Ginger Root Extract
6-gingerol and 6-shogaol inhibit both COX-2 and 5-LOX - the dual inflammatory cascade. Multiple human RCTs confirm reductions in exercise-induced muscle soreness and nausea. Also supports gut motility.
Mechanism
6-gingerol and its dehydration product 6-shogaol are the primary bioactive compounds in ginger. They inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) - the dual prostanoid and leukotriene inflammatory pathways - simultaneously. This dual mechanism distinguishes ginger from conventional NSAIDs, which primarily target only COX enzymes.
Three distinct human outcomes are supported by RCT evidence: exercise-induced muscle damage reduction (Black et al., 2010: 25% reduction in soreness with 2g/day); nausea reduction (multiple trials in pregnancy, post-surgery, and post-chemotherapy contexts); and gut motility acceleration - ginger stimulates gastric emptying, relevant in a high-ingredient formula context where rapid transit supports nutrient absorption.
Key Benefits
- Dual COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibition - broader than conventional NSAIDs
- Standardised to ≥5% gingerols by HPLC
- Traditionally used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for digestive comfort
- Stimulates gastric emptying - supports nutrient absorption
- Standardised ≥5% gingerols for consistent bioactive content
The Research
Peer-reviewed human trials supporting this ingredient at this dose.
Ginger Root Extract
500mgZingiber officinale - standardised ≥5% gingerols
Take with food. Particularly useful pre-training - a 2010 RCT found ginger reduced exercise-induced muscle soreness by 25%. Can also be taken daily for gut motility support.