The effect of oral nutritional supplementation on selected pathology and anthropometric markers of health status in middle aged men

Abstract

This study was aimed at determining whether treatment with nutritional supplementation would improve pathology measures of disease risk. A total of twenty (20) healthy males, 30-60 years of age, served as participants. Participants were randomly divided into an Active Group (AG)
(n=10) and a Placebo Group (PG) (n=10). Participants took the treatment (with active or placebo ingredients) for 90 days. On day 1 and 90th day blood samples were collected and analysed for cardiovascular disease risk markers (HDL, LDL, Triglycerides, total cholesterol and C reactive protein). To evaluate renal function urea, electrolytes creatinine and g GFR were analysed. White cell count and differential count were used as indicators of immune function. Vit B12 and s-folate were also analysed. No significant differences were found between the pre-test and post-test readings in the PG, whilst the AG experienced significant differences between the pre- and posttest in sodium and s-folate readings. On sodium readings the AG presented more cases with significantly lower levels during the post-test whilst s-folate was statistically higher during the post-test. No significant changes were found in any of the other pathology disease markers. It can
be concluded despite the significant improvement in folic acid and sodium level observed in the AG participants that the nutritional supplement rich in folic acid, Vit B6, Vit B1, Vit B12, zinc, calcium, amino acid, Vit E and Vit C used for a period of 90 days has no effect on selected pathology markers of health status in middle-aged sedentary men.

Key words: Supplementation, groups, health status, sedentary, sodium, s-folate.