"You can only train as hard as your ability to recover."
- Dr. Aaron Horschig
Boosting physical performance via the gut
Intense workouts, competing under pressure, and unique diets can all add to the stress athletes experience. Their gut microbiota may be altered, and they may face issues such as GI symptoms, insomnia, chronic inflammation, delayed-onset muscle soreness, and the risk of kidney damage.
Probiotics are already used by some to maintain fitness and boost recovery. The anti-stress, anti-fatigue, and antioxidant properties of PS128 makes it an encouraging prospect for achieving physical well-being.
In multiple placebo-controlled studies, researchers in Taiwan have found significant advantages - both during and after competition - from giving PS128 to athletes. Benefits include:
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improved athletic performance,
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quicker recovery,
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reduced inflammatory markers and oxidative stress, and
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increased branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs).
2021 Nutrients
Study Summary
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Type: double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced, crossover trial
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Participants: 8 recreational runners in their 20s, female and male
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Intervention: 4 weeks of either PS128 supplement or placebo capsule
The PS128 group showed significantly better final-stage split times during their competition (see below), significantly higher leg muscle strength in the days after the race, and significantly lower markers of muscle and kidney damage compared to the placebo group.
2020 Nutrients
Study Summary
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Type: double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, trial
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Participants: 20 university athletes, male
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Intervention: 4 weeks of either PS128 supplement or placebo capsule
The PS128 group showed significantly better endurance (by about 130%, see below), significantly improved gut microbiome (decreased "bad" species, increased "good" species), and significantly greater short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) when compared to the placebo group.
PS128 supplementation (LG) showed significant improvement of about 30% on a treadmill endurance test when compared to a placebo group (PG), *p<0.0035
2019 Nutrients
Study Summary
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Type: double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, trial
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Participants: 34 university athletes
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Intervention: Either 3 or 4 weeks of either PS128 supplement or placebo capsule before completing either a sprint or full triathlon
Significant differences (see below) included the PS128 group showing enhanced exercise performance, alleviated oxidative stress and muscle damage post-competition, reduced inflammatory and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines, and raised branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), as compared to the placebo group.
Creatine kinase (muscle damage marker) levels in full triathlon athletes taking PS128 were significantly less 3 hours after the race versus in the placebo group; *p<0.016
TNF-α (inflammation marker) levels were significantly less post-race in the full triathlon PS128 group versus the placebo group; *p<0.016
INF-γ (inflammation marker) levels were significantly less post-race in the full triathlon PS128 group versus the placebo group; *p<0.016
IL-6 (inflammation marker) levels were significantly less post-race in the full triathlon PS128 group versus the placebo group; *p<0.016
IL-8 (inflammation marker) levels were significantly less post-race in the full triathlon PS128 group versus the placebo group; *p<0.016
Anaerobic capacity peak power (exercise performance) significantly increased after taking PS128 for three weeks when compared to a placebo group; *p<0.05
Anaerobic capacity mean power (exercise performance) significantly increased after taking PS128 for three weeks when compared to a placebo group; *p<0.05
Endurance (exercise performance) of athletes who took PS128 for three weeks was significantly improved versus a placebo group; *p<0.05
More PS128 clinical data