| Out there are many performance and recovery | | | | for energy production acid waste builds up. Our body |
| products for top athletes, runners, cyclists, etc - more | | | | continually attempts to remove this acid waste and |
| commonly known as Endurance Supplements. Some | | | | tries to neutralize acid build-up in many ways - our |
| of them might support athletes, as being formulated to | | | | kidneys filter blood and excrete acid through urine, and |
| increase athletic performance, stamina and endurance, | | | | our lungs release acidic carbon dioxide. Above that, we |
| some of them even allowing quicker recovery times. | | | | also sweat acids out of our skin. |
| Yet no one knows exactly what a "good" endurance | | | | Therefore endurance supplements should boost body |
| product should be able "do". Do they meet certain vital | | | | alkalinity to keep the body alkalized. Even better, if it |
| requirements? Here are some of the main criteria: | | | | worked on acid indigestion, agita, etc. |
| Being Loaded with Electrolytes such as Sodium | | | | Reducing Muscle Acids |
| Electrolytes are essential for our muscles to function - | | | | People who exercise know the harder you train and |
| they even affect pH and fluid balances in our body. | | | | work out, and the more muscle glycogen is used for |
| After continuous sport activities and endurance | | | | energy production, the more lactic acid build up in your |
| performances it is important to replace lost | | | | muscles. These lactic acids reduce muscle strength |
| electrolytes. The electrolyte nutrients that are most | | | | and physical endurance and may, in severe cases, |
| often added to athlete's drinks are potassium and | | | | lead to lactic acidosis. |
| sodium. | | | | As the muscle acids build up, fatigue, muscle burn and |
| During endurance events such as cycling, adventure | | | | muscle pain begins. Therefore, a quality endurance |
| racing and triathlons, inadequate repletion of sodium | | | | supplement should help buffer any exercise induced |
| can lead to a dangerous condition known as | | | | acids and help to prevent the acid build-up in the |
| hyponatremia (may lead to neurological symptoms, | | | | muscles. This may result in longer exercise and training |
| swelling of brain, fatigue etc.). | | | | periods and better performance. |
| Sodium promotes proper muscle function and is | | | | Containing Calcium and/or Magnesium |
| essential in many bodily processes, including the | | | | Calcium is essential regarding strong bones and proper |
| maintenance of well balanced fluid levels within the | | | | muscle function. In general, dairy foods are the best |
| body. The body's sodium level is the key determination | | | | source of calcium, yet today's processed foods often |
| of how much water stays within the body - the | | | | don't provide the needed amounts of calcium. |
| primary cause of sodium loss is through exercise | | | | Above that, many athletes, in order to lose weight, cut |
| induced perspiration. | | | | back on dairy products and therefore on calcium. That |
| In intense exercise an athlete may lose more than | | | | means: without enough calcium athletes may be at risk |
| 3,000 mg of sodium per day - for example if an | | | | for stress fractures and osteoporosis. Therefore a |
| athlete sweats about 1.5 liter per hour, and his sodium | | | | good endurance supplement should be a rich source |
| losses per liter is about 750 milligrams, i.e. if he | | | | of quality calcium and should provide the 1,000 |
| exercises for three hours, his total sodium loss is 3375 | | | | milligrams that adults need daily easily! |
| milligrams of sodium! | | | | Magnesium is a vitally important mineral and plays an |
| Raising Body Alkalinity | | | | important role in muscle function. Magnesium activates |
| Bringing the body to a more alkaline state is very | | | | numerous enzymes of the energy metabolism. |
| important - it is well known that all of us, especially | | | | Exercise, bodily stress or long-lasting training periods |
| athletes, should maintain proper alkaline pH levels in the | | | | may increase magnesium needs. |
| blood and tissues, which is approximately 7.365 (i.e. | | | | Endurance Supplement Requirements |
| slightly alkaline). | | | | Overall, the "perfect" endurance supplement should |
| This pH Balance is also critical to achieve top athletic | | | | buffer exercise-induced acid, allow quicker recovery |
| performance and high exercise and workout results. | | | | times, promote a healthy body pH, improve endurance |
| As our bodies metabolize the electrons from the food | | | | & stamina, and reduce muscle pain and fatigue. |
