Alrex

This study will evaluate the effects of a multi-strain postbiotic supplement on markers of inflammation, immune function, gastrointestinal symptoms, psychological well-being, and intestinal permeability in healthy adults. The primary objective is to determine whether four weeks of postbiotic supplementation alters physiological and perceptual responses to a standardized bout of moderate-to-high intensity exercise compared with placebo. Approximately 50 healthy men and women aged 18 to 55 years will be enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a multi-strain postbiotic supplement or a matched placebo for 28 days. At the end of the supplementation period, participants will complete a 45-minute treadmill exercise bout at 75% of their individually determined maximum heart rate. Blood samples will be collected to assess biomarkers of inflammation, immune activity, and recovery. Gastrointestinal symptoms, intestinal permeability, anxiety, and perceived recovery will be evaluated using validated questionnaires. This study is designed to determine whether postbiotic supplementation modulates physiological stress responses and subjective well-being following prolonged exercise in healthy adults.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) at 1.75 atmospheres of pressure (ATA) improves cardiovascular fitness (VO₂ max) and reduces inflammation in healthy adults. HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber and is considered investigational for this use. Recent research has shown that different HBOT pressures can have different effects on inflammation. Specifically, some inflammatory cytokines (measurable markers of inflammation in the body) appear to decrease at low pressures like 1.3 ATA, while a different set of cytokines responds better at higher pressures, such as 2.0 ATA. Cytokines are small proteins that play a crucial role in cell signaling, particularly within the immune system. They help regulate inflammation, infection response, and overall immune function. While some cytokines promote inflammation to fight off threats, others help reduce inflammation when it's no longer needed. An imbalance in cytokines - especially excessive inflammatory cytokines - can contribute to chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and other health issues. In this study, we are testing an intermediate pressure - 1.75 ATA - to see if we can target both sets of cytokines at once. If successful, this approach could offer broader anti-inflammatory benefits. We are also interested in how this intermediate pressure may improve VO₂ max, a key indicator of cardiovascular fitness. Since VO₂ max is strongly linked to heart health and overall longevity, finding a safe and effective way to improve it has meaningful implications not just for athletes, but for anyone looking to enhance their fitness and well-being.

The purpose of this clinical trial is to determine how certain food items affect oxidative stress, inflammation, and performance recovery from exercise induced muscle damage in a resistance trained population. The main questions The investigators aim to answer are the following: * Do Haskaps speed the recovery of oxidative stress and inflammation markers after an intense lower body workout in resistance trained adults? * Do Haskaps speed the recovery of performance measures after an intense lower body workout in resistance trained adults? * The data collected in this investigation may also be used to ask additional questions not yet identified. For example, the investigators may use the stored samples to evaluate how the blood metabolites of participants differ before and after intense exercise. These additional questions are called secondary analyses. Please note that no genetic analysis will be conducted and racial and ethnic differences among participants will not be used in any secondary analyses. Researches will compare Haskap juice to a color, flavor and carbohydrate matched placebo to see if Haskaps speed recovery in inflammation, oxidative stress and performance. * Participants will be asked to drink either Haskap juice or placebo and follow a low polyphenolic diet * Participants will perform an intense resistance workout * Participants will have their blood drawn before and after the workout * Performance will be analyzed at 24, 48 and 72 hours after the workout

Toddlerhood (ages 2-3) is a critical window when the gut microbiome is still developing and eating habits are being established. Yet, many Canadian toddlers eat diets high in sugar and salt, which may affect long-term health. This study will test whether a MED diet can improve dietary inflammation, gut health, and body composition in toddlers and whether a tailored nutrition education program for parents can help families maintain healthy eating patterns. In this study, toddlers will be randomly assigned to a 3-week MED diet or their usual diet. Families in the MED diet group will receive free meal boxes for the 3 weeks, plus guidance from a nutrition researcher through a structured education program. The standard diet group will continue their regular diet with general nutrition advice. Researchers will collect dietary information, body composition assessments, and stool samples to measure gut microbiome composition and metabolites. This first study of a controlled diet intervention in toddlers, combining behavioral support, high-quality food provision, and advanced gut microbiome analysis, will help understand how early diet shapes lifelong eating habits and health, guiding public health strategies and precision nutrition approaches to prevent chronic disease from early life.

This study is a randomized controlled trial that will evaluate the effect of non-invasive auricular vagal nerve stimulation on inflammatory markers, glycemic control, postoperative pain, and inflammation-related clinical outcomes after long-segment spinal fusion surgeries when compared to current accepted management.

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if a neuroscience-based computerized cognitive remediation ("brain training") program can treat neurocognitive dysfunction (i.e., memory or thinking difficulties) that emerges in some older adults following a viral infection. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does computerized cognitive remediation improve cognitive performance and day-to-day functioning in older adults with postviral neurocognitive dysfunction? * Will treatment effects be maintained over time, leading to better long term cognitive outcomes? * Does the treatment lead to reductions in blood-based markers of inflammation as a potential mechanism of cognitive symptom improvement? * Can the treatment be optimized and refined based on feedback from participants to improve user (patient) experience? Researchers will compare the computerized cognitive remediation program to an active computer-based control condition (alternative computer activities) to see if the computerized cognitive remediation program works to treat postviral neurocognitive dysfunction. Participation takes approximately 43-48 hours over 7 months, with most activities (40-46 hours) completed within the first 7-8 weeks, including: * Initial intake visit: Eligibility confirmation (\~2-3 hours) * Computer activities: About 5 hours per week for \~6 weeks (total \~30 hours) completed on a computer tablet provided by the study and loaned to participants for use during the treatment phase * Weekly remote check-in meetings: \~30 minutes each during treatment * Blood draws: Two sessions (before and after treatment), \~20-30 minutes each * Three research visits: Pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up (\~2-3 hours each, including assessments of cognitive, emotional, and daily functioning)

Mangos contain a number of nutrients that may improve gut and metabolic health. The purpose of this research is to see how eating mangos every day for 4 weeks instead of snacks high in calories and low in nutrients such as cookies, crackers, chips, and candy can impact adolescent health.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of consuming grape powder on immune profiles in healthy middle- and older-aged individuals. Specifically, the investigators are interested in evaluating the potential effects of grapes in influencing markers of immune function, inflammation, and metabolism that are known to change with aging. Grapes contain several nutrients and antioxidant polyphenols such as resveratrol, quercetin, vitamin K and fiber, which are known to promote heart and immune health. However, the effects of grapes on altering immune profiles within the context of aging is not well understood. Therefore, this study will explore how daily grape consumption impacts certain markers of immunity in healthy middle- and older-aged adults. The main study procedures include consumption of a freeze-dried grape powder and control powder (which tastes the same but has none of the grape compounds that are being studied) mixed with water as a beverage on a daily basis for 4 weeks each. The investigators will additionally ask that participants avoid eating grapes and certain other antioxidant/grape-related foods and beverages throughout the 13-week study. Participants will additionally be asked to complete surveys about their diet, physical activity, and medical history, as well as provide blood samples and body weight measures throughout the course of the study. Participation in the study is expected to last about 6.25 hours over the course of 13 weeks and will include 7 visits.

Most Americans consume excess dietary salt based on the recommendations set by the American Heart Association and Dietary Guidelines for Americans. High dietary salt impairs blood pressure control by affecting systemic blood vessels and the kidneys. These changes contribute to excess salt consumption being associated with increased risk for chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in America. Salt is particularly deleterious in older adults who are more likely to exhibit salt-sensitive hypertension. However, salt consumption remains high in the United States. Thus, there is a critical need for strategies to counteract the effects of high dietary salt as consumption is likely not going to decrease. One promising option is ketones, metabolites that are produced in the liver during prolonged exercise and very low-calorie diets. While exercise and low-calorie diets are beneficial, not many people engage in these activities. Limited evidence indicates that ketone supplements improve cardiovascular health in humans. Additionally, published rodent data indicates that ketone supplements prevent high salt-induced increases in blood pressure, blood vessel dysfunction, and kidney injury. Our human pilot data also indicates that high dietary salt reduces intrinsic ketone production, but it is unclear whether ketone supplementation confers humans' protection against high salt similar to rodents. Therefore, the investigators seek to conduct a short-term high-dietary salt study to determine whether ketone supplementation prevents high dietary salt from eliciting increased blood pressure, blood vessel dysfunction, and kidney injury/impaired blood flow. The investigators will also measure inflammatory markers in blood samples and isolate immune cells that control inflammation. Lastly, the investigators will also measure blood ketone concentration and other circulating metabolites that may be altered by high salt, which could facilitate novel therapeutic targets to combat high salt.

Study Objective The purpose of this clinical study is to evaluate if biophoton therapy, delivered by Tesla BioHealing® Biophoton Generators (Biophotonizer), can increase self-grown stem cells naturally. Study Design This is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled intervention clinical study to assess the effectiveness of biophoton therapy in impacting stem cells. Approximately 46 volunteers who want to increase self-grown stem cells will participate in the study. Study Randomization The biostatistician will prepare a randomization schedule including a serial of subject numbers. A subject number will be randomly assigned to each study participant, which will assign them to either the control group or the treatment group. Other than the Informed Consent Form (ICF), all study information will be recorded by using the subject number. The Principal Investigator, study physicians, study nurse, data-entry specialists, and biostatisticians, as well as the participants, will be blinded about who received which product during the first two weeks of study participation.

This study aims to assess the immune response and safety of GSK's candidate chickenpox and marketed MMR vaccines when given to children 12 to 15 months of age via a muscle injection. It compares the GSK vaccines to Merck's chickenpox vaccine, administered just under the skin. Additionally, the study will evaluate the immune response and safety of giving the GSK vaccines along with other childhood vaccines through a muscle injection.

After completing novel activity or exercise we may experience exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), resulting in a period of reduced muscle function and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). DOMS is characterized by muscle pain and tenderness that typically resolves within a week. While the precise cause of DOMS is unknown, there is growing evidence implicating damage to the connective tissue that surrounds our muscle fibers and is related to a small amount of inflammation. This inflammation is a normal part of our body's ability to recovery from injuries and may be visualized through the use of ultrasound technology. A variety of recovery techniques have been proposed that may help with the recovery of DOMS such as massage and electrical muscle stimulation, but these are not always accessible. Therefore, we are interested in investigating whether the number of daily steps can affect how you experience DOMS.