Clinical Effects of a Dietary Antioxidant Silicate Supplement, Microhydrin^®, on Cardiovascular Responses to Exercise

Abstract

Amorphous silicate minerals, often described as rock flour, were once common in natural water sources and abundant in glacial stream waters. Not only do the silica mineral particles bond water and other elements for transport; they also can be adsorbed with reduced hydrogen, which releases electrons, providing antioxidant or reducing potential to surrounding fluids. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the cardiovascular responses during exercise after consumption of a dietary silicate mineral antioxidant supplement, Microhydrin((R)) (Royal BodyCare, Inc., Irving, TX). A clinical trial incorporating a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover experimental design was employed. Subjects received either active agent or placebo, four capsules per day, for 7 days before the trial. The trial evaluated six exercise bicycle-trained subjects performing a 40-km bicycling time trial. Ratings of perceived exertion and measurements of oxygen uptake, heart rate, performance workload, and preexercise and postexercise blood lactate concentrations were obtained. Although there were no differences (P >/=.05) in work performed, heart rate, oxygen uptake, and ratings of perceived exertion during the time trial, the postexercise blood lactate concentrations were significantly lower (P </=.05) when the silicate mineral supplement was used, compared with placebo. These data suggest a beneficial effect of Microhydrin on lactate metabolism.

Effects of a Mineral Antioxidant Complex on Clinical Safety, Body Water, Lactate Response, and Aerobic Performance in Response to Exhaustive Exercise

“…Blood lactate concentrations were assessed 5 min before the start of exercise and 5 min after the time trial. The authors found MAC supplementation to have no effect on timetrial performance, but blood lactate was significantly reduced 5 min postexercise when participants consumed the MAC compared with placebo (Purdy Lloyd et al, 2001). A later investigation with a similar protocol found MAC supplementation to have no effect on time-trial performance, blood lactate, or energy substrate utilization in highly trained male cyclists (65.3 ± 1.2 ml • kg -1 • min -1 ; Glazier et al, 2004).…”

“…As mentioned previously, evidence of the silica-water interface can be seen through an increased ability to buffer changes in hydrogen-ion status and metabolic accumulation of lactate. In this respect, previous investigations have suggested that MAC supplementation may affect changes in lactate accumulation and therefore affect prolonged exercise (Purdy Lloyd et al, 2001).…”

“…manufacture a silicate analog in dietary supplements. To this end, commercially produced silicate particles ranging in diameter from 50 to 100 Å in combination with additional metabolic and antioxidant minerals termed mineral antioxidant complexes (MACs) have been manufactured (Purdy Lloyd et al, 2001). The interface formed by the MAC is stabilized by water and can become saturated with reduced hydrogen ions (H -), which can serve an important antioxidant role (Dove & Rimstidt, 1994), while also operating as a hydrogen-ion (H + ) buffer.…”

“…The interface formed by the MAC is stabilized by water and can become saturated with reduced hydrogen ions (H -), which can serve an important antioxidant role (Dove & Rimstidt, 1994), while also operating as a hydrogen-ion (H + ) buffer. The interaction between the MAC and reduced hydrogen forms the theoretical basis for how supplementing with a silica-based MAC can work to reduce blood lactate and improve body-water or hydration status surrounding exercise (Goldfarb, Bloomer, & McKenzie, 2004;Purdy Lloyd et al, 2001).…”

“…Although the contribution of hydrogen ions to fatigue is somewhat controversial (Westerblad, Allen, & Lannergren, 2002), the buffering of hydrogen ions by various systems has been thought to improve exercise performance by restoring intracellular pH levels closer to homeostatic values (Nevill, Boobis, Brooks, & Williams, 1989). In support of this effect, previous investigations have explored the effects of MAC consumption on exercise performance (Glazier, Stellingwerff, & Spriet, 2004;Purdy Lloyd et al, 2001) and lactate buffering (Goldfarb et al, 2004;Purdy Lloyd et al, 2001), providing preliminary evidence of a potential reducing effect and intracellular silica-water interface. The first investigation used a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design in which 6 trained cyclists performed a 40-km bicycling time trial.…”