BackgroundEurycoma longifolia is a medicinal plant commonly called tongkat ali (TA) and “Malaysian ginseng.” TA roots are a traditional “anti-aging” remedy and modern supplements are intended to improve libido, energy, sports performance and weight loss. Previous studies have shown properly-standardized TA to stimulate release of free testosterone, improve sex drive, reduce fatigue, and improve well-being.MethodsWe assessed stress hormones and mood state in 63 subjects (32 men and 31 women) screened for moderate stress and supplemented with a standardized hot-water extract of TA root (TA) or Placebo (PL) for 4 weeks. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with significance set at p < 0.05 was used to determine differences between groups.ResultsSignificant improvements were found in the TA group for Tension (−11%), Anger (−12%), and Confusion (−15%). Stress hormone profile (salivary cortisol and testosterone) was significantly improved by TA supplementation, with reduced cortisol exposure (−16%) and increased testosterone status (+37%).ConclusionThese results indicate that daily supplementation with tongkat ali root extract improves stress hormone profile and certain mood state parameters, suggesting that this “ancient” remedy may be an effective approach to shielding the body from the detrimental effects of “modern” chronic stress, which may include general day-to-day stress, as well as the stress of dieting, sleep deprivation, and exercise training.

Objective: Several studies have shown a baker's yeast beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan, extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is effective in reducing the incidence of cold and flu symptoms. This study evaluated the effect of a specific beta-glucan supplement (Wellmune) on upper respiratory tract symptoms and psychological well-being in women with moderate levels of psychological stress.Methods: Healthy women (38 6 12 years old) prescreened for moderate levels of psychological stress, selfadministered a placebo (n ¼ 38) or 250 mg of Wellmune (n ¼ 39) daily for 12 weeks. We used the Profile of Mood States (POMS) psychological survey to assess changes in mental/physical energy levels (vigor) and overall wellbeing (global mood state). A quantitative health perception log was used to track upper respiratory symptoms.Results: Subjects in the Wellmune group reported fewer upper respiratory symptoms compared to placebo (10% vs 29%), better overall well-being (global mood state: 99 6 19 vs 108 6 23, p , 0.05), and superior mental/physical energy levels (vigor: 19.9 6 4.7 vs 15.8 6 6.3, p , 0.05).Conclusions: These data show that daily dietary supplementation with Wellmune reduces upper respiratory symptoms and improves mood state in stressed subjects, and thus it may be a useful approach for maintaining immune protection against daily stressors.

This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study compared the effects of daily supplementation for 4 week with 250 mg Wellmune WGP® β-1,3/1,6-Glucan (WGP) with placebo 250 mg/day (rice flour) on physical and psychological health attributes of self-described “moderate” ragweed allergy sufferers. Study participants (mean age = 36 ± 9 year; range 18–53 year) were recruited before the beginning of ragweed season (September) in Northeastern Ohio. Serum IgE concentration, allergy symptoms [via self-report, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ)], psychological well-being [Profile of Mood States (POMS)], and physical function (RAND SF-36 Medical Outcomes Study) were measured immediately prior to and after supplementation with WGP (n = 24) or placebo (n = 24) for 4 weeks. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVA). Compared with placebo, WGP reduced total allergy symptoms (28%), symptom severity (52%), and symptom rating on the VAS (37%) (P < 0.05), but had no effect on serum IgE levels. As measured by the POMS, WGP increased participants' rating of vigor (10%), but reduced tension (34%), depression (45%), anger (41%), fatigue (38%), and confusion (34%) (P < 0.05). Study participants given WGP reported increased physical health (11%), energy (19%), and emotional well-being (7%) compared with study participants given the placebo (RAND SF-36 Medical Outcomes Study). The WGP group also reported decreased sleep problems (53%), reduced nasal symptoms (59%), eye symptoms (57%), non-nasal symptoms (50%), activities (53%), emotions (57%), and improved quality of life (QOL) (56%), as well as improved global mood state (13%). Supplementation with WGP for 4 weeks improved allergy symptoms, overall physical health, and emotional well-being compared with placebo in self-described “moderate” ragweed allergy sufferers during ragweed allergy season.

BackgroundMagnolia (Magnolia officinalis) and Phellodendron (Phellodendron amurense) barks are medicinal plants commonly used as traditional remedies for reducing stress and anxiety. Modern dietary supplements are intended to induce relaxation and reduce stress as well as stress-related eating. Previous studies have shown the combination of Magnolia/Phellodendron (MP) to reduce both cortisol exposure and the perception of stress/anxiety, while improving weight loss in subjects with stress-related eating. Competitive athletes are “stressed” by their intense exercise regimens in addition to their normal activities of daily living and thus may benefit from a natural therapy intended to modulate baseline perceptions of stress and stress hormone exposure.MethodsWe assessed salivary cortisol exposure and psychological mood state in 56 subjects (35 men and 21 women) screened for moderate stress and supplemented with a standardized/patented MP combination (Relora®, Next Pharmaceuticals) or Placebo for 4 weeks.ResultsAfter 4 weeks of supplementation, salivary cortisol exposure was significantly (p<0.05) lower (−18%) in the Relora group compared to Placebo. Compared to Placebo, the Relora group had significantly better (p<0.05) mood state parameters, including lower indices of Overall Stress (−11%), Tension (−13%), Depression (−20%), Anger (−42%), Fatigue (−31%), and Confusion (−27%), and higher indices of Global Mood State (+11%) and Vigor (+18%).ConclusionThese results indicate that daily supplementation with a combination of Magnolia bark extract and Phellodendron bark extract (Relora®) reduces cortisol exposure and perceived daily stress, while improving a variety of mood state parameters, including lower fatigue and higher vigor. These results suggest an effective natural approach to modulating the detrimental health effects of chronic stress in moderately stressed adults. Future studies should examine the possible performance and recovery benefits of Relora supplementation in athletes overstressed by the physical and psychological demands of training and competition.

Background Interest in and knowledge of the gut microbiome has increased exponentially in the past decade. This once overlooked component of the gastrointestinal tract is now implicated in multiple aspects of human health, including mental wellness (e.g. depression, anxiety, stress), metabolic (e.g. diabetes, obesity), neurologic (e.g. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Autism Spectrum Disorder), gastrointestinal (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's), and immunologic (e.g. inflammation, cancer), among others. Purpose/Objectives Previous research has demonstrated the “strain specificity” of probiotic therapy – elucidating that targeted health benefits are related to the specific strain of bacteria (e.g. Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 for serotonin/depression; Bifidobacterium longum R0175 for GABA/anxiety; Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 for cortisol/stress). Similarly, probiotic bacteria demonstrate different growth trajectories based on availability of preferred fiber substrates (e.g. prebiotics) and phytonutrients such as flavonoids/polyphenols (e.g. phytobiotics). Thus, our objective was two‐fold: to determine the change in microbiome ecology/balance; and to assess the change in psychological mood state (e.g. depression/anxiety/vigor) following a coordinated pro‐/pre‐/phyto‐biotic supplementation regimen. Methods Thirty‐two healthy subjects screened for “moderate” levels of psychological stress were randomly assigned to 30‐days of Supplement (Amare Fundamentals containing specific strains of probiotic bacteria, prebiotic fibers, and phytobiotic plant extracts, N=21) or look‐alike Placebo (N=11). Microbiome balance was assessed in fecal samples using a PCR‐based analysis (BiomeTracker) that has previously compared favorably to 16S sequencing (ACN 2017) for abundance quantification for major phyla/families of bacteria. Psychological mood state parameters were assessed using the validated Profile of Mood States survey (POMS) to generate scores for Global Mood State, and six sub‐scales (Depression, Tension, Fatigue, Anger, Confusion, and Vigor). Results Following 30‐days of supplementation, there was a significant increase in populations of “good” bacteria in the Supplement group (+28% Lactobacillus; +30% Bifidobacterium) and overall composite score (+17%) versus Placebo (p<0.05). Psychological indices were significantly improved in the Supplement group for both positive (+25% Global Mood; +25% Vigor) and negative (−60% Depression; −54% Tension; −52% Fatigue; −42% Confusion; −39% Anger) parameters versus Placebo (p<0.05). Conclusions The World Health Organization has identified mental wellness issues as the leading contributor to global health burden – highlighting the urgency to develop lifestyle interventions to effectively manage depression, anxiety, and stress. These results demonstrate the close relationship between microbiome balance and psychological parameters – and the utility of targeted supplementation to positively influence the gut‐brain‐axis for improved mental wellness. Support or Funding Information This tr...