Robuvit®: improvement of fatigue in medical convalescence, 2018, Belcaro et al

Andy · May 5, 2018

BACKGROUND: The aim of this registry study was the evaluation of symptoms of fatigue following supplementation with an oak wood extract (Robuvit®) after disappearance of acute symptoms. Robuvit®, with established antioxidant-antifatigue activity, has been successfully used in hepatic failure and in chronic fatigue syndrome: these conditions are characterized by weakness and fatigue and are broadly comparable to convalescence that is associated to increased oxidative stress.

METHODS: The registry study lasted 3 weeks. After a period (7-10 days) of flu, during the post-disease period (3 days without disease) subjects were included into the study. One group of subjects was supplemented with Robuvit® (300 mg/day) in addition to a standard management (SM) plan, another group of patients was treated with the standard management only.

RESULTS: The SM and the supplement group were comparable in all convalescence parameters at inclusion. Weakness and heart rate were significantly reduced with Robuvit® in comparison with the controls (P<0.05) at 10 days and at 3 weeks; Attention and sleep patterns improved significantly at 3 weeks with Robuvit® (P<0.05) in comparison to controls. Recovery after efforts was normalized at 10 days in the supplement group, significantly better versus controls (P<0.05). O2 saturation increased significantly with Robuvit® at 10 days in comparison to controls (P<0.05). The alterations in working/concentration capacity were better improved with the supplement (P<0.05). Oxidative stress was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in comparison to controls. The improvement of health according to the Karrnofsky Scale was significantly more pronounced in the Robuvit® group (P<0.05). The supplement was well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS: The causative relations between Robuvit® supplementation, oxidative stress, vigor and fatigue in convalescence need more specific evaluations in a larger number of subjects. This preliminary study may indicate a possible supplementation in convalescence.
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Paywalled at https://www.minervamedica.it/en/jou...ical-fitness/article.php?cod=R40Y2018N05A0678

Trish · May 5, 2018

Since it mentioned use of this Robuvit in CFS, I went looking and found this paper of a pilot study:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24231834
Improved management of primary chronic fatigue syndrome with the supplement French oak wood extract (Robuvit®): a pilot, registry evaluation, by Belcaro et al. 2014.

Abstract
AIM:
The aim of this supplement study was to evaluate French oak wood extract (Robuvit®, Horphag Research Ltd) used as a supplement in association with a defined management plan for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in healthy subjects with CFS, a condition that has, so far, no specific treatment or management standards.

METHODS:
Robuvit® is a new proprietary and exclusive extract of oak wood with important antoxidant actions. The dosage of the supplementation was 200 mg/day for at least 6 months. The CFS questionnaire and the Brief Mood Introspection Scale (BMIS) questionnaire were used to evaluate mood variations associated with CFS patients. The CFS form includes an analogue scale to record the variations of single symptoms with a score range of 0-10. At inclusion into the registry study, at least 5 symptoms were present. All subjects (age range 35-44; BMI range 24-26) with CFS were tested for oxidative stress: 61 out of 91 subjects had an increased value of oxidative stress. The BMIS scale evaluating mood changes in time was also used. The evaluation was repeated at 3 and 6 months.

RESULTS:
Out of 91 eligible subjects with CFS, 48 subjects (31 with increased oxidative stress) were accepted as part of the supplement registry study using Robuvit; 43 (30 with increased oxidative stress) were accepted as controls using only the management plan. In the Robuvit® group there were 3 drop outs; also 3 controls were lost. Oxidative stress was increased in 64.58% of subjects that used Robuvit and in 69.7% of controls. The average values of oxidative stress were expressed for the whole group. The average follow up was 199.3;9.2 days in the Robuvit group and 202.2;5.5 in the control group with a minimum of 6 months. Considering variations in oxidative stress, there was no significant average change in controls, but a significant decrease from the initial values was observed in Robuvit subjects after 3 and 6 months. The CFS questionnaire variations in score indicated that there was a significant improvement for most symptoms after 3 and 6 months in the Robuvit group. Positive variations were also present in controls, indicating the positive effect of an increased attention to CFS. The improvement in signs/symptoms was significantly more valuable in subjects using the oak wood extract considering the main 8 symptoms and the accessory symptoms. Considering the BMIS variations, the totals for positive and negative items were significantly more favourable for Robuvit subjects. Overall mood evaluation in the oak wood extract group improved from an inclusion average of -6.93;2.1 to +4.32;2.6 at 6 months; in contrast it changed from -6.5;2.5 to -3.4;1.5 in controls. No side effects were observed during the supplementation with Robuvit. The compliance was optimal with 93% of the capsules correctly used.

CONCLUSION:
This promising pilot supplement registry study indicates a new opportunity of management for these difficult and often neglected patients. Correlation between oxidative stress and CFS have to be better explored.
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Snow Leopard · May 5, 2018

*cough* *blinding?* *cough*

alktipping · May 5, 2018

just looks like a company wanting to create a bigger market for its product by throwing in some pseudo science not exactly a new thing in marketing ideas.

Trish · May 6, 2018

There seems to be a lot of waffle about changes in measures of ME symptoms in the paper I listed above - with only mood being highlighted as improved. That makes me suspicious that the patients ME didn't really improve. And there's no mention of double blinding.

They also say oxidative stress improved in the treated group. I don't know how this is tested, but if the treatment is a natural antioxidant, that may be all that's being measured - give an antioxidant and you get an antioxidant effect.

The website for the product makes huge claims to benefit energy and detox.
I suspect most of it is hype.
https://www.robuvit.com/home/

Hutan · Jul 30, 2020

There's a discussion thread for Robuvit in general here:
Robuvit - oak wood extract supplement

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Robuvit®: improvement of fatigue in medical convalescence, 2018, Belcaro et al

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