The Effects of a Multi-Ingredient Dietary Supplement on Recovery from Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness

Introduction: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of multi-ingredient dietary supplement on indices of muscle recovery on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Methods: In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, healthy exercise-trained subjects (n=24) consumed the treatment (i.e., Caraflame®: Retinyl Palmitate (Vit. A) 3.3 mg, Sodium Butyrate 175 mg, and Beta-Caryophyllene 30 mg or placebo (i.e., Maltodextrin 1000mg) daily over a 14-day period. Subjects completed the DOMS protocol and were assessed for changes in pain (visual analog scale (VAS) and a pressure algometer), strength (1-RM), and inflammatory markers (Interleukin-1b, Interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein). A dependent samples t-test was used to determine differences between groups with regard to the delta score. A p-value of P<0.05 was used to determine significance. Results: All subjects were physically active, healthy adults (Mean±SD – Age 23.5±7, Height 170±12.7 cm, Body Mass 71.0±19.57 kg, % body fat 24.3±10.6). A statistically significant difference was found for the assessment of pain threshold via VAS. Subjects in the treatment group exhibited a higher pain threshold two days post-DOMS (i.e., delta score data). No significant differences between groups for arm circumference, 1-RM, pain assessed by algometer, or arm circumference between the groups. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between groups for inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, and IL-1b).  Conclusions: Based on this preliminary investigation, two weeks of a multi-ingredient dietary supplement may decrease the subjective perception of delayed-onset muscle soreness in exercise-trained adults.