I am posting this observation as suggested by Quantum. And I hope it may shed some light to some of fellow sufferers of POIS
I have one other related syndrome in addition to POIS:
after rigorous workout (weight training for 20-40 mins, High-intensity interval training, or cardio for 30-45 mins).
* I would get brain fog (cognitive impairment) in about 30mins-1hr
* the brain fog feels similar to caffeine withdrawal (slow thinking, poor recall, and reduced working memory) (I am not a coffee/tea drinker)
* the brain fog is most severe the morning after sleeping (T+1day)
* the brain fog usually dissipates after the 2nd night of sleep (T+36 hrs) (much sooner recovery than POIS) if I don't have DOMS
* the brain fog can last for 2 days if I got severe DOMS
* the brain fog is NOT relieved by drinking coffee or tea
This issue has troubled me since I was a teenager, and I don't recall having a clear date when I started to have these issues.
POIS symptoms that do not show up after exercise include:
* flu-like sore throat
* depressed mood
This issue is related to POIS, because they are similar in these ways:
the supplements that benefits POIS also benefits exercise-induced malaise.
supplements need to be taken before the fact (far less effective if only taken after the fact)
delayed onset (symptoms usually set in after 30mins)
Supplements that I have tried and have shown promise (not all are needed, the fewer the better)
Phosphatidylserine - reduce cortisol response from workout (only the softgel version work for me)
Quercetin helps stabilize mast cell (7hrs to peak)
Curcumin stablize mast cell,
Curcumin reduces DOMS
Curcumin + Quercetin for Il-6 and cortisol reduction
COX2-inhibitor to prevent inflammation/IDO
CoQ10 to reduce inflammatory response
Arginine, L-ornithine (moderate) to remove ammonia, increase NO
Omega-3 (DHA+EPA) : reduce AA and inflammatory response
I have tried several different combos of the above (and individual ones). For me, Celebrex alone (COX-2 inhibitor) is the most reliable one, with a much longer half-life than Ibuprofen. Curcumin alone has a milder effect.
Curcumin is known to reduces DOMS:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4074833/My current line of reasoning is
Vigorous Exercise --> trigger mast cell, release histamine, TNF-a and IL-6, cortisol (if prolonged exercise over 1hr) and PGE production
Cortisol --> TDO in liver --> low tryptophan state + high quinolinic acid
similar to the mast cell activation syndromes (related to the IDO/TDO pathway explained by Quantum and nightingale before)
Warning: Some people have *severe* reaction towards NSAID (Celebrex, Ibuprofen etc). Seek medical help immediately if you found any bruise/bleeding/ulcer when you are on NSAID. Fish oil, Curcumin, Bromelain also are reported to interfere with platelet function, so be very careful.