The Efficacy of Chlorella Supplementation on Health and Performance Following a 12-week Training Programme
- Conditions
- SedentaryOverweight
- Interventions
- Dietary Supplement: Chlorella supplementationOther: 12 week cardiovascular training programmeDietary Supplement: Placebo Supplementation
- Registration Number
- NCT05639634
- Lead Sponsor
- University College, London
- Brief Summary
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).
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 36
- Aged 18-50
- Classified a sedentary (<30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise for <3 days per week for 3 months) and/or overweight (BMI = 25 +)
- Be willing to complete a 12-week training programme
- Individuals taking blood thinners.
- Known allergies to algae/mould and iodine.
- Taking immunosuppressant medication
- Regularly ingesting algae
- Smokers
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Chlorella Supplementation and Exercise Chlorella supplementation Supplementation with Chlorella (1.5 g/d) with a physical exercise program for 12 weeks Chlorella Supplementation and Exercise 12 week cardiovascular training programme Supplementation with Chlorella (1.5 g/d) with a physical exercise program for 12 weeks Chlorella Supplementation Chlorella supplementation Supplementation with Chlorella (1.5 g/d) only for 12 weeks. No exercise programme Placebo Supplementation and Exercise 12 week cardiovascular training programme Supplementation with Placebo - microcrystalline cellulose (1.5 g/d) with a physical exercise program for 12 weeks Placebo Supplementation and Exercise Placebo Supplementation Supplementation with Placebo - microcrystalline cellulose (1.5 g/d) with a physical exercise program for 12 weeks Placebo Supplementation Placebo Supplementation Supplementation with Placebo - microcrystalline cellulose (1.5 g/d) only for 12 weeks. No exercise programme
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Changes in cardiovascular fitness (VO2max) At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 Changes in cardiovascular fitness variables as measured by a Cardio Pulmonary Exercise Test.
Changes in blood lipid profiling At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 Assessing changes in blood lipids (Triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, High-density lipoprotein)
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Changes in cognitive function (inhibition) At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 (before and after exercise) Assessing changes in inhibition (m/s \& number of errors) using the Gorilla Experiment Builder on a laptop.
Changes in blood pressure At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 Assessing changes in blood pressure (mmHg). Systolic and diastolic, using the ABP-Monitor Mobil-O-Graph NG
Changes in augmentation index At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 Assessing changes in augmentation index (Alx) using the ABP-Monitor Mobil-O-Graph NG.
Changes in cognitive function (simple reaction time) At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 (before and after exercise) Assessing changes in simple reaction time (m/s \& number of errors) using the Gorilla Experiment Builder on a laptop.
Changes in cognitive function (context memory) At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 (before and after exercise) Assessing changes in source and context memory (m/s \& number of errors) using the Gorilla Experiment Builder on a laptop. spatial anticipation
Changes in cognitive function (spatial anticipation) At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 (before and after exercise) Assessing changes in spatial anticipation (m/s \& number of errors) using the Gorilla Experiment Builder on a laptop.
Changes in body composition variables At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 Assessing changes in body composition variables using the Tanita. Weight (kg) and height (cm) will be combined to report BMI in kg/m\^2.
Changes in cognitive function (endogenous and exogenous attending) At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 (before and after exercise) Assessing changes in endogenous and exogenous attending (m/s \& number of errors) using the Gorilla Experiment Builder on a laptop.
Changes in body composition variables (fat & lean mass percentage) At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 Assessing changes in body fat mass (Body Fat mass %) and lean mass in percentage (Lean mass %) using the Tanita.
Changes in body composition variables (fat free and muscle mass) At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 Assessing changes in fat free mass (kg) and muscle mass (kg) using the Tanita.
Changes in pulse wave velocity At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 Assessing changes in pulse wave velocity (PWV) using the ABP-Monitor Mobil-O-Graph NG.
Changes in total vascular resistance At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 Assessing changes in total vascular resistance (TVR) using the ABP-Monitor Mobil-O-Graph NG.
Changes in augmentation pressure At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 Assessing changes in augmentation pressure using the ABP-Monitor Mobil-O-Graph NG.
Changes in lactate At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 Assessing changes in lactate at rest, peak, +5mins post, +10mins post, +30mins post
Changes in biomarkers for brain health At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 Assessing changes in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (before exercise at rest and 30-mins post peak exercise)
Changes in Nitrate/Nitrite At baseline, week 6 and at week 12 Assessing changes in plasma Nitrate and Nitrite concentrations
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
University Colllege London (ISEH)
🇬🇧London, United Kingdom