The Impact of Highly-Intensive Interval Physical Fitness Course Using Royal Jelly Supplementation on Lipid Profile in Fat and Obese Middle-Aged Men

Royal jelly contains large amounts of phenolic compounds from the flavonoid family, which can improve the lipid profile with exercise. This study seeks to study the impact of highly intensive interval training (HIIT) using royal jelly consumption on triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in overweight and obese middle-aged men. 

In this study, 60 middle-aged men were randomly put into 4 groups as foolow: 1) control + Placbo, 2) training, 3) royal jelly supplementation, and 4) training + royal jelly supplementation. Subjects in the experimental groups of training and training + royal jelly supplementation groups performed the training protocol. The HIIT protocol was implemented for 8 weeks with high intensity of 85-95% of the maximum heart rate, and active rest periods included 60-70% of the maximum heart rate. Participants in the royal jelly supplementation groups received 1000 mg capsule once per day. SPSS software version 22, one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test were all used to perform intergroup data analysis and dependent sample t-test was used to perform intra-group data analysis. The significance level was considered at P≤0.05. 

HIIT training, consumption of royal jelly and training + royal jelly supplementation showed a reduction in serum levels of LDL, TC, TG and an increase in HDL in overweight and obese middle-aged men (p ≥ 0.05). 

HIIT combined with royal jelly supplementation can improve lipid profile in obese or overweight people who are prone to cardiovascular disease and various types of diabetes.