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Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Published in: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Effects of zeolite supplementation on parameters of intestinal barrier integrity, inflammation, redoxbiology and performance in aerobically trained subjects

Authors: Manfred Lamprecht, Simon Bogner, Kurt Steinbauer, Burkhard Schuetz, Joachim F. Greilberger, Bettina Leber, Bernhard Wagner, Erwin Zinser, Thomas Petek, Sandra Wallner-Liebmann, Tanja Oberwinkler, Norbert Bachl, Gert Schippinger

Published in: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Zeolites are crystalline compounds with microporous structures of Si-tetrahedrons. In the gut, these silicates could act as adsorbents, ion-exchangers, catalysts, detergents or anti-diarrheic agents. This study evaluated whether zeolite supplementation affects biomarkers of intestinal wall permeability and parameters of oxidation and inflammation in aerobically trained individuals, and whether it could improve their performance.

Methods

In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled trial, 52 endurance trained men and women, similar in body fat, non-smokers, 20–50 years, received 1.85 g of zeolite per day for 12 weeks. Stool samples for determination of intestinal wall integrity biomarkers were collected. From blood, markers of redox biology, inflammation, and DNA damage were determined at the beginning and the end of the study. In addition, VO2max and maximum performance were evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. For statistical analyses a 2-factor ANOVA was used.

Results

At baseline both groups showed slightly increased stool zonulin concentrations above normal. After 12 weeks with zeolite zonulin was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in the supplemented group. IL-10 increased tendentially (p < 0.1) in the zeolite group. There were no significant changes observed in the other measured parameters.

Conclusions

Twelve weeks of zeolite supplementation exerted beneficial effects on intestinal wall integrity as indicated via decreased concentrations of the tight junction modulator zonulin. This was accompanied by mild anti-inflammatory effects in this cohort of aerobically trained subjects. Further research is needed to explore mechanistic explanations for the observations in this study.
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Metadata
Title
Effects of zeolite supplementation on parameters of intestinal barrier integrity, inflammation, redoxbiology and performance in aerobically trained subjects
Authors
Manfred Lamprecht
Simon Bogner
Kurt Steinbauer
Burkhard Schuetz
Joachim F. Greilberger
Bettina Leber
Bernhard Wagner
Erwin Zinser
Thomas Petek
Sandra Wallner-Liebmann
Tanja Oberwinkler
Norbert Bachl
Gert Schippinger
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-015-0101-z

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