Whey Protein and Adaptogenic Supplementation in Physically Active Females
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Whey protein, Whey Protein With Adaptogenic Blend, Plant Protein Supplement, Plant Protein With Adaptogenic Blend.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Sports Nutritional Sciences, Recovery, Muscle Strength Recovery, Muscle Strength. Basic parameters: 18 years — 45 years · Female.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- United Kingdom
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Whey Protein and Adaptogenic Herb Supplementation in Physically Active Females: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Overview
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether whey protein or plant protein supplements, with or without an adaptogenic herb blend, can improve strength, recovery, stress, and wellbeing in active females. The adaptogenic blend contains ashwagandha root extract and shatavari root extract. The main questions the study aims to answer are: * Do whey protein and plant protein supplements improve muscle strength and recovery in physically active females? * Does adding ashwagandha and shatavari improve stress, recovery, sleep, and wellbeing compared with protein alone? * Are there differences between whey protein and plant protein when combined with the adaptogenic blend? Researchers will compare four supplement groups: * Whey protein * Whey protein with ashwagandha and shatavari * Plant protein * Plant protein with ashwagandha and shatavari Participants will: * Take their assigned supplement daily for 6 weeks * Attend testing sessions before and after the intervention * Complete questionnaires about recovery, sleep, stress, soreness, and digestive health * Provide saliva samples to measure stress, hormone, immune, and inflammation markers * Complete muscle strength tests, including handgrip strength and push-up testing * Complete a 24-hour dietary recall. The study includes physically active females aged 18 to 45 years who regularly participate in structured training.
Interventions
- Dietary supplement Whey protein
Participants will consume a whey protein supplement daily for 6 weeks. The supplement will be provided in identical blank tubs. Participants will be instructed to maintain their usual diet and training habits throughout the intervention period. - Dietary supplement Whey Protein With Adaptogenic Blend
Participants will consume a whey protein supplement containing ashwagandha KSM-66® root extract (250 mg) and shatavari SRI-81™ root extract (300 mg) daily for 6 weeks. Supplements will be provided in identical blank tubs. Participants will maintain usual diet and training habits during the study. - Dietary supplement Plant Protein Supplement
Participants will consume a plant-based protein supplement daily for 6 weeks. The supplement will be provided in identical blank tubs. Participants will be instructed to maintain their usual diet and training habits throughout the intervention period. - Dietary supplement Plant Protein With Adaptogenic Blend
Participants will consume a plant-based protein supplement containing ashwagandha KSM-66® root extract (250 mg) and shatavari SRI-81™ root extract (300 mg) daily for 6 weeks. Supplements will be provided in identical blank tubs. Participants will maintain usual diet and training habits during the study.
Primary outcome measures
- Salivary Cortisol Concentration [Time frame: Baseline and Week 6]
Secondary outcome measures (9)
- Handgrip Strength [Time frame: Baseline and Week 6]
- Upper Body Muscular Endurance [Time frame: Baseline and Week 6]
- Perceived Recovery and Wellbeing [Time frame: Baseline and Week 6]
- Salivary DHEA-S Concentration [Time frame: Baseline and Week 6]
- Perceived Gastrointestinal Health [Time frame: Baseline and Week 6]
- Dietary Intake [Time frame: Baseline and Week 6]
- Salivary Oestradiol Concentration [Time frame: Baseline and Week 6]
- Salivary Secretory Immunoglobulin A (sIgA) Concentration [Time frame: Baseline and Week 6]
- Salivary C-reactive Protein Concentration [Time frame: Baseline to Week 6]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Female, aged 18-45 years
- Currently participating in regular structured athletic or physical training (≥3 sessions per week)
- Free from musculoskeletal injury that would prevent testing
- Willing to maintain usual diet and training habits during the study
- Not currently using protein supplements or adaptogenic supplements
Exclusion criteria
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy during the study period
- Known allergy or sensitivity to dairy, pea protein, pumpkin seed, chia seed, ashwagandha, shatavari, or nightshades
- Current use of prescribed medication that may interact with the supplements
- Thyroid disorders, autoimmune conditions, hormone-sensitive conditions, or other medical conditions that may be affected by supplementation
- Diagnosed eating disorder or condition affecting protein metabolism
- Current musculoskeletal injury preventing participation in testing
- Current use of other protein supplements or adaptogens
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Double blind
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
Study locations
United Kingdom · 1 center
- Strength and Nutrition Ltd — Brighton
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07594444 · ASH-WHEY-001