Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia are common among endurance athletes partly due to a repeated post-exercise elevation of hepcidin, a hormone limiting iron entry through the intestine. Oral iron supplementation also causes stimulation of hepcidin that adds on to the exercise-intrinsic stimulation of this hormone further reducing iron absorption. Both oral ferrous iron therapy and performance running are known to cause undesired gastrointestinal symptoms. Curcumin, a polyphenol from turmeric, has been previously shown to reduce hepcidin levels in resting individuals and to protect the gastrointestinal (GI) function but its effect on active individuals supplementing with iron remains unclarified. The objective of this research study is to learn about the effects of a formulated curcumin (HydroCurc®) on intestinal health and regulation mechanisms of body iron levels in recreationally active athletes supplementing with iron. The main questions to answer are: Does HydroCurc® influence iron regulatory mechanisms in resting conditions? Does HydroCurc® influence iron regulatory mechanisms in post-exercise conditions? Does HydroCurc® alleviate iron supplementation- and exercise-related gastrointestinal adverse events Researchers will compare HydroCurc® to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no drug) to see if there are any significant changes. Participants will: * Perform a fitness test * Take iron and HydroCurc for seven days * Complete questionnaires on their gastrointestinal health * Complete anthropometric testing * Undergo blood sampling
Age range
18 Years – 40 Years
Sex
ALL
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Concentration of iron absorption regulatory hormone in athletes supplementing with ferrous iron in resting conditions
Timeframe: Hepcidin measured 1 day post supplementation
Exercise-associated hepcidin concentration in athletes supplementing with ferrous iron
Timeframe: Hepcidin measured 180 minutes post-exercise
Ferrous iron-associated iron status in athletes
Timeframe: Ferritin measured 1 day post supplementation
Change of exercise-associated inflammation in ferrous iron supplemented athletes
Timeframe: Interleukin-6 measured 0- and 60-minutes post-exercise