The results came from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted with 20 healthy male participants, who were supplemented with either a placebo or 50mg of Sabinsa’s branded multi-enzyme complex DigeZyme. The study was published in Sports Nutrition and Therapy.
“This new study, gives a new twist to a classic product of ours, DigeZyme,” said Sabinsa marketing director Shaheen Majeed. “Well known for use in digestive health, we have now studied DigeZyme for this specific sports indication.”
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
According to the researchers, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a ‘well-documented phenomenon, often occurring as the result of the unaccustomed or high intensity eccentric exercise.’ Normally, symptoms occur within 24 hours after exercise and can include muscle shortening, increased passive stiffness, swelling, and decreases in strength and power.
“Considerable amount of research on the treatment of DOMS has been carried out till date but no single treatment has been proven successful in consistently preventing or treating DOMS,” the researchers wrote.
There has been some evidence that digestive enzymes have anti-inflammatory effects, so the researchers used Sabinsa’s DigeZyme ingredient—an off-white to creamy white powder—to find out its effects on individuals who have exercised and experience DOMS.
Study design
Participants were included if they were healthy and have not been taking any anti-inflammatory, analgesic, or antioxidants in the previous month. A health history questionnaire was given out to identify the degree of risk for cardiovascular or orthopedic complications during exercise.
Participants were given either the multi-enzyme complex supplementation or placebo capsule over a three-day period, each consuming one capsule three times a day. The administration of treatment and placebo was blinded for both the participants and the investigator.
To induce DOMS, participants had to fast 10 hours, and then mount a level motorized treadmill and warmed up for 5 minutes at their own pace. Then, the treadmill speed was increased until heart rate reached 80% of predicted maximal heart rate, and participants were instructed to maintain this pace for five minutes before continuing to another five minute-active cool down.
An algometer was used to quantify muscle pain by applying direct pressure over the right front thigh and right back thigh muscles. Sourness was assessed using questionnaires, where participants rated on a scale of 1 for normal, to 10 for very, very sore.
Findings: DigeZyme may fit sports performance applications
Efficacy parameters were set by changes of reported soreness from baseline to final visit throughout the intervention period. They found that participants who took the multi-enzyme complex had “statistically significant difference for the efficacy parameters on day three when compared with placebo.”
According to the researchers, their findings are in line with four other ones that have observed papain combined with other proteases to attenuate DOMS post exercise. The multi-enzyme supplement contained neutral protease, lipease, lactase, alpha-amalyse, and cellulose.
“Enzymes have been part of the sports supplements category, and DigeZyme has enjoyed its place in many sports products, mainly to have enzymes breakdown proteins and carbohydrates,” Majeed said about the findings. “Sabinsa has now given an additional clinical indication that no other enzyme blend has done before - DOMS. Our blend for this indication is now patent pending.”
Source: Sports Nutrition and Therapy
Published online ahead of print, DOI: 10.4172/2473-6449.1000113
Multi−Enzyme Complex for the Management of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness after Eccentric Exercise: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Study
Authors: Majeed et al.