Ergogenic Effects of Ginseng During Exercise
March 1998; Volume 1: 35
Source: Engles HJ, Wirth JC. No ergogenic effects of ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) during graded maximal aerobic exercise. J Am Diet Assoc 1997;97:1110-1115.The authors conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the effects of chronic supplementation with two different dosages of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer on physiologic and psychologic responses during graded maximal aerobic exercise. Thirty-six healthy men consumed an otherwise supplement-free diet and maintained their usual activity level. A standardized P ginseng C.A. Meyer concentrate (G115 @ 4% ginsenosides) was added to the normal diet of study participants at a dosage level of either 200 or 400 mg/d, where 100 mg of the preparation is equivalent to 500 mg P ginseng root. Submaximal and maximal aerobic exercise responses before and after an eight-week trial intervention were assessed. Thirty one subjects completed the study.
Supplementation with ginseng had no effect on oxygen consumption, respiratory exchange ratio, minute ventilation, blood lactic acid concentration, heart rate, and perceived exertion (P > 0.05). The authors conclude that their data in healthy men offer no support for claims that ginseng is an ergogenic aid to improve submaximal and maximal aerobic performance.
COMMENT
Pictures of ginseng roots adorn the doors of Chinatown shops from San Francisco to New York and now grace the shelves at Rite-Aid, WalMart, and Sav-On. Ginseng is prescribed by alternative practitioners to relieve fatigue, boost energy, improve concentration, and increase work capacity. It is available in Germany by prescription as a tonic or natural substance that primes or regulates the body over time. Ginseng can also have an estrogenic effect and cause postmenopausal bleeding and breast tenderness; it may also cause diarrhea, insomnia, and hypertension.P ginseng C.A. Meyer is also known as Asian, Chinese, or Korean ginseng, and is grown in China, Korea, and Japan. It is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and has been for millennia. Asian ginseng is reported to be stronger than American ginseng (P quinquefolius); both contain many ginsenosides, reportedly the active chemicals. It comes in whole root, powders, tinctures, capsules, tablets, teas and extracts.
In this study, free-living, more-fit-than-average men in their twenties were recruited to take ginseng or placebo over eight weeks. It is unclear why this subject group was chosen. They were vigorously exercised before and after, a physiological assessment was performed, and their perceptions of physical exertion were recorded—and were unchanged. Qualitative assessments and post-study interviews were not reported, and subjects’ perception of their relative energy, concentration, and work capacity levels were also not reported. The results of this study conflict with several earlier, cited European and Asian studies.
Recommendation
It is too early to tell what beneficial effect ginseng may have on fitness. However, it is not too early to inquire of hypertensive or anxious men what else they are taking, and to warn pre- and post-menopausal women of ginseng’s estrogenic effect. Better research will determine which standardized extract of which ginsenoside has which clinical effect. March 1998; Volume 1: 35You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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