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Published on: October 17, 2018
Effects of herbal supplements on the immune system in relation to exercise
M Megna1, A P Amico, G Cristella
1Neuroscience and Sense Organs Department, Aldo Moro University, Bari, Italy. marismegna@libero.it
Abstract:
Athletes who undergo strenuous exercise, especially in endurance sports, frequently use herbal supplements in order to have a better performance. In this review we try to find out if the most common herbal supplements (Echinacea, Rhodiola, Ginseng) are effective in the empowerment of performance or in the modulation of the immune system. It seems that the prevalent effect is adaptogenic rather than ergogenic, with a better tolerance of the exercise induced stress, related to enhancement of the whole immune system and decrease of the oxidative damage.
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