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Dual-Action Grouper Bone and Wakame Hydrolysates Supplement Enhances Exercise Performance and Modulates Gut
Huey-Jine Chai1, Tsung-Kai Yi1, Yi-Feng Kao1
1Fisheries Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Keelung 202008, Taiwan.
Nutrients
|September 27, 2025
Summary
This study shows that an upcycled marine supplement (GU) enhances exercise performance and improves gut health in mice by boosting beneficial bacteria. GU offers a sustainable, dual-action approach to support physical and metabolic health.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science and Exercise Physiology
- Marine Biotechnology and Nutraceuticals
- Microbiome Research
Background:
- Limited research exists on sustainable, dual-action ergogenic aids, particularly those utilizing seafood by-products.
- Existing ergogenic strategies often target single physiological pathways.
- Upcycling marine sidestreams offers a sustainable approach to developing novel functional ingredients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the ergogenic and gut microbiota modulating effects of an upcycled formulation (GU) derived from grouper bone hydrolysate and Undaria pinnatifida extract.
- To compare the efficacy of GU against a vehicle control and a branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplement in a mouse model.
- To assess the impact of GU on exercise performance, fatigue markers, body composition, and gut microbial composition.
Main Methods:
- An upcycled formulation (GU) was created using enzymatic hydrolysis of marine by-products.
- Male ICR mice were supplemented with GU (three dose levels), a BCAA control, or vehicle for 4 weeks.
- Exercise performance (grip strength, treadmill tests), biochemical markers, body composition, and gut microbiota (16S rRNA sequencing) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- GU supplementation significantly improved treadmill endurance and grip strength, outperforming the BCAA control.
- GU enhanced lean body mass and reduced exercise-induced lactate accumulation.
- Gut microbiota analysis revealed increased abundance of beneficial taxa (e.g., Lactobacillus, Muribaculum) in GU-treated groups, indicating prebiotic effects and improved metabolic markers without toxicity.
Conclusions:
- The upcycled marine formulation (GU) acts as a dual-action supplement, enhancing physical performance through muscle support and microbiome modulation.
- GU promotes metabolic health and presents a sustainable, effective strategy for exercise enhancement.
- Further research, including human pilot studies and safety assessments, is warranted.
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