Sixteen days of supplementation with 60 mg per days of salidroside was also associated with enhanced oxygen uptake during high-intensity aerobic exercise, according to the findings published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.
“Several dimensions of sports performance were positively influenced by dietary supplementation with salidroside, from cardiovascular fitness and aerobic endurance to recovery,” said Florian Mourey, co-author of the study and Gnosis Substantiation Plan Manager, R&D.
Fermentation-derived salidroside
R. rosea is a perennial herb that mostly grows at high altitudes in arctic areas of Europe and Asia, with forms of the herb in trade including dry extracts in solid dosage forms such as capsules and tablets, liquid extracts, cut, dried rhizome and root and powdered rhizome and root.
It has traditionally been used to manage stress, mental and physical fatigue and depression and to boost energy.
The rhodiola plant was added to the Appendix II portion of the CITES list in 2022, which indicates a potential concern about the wild populations. There are sources in trade that are sourced from cultivated plants.
LANDKIND Pure Salidroside from Gnosis by Lesaffre is produced using a proprietary fermentation process that isolates the compound, which is said to ensure long-term, stable supply without depleting R. rosea resources.
The study was funded by Double Rainbow Biosciences (DRB). Lesaffre acquired certain DRB assets in 2023, including the LANDKIND Pure Salidroside, and integrated them into Lesaffre’s Institute of Science and Technology. The ingredient is distributed exclusively in the United States by Gencor.
Study details
Led by Neil Schwarz, PhD, associate professor at the University of South Alabama, the researchers recruited 50 healthy young men (average age of 21) to participate in their exploratory, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either salidroside (30 mg twice a day) or placebo for 16 days and performed two multi-day testing sessions separated by 14 days. A graded exercise test on a treadmill was used to determine their peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak). They also engaged in a high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) protocol depending on their VO2 peak.
The results showed an acute effect of salidroside supplementation during the first multi-day testing session (the second day of supplementation), with oxygen uptake found to be enhanced in the salidroside group during high-intensity intermittent exercise.
“In addition, the results of this clinical study suggest a positive effect of salidroside in reducing muscle damage following resistance exercise and inhibiting a decline in high-intensity exercise performance,” Mourey said.
The data also revealed that, while mood disturbances were observed in the placebo group, the group supplemented with salidroside showed a more stable mood state. In particular, higher levels of fatigue inertia were reported in the placebo group during the study, the researchers reported.
The salidroside ingredient was also safe and well-tolerated during throughout the trial.
“The new study confirms the safe and effective benefits of our salidroside from fermentation,” Nicole Lemus, Gnosis by Lesaffre director for the Americas, told NutraIngredients.
“Our ingredient answers pain points for brand owners and consumers: Brand owners now have a sustainable, low-dose bioactive as a foundation for sports nutrition products or they can easily add it to their existing formations. Meanwhile, consumers can enjoy products that are not muddled by the taste issues of traditional rhodiola products while experiencing a natural energy boost, avoiding the issues that accompany caffeine, which is preferred over traditional caffeine-enhanced products.”
Commenting on the study, Dr. Schwarz said: “After extensive peer review, we received extremely positive reviewer comments. One stated that the study provides ‘extremely novel insights’ into several potential health and performance benefits of the synthesized salidroside.”
Source: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
2024, Volume 21, Issue 1, doi: 10.1080/15502783.2024.2433744
“Salidroside and exercise performance in healthy active young adults – an exploratory, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study”
Authors: N.A. Schwarz et al.
