Regular aerobic exercise has numerous benefits on human physiology, arguably by serving as a hormetic stressor resulting in positive adaptations over time. It has long been known that aerobic exercise at a variety of intensities and durations induces intestinal permeability, which is a feature of many pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract and metabolic diseases. Given the health benefits of exercise, it seems unlikely that intestinal permeability induced by exercise outweighs the positive adaptations. In fact, a growing body of evidence suggests adoption of exercise regimens lasting weeks to months improves indicators of intestinal permeability. In this brief review, we summarize factors contributing to acute exercise-induced intestinal permeability and what is known about chronic exercise and the gut barrier. Additionally, we outline known and theoretical adaptations of the gut to chronic exercise that may explain emerging reports that exercise improves markers of gut integrity.

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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a spectrum of liver disease that includes non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH]) and has been recognized as the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide. 1 The prevalence of NAFLD is growing in concert with sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits and obesity rates, which are as high as 40% in adults and 19% in children. 2 Unfortunately, roughly 95% of obese adults have NAFLD and half the US population is expected to be obese by 2030, 3 making NAFLD a major public health concern.Components of the metabolic syndrome including insulin resistance, excess visceral and total adiposity, and dyslipidemia, are

Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that tart cherries, rich in hydroxycinnamic acids and anthocyanins, protect against age-related and inflammation-induced bone loss. This study examined how daily consumption of Montmorency tart cherry juice (TC) alters biomarkers of bone metabolism in older women. Healthy women, aged 65–80 years (n = 27), were randomly assigned to consume ~240 mL (8 fl. oz.) of juice once (TC1X) or twice (TC2X) per day for 90 d. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were performed to determine bone density at baseline, and pre- and post-treatment serum biomarkers of bone formation and resorption, vitamin D, inflammation, and oxidative stress were assessed. Irrespective of osteoporosis risk, the bone resorption marker, tartrate resistant acid phosphatase type 5b, was significantly reduced with the TC2X dose compared to baseline, but not with the TC1X dose. In terms of indicators of bone formation and turnover, neither serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase nor osteocalcin were altered. No changes in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances or high sensitivity C-reactive protein were observed in response to either TC1X or TC2X. We conclude that short-term supplementation with the higher dose of tart cherry juice decreased bone resorption from baseline without altering bone formation and turnover biomarkers in this cohort.

Objective: To evaluate the association between depression and sugary drink intake using participant data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS). Design: Cross-sectional data from the 2012 and 2013 BRFSS were examined (N=44,603). Depression was based on self-report of symptoms within the past 30 days. Covariates included age, sex, race, employment status, body mass index (BMI), education level, and exercise in the past 30 days. Setting: Data from a national telephone survey (BRFSS) were used to assess risk factors associated with health of the participants. Subjects: Participants in the 2012 and 2013 BRFSS were included in this analysis (N=44,603). Results: Adjusting for confounders, the odds of depression increased by 5% for every sugary drink consumed (odds ratio (OR)=1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.02-1.10). Depression was also associated with race, with non-Hispanic blacks being 60% more likely to be depressed than non-Hispanic whites. Unemployment and having a high school or less education were independently associated with depression. The association of depression and consumption of sugar sweetened beverages was stronger among women than men. Conclusion: This study indicates that consuming sugary drinks are associated with an increased odds of depression. These findings support advocacy efforts for an overall healthy lifestyle. In addition, future research should evaluate this association using a cohort design in order to establish the temporality of this association.