Jaime L. Tartar

Subjective cognitive difficulties are common in midlife and later life, and flavonoid-rich foods may support everyday cognitive function. Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) sprouts are rich in rutin and other flavonoids, but their cognitive effects have not been tested in humans. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, US adults with self-reported cognitive difficulties received 18 g per day of Himalayan Tartary buckwheat (HTB) sprout powder or matched placebo for 12 weeks. Of 848 randomized participants, 662 were analyzed. While the rate of change in the primary outcome, PROMIS Cognitive Function, did not differ between arms (contrast = 0.03, 95% CI −0.07 to 0.13; p = .59),PROMIS Cognitive Abilities improved nominally faster with HTB (contrast = 0.12, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.24; p = .046), but not after Bonferroni adjustment. Among participants with final-week data (n = 296), more HTB than placebo participants achieved a meaningful (≥0.5 SD) improvement in Cognitive Abilities (68.7% vs 52.5%; RR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.59; p = .003). Fatigue, sleep-related impairment and depressive symptoms did not differ between arms. In exploratory computerized testing (n = 512), HTB participants had faster reaction times on the Flanker and Stroop tasks, without loss of accuracy. Exploratory epigenetic analyses (n = 34) identified hypothesis-generating signals in epigenetic age and immune-cell composition, none surviving multiple-testing correction. Side-effect rates were similar between arms. HTB sprout powder did not improve the primary outcome, but findings for perceived cognitive abilities and processing speed warrant confirmation in adequately powered trials. Trial registration: NCT07245784 .

Background: Executive function is a critical component of cognitive health that supports goal-directed behavior, attentional control, and cognitive flexibility. These processes are sensitive to aging and lifestyle factors and may be modifiable through nutritional strategies. Hericium Erinaceus (lion’s mane; LM) is an edible mushroom containing bioactive compounds shown to stimulate neurotrophins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), suggesting potential cognitive benefits. Methods: This pilot, proof-of-concept study examined the effects of four weeks of daily LM supplementation on executive function and circulating plasma BDNF in healthy adults. Participants (n = 10) were healthy adults (18–55 years) and consumed 2 g/day of a certified organic LM supplement composed of mycelial biomass and fruiting body for 28 days. Executive function was assessed using the NIH Toolbox Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test and the dimensional change card sort (DCCS) test. Plasma BDNF concentrations were measured using a quantitative ELISA. Paired-samples t-tests were used to assess changes from pre to post, and effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s d. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed in executive function or plasma BDNF following supplementation (p > 0.05). However, small-to-moderate effect sizes were observed for flanker inhibitory control and attention (Cohen’s d = 0.48), DCCS (Cohen’s d = 0.25) and plasma BDNF (Cohen’s d = 0.31), suggesting modest improvements from baseline. Conclusions: The results of this small, pilot, proof-of-concept study demonstrate, within the confines of this study, that LM is safe and well tolerated in healthy adults. The small-to-moderate effects on cognitive function combined with the modest increase in plasma BDNF suggest a promising signal for LM supplementation that warrants further investigation in larger and longer-term randomized double-blind placebo-controlled studies.

Objective: To evaluate a GABAergic, melatonergic, and glutamatergic supplement for enhancing sleep quality in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with low vasomotor symptom (VMS) burden. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, decentralized trial (NCT07375095) was performed in healthy perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with moderate-to-severe sleep disturbance (patient-reported outcome measure information system sleep disturbance [PROMIS SD] SF 8b T-score ≥60) and minimal VMS (≤5 hot flashes and ≤2 night sweats/wk). Participants were randomized to a neurotransmitter-modulating supplement (NMS; L-theanine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, magnesium, S-adenosyl methionine, propyl gallate) or placebo for three weeks. Primary outcomes were changes in PROMIS SD and sleep-related impairment T-scores and responder rates. Secondary outcomes included diary-based total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and visual analog ratings of sleepiness and daytime functioning. Results: Of 128 randomized participants, 127 completed the trial (NMS, n = 65; placebo, n = 62). Baseline characteristics and VMS frequency were similar between groups (3.0 ± 4.0 hot flashes and 1.9 ± 1.7 night sweats/wk). At week 3, NMS significantly improved PROMIS SD T-score (LS mean difference: −11.1 [95% CI, −13.6 to −8.6]; P = 0.0012) and responder rate (90.9% vs. 45.2%; P < 0.001) versus placebo. PROMIS sleep-related impairment T-score (−4.8 [95% CI, −7.3 to −2.3]; P < 0.001) and responder rate (50.8% vs. 32.2%; P = 0.047) also improved. All primary endpoints reached significance by week 2. NMS increased total sleep time by 40.9 minutes versus a 14.9-minute decrease with placebo ( P < 0.001), and sleep efficiency improved by 7.4% versus 3.4% ( P = 0.021). No between-group differences in adverse events were observed. Conclusion: In perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with disrupted sleep but minimal VMS, a NMS significantly improved sleep quality and duration.

Background: Numerous gene variants are linked to an individual’s propensity to become overweight or obese. A commonly studied gene variant is the FTO single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs9939609. The FTO risk (A/-) allele associated with this SNP is linked with increased body fat percentage, body mass, BMI, and other lifestyle factors that may perpetuate an individual’s risk for obesity. This study investigated dietary behaviors in individuals engaged in varying levels of physical activity with and without the FTO risk allele. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, adults completed the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R18) and Food Craving Inventory (FCI) to assess dietary behaviors. Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (in-body analyses). Results: Findings indicated that individuals with the FTO risk allele exhibited higher levels of cognitive restraint. No other significant differences were reported in all outcomes between groups. Regression analyses found that physical activity was significantly associated with multiple dietary behaviors (emotional eating, cravings for sweets, the behavioral aspect of fried and sweet cravings), while the FTO risk allele was related to higher cognitive restraint and lower behavioral fried food cravings. Conclusions: Combined, these findings indicate that anthropometric measures and most dietary behaviors did not differ across FTO risk variants in physically active individuals, although individuals with higher-risk genotypes exhibited greater cognitive restraint.

Poor sleep quality and duration are associated with adverse health. However, these can be remediated by experimental sleep extension. While the physiological mechanisms underlying the benefits of experimental sleep extension are unknown, recent evidence has highlighted the role of the gut microbiome in sleep physiology, potentially via the gut microbiome and inflammatory pathways. This pilot study examined whether extending sleep for 2 weeks would improve sleep, reduce stress and inflammation, and alter gut microbiome composition. Healthy female adults underwent a 2‐week baseline assessment, followed by a 2‐week sleep extension intervention. Pre‐ and post‐intervention assessments included actigraphy, subjective sleep quality, perceived stress, salivary cortisol, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and gut microbiome profiling. Sleep extension increased total sleep time and time in bed without compromising sleep efficiency. Participants reported reductions in perceived stress and improved sleep quality, with large effect sizes. Skeletal muscle mass increased significantly, though no statistically significant changes were observed in cortisol or IL‐6. While microbial diversity remained unchanged, linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis revealed a significant increase in the relative abundance of Peptostreptococcus , a genus implicated in producing indoleacrylic acid, a tryptophan‐derived metabolite with anti‐inflammatory and gut barrier–enhancing properties. Our findings suggest that increases in sleep duration can yield psychological, physiological, and microbiome‐related benefits, supporting sleep extension as an intervention to improve stress‐related health outcomes.

Dietary behaviors influence nutrient intake and body composition, both of which are important determinants of an individual’s overall health. This study investigated sex differences in the associations between dietary behaviors and body composition. Using a cross-sectional design, adults completed the three-factor eating questionnaire (TFEQ-R18) and food cravings (FCI) to assess dietary behaviors. Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Relative to males, there were significantly higher levels of cognitive restraint and emotional eating in females. Males exhibited greater cravings for fatty foods and a higher frequency of acting on those cravings. Body fat percentage was positively correlated with emotional eating and cognitive restraint in both sexes. These results suggest that gender and body fat are key factors related to dietary behaviors.

Energy drinks are a commonly consumed beverage, and studies suggest a possible performance-enhancing effect. A Google Scholar search using the keywords “energy drinks” and “exercise” yields numerous results, underscoring the voluminous research on this topic. However, there are questions regarding the effectiveness and safety of energy drinks. These questions include, but are not limited to: (1) What are the main active ingredients in energy drinks? (2) Do energy drinks assist in weight management? (3) Do energy drinks enhance aerobic performance? (4) Do energy drinks enhance athletic speed? (5) Do energy drinks improve reaction time? (6) Do energy drinks enhance lean tissue mass? (7) Can energy drinks improve cognitive performance? (8) Does the acute consumption of energy drinks elevate resting energy expenditure? (9) Is there any evidence to suggest that energy drinks are more effective than an identical serving of caffeine alone? (10) Are there sex differences in the response to energy drink consumption? (11) Do energy drinks affect sleep or sleepiness? (12) Should pregnant women avoid energy drinks? (13) Do energy drinks adversely affect cardiovascular function? (14) Does consuming energy drinks cause brain damage? (15) What are other safety considerations regarding energy drinks? (16) Is there any evidence to suggest that energy drinks are more effective than an identical serving of caffeine alone? (17) If caffeine is the main active ingredient in energy drinks and coffee, why is there a discrepancy in the adverse events reported for each? To address these questions, we performed an evidence-based scientific evaluation of the literature on energy drink supplementation.

Background: It has been suggested that supplementation with Tongkat Ali may affect testosterone concentrations; moreover, whether this influences body composition is unclear. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to determine if four weeks of Tongkat Ali (400 mg daily dose) supplementation affected body composition and salivary free testosterone concentrations. Methods: Thirty-three exercise-trained males (n = 19) and females (n = 14) volunteered for this investigation (mean ± standard deviation: age 33.1 ± 13.0 years; height 171.1 ± 11.3 cm; body mass 77.4 ± 16.8 kg; average total years of training 13.9 ± 13.2; average hours of resistance training/week 4.2 ± 2.5; average hours of aerobic exercise/week 3.4 ± 2.8; average hours of other exercise/week 1.1 ± 2.0). Research participants were pre- and post-tested for body composition (InBody 270), Profile of Mood States (POMS), handgrip strength, and sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]). In a subset of the research participants, saliva samples were collected and analyzed for cortisol and free testosterone. The research participants consumed 400 mg of Tongkat Ali or a placebo (rice flour) daily for four weeks. Results: There were no between-group differences (p > 0.05) for body composition (delta score, mean ± SD: lean body mass kg-treatment −0.5 ± 1.9, placebo −0.4 ± 0.7; fat mass kg-treatment −0.5 ± 1.6, placebo 0.3 ± 1.0, % fat treatment −0.1 ± 1.4, placebo 0.5 ± 1.1). Moreover, there were no differences between groups for any additional assessments (e.g., handgrip strength, mood, sleep, and salivary free testosterone and cortisol). Conclusions: Four weeks of supplementation with Tongkat Ali in exercise-trained males and females does not affect body composition, mood, sleep, vigilant attention, handgrip strength, cortisol, and free testosterone.

Personality characteristics have long been studied in relation to athletes and their performance. Of these, emotional self-regulation has been determined to be an important factor regarding outcomes for athletes. Various research has examined the Dark Triad (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) among other personality traits in athletes. However, little research has examined Dark Triad levels in combat sports professionals and their impact on their athletic performance. Since professional fighting athletes have been perceived as aggressive and impulsive, it is essential to examine the athletes’ level of Dark Triad traits. The present exploratory study investigates the association of Dark Triad personality traits in professional fighters versus college-aged male non-fighters. Secondly, it aims to evaluate the relationship between Dark Triad traits and winning percentages in professional fights. The study used a sample of professional male fighters (n = 36) and college-aged non-fighters (n = 29). Participants completed measures examining emotional self-regulation, trait anxiety, sensation seeking, and Dark Triad personality traits. The results of our study showed no significant differences in Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism between our samples of professional fighters and college-aged nonfighters. The study also showed no significant correlations between winning percentages for professional fighters and Machiavellianism, psychopathy, or narcissism.