Post-Ironman Supplementation Enhances Mood State during Recovery
They call it the post-Ironman blues: a period of mild depression that follows the completion of training for an endurance competition and the race itself. A group of researchers recently tested whether nutritional supplementation might improve these symptoms. Following completion of an Ironman triathlon, eighteen subjects were randomly assigned to perform their normal recovery routine alone or their normal routine plus morning and evening dietary supplementation. The morning supplement consisted of five herbal extracts (Cordyceps, Rhodiola, Eleuthero, Ashwagandha, and Eurycoma) and the evening supplement consisted of four amino acids (Glutamine, Leucine, Valine, Isoleucine), two proteolytic enzymes (Papain and Bromelain), a sterol (Beta-sitosterol), and a flavonoid antioxidant (Citrus bioflavonoids). Standardized mood questionnaires revealed that members of the supplement group reported significantly lower levels of stress, tension and depression. These results should be viewed skeptically, however, because there was no placebo control and the study was performed by principals of a company that sells the tested supplements. |
