Paul Kim

Objective: This study aimed to compare the nutrient intake, nutrition knowledge, and dietary habits of track-and-field (TF) and weight-class (WC) adolescent varsity athletes.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 144 adolescent athletes (TF group, 76; WC group, 68) aged 15 to 18 years at a physical education high school in Seoul, South Korea. Their nutrient intake, dietary quality, nutrition knowledge, dietary habits, and weight control behaviors were assessed using food records and questionnaires.Results: Regarding nutrient intake, the consumption of carbohydrates, including energy, was substantially lower than the sports nutrition recommendations in both groups. However, the overall diet quality, including the mean adequacy ratio and nutrient adequacy ratio for key micronutrients, was significantly higher in the WC group than in the TF group, with female WC athletes consuming significantly more energy than female TF athletes (P<0.05). For nutrition knowledge, both groups lacked overall sports nutrition understanding; however, the WC group scored significantly higher in dietary fat knowledge (P<0.05). As for dietary habits, despite having better meal quality, harmful weight control behaviors, including skipping breakfast (P<0.001) and fasting (P<0.05), were significantly more common in the WC group than in the TF group.Conclusion: The WC group, while showing better meal quality, practiced unhealthier dietary behaviors and weight control methods more often than the TF group. Additionally, both groups exhibited insufficient energy intake and lacked overall nutrition knowledge. Therefore, tailored sports nutrition education is urgently needed among South Korean adolescent athletes.

Background/Objectives: Excessive alcohol consumption leads to hangovers, which cause discomfort and reduce work efficiency, resulting in socioeconomic losses. Theracurmin, known for its antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties, may help mitigate these effects. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of two Theracurmin-based products in alleviating hangover symptoms in humans. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial was conducted in 27 healthy adults, with a balanced distribution of men and women. Two formulations were tested: Ready Q, containing Theracurmin, Hovenia dulcis Thunb. extract powder, and L-glutathione yeast extract; and Theracurmin, containing only Theracurmin. The products were administered on designated visit days, followed by an alcohol challenge 30 min after administration. Blood and breath alcohol profiles were assessed 15 h post-consumption, and participants completed a hangover symptom questionnaire. Results: Compared to placebo, Ready Q resulted in a significantly lower area under the curve (AUC) for serum alcohol concentration (−94.92 mg·h/dL [−170.91, −18.93]), as well as lower AUC (−8.441 mg·h/dL [−11.713, −5.169]) for serum acetaldehyde. Theracurmin showed similar effects, with reduced AUC (−117.21 mg·h/dL [−194.20, −40.22]) for serum alcohol concentration, and lower AUC (−8.161 mg·h/dL [−12.597, −3.725]) for corrected serum acetaldehyde levels. Conclusions: These findings suggest that both products effectively enhance alcohol metabolism in healthy adults, underscoring their potential as interventions for alleviating alcohol hangovers.