Today’s fact Friday is all about you athletes out there. We did a post earlier in the week about Olympian Shevon Stoddart, she takes Co-E1 Mojo for energy and muscle recovery. Did you know that NADH is essential for giving athletes their clean energy and a natural push.
NADH is a co-enzyme, which simply means it helps other enzymes carry out biological functions. It is considered by many researchers and scientists to be the most important co-enzyme in humans. We have mentioned here on the blog numerous ways that NADH supplementation can improve function in humans, but for this weeks fact Friday we will highlight its effects on athletic performance.
NADH and Cognitive Ability (Being athletically smart).
Cognitive function and athletic performance’s relationship is extremely underestimated. One third of all the energy produced in our body is used up by our brain. An energy deficiency is first realized in the brain with symptoms such as lack of concentration and alertness, or mental fog.
How does NADH provide the brain with more energy?
The energy within our bodies is produced when hydrogen and oxygen react to form water and energy. NADH is the biological form of hydrogen present in our cells and oxygen comes from the air we breathe. The energy produced from this reaction is stored as a chemical compound, ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
If you had a deficiency in oxygen there would be major problems, well NADH is the other side of that equation: No oxygen- no ATP. No hydrogen- no ATP. No ATP- no energy. Pretty simple right!
NADH and Athletic Performance
Researchers have been looking at NADH’s applications for athletic performance. Physiologic functions boosted by NADH could have beneficial effects for athletes. Research conducted by Enada and colleagues ( International Journal of Sports Medicine 1996) on competitive athletes does indicate that NADH enhances work capacity. Researchers measured reaction times, physical performance and performance quality in 17 competitive cyclists and long-distance runners. Physical performance was measured on a bicycle ergometer. Performance quality was determined by measurements of continuous attention.
Athletes underwent these tests both before and after taking 5 mg of NADH before breakfast each morning for four weeks. During the test period, subjects kept constant the frequency and intensity of their training and exercise program as well as lifestyle factors. After four weeks of NADH supplementation, the athletes experienced significantly less scattering of reaction times-it dropped by 10 percent in five athletes, 10 to 20 percent in eight athletes, and more than 20 percent in three athletes. Reaction time overall improved considerably in 16 out of the 17 subjects.
. For two athletes, the maximum work performance (work at max per kg/body weight) increased by more than 10 percent, with another seven showing increases of up to 10 percent. Similar improvements were made in maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max/kg).
Researchers hypothesized that improved reaction times may have resulted from prior NADH deficiency in some athletes or an increase in dopamine production that led to increased alertness and vigilance. The latter explanation is further supported by studies wherein NADH supplementation increased dopamine production in rats. The researchers went on to say that stimulation of cellular ATP production by NADH may have enhanced, athletic performance- more NADH a cell has available, the more energy it can produce. Conversely, an NADH deficiency results in reduced strength, power and performance.
In addition to improving athletic performance via ATP production NAHD has also been shown to increase L-Dopa production and Nitric Oxide production.
Why do care if NADH increases L-Dopa production?
Numerous reasons- but in this conversation it is specifically utilized to stimulate Growth Hormone release from the pituitary gland.
NADH triggers the activation of tyrosine-hydroxylase. Tyrosine hydroxylase or tyrosine 3-monooxygenase is the enzyme responsible for catalyzing the conversion of the amino acid L-Tyrosine (an ingredient in Cabergolean) to L-Dopa. L-Dopa has been shown in numerous studies to be an effective compound for the stimulation of GH release by the pituitary gland. Growth Hormone has been shown in numerous studies to (among other functions) stimulate IGF production, which in turn creates new muscle cells through differentiation and proliferation.
Athletes know that Nitric Oxide is a valuable part of their success because it’s responsible for blood flow, oxygen delivery, glucose uptake, muscle velocity, power output, and muscle growth.
Increasing Nitric Oxide levels can deliver continuous muscle benefits such as:
· Faster gains in lean mass
· Greater strength
· Providing better muscle recovery
· Increasing endurance
Our Enada 20Xmg is made to provide energy, focus, stamina and alertness when you need it most. Designed for high-level athletes and busy executives requiring that extra edge, Enada 20mg is carefully formulated to provide natural energy for today’s busy and active lifestyle.
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