Pomegranate against prolonged fatigue: a clinical study
The word fatigue is derived from the Latin verb “fatigare,” meaning “to tire,” and can be defined as a state of extreme fatigue caused by physical or mental stress, resulting in a transient reduction in physical performance (also called physical fatigue) or mental performance (i.e., the individual’s ability to perform tasks requiring concentration or attention, also called mental fatigue).
Acute fatigue is a physiological reaction to intense and prolonged activity that is usually transient, does not interfere with routine activities, and may reduce with rest.
Prolonged fatigue manifests with the same symptoms as acute fatigue, but with a longer duration (30 days to 6 months).
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis is best described as a state of profound and disabling fatigue (feeling of exhaustion after activities and fatigue at rest), which generally occurs in sick individuals and lasts more than 6 months.
Epidemiological data indicate that the occurrence of prolonged or short-term fatigue in the general population is about 5-8%, while the figures for CFS are 3-4%.
The Maastricht cohort study found that prolonged fatigue occurs in 21.9% of the adult working population and that this can result in lower productivity at work. Mood swings and lack of motivation and vitality are some of the actual consequences of fatigue.
In all studies, fatigue is also reported as one of the potential risk factors for the occurrence of injuries in employees, where the possible role of fatigue is twofold. First, it may reduce the ability to process information about potential hazardous situations nearby, and second, it may also alter the ability to respond appropriately to hazardous situations as they occur.
Despite the high rates of prolonged fatigue, there are no established and recommended pharmacological or nonpharmacological treatments.
Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) is rich in dietary polyphenols, including phenolic acids, flavonoids and tannins. The fruits could be considered functional foods because of the bioactive compounds they contain and the health benefits associated with them, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, antiviral, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, and dermatological effects.
In physically active subjects, pomegranate supplementation exerts beneficial effects by improving endurance and performance after exercise through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
UHPLC-HRMS analysis of pomegranate extract showed the presence of 59 compounds, with gallotannins and ellagitannins as the most abundant phytochemicals.
For the clinical study, 58 subjects were randomized into two groups, 1 and 2 (n = 29, each), which received the pomegranate dietary supplement or placebo.
The effects of the pomegranate dietary supplement on fatigue were assessed by validated questionnaires recorded at time intervals t0 (at baseline), t1 (after 28 days), t2 (56 days) and t3 (after follow-up) in combination with analysis of biochemical markers at t0 and t2.
Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) questionnaire scores decreased significantly at time intervals t2 and t3 in subjects treated with the pomegranate dietary supplement.
In addition, the pomegranate dietary supplement did not significantly affect the biochemical parameters associated with fatigue and stress conditions. This study shows that pomegranate dietary supplement reduces prolonged fatigue after two months of supplementation in healthy subjects with mild prolonged fatigue.
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Source: Ullah, H.; Sommella, E.; Minno, A.D.; Piccinocchi, R.; Buccato, D.G.; Lellis, L.F.D.; Riccioni, C.; Baldi, A.; El-Seedi, H.R.; Khalifa, S.A.M.; et al. Combination of Chemically Characterized Pomegranate Extract and Hydrophilic Vitamins against Prolonged Fatigue: A Monocentric, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Nutrients 2023, 15, 2883. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15132883
