Nutritional Strategies to Modulate Intracellular and Extracellular Buffering Capacity During High-Intensity Exercise

Abstract

Intramuscular acidosis is a contributing factor to fatigue during high-intensity exercise. Many nutritional strategies aiming to increase intra- and extracellular buffering capacity have been investigated. Among these, supplementation of beta-alanine (~3–6.4 g/day for 4 weeks or longer), the rate-limiting factor to the intramuscular synthesis of carnosine (i.e. an intracellular buffer), has been shown to result in positive effects on exercise performance in which acidosis is a contributing factor to fatigue. Furthermore, sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate and sodium/calcium lactate supplementation have been employed in an attempt to increase the extracellular buffering capacity. Although all attempts have increased blood bicarbonate concentrations, evidence indicates that sodium bicarbonate (0.3 g/kg body mass) is the most effective in improving high-intensity exercise performance. The evidence supporting the ergogenic effects of sodium citrate and lactate remain weak. These nutritional strategies are not without side effects, as gastrointestinal distress is often associated with the effective doses of sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate and calcium lactate. Similarly, paresthesia (i.e. tingling sensation of the skin) is currently the only known side effect associated with beta-alanine supplementation, and it is caused by the acute elevation in plasma beta-alanine concentration after a single dose of beta-alanine. Finally, the co-supplementation of beta-alanine and sodium bicarbonate may result in additive ergogenic gains during high-intensity exercise, although studies are required to investigate this combination in a wide range of sports.

RETRACTED: SECONDARY ELEMENTS OF BLOOD pH VARIATION CAN INFLUENCE THE EFFORT EFFECTIVENESS BASED ON ADAPTIVE CHANGES WITHIN A GROUP OF ELITE ATHLETES

“…Thus, an increased pH is associated with a decreased calcium value [24], confirmed by our the results. However, low albumin levels are associated with pH changes, depending on the transport mechanism, osmosis, filtration, diffusion, active transport, and plasma proteins, which are associated with blood as buffers [25]. …”

Thirty years of investigation on the ergogenic effects of sodium citrate: is it time for a fresh start?

“…Despite the multifactorial causes of muscle fatigue, the accumulation of hydrogen ions (H + ) within the muscle cell has been highlighted as a major cause of fatigue during high-intensity, short-duration exercise 1. Therefore, nutritional strategies aiming to increase intracellular and extracellular buffering capacity, such as β-alanine and sodium bicarbonate supplementation, respectively, have been investigated and widely applied in an attempt to attenuate muscle fatigue during this type of exercise 2. Sodium citrate (SCit) is another nutritional strategy studied in this field.…”

Dietary acid load and renal function have varying effects on blood acid-base status and exercise performance across age and sex

“…Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, the effects of dietary acid load on acid-base status of the elderly have not been reported during exercise. Increasing hydrogen ion (H + ) concentrations in blood and muscle during high-intensity exercise cause acidosis, which is thought to be one of the causes of fatigue (Lancha Junior et al 2015, Robergs et al 2004. A diet high in vegetables and fruits could have the potential to affect blood bicarbonate buffering capacity and physical performance by attenuating the exercise-induced acidosis.…”