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Phytochemical compounds in sport nutrition: Synephrine and hydroxycitric acid (HCA) as examples for evaluation of possible health risks
Author(s) -
Bakhiya Nadiya,
Ziegenhagen Rainer,
HirschErnst Karen I.,
Dusemund Birgit,
Richter Klaus,
Schultrich Katharina,
Pevny Sophie,
Schäfer Bernd,
Lampen Alfonso
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
molecular nutrition and food research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.495
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1613-4133
pISSN - 1613-4125
DOI - 10.1002/mnfr.201601020
Subject(s) - phytochemical , medicine , ingestion , traditional medicine , adverse effect , no observed adverse effect level , human health , pharmacology , toxicity , food science , chemistry , environmental health
Numerous food supplements contain phytochemical compounds as active ingredients. Although such supplements are often perceived by consumers as being risk‐free, the safety of many of them is currently uncertain. The present review provides two examples for risk assessment for phytochemical ingredients that are used in certain supplements marketed for sportspeople—synephrine (extracted from fruits of Citrus aurantium ) and hydroxycitric acid (HCA, isolated from fruits of Garcinia cambogia ). Animal and human studies, as well as case reports, provide evidence for cardiovascular effects due to ingestion of high synephrine doses, especially in combination with caffeine and physical exertion. A dose of up to 6.7 mg synephrine/day, however, which is equivalent to the median dietary intake from conventional foods in Germany, is presumed to represent a safe intake from supplements. In subchronic animal studies, administration of high doses of certain HCA‐containing preparations led to testicular toxicity (i.e., testicular atrophy and impaired spermatogenesis), yielding a no observed adverse effect level of 389 mg HCA/kg bw/day. In view of lack of adequate human data on the safety of HCA preparations, particularly with respect to the human male reproductive system, substantial uncertainties exist regarding the safety of supplements containing high amounts of HCA.