Accelerade to Retrieve Your Energy After a Workout

When it comes to energy, carbohydrates used to corner the market.

Not anymore.

For years – decades, even – carb loading dominated the field of sports nutrition. Standard operating procedure was to load up on pasta before a big run, and use carbohydrate drinks to recover from a hard bout of energy-draining exercise. With the advent of low-carb diets, the discussion about carbs and energy grew more sophisticated and nuanced.

We now know that a high intake of carbs can actually drain your energy by increasing both blood sugar and insulin, setting you up for an energy crash (not to mention weight gain and mood swings). Although the spectrum hasn’t swung full circle away from carbohydrates, the bloom is off the rose. There are more sophisticated, and effective, ways to reclaim your energy after a workout.

BALANCING CARBS AND PROTEIN FOR RECOVERY
When I was a personal trainer, there was much talk about the so-called “golden window”, a period of about 45 minutes right after exercise when your muscles would just soak up nutrients and energy, and your body would be primed for storing glucose (energy in the form of stored carbohydrates is called glycogen). Replenishing glycogen stores after exercise was the name of the game – that and repairing, rebuilding, and growing muscles that were broken down by a hard workout. Drinking or eating carbohydrates after workout is a time-honored way to restore the lost energy and make sure you have enough for the next day.

Now, interesting research has caused us to rethink that ancient wisdom. We now know that it’s critical to also take in some protein, and manufacturers are wisely paying attention to the ongoing and emerging research on just what the perfect mix of carbs and protein might be for maximum energy (and recovery). Exercise physiologist John Ivy, at the University of Texas in Austin, is one of the leading lights in this research. He has his own theory about what the right balance is.

“Our work indicates that a ratio of 2.6 grams of carbohydrates to 1 gram of protein works extremely well to replenish glycogen and speed muscle healing”, he told the New York Times in an interview.

And that’s just what you need to do to maintain, and increase, energy reserves.

DRINK BACK YOUR ENERGY
Robert Portman, PhD, is an exercise physiologist and biochemist who believes that the “sweet spot” for an energy or sports drink is a perfect combination of protein and carbs. So he and his research team at Pacific Health Laboratories in New Jersey went out and created it. It’s called Accelerade.

Recent research in the highly respected journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise found that cyclists who drank Accelerade were able to crank out about 30 percent ore miles with more than 80 percent less muscle damage than those who drank conventional energy or sports drinks. The authors concluded, albeit with typical scientific reserve and caution, that Accelerade “could significantly benefit athletes in sports where endurance and recovery are important”.

Accelerade also come sin a gel pack, called Accel Gel. A number of studies have shown that people who consume Accel Gel have had more energy for workouts, as demonstrated by improved swim times, improved cycling times to exhaustion, and even improved training run finish success in slalom ski races. And Accelerade (the drink) has improved muscle recovery in runners, cyclists, and collegiate hockey players.

Remember, when athletes and exercise physiologists talk about “recovery” and “performance” they’re really talking about energy. Granted, you have to use these drinks as intended – after working out – but many people reading this book work out regularly and are frequently exhausted. If you find that your workouts are draining you of energy and that you’re not recovering fast enough, Accelerade or Accel Gel may be just what you’re looking for.