The Effects of Probiotic and HMB Supplementation on Immune and Digestive Function in Special Operations Soldiers

Metabolic Technologies

Status: Completed

Conditions: Military Training

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: HMB; Dietary Supplement: BC30; Dietary Supplement: Placebo

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Industry

Identifiers

NCT02762968

MTI2016-CS02

Details and patient eligibility

About

The study will determine whether acute ingestion of a probiotic combined with beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) can enhance immune and digestive function in soldiers during 8-weeks of advanced infantry training.

Full description

Up to sixty soldiers from an elite infantry unit will perform a parallel design investigation. Soldiers will be randomly assigned to one of four groups. Group 1 will consume the probiotic plus HMB, group 2 will consume HMB only, group 3 will consume only the probiotic, and group 4 will consume only placebo. All four groups will be garrisoned together, eat the same meals, and perform the same activity. All groups will be tested before as well as after an 8-week advanced infantry training program. During each testing session resting blood samples will be obtained to assess cytokine, inflammatory, and muscle damage markers. Additionally, questionnaires will be used to determine digestive health. Anthropometric, performance, and muscle volume measures will also be assessed prior to and immediately following the supplementation and training protocol.

Enrollment: 26 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 30 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 18 years of age
• Member of the same unit of the IDF

Exclusion criteria

• Current use of dietary supplements
• Current chronic use of medications

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

---

26 participants in 3 patient groups, including a placebo group

Placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Placebo capsules similar to the experimental treatments.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Placebo

HMB

Experimental group

Description:

HMB capsules providing 3 g of calcium HMB per day.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: HMB

HMB + BC30

Experimental group

Description:

Capsules providing 3 g calcium HMB per day plus Bacillus Coagulans GBI-30, 6086 (BC30) mixed in water.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: BC30

Dietary Supplement: HMB