Potential antioxidant effects of a natural clinoptilolite zeolite/sea buckthorn (ZSB) dietary supplement on smokers with stressful life styles

INTERVENTION: Upon inclusion, patients were randomized to Group A (controls, 25 subjects) who were receiving a placebo and Group B (study group, 25 subjects) who were receiving the ZSB dietary supplement (600 mg of natural clinoptilolite zeolite and 150 of sea buckthorn, three times/day). Block randomization was performed to ensure equal number of patients in the two groups. CONDITION: We have examined the antioxidant status of healthy volunteers who were smokers, followed an unhealthy diet as defined by the consumption of junk food at least 3 times per week and were doing stressful (office) jobs. The subjects reported also minimal levels of physical exercise as defined by walking less than one mile per day. ; Mental and Behavioural Disorders PRIMARY OUTCOME: To evaluate the anti‐oxidant properties of ZSB by measuring the total antioxidant status (TAS) and the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) test in cases and controls. SECONDARY OUTCOME: 1. Any potential side effects following the administration of ZSB. Patients were followed every 15 days by means of total blood counts and regular biochemical studies including urea, creatinine, and hepatic enzymes; 2. Patient self‐evaluation (via a questionnaire) of any potential changes in their smoking/dietary habits, level of physical activity (walking miles per day) and stress levels. Stress levels were assessed by means of a semi‐quantitative scale (1 to 10; whereas 1 indicated no stress and 10 high stress levels). INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Healthy Caucasian volunteers (20 males, 37 ± 6.3 year old, with body mass index (BMI) 28.2 ± 1.6) who were following a non‐healthy type of diet as defined by the consumption of junk food at least 3 times on a weekly basis were recruited from a relatively young population of patients who have been visiting during 2014 an outpatient medical clinic of a university hospital for routine check‐up purposes 2. All patients were smokers (15 packs. yr ± 2.7) 3. All were doing stressful (office) jobs 4. Level of physical exercise was minimal as defined by walking less than a mile/day 5. All patients provided formal informed consent to participate in the study which was approved by the institutional ethics committee