TriNutra’s black seed oil improves immunity and wellbeing among athletes under high stress, new study finds

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A new study¹ on TriNutra’s branded ThymoQuin black seed oil (Nigella sativa) shows the ingredient can benefit immunity and wellbeing among endurance athletes under high stress. Specifically, the study found that ThymoQuin supplementation was able to benefit both upper-respiratory tract complaints (URTCs) and psychological mood state in these athletes. Endurance athletes' immune systems tend to experience additional stress, which can result in increased upper-respiratory tract complaints and poor mood states.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 37 experienced marathon runners. For four weeks, these runners were given either a placebo oil or 500 mg, daily, of black cumin seed oil—TriNutra’s ThymoQuin. The four-week treatment spanned three initial weeks followed by one week after an endurance run.

Before and after supplementation, subjects were asked to complete a Profile of Mood States psychological assessment and a standardized health log assessing health status and upper-respiratory tract complaints. Subjects also provided saliva samples and fecal samples, which researchers used to measure cortisol and microbiome balance, respectively.

Researchers found that the ThymoQuin subjects reported significantly fewer upper-respiratory tract complaints, better overall health, and more positive mood, compared to placebo. “Additionally,” says the company’s press release, “the supplemented runners showed higher levels of Streptococcus thermophilus (66%) and lower stress hormone expression (cortisol, -44%), both of which are associated with immune vigilance and psychological mood state.”

The researchers concluded, "These results suggest that ThymoQuin black cumin seed oil extract may improve immune system vigilance and overall wellbeing following the stress of endurance training and competition, and that these immune-mood benefits may be mediated through the gut-immune axis."

In a press release, TriNutra’s CEO, Morris Zelkha, added, “Rather than being an ‘immune booster’ to stimulate immune system activity, ThymoQuin may be a natural ‘immune modulator’ and ‘stress reducer’ that can help balance overall immune system activity. When the entire system is balanced, as evidenced in the study in the supplemented group, there is a notable benefit for physical health and mental wellness.”

Reference

1. Talbott SM et al. "Effect of ThymoQuin black cumin seed oil as a natural immune modulator of upper-respiratory tract complains and psychological mood state." Food Science & Nutrition Research, vol. 5, no. 1 (2022): 1-6