Download How Does Alpha-L-Polylactate™ in Cytomax® Work Faster than

Case Study
How Does Alpha-L-Polylactate™ in
Cytomax® Work Faster than Glucose?
M
ost cellular energy is generated in an area of
the cell called the mitochondria, also referred
to as the “powerhouse of the cell.” The
mitochondria within cells are where oxygen is utilized
(Lehninger). Mitochondria form a vast energy production
and distribution network, in which the products of food
digestion and enzymatic breakdown are burned (Brooks,
Fahey, and Baldwin).
The first reason Alpha-L-Polylactate™ works faster than
glucose is that lactate is a more direct fuel source
(Azevedo). In order to provide cellular energy,
glucose from the blood must move past the cell
membrane barrier. This process is not fast, because glucose transport proteins on the muscle
cell surface act relatively slowly. Once inside,
glucose must be broken down into pyruvate (P) and lactate (L). At rest, the muscles
contain 10 times more lactate than pyruvate.
During sustained exercise, when oxygen
uptake is high, the L/P ratio rises to 100 or
greater, indicating that lactate, not pyruvate,
is the major fuel for oxidative metabolism.
The second reason why lactate is used
faster than glucose is that cell membranes
contain transport proteins designed by
nature to move lactate into and out of cells
(Brooks). These fast-working transporters
are abundant on the cell membrane surface
and efficiently allow energy fuels into the
mitochondria.
In sum, the lactate in Alpha-L-Polylactate™
in Cytomax ® is a faster fuel in mitochondria
than glucose for two reasons: Cellular lactate
transport proteins are faster and more abundant,
and the processes of converting glucose to pyruvate and lactate are skipped.
Cytomax ® Performance Drink is the only sports
drink formula that contains patented Alpha-L-Polylactate™. Cytomax ® helps keep strength at peak levels longer
so you can train harder. If you are trying to improve
By Dr. George Brooks
stamina and speed, Cytomax ® will help you exercise
longer and train harder.
Cytomax ® works for three reasons:
1) It takes advantage of more transport mechanisms to
get nutrients to muscles and other tissues that need energy
faster.
2) Cytomax ® supplies the essential fluid and electrolytes
that the heart and circulatory system require during
physical activity.
3) Perhaps most importantly, Cytomax ® contains quality
ingredients that are blended to taste great. No matter the
scientific basis of any sports drink, it can’t work if people
don’t drink it. Ultimately, Cytomax ®
works because it tastes great and athletes use it.
Muscle Milk • (888) 298-6629
www.cytosport.com
4795 Industrial Way • Benicia, CA 94510
Dr. George Brooks, a former track
and field athlete, was trained in
classic human exercise physiology
and mitochondrial energetics at
the University of Michigan. Dr.
Brooks has been on the University
of California-Berkeley faculty
for 39 years. Originator of the
Lactate Shuttle and Crossover
Concept and inventor of Alpha-LPolylactate, Brooks is the author or co-author of over
200 peer-reviewed publications and invited scientific
reviews and perspectives.
References:
Azevedo JL, Tietz E, Two-Feathers T, Paull J, Chapman K. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17895968?itool=EntrezSystem2.
PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=1”Lactate, fructose and glucose oxidation profiles in sports drinks and the
effect on exercise performance. PLoS One. 2(9):e927, 2007.
Brooks, G.A. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19805739?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_
RVDocSum&ordinalpos=1”Cell-cell and intracellular lactate shuttles. J Physiol. 587:5591-5600, 2009.
Brooks, G.A., T.D. Fahey, and K. M. Baldwin. Exercise Physiology: Human Bioenergetics and Its Applications, Fourth Edition, McGrawHill, New York, 2004, Chapters 4-7.
Lehninger, A.L. Bioenergetics: The Molecular Basis of Biological Energy Transformations (2nd Edition)” Addison-Wesley (1971).
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