Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) supplement helps reduce running times and control exercise-induced hepcidin levels, boosting iron levels and speeding up iron balance during recovery.
The study consisted of 36 recreationally active males who were arbitrarily assigned to receive either DBT or a placebo for 11 days, in groups following their aerobic capacities. On the eighth day, they were subjected to a 13-km run at maximum effort. Blood and urine samples were collected and analysed both before the treatment (Pre-Tre), immediately after the run (Post-Ex), and 24 hours as well as 72 hours after the run.
The findings showed that those supplemented with DBT significantly reduced their running times by 14.0% (12.3 minutes) in comparison to the placebo group. A notable difference was observed in serum hepcidin and iron levels. The DBT supplement suppressed the hepcidin levels after the run and 24 hours into recovery, leading to a significant increase in iron levels both immediately after the run and 72 hours post run. Despite this, DBT showed no significant anti-inflammatory or preventative effects against haemolysis.
