The Effects of B-sitosterol (BSS) and B-sitosterol glucoside (BSSG) Mixture on Selected Immune Parameters of Marathon Runners: Inhibition of Post Marathon Immune Suppression and Inflammation
 
   

The Effects of B-sitosterol (BSS) and B-sitosterol
glucoside (BSSG) Mixture on Selected Immune Parameters
of Marathon Runners: Inhibition of Post Marathon
Immune Suppression and Inflammation

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:
   Frankp@chiro.org
 
   

FROM:   Int J Sports Med 1999 (May); 20 (4): 258–262

Bouic PJ, Clark A, Lamprecht J, Freestone M, Pool EJ,
Liebenberg RW, Kotze D, van Jaarsveld PP

Dept. Medical Microbiology,
Tygerberg, South Africa.
pjdb@maties.sun.ac.za


A pilot study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the intake of capsules containing the plant sterols and sterolins (BSS:BSSG mixture) on selected immune parameters of volunteers participating in an ultra-marathon in Cape Town, South Africa. Those runners having received active capsules (n=9) showed less neutrophilia, lymphopenia and leukocytosis when compared to their counterparts having received placebo capsules (n=8): the placebo treated individuals showed significant increases in their total white blood cell numbers as well as in their neutrophils (p=0.03 and 0.03 respectively). Furthermore, statistically significant increases within lymphocyte subsets were observed in the runners having received the active capsules: CD3+ cells increased (p=0.02) as did CD4+ cells (p=0.03). In parallel, the BSS:BSSG capsules decreased the plasma level of IL6 in the runners using the active capsules (p=0.08) and significantly decreased the cortisol: DHEAs ratio (p=0.03), suggesting that these volunteers had less of an inflammatory response and were less immune suppressed during the post-marathon recovery period. These findings justify further investigations into the use of the phytosterols to prevent the subtle immunosuppression associated with excessive physical stress.

Return to STRESS AND NUTRITION

Since 12-10-2004

                  © 1995–2024 ~ The Chiropractic Resource Organization ~ All Rights Reserved