According to a new study, regular supplementation with Curcumin, the phtyonutrient found in the spice Turmeric, may relieve muscle fatigue and soreness in adolescent athletes. Curcumin has been show to have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has been used for thousands of years in alternative medicine. Specifically, Curcumin seems to have the capacity to stop the formation of enzymes that increase free radical formation. Additionally it is known that Curcumin increases levels of Antioxidant types of enzymes like CoQ10 and Vitamin E while reducing inflammation.
28 high school and junior high school athletes, with an average age of 17, participated in this non-randomized prospective cohort study (21 men and 7 women). All participants engage in sports, soft tennis, soccer, wrestling, for at least 20 hours a week for over 1 year. The study lasted 12 weeks. 15 of the participants where part of the test group(13 males and 2 females) which consumed 300 mg of Curcumin supplement 3 times daily. Muscle soreness, muscle fatigue and inflammatory factors were assessed both at baseline and at the end of the study period.
After the 12 week period, a significant decrease in muscle soreness and muscle fatigue were observed in the test group. Additionally a significant decrease in inflammatory markers was seen in the test group. Increases in basic metabolic rate and fat free mass were also seen.
Further testing with larger samples and expansion of testing various inflammatory markers are needed.
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