Posted: August 28, 2006

Science of Sport: How Optygen Works

The mechanism behind this powerful endurance formula:

Intro: Optygen™ works on three different levels all working synergistically with the goal of increasing endurance. In 2004 four new clinical studies were published which directly support the use of Optygen in Endurance (1-4). Endurance is defined your ability to perform work over a period of time where there is sufficient oxygen delivered to the muscles. There are three critical components necessary to increase your endurance capacity.

1) Efficient Glucose Metabolism
2) Efficient Oxygen Transfer
3) ATP production

Optygen targets all three of these components:

Efficient Glucose Metabolism: The first part of the Optygen formula utilizes chromium for its ability to break down fuel. Chromium is an essential trace mineral that aids in glucose metabolism, regulation of insulin levels, and maintenance of healthy blood levels of cholesterol and other lipids. Chromium forms part of a compound in the body known as glucose tolerance factor (GTF), which is involved in regulating the actions of insulin in maintaining blood sugar levels and, possibly, in helping to control appetite. It is critical that any drink, bar or pre-race meal consumed prior to a race or exercise gets broken down efficiently in order to maximize your fuel delivery. Insulin spikes or lack of insulin response can cause the nutrients to either be rushed into your bloodstream too quickly or not quickly enough. Chromium regulates this nutrient breakdown so you have equal and sustained nutrient delivery to the working muscles. The most widely available sources are chromium salts such as chromium polynicotinate and chromium picolinate. Optygen uses Chromium chelate, a unique form of chromium patented for its superior absorption and bioavailability properties compared to other sources.

*Chelavite, is a patented (US Patent #5,614,553) chelated form of Chromium with enhanced bioavailability and uptake.†

Efficient Oxygen Transfer: The second part of the Optygen formula uses adaptogenic herbs to improve oxygen effeciency. Originally, these two adaptogenic herbs were gathered by Tibetan Sherpas for use in their tea. The Sherpas used these herbs to give them energy to climb Everest, which they did without the use of supplemental oxygen. One of the adaptogenic applications of Rhodiola that has received considerable research attention recently is for aiding in adaptation to high altitude, thus, as a preventive treatment for hypoxia or mountain sickness. In June 2002, Dr Rulin Xiu was awarded a patent for her work showing Rhodiola's ability to oxygenate blood. Clinical studies on Cordyceps have proven its ability to increase endurance through more efficient enzyme activity, mobilization of free fatty acids and beta-oxidation. In a 1998 study, Dr. Edmond Burke observed that Cordyceps has the ability to improve lactate energy metabolism within the cell.

Recently, four studies published in 2004 support the use of these key adaptogenic herbs in endurance metabolism. The most intriguing study done by Katrien De Bock and published in the prestigious International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism (IJSN), proved that Rhodiola has acute endurance benefits. Previous research on Rhodiola and other adaptogens suggested it was necessary to dose for weeks before a benefit was observed. The study from the IJSN showed improved endurance parameters after a single dose of 200mg Rhodiola Rosea 3% rosavins. The acute Rhodiola dose significantly improved time to exhaustion and Vo2peak. The study concluded that acute Rhodiola rosea intake (200mg) can improve endurance exercise capacity in young healthy volunteers (3).

Another recent study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology researched medicinal mushrooms including Cordyceps and Maitake. Cordyceps 7% extract was administered at 500mg per day for 30 days. The study concluded that both Cordyceps and Maitake mushrooms helped delay exhaustion during exercise by promoting fat utilization and inhibiting lactic acid buildup (4).

In two separate studies, Russian scientists also recently researcher Rhodiola Rosea root extract and its effects on C-reactive protein, Creatine Kinase and ATP content in muscle mitochondria. These double blind, placebo controlled studies published in the prestigious Experimental Biology and Medicine journal showed significant improvement in all markers indicating an anti-inflammatory mechanism which was previously not researched in Rhodiola, and improvement in ATP/Pi ratio (1,2). The ATP/Pi ratio is an indication of the high-energy state and directly correlates with improved endurance and performance.

ATP Production: The final step of the Optygen formulation puts all the necessary components together to assure efficient Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) production. Clinical research has shown that endurance athletes diminish their ATP stores in exhaustive exercise, which can lead to a reduction in aerobic metabolism and endurance. Optygen's proprietary ATPro™ matrix of five key nutrients is designed to assure ATP production. Since ATP is the final step in aerobic energy production, it is critical that the nutrients feeding the ATP cycle are readily available. Calcium pyruvate, sodium phosphate, potassium phosphate, adenosine and d-ribose are all pre-cursers to ATP. Each nutrient plays a critical role in glycolysis and the citric acid cycle, leading to efficient ATP production. Endurance athlete’s VO2max is directly proportional to their ability to efficiently produce ATP.

A complete diagram outlining these nutrients in the citric acid cycle can be found at www.firstendurance.com.

A synergistic formula: The combination of the three components of Optygen create a synergy with the sole purpose of improving race performance through increased VO2max, reduced lactic acid and increased endurance. Though Cordyceps and Rhodiola taken by themselves would offer enhanced performance, the combination including Chromium Chelate and the ATPro™ matrix complete the formulation. It is this synergistic combination of key ingredients that make Optygen such a powerful and complete endurance formula.

References:
New reference: 1) Abidoff Musa1, Grachev Sergey, Seifulla Roshen, Tim N. Ziegenfuss Rhodiola rosea root extract Rhodax™ reduces inflammatory plasma C-reactive protein and Creatine kinase in healthy volunteers: a placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial*. Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2004, in press.

New reference: 2) Abidoff Musa, Krendal Felix, Grachev Sergey, Seifulla Roshen, Tim Ziegenfuss (2003) Effect of Rhodiola rosea and Rhodiola crenulata (Crassulaceae) root extracts on ATP content in Muscle Mitochondria. Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2003, Vol. 136, N12, pp 667-66.

New reference: 3) Katrien De Bock, et al., Acute Rhodiola Intake can improve Endurance Exercise Performance. International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. 2004. 14, 298-307. 2004 Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.

New Reference: 4) Medicinal Mushrooms May Increase Stamina. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. July 2004.

5) Anderson, RA, Polansky MM, Bryden NA. Strenuous running: acute effects on chromium, copper, zinc, and selected clinical variables in urine and serum of male runners. Biology Trace elements res. 1984; 6: 327-336

6) Anderson, RA, Polansky MM, Bryden NA. Effects of carbohydrate loading and underwater exercise on circulating cortisol, insulin and urinary losses of chromium and zinc. Eur Journal of Applied Physiology, 1991;3:289-293.

7) Georges M. Halpern: Cordyceps, Chinese Healing Mushroom, Avery Publishing, 1999.
Walker LS, Bemben MG, Bemben DA, Knehans AW. Chromium picolinate effects on body composition and muscular performance in wrestlers. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998 Dec;30(12):1730-7.

8) Reading SA. Chromium picolinate. J Fla Med Assoc. 1996 Jan;83(1):29-31

9) Saratikov AS., Salnik BU., Revina TA 1968. Biochemical Characteristics of the Stimulative action of Rodosine during prescribed muscular workloads. Proceedings of Siberian Department of Academy of sciences of the USSR. Biological Sciences, 5: 108-115.

10) Wang Liang, Progress of research on the pharmacology of rhodiola, Li Shizhen Medicine and Materia Medica Research 1999; 10(4): 295-296.

11) Williams, M, 1995, Chromium, Nutrition for Fitness and Sport, Brown and Benchmark publications.

12) Xiu; Journal of China Sports Medicine (Vol 15, No.4. 1996)

13) Xu J; Xie J; Feng P; Su Z; Oxygen transfer characteristics in the compact callus aggregates of Rhodiola. Chinese Journal of Biotechnology; 1998; 14(2): 99-107.

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise abstract published in 2001;33:S164. Cordyceps CS-4: Poster presented at The ACSM annual meeting, Baltimore, MD, June 2001.

Burke, Edmund R. Herbs Enhance Lactate Metabolism. Nutrition Science News, V.3; N.9 P. 458 (1998)

For a complete list of references visit www.firstendurance.com/research.html.

The Endurance Research Board's (ERB) objective is to offer a broad perspective on both innovative and long-standing endurance nutrition. In addition to having advance science degrees, each member of our ERB races at an elite level. Our scientists are professional mountain bikers, professional triathletes and Cat 1 cyclists. Members of the Endurance Research Board include: Sally Warner MA Ph.D., Neal Henderson MS CSCS, Shawn Dolan Ph.D., Bob Seebohar, MS, RD, CSCS

* The ERB is a resource of First Endurance Nutrition

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