Vitamin D Vitamin D is an essential, fat-soluble vitamin that acts as a steroid hormone and plays a central role in many components of our skeletal and extraskeletal health. Vitamin D is naturally present in some fish, mushrooms, and eggs; in select fortified foods such as milk products; and also in the form of dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals. It is also synthesized in the skin from 7-dehydrocholesterol when exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from sunlight.1     Download the…

Recent discoveries have identified a class of lipid mediators, identified in circulation and tissues throughout the body,1,2 known as specialized pro-resolving mediators, which function as ”resolution agonists” and actively coordinate the resolution of inflammation1-3 However, some individuals exhibit insufficient levels of endogenous specialized pro-resolving mediators—thought to be related to lifestyle behaviors, dietary choices, age, or negative health conditions—in response to an inflammatory challenge.1-3 As a result, the resolution activities can be negatively impacted, leading to an unresolved chronic inflammatory response.…

Introduction Increasing evidence is now pointing to a crucial factor that links the intestinal microbiome with regulation of body weight and body fat mass. Dysbiosis—an imbalance within the microbiome—is now recognized to have wide clinical impacts, with links established to a diverse set of adverse health conditions including obesity. Genomic content and diversity in the microbiome has been shown to be different in obese individuals as compared with lean individuals.     Download the PDF   A growing body of…

ERr 731 is a nonhormonal therapy to alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes. With more than 30 years of safe, effective use in Europe (backed by decades of postmarketing surveillance data), ERr 731 has been clinically demonstrated, through extensive research, including randomized controlled trials, to safely and effectively reduce menopausal symptoms.     Download the PDF  

Magnesium L-threonate is the magnesium salt of a naturally occurring vitamin C metabolite L-threonic acid. Magnesium, a divalent cation, is important for neuronal activity as it is a co-factor for enzymes present in the neurons or glial cells.1,2     Download the PDF   Magnesium and Cognitive Health Two observational studies found that individuals with a diet rich in magnesium have a lower risk of cognitive decline: 86% reduced risk in an Australian cohort of 1,400 elderly people between 60-72…

Inflammatory Immune Responses Inflammation is an essential biological response that may be triggered by a variety of stimuli, including tissue injury, pathogens, toxins, and oxidative stress. Inflammation underlies many normal physiologic processes, yet it also underlies many pathologic states—especially when inflammatory responses become excessive or chronic. Inflammation initiation pathways involve several enzymes, transcription factors, and signaling molecules (i.e., chemokines and cytokines) that can be modulated by a variety of agents, including select botanical ingredients.     Download the PDF  …

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are among the most abundant components in breast milk,1 and a growing body of research has shown they have diverse functions and are known to confer numerous health benefits and advantages to nursing infants. Emerging research has also shown that HMOs can promote health in adults, including those with gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction. Out of approximately 200 distinct HMO structures identified to date, 2’Fucosyllactose (2’-FL) is the most abundantly produced HMO, with an average of 2.4 grams produced…