Some researchers begin a study intending to determine one outcome but end up discovering something entirely different . A recent example is a study that originally sought to find ways to ease pain during post-surgery recovery and reduce need for pain medications.
Instead, the researchers identified a process involving macrophages (immune cells) that greatly facilitates muscle repair. Macrophages connect to muscle fibers and deliver quick pulses of calcium, stimulating repair within seconds.
It is already known that macrophages act as first responders to injured muscle tissue, creating inflammation and helping regenerate damaged fibers, by releasing cytokines and chemokines. However, according to the study co-author Michael Jankowski, PhD, “the biggest surprise about this study was finding that a macrophage has a synaptic-like property that delivers an ion to a muscle fiber to facilitate its repair after an injury. It’s like the way a neuron works, and it’s working in an extremely fast synaptic-like fashion to regulate repair.”
The researchers used mouse models of two different injury types to examine how macrophages interact with the myofibers that form muscle tissue. They observed macrophages forming synaptic-like contacts with myofibers and releasing calcium ions directly to the muscle fibers, accelerating early stages of healing.
This newly identified repair process may have tremendous value in reducing muscle soreness after competition, exercise or physical labor.
What is DOMS?
Anyone who begins a new form of exercise or performs strenuous physical work can attest to the sudden soreness of their muscles, often described as painful and mobility limiting. This condition, known as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), results from microscopic tears in muscle fibers. Bodybuilding – the goal of which is to increase muscle size and strength – depends on this tear-and-repair process, which is the primary mechanism through which muscle grows.
The concept of facilitating muscle recovery has been a core practice among trainers and athletes for decades, but it has become mainstream among active individuals over the past five years or so.
How TurmXTRA™ active Reduces DOMS
Turmeric is a popular herb known for helping to manage excessive and unwanted inflammation. However, most turmeric supplements require mega-doses, and consumers often don’t want to swallow multiple pills. TurmXTRA™ active delivers 150 mg of pure curcuminoids in a tiny but mighty 250 mg dose.
In a 2022 clinical study, 30 recreationally active participants who consumed TurmXTRA™ active for 33 days experienced a 1.6-fold reduction in post-workout pain intensity, a 2.8-fold reduction in muscle soreness and quicker recovery from post-exercise lactic acid buildup.
Consider C-Fence™ to Support Muscle Recovery
Vitamin C is well recognized for its role in immune health. Numerous studies have documented how Vitamin C interacts with various immune cells to support overall immune strength. Researchers have also described how Vitamin C enhances macrophages’ ability to clear neutrophils that have undergone apoptosis, or programmed cellular death. This macrophage activity contributes to healing soft tissue, such as myofibers.
C-Fence™ is made with Nutriventia’s E.D.G.E. sustained-release technology, which provides consistent vitamin C absorption for a full 24 hours. In a pharmacokinetic study participants who consumed 500 mg Vitamin C from C-Fence™ exhibited maximum plasma levels in about 4.5 hours (immediate-release vitamin C supplements tend to peak at about 2 hours). In addition, researchers also discovered that vitamin C plasma concentrations remained at much higher levels of the baseline group as well as higher than the peak concentration in the placebo group at 12-, 16-, and 24-hours post-dose.
Conclusion
Soon, millions of people will plunge into renewed fitness routines, and many will start an exercise regimen for the first time, making DOMS a pervasive experience as New Year’s resolutions take off. Unfortunately, when people feel painful DOMS after working out following a long sedentary period, , they often become discouraged and quit. Supplements containing TurmXTRA™ active and C-Fence™ may help reduce DOMS and support individuals in keeping their fitness commitment.
Reviewed by Sneha Sawant Desai, PhD
