Tangeretin plus whey protein helps athletes breathe better

A citrus flavonoid combined with whey protein was shown to benefit athletes dealing with exercise-induced asthma in a recent study. 

The new research was published in the journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. It was the work of a group of researchers associated with universities in Chongqing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. 

Little studied flavonoid

The study examined the citrus flavonoid tangeretin. It was isolated more than three decades ago but has been seldom studied in the realm of sports nutrition. It has never previously — so far as can be determined— been studied in connection with exercised-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), more commonly known as exercise-induced asthma.  

 Tangeretin can be found in many citrus fruits, and at least one source of research chemicals states it is isolated from citrus peels via supercritical fluid extraction. The material the researchers used is a form of the molecule branded as Qinguoren, supplied by a Chinese company, and is claimed to be from a citrus peel raw material. 

A U.S.-based company supplied the protein that the researchers used. 

The researchers recruited a cohort of professional distance runners and race walkers from a regional Chinese team who had participated in previous research and were diagnosed with EIB. There were 33 subjects in all, 21 of whom were race walkers and 12 distance runners. They were about evenly divided between men and women. 

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According to the National Institutes of Health, EIB occurs in 40% to 90% of people diagnosed with asthma and up to 20% of people without asthma. According to NIH, the condition is triggered by the dehydration of lung tissue with rapid breathing combined with greater exposure to atmospheric pollutants, including fine particulates. 

Good results with breathing issues

The Chinese researchers noted EIB occurs more often among highly trained athletes than among weekend warriors. The reason is unclear, but it could be related to the fact that trained athletes are more accustomed to higher rates of performance accompanied by high respiratory rates. This results in more exposure to lung tissue dehydration and particulate inhalation. 

The researchers designed a placebo-controlled, double blinded study that used 20 grams of protein and 200 milligrams (mg) of tangeretin mixed into a sports drink. An identical placebo was provided. 

The athletes took the sports drink or placebo in the morning and then participated in their normal exercise routines for a period of four weeks. They participated in exercise challenge tests on a treadmill that took them up to maximum exertion and exhaustion. 

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Among the measures the researchers assessed were self-reported bronchial symptoms like chest tightness as well as breathing measurements. They also drew blood to test for markers of inflammation such as serum inflammatory cytokine levels. In addition, the researchers looked at performance measurements such as changes in V02 max levels. 

The researchers concluded the tangeretin plus whey protein intervention “alleviated respiratory symptoms, effectively suppressed inflammatory factors and airway injury markers in the blood of EIB athletes, and significantly improved pulmonary ventilation indicators.” And for about 40% of the athletes, the intervention seemed to alleviate their symptoms almost completely.