Ginseng Does Not Benefit Exercise Recovery

DETROIT--Researchers from Wayne State Universityreported ginseng supplementation may not improve either immune function orperformance after repeated bouts of strenuous exertion. In a double blind,placebo-controlled, randomized study published in the April Medicine &Science in Sports & Exercise (55, 4:690-696, 2003) (www.ms-se.com),27 active, healthy adults were given either placebo or a standardized ginsengconcentrate (400 mg/d of G115, equivalent to 2 g of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyerroot) for eight weeks. Before and after intervention, subjects performed threeconsecutive 30-second cycling tests.

The researchers found secretory immunoglobulin A secretion rate(a marker in immunity) was lower after exercise than at baseline. In addition,supplementation failed to improve physical performance or heart rate recoveryafter exercise.