Abstract
Objective: Xanthophylls are a type of carotenoid with particularly high antioxidative capacity, and ingestion of paprika xanthophylls is expected to have the effect of reducing oxidative stress during exercise. In the present study, the effects of ingested paprika xanthophylls on oxidative stress and respiratory metabolism during endurance exercise were investigated in male university student athletes. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind intergroup comparative experiment, 21 male athletes ingested capsules containing 4.5 mg paprika xanthophylls (PA group; n=11) or placebo capsules (CON group; n=10). Blood was collected before ingestion, at 4 weeks after ingestion, and at 8 weeks after ingestion, and carotenoid levels, oxidative stress, and blood antioxidative capacity were analyzed. In addition, cycling exercise (60% maximal oxygen consumption for 30 min) was carried out before and at 4 and 8 weeks after ingestion, and respiratory gases were analyzed. Results: Total carotenoids and total xanthophylls in the erythrocytes showed significantly higher values in the PA group than in the CON group at both 4 and 8 weeks after ingestion (4 weeks, p<0.01; 8 weeks, p<0.001). In addition, the heart rate during cycling exercise was significantly lower in the PA than in the CON group at 4 and 8 weeks after ingestion (4 weeks, p<0.05; 8 weeks, p<0.01 and p<0.001). Conclusion: These results suggest that the ingestion of paprika xanthophylls may improve energy efficiency during endurance exercise.
Highlights
Oxidative stress plays a role in the immune system by killing bacteria or viruses, but it is reported to be involved in numerous diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well as in aging [1,2]
Significantly higher levels of erythrocyte total xanthophylls were observed in the paprika xanthophylls (PA) compared with the CON group at both 4 and 8 weeks after ingestion (4 weeks; p
These results suggest that the intake of paprika xanthophyll, which exhibits antioxidative effects, improves erythrocyte deformability and decreases heart rate, thereby ameliorating exercise efficiency
Summary
Oxidative stress plays a role in the immune system by killing bacteria or viruses, but it is reported to be involved in numerous diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well as in aging [1,2]. Reactive oxygen is produced in excess as a result of transient, hyperintense exercise [3], and it has an oxidizing effect on healthy cells, which creates the source of diseases. The human body has two mechanisms to eliminate reactive oxygen in order to prevent oxidative stress occurring in this way: antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes. Antioxidants are substances that remove reactive oxygen by reacting directly with it, and can be ingested in food or as supplements. Enzymes are proteins produced within the body, which act as catalysts. Active ingestion of antioxidants, which remove reactive oxidants, has been suggested as a way to prevent disease by increasing the body’s antioxidative capacity
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