Unived Elite Gel 2:1 Carbohydrate Ratio, 190kcal, Vegan Endurance Gel for Runners & Endurance Athletes

Beta-Alanine

Beta-alanine is the rate limiting precursor to carnosine, an endogenous intracellular (muscle) buffer, and one of the immediate defences against the accumulation of protons in the contracting musculature during exercise (Lancha Junior et al., 2015).* Carniosone (B-alanyl-L-histidine) is a dipeptide found in muscle tissue that acts as an intramuscular buffer of hydrogen ions.* 

Beta-Alanine increases skeletal muscle carnosine levels, this supports the maintenance acid-base balance, delay fatigue, and improve exercise performance.*

Sodium Bicarbonate

The build up of acid inside our muscles is one of the factors responsible for fatigue.* Increased acidity ultimately inhibits energy transfer and the ability of our muscles to contract, leading to a decrease in exercise performance. Sodium Bicarbonate helps us by neutralizing this acid build-up and thereby reducing fatigue and increasing performance.* 

Electrolytes

Electrolytes are a key variable in determining sports performance as they mediate the constant transport of nutrients, enzymes, and water in and out of cells.

Refueling with sodium and chloride redirects precious fluids to your cells and major tissues, eliminating mid-activity cramps, nausea, fatigue, and stomach distress. A sodium top-up prevents the ‘gut bomb’ affect (vomiting during races) and ‘hyponatremia’ (nausea, fatigue, confusion) during long distances.*

Chloride works closely with sodium to regulate the body-water balance, helping you retain water better.* It also limits the amount of precious hydration reserves lost to sweat and urine, and maintains the necessary volume of fluids in your blood.*

Magnesium is gaining prominence as a factor in influencing mid-race performance.* Deficiency can result in a sub-optimal performance, as magnesium is important for the proper transmission of nerve impulses, muscular contraction, and energy production processes.* Magnesium can also have a direct impact on the utilization of sodium, potassium, and calcium by the muscles.*

Potassium is a major electrolyte that works closely with sodium and chloride in maintaining hydration, and in generating electrical impulses in the nerves and muscles, including the heart.* This translates to better muscle performance, even at the stage when you have already logged in several miles.*

CITATIONS

[1] LOUISE M. BURKE1, JOHN A. HAWLEY2, STEPHEN H. S. WONG3, & ASKER E. JEUKENDRUP4. Carbohydrates for training and competition. Journal of Sports Sciences, 2011; 29(S1): S17–S27

[2] Asker E. Jeukendrup, Luke Moseley, Gareth I. Mainwaring, Spencer Samuels, Samuel. Exogenous carbohydrate oxidation during ultraendurance exercise. J Appl Physiol 100: 1134–1141, 2006.

[3] Jeukendrup, Asker & Moseley, Lori & I Mainwaring, Gareth & Samuels, Spencer & Perry, Samuel & H Mann, Christopher. (2006). Exogenous carbohydrate oxidation during ultraendurance exercise. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985). 100. 1134-41. 10.1152/japplphysiol.00981.2004.

[4] Virgile Lecoultre, Rachel Benoit, Guillaume Carrel, Yves Schutz, Gregoire P Millet, Luc Tappy, and Philippe Schneiter; Fructose and glucose co-ingestion during prolonged exercise increases lactate and glucose fluxes and oxidation compared with an equimolar intake of glucose 1–3

[5] King, Andy. (2015). Exogenous and Endogenous (Liver and Muscle) Carbohydrate Oxidation Following Ingestion of Glucose and Fructose during Prolonged Cycling: Effect of Carbohydrate Dose.

[6] Jeukendrup, Asker & Moseley, Lori & I Mainwaring, Gareth & Samuels, Spencer & Perry, Samuel & H Mann, Christopher. (2006). Exogenous carbohydrate oxidation during ultraendurance exercise. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985). 100. 1134-41. 10.1152/japplphysiol.00981.2004.

[7] Asker E. Jeukendrup, Luke Moseley, Gareth I. Mainwaring, Spencer Samuels, Samuel. Exogenous carbohydrate oxidation during ultraendurance exercise. J Appl Physiol 100: 1134–1141, 2006.

[8] Eklund M, Bauer E, Wamatu J, Mosenthin R. Potential nutritional and physiological functions of betaine in livestock. Nutr Res Rev. 2005;18:31–48. doi: 10.1079/NRR200493.

[9] Hill C.A., Harris R.C., Kim H.J., Harris B.D., Sale C., Boobis L.H., Kim C.K., Wise J.A. Influence of beta-alanine supplementation on skeletal muscle carnosine concentrations and high intensity cycling capacity. Amino Acids. 2007;32:225–233.

[10] Harris R.C., Tallon M.J., Dunnett M., Boobis L., Coakley J., Kim H.J., Fallowfield J.L., Hill C.A., Sale C., Wise J.A. The absorption of orally supplied beta-alanine and its effect on muscle carnosine synthesis in human vastus lateralis. Amino Acids. 2006;30:279–289.

[11] Derave W., Ozdemir M.S., Harris R.C., Pottier A., Reyngoudt H., Koppo K., Wise J.A., Achten E. Beta-alanine supplementation augments muscle carnosine content and attenuates fatigue during repeated isokinetic contraction bouts in trained sprinters. J. Appl. Physiol. 2007;103:1736–1743.

[12] Detopoulou P, Panagiotakos DB, Antonopoulou S, Pitsavos C, Stefanadis C: Dietary choline and betaine intakes in relation to concentrations of inflammatory markers in healthy adults: the ATTICA study. Am J Clin Nutr 2008, 87:424-430