Protandim and Runners
By Nathalie Chevreau PhD, RD
Sr Vice President of Research and Development
Research Manuscript on the Effect of Protandim in runners by SL Uebershlag et al, University of Louisville, KY has been submitted to PLoS.
Article Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine if oral supplementation of Protandim® (a nutraceutical) for 90 days would improve 5-km running performance.
A secondary objective was to measure serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), total glutathione (tGSH= GSH+GSSG), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and
thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS) at rest and 10 minutes after the completion of the run before and after supplementation. In a doubleblind, randomized, placebo controlled trial, completed in Louisville, KY, USA, 38 runners [mean (SD) = 34 (7) yrs; BMI = 22 (2) kg/m2] received either 90
days of Protandim® [1 pill a day, n = 19)] or placebo (n = 19). Randomization was done in blocks of two, controlling for sex and 5-km baseline performance
time. A 5-km race was performed at baseline and after 90 days of supplementation, with blood samples taken before and 10-min after each race.
Fasting blood samples were acquired at baseline, after 30, 60, and 90 days of supplementation. Serum SOD, GSH, GPX and TBARS were assayed in an
out-of-state lab. Running time was not altered by Protandim® or placebo [20.3 (2.1) minutes, with an -8 (33) seconds change in 5-km time regardless of
group]. There was no change in tGSH, SOD, GPX or TBARS (at rest) after three months of Protandim® supplementation compared to placebo. However,
in a subgroup ≥ 35 year of age, SOD increased by two fold in the Protandim® group after 90 days compared to only a 50% increase in the placebo group
(p=0.038). The mean post-race change in TBARS (compared to pre-race) was not altered between groups, even after three months of supplementation.
In conclusion, Protandim® did not (1) alter 5-km running time, (2) lower TBARS, or (3) raise antioxidant enzyme concentrations compared to placebo
(with the exception of SOD in those ≥ 35 years old). The 5-km race did not induce oxidative stress as seen by unchanged mean TBARS, which remained
within normal range.
WHY?
• Athletes are constantly looking for supplements that will give them improved performance.
• With exercise comes changes within the oxidative, inflammatory and neuroendocrine systems that contribute to adaptation to the training stimulus.
• Regular training has been shown to enhance the antioxidant defense mechanisms.
• Overtraining may cause systemic oxidative stress.
• Supplements that may further increase these antioxidant defense mechanisms could be of value to those athletes.
The effect of Protandim® supplementation on athletic performance
and oxidative blood markers in runners*
Day 1
Fasting
blood draw
5K run
Day 30
Blood
drawn
10 min
after run
completed
Fasting
blood draw
Day 60
Fasting
blood draw
Day 90
Fasting
blood draw
Protandim
5K run
Blood
drawn
10 min
after run
completed
15 Runners
Continued their exercise
routine without overtraining
38 Runners
Placebo
• Mean age: 34 (15 over 35 years old)
• 5K running time
• Blood parameters:
+ Blood TBARs as a measure of oxidative stress
+ Blood SOD, Total Glutathione (GSH & GSSH), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX)
19 Runners
*University of Louisville
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Resting TBARs Resting
Results:
TBARs Results:
TBARs (micromoles/L)
Proprietary assay done at
• Proprietary
assay done at 3rd party
Genova
Diagnostics:
commercial
lab
Normal
range for TBARs;
less than 10 µmoles/L
• Normal range < 10 µmole/L
• These
healthy
subjects
These
healthy
subjects
did did not have
not have
oxidative
stress.
oxidative
stress
(TBARs were within
Their normal
TBARs ranges)
were within
normal ranges
Baseline
Day 0
Day 30
Day 60
Day 90
Number of days post supplementation
TBARs before and 10 minutes after completing the 5K run results:
TBARs (µmoles/L)
Pre-run
10 min Post run
p value
Baseline
8.1
8.4
0.22
Day 90
7.6
7.1
0.47
• The 5K run done by these regional runners did not produce oxidative stress. TBARs remained within normal ranges in both groups.
• Regular training has clearly allowed both groups to adapt to the exercise stimulus and enhance their antioxidant
defense mechanisms.
• No difference in 5K run time between groups.
RESTING
RESULTS:
RestingSOD
SOD Results:
Resting TBARs Results:
• Proprietary assay done at 3rd party
Proprietary assay done
Proprietary assay done at commercial lab
at Genova Diagnostics:
Genova Diagnostics:
• Normal range 5,275 to 16,662 U/g Hb
Normal range for TBARs;
  Normal range 5,275 to
less than 10 µmoles/L • 16,662
RegularU/g
training
Hg has clearly enhanced
Hb
the antioxidant defense mechanisms in
Regular
training
has
These healthy subjects   did
both groups
(shown
byclearly
the upward slope
not have oxidative stress.enhanced the antioxidant
of the green line)
Their TBARs were within defense mechanisms in
normal ranges
• The data at day 57 exhibit an odd dip
TBARs (micromoles/L)
 
both groups
Baseline
Day 0
Day 30
Day 60
Day 90
Number of days post supplementation
 
for both groups leading us to believe
Something happened at
that there were technical issues at the
Genova Labs when they
lab when the blood assays were run
analyzed Day 60 samples.
See the green line
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Resting Total Glutathione Results:
• Proprietary assay done at 3rd party
commercial lab
• Normal range > 669 µmole/L
• Total glutathione did not change
(shown by the flat green line)
Resting Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX) Results:
• Proprietary assay done at 3rd party
commercial lab
• Normal range 20 to 38 U/g Hb
• Both groups increased GPX with
regular training (shown by the
upward slope of the green line)
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In Subjects 35 and older
When we look at the subgroup of participants who were 35 years of
age and older, a clear trend emerges revealing a significant benefit
of Protandim on anti-oxidant reserves.
Resting (Pre-Run) SOD Change
16250
(Day 90 - Day 0) SOD (U/g Hb)
(Day 90 – Day 0) SOD
(Day 90 - Day 0) SOD (U/g Hb)
(Day 90 – Day 0) SOD
16250
13000
13000
P=0.03
9750
6500
3250
0
Post Run SOD Change
Placebo
Protandim
P=0.05
9750
6500
3250
0
Placebo
Protandim
The change of resting blood SOD levels between baseline and 90 days was significantly higher
(200%) in the group who took Protandim compared to only a 50% increase for those who
received the placebo. Furthermore, post-run SOD change was also significantly higher in the
Protandim group than in placebo group.
In Subjects 35 and Older
Post Run Total Glutathione Change
(Day (Day
90 - Day
tGSH0)(µmole/L)
90 –0)Day
GSH
225
Similarly, regular training and
a vigorous run contributed to
increasing total blood glutathione
levels by 27 units from baseline
in the placebo group. Protandim
further increased the tGSH
reserve by 174 units.
180
135
P=0.09
90
45
0
Placebo
Protandim
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What do we Learn from this study?
• Regular training without overtraining enhances antioxidant defense
mechanisms (SOD, GPX).
• Protandim supplementation further enhances antioxidant defenses
especially in those 35 years and older at rest and after an all out 5K run.
• Protandim supplementation helped prevent depletion of antioxidant
enzyme reserves after a shorter bout of strenuous exercise. This
preservation of antioxidant enzyme reserves could potentially help the
recovery of individuals engaging in longer bouts of strenuous exercise.
• Enhancement of antioxidant defense mechanisms - first time shown in
a double placebo control study.
distributed by lifevantage corporation
9785 S. Monroe Street, Sandy, UT 84070 USA • 1 (866) 460-7241 • lifevantage.com
©2016 LifeVantage Corporation • 16031501.06