Taurine Supplementation and Triathletes

Taurine is a nitrogenous compound, naturally present in heart, leukocytes, retina, central nervous system, especially in muscles. It has several beneficial physiological effects like antioxidant action, and could increase muscle force contraction and insulin sensibility. Triathlon is a sport of medium to high intensity, that can causes an increase in the rate of oxygen consumption during intense exercise and consequently increases free radicals production and oxidative stress, which may compromise an athlete's performance. Due to the weekly intense training, triathletes need nutritional care ranging from calories and nutrients adequacy to the use of specific nutrients that can help to maintain health. Thus, it is believed that the use of taurine associated with chocolate milk after exercise can promote general metabolic insulin action in order to favor carbohydrates metabolism regulation, assist muscle recover and prevent oxidative damage and thus promote triathletes performance and muscle mass gain. Thus, the aim of this project is to evaluate the effects of taurine and chocolate milk supplementation in body composition, athletic performance and oxidative stress in triathletes.

BACKGROUND: Taurine is a nitrogenous compound, naturally present in heart, leukocytes, retina, central nervous system, especially in muscles. It has several beneficial physiological effects like antioxidant action, and could increase muscle force contraction and insulin sensibility. Triathlon is a sport of medium to high intensity, that can causes an increase in the rate of oxygen consumption during intense exercise and consequently increases free radicals production and oxidative stress, which may compromise an athlete's performance. Due to the weekly intense training, triathletes need nutritional care ranging from calories and nutrients adequacy to the use of specific nutrients that can help to maintain health. Thus, it is believed that the use of taurine associated with chocolate milk after exercise can promote general metabolic insulin action in order to favor carbohydrates metabolism regulation, assist muscle recover and prevent oxidative damage and thus promote triathletes performance and muscle mass gain.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effects of taurine and chocolate milk supplementation in body composition, athletic performance and oxidative stress in triathletes MÉTHODS: A double-blind, crossover, 2-week washout study will be conducted with 20 male triathletes, aged 30 to 45 years, which will be offered during eight weeks capsules containing three grams of taurine or placebo and 400 ml of chocolate milk ready to drink. In order to assess the effects of supplementation, concentrations of serum and urinary taurine, lactate, insulin, insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR), markers of protein metabolism (urinary nitrogen, creatinine and urea) and oxidative stress markers (MDA, GSH and vitamin E) will be quantified. Body composition will be measured by the method of deuterium labeled water. The evaluations will occur in four stages: 1o - before starting the training season; 2o - after 8 weeks of training; 3o- before starting the second training season; and 4o- after 8 weeks of training and supplementation completion. Data will be organized according to the study groups on average and standard deviation with application of analysis of variance test for verifying significant differences

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* male, long distance triathletes, who competed in semiprofessional triathlons. Their training was focused on the Brazilian Ironman Championships.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participants were excluded if they had experienced muscle injury in the past six months and/or were currently taking chronic or daily doses of anti-inflammatory medication or nutritional supplements.
* Participants who had a history of cardiovascular diseases.