HydraMax Elite

Key Ingredients

Carbohydrates- Sucrose is a complex carbohydrate made up of glucose and fructose. Convincing evidence from numerous studies indicates that carbohydrate feeding during exercise of about 45 minutes or longer can improve endurance capacity and performance. Studies have shown that carbohydrate feeding during exercise at 70% of V.O2max prevents the drop in blood glucose that was observed when water alone was ingested. Carbohydrate feedings before and during exercise “spare” liver glycogen and may provide a potential muscle glycogen sparing effect as well. Studies support that ingesting sucrose before and during exercise increases the availability of glucose in the blood stream and consequently improves exercise tolerance. Carbohydrates also play an important role in maintaining balance and agility and mental focus during long periods of exercise.

Maltodextrin (sourced from rice) is a complex carbohydrate that is rapidly absorbed by the digestive system. During long workouts, such as triathlons and marathons, Maltodextrin’s quick absorption and low osmolality (it does not absorb much water) provides rapid energy while not dehydrating you. After a hard workout, Maltodextrin will quickly deliver energy and protein (if accompanied) to your muscles to aid in recovery.

Fructose (sourced from fruit juice) is a simple carbohydrate that is processed more slowly by our bodies to deliver energy after it is absorbed in the digestive system. Fructose does not cause a rapid rise and subsequent large fall in blood glucose levels, which means it has a low glycemic load or glycemic index (GI). In fact, it has the lowest Glycemic Index of all natural sugars.

Amino Acids- Our proprietary blend of essential amino acids working in concert helps maintain pH balance, alleviate lactic acid build up, prevent muscle breakdown and assist with tissue repair and restoration. Amino acids have been shown to help improve endurance, immune function and enhance mental agility.

Beta-Alanine is a non-essential amino acid and is the only naturally occurring beta-amino acid. Research studies support that using beta-alanine helps regulate pH, thereby helping increase aerobic endurance, delay muscle fatigue, and increase muscle mass, strength and output. High intensity exercise causes our bodies to accumulate large amounts of hydrogen ions, causing the pH levels in muscles to drop (becoming more acidic) due to lactic acid build up. As the pH levels in muscles drops, so does their ability to contract quickly and forcibly causing performance to suffer. Beta-alanine helps boost the synthesis of carnosine which helps prevent the drop in pH levels. Carnosine is a naturally occurring di-peptide that is found in both type 1 and type 2 muscle fibers, but is in significantly higher concentrations in type 2 fibers. Type 2 muscle fibers are primarily used in high intensity strength workouts and are most responsive to muscular growth. Because Beta-Alanine increases carnosine and carnosine is a powerful precursor in generating nitric oxide synthase (a group of enzymes necessary for making the powerful vasodilator nitric oxide), this is an added, immediate benefit of Beta-Alanine.

L-Alanine is a non-essential amino acid which is mostly synthesized by muscle cells. Once synthesized, it plays a major role in transferring nitrogen from tissue sites to the liver where it is absorbed and converted to pyruvate. Pyruvate is critical for the production of glucose and hence, blood sugar management. Consequently, this process provides a faster and more effective supply of energy when it is needed so that the body can perform longer and at increased levels of intensity. L-Alanine has also been shown to increase immunity and provide energy to the brain and central nervous system.

L-Glutamine is found in high levels throughout the body (particularly in skeletal muscle). It plays an important role in protein synthesis and maintaining proper pH levels. L-Glutamine is an essential neurotransmitter in the brain which helps with focus and concentration and has been shown to help build muscle mass and prevent muscle loss. It has also been shown to improve athletic performance and recovery from endurance exercise and aid digestion and immunity.

L-Isoleucine is an essential amino acid that serves as a precursor for glutamine and alanine, used during intense workouts. It is used as fuel by muscle cells, sparing other amino acids from being burned up. Like other branch chained amino acids, isoleucine plays an important role in protein synthesis, anabolism and anti-catabolism. L-Isoleucine helps muscle cells grow and heal and research supports that it may also help with endurance and quicker muscle recovery.

L-Leucine is an essential amino acid and plays a vital role in the generation and preservation of muscle tissue by supporting protein synthesis in the muscles and liver. It also regulates the energy supply of the body and plays a role in the synthesis of glucose. When combined with exercise, this essential amino acid has been shown to help burn fat and reduce cholesterol.

L-Valine is an essential amino acid important in the biosynthesis of protein and the proper conversion of food into energy.

Endurance Enhancers

L-Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate consists of the amino acid L-arginine, a building block of protein, and Alpha-Ketoglutarate, a compound that helps break down sugars and amino acids. L-Arginine plays an important role in muscle formation and definition. The combination of these two amino acids has been shown in some studies to aid in athletic performance and endurance as a result of increasing the utilization of nitric oxide (NO) by the muscles. Nitric oxide is a vasodilator, which means it expands blood vessels and thereby improves circulation. In muscles, better circulation allows nitric oxide to carry oxygen and nutrients to the cells more efficiently and takes metabolic wastes like lactic acid away faster. More oxygen to the tissues allows athletes to work longer and more intensely while minimizing fatigue. Faster removal of lactic acid in the tissues means muscles can recover more quickly and take longer to get fatigued.

L-Citrulline DL-Malate is a non-essential amino acid that is an important intermediate in the urea cycle, functioning along with Arginine and Ornithine to rid the body of ammonia, a byproduct of protein metabolism. Because Citrulline is a precursor of Arginine, it provides a readily available source material for Arginine production, which in turn is used for the production of Nitric Oxide (NO). Nitric Oxide plays a fundamental role in vascular function and blood flow. Research supports that L-Citrulline plays a vital role in reducing muscle fatigue and breakdown, increasing ATP (i.e., energy) production and increasing phosphocreatine levels after exercise.

Electrolytes- Electrolytes are ionically charged minerals, with either a positive or negative charge, that serve an important role within our bodies. By including Sodium, Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium at more beneficial amounts than leading drink mixes, HydraMax delivers key electrolytes to restore plasma volume, maintain thirst and delay urine production.

Sodium is one of the most important electrolytes for proper cellular function. Sodium helps maintain and regulate water within the cells in our body. Often working in conjunction with Potassium, Sodium plays a role in maintaining blood pressure and pH levels and is a vital electrolyte for proper functioning of nerves and neural impulses. Sodium plays a key role in normal muscle function, both as it relates to muscle contraction and the movement of key nutrients in and out of our cells.

Potassium works in conjunction with Sodium to help maintain and regulate water within the cells in our body, regulate blood pressure and maintain proper pH levels. Virtually all  cells in our body rely on a Sodium-Potassium pump to actively move nutrients into and out of cells and maintain proper resting potential. HydraMax Elite contains as much potassium in each packet as a full glass of coconut water to help reduce cramping and deliver optimal hydration.

Magnesium, often missing in many gels, plays a vital role in the production of energy, or more accurately the conversion of potential energy into active energy. Our bodies change potential energy into active energy by producing ATP, which requires Magnesium. For our cells to use ATP, it must be bound to Magnesium and therefore it is essential to have sufficient levels of Magnesium within our cells for us to generate active energy. Magnesium powers more than 300 enzyme reactions within the body including glucose fat break down, creation of DNA and RNA and regulating cardiac function and cholesterol.

Calcium is not only required for developing strong healthy bones, but Calcium levels are very important within the bloodstream to maintain proper heart rhythm, conduct nerve transmission and vital for muscle contraction. Calcium and Magnesium have been shown to work in concert to control lactic acid build up and help prevent muscle cramping.

Chloride is a negatively charged electrolyte that plays an important role in maintaining the electrolyte balance presented by positively charged Sodium and Potassium. Chloride also combines with hydrogen to create hydrochloric acid so that our stomach can breakdown the food we consume.

Lactic Acid Buffers

Dipotassium Phosphate plays an important role in muscle recovery and studies support that it can help deter the actual build-up of lactic acid within the body. Di-Potassium Phosphate also helps create energy and assists in the process of delivering oxygen to muscles. This allows for a better overall execution of rapid and strenuous movements and delays fatigue.

Sodium Bicarbonate promotes alkalinity and when taken before intense exercise has been shown in several studies to buffer lactic acid build up in muscles. This delays fatigue and prevents cramping to improve athletic performance.

Vitamins- Our essential blend of Vitamins B6, B12 and C work in concert to help promote energy generation for cells, better immunity, stronger bones and improved cellular function.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) is necessary for the production of the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline (norepinephrine) and adrenaline (epinephrine), as well as certain enzymes and prostaglandins. It plays an essential role in energy production and healthy nervous system function. It is especially important for maintaining healthy nerve and muscle cells, red blood cell production and is necessary for the absorption of Vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) is an essential and potent vitamin. Its main functions are the formation of red blood cells and the maintenance of a healthy nervous system. It helps maintain the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibers from each other and has been shown to help those with certain types of nerve damage. It plays an important role in numerous cellular reactions to release energy from carbohydrates, fats and protein.

Vitamin C is a critical vitamin when it comes to both fitness and health. Physical exercise increases oxidative damage to cells and muscle tissues in our body. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that reduces the amount of oxidative damage caused by exercise. Research has shown that athletes involved in strength training need to consume more than the RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) of 65 mg because Vitamin C is essential for building strength and repairing and preserving muscle. Vitamin C is necessary for adrenaline synthesis (the hormone crucial for intense training). It helps adrenal gland function and keeps the body in homeostasis. It enhances cortisol balance in the body, which is of critical importance because cortisol is a catabolic hormone that causes muscle breakdown in all tissues of the body. The body uses and releases Vitamin C, along with amino acids, to build connective tissues. High levels of Vitamin C are absolutely necessary to help rebuild the collagen structure essential for ligament and tendon repair. Studies also support that Vitamin C helps muscles recover much faster after stressful exercise. Vitamin C helps produce lymphocytes. These powerful immune system cells are generated by the thymus gland and are carried in the bloodstream to help identify and destroy diseased cells. It also helps synthesize calcium, thereby keeping your bones in optimal condition, and plays an essential role in reducing inflammation and cell mutation.