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Effects of greens+ ® A Randomized, Controlled Trial

DOI:10.3148/65.2.2004.66
Authors:
Heather Boon at University of Toronto
Heather Boon
Joyce Clitheroe
Joyce Clitheroe
Joyce Clitheroe
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Tonia Forte
Tonia Forte
Tonia Forte
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Abstract

Greens+ is a popular natural health product marketed as energy-enhancing; however, no objective data substantiate this claim. The study objective was to determine if ingestion of greens+ 1. increases vitality, energy, and perception of well-being; 2. increases overall mental health and general health, and 3. decreases the incidence of colds and flus in an otherwise healthy female population. A total of 105 women were enrolled in this 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial; 63 (60%) completed the treatment protocol. Both treatment and placebo groups showed a significant time trend effect, scoring better on all outcome measures as the trial progressed. Compared with the placebo group, the greens+ group scored marginally higher on vitality, the primary outcome measure (p=0.055), and significantly higher on energy (a secondary outcome measure, p=0.018). Findings were based on repeated measures analysis of variance; baseline scores were used as covariates. Although a trend toward greater improvement in the greens+ group was noted in the other secondary outcome measures, this trend did not reach statistical significance. Overall, our findings were positive but not conclusive that greens+ increases vitality and energy. These results provide justification for further study of the effects of greens+.
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Effects of greens + ®: A Randomized, Controlled Trial
Heather Boon; Joyce Clitheroe; Tonia Forte
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research; Summer 2004; 65, 2; CBCA Reference
pg. 66
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
... A list of ingredients in a single serving of greens+ in shown in Table 1. Although greens+ has been the subject of both clinical and experimental investigation [13][14][15], there have been no studies to evaluate its antioxidant properties. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to evaluate antioxidant potential of the herbal preparation greens+ using the in vitro and in vivo techniques. ...
In Vitro and in Vivo Antioxidant Properties of the Plant-Based Supplement Greens+TM
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Dietary antioxidants play an important role against oxidation, an underlying mechanism in the incidence of chronic diseases. Greens+ is a commercially available preparation containing a variety of plant-derived ingredients. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the methanolic extract of greens+ powder using in vitro and in vivo techniques. In vitro studies were conducted using a liposome model system to simulate biological cell membranes. Total antioxidant potential and polyphenol content of the herbal preparation was measured. For in vivo analysis, 10 healthy human subjects consumed either three or six teaspoons of greens+ per day for four weeks. Blood samples were analyzed at baseline and at the conclusion of the treatment period for total antioxidant capacity, polyphenol content, protein, lipid and LDL oxidation, and the level of glutathione peroxidase. Results showed that greens+ supplementation was well tolerated and increased serum antioxidant potential at higher levels of intake in a dose-dependent manner. HPLC analysis showed the presence of quercetin, apigenin, kaempferol and luteolin in the supplement. Plasma analysis indicated the presence of kaempferol only. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in protein and lipid oxidation was observed. Based on its antioxidant properties, the results suggest that greens+ might play a role in reducing the risk of chronic diseases involving a burden of oxidative damage.
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... One such commercially available green food supplement, greens+ (Genuine Health, Toronto, Canada), has been the subject of at least one controlled trial in a university setting (see table 1 for ingredients list). The product was shown to improve energy in adults, with trends toward improving well-being and mental health vs. placebo [20]. While there is general consensus that diet can undoubtedly impact acid-base balance, and that an individual's net acid load can be specifically modified by dietary interventions [21], the area of dietary supplements and acid-base balance is an unknown. ...
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