Replenishing fluids lost through dehydration during exercise is absolutely crucial. When your body is depleted of fluid through sweating your blood volume drops, heart rate goes up and your performance drops or comes to a complete standstill, therefore EnergySource 4:1 also contains a unique High Electrolyte Anti Cramping formula, to provide rapid rehydration and minimise the onset of cramp. Also included is an effective blend of antioxidants (natural bioflavenoids and carotenoids) to neutralise muscle damaging free radicals.

Most endurance athletes should be aware the primary cause of fatigue is the depletion of muscle and liver glycogen (carbohydrate) and that ingesting carbohydrates during exercise will delay the onset of this fatigue. However many athletes remain unaware that EnergySource 4:1 containing 4 parts Carbohydrate and 1 part Protein can extend the time to fatigue up to an incredible 29% when compared to a carbohydrate only drink and 57% when compared with water.

Here’s why. Consuming carbohydrates during exercise delays the onset of fatigue by fuelling your muscles via blood glucose and therefore sparing muscle and liver glycogen (carbohydrate stored in your muscles and liver). The amount of carbohydrate (energy) that is delivered to the working muscles is determined by the amount of insulin released by the Pancreas in response to the rise in your blood sugar caused by the ingested carbs.

Ingested Protein also causes insulin to be released, and, with the right carbs and protein, in the right ratio (4 Carbs to 1 Protein) the gastric emptying speed is not slowed and there is a larger insulin response resulting in more carbohydrate (energy) being ‘driven’ into the working muscles during exercise.

The more carbs i.e. energy, going into the working muscles the more endurance you will have.

Another cause of fatigue is only partially understood and seems to be the accumulation of neurotransmitters, namely serotonin, that are associated with negative mood states such as feeling tired or loss of will, in particular parts of the brain during endurance type exercise. This is because as muscle glycogen is depleted muscle protein is broken down and branch-chain amino acids (BCAA?s) are increasingly used as fuel. At the same time there is a corresponding increase in the concentration of Tryptophan in the blood. Tryptophan is capable of crossing the brain barrier where it is converted to serotonin leading to feelings of tiredness and an unwillingness to continue competing. To counter these negative moods EnergySource 4:1 includes a whey protein which is made up of 23% BCAA?s. By ingesting whey protein and using it?s BCAA?s there is no need for your body to break down muscle and therefore the level of Tryptophan is reduced enabling athletes to exercise or compete longer. Whey protein is considered to be the best type of protein to include in any sports drink.

Another benefit of EnergySource 4:1 is that it also prevents muscle protein being used as a fuel during exercise. During exercise, the muscle building and repair process is suspended and the amino acids that would normally used for this process are diverted and used as fuel. Also, working muscle is broken down to produce amino acids that can also be used as fuel, in this way muscle protein can supply up to 15% of your energy needs especially in the latter part of a long workout or competition. To prevent this happening the protein in EnergySource 4:1 makes more amino acids available for fuel and saves your muscle protein from breaking down. Prolonged training and competitions can also result in an increased level of the stress hormone Cortisol which your body produces to break down muscle protein so it can be used as fuel. However, by consuming EnergySource 4:1, blood insulin levels are maintained at a high level and Cortisol remains low preventing your muscle protein being broken down and used as fuel.

EnergySource 4:1 also prevents Free Radical damage.

Free Radicals are molecules that attack and damage muscle protein resulting in muscle soreness and stiffness. The production of Free Radicals increases during exercise and the harder and longer you train the more Free Radicals you will produce and the more muscle damage you will get. EnergySource 4:1 contains natural bioflavenoids and carotenoids to neutralise this Free Radical damage

Benefits:

1.  Optimised for maximum energy and fluid replacement

2.  Proven in the Worlds toughest races

3.  Real fruit juice flavour gives a light refreshing taste

4.  Easy to consume in large quantities, even when you?re racing hard

5.  Gentle on the stomach and easily metabolised

6.  Contains all essential electrolytes

7.  Immediately dissolves into cold water

8.  Suitable for vegetarians and GMO free