Most supplement studies focus on outcomes people can easily measure, such as athletic performance, body composition, or perceived recovery. This study took a different approach. Instead of asking whether redox signaling molecules immediately improved performance, researchers used metabolomics supplement research to examine what was happening inside the body at the cellular level after just seven days of supplementation. By analyzing changes in metabolites—the small molecules produced during normal metabolism—the researchers gained a more detailed picture of the body’s metabolic response than traditional performance measures alone can provide. Rather than focusing solely on visible results, the study explored how the body’s chemistry responded during exercise, offering insight into metabolic activity that standard performance metrics may not capture.
The poster presentation abstract was published in The FASEB Journal, one of the world’s most-cited peer-reviewed journals in biology and physiology.
It’s also important to understand what the study did—and did not—show. Participants who consumed ASEA Redox did not experience a statistically significant improvement in 75-kilometer cycling time trial performance compared with the placebo group. However, performance was only one outcome measured. The metabolomics analysis identified measurable shifts in participants’ metabolic profiles after one week of supplementation, providing evidence of changes in metabolic activity rather than proof of specific health or performance outcomes. Because the study lasted only seven days, the findings represent an early snapshot of redox cell signaling and cellular metabolism under the conditions studied. Additional internal research has explored longer periods of supplementation, but those findings are outside the scope of this published study.
What Is Metabolomics?
Metabolomics is the study of metabolites—the small molecules your body naturally produces and uses during metabolism. These molecules are involved in processes like converting food into energy, supporting normal cellular function, and responding to physical activity. Think of metabolomics as a snapshot of what the body is doing at a chemical level at a specific point in time.
Unlike traditional biomarkers, which typically measure only a handful of indicators, metabolomics analyzes hundreds of metabolites simultaneously. This gives researchers a broader view of metabolic activity and helps identify patterns that may not be visible through conventional testing alone.
In this study, researchers used metabolomic profiling to compare participants who consumed the ASEA Redox supplement with those who received a placebo. Rather than measuring disease outcomes or proving health benefits, the analysis examined whether supplementation was associated with measurable changes in metabolic activity after one week. Those observations helped researchers better understand redox signaling molecules and how cellular metabolism responded under the conditions of the study.
About the Study — Design & Protocol
To evaluate the effects of an ASEA Redox supplement, researchers designed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial—a research design widely considered the gold standard for minimizing bias and producing reliable results. The study enrolled 20 trained cyclists, with each participant receiving both the ASEA Redox supplement and a placebo during separate testing periods. Because every participant served as their own control, the researchers were able to make more direct comparisons between the two conditions.
Participants consumed 118 mL of ASEA Redox daily for one week before completing a 75-kilometer cycling time trial. During the ride, they consumed an additional 473 mL of either ASEA Redox or the placebo. Blood samples were collected before exercise, immediately afterward, and one hour post-exercise to evaluate traditional biomarkers alongside comprehensive metabolomic profiling.
The results showed no statistically significant difference in cycling performance between the ASEA Redox and placebo groups (p =0.95). However, the performance data represented only one aspect of the research. When scientists analyzed the metabolomic profiles, they identified measurable differences in metabolic activity between the groups, providing a deeper look at how redox signaling molecules may influence cellular metabolism under the conditions of this one-week study.
What the Metabolomics Data Actually Showed
The most notable findings from this study did not come from the cyclists’ finish times—they came from the metabolomics data. Using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), researchers compared the metabolic profiles of participants who consumed ASEA Redox with those who received a placebo. Rather than measuring a single biomarker, this approach examined hundreds of metabolites simultaneously, providing a broader picture of how the body’s metabolism responded after one week of supplementation.
Researchers identified 43 metabolites that differed significantly between the ASEA Redox and placebo groups before exercise. Within the context of metabolomics research, this represents a substantial shift in measurable metabolic activity. Instead of observing changes in only a handful of metabolites, the analysis detected differences across multiple metabolic pathways, suggesting that supplementation was associated with broad changes in the body’s metabolic profile under the study conditions.
Many of these changes involved free fatty acids, which are released into the bloodstream and used as an energy source. Compared with the placebo group, participants who consumed ASEA Redox showed a metabolic profile consistent with greater fat oxidation before and during exercise. In practical terms, this suggests the body was relying more heavily on fat as a fuel source during the trial. Researchers often study this type of metabolic flexibility because efficiently utilizing different fuel sources is an important aspect of normal energy metabolism, particularly during prolonged physical activity. While this finding does not demonstrate improved athletic performance or fat loss, it does indicate a measurable shift in metabolic activity.
The metabolomic analysis also suggested amino acid sparing. When the body relies more on fat for energy, it may require less breakdown of amino acids to meet energy demands. Within the context of this study, the observed metabolite patterns were consistent with reduced amino acid utilization during exercise. This finding reflects changes in metabolic pathways rather than a direct measure of muscle preservation or exercise recovery.
Another noteworthy observation was a change in threonate, a metabolite derived from the breakdown of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), following exercise. Threonate was one of several metabolites associated with the body’s response to exercise-induced oxidative stress and contributed to the distinct metabolic patterns observed between the ASEA Redox group and placebo conditions. While these findings demonstrated measurable differences in metabolic profiles, the study did not determine whether they translated into clinical, recovery, or performance benefits.
Researchers also found clear separation between the metabolomic profiles of the ASEA Redox and placebo groups. Using GC/MS profiling, the groups were distinguishable before exercise (Q2Y = 0.71) and when comparing the ratio of one hour post-exercise to pre-exercise (Q2Y = 0.68). These values indicate that the metabolic profiles differed consistently enough for statistical models to distinguish between the two groups. Although the study did not find improvements in cycling performance, it did demonstrate measurable differences in metabolic activity after one week of supplementation, providing a foundation for further research into redox signaling molecules and cellular metabolism.
What Redox Signaling Molecules Are Doing at the Cellular Level
Redox signaling molecules are naturally produced by every cell in the human body as part of normal cellular function. They are generated primarily within the mitochondria—the structures often referred to as the cell’s “powerhouses” because they produce energy. Unlike nutrients or calories, redox signaling molecules are not a source of fuel. Instead, they act as chemical messengers that help cells communicate, coordinate normal biological processes, and respond to changing conditions.
This cellular communication, known as redox cell signaling, plays an important role in maintaining normal cellular function. By transmitting signals between cells, redox signaling molecules help regulate how cells adapt to everyday demands, including physical activity.
The findings from this study can be viewed through that lens. Researchers observed metabolomic changes consistent with greater fat oxidation before and during exercise in participants who consumed ASEA Redox compared with the placebo group. These observations do not demonstrate that the supplement causes fat burning or improves athletic performance. Rather, they indicate a measurable shift in metabolic activity that was consistent with enhanced fat oxidation under the conditions of the study.
One possible interpretation is that these metabolic changes reflect differences in how cells were regulating energy utilization. While the study was not designed to determine the exact biological mechanism, the observed metabolomic profile was consistent with changes in cellular signaling related to metabolism. Additional research is needed to better understand how redox signaling molecules influence these processes over time, but this study provides evidence that measurable changes in cellular metabolism can be detected after one week of supplementation.
What This Means If You’re Not an Elite Cyclist
You don’t have to be a competitive athlete to find this research relevant. The study used trained cyclists because they provide a consistent, well-controlled population for scientific research. Their training routines and physical demands make it easier for researchers to measure subtle changes in metabolism. However, redox signaling molecules are naturally produced in every person’s cells, not just in elite athletes.
One of the study’s most interesting findings was a metabolic profile consistent with greater fat oxidation during exercise. This relates to metabolic flexibility—the body’s ability to efficiently switch between using carbohydrates and fats as fuel depending on energy demands. Metabolic flexibility is an important aspect of normal metabolism and is relevant to everyday activities, whether you’re exercising, working, or simply going about your day.
It’s important to remember what this study did and did not show. The findings do not mean that ASEA Redox improves athletic performance, burns fat, or produces specific health outcomes. Instead, the metabolomics data showed measurable changes in metabolic activity after one week of supplementation in the group that consumed ASEA Redox. Those observations provide researchers with additional insight into cellular metabolism and how the body responds under the conditions studied.
For most people, the value of this research isn’t about cycling faster – it’s about understanding what researchers can learn by looking beyond outward results and examining what is happening inside the body’s cells.
Why One Week — and Why It Matters
One of the first things readers notice about this study is its duration: just one week. While seven days may seem brief, that timeframe makes the findings noteworthy. Even within a relatively short period, researchers observed measurable changes in participants’ metabolomic profiles. These changes reflected shifts in metabolic activity at the cellular level, despite there being no significant difference in cycling performance between the ASEA Redox and placebo groups.
It’s important to interpret these findings within the context of the study. The metabolomic data showed changes in how the body responded metabolically after one week of supplementation, but it did not establish long-term health outcomes or clinical benefits. Instead, the results provide evidence that measurable changes in cellular metabolism can be detected over a relatively short period under the study conditions.
Science takes time to show up in the numbers you notice. But inside your cells, the shift may begin sooner than you think. While this study offers an early look at metabolic activity after seven days, additional internal research has explored longer periods of supplementation. Those findings are beyond the scope of this study, but they highlight why researchers continue to investigate how changes observed at the cellular level may develop over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the FASEB study on ASEA Redox actually find?
The study evaluated whether one week of ASEA Redox supplementation affected cycling performance, traditional biomarkers, and metabolic activity in 20 trained cyclists. While participants did not improve their 75-kilometer time trial performance compared with the placebo group, researchers observed measurable differences in their metabolomic profiles. Specifically, 43 metabolites shifted significantly, including metabolites associated with fat metabolism. These findings suggest that supplementation was associated with changes in metabolic activity at the cellular level under the conditions of the study. However, the research did not demonstrate improvements in athletic performance or establish specific health outcomes.
Does ASEA Redox improve athletic performance?
Based on this study, no statistically significant improvement in athletic performance was observed. Cyclists who consumed ASEA Redox completed the 75-kilometer time trial in similar times to those who received the placebo (p = .95). However, performance was only one aspect of the research. The metabolomics analysis showed measurable differences in metabolic activity between the two groups, indicating that cellular metabolism responded differently after one week of supplementation. These findings support further research into redox signaling molecules, but they should not be interpreted as evidence that ASEA Redox improves athletic performance.
What are redox signaling molecules and why do they matter?
Redox signaling molecules are naturally produced by every cell in the human body. Generated primarily in the mitochondria, they serve as chemical messengers that help cells communicate and coordinate normal biological functions. Rather than acting as nutrients or fuel, these molecules regulate cellular communication, helping cells respond to everyday demands and maintain normal function.
As we age and experience environmental stressors, the body’s natural production and balance of redox signaling molecules may change. Because these molecules play a role in cellular communication, researchers continue to study how supporting redox cell signaling may influence normal cellular processes. In this study, researchers observed measurable shifts in metabolic activity after one week of supplementation, providing additional insight into how cellular metabolism responded under the study conditions. While these findings do not establish clinical health benefits, they contribute to the growing scientific understanding of redox signaling and its role in normal cellular function.
How long does it take for ASEA Redox to work?
The answer depends on what you’re measuring. In the study discussed here, researchers detected measurable changes in metabolic activity after seven days of supplementation. Those findings reflected changes in metabolomic profiles rather than noticeable performance improvements or clinical health outcomes.
If you’d like to learn more about what to expect over longer periods of consistent use, read How Long Does It Take to Improve Cellular Health?, which discusses the timeline of cellular health and the importance of consistency. Additional internal research has also explored longer supplementation periods, but those findings are separate from the one-week study discussed in this article.
The ASEA Redox Supplement
The product used in this study was ASEA Redox, a dietary supplement containing stabilized redox signaling molecules that are bioidentical to the signaling molecules naturally produced by healthy cells. These molecules are created through a proprietary process using salt and water, then stabilized for consumption. Rather than serving as a vitamin, stimulant, or source of energy, ASEA Redox is designed to provide redox signaling molecules identical to those the body naturally produces.
If you’d like to learn more about the product featured in this research, visit the ASEA Redox product page: ASEA® Redox Cell Signaling Supplement.
For a deeper look at the science behind how ASEA Redox is made and the role of redox signaling molecules in cellular communication, read ASEA Redox: The Science Behind the Supplement.