Algae are an emerging functional food source that are gaining traction and popularity in biopharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and biotechnology industries. They are a diverse and complex species that comprise an abundant breadth of micronutrients (multiple vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids) that can possibly promote human health. One such popular algae is chlorella, a unicellular dark green organism, which can be readily bought in health stores worldwide. Although there is some promising data to suggest chlorella supplementation can alleviate cardiovascular risk factors and improve VO2max from supplementation alone, an area which has particularly limited existing literature is the possible ergogenic and health influence of chlorella supplementation combined with a controlled training programme in sedentary and overweight populations. Given that such populations are susceptible to increased risk of developing associated diseases (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension) and possess poor diets, there is a need to investigate the possible synergistic effect of a training programme and supplementation of algae further. Furthermore, there is growing evidence to suggest that supplementation with algae may have a beneficial effect on cognitive function, primarily owed to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Therefore, the purpose of this study aims to assess the efficacy of chlorella supplementation on VO2max, blood lipid profiles, cognitive function and body composition following a 12-week training programme. Briefly, in a double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, participants will be randomly allocated into 1 of 4 groups (A. Exercise + Chlorella, B. Exercise + Placebo, C. Control + Chlorella, D. Control + Placebo).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
36
Supplementation with Chlorella (1.5 g/d) in 3 capsules for 12 weeks.
Participants will be asked to complete a 12 week cycling training programme. This will consist of 4 X 50 min sessions per week. Each exercise session will include a warm-up phase (\~ 5 min), a main physical conditioning phase (\~ 40 min), and a cool-down phase (\~ 5 min).
Supplementation with Placebo - microcrystalline cellulose (1.5 g/d) in 3 capsules for 12 weeks.
University Colllege London (ISEH)
London, United Kingdom
Changes in cardiovascular fitness (VO2max)
Changes in cardiovascular fitness variables as measured by a Cardio Pulmonary Exercise Test.
Time frame: At baseline, week 6 and at week 12
Changes in blood lipid profiling
Assessing changes in blood lipids (Triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, High-density lipoprotein)
Time frame: At baseline, week 6 and at week 12
Changes in cognitive function (simple reaction time)
Assessing changes in simple reaction time (m/s \& number of errors) using the Gorilla Experiment Builder on a laptop.
Time frame: At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 (before and after exercise)
Changes in cognitive function (inhibition)
Assessing changes in inhibition (m/s \& number of errors) using the Gorilla Experiment Builder on a laptop.
Time frame: At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 (before and after exercise)
Changes in cognitive function (endogenous and exogenous attending)
Assessing changes in endogenous and exogenous attending (m/s \& number of errors) using the Gorilla Experiment Builder on a laptop.
Time frame: At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 (before and after exercise)
Changes in cognitive function (context memory)
Assessing changes in source and context memory (m/s \& number of errors) using the Gorilla Experiment Builder on a laptop. spatial anticipation
Time frame: At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 (before and after exercise)
Changes in cognitive function (spatial anticipation)
Assessing changes in spatial anticipation (m/s \& number of errors) using the Gorilla Experiment Builder on a laptop.
Time frame: At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 (before and after exercise)
Changes in body composition variables
Assessing changes in body composition variables using the Tanita. Weight (kg) and height (cm) will be combined to report BMI in kg/m\^2.
Time frame: At baseline, week 6 and at week 12
Changes in body composition variables (fat & lean mass percentage)
Assessing changes in body fat mass (Body Fat mass %) and lean mass in percentage (Lean mass %) using the Tanita.
Time frame: At baseline, week 6 and at week 12
Changes in body composition variables (fat free and muscle mass)
Assessing changes in fat free mass (kg) and muscle mass (kg) using the Tanita.
Time frame: At baseline, week 6 and at week 12
Changes in blood pressure
Assessing changes in blood pressure (mmHg). Systolic and diastolic, using the ABP-Monitor Mobil-O-Graph NG
Time frame: At baseline, week 6 and at week 12
Changes in pulse wave velocity
Assessing changes in pulse wave velocity (PWV) using the ABP-Monitor Mobil-O-Graph NG.
Time frame: At baseline, week 6 and at week 12
Changes in total vascular resistance
Assessing changes in total vascular resistance (TVR) using the ABP-Monitor Mobil-O-Graph NG.
Time frame: At baseline, week 6 and at week 12
Changes in augmentation index
Assessing changes in augmentation index (Alx) using the ABP-Monitor Mobil-O-Graph NG.
Time frame: At baseline, week 6 and at week 12
Changes in augmentation pressure
Assessing changes in augmentation pressure using the ABP-Monitor Mobil-O-Graph NG.
Time frame: At baseline, week 6 and at week 12
Changes in lactate
Assessing changes in lactate at rest, peak, +5mins post, +10mins post, +30mins post
Time frame: At baseline, week 6 and at week 12
Changes in biomarkers for brain health
Assessing changes in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (before exercise at rest and 30-mins post peak exercise)
Time frame: At baseline, week 6 and at week 12
Changes in Nitrate/Nitrite
Assessing changes in plasma Nitrate and Nitrite concentrations
Time frame: At baseline, week 6 and at week 12
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