OPTYGEN - Studies, etc.

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See also: 1st Endurance Ultragen

Study Concludes Acute Rhodiola Rosea Intake Can Improve Endurance Exercise Performance

A recently published double blind placebo controlled human study concludes that "Acute Rhodiola rosea intake can improve endurance exercise performance in young, healthy volunteers." The study was published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism (2004, 14, 292-301).

This study, performed by the Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy at the Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics Laboratory at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium, concluded that Rhodiola rosea intake (200 mg) can improve endurance exercise capacity. Prior dosing had little impact, but 200 mg does produce a statistically significant overall performance improvement and lower lactate levels after exercise. The researchers specifically used a Rhodiola rosea extract with a Rosavins : Salidroside ratio of 3:1. This quality is generally representative of the most researched Rhodiola rosea extracts originating in Russia. P.L.Thomas offers Rhodiola rosea extract manufactured according to the original Russian Pharmacopoeia. This product also has the 3:1 ratio of marker compounds. A majority of the studies (pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical trials) were done using product manufactured according to the original Russian Pharmacopeia.

Conducted by Katrien De Bock, Bert O. Eijnde, Monique Ramaekers, and Peter Hespel, the study investigated the effect of acute and four-week Rhodiola rosea intake on physical capacity, muscle strength, speed of limb movement, reaction time and attention with 24 young, healthy male and female volunteers.

This study supports previous animal research which showed that R . rosea extract increases the synthesis or re-synthesis of ATP in mitochondria, and stimulates energetic recovery processes after intensive muscular work. Results of this study done in Russia provide strong evidence that R. rosea and R. crenulata possess significantly different pharmacological properties, and that R. rosea is superior in terms of enhancing physical performance.

Prior research data indicate that Rhodiola rosea intake may have a variety of beneficial effects including: stimulation of the central nervous system, improved physical work performance and muscle strength, aids in stress reduction and prevention of altitude sickness.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any desease.

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