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Herbal weight loss supplements are widely used in the management of obesity, but consistent data to support long-term weight loss efficacy and safety are missing. Besides, legal framework for food supplements is less restrictive than regulation of medications. The objective of this review is to give weight to the fact that many weight loss supplements contain herbal compounds with unknown mechanism of action, increasing the risk for adverse effects, even toxicity, especially in co-administration with prescribed drugs. Hepatotoxicity ranging from elevated transaminases and autoimmune-like hepatitis to acute liver failure appears to be underrecognized, but is not uncommonly encountered. Another and even more serious concern is adulteration of weight loss supplements by illegal addition of unauthorized substances or medications to provide quick effects and to increase sales. Here are some significant data regarding the possible hepatotoxicity of frequently used herbal extracts, as well as the health risks related to some common adulterants. Towards safer use of supplements, a comprehensive and critical discussion of current regulatory principles is essential to address the existing gap between the increased use of food supplements and the lack of knowledge about their benefits, providing better protection for consumers.

The aim of the study was to develop direct-compress-tablets of microencapsulated probiotic Lactobacillus casei 01 in soy protein-alginate microparticles and excipients able to provide probiotic delivery near the colon. Considering their physicochemical properties, all series of tablets prepared met the requirements of the Ph Eur 9.0. The compaction of the probiotic loaded microparticles caused viability decrease up to 1.5 log cycles. The tablets containing Methocel K100M showed higher potential for preserving probiotic viability in simulated gastrointestinal fluids within 4 h and retarding its release in the intestinal stage, maintaining the required minimum of viable probiotic cells above 107 CFU per gram of tablet. In addition, acceptable storage stability (viability of probiotic above 106 CFU/g) at 25°C/60% relative humidity for 42 days was observed. In conclusion, novel tablet dosage forms of microencapsulated L. casei 01 were prepared with high potential for preserving probiotic viability in simulated gastrointestinal fluids and retarding its release in the lower intestine. Further research is needed to optimize the formulation and process parameters in order to obtain tablets with probiotic viability over long storage periods.

Lactobacillus casei loaded chitosan-Ca-alginate microparticles enriched with the prebiotic fructooligosaccharide were prepared using spray-drying method associated with the polymers complexation and cross-linking with calcium. The concentrations of the formulation factors of alginate, chitosan and CaCl2 were optimized using 23 full factorial design. Experiments showed that microparticles with favorable physicochemical properties and high probiotic viability during preparation and storage could be obtained when 40 mg/g sodium alginate, 5 mg/g chitosan and 50 mg/g CaCl2 is used. Stability of L. casei during microencapsulation was identified by FTIR spectroscopy. The viability of the probiotic in the optimal formulation of synbiotic microparticles remained above the therapeutic minimum during incubation of 24 hours in simulated gastrointestinal conditions (7.67±0.4 log cfu/g) as well as after 3 months of cold storage (8.1±0.6 log cfu/g). High viability of L. casei was maintained during 6 weeks of cold storage when carrot juice was enriched with encapsulated cells. The effective preservation of L. casei into synbiotic microparticles provided production of new non-dairy functional food as an alternative of the population who is at risk of lactose intolerance.

The concentration of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), aluminium (Al), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) in spring waters in the vicinity of Kochani was investigated to ascertain the health risk exposure. Heavy metal water contamination is possible mostly due to wrongful human activities either industrially or residentially and exposure to toxic doses of heavy metals can cause acute and chronic diseases. To examine heavy metal contamination of spring waters as well as possible seasonal variations, water samples in two seasons, autumn 2021 and spring 2022 were collected. For this aim, ten locations within the area of Kochani were selected. The spring water samples were collected directly from the source or from the catchment that was made. The samples were collected in appropriate bottles, previously washed with detergent and rinsed with distilled water. The examination of heavy metals was carried out immediately after sampling using UV spectrophotometric method, with an absorption spectrum of 190-1100 nm. The results have revealed no major deviations from the maximum concentrations allowed for Pb, Cd, Al, Mn, and Fe defined within the Official Guidelines in the Republic of North Macedonia, except moderately increased levels of lead in two samples during autumn season and manganese in four samples in the spring season 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercially available food supplements, especially vitamins and minerals, are becoming increasingly popular in the era of COVID-19 pandemic. Sales of food supplements increased dynamically because of the belief that they could be more effective than conventional antiviral or corticosteroid drugs as well as missing the specific medical therapy for preventing or treating this disease. The greatest interest is associated with immune-related nutrients and antioxidant agents, including vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn). These are currently under clinical investigation for possible application in the prevention and management of COVID-19. This review summarizes postulated mechanisms of commonly used supplements suggested reducing the duration and severity of viral infections by improving immune response. Their toxicity in the context of potential adverse effects is also discussed. Whether these molecules and the amount could hurt patients with COVID-19 are research questions worth evaluating. Considering both efficacy and safety, evidence supporting larger intakes of specific nutrients with immune-boosting and/or antioxidant properties needs further research. Until relevant responses are provided, age and gender related tolerable upper intake levels for vitamins and minerals should be considered to avoid weight gaining as an additional risk factor of developing complications during the disease course, besides the risk of inappropriate doses associated with toxicity. Herein, high-quality information respecting specific nutrients proposed to have positive effect against COVID-19 is disseminated and certain research gaps are addressed, requiring the research on the health effects of supplements to be tightly correlated to age, nutritional status, wellbeing and particular to existing co-morbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Macedonian Pharmaceutical Bulletin / Makedonsko Farmacevtski Bilten is the property of Macedonian Pharmaceutical Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Macedonian Pharmaceutical Bulletin / Makedonsko Farmacevtski Bilten is the property of Macedonian Pharmaceutical Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Macedonian Pharmaceutical Bulletin / Makedonsko Farmacevtski Bilten is the property of Macedonian Pharmaceutical Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The rising awareness of the consumers towards the health benefits of food has resulted in the development of the so-called functional foods. These added value products which refer to prevention and/or therapeutic effects of food beyond its nutritional value, are especially useful for health improvement and reduction of medical care costs. The combination between health and nutrition and its potential to improve the quality of life has become one of the key attention points of consumers who are aware of and are seeking nutritional solutions to their health concerns. Milk and dairy products have been used in human nutrition for thousands of years, providing important nutrients for the human body such as proteins, fats and calcium. It is now widely recognized that in addition to their basic nutritive role they also exert functional properties beneficial for human health, so the development of functional dairy products is one of the fastest growing areas in the dairy industry as well as one of the largest sectors in the global market of functional foods. This review provides a brief overview of the health benefits and the natural functionality of dairy products as well as the challenges together with the future perspectives of their application as delivery vehicles for beneficial compounds to the human body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]