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Lycored,an international wellness company at the forefront of ingredient and nutrition supplements, announced the publication of its clinical results in the peer-reviewed scientific periodical, International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.
In this clinical study, Lycored looked for the first time at the effects of a tomato-based supplement that mimics the natural composition of the entire tomato by combining the oil and water-soluble fractions of the tomato.
The supplement used in the study was rich in carotenoids such as lycopene, phytoene and phytofluene (T-LPP) as well as other ingredients, and is rounded by the presence of Rosemary extract and folic acid.
Within the paper, researchers reveal that consuming the supplement reduced muscle damage associated with exercise, specifically running.
The research, funded by Lycored and carried out by researchers at Appalachian State University’s Human Performance Lab in North Carolina, highlights how consuming a T-LPP supplement results in a significant increase in the plasma levels of the carotenoids contained within the supplement, and revealed less post-exercise increase in the acute muscle damage biomarker, serum myoglobin, than in the placebo group.
Specifically, the study revealed that post-exercise serum myoglobin was lower in participants who ingested the T-LPP supplement, as compared to the placebo group.
Myoglobin is an iron- and oxygen-binding protein found in muscle tissue that is translocated to the blood compartment following acute muscle injury from intensive exercise; thus considered a sensitive marker for muscle injury.
Results from this studyindicated that four-weeks of ingesting the T-LPP supplement containing lycopene, phytoene and phytofluene increased plasma carotenoid levels by 73% and diminished rises in the acute muscle damage biomarker, serum myoglobin, during recovery following a two-hour running bout that included downhill running.
“Optimizing muscle recovery, balancing muscle damage and enhancing muscle resilience to the stress associated with exercise are beneficial for both athletes and casual exercisers,” added Dr. Hermoni. “This study utilized a modest dose of tomato carotenoids for a relatively short time period. These promising initial results are an important step, opening the door for additional studies to further explore the role of carotenoids and tomato phytonutrients in complementing an active lifestyle and allowing people to optimize the benefits of exercise.”
It is important to remember that nutritional approaches and the use of dietary supplement in sports nutrition are intended to be just one piece of the puzzle- complementing other healthy lifestyle choices.
Harnessing the power of nutrition to help balance the stress, muscle damage, and fatigue, can help keep ourselves in the best condition and enjoy the full spectrum of benefits that exercise holds.