Hemp Fiber Ingestion and Gut Permeability After Exercise

Two bioactive compounds, N-trans-caffeoyl tyramine (NCT) and N-trans-feruloyl tyramine (NFT), have been investigated for potential gut health benefits. The shells of hemp seeds are a rich source of NCT and NFT. The hypothesis for this project is that ingestion of a hemp fiber bar containing NCT and NFT will mitigate exercise-induced increases in gut permeability. This study will examine the efficacy of 2-weeks ingestion of a hemp fiber bar (high and low doses) in moderating exercise-induced gut permeability using a randomized crossover trial. Objective #1: To conduct a randomized crossover trial using placebo-controlled, double-blind procedures with 20 cyclists who will in random order ingest a hemp fiber bar supplement (high and low doses) or placebo each day for two weeks prior to an exercise challenge (2.25 hours of intensive cycling). Objective #2: To determine if hemp fiber bar supplementation attenuates exercise-induced gut permeability using several outcome measures including plasma lactulose to 13C mannitol (L:M) ratio and plasma intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) as markers of gastrointestinal permeability and mucosal damage, respectively. Shifts in thousands of metabolites will be measured via untargeted metabolomics to provide additional gut permeability biomarkers and help reveal underlying mechanisms.