Preliminary studies demonstrated beneficial effects of dietary creatine across different post-viral fatigue syndromes. Creatine is often co-administered with glucose to improve its potency yet ...whether glucose boost the efficacy of creatine in long COVID remains currently unknown. In this report, we investigate the effects of 8-wk creatine intake with and without glucose on patient-reported outcomes, exercise tolerance, and tissue creatine levels in patients with long COVID. Fifteen male and female long COVID adult patients (age 39.7±16.0 y; 9 women) with moderate fatigue and at least one of additional long COVID-related symptoms volunteered to participate in this randomized controlled parallel-group interventional trial. All patients were allocated in a double-blind parallel-group design (1 : 1 : 1) to receive creatine (8 g of creatine monohydrate per day), a mixture of creatine and glucose (8 g of creatine monohydrate and 3 g of glucose per day), or placebo (3 g of glucose per day) t.i.d. during an 8-wk intervention interval. Two-way ANOVA with repeated measures (treatment vs. time interaction) revealed significant differences in changes in total creatine levels between the groups, showing an interaction effect at two brain locations (right precentral white matter F=34.740, p=0.008; partial η2=0.72; left paracentral grey matter F=19.243, p=0.019; partial η2=0.88), with creatine and creatine-glucose outcompeted placebo to elevate creatine levels at these two locations. Several long COVID symptoms (including body aches, breathing problems, difficulties concentrating, headache, and general malaise) were significantly reduced in creatine-glucose group at 8-wk follow-up (p≤0.05); the effect sizes for reducing body aches, difficulties concentrating, and headache were 1.33, 0.80, and 1.12, respectively, suggesting a large effect of creatine-glucose mixture for these outcomes. Our preliminary findings suggest that supplying exogenous creatine with glucose could be recommended as an effective procedure in replenishing brain creatine pool and alleviating long COVID features in this prevalent condition.
Grappling is a wrestling style that combines different techniques such as freestyle wrestling, jiu-jitsu, judo, sambo, and others. As with other combat sports, it requires categorizing the athletes ...in weight classes, which leads to the use of certain methods to lose body weight in a short amount of time which poses a serious threat to athletes' health and wellbeing. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the most widespread rapid weight loss (RWL) methods and sources of influence used by grappling athletes.
A total of 145 athletes took part in the study by voluntarily filling out a questionnaire regarding their weight loss techniques and methods. They were divided into two groups, male (27.7 ± 5.2 years, 1.76 ± 0.13 m, and 82.1 ± 20 kg) and female (27.33 ± 6.3 years, 1.65 ± 0.08 m, and 64.3 ± 10.4 kg), for further statistical analysis. After calculating descriptive statistics for all the variables, a
-test was conducted for gender differences in weight loss and weight regain, and a chi-square test measured the diversity in techniques and source of influence.
Out of 145 participants, 120 athletes (85.2%) reported engaging in rapid weight loss prior to weigh-in. Coaches (52.4 and 59%) and teammates (42.6 and 22.1%) seemed to be the most influential on their rapid weight-loss strategies, whereas physicians (17.1 and 17.9%) and parents (23.2 and 23.1%) were the least influential. A statistical difference between men and women (
= 0.05) was found when teammates were a source of influence (42.6 and 21.1%, respectively). Regarding the methods used, both groups practiced gradual dieting (85.4 and 79.5%) as the most prevalent, followed by increased exercise (79 and 66.6%) and sauna (78.7 and 66.6%). Moreover, men trained in plastic suits significantly more often than women (67.1 vs. 41%,
= 0.01).
Rapid weight loss is detrimental to athletes' health and wellbeing. Hence, it is crucial to find and implement methods that will control and ultimately limit its use in combat sports. Physicians and nutritionists need to be closely linked with the staff, collaborate and supervise the weight cutting.
Dietary creatine has been recently put forward as a possible intervention strategy to reduce post‐COVID‐19 fatigue syndrome yet no clinical study so far evaluated its efficacy and safety for this ...perplexing condition. In this parallel‐group, randomized placebo‐controlled double‐blind trial, we analyzed the effects of 6‐month creatine supplementation (4 g of creatine monohydrate per day) on various patient‐ and clinician‐reported outcomes, and tissue creatine levels in 12 patients with post‐COVID‐19 fatigue syndrome. Creatine intake induced a significant increase in tissue creatine levels in vastus medialis muscle and right parietal white matter compared to the baseline values at both 3‐month and 6‐month follow‐ups (p <.05). Two‐way analysis of variance with repeated measures revealed a significant difference (treatment vs. time interaction) between interventions in tissue creatine levels (p <.05), with the creatine group was superior to placebo to augment creatine levels at vastus medialis muscle, left frontal white matter, and right parietal white matter. Creatine supplementation induced a significant reduction in general fatigue after 3 months of intake compared to baseline values (p =.04), and significantly improved scores for several post‐COVID‐19 fatigue syndrome‐related symptoms (e.g., ageusia, breathing difficulties, body aches, headache, and difficulties concentrating) at 6‐month follow‐up (p <.05). Taking creatine for 6 months appears to improve tissue bioenergetics and attenuate clinical features of post‐COVID‐19 fatigue syndrome; additional studies are warranted to confirm our findings in various post‐COVID‐19 cohorts.
Over the last two decades, a plethora of disease models and human studies have confirmed the beneficial effects of molecular hydrogen (H
), a simple biotherapeutic gas. Recent small-scale studies ...evaluating the effects of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on various metabolic conditions pointed to advantageous effects of HRW in regulating blood lipid profiles. However, to the best of the authors' knowledge, no systematic review and/or meta-analysis (SRMA) were published considering HRW consumption and lipid/lipoprotein status. Therefore, the aim of this SRMA was to assess the effects of HRW consumption on blood lipid panel in clinical populations. The search strategy was designed using PRISMA guidelines, and the databases PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus were explored from inception until 4 October 2022. A total of seven studies satisfied all the eligibility criteria and were included in SRMA. The results for the pooled meta-analysis showed a significant reduction in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides after HRW intake (
= 0.01), with small to moderate effects (pooled SMD = -0.23 (from -0.40 to 0.05); pooled SMD = -0.22 (from -0.39 to 0.04); pooled SMD = -0.38 (from -0.59 to 0.18), respectively). Our findings indicate that drinking HRW can significantly improve lipid status in the clinical populations. Additional studies are warranted to further validate this connection.
Introduction We described here the annual variations in mean dietary creatine intake from 1999 to 2018 in U.S. children and adults using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) ...database. Methods Dietary intake information from ten consecutive rounds of NHANES (from 1999 to 2000 to 2017-2018) was extracted for a total of 89,161 respondents aged 0-85 years. Individual values for total grams of creatine consumed per day were computed using the average amount of creatine (3.88 g/kg) across all creatine-containing food sources. Results The average daily intake of creatine across the entire sample was 0.70 + or - 0.78 g (95% confidence interval CI, from 0.69 to 0.71) and 13.1 + or - 16.5 mg/kg body weight (95% CI, from 13.0 to 13.2). A significant negative trend for dietary creatine intake was found in infants (r = - 0.019; P = 0.042), and children and adolescents (r = - 0.024; P < 0.001). Conclusions Our findings suggest a variation in dietary creatine intake in the U.S. population during the past 20 years, with young persons tend to consume fewer grams of creatine per day from 1999 onwards. Long-running studies are highly warranted to assess possible health consequences of variable creatine intake in human nutrition. Keywords: Diet, Creatine, NHANES, Infants, Children
Vežba ruskih i srpskih pilota BARS 2016 i Slovensko bratstvo 2016. Pripadnici naših oružanih snaga, a posebno RV i PVO, od iskusnih ruskih pilota, uče nove lekcije o upotrebi savremenih aviona. ...Razvoj vojne opreme u svetu, naoružanja i druge tehnike zahteva nova shvatanja odbrane zemlje a zaostajanje se može sprečiti osavremenjavanjem naših oružanih snaga, kao i uvežbavanjem pripadnika Vojske Srbije u novim taktičkim postupcima i pripremanjem za eventualne nove forme suprotstavljanja agresiji. Uz međunarodnu saradnju i sticanje novih iskustava naša vojska osposobljena za učešće u multinacionalnim vojnim snagama. Vežba srpskih i ruskih pilota BARS 2016, nametnula se kao osnovni zadatak nakon nabavke dva aviona MIG-29 i helikoptera MI-17. Ne samo radi upoznavanja letnih i borbenih osobenosti tih letelica, već i radi ovladavanja taktičkom upotrebom u složenim borbenim dejstvima. Nesumnjivo je da ruski piloti poseduju veoma dragoceno iskustvo u presretačkim dejstvima sa letelicom MIG-29, kao i u vazdušnoj borbi. Ovaj avion ima izuzetne letne mogućnosti i pod veštom pilotskom rukom može da izvede veoma složene manevre kojima se ostvaruje prevlast u vazdušnom prostoru i pobeda u vazdušnoj bici. Zbog toga se vežba ruskih i srpskih pilota BARS 2016 može posmatrati, a valja je prvenstveno i razumeti kao značajan napredak u ovladavanju osnovnim savremenim borbenim postupcima u obezbeđivanju vlastitog vazdušnog prostora, kontrole i suprotstavljanju agresivnim dejstvima eventualnog protivnika. Uz to, ovo je bila izvanredna prilika da se naši pripadnici RV i PVO obučavaju za spašavanje oborenih pilota. Vežba „Slovensko bratstvo 2016”, koja je usledila nakon zajedničkog uvežbavanja pilota Rusije i Srbije, doprinela je vojno-taktičkom osposobljavanju pripadnika Vojske Srbije za efikasno delovanje u protiv-terorističkoj borbi. Na toj vežbi učestvovali su pripadnici ruskih i beloruskih specijalnih snaga, kao i specijalni avioni IL-76, koji su namenjeni za prevoz padobranaca i desantiranje u zoni dejstva. Takođe, iz te letelice desantiran je i oklopni transporter. Vežba je dobila i moto „Odlučan odgovor tri vojske”, s obzirom na to da predstavlja zajednički odgovor specijalnih protiv-terorističkih jedinica tri bratske države na oružano delovanje terorističkih snaga. Vežbama sa ruskim i beloruskim pripadnicima, naša vojska uspešno se osposobljava za učešće u multinacionalnim operacijama, što je kvalitet više u ukupnoj osposobljenosti oružane sile naše zemlje. / The exercises of Russian and Serbian pilots BARS 2016 and 2016 Slovenian brotherhood. Members of our armed forces, especially the Air Force, from the experienced Russian pilots, learn new lessons about the use of modern aircraft. The development of military equipment in the world, weapons and other techniques require a new understanding of the country's defense and the lag can be prevented modernization of our armed forces, as well as practicing members of the Army of Serbia in the new tactical procedures and preparing for possible new forms of opposition to aggression. With international cooperation and gaining new experiences our army trained for participation in multinational military forces. Exercise Serbian and Russian pilots BARS 2016, established itself as the main task after the purchase of two planes MIG-29 and helicopters MI-17. Not only does the introduction of annual and combat characteristics of these aircraft, but also to master the tactical use in complex combat. There is no doubt that the Russian pilots have very valuable experience in interdiction operations with the aircraft MIG-29, as well as in an air battle. This aircraft has exceptional flight possibilities and under the skillful hand pilot can perform very complex maneuvers that provide supremacy in the airspace and the victory in the air battle. Therefore, the exercise of Russian and Serbian pilots BARS 2016 can be seen, as a significant progress in mastering basic modern combat actions in securing their own airspace, control and countering the aggressive actions of possible opponents. In addition, this was an excellent opportunity for our members of the Air Force are trained to rescue downed pilots. Exercise „Slovenian brotherhood 2016”, which followed a joint pilot practicing Russia and Serbia, contributed to the military-tactical training of Serbian Army for efficient operation in the anti-terrorist struggle. For this exercise involved members of the Russian and Belarusian special forces, as well as a special aircraft IL-76, which are designed to transport paratroopers and assault operations in the zone of operations. Also, from this aircraft desanted is an armored personnel vehicle. Exercise has been given the motto "Determined Response Three Army", given the fact that it represents a common response of special anti-terrorist unit of the three brotherly countries in the functioning of the armed terrorist forces. Exercises with Russian and Belarusian members, our army is trained for successful participation in multinational operations, which is more in the overall quality of training the armed forces of our country.
Despite the overwhelming safety evidence concerning creatine intake in various settings, there is still incomplete information whether dietary creatine affects liver health at the population level. ...The main aim of this cross‐sectional population‐based study was to evaluate the association between creatine intake through regular diet and liver disease manifestations, including liver fibrosis and hepatic steatosis, among individuals aged 12 years and over, using open‐source data from the 2017–2018 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). A total of 9254 male and female participants of all ages were included in the 2017–2018 NHANES round. We extracted data from the total sample population for participants who provided dietary data for individual foods via dietary interviews and examination data from liver ultrasound transient elastography. The final study sample consisted of 5957 participants (mean age 44.7 ± 21.0 years; 50.1% women), and the mean dietary creatine intake across the study population was 0.88 ± 0.71 g/day. Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis were diagnosed in 1703 (28.7%) and 288 (4.8%) participants, respectively; hepatic steatosis was identified in 2595 (43.7%) individuals. Binary logistic regression with multivariable model adjusted for age, gender, family income to poverty ratio, body mass index, total energy intake, and alcohol consumption showed that consuming more creatine (≥2 g/day) did not significantly increase the risk of liver fibrosis (OR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.70–1.21, p = .57), cirrhosis (OR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.53–1.65, p = .82), or hepatic steatosis (OR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.59–1.02, p = .07), as compared to participants who ingested <1 g of creatine daily. Dietary exposure to creatine through a regular diet is not associated with an increase in disease manifestations in individuals 12 years and over; further research is warranted to address the effects of excessive creatine intake (≥5 g/day) through a regular diet on liver health at the population level.
The main aim of this cross‐sectional population‐based study was to evaluate the association between dietary creatine intake and liver disease manifestations, including liver fibrosis and hepatic steatosis, among individuals aged 12 and over, using open‐source data from the 2017‐2018 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The 2017‐2018 NHANES round included 9,254 males and females aged 0 to 150. Dietary exposure to additional creatine through a regular diet is not associated with more liver disease manifestations in individuals 12 years and over; further research is warranted to address the effects of excessive creatine intake (≥ 5 grams per day) through a regular diet on liver health at the populational level.
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