Beat the Heat (and the Trots): How CurraNZ Helps Ultra-Runners Stay in the Race

As temperatures rise and ultra-runners gear up for a busy summer season, one often-overlooked threat looms large: gastrointestinal (GI) distress.

Whether you're lining up for a 100-miler or tackling long, grueling training sessions, running in the heat can wreak havoc on your gut - and potentially derail months of preparation.

While the science behind this blog was first published last year, its relevance is more important than ever as we enter peak-summer race season.

In this post, we revisit key findings from our study on CurraNZ blackcurrant extract and its breakthrough role in helping reduce heat-induced gastric stress - also known as “Runner’s Trots.”

With insights from professional ultra-runner, physician, and coach Dr. Stefanie Flippin, (left) you’ll learn how just one week of supplementation could provide a simple but powerful prevention strategy against one of endurance running’s most notorious performance-killers.

Dr. Flippin says: “There isn’t a runner who hasn’t experienced GI distress.

“Often times, runners take antacids in a bid to stave off these issues, but they have limited efficacy. Until now, there hasn’t been a supplement that could provide direct, scientifically-validated protection to those running just 7 days prior to an event.

“We saw in this study that seven days of CurraNZ supplementation increased both levels of heat shock protein under baseline conditions without the stimulus of heat stress, which resulted in less of a heat shock response when those participants were subjected to one hour of exertional heat stress.

"This suggests that CurraNZ supplementation ahead of exercising in hot conditions is protective against exertional heat stroke.

"With current strategies limited to heat training itself, any type of mitigation and protective measure is highly beneficial and New Zealand blackcurrant extract offers an exciting new supplement for runners.”

 Colorado-based Stefanie shot to fame in 2021 when, still an amateur athlete, she humbled a field of world and national record holders to win the USATF 100 Mile National Championship (pictured, above), shattering the course record in the process.

Stefanie currently holds three of the top ten fastest 100-mile times ever for North American women. 

 'GI distress will derail a runner's chances if they can't tolerate nutrition' 

With years of running experience as an athlete and coach, Stefanie observes: “A large part of running relies on refuelling, which is essential to be able to sustain 4-20 hours of running for those undertaking trial or ultra marathons.

"GI distress can bring down the house of cards and derail a person’s chances because they can’t tolerate their nutrition. New Zealand blackcurrant extract opens up a whole new avenue as an easy supplement for runners to use and prevent the risks of heat stress.

“In this day and age, we are all reaching for a few extra percentages to achieve peak performance. Preventative measures like CurraNZ Original represent a valuable tool to provide those gains.”