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Short-term vitamin E supplementation before marathon running: a placebo-controlled trial
A L Buchman1, D Killip, C N Ou
1Division of Gastroenterology, University of Texas Houston Health Science Center 77030, USA.
Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.)
|May 13, 1999
Summary
Vitamin E supplementation did not prevent intestinal injury or occult bleeding in marathon runners. However, it was associated with a reduced incidence of gastrointestinal complaints like cramping and pain.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Marathon running is associated with gastrointestinal (GI) complaints and occult bleeding.
- These symptoms may stem from intestinal ischemia and reperfusion injury during endurance events.
- Animal studies suggest vitamin E may offer prophylactic benefits against such injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if prerace vitamin E supplementation prevents intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury in human marathon runners.
- To assess the impact of vitamin E on occult bleeding, intestinal permeability, and GI symptoms post-marathon.
Main Methods:
- A double-blinded trial randomized 40 marathon runners to receive 1000 IU of vitamin E or placebo for 2 weeks prior to the race.
- Measurements included serum vitamin E, total lipids, occult stool blood, and urinary lactulose/mannitol ratio to assess intestinal permeability.
- Post-race GI symptoms (nausea, pain, cramping) were rated on a 1-5 scale.
Main Results:
- Vitamin E supplementation increased serum vitamin E levels but did not prevent occult bleeding or alter intestinal permeability.
- The vitamin E group showed a trend towards increased serum vitamin E:total lipid ratio.
- While not statistically significant, more subjects in the placebo group reported cramping and abdominal pain.
Conclusions:
- Prerace vitamin E supplementation did not impact performance, intestinal injury markers, or occult bleeding in marathon runners.
- Vitamin E supplementation was associated with a decreased incidence of post-race GI complaints, but not their severity.
- The study suggests intestinal permeability increases and occult bleeding occurs during endurance running, but vitamin E did not mitigate these effects.