones to other bones. Their main purpose is to stabilize.
  • Cartilage: Cartilage acts as a cushioning structure within the joints and between the bones. Unlike tendons and ligaments, cartilage lacks blood vessels and nerves, making it a problematic type of connective tissue for the body to repair.
  • Fascia: fascia is the thin sheath of connective tissue that surrounds muscles. It plays a vital role in the transfer of force between the parts of the kinetic chain. The fascia is dense with nerve endings, making it almost as sensitive as the skin. This is part of the reason why manual therapy methods (such as foam rolling and massage) are effective for pain and tension relief. Over 80% of the muscle force produced is transferred to the surrounding connective tissue.

Intramuscular connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and the fascia sheath that surrounds muscles are all composed primarily of collagen. In particular, from type I collagen.

In fact, there are different types of collagen (28 have been described in the literature), with specific functions and characteristics. Among the best known is type I collagen (which represents 90% of total collagen and constitutes, precisely, the main connective tissues), type II collagen (fundamental to cartilage tissue), type III (present in the dermis and blood vessels) and type IV (with support functions and component of the basement membrane).

collagen

During the recovery process from training, environmental variables such as movement habits, nutrition quality and inflammation levels can help or hinder this repair process. The two main influencing factors are the total available for cross-linking and the quality of collagen fibril formation. In terms of controllable factors, exercise has the most significant positive impact on this synthesis within the joints. Despite this, several lifestyle variables matter.

What to avoid (or better still use with caution) and what to pay attention to:

1) NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, reduce the mass of collagen at the injury sites. A metastude published in the Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine showed that although NSAIDs are able to effectively relieve joint pain and reduce inflammation in the short term (7 to 14 days), they also delay healing times, they also increase re-injury rates of up to 25% and also reduce the mass of collagen in the injured sites. Corticosteroids also help relieve pain and inflammation in the short term, but have inhibitory effects on collagen synthesis within connective tissue.

2) A sedentary lifestyle leads to a decrease in total in the body, while exercise focused on using overloads increases the rate of collagen formation. During periods of injury recovery, a reduction in activity leads to a reduction in collagen, further increasing the risk of injury.

3) Age. this substance production decreases with age. By the age of 60, the ability to produce collagen decreased by approximately 50%.

4) An imbalance of testosterone and estrogen can inhibit this synthesis. Too much estrogen also has a detrimental effect on collagen health by decreasing its stiffness, making it easier for connective tissue to break.

Supplements to improve collagen

Before moving on to a list of supplements that have been scientifically proven to support the production of endogenous collagen, we remind you that it is possible to directly take supplements based on hydrolyzed form. Collagen is one of the most important structural Protein present in our organism, where it represents about 1/3 of the total Protein; as explained above, it is also the main constituent of connective tissue (80%), the tissue that makes up skin, muscles, hair, nails and cartilage. Of the total, 40% of collagen is contained in the skin, where it guarantees elasticity and firmness. By taking hydrolyzed one, a highly bioavailable form (that is, easily usable by our body) we will effectively supply precious bricks to restructure and recompact our skin, our joints and our tissues in general, giving greater vigor, resistance, elasticity and turgor.

collagen

Below is a list of supplements that showed to improve and support this substance production, quantity and quality.

Whey Protein: A study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports showed that subjects who used whey protein isolate in combination with resistance training saw a greater increase in tendon mass. A consumption of at least 20-40 grams per day recommended, ideally within an hour of exercising.

Essential Amino Acids (EAAs): While protein supplementation has more research support than using amino acid supplements, EAAs can still provide the same or better results than whey protein. Studies have shown that EAA supplementation stimulates muscle protein synthesis (MPS) more than the ever popular branched chain amino acid (BCAA) supplement, and both MPS and whey protein do. Unlike the latter, EAAs have the added benefit of creating lower insulin spikes and easier digestion.

Vitamin C + Collagen Protein: An eight-person placebo-controlled study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that taking vitamin C along with collagen protein can double the markers of substance synthesis in the joints of the ankle. Collagen protein and vitamin C supplements taken individually also have regenerative benefits. A study published in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicineshowed that 5 grams of collagen peptides significantly improved the perceived function of injured ankle joints and decreased the risk of new ankle injury after a three-month follow-up. A metastudio that has collected over 60 scientific studies also concluded that supplementation with collagen is effective, and stimulates the regeneration of connective tissue by increasing not only the synthesis of collagen but also that of minor components (glycosaminoglycans and hyaluronic acid).

Type II collagen: A study published in HealthMED showed that supplementing with 750mg of a natural collagen matrix composed of 93% type II collagen stimulates this substance synthesis within cartilage tissues. Isolated type II collagen supplements with dosages starting at 10-40 mg per day have also shown benefits for joint pain and inflammation.

Dr. Massimiliano Febbi PhD

afsupplements yamamoto allnutrition sfd iafstore atlhetica alldeynn blog Energy bars in endurance sports

Energy bars in endurance sports

Endurance sports represent a great challenge both for the athlete and for our body, they are in fact activities that require long efforts, with prolonged muscle fatigue, and it is therefore very important to know how to dose strength, to know how to evaluate one’s energy reserves and to know also how to reintegrate them, to avoid running out of energy, sugar cramps, cramps and ultimately problems that can hinder the continuation of the activity.

An endurance sport is any sport in which it is necessary to maintain an intense level of activity while enduring a level of physical stress. Numerous physiological factors influence success in endurance sports, including energy system efficiency, aerobic capacity, lactate threshold, muscle strength, Energy and muscle endurance.

The fundamental characteristic of endurance sports, as far as the effort of our organism is concerned, lies in the long aerobic activity to which we subject our body, with peaks in the anaerobic metabolic phase that can repeat themselves and therefore burden physiological fatigue.

We have dealt with the biological meaning of ‘aerobic phase’ and ‘anaerobic phase’ in our article on heart rate.

During moderate-intensity exercise (eg, about 65-70% V̇o 2 max), carbohydrates are oxidized at a rate of 1 gram of carbohydrate per minute or 60 grams of carbohydrate per hour (36.38). When you consider that endogenous carbohydrate stores can be severely depleted after 60-90 minutes of prolonged exercise, replacing lost carbohydrates is a primary concern for the endurance athlete. Studies have shown that carbohydrate ingestion during exercise alters hepatic glucose production (8,16), but its impact on muscle glycogen utilization is ambiguous. However,

Per training needs, resistance can be divided into four groups based on the dominant metabolism that supplies energy to the muscles:

  • Speed ​​resistance – duration 20-30 seconds, the anaerobic metabolism is the basic energy system that ensures motor activity at the beginning of the movement (phosphagen system).
  • Short Duration Endurance: Between 30 seconds and 2 (3) minutes, high-intensity motor activity is primarily supplied with energy by the anaerobic lactate system (rapid glycolysis).
  • Endurance Over Average Time: Between 2 (3) minutes and 8-10 minutes, from this time on, the aerobic system is dominant but the lactate portion of the anaerobic metabolism may still be large (fast and slow glycolysis).
  • Long service life: from approx. 10 minutes up to several hours. Motor activity is ensured by an aerobic energy system greater than 90% (oxidative system).

Energy bars are an excellent solution to reintegrate in our body the substances that allow us to prolong aerobic sports activities and give the right amount of energy even for frequent anaerobic efforts .

Key features of energy bars and gels

In summary, we can say that they offer the following benefits:

  • integrate sugars that give a rapid but continuous glycemic restoration, with carbohydrates with different glycemic index (simple sugars and complex sugars);
  • provide, for each individual bar, an adequate but not excessive calorie content, so as not to burden digestion;
  • ensure good digestibility. In fact, occupying the body in the digestion process weighs down and takes away energy from the rest, which is why the energy bars are optimized not to weigh down digestion;
  • do not require or stimulate excessive use of water, as dehydration is another problem related to endurance sports. The bars must not be excessively salty (and any reintegration of salts is optimized with other solutions such as water-soluble supplements);
  • allow easy consumption during sports activities, even during a competition;

Among the various ingredients of energy bars available on the market today, we find above all the following substances:

  • glucose and sucrose (common sugar);
  • fructose: a simple sugar, easily digestible and assimilable, very caloric, very sweet;
  • maltodextrin: it is a complex carbohydrate, digestible more slowly and for this reason it is absorbed for a long time;
  • Vitargo®: is a polysaccharide (complex carbohydrate) and is a patented and registered formula; it is highly effective in restoring glycogen reserves;
  • creatine: it is a supplement with various characteristics;
  • caffeine: it is a substance with a stimulating effect, it acts on the nervous system and can lead to an increase in the blood supply to the muscles.

Other substances that often complement the action of the food supplement in the form of a bar are:

  • glutamine;
  • amino acids and branched chain amino acids;
  • various vitamins;
  • vitamin C, which helps protect cells from oxidative stress;
  • vitamin B6, which contributes to the physiological energy metabolism.

DIRECTIONS gels and energy bars

The energy bars provide the sugar reserves that our body consumes in endurance sports .

The quantity of bars to consume and when to use them (before, during, how often, etc.) are variables that can differ from person to person, depend on one’s physiological metabolism and also on different tastes and uses

Generally, the best way to take advantage of this supplement is to consume an energy bar (or half a bar) about half an hour before the start of the sporting activity, in order to store a good reserve of sugars and be guaranteed not to have disorders due to digestion (even if the bars today are still optimized to not weigh down the digestion).

Per very long and tiring activities, the bars should also be consumed during the activity. The most common methods suggest the use of energy bars during activities that last at least two hours, in which case it may be useful to consume one bar (or half a bar or lower parts) every 90 minutes; for some bars shorter times are also indicated, up to a minimum of 45 minutes (the weight of the single bar and the caloric intake vary).

Once the activity is over, it is then useful to take substances that facilitate recovery, but for this phase we refer to a future blog article.

How to choose energy bars or gels

The vast market of food supplements now allows us to have a wide choice of types of energy bars as well. Which is the best energy bar is impossible to establish; each single type can in fact offer various characteristics with differences in weight, caloric intake, additional substances. Last but not least, it is also important to evaluate the taste (which is undoubtedly an important factor but still very personal). As main guidelines we suggest the following aspects:

  • The best bars to replenish energy and therefore sugars for endurance activities are energy bars;
  • protein bars are instead optimized for other benefits, as are meal replacement bars or bars for particular food diets

Per the purpose we are dealing with in this article, that is energy reintegration during endurance sports, we recommend the exclusive choice of energy bars. A valid alternative are energy gels, which offer carbohydrate supplementation in liquid / gelatinous form.

Recommendations

Food supplements are never intended as a substitute for a healthy and varied diet; we remember the importance of following a healthy lifestyle and a balanced natural diet. Per a correct sporting activity (especially at a competitive level) and to better evaluate the specific personal physiological characteristics and diet or the simple use of supplements, it is always better to contact specialized centers and qualified trainers.

To choose quality products, it is recommended to carefully read the ingredients and Nutrition information ​​present in the product sheet, paying attention to any food intolerances.

Dr. Massimiliano Febbi PhD

afsupplements yamamoto allnutrition sfd iafstore atlhetica alldeynn blog Dehydration and mineral salts: role and functions

Hydration and mineral salts: role and functions

Role of hydration

Hydration has always played an important role in sports performance, injury prevention and recovery after training sessions or competitions, both for athletes involved in sports or competitive competitions and at an amateur level. Therefore, it is extremely important that both coaches and athletes clearly understand the mechanisms and physiology of this mechanism, in order to improve the sportsman’s hydration needs for preventive but also performance purposes.

Let’s start from the basics: in a sedentary subject the daily water change is about 2.5 liters (between inputs and outputs), but the liquids that actually circulate in the entire digestive system amount to approximately 9 liters. When it comes to athletes these quantities vary considerably and the demands for liquids are increased, obviously due to an increase in outputs, especially in the form of sweat. These losses must be adequately compensated by an increase in revenues, in order not to risk running into problems and repercussions (which we will discuss later).

The quantity of water to be reintegrated then varies according to the individual characteristics, the intensity and quantity of muscular work and, above all, in relation to the climatic conditions. It is therefore not possible to establish a priori the needs of the individual subject, which are strictly personal.

Physiology and mechanisms of the state of hydration

However, it is important to always keep in mind some physiological aspects, which allow us to better understand how the individual’s state of hydration works: body water represents about 60% of the total body weight in an adult man (therefore more than half the number we see on the scales when we weigh ourselves). The amount of intracellular water (also technically called ICW – Intra Cellular Water ) amounts to 2/3 of the total body water (66%), while the content of extracellular water (which is instead indicated as ECW – Extra Cellular Water ) amounts to 1/3 of the total body water (or Total Body Water – TBW ) and represents 35%.

Broadly speaking, the water requirement of a person who performs physical activity is about 1 ml for each calorie of energy expenditure . If physical activity exceeds 2 hours, dehydration can reach up to 5% of body weight: a value that is definitely too high to be underestimated, and which can also lead to serious complications if not promptly reintegrated. This lack of liquids must therefore be adequately and promptly rebalanced; otherwise it creates the conditions for a rapid deterioration in the athlete’s performance.

Compliance with the choice of hypo- or iso-tonic solutions and the use of any targeted integration is necessary to avoid that a significant amount of pure water also leads to the dilution of extracellular liquids. This could in fact determine, thanks to the action of the pituitary gland, the incretion (ie the production and secretion) of adiurethin, a hormone also known as “vasopressin”, with consequent elimination of excess fluids, but which also entails unpleasant consequences for a athlete.

In general, the lack of liquids and consequently of salts, especially in humid heat conditions, is signaled by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness and general fatigue, as well as by a significant impairment of performance . If you insist, continuing in the activity despite the appearance of symptoms, muscle cramps and difficulty concentrating may occur. To correctly calculate the quantity of substances to be reintegrated, it is necessary to remember some concepts, related to the definition of osmolarity, which we report below.

The term Osmolarity means a physical quantity that measures the concentration of the solutions, and its value expresses the concentration of the solution under examination. Under normal conditions, the osmolarity is identical for all the fluids present in the various compartments of the organism (which can be divided into intra and extra cellular) The volume of extracellular fluid is generally estimated at 0.255 l / kg of body weight , and the factor main regulating the distribution of body water between the extracellular (EC) and intracellular (IC) districts is the osmotic pressureliquids themselves. Osmotic pressure is defined as that pressure that exactly balances the movement of the solvent generated by the difference in solute concentration between 2 concentrations. In the extracellular water compartment sodium is more important, while in the intracellular one potassium prevails .

The importance of a correct interpretation of osmolarity becomes fundamental in the preparation of a solution that must reintegrate energies and mineral salts in the athlete . First of all, you need to identify the goal, that is, if you are aiming for a quick replenishment of the water or if you want a quick energy supply, which can be used quickly by the body.

Integration of mineral salts

On an integrative level, two well-known minerals certainly play a fundamental role: magnesium potassium . Magnesium helps to support the physiological muscle function, contributes to the reduction of the feeling of tiredness and fatigue, supports the energy metabolism and contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system. Potassium helps to support physiological muscle function, promotes the maintenance of normal blood pressure and also contributes to the functioning of the nervous system. In some situations, sodium supplementation may also be necessary, when with the Energy alone (generally sufficient) it was not possible to cover the increased needs or as a result of extreme sweating not followed by adequate recovery. Sodium, in fact, participates in the transmission of the nerve impulse, regulates the permeability of the membranes and contributes to the maintenance of water balance.

As regards the concentration levels of the solutions, these can be divided into Isotonic and Hypertonic , based on the time of assimilation by the intestine. An isotonic solution (with osmotic pressure equal to that of plasma) also guarantees a fast transit in the stomach, just slower than that of pure water.

A hypertonic solution, on the other hand, that is, with an osmotic pressure higher than that of the plasma, remains longer in the stomach and, once it reaches the intestinal lumen due to the high osmolarity, draws a considerable amount of liquids from the mucosa (theft of water) . This subtraction of water damages the entire organism, worsening a possible state of dehydration, causing diarrhea and, in any case, limiting athletic performance.

At the beginning of physical exercise, water is transferred from the blood plasma (ECW) to the interstitial and intracellular spaces: the metabolites begin to accumulate in and around the muscle Fibre; the osmotic pressure at these sites is increasing and attracts water. By increasing muscle activity, a rise in blood pressure is obtained, with a “extravasation” of water from the vascular compartment, often associated with an increase in sweating: essentially, from all these effects due to the increase in physical activity, muscles acquire water at the expense of plasma volume.

On the other hand, the reduction in plasma volume results in:

  • Reduction in blood pressure;
  • Reduced blood flow to the epidermis;
  • Reduced blood flow to the muscles.

Risks of dehydration

Even a modest dehydration (equal to 1% of body weight), caused by sweating during exercise, can increase cardiovascular work by increasing the HR (heart rate) and thus reducing the body’s ability to thermoregulate.

Excessive sweating and / or urinary urination could also be a consequence of the large loss of electrolytes, which could lead to the development of serious repercussions, such as cardiac dysarrhythmias. All this even though Costill, a famous scholar of sports physiology, observed that the uniform loss of electrolytes, although considerable, mainly derived from the ECW compartment, and therefore the loss of ions through sweating and urination would result in small effects on the ion content. K + in the muscle cell.

Not to be overlooked is the influence of dehydration on our immune defenses. This effect, also known as the “open window effect”, derives from the fact that after exercise the immune system is committed to healing the micro-lesions of the muscles and cells, formed as a result of training. This is why, along with hydration, during and after performance, an athlete must remember to also keep the intestines protected. In fact, his entire health is at stake: so that the intestine is less “permeable” to attack by pathogens, supplements such as zinc and Vitamin C perform an excellent antioxidant action to protect cells from oxidative stress induced by intense physical activity, and thus supporting the physiological defenses of


BIBLIOGRAPHY

McARDLE W. D, KATCH FI, KATCH VL “Physiology applied to SPORT”. Ambrosiana Publishing House, Milan, 1998.

OPPLIGER RA, CASE HS, HORSWILL CA et al. “Weight Loss in Wrestlers”, American College of Sports Medicine official position. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. Vol. 28, No.2. 1996

ROEMMICH JN, SINNING WE “Weight loss and wrestling training: effects or nutrition, maturation, body composition and strength”. Journal of Applied Physiology 82: 1751-1759, 1997.

TIMPMANN S., OOPIK V. “The influence of weight reduction on performance in combat sport”. Athlon 10/2005, 1-2/2006.

WILMORE J. H. “Weight Category Sports“; Parte 4, Cap. 49, in MAUGHAN R.J. “Nutrition in Sport“ , Volume VII of the Encyclopaedia of Sports Medicine, in collaboration with the International Federation of Sports Medicine. Blackwell Science, 2002.

Damir Zubac, Armin Paravlic, Reid Reale, Igor Jelaska, Shawnda A Morrison, Vladimir IvancevEur J Nutr. 2019 Mar;58(2):497-514. Fluid balance and hydration status in combat sport Olympic athletes: a systematic review with meta-analysis of controlled and uncontrolled studies.

Shirreffs SM et al. 2005, The sweating response of elite professional soccer players to training in the heat. Int. J. Sport. Med. 26 (2): 90-5.

Maughan, R. 2006. Guidelines for replacing fluid and CHO during exercice. In: Clinical sport nutrition-McGraw Hill.

R. J. Maughan, S. M. Shirreffs; Scand J Med Sci Sports 2010: 20 (Suppl. 2): 59–69. Development of hydration strategies to optimize performance for athletes in high-intensity sports and in sports with repeated intense efforts.

N.A. Masento, M. Golightly , D.T. Field, L.T. Butler and C.M. van Reekum; British journal of nutrition, January 2014, Effects of hydration status on cognitive performance and mood.

Dr. Massimiliano Febbi PhD

afsupplements yamamoto allnutrition sfd iafstore atlhetica alldeynn blog Anxiety and mood disorders: nutraceutical in our help

Anxiety and mood disorders: nutraceutical in our help

Anxiety and mood disorders: nutraceuticals to our aid

More and more daily life, particularly in this historical period, subjects us to situations that push our body and also our mind to increasingly harsh and exhausting tests. This unfortunately can lead in some cases to try malaise that in the long run, if not treated and underestimated, can lead to real pathologies such as anxiety , stress and depression.

Depression in particular is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders, and is estimated to affect over 300 million people worldwide, representing approximately 4.4% of the world’s population. Among the causes, it has been ascertained that some environmental factors may also be involved in the onset and development of depressive symptoms. Among these factors, those related to chronic stressful events that occur in life, especially during adulthood, can activate or amplify the expression of depressive symptoms. While some people even exposed to stressful events show no signs or symptoms of depression, others when exposed to psychological stress are vulnerable to developing depressive symptoms. Clinical management of these conditions is often based on the use of certain antidepressant drugs, along with psychotherapy and other alternatives in more severe and complex cases.

Despite targeted treatment, a large percentage of depressed patients do not respond to the use of conventional therapies. This has led the medical scientific community to research, study and become interested in new approaches to help and improve the clinical management of patients who need a multidisciplinary approach. Studies on nutrition and supplementation as a support to treatment are gradually becoming more numerous, with research results progressively even more valid to refute their actual use.

Nutraceuticals , as we know, are natural compounds contained in foods or food derivatives with proven benefits both in promoting health and in preventing and treating diseases. In fact, the term “Nutraceutical” arises from the merger of the terms “nutrition” and “pharmaceutical”, thus indicating the discipline that encompasses all the components or active ingredients of foods with positive effects on health, prevention and treatment of diseases. Let’s now see together which are the plant phytoextracts able to provide mental well -being, relaxation and improve the levels of uptake of the hormone serotonin, responsible for mood and able to counteract anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Nutraceuticals with positive effects on the treatment of anxiety and on the improvement of mood

Below is a list of nutraceutical products with scientific evidence supporting the positive effects for psycho-emotional disorders, also focusing on their mechanisms of action.

Saffron

Spice known for its use in cooking, but also known in traditional medicine since ancient times for its positive effects on mood, it is among the most studied non-pharmacological solutions to improve mood symptoms and resilience to stress. Indeed, natural products such as saffron have been identified as promising following numerous studies that have demonstrated preliminary beneficial effects in the treatment of major depressive disorder, and represent a complementary or alternative strategy to classic treatment.

Saffron stigmas are naturally rich in four major bioactive compounds: crocincrocetin (the product obtained from the hydrolysis of crocin), picrocrocin and safranal, and are traditionally used in Asian (particularly Persian) medicine to treat a variety of physical ailments, including menstrual disorders, inflammation and depressive symptoms. Their mechanism of action is able to influence the levels of serotonin in our body: saffron inhibits its reuptake, blocking the SERT transporter. In this way, more serotonin is released in the brain, and this participates in the induction of a state of well-beingand good humor.

The Rosemary

Rosemary, whose scientific name is Rosmarinus officinalis, is an evergreen bushy shrub that grows along the Mediterranean Sea and in the sub-Himalayan areas. In folk medicine, it has been used as a mild analgesic and antispasmodic, to treat intercostal neuralgia, headaches, migraines, insomnia, emotional disturbances and depression. Several investigations have highlighted the neuropharmacological properties of rosemary, which also has important antimicrobial, anti- inflammatoryantioxidantantiapoptoticantitumorantinociceptive and neuroprotective properties. Furthermore, it is shown to have clinical effects on mood, learning, memory, pain, anxiety and sleep. Some of the molecules present in rosemary are phenolic acids, flavonoids, diterpenes and triterpenes, antioxidants well present in the extracts of this plant, useful for this in the body’s fight against free radicals.

Lemon balm

Known as Melissa officinalis, Lemon Balm is a perennial aromatic herb grown with an intense lemon aroma. Documents relating to its use as a medicine date back over 2,000 years, but more recently the focus of research has turned to the bioactive properties of this plant, including its effects on the central nervous system. As for the neuro-cognitive action, some research has shown that lemon balm extract can improve mood and attention. A study also found that chemicals called terpenes in lemon balm can help calm people with severe dementia by reactivating brain circuitry.

Magnesium

Magnesium (chemical abbreviation Mg) is an essential mineral used in the human body as a cofactor in over 300 biochemical reactions, necessary for the body to maintain homeostasis. The biological functions of Mg are wide and varied, and include the production of nucleic acids, involvement in all reactions fueled by adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and the modulation of any activity mediated by fluxes of intracellular calcium concentrations (eg., release of insulin, muscle contraction).

Support for supporting the relationship between Mg and affective states comes from the evidence of the efficacy of Mg supplementation in the treatment of depression. In fact, in humans, the intake for 12 weeks of 450 mg of elemental Mg has been shown to be effective in reducing the symptoms of depression as a tricyclic antidepressant ( Imipramine 50 mg) in elderly depressed patients with low levels of magnesium in the blood and with additional diseases, such as type II diabetes, while in other studies, supplementation with Mg has been shown to be effective in alleviating the affective symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome. This precious mineral stimulates the production of serotoninand nerve function, favoring the transmission of impulses. It is also indicated during PMS, where magnesium levels fall physiologically.

Yamamoto’s innovation and choice

From the constant research of the R&D team of Yamamoto Research, always careful to provide cutting-edge and high quality formulations, the Ansitex product is born: based on Melissa Bluenesse ® extract, Moodreal ® Saffron extract and magnesium, developed to improve tone mood and reduce anxious states. Every single component is chosen to guarantee the effectiveness of the product, and these plant extracts act in synergy to improve the levels of uptake of the hormone serotonin, responsible for mood and able to fight anxiety and depressive states.

Bibliography

Lopresti AL, Drummond PD. Saffron (Crocus sativus) for depression: a systematic review of clinical studies and examination ofunderlying antidepressant mechanisms of action. Human Psychopharmacol. (2014) 29:517–27. doi: 10.1002/hup.2434

Rios JL, Recio MC, Giner RM, Manez S. An update review of saffron and its active constituents. Phytother Res. (1996) 10:189–93. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199605)10:3<189::AID-PTR754>3.0.CO;2-C

Akhondzadeh S, Tahmacebi-Pour N, Noorbala AA, Amini H, Fallah-Pour H, Jamshidi AH, et al. Crocus sativus L. in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial. Phytother Res. (2005) 19:148–51. doi: 10.1002/ptr.1647

Charney DS. Psychobiological mechanisms of resilience and vulnerability: implications for successful adaptation to extreme stress. Am J Psychiatry. (2004) 161:195–216. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.161.2.195

Leonardo ED, Hen R. Anxiety as a developmental disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology. (2008) 33:134–40. doi: 10.1038/sj.npp.1301569

Swaminathan R. Magnesium metabolism and its disorders. Clin. Biochemistry. Rev. 2003; 242: 47–66.

Barragan-Rodriguez L., Rodriguez-Moran M., Guerrero-Romero F. Depressive symptoms and hypomagnesaemia in older diabetic subjects. Arch. Med. Res. 2007; 387: 752–756. doi: 10.1016 / j.arcmed.2007.03.008.

Cox IM, Campbell MJ, Dowson D. Magnesium in red blood cells and chronic fatigue syndrome. Hand. 1991; 3378744: 757–760. doi: 10.1016 / 0140-6736 (91) 91371-Z.

Scholey A, Gibbs A, Neale C, Perry N, Ossoukhova A, Bilog V, Kras M, Scholz C, Sass M, Buchwald-Werner S. Anti-stress effects of lemon balm-containing foods. Nutrients. 2014 Oct 30;6(11):4805-21. doi: 10.3390/nu6114805. PMID: 25360512; PMCID: PMC4245564.

Sharma N, Nachane H, Sasikumaran A, Andrade C. Saffron vs sertraline for depression in the elderly. Psychiatry Res. 2020 Mar;285:112733. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112733. Epub 2019 Dec 13. PMID: 31866089.

Serefko A, Szopa A, Poleszak E. Magnesium and depression. Res. Magnet 2016 Mar 1; 29 (3): 112-119. doi: 10.1684 / mrh.2016.0407. PMID: 27910808.

Dr. Massimiliano Febbi PhD