The Muscle Mag
The study, which was a randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial and published in the journal Nutrients, examined the impact of Carbo Gel C2:1, an energy gel by the Italian sports nutrition brand Enervit, on 26 healthy long-distance runners.
The results showed that administering a high dose of 2:1 maltodextrin–fructose supplementation before, during, and after a 15 km run at 90% VO2max intensity significantly reduced inflammatory markers and metabolic stress.
According to authors Sergio Davinelli and Alessandro Medoro from the University of Molise in Como, Italy, the high dose of maltodextrin-fructose in a 2:1 ratio led to a notable decrease in inflammatory biomarkers like white blood cells, interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and cortisol compared to the placebo group.
The study was funded by the non-profit Paolo Sorbini Foundation, which supports scientific research in nutrition, while Equipe Enervit Srl provided scientific support and supplied the test product and placebo used in the research.
Inflammation during exercise
Prior research has identified mechanisms causing inflammation and muscle damage during exercise and discussed how nutritional supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, can aid in recovery and performance.
Comparing carbohydrate supplementation to EPA/DHA supplementation for inflammation, the authors explained that while carbohydrates can help mitigate pro-inflammatory lipids like arachidonic acid (AA), the effects on the AA/EPA ratio and ω-3 index tend to be more temporary.
On the contrary, EPA and DHA supplementation plays a direct and sustained role in modulating the AA/EPA ratio and ω-3 index, offering more lasting regulation of long-term inflammation. The researchers also noted past studies reporting conflicting results on carbohydrate supplementation during exercise due to suboptimal doses and insufficiently intense training.
The current study utilized maltodextrin and fructose at a 2:1 ratio to enhance carbohydrate absorption, allowing the body to utilize more carbohydrates during exercise.
Study details
The study involved randomized participants with a median age of 32 (four females and 22 males) who completed a treadmill test and two running sequences, including a 3 km warm-up and a 15 km endurance run at 90% VO2 max, with a week-long washout period in between.
The researchers assessed various factors like blood lactate, inflammatory markers, heart rate, perceived exertion rate, weight, muscle soreness, and gastrointestinal symptoms. They concluded that supplementation could reduce inflammation during moderate to high-intensity endurance activity and improve post-endurance lipid levels.
Optimizing carbohydrate intake during endurance exercise may enhance recovery by reducing inflammation and enhancing lipid balance, particularly in terms of ω-3 fatty acid levels and the AA/EPA ratio, the authors suggested. They called for further research to explore the combined effects of carbohydrate and EPA/DHA supplementation on athletes undergoing intense training.
Source: Nutrients
2024, 16(18), 3078; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16183078
“Effects of maltodextrin–fructose supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers and lipidomic profile following endurance running: A randomized placebo-controlled cross-over trial.”
Authors: S Righetti et al.
