Influence of an alkalizing supplement on markers of endurance performance using a double-blind placebo-controlled design

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious research has shown that ingestion of substances that enhance the body's hydrogen ion buffering capacity during high intensity exercise can improve exercise performance. The present study aimed to determine whether the chronic ingestion of an alkalizing supplement, which purports to enhance both intracellular and extracellular buffering capacity, could impact cardiorespiratory and performance markers in trained Nordic skiers.MethodsTwenty-four skiers (12 men, 12 women), matched for upper body power (UBP), were split into treatment and placebo groups. The treatment group ingested Alka-Myte®-based alkalizing tablets (1 tablet/22.7 kg body mass/day) over seven successive days while the placebo group consumed placebo tablets (i.e., no Alka-Myte®) at the same dosage. Prior to tablet ingestion (i.e., pre-testing), both groups completed a constant power UBP test, three successive 10-sec UBP tests, and then a 60-sec UBP test. Next, skiers completed the 7-day ingestion of their assigned tablets followed immediately by a repeat of the same UBP tests (i.e., post-testing). Neither the skiers nor the researchers were aware of which tablets were being consumed by either group until after all testing was complete. Dependent measures for analysis included heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (VO2), minute ventilation (VE), blood lactate (LA), as well as 10-sec (W10, W) and 60-sec (W60, W) UBP. All data were evaluated using a two-factor multivariate repeated measures ANOVA with planned contrasts for post-hoc testing (alpha = 0.05).ResultsPost-testing cardiorespiratory (HR, VO2, VE) and LA measures for the treatment group tended to be significantly lower when measured for both constant power and UBP60 tests, while measures of both 10-sec (W10: 229 to 243 W) and 60-sec UBP (W60: 190 to 198 W) were significantly higher (P < 0.05). In contrast, there were no significant changes for the placebo group (P > 0.05).ConclusionsFollowing the 7-day loading phase of Alka-Myte®-based alkalizing tablets, trained Nordic skiers experienced significantly lower cardiorespiratory stress, lower blood lactate responses, and higher UBP measures. Thus, the use of this supplement appeared to impart an ergogenic benefit to the skiers that may be similar to the effects expected from consuming well-studied extracellular buffering agents such as sodium bicarbonate.

Effect of electrolyzed high-pH alkaline water on blood viscosity in healthy adults

“…While Heil et al did not perform mechanistic studies, they hypothesized that blood alkalinity was shifted as a result of direct absorption of alkaline minerals into the blood and that water retention within the vasculature was improved by the absorption of additional minerals into the blood [22]. In a more recent study by the same group, it was suggested that increases in extracellular pH may influence blood flow indirectly by altering interstitial potassium concentrations [24]. …”

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“…Chronic low-grade metabolic acidosis, a condition commonly associated with a Western-style diet, has been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular, kidney, and bone disease, as well as hypertension and all-cause mortality (1)(2). While the degree to which these health risks can be altered with chronic changes in diet alone appears to be controversial (1,3,4), short-term (acute) consumption of alkaline diets and alkaline-based nutrition supplements have been shown to significantly improve markers of both health and physical performance (5)(6)(7)(8)(9). Limmer et al (8), for example, recently reported faster 400-m running performance for recreational runners after a 4-day low-PRAL diet (i.e., Potential renal acid load) relative to the same performance attempt after a 4-day high-PRAL diet.…”

“…Short-term use of alkaline-promoting nutrition agents, such as sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and sodium citrate, have also been shown to improve high intensity exercise performance by enhancing the extracellular bicarbonate buffering system (12). In a previous study, our lab evaluated the influence of an AlkaPlex®-based alkaline nutrition supplement (hereafter referred to as ANS) on cardiorespiratory and blood lactate responses during a constant power double-poling test, as well as maximal upper body power performance in trained cross-country skiers (7). Using a 7-day loading phase and a crossover design that included the use of placebo tablets, the skiers experienced lower cardiorespiratory and blood lactate measures during the submaximal constant power test, as well as higher upper body power measures during maximal power testing, while reporting only minor side effects from ingesting the ANS tablets.…”

“…These responses are consistent with those expected from acute ingestion of an alkalizing diet or supplement (5,8), but the study results were not complimented with blood measures of pH and bicarbonate to directly link the use of this supplement with an enhanced bicarbonate buffering capacity. In addition, while the ANS clearly improved measures of anaerobic performance in the skiers (7), the effects of this ANS supplement on endurance performance (e.g., maximal oxygen uptake (VO2MAX) or treadmill time-to-exhaustion (TTE)) have yet to be tested. Interestingly, Caciano et al's (5) low-PRAL diet intervention was also associated with small increases in both VO2MAX and TTE over the high-PRAL diet intervention, but both changes were borderline non-significant (P=0.085 and 0.120, respectively).…”

“…Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to extend our original evaluation (7) of this AlkaPlex®-based ANS to determine whether supplementation would positively influence markers of aerobic performance. As such, our primary outcome measures included VO2MAX and TTE from an incrementally graded exercise test to volitional exhaustion.…”