Sherk et al., 2017

Calcium Supplementation Attenuates Disruptions in Calcium Homeostasis during Exercise

VD Sherk, SJ Wherry, DW Barry, KL Shea, P Wolfe, WM Kohrt


Med Sci Sports Exerc., 49(7), 1437–1442, 2017

Background: 

Exercise can lead to a decrease in calcium levels during prolonged moderate-to- vigorous endurance exercise, triggering the release of parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH helps maintain calcium balance by increasing intestinal absorption, reducing renal excretion, and mobilizing calcium from the bones. If exercise promotes bone resorption without stimulating bone formation, it may contribute to bone loss, such as that observed in cyclists.

Drinking a calcium-enriched beverage before and during exercise can help mitigate the disruption in calcium balance and decrease in PTH levels. However, the effectiveness of calcium supplementation in reducing bone resorption varies depending on the timing of ingestion. Most studies have examined pre-exercise supplementation, but investigating closer timing to exercise onset is important. Therefore, this study aims to determine if consuming Aquamin 30 minutes before exercise can attenuate the decrease in calcium levels, increase in PTH, and bone resorption compared to a placebo supplement.

Methods: 

This was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of the effects of pre- exercise Aquamin supplementation on the serum ionized calcium (iCa), PTH, and collagen type-1 c-telopeptide (CTX) responses to vigorous exercise. 51 participants (male road cyclists, aged 18 to 45 years) were randomized to take a chewable supplement containing either Ca citrate (1000 mg Aquamin) or placebo (PL) 30 minutes before exercise.

Results: 

Taking Aquamin 30 minutes before exercise attenuated the decrease in iCa and increase in PTH during exercise.


Back to top

PUBLISHED ARTICLES

Bone health
Joints & inflammation
Digestive health
Other Research

Sherk et al., 2017

Calcium Supplementation Attenuates Disruptions in Calcium Homeostasis during Exercise VD Sherk, SJ Wherry, DW Barry, KL Shea, P Wolfe, WM Kohrt Med Sci Sports Exerc., 49(7), 1437–1442, 2017 Background:  Exercise can lead to a decrease in calcium levels during prolonged moderate-to- vigorous endurance

Lee et al., 2010

The effects of a Mineral Supplement (Aquamin F) and its Combination with Multi-Species, Lactic-Acid Bacteria on Bone accretion in an Ovariectomized Rat Model Lee et al., Cell Biotech, Republic of Korea, J. Exp. Biomed. Sci. 2010, 16(4) The Rat ovariectomised (OVX) model is

Aslam et al., 2010

A mineral-rich extract, Aquamin, from the red marine algae, Lithothamnion calcareum, preserves bone structure and function in female mice on a high fat diet. MN Aslam, JM Kreider, T Paruchuri, N Bhagavathula, M DaSilva, R Zernicke, S Goldstein and J Varani, University of Michigan,

Aslam et al., 2013

A multi-mineral-rich natural product from red marine algae preserves bone structure and function in C57BL/6 Mice MN Aslam, M Naik, I Bergin, K Jepsen, JM Kreider, KH Graf, SA Goldstein & J Varani Depts of Pathology & Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, USA

Slevin et al. 2014

Effect of supplementation with short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide and Aquamin on bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in post-menopausal women: A 24 month double blind,  randomised controlled study. 

Barry et al. 2011

Acute Calcium Ingestion Attenuates Exercise-Induced Disruption of Calcium Homeostasis 

Shea et al. 2014

Calcium supplementation and PTH response to vigorous walking in postmenopausal women

Zenk et al. 2017

Effect of calcium derived from Lithothamnion sp on markers of calcium metabolism in premenopausal women.

Bae et al. 2011

Magnesium Supplementation through Seaweed Calcium Extract Rather than Synthetic Magnesium Oxide Improves Femur Bone Mineral Density and Strength in Ovari-ectomized Rats

O’Gorman et al. 2012

The Marine-derived, Multi-Mineral Formula, Aquamin, Enhances Mineralisation of Osteoblast Cells In Vitro

Widaa et al. 2014

The osteogenic potential of the marine-derived multi-mineral formula Aquamin in enhanced by the presence of Vitamin D 

Aslam et al. 2016

Bone structure & function in male C57BL/6 mice: Effects of a high-fat Western-style diet with or without trace minerals.

Brennan at al. 2015

Incorporation of the natural marine multi-mineral dietary supplement Aquamin enhances osteogenesis and improves the mechanical properties of a collagen-based bone graft substitute

Brennan et al. 2017

A natural, calcium-rich marine multi-mineral complex preserves bone structure  composition and strength in an ovariectomised rat model of osteoporosis.

Ryan et al., 2011

Evidence that the marine-derived multi-mineral, Aquamin, has anti-inflammatory effects on cortical glial-enriched cultures. S Ryan, DM O’Gorman, YM Nolan, University College Cork, Ireland Phytotherapy Research (2011) 25:765-7. Cytokines are a family of molecules that help to regulate the immune response and inflammation. Abnormal

O’Gorman et al., 2012

Evidence that the multi-mineral, Aquamin inhibits the NF-κB signalling pathway in-vitro. DM O’Gorman, C O’Carroll, RJ Carmody, University College Cork, Ireland Phytotherapy Research: (2012) 26:630-632 NFκB (Nuclear Factor kappa B) plays a key role in regulating the immune response to inflammation. Incorrect regulation of

O’Callaghan et al., 2013

Antioxidant and Pro-Apoptotic Effects of Marine-Derived, Multi-Mineral Aquamin Supplemented with Pine Bark Extract, Enzogenol, and Green Tea Extract, Sunphenon YC O’Callaghan, E Drummond, DM O’Gorman, and NM O’Brien J Medicinal Foods (2013) AquaPT provides a high level of polyphenols. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways

Heffernan et al 2020

Mineral rich algae with pine bark improved pain, physical function and analgesic use in mild-knee joint osteoarthritis, compared to Glucosamine: A randomized controlled pilot trial

Cronin et al 2016

Effects of supplementation with a calcium-rich marine-derived multi-mineral supplement and short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides on serum lipids in postmenopausal women

Frestedt et al. 2008

A natural mineral supplement provides relief from knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a randomized controlled pilot trial

Frestedt et al. 2009

A natural seaweed derived mineral supplement (Aquamin F) for knee osteoarthritis: A randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study

Hampton et al 2015

Ulcerative dermatitis in C57BL/6NCrl mice on low-fat and high-fat diets with and without a mineralized red algae supplement

Murphy et al 2014

The marine–derived, multi-mineral formula, AquaPT reduces TNF-α levels in osteoarthritis patients

Varani et al., 2022

Cell-Matrix Interactions Contribute to Barrier Function in Human Colon Organoids James Varani, Shannon D. McClintock and Muhammad N. Aslam*The Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States Background: The gastrointestinal tract barrier can be compromised in various

Aslam et al., 2021

A MULTI-MINERAL INTERVENTION TO MODULATE COLONIC MUCOSAL PROTEIN PROFILE: Results from a 90-day trial in healthy human subjectsAslam et al., Nutrients 2021 Background:  Previous studies have shown the digestive health benefits of Aquamin in animal models, as well as in-vivo and ex- vivo culture This study investigated

Aslam et al., 2009

Growth-inhibitory effects of Aquamin, a mineralized extract from the red algae, Lithothamnion calcareum, on Ca2+- sensitive and Ca2+-resistant human colon carcinoma cells. MN Aslam, N Bhagavathula,, T Parachuri, X Hu, S Chakrabarty & J Varani University of Michigan, USA Cancer Letters (2009) There

Aslam et al., 2010

A mineralized red algae extract reduces epithelial abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract of normal mice on a high-fat Western style diet MN Aslam, T Paruchuri, N Bhagavathula and J VaraniUniversity of Michigan, USA Integr Cancer Ther. 2010 Mar;9(1):93-9 This in-vivo study follows on from our

Dame et al., 2011

Human colon tissue in organ culture: calcium and multi-mineral-induced mucosal differentiation MK Dame, I Veerapaneni, N Bhagavathula, M Naik & J Varani University of Michigan Medical School, Michigan, USA In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol. – Animal (2011) 47:32-38 The marine, multi-mineral Aquamin has

Aslam et al., 2012 | Polyp

A multi-mineral natural product from red marine algae reduces colon polyp formation in C57BL/6 Mice MN Aslam, I Bergin, M Naik, T Paruchuri, A Hampton, M Rehman, MK Dame, H Rush & J Varani Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, USA Nutrition and

Aslam et al., 2012 | Liver

A multi-mineral natural product inhibits liver tumor formation in C57BL/6 Mice MN Aslam, I Bergin, M Naik, A Hampton, R Allen, SL Kunkel, H Rush & J Varani Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, USA Biological Trace Elements Research (2012) 147:267-274 This 18

Aviello et al., 2013

Amelioration of chronic spontaneous colitis by a mineral extract from red algae in IL-10 deficient mice is mouse strain dependent Phytotherapy Research 2013S Amu, SP Saunders, G Aviello and PG Fallon Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) incorporates serious illnesses like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s

Singh et al., 2015

Induction of calcium sensing receptor in human colon cancer cells by calcium, vitamin D and Aquamin: promotion of a more differentiated, less malignant and indolent phenotype N Singh, M. N. Aslam, J. Varani, S. Chakrabarty Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, IL and

McClintock et al., 2018

Calcium-Induced Differentiation of Human Colon Adenomas in Colonoid Culture: Calcium Alone versus Calcium with Additional Trace Elements SD McClintock et al., Cancer Prevention Research, 2018 From the Varani Laboratory at the University of Michigan, Medical School, USA Background:  Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a

Crowley et al., 2018

Dietary Supplementation with a Magnesium-Rich Marine Mineral Blend Enhances the Diversity of Gastrointestinal Microbiota EK Crowley, CM Long-Smith, A Murphy, E Patterson, K Murphy, DM O’Gorman, C Stanton and YM Nolan, University College Cork Marine Drugs 2018 Background:  Deficiencies in Calcium and Magnesium intake

Aslam et al 2020

Ulcerative Colitis-Derived Colonoid Culture: A Multi-Mineral-Approach to Improve Barrier Protein Expression

Atili et al 2019

Calcium-induced differentiation in normal human colonoid cultures: Cell-cell / cell- matrix adhesion, barrier formation and tissue integrity

McClintock et al 2020

A Calcium-Rich Multi-Mineral Intervention to Modulate Colonic Microbial Communities and Metabolomic Profiles in Humans: Results from A 90-Day Trial 

Aslam et al 2019

A Calcium-Rich Multi-Mineral Intervention to Modulate Colonic Microbial Communities and Metabolomic Profiles in Humans: Results from A 90-Day Trial

Zhang et al., 2020 Prenatal Toxicity – China

A study of the genetic and prenatal developmental toxicity potential of lithothamnion sp Z. Ying , T. Ruotao , W. Haili , L. Shuqin , B. Linxiu , L. Xuemin & L. Qing  Institute of Toxicology, Shanxi Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention,

Zhang et. al 2020- General Toxicity | China

Evaluation of acute and sub-chronic toxicity of lithothamnion sp. in mice and rats Ying Zhanga, *, Ruotao Tiana , Haili Wub , Xuemin Lia , Shuqin Lia , Linxiu Biana Institute of Toxicology, Shanxi Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Taiyuan, 030012,

Varani et al., 2022 (NASH – Liver)

LIVER PROTEIN EXPRESSION IN NASH MICE ON A HIGH-FAT DIET J Varani, SD McClintock, RN Knibbs, I Harber, D Zeidan, MAH Jawad-Makki & MN Aslam Frontiers in Nutrition, 2022 Background:  Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of liver disease globally. It

Brain & Cognition | Crowley et al 2021

A Reduction in Behavioural Pattern Separation Is Attenuated by Dietary Supplementation with a Magnesium-Rich Marine Mineral Blend in Middle-Aged Rats

MAGNESIUM RESEARCH | Felice et al., 2018

Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability of a Marine-Derived Multimineral, Aquamin-Magnesium