No positive influence of ingesting chia seed oil on human running performance.

David C Nieman, Nicholas D Gillitt, Mary Pat Meaney, Dustin A Dew

Journal: Nutrients 2016;7(5):3666-76

PMID: 25988762

Plain Language Summary

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is the precursor to long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that have been shown to support a variety of health benefits. It is thought that ALA may function as a fuel substrate during long-duration exercise, particularly when carbohydrate stores are depleted. The aim of this crossover study was to test the efficacy of chia seed oil supplementation, high in ALA, for improving exercise performance and attenuating post-exercise inflammation in 24 long distance runners. Participants were randomly assigned to ingest water infused with chia seed oil in a fasted state and then run to exhaustion. The findings of this study indicate that an acute, large dose chia seed oil supplement did not enhance running performance or counter elevations in inflammatory markers. The authors suggest that further research on chronic ALA supplementation is warranted to determine potential long-term effects on lowering post-exercise inflammation.

Abstract

Runners (n = 24) reported to the laboratory in an overnight fasted state at 8:00 am on two occasions separated by at least two weeks. After providing a blood sample at 8:00 am, subjects ingested 0.5 liters flavored water alone or 0.5 liters water with 7 kcal kg-1 chia seed oil (random order), provided another blood sample at 8:30 am, and then started running to exhaustion (~70% VO2max). Additional blood samples were collected immediately post- and 1-h post-exercise. Despite elevations in plasma alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) during the chia seed oil (337%) versus water trial (35%) (70.8 ± 8.6, 20.3 ± 1.8 μg mL(-1), respectively, p < 0.001), run time to exhaustion did not differ between trials (1.86 ± 0.10, 1.91 ± 0.13 h, p = 0.577, respectively). No trial differences were found for respiratory exchange ratio (RER) (0.92 ± 0.01), oxygen consumption, ventilation, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and plasma glucose and blood lactate. Significant post-run increases were measured for total leukocyte counts, plasma cortisol, and plasma cytokines (Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-8 (IL-8), Interleukin-10 (IL-10), and Tumor necrosis factors-α (TNF-α)), with no trial differences. Chia seed oil supplementation compared to water alone in overnight fasted runners before and during prolonged, intensive running caused an elevation in plasma ALA, but did not enhance run time to exhaustion, alter RER, or counter elevations in cortisol and inflammatory outcome measures.

Address: Human Performance Laboratory, Appalachian State University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC 28081, USA. [email protected].; Dole Nutrition Research Laboratory, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC 28081, USA. [email protected].; Human Performance Laboratory, Appalachian State University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC 28081, USA. [email protected].; Human Performance Laboratory, Appalachian State University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC 28081, USA. [email protected].

DOI: 10.3390/nu7053666

Clinical Imbalances

Immune and inflammation

Laboratory Testing

Blood

Modifiable Lifestyle Factors

Diet Exercise and movement

Nutrition Evidence Keywords

Inflammation Chia seed oil

Bioactive Substances

Chia seed oil Inflammation

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https://scite.ai/reports/25988762

MeSH Terms: Adult, Athletic Performance, Cytokines, Dietary Supplements, Eating, Fasting, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Male, Middle Aged, Oxygen Consumption, Physical Endurance, Plant Oils, Running, Salvia, Seeds, Young Adult, alpha-Linolenic Acid