Polyphenols for skeletal muscle recovery in sports
VICENTE MICOL, PhD1,2,3*, MARÍA HERRANZ1,2, NESTOR VICENTE-SALAR4, ENRIQUE ROCHE3,4,5
1. Miguel Hernández University (UMH), Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), Elche (Alicante), Spain
2. Ilice Effitech, Elche (Alicante), Spain
3. CIBERobn (Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición CB12/03/30038) Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
4. Biochemistry and Cell Therapy Unit, Institute of Bioengineering. University Miguel Hernández, Elche (Alicante), Spain
5. Department of Applied Biology-Nutrition, University Miguel Hernández, Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL-FISABIO Foundation), Alicante, Spain
*Member of Agro FOOD industry hi-tech’s scientific advisory board Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Abstract
Prof. Vicente Micol, Lérida 1963 (Spain). PhD in 1990 on phospholipids biochemistry, Murcia University (Spain).
Fulbright postdoctoral fellow at the California Institute of Technology (Pasadena, CA), 1990-1994 working on mitochondrial biogenesis and the mechanism of mitochondrial myopathies. Currently, Professor of Biochemistry and conducting the research group “Natural Bioactive Compounds” at the Miguel Hernández University (Elche, Alicante, Spain). Scientific advisor of biotech companies. Research fields: plant polyphenols, obesity, cancer, antimicrobials.
INTRODUCTION
Recreational and well-trained athletes represent the main target population that consume dietary supplements, as a means to provide nutrients that they believe that are generally deficient in sports diets. In this context, vitamins and minerals were the first supplements consumed at the middle of the XX century by athletes believing that increased exercise intensity requires higher micronutrient intake compared to sedentary individuals (1). Currently, this idea remains, although scientific evidence has proven that well-designed diets provide adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals without the need of supplementation. More recently, the new reported motives to use supplements include avoiding sickness, faster recovery from injuries and enhancing performance.
For these purposes, a large variety of supplements are easily available in the market, including nutrient-derived (macro- and micro-nutrient components) and non-nutrients. The last comprises compounds that are present in foods but are not currently classified as nutrients. Polyphenols and their derivatives are included in this category and can be taken under different f ...
