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4 results

  • Virgin coconut oil (VCO) supplementation relieves symptoms and inflammation among COVID-19 positive adults: a single-blind randomized trial

  • Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, Jacus S. Nacis, Fabian M. Dayrit, Keith V. Tanda
  • Journal:
    Journal of Nutritional Science / Volume 13 / 2024
    Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    23 January 2024, e5
    • Article
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      • Open access
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  • A clinical study conducted in 2020 showed that virgin coconut oil (VCO) has been found effective in the rapid relief of COVID-19 symptoms and normalization of the C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration among probable and suspected cases of COVID-19. This present study aimed to validate those results and to evaluate the effects of VCO among COVID-19 patients through a 28-day randomized, single-blind trial conducted among 76 SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain report)-confirmed adults, with VCO given as a COVID-19 adjunct therapy. The results showed that VCO recipients were free from symptoms and had normal CRP concentrations by day 14. In comparison, participants in the control group reported relief from signs and symptoms on day 23, with normal CRP concentrations on day 25. This second study bolsters the use of VCO as an effective adjunct therapy for COVID-19-positive patients showing mild-to-moderate symptoms.

  • Chapter 7 - Psychoneuroimmunology Linking Social Isolation with Cognitive Aging

  • from Part II - Society Interacting with Brain, Cognition, and Health in Late Life
  • Edited by Jeanyung Chey, Seoul National University
  • Book:
    Society within the Brain
    Published online:
    28 September 2023
    Print publication:
    12 October 2023, pp 162-174

  • Summary

    Being an active part of a group or society (i.e., social integration) has been recognized as an important factor in promoting health and well-being in later life. With increasing attention on how social integration can lower morbidity and all-cause mortality in later life, recent studies point to immune response as a candidate link between social integration and physiological mechanisms. Given that physical aging is accompanied by elevated levels of systemic pro-inflammatory markers, such as interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein, social relationships emerge as a factor that can counteract aging processes associated with systemic inflammations. This chapter reviews how the increased inflammatory response (i.e., inflammageing) in late life may facilitate cognitive decline. Moreover, it focuses on how social integration or support plays protective roles in systemic inflammation functions. Finally, it reviews recent findings from health psychology regarding psychological factors, such as purpose in life and alteration of gut microbiome, that moderate the age-related risk factors for maladaptive immune function.

  • Chapter 6 - Enriched Social Connectedness and Brain Function

  • from Part II - Society Interacting with Brain, Cognition, and Health in Late Life
  • Edited by Jeanyung Chey, Seoul National University
  • Book:
    Society within the Brain
    Published online:
    28 September 2023
    Print publication:
    12 October 2023, pp 141-161

  • Summary

    A growing body of evidence suggests a strong link between how individuals maintain an enriched social network and their brain health. Both the quantity and quality of social networks provide abundant social connections. Through persistent social interactions, individuals’ neurocognitive health appears to benefit from cognitively stimulating activity as well as social support. By utilizing various neuroimaging methods, researchers have found that maintaining an enriched social network is likely to lead to better neural functioning that could delay or counter the effects of neuropathological progression in late life. This chapter reviews studies examining the relationship between social network characteristics and neurocognitive health. The studies highlight that social connectedness and brain functioning have reciprocal effects. It also discusses whether larger and cohesively connected social networks lead to a healthier brain and better cognitive function, as well as the moderators of this association.

  • Abnormal C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. Results from the FACE-SZ dataset

  • G. Fond, O. Godin, P.M. Llorca, M. Leboyer
  • Journal:
    European Psychiatry / Volume 30 / Issue S2 / November 2015
    Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    15 April 2020, p. S112
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  • Objectives

    Elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) have repeatedly been observed in schizophrenia (SZ) and related disorder but without clear description of the associated clinical variables. The objectives of this study were:

    – to determine the prevalence of abnormal CRP levels in an observational sample of patients with SZ or schizoaffective disorders;

    – to identify the clinical variables associated with elevated CRP levels as well as the effects of treatments.

    Method

    Two hundred and nineteen stable patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (mean age = 31.6 years, 75.3% male gender) were systematically included in the network of FondaMental Expert Center for schizophrenia and assessed with a dedicated electronic medical records including the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders and validated scales for depressive and psychotic symptomatology. High sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) was measured with an assay using nephelometry (Dade Behring). Abnormal CRP level was defined by levels > 3 mg/L. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation.

    Results

    Overall, 63 patients (28.8%) were found to have abnormal CRP levels. In univariate analysis, abnormal CRP levels were found to be significantly associated with the DSM-IV-TR schizophrenia diagnosis compared to schizoaffective disorder (32.6% vs. 10.5%, P = 0.006). This association remained significant after adjustment for BMI (P = 0.007) and antidepressants (P = 0.043). Abnormal CRP levels were also found to be significantly associated with BMI (P < 0.0001), hypertriglyceridemia (P = 0.0015), high waist circumference (P < 0.0001), metabolic syndrome (P = 0.0011) and abdominal obesity (P < 0.0001), while current tobacco status, hypertension or high fasting glucose were not (all P > 0.05). All patients were treated by antipsychotics. Patients treated by antidepressant were found to have less abnormal CRP levels than others (P = 0.01), contrary to those treated by mood stabilizing agents (P > 0.05).

    Conclusion

    CRP may be considered as a biomarker of interest to differentiate schizophrenia from schizoaffective disorder, and as a marker of inflammation induced by perivisceral fat. Treatment with antidepressant appears as a protective anti-inflammatory agent.