Eccentric Exercise and Juice Plus+

Effects of a Fruit/Berry/Vegetable Supplement on Muscle Function and Oxidative Stress

Purpose: This study tested the effectiveness of a fruit/berry/vegetable concentrate (FVC), Juice Plus+ supplement on muscle function and oxidative stress in response to an acute bout of eccentric exercise (EE).

Methods: Forty one (18-35 yrs) healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to either a placebo (P) or FVC treatment taking capsules for 28 days (6 day-1) prior to the EE and for the next four days. All subjects completed 4 sets of 12 repetitions of eccentric elbow flexion with their non-dominant arm. Blood, muscle soreness (MS), range of motion (ROM), and maximal isometric force (MIF) of the elbow flexors were obtained before and, immediately after exercise, and at 2, 6, 24, 48, 72 hrs post-exercise. Plasma was analyzed for creatine kinase (CK), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyls (PC). Glutathione ratio was determined from whole blood extracts.

Results: MS, ROM, MIF and plasma CK demonstrated significant time effects independent of treatment. MS and plasma CK increased over time while ROM and MIF decreased over time. There was a significant time and time by treatment effect for plasma PC and MDA. PC and MDA increased over time in the P group (p<0.01) but were not significantly altered in the FVC treated group at any time. No significant changes were noted in LOOH. The glutathione ratio was elevated immediately post exercise in both groups (p<0.01) and elevated 6hr post exercise with P compared to the FVC treated group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: This study reports that 4 weeks of pretreatment with a FVC (Juice Plus+) can attenuate blood oxidative stress markers induced by EE but had no significant impact on the functional changes related to pain and muscle damage.

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2010

The training effect (aka adaptation) of exercise is vital for the athlete to gain in strength and endurance - for example, muscle tissue must break down and be repaired to grow stronger. However, excessive damage caused by exercise-induced oxidative stress is to be avoided if possible. This study again demonstrates what all Juice Plus+ athletes know from their own experience: that those who take Juice Plus+ experience less oxidative damage, while fully benefiting from their training. For more on Juice Plus+ Athletes in Europe visit www.juiceplussports.eu.

This is the fourth study of Juice Plus+ in serious athletes, following these three which have already been published:

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2006 (full article) - Study findings: Juice Plus+ supplementation for 2 weeks attenuated the rise in protein carbonlys after 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, even after a 1 week washout.

Journal of Nutrition 2007 (full article) - Study findings: Several indicators of oxidative stress, immunity, and illness improved in 41 highly trained men (special forces) consuming Juice Plus+ for 28 weeks.

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2009 (full article) - Study findings: Exercising at 80% VO2max intensity, the Juice Plus+ group (compared to placebo) had lower baseline protein carbonyl levels after 16 and 28 weeks and no exercise-induced protein carbonyl increase. Human mercaptalbumin, another marker of exercise-induced oxidative stress, was also significantly lowered.