Polypodium leucotomos Extract use to prevent and reduce the risk of infectious diseases in high performance athletes

OBJECTIVE Many components of the immune system undergo adverse changes during intense physical activity in athletes, leading to a heightened risk of respiratory tract infections. This study evaluated the reduction in infectious processes in athletes due to intensive training with anapsos. METHODS The study compared athletes who took 480 mg Polypodium leucotomos Extract (Armaya fuerte; Centrum laboratories, Alicante, Spain) twice daily for 3 months (n = 50) with a control group (n = 50) in the evaluation of the onset of infectious processes and relapses during an 8-month period (June 2010 to January 2011). RESULTS The onset of infectious processes in the Polypodium leucotomos Extract group was lower when compared to the control group (14% versus 56%). Relapse in the Polypodium leucotomos Extract group was seen in just one athlete (14.2%) compared to ten athletes (37.5%) in the control group. CONCLUSION Polypodium leucotomos Extract has been shown to be useful in the prevention of infectious processes, as well as reducing recurring episodes in athletes.