Vicia Faba Supplement for Muscle Recovery

Overseen By Brandon Shepherd, MS

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: PepsiCo Global R&D

Must not be taking: Testosterone, Estrogen, Creatine, NSAIDS

Disqualifiers: G6PD deficiency, Alcohol abuse, Pregnancy, Unstable conditions, Neurological disorders, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 17 days

76 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you must avoid additional supplements, especially protein-based ones, during the study.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Vicia Faba Hydrolysate for muscle recovery?

Research suggests that a hydrolysate derived from Vicia faba, known as NPN_1, can help reduce muscle loss and promote muscle health in a mouse model of muscle atrophy. This treatment increased protein synthesis and improved muscle fiber composition, indicating potential benefits for muscle recovery. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Vicia Faba Supplement safe for human use?

Research on Vicia Faba (faba bean) shows that it contains anti-nutritional substances like vicine and convicine, which can affect growth and protein synthesis in animals. However, studies on chickens fed with faba beans showed no adverse effects on health or growth, suggesting it might be safe, but more human-specific research is needed. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

How does Vicia Faba Supplement for Muscle Recovery differ from other treatments?

Vicia Faba Supplement is unique because it uses fava bean protein, which has been studied for its potential to influence muscle protein synthesis and reduce muscle atrophy. Unlike other treatments, it may offer a nutritional approach to muscle recovery by potentially enhancing protein synthesis and reducing inflammation, although its effectiveness in humans is still under investigation. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What is the purpose of this trial?

To investigate the effect of Vicia faba protein concentrate, a protein derived from Fava bean extract, on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Participants receive either 2.4g/day of PeptiStrong® supplement capsules or placebo capsules for 14 days until a strenuous exercise session. For the last 3 days, 2/3 of them stay on the same treatment and 1/3 of them switch from placebo to PeptiStrong®.

Research Team

Kris Osterberg, PhD, RD

Principal Investigator

PepsiCo R&D Life Sciences, Sports Science

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for men and women aged 18-45 who are moderately active, have a BMI of 18.5-29.9, don't smoke, and can fast overnight before tests. They must not drink alcohol before test days or take other supplements during the study, especially protein-based ones. Participants should maintain their normal diet and light exercise routine throughout the study.

Inclusion Criteria

Moderately active (exercise 3-5 days per week)

Fluent in reading, writing, and speaking English

BMI between 18.5 and 29.9 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria

I am taking testosterone or estrogen supplements, not for birth control.

I have not been in any clinical trials in the last 30 days or PepsiCo trials in the last 6 months.

I have health issues that could stop me from exercising.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either 2.4g/day of PeptiStrong® supplement capsules or placebo capsules for 14 days until a strenuous exercise session. For the last 3 days, 2/3 of them stay on the same treatment and 1/3 of them switch from placebo to PeptiStrong®.

17 days

Exercise and Recovery

Participants undergo a strenuous exercise session followed by monitoring of muscle strength recovery and soreness.

3 days

Daily assessments

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Vicia Faba Hydrolysate

Trial Overview The trial examines if PeptiStrong®, a Fava bean-derived protein supplement (2.4g/day), helps with muscle soreness after strenuous exercise compared to placebo capsules over 14 days. Some participants will switch from placebo to PeptiStrong® for the last three days.

Participant Groups

Group I: PeptiStrong® 3 days Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

14 days of Placebo followed by 3 days of PeptiStrong®

Group II: PeptiStrong® 17 days Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

PeptiStrong® capsules 2.4 grams/day for 17 days

Group III: Placebo Placebo Group 1 Intervention

PeptiStrong® capsules 2.4 grams per day for 17 days

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

PepsiCo Global R&D

Lead Sponsor

Trials

99

Recruited

13,600+

Ramon Laguarta

PepsiCo Global R&D

Chief Executive Officer since 2018

MBA from ESADE Business School

Mark Kirkham

PepsiCo Global R&D

Chief Marketing Officer

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Trinity College Dublin

Findings from Research

Rats fed with Vicia Faba L. protein (12% and 18%) showed lower myofibrillar gain and synthesis compared to those fed with casein, indicating that legume protein may be less effective for muscle development.

The negative effects of Vicia Faba L. on muscle protein synthesis were most pronounced in the first 28 days, suggesting that its antinutritional properties can hinder protein turnover during early development.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Developmental changes on protein turnover in growing rats fed on diets containing field beans (Vicia faba L.) as source of protein. Martínez, JA., Larralde, J.[2018]

In a study involving 16 young, healthy adults, ingestion of fava bean protein (FBP) after resistance exercise did not significantly increase the myofibrillar fractional synthetic rate (myoFSR) compared to a control group.

Despite resistance exercise increasing myoFSR, the consumption of 0.33 g·kg-1 of FBP did not enhance muscle protein synthesis at rest or post-exercise, suggesting that FBP may not be an effective protein source for promoting muscle recovery in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effect of Fava Bean (Vicia faba L.) Protein Ingestion on Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis at Rest and after Resistance Exercise in Healthy, Young Men and Women: A Randomised Control Trial. Davies, RW., Kozior, M., Lynch, AE., et al.[2023]

Rats fed raw Vicia faba L. legumes for seven weeks showed significant growth impairment, reduced food efficiency, and decreased daily weight gain compared to control rats fed casein.

The study also found a notable decrease in the weight of skeletal muscle, carcass, viscera, and liver in the rats consuming raw legumes, indicating potential negative effects on overall health and development.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Correlation among growth rate and organ weights of rats fed on diets containing Vicia faba L. or casein as sources of protein at different levels. Martinez, JA., Larralde, J.[2018]

The hydrolysate derived from vicia faba (NPN_1) significantly improved muscle health by increasing the phosphorylation of S6 and reducing muscle atrophy-related gene expression in both in vitro and in vivo models.

In a murine model of disuse atrophy, 18 days of NPN_1 treatment led to a notable reduction in muscle loss and an increase in muscle fiber types, indicating its potential as a nutritional intervention to combat muscle wasting.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preclinical Evaluation of a Food-Derived Functional Ingredient to Address Skeletal Muscle Atrophy. Cal, R., Davis, H., Kerr, A., et al.[2021]

In a study of male growing Wistar rats over 15 days, those fed raw Vicia faba L. (Vf) showed increased muscle protein synthesis and breakdown rates, indicating enhanced muscle metabolism compared to pair-fed controls.

Vf-fed rats experienced significant hormonal changes, including decreased insulin and thyrotropin levels and increased glucagon and triiodothyronine, which may contribute to the observed alterations in muscle fiber composition and metabolism.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hormone-related, muscle-specific changes in protein metabolism and fiber type profile after faba bean intake. Frühbeck, G., Villaro, AC., Monreal, I., et al.[2017]

A new rapid screening method using flow injection analysis coupled with tandem mass spectrometry can effectively distinguish between high and low vicine and convicine (v-c) levels in faba bean genotypes, which is crucial for crop improvement.

This method allows for the screening of a large number of genotypes (370 in this study) quickly and accurately, facilitating the development of low v-c faba bean cultivars and addressing health concerns related to v-c consumption.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Toward a high-throughput method for determining vicine and convicine levels in faba bean seeds using flow injection analysis combined with tandem mass spectrometry. Purves, RW., Khazaei, H., Vandenberg, A.[2018]

Feeding chickens a diet containing 20% faba beans, regardless of their vicin and convicin content, did not negatively impact their growth, carcass quality, or overall health, based on two experiments involving various chicken genotypes.

The study included purebred and crossbred chickens, and the results suggest that faba beans can be a safe and effective alternative protein source in poultry nutrition without adverse effects on fattening performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Growth Performance of Local Chicken Breeds, a High-Performance Genotype and Their Crosses Fed with Regional Faba Beans to Replace Soy. Nolte, T., Jansen, S., Weigend, S., et al.[2020]

References

1. Venezuela pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Developmental changes on protein turnover in growing rats fed on diets containing field beans (Vicia faba L.) as source of protein. [2018]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effect of Fava Bean (Vicia faba L.) Protein Ingestion on Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis at Rest and after Resistance Exercise in Healthy, Young Men and Women: A Randomised Control Trial. [2023]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Correlation among growth rate and organ weights of rats fed on diets containing Vicia faba L. or casein as sources of protein at different levels. [2018]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preclinical Evaluation of a Food-Derived Functional Ingredient to Address Skeletal Muscle Atrophy. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hormone-related, muscle-specific changes in protein metabolism and fiber type profile after faba bean intake. [2017]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Toward a high-throughput method for determining vicine and convicine levels in faba bean seeds using flow injection analysis combined with tandem mass spectrometry. [2018]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Growth Performance of Local Chicken Breeds, a High-Performance Genotype and Their Crosses Fed with Regional Faba Beans to Replace Soy. [2020]