A multi-nutrient supplement reduced markers of inflammation and improved physical performance in active individuals of middle to older age: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

• Published in: Nutrition journal Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 90 - 414
• Main Authors: Dunn-Lewis, Courtenay, Kraemer, William J, Kupchak, Brian R, Kelly, Neil A, Creighton, Brent A, Luk, Hui-Ying, Ballard, Kevin D, Comstock, Brett A, Szivak, Tunde K, Hooper, David R, Denegar, Craig R, Volek, Jeff S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 07.09.2011; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Aging; alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin; alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin - metabolism; Amino Acids; anxiety; arteries; Arthritis; Biological markers; blood; branched chain amino acids; Cardiovascular disease; Chronic illnesses; creatine kinase; Creatine Kinase - metabolism; Data collection; Diagnosis; Dietary Supplements; dispersions; Double-Blind Method; drug therapy; elderly; energy; Exercise; Fatigue; Female; Free radicals; Gene expression; Health aspects; Human performance; Humans; Inflammation; Inflammation - drug therapy; Interleukin-6; Interleukin-6 - blood; Joint; Kinases; Kinesiology; lifestyle; Male; men; Mens health; metabolism; Middle Aged; Mortality; muscles; Nutrition research; Older people; pain; Physical Fitness; Physical Fitness - physiology; Physiological aspects; physiology; placebos; plant extracts; Protein synthesis; Proteins; Recovery; Resistance Exercise; Risk factors; Supplementation; taurine; Vitamin B; vitamins; women; Womens health; United States
• ISSN: 1475-2891; 1475-2891
• DOI: 10.1186/1475-2891-10-90

While exercise acts to combat inflammation and aging, the ability to exercise may itself be compromised by inflammation and inflammation's impact on muscle recovery and joint inflammation. A number of nutritional supplements have been shown to reduce inflammation and improve recovery. The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the effect of a multi-nutrient supplement containing branched chain amino acids, taurine, anti-inflammatory plant extracts, and B vitamins on inflammatory status, endothelial function, physical function, and mood in middle-aged individuals. Thirty-one healthy and active men (N = 16, mean age 56 ± 6.0 yrs) and women (N = 15, mean age = 52 ± 7.5 yrs) participated in this investigation. Subjects completed one 28 day cycle of placebo supplementation and one 28 day cycle of multi-nutrient supplementation (separated by a one week washout period) in a balanced, randomized, double-blind, cross-over design. Subjects completed weekly perceptual logs (PROMIS-57, KOOS) and pre- and post- testing around the supplementation period. Testing consisted of brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD), blood measures, and physical performance on vertical jump, handgrip strength, and balance (dispersion from center of pressure). Significance for the investigation was p ≤ 0.05. IL-6 significantly decreased in both men (from 1.2 ± 0.2 to 0.7 ± 0.4 pg·mL(-1)) and women (from 1.16 ± 0.04 to 0.7 ± 0.4 pg·mL(-1)). Perceived energy also improved for both men (placebo: 1.8 ± 0.7; supplement: 3.7 ± 0.8 AUC) and women (placebo: 1.2 ± 0.7; supplement: 2.8 ± 0.8 AUC). Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (from 108.9 ± 38.6 to 55.5 ± 22.2 ug·mL(-1)), Creatine Kinase (from 96 ± 34 to 67 ± 23 IU·L(-1)), general pain, and joint pain decreased in men only, while anxiety and balance (from 0.52 ± 0.13 to 0.45 ± 0.12 cm) improved in women only. Men showed increased performance in vertical jump power (from 2642 ± 244 to 3134 ± 282 W) and grip strength (from 42.1 ± 5.9 to 48.5 ± 4.9 kg). A multi-nutrient supplement is effective in improving inflammatory status in both men and women, markers of pain, joint pain, strength, and power in men only, and both anxiety and balance (a risk factor for hip fracture) in women. Therefore, a multi-nutrient supplement may help middle-aged individuals to prolong physical function and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.