6d Sodium Bicarbonate (120 caps)

(Per Capsule) 1125mg sodium bicarbonate; (capsule ingredient: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose).

During short maximal efforts, the muscles mainly use sugars as an energy source. Muscle glycogen is converted into lactic acid, which in turn splits into lactate and protons (H+). The protons thus formed cause acidification, especially in the muscles, and this is an important cause of exhaustion during short (30 sec to 5 min) maximum efforts. However, the body has its own protective mechanism in the form of so-called "buffers". The greater the reserve of these buffers in the body, the so-called "buffer capacity", the more lactic acid can be produced during exercise without acidification occurring. Acidification only occurs as soon as the level of proton production exceeds the buffer capacity: the protons formed are no longer "buffered away", the acidity of the muscles and blood increases, and it can even make you very nauseous. The body's buffer capacity can be increased by training, and probably also by altitude training. However, another popular strategy to increase the buffering capacity of the blood, and thus better protect the body against acidification, is to take extra sodium bicarbonate before a so-called "anaerobic" effort.

Sodium bicarbonate is an alkaline (= "anti-acid") salt that, when taken in high doses, increases the concentration of bicarbonate (HCO3-) in the body. The blood therefore becomes alkaline, i.e. less acidic. This also stimulates the transport of lactate from the muscle cells. Numerous scientific studies have shown that oral intake of sodium bicarbonate in high doses can improve performance in short maximal efforts of 30 seconds to 5 minutes. This is very relevant, for example, in competitive swimming, sprint and middle-distance events in athletics, sprinting on the track in cycling, but also rowing or kayaking. This also applies when such short maximum efforts are made in the context of an endurance effort. Furthermore, it has also been shown that oral intake of sodium bicarbonate after a short period of maximal exercise can accelerate the recovery of the acid balance in the body. This in turn can improve performance in a subsequent maximum effort. This is, for example, the case with a succession of camps on a competition day in judo, successive rounds in boxing, or the different events in an omnium cycling race on the track.

According to the "classic" usage protocol, 0.3 to 0.4 grams of sodium bicarbonate per kg of body weight should be taken during the last 1 to 2 hours for a short maximum effort. For persons weighing 60 to 80 kg, this corresponds to a dose of 18 to 32 grams. However, this procedure is often accompanied by serious gastrointestinal complaints, especially diarrhea, due to excessive salt (sodium) intake. However, recent research shows that these gastrointestinal complaints can be limited by spreading the intake of sodium bicarbonate over a longer period before exercise.