Study: Should we rely on turmeric to relieve sore muscles among young athletes?
Study: Should we rely on turmeric to relieve sore muscles among young athletes?
= 0.004). The MDA level in the urine dropped from 2.39 to 1.94 ng/mg creatinine (p = 0.002). The serum levels of TNF-α and CK showed no significant difference. The multidimensional fitness ratings also showed no significant changes. Overall, the results suggest that a 12-week daily curcumin supplementation can reduce muscle fatigue and sore muscles in young athletes after training.
Details of the study:
Reference
bai ky, liu gh, fan ch, et al. A 12-week curcumin supplementation can alleviate muscle fatigue after training among young athletes. front nut . 2022; 9: 1078108.
Study goal
It should be determined whether a daily curcumin supplementation in young athletes reduces tiredness after training
Key to take away
A turmeric supplement can affect muscle fatigue after training in young athletes.
Design
not randomized, not blinded, prospective cohort study
participant
28 participants (21 men and 7 women; average age 17 ± 1 year) completed the study.
inclusion criteria: athletes of the middle and upper level, which trained tennis, football or struggle last year.
exclusion criteria: Regular use of nutritional supplements, reported allergy to curcumin, preference against taking curcumin supplements and inability to train 20 hours a week during the study period.
of the originally 60 participants who were evaluated for the study, 49 participants were included in the study and 21 were lost for the follow-up examination (ten did not take part in the second survey; 11 did not stick to the curcumin supplementation).
Intervention
Participant in the active group received 1.5 g Jiang Huang powder with 1,200 mg curcumin, 190 mg thickness and 10 mg sodium carboxymethyl cellulose for 12 weeks. Each participant was able to join or leave the intervention group. The control group did not use a placebo.
studied study parameters
The researchers determined muscle fatigue and sore muscles based on a visual analog scale from 0 to 10, where 0 does not mean fatigue or pain and 10 maximum fatigue or pain.
The researchers measure the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and creatine kinase (ck) as well as the urine mirrors of 8-hydroxy-2′-desoxyguanosine (8-ohdg) and Malondialdehyd (MDA) at the start of study.
They also used multi-dimensional fitness ratings, including grip and back thickness, balance through foot balance with closed eyes, flexibility through trunk floating and stretching while sitting, muscle endurance through sit-ups, strength through vertical jump and mobility through reaction time and side steps.
primary result
muscle fatigue and sore muscles in young athletes after 12 weeks of daily curcumin supplementation. The secondary results included blood markers for inflammation and oxidative stress.
most important findings
The mean value for muscle fatigue dropped from 6 ± 1 to 4 ± 2 ( p = 0.005). The mean value for sore muscles decreased from 7 ± 2 to 4 ± 2 ( p = 0.005).
The middle 8-ohdg value in urine dropped from 4.79 to 3.86 ng/mg creatinine ( p <0.036). Changes to the CK, MDA and TNF-α results did not achieve any significance.
Transparency
The change Memorial Hospital Grants Study has supported the study financially and the authors state that there is no conflict of interest.
Effects and restrictions for practice
This study by Bai Ky, Liu Gh, fan ch et al. has some significant restrictions. The control group was not given a placebo, and the active group was therefore not blinded compared to the use of the material examined, which may have contributed to a performance distortion. In addition, the appraisers were not supposed to be alleged, which may have contributed to the distortion distortion.
A further restriction of the general extrapolation from this study is that the participants were not randomized. Each participant decided to obtain (or not to maintain), which is a distortion of selection. In this study, many participants had to be tracked, and the low sample size reduces the ability to recognize effects, especially in the case of subgroup analyzes and male vs. female.
The biochemical analysis was weak with regard to inflammatory markers. The researchers have not measured several important inflammatory markers. They also did not cover or controlled food intake. The training was logged, but no standardized protocol was provided. In fact, the investigators recruited three different sports: struggles, tennis and football.
The researchers have not measured several important inflammatory markers.
While the study in the title and in the text indicates the results in relation to "curcumin", turmeric could be the more appropriate term than the isolated active ingredient curcumin. Based on the typical curcuming content of turmeric, the specified 1,200 mg turmeric corresponds to about 35 to 60 mg curcumin daily. 1 The study authors did not respond to correspondence at the time of submitting this review.
Apart from these restrictions, this study is unique in the choice of demographic features and the duration of the turmeric supplementation. Stress-induced muscle damage (EIMD), sore muscles with delayed start (cathedral) and oxidative stress were primary result indicators in previous clinical studies, systematic checks and meta-analyzes with turmeric or curcumin products. Training carried out. Nobody rates young people.
Due to the design restrictions of the study, serious effects on practice are difficult. Doctors of integrative medicine often recognize curcumin (curcuminoids) and turmeric as useful anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress interventions. Therefore, it can already be included in recommendations with excessive physical stress and occasional joint and muscle pain. This study complements the evidence that a turmeric supplementation reduces 8-OHDG, a commercially available test for assessing oxidative stress. Due to the open question of how much curcumin was included in the alleged turmeric powder, we cannot even give a preliminary comment on the role of turmeric or curcumin for young athletes on the basis of this study.
common doses of turmeric preparations are between 300 and 1,500 mg per day, with the total amount of curcuminoids between 30 mg and 1,350 mg. In addition, various delivery systems that influence absorption also contribute to the variety of products on the market.
In view of the widespread use and the strong security profile of these nutritional supplements, the most prudent measure could be followed in considering this intervention against muscle fatigue after training in young athletes to follow the label recommendations of the dietary supplement manufacturers.
their disclosure of conflicts of interest
The author is employed by a manufacturer and distributor of nutritional supplements, including turmeric supplements (GAIA Herbs).
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