A new study reveals that EVNol™ full spectrum palm tocotrienol (T3)–supplementation and WPI (Whey Protein Isolates) prolongs running time (ie: – enhances exercise endurance), in sedentary, diet-induced obese rats.
In this study, 35 rats were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups: (i) high-fat diet, high-fat diet supplemented with (ii) T3 at dosage of 50mg/kg (EVNol™, supplied by ExcelVite Sdn. Bhd.), (iii) WPI (8% of total energy intake) and (iv) both T3 (50mg/kg) and WPI (8% of total energy intake) respectively for 10 weeks. Food intake, body composition, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, exercise capacity, glycogen content and oxidative enzyme activity of skeletal muscle were determined.
After 10 weeks of diet intervention, as expected, there were no significant changes in terms of food intake, body composition, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity among all the groups. However, interestingly, both supplemented groups (T3 and WPI respectively) showed significant higher exercise capacity (> 50% longer running time) compared to the control group. While the T3+WPI group did not further improve exercise endurance, the WPI+T3 supplemented rats have higher endurance compared to the control group. When compared to previous study by Lee et al on forced swimming rats, tocotrienol (EVNol™)-supplemented groups in both studies exhibited submaximal intensity exercise endurance. The purported benefits of tocotrienol is due to the increase in PPAR activity (ie: modulates fatty acid storage and glucose metabolism) and mitochondrial biogenesis (ie: regulates metabolic activity).
“We were surprised by the benefit of T3 + WPI, and when our data combines with that of Lee et al, the benefits on exercise endurance are quite compelling. The mechanisms of this will be very interesting to elucidate,” says Dr. Andrew Betik, postdoctoral researcher for the Colleges of Health & Biomedicine and Sport & Exercise Science at Victoria University of Melbourne Australia.
“Exercise generates free radicals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and if the level of ROS is left unchecked, it would lead to muscle fatigue or weakness in physical performance such as running, swimming and other sports activities,” says CheeYen Lau, Nutritionist at ExcelVite.
Tocotrienols – Potent Antioxidant
Tocotrienols, being a more potent form of vitamin E (40-60x than tocopherol) – has been reported to scavenge ROS-induced muscle fatigue effectively.
“Tocotrienol’s superior antioxidant activity explained the significant increase in exercise endurance as demonstrated in these 2 studies – the tocotrienol-supplemented swimming-rats and obese-rats. In addition, regulating metabolic activity (such as lactate’s production/ removal; glycogen content etc) during and after physical performance is also important to enhance the exercise / performance capacity. Both animal studies with different physiological performances have shown that supplementation of EVNol™ helps to improve exercise endurance. These initial results are very promising and encouraging for our future studies, including a potential human clinical study in sport endurance and weight management, “added Lau.
References
Betik A, et al. (2015). Tocotrienols and Whey Protein Isolates Substantially Increase Exercise Endurance Capacity in Diet-Induced Obese Male Sprague-Dawley Rats. PLOS One, 11(4), e0152562.
Lee SP, et al. (2009). Effects of tocotrienol-rich fraction on exercise endurance capacity and oxidative stress in forced swimming rats. Eur J Appl Physiol, 107, 587 – 595.
Disclaimer : The statements in the above article have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.