A comprehensive survey of competitive cyclists found that over 85% of those who took a spice-rich supplement for only one month experienced significant improvements in their performance, recovery, exercise related pain, cramps, inflammation and general health.

In May 2007, 25 competitive cyclists took part in a survey to asses the role that the food supplement, VitaSpice could play in improving their endurance, performance, recovery and other health parameters.

•    85% experienced a significant improvement in their post-ride recovery rate.

•    80% found that there was a decrease in exercise-related joint, muscle, ligament and tendon pain.

•    70% experienced a significant increase in their performance.

•    70% noticed a reduction of over training symptoms.

•    65% experienced an improvement in their training capacity.

•    70% noticed other non-exercise related benefits such as increased energy, improved memory, better concentration, reduction of joint pains etc.

•    55% of those who suffered with muscle cramps found that these significantly improved after taking the spice supplement.

Examples of unsolicited comments from several of the participants

"I really find the product excellent. I have more energy in the sense that I am not nearly so drained at the end of the day and after exercise."

"I have noticed that my recovery time seems to be quicker and my energy levels are most definitely up."

"I have used VitaSpice now for the past month.  It is really making a difference in my life."

"I find that the cramping in my upper legs is much better."

How the survey was conducted
As scientific studies have shown that older athletes usually require more dietary antioxidants than their younger counterparts, most of those selected for the survey were over 40 years of age. The average age of the participants was 44 years; the youngest being 27 and the oldest 56. The majority of them cycled between 6 and 12 hours per week.

Each volunteer was given one month's supply of VitaSpice with instructions on how to take the supplement.
After they had completed the course of VitaSpice they were asked to fill in a multiple-choice questionnaire. For different reasons only 20 of the original 25 participants completed the full course of VitaSpice and the questionnaire.

Comments on the results
The findings of this survey confirm the benefits that a spice-based supplement like VitaSpice can provide for endurance athletes. The reasons for these excellent results are supported by a substantial body of scientific literature that shows how endurance athletes are regularly under intense, prolonged oxidative stress and are subject to the injury and inflammation of their muscles, joints and other tissues. As a result of these abnormal stresses they (older athletes in particular) need a daily intake of a wide range of food-sourced antioxidants and other protective compounds.
Spices are the best source of these compounds as they have by far the highest antioxidant activity of all food types and contain a wide range of natural anti-inflammatory agents and other beneficial phytonutrients.

Detailed Results of the VitaSpice Endurance Athlete Survey

Number of participants (male and female): 20

Average age 44 years 

Section One

A.
Performance enhancement
Have you noticed an improvement in any aspect of your performance?
E.g. endurance, strength, stamina etc.
1.  Not sure                                        6     (30%)
2.  No   
3.  Some improvement                    7     (35%)
4.  Noticeable improvement           7     (35%)
5.  Big improvement   

B.
Improved recovery after training or events
Is your recovery better now than before you took VitaSpice?
1.  Not sure                                        1      (5%)
2.  No                                                   2     (10%)
3.  Some improvement                    6     (30%)
4.  Noticeable improvement          10    (50%
5.  Big improvement                         1     (5%)

C.
Increased training capacity
Has there been an increase in your ability to train more frequently and for longer?
1.  Not sure                                        5    (25%)
2.  No                                                  2    (10%)
3.  Some improvement                    8   (40%)
4.  Noticeable improvement           4   (20%)
5.  Big improvement                         1   (5%)

D.
Overtraining
Do you find that you are now less likely to suffer from over-training symptoms like insomnia, poor concentration, mental irritability etc?
1.  Not sure                                       5    (25%)
2.  No                                                 1    (5%)
3.  Some improvement                   8   (40%)
4.  Noticeable improvement          5   (25%)
5.  Big improvement                        1   (5%)

E.
Cramps
If you suffer from cramps before or after exercise, have you noticed any improvement since taking VitaSpice?
1.  Not applicable                             9    (45%)
2.  No                                                  5    (25%)
3.  Some improvement                    2   (10%)
4.  Noticeable improvement           2   (10%)
5.  Big improvement                         2   (10%)

F.
Muscle, joints, tendons, ligaments
Have you noticed an improvement in exercise related symptoms like pain and inflammation of muscles, joints, tendons etc.
1.  Not applicable                             3    (15%)
2.  No                                                  3    (15%)
3.  Some improvement                  10   (50%)
4.  Noticeable improvement           2    (10%)
5.  Big improvement                         2    (10%)

Section Two
A.
In the past, have you found any other sports/dietary/vitamin supplements (excluding sports drinks and carbohydrate products) that have helped your performance and/or recovery?
1.  Not sure                                        4    (20%)
2.  No                                                10    (50%)
3.  Some improvement                    3    (15%)
4.  Noticeable improvement           2    (10%)
5.  Big improvement                         1    (5%)

B.
How does VitaSpice compare with the other supplements (excluding sports drinks and carbohydrate products) that you have tried?

1.  Not sure                                                                                 4    (20%)
2.  VitaSpice is not as good as  other supplements       
3.  VitaSpice has similar effects to other supplements     3    (15%)
4.  VitaSpice is better than other supplements                   8    (40%)
5.  VitaSpice  has different effects to other supplements  5    (25%)

C.
Have you noticed any non-exercise related health benefits since taking VitaSpice (e.g. more energy, improved memory, better concentration, reduction of joint pains etc.)

1.  Not sure                                         4    (20%)
2.  No                                                   2   (10%)
3.  Some improvement                    8    (40%)
4.  Noticeable improvement           4    (20%)
5.  Big improvement                         2    (10%)

D.
Will you continue taking VitaSpice?
1. Not sure       
2. No       
3. Maybe                                              4    (20%)
4. Definitely                                       16    (80%)

E.
Will you recommend VitaSpice to others?
1. Not sure                                          3    (15%)
2. No       
3. Maybe                                              2    (10%)
4. Definitely                                       15    (75%)

 
Scientific References

 1. Physical activity alters antioxidant status in exercising elderly subjects.
J Nutr Biochem. 2006 Jul;17(7):463-70. Epub 2005 Oct 28.  
Rousseau AS, Margaritis I, Arnaud J, Faure H, Roussel AM.

2. Content of redox-active compounds (ie, antioxidants) in
foods consumed in the United States
American Journal of  Clinical Nutrition. 2006 Jul;84(1):95-135
Bente L Halvorsen, Monica H Carlsen, Katherine M Phillips et al

3. Antioxidant response to oxidative stress induced by exhaustive exercise.
Physiol Behav. 2005 Jan 31;84(1):1-7. Epub 2004 Nov 10.
Aguiló A, Tauler P, Fuentespina E, Tur JA, Córdova A, Pons A.

4. Aging, exercise, and phytochemicals: promises and pitfalls.
Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2004 Jun;1019:453-61.
Ji LL, Peterson DM.

5. Oxidative stress, exercise, and antioxidant supplementation.
Toxicology. 2003 Jul 15;189(1-2):41-54.
Urso ML, Clarkson PM

6. Oxidant, antioxidant and physical exercise.
Mol Cell Biochem. 2003 Nov;253(1-2):307-12.
Banerjee AK, Mandal A, Chanda D, Chakraborti S.

7. Antioxidants in exercise nutrition.
Sports Med. 2001;31(13):891-908.
Sen CK.

8. Antioxidants: what role do they play in physical activity and health?
Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Aug;72(2 Suppl):637S-46S.
Clarkson PM, Thompson HS.

9. Free radicals, exercise and antioxidant supplementation.
Proc Nutr Soc. 1998 Feb;57(1):9-13.
Kanter M.

10. The role of antioxidant vitamins and enzymes in the prevention of exercise-induced muscle damage.
Sports Med. 1996 Mar;21(3):213-38.
Dekkers JC, van Doornen LJ, Kemper HC.

11. Antioxidant vitamin status in high exposure to oxidative stress in competitive athletes.
Br J Nutr. 2004 Sep;92(3):461-8.
Rousseau AS, Hininger I, Palazzetti S, Faure H, Roussel AM, Margaritis I.