What is the main function of the MARCHON™ Peak Endurance?
The main function of the MARCHON™ Peak Endurance is to improve your endurance, predominantly via the conduit of increasing oxygen utilisation and work capacity, which allows you to exercise harder and for longer periods without experiencing fatigue.
What is PeakO2® and what does it do?
PeakO2® is an organic-certified blend of six adaptogenic mushrooms; it is the primary ingredient in our Peak Endurance. It has been scientifically proven to improve power output, improve ATP production, reduce blood lactate levels, and extend time to exhaustion during exercise.
What does Beetroot Extract do?
Beetroot extract contains high levels of nitrates, which are converted into nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide helps to widen and relax blood vessels, improving blood flow and oxygen delivery to muscles during exercise. Alongside this nitrates have bean shownt to reduce oxygen consumption during aerobic exercise thus delaying the onset of fatigue and improving overall performance.
How much actual nitrate is in Peak Endurance?
Beta vulgaris L. (which is the form of beetroot extract we use) contains 1.5% nitrate per gram of raw material. As we have a 20:1 extract and 1500mg in each serving this equates to 30g of beetroot powder.
30*1.5% = 450mg.
This is the dose that most of the research suggests needs to be met to derive the benefits of a nitrate supplement. If a pre-workout contains 500 mg of Beta vulgaris L., it actually only yields 7.5 – 8.5 mg of naturally occurring nitrate from beets which is vastly underneath the recommended dose needed to see a performance benefit.
How do the MARCHON™ Peak Endurance Tablets help in improving VO2 Max?
The tablets contain PeakO2® which has shown to increase VO2 Max by nearly 4 ml/kg/min, as observed in studies. This indicates improved oxygen consumption and cardiovascular performance. This overall effect is augmented by beetroot extract which increases oxygen delivery to muscles.
What evidence supports the effectiveness of the MARCHON™ Peak Endurance in improving endurance and power?
The effectiveness is supported by multiple studies. One showed a 17.6% increase in peak power output with PeakO2® use vs a marked decrease in the placebo group. Another study documented a 70-second improvement in time to exhaustion vs a 5 second improvement in the placebo group. These findings demonstrate significant benefits in power generation and stamina during high intensity exercises.
The key findings from the 73 studies on nitrate supplementation and exercise performance, as summarised in the provided sources, are as follows:
General Effects of Nitrate Supplementation
1. Reduction in Oxygen Cost: Nitrate supplementation has been shown to reduce the oxygen cost of submaximal exercise, which can enhance exercise efficiency and endurance performance[1][2][4].
2. Improved Endurance Performance: Several studies have reported that nitrate supplementation can improve endurance exercise performance, particularly in activities such as cycling and running[1][2][4].
3. Enhanced Muscle Efficiency: Nitrate supplementation may enhance muscle contractile efficiency, allowing more work to be performed per unit of energy expended[2][4].
Specific Findings
1. Time to Exhaustion: Some studies have found that nitrate supplementation can extend the time to exhaustion during high-intensity exercise[1][4].
2. Blood Pressure Reduction: Nitrate intake has been associated with reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which may contribute to improved exercise performance[1][4].
3. Variable Results: The effects of nitrate supplementation are not universally positive. Some studies have shown no significant improvement in performance, indicating that the benefits may depend on factors such as the type of exercise, the fitness level of the participants, and the dosage and duration of nitrate supplementation[1][2][3][4].
Mechanisms of Action
1. Increased Nitric Oxide Availability: Nitrate is converted to nitrite and then to nitric oxide in the body, which can improve blood flow, reduce ATP consumption during muscle contraction, and enhance mitochondrial efficiency[1][4].
2. Impact on Skeletal Muscle and Blood Vessels: Nitrate supplementation can increase blood flow to active muscles, reduce oxygen consumption, and improve muscle contractile efficiency[1][4].
Practical Considerations
1. Dosage and Timing: Effective nitrate supplementation typically involves acute or chronic intake of 4.0 to 15.2 mmol per day, with benefits observed when taken 2-3 hours before exercise[1][3][4].
2. Dietary Sources: Nitrate needs can be met through dietary sources such as leafy and root vegetables, although supplements may offer a more convenient and accurate way to achieve the desired intake[1][2].
Subgroup Analysis
1. Chronic vs. Acute Supplementation: Chronic nitrate supplementation (over several days) has shown a small but significant improvement in time-trial performance, whereas acute supplementation has shown less consistent results[3].
Future Research Directions
1. Brain Function and High-Intensity Exercise: Future studies should explore the potential benefits of nitrate supplementation on brain function and its effectiveness in high-intensity intermittent exercise[1].
These findings highlight the potential of nitrate supplementation as an ergogenic aid, while also emphasising the need for further research to understand its benefits and limitations fully.
Citations:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8465461/
[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1728869X22000442
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4008816/
[4] https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/12/6/1194
[5] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2161831323000455
[6] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353141315_The_effects_of_dietary_nitrate_supplementation_on_endurance_exercise_performance_and_cardiorespiratory_measures_in_healthy_adults_a_systematic_review_and_meta-analysis
[7] https://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/contents/view_breaking-news/2021-08-16/review-highlights-nitrate-supplements-benefits-on-exercise-performance/