Vanquish

Vanquish is currently the ONLY gel to contain Ursolic Acid, a powerful natural compound found in apples and certain herbs which scientific research has shown may help build muscle and burn fat. Ursolic acid is safe and approved for use by all sports regulatory authorities. Vanquish gels also contain a powerful blend of endurance enhancers (L-Carnitine, L-Glutamine, L-Histidine, L-Leucine and L-Valine) which are completely missing in most other energy gels. Containing Maltodextrin sourced from rice, rather than corn, and Fructose from real fruit juice, provides athletes with a dual fuel source that provides both immediate and sustained energy. Additionally, each gel pouch contains appreciable levels of necessary electrolytes including Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium and Calcium for proper fluid balance and cellular function required to prevent dehydration and fight muscle cramping. Magnesium and Calcium are often ignored but are vital electrolytes for ideal cellular and cardiac function. Finally, Vanquish gels deliver a comprehensive blend of vitamins to promote energy generation, boost immunity and improve cellular function.

Vanquish is available in Caramel Apple (caffeinated) and Raspberry (non-caffeinated) flavors. Each Caramel Apple gel pouch contains 50 mg of caffeine, just the right amount for mental stimulation and focus during your workout, without causing anxiety or reduced performance. Scientific data supports that caffeine, in limited doses, may provide a wide range of physical and cognitive performance-enhancing effects. These include improved VO2 max (Maximal oxygen Uptake), increased muscular contractile strength, improved endurance in distance runners and cyclists, improved speed in sprinters, delaying fatigue in athletes and reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) which occurs post-exercise.

Vanquish gels contain NO artificial flavors, sweeteners, colors or preservatives. Best of all, Vanquish gels are gluten free, dairy free and vegan! The gels are designed to be thinner in consistency and light on the stomach. Using natural sweeteners and flavors makes the gels taste delicious and helps prevent the stomach discomfort caused my many other commercially available gels.

Key Ingredients

Carbohydrates- 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 real grape 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 riseand 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.

Together, Maltodextrin and Fructose provide a dual fuel, long and short chain carbohydrate source to provide both immediate and sustained energy during your endeavor.

Amino Acids- Our special blend of essential amino acids L-Glutamine, L-Histidine, L-Leucine, L-Valine and L-Carnitine work together to help 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.

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-Histidine plays an integral role in energy generation and protects nerve cells from damage. It maintains pH values, improves blood flow and helps reduce inflammation in joints and blood pressure, thus aiding recovery post exercise.

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.

L-Carnitine is synthesized in the body from the amino acids lysine and methionine. L-carnitine transfers long-chain fatty acids, such as triglycerides into mitochondria (energy-producing structures inside every cell), where they are oxidized to produce energy. Carnitine plays a role in glucose oxidation, glucose storage, as well as glucose uptake. Several research studies support that L-Carnitine is essential for proper heart function and blood flow and may help those who are on conventional heart medication. Carnitine also helps boost immunity and muscle mass.

Lean Muscle Builder and Fat Burner- Ursolic Acid is a natural compound found in apples and certain herbs. Research supports that it may help burn belly fat and build lean muscle.

Cardiac Nutrients- L-Carnitine and Vitamin E have been shown to help promote glycogen sparing and help maintain heart rate in a normal range during intense work outs.

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 appreciable amounts than leading gels, Vanquish 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 and restores plasma volume. 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.

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.

Phosphate combines with Calcium (calcium phosphate) and helps strengthen our bones. Phosphate is an essential building block of the main compounds in active energy production ADP, ATP and GTP (the P in all 3 representing Phosphate). Phosphate is also a compound required for forming DNA and RNA.

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, C, D and E is one of the most comprehensive available in an energy gel. Working in concert, these vitamins 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.

Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol), commonly referred to as the sunshine vitamin, is often missing in most energy and electrolyte gels despite playing a critical role in our body. The vitamin’s most basic role is calcium absorption. Without adequate calcium, the body can suffer from a weakening of the bones causing pain and fractures. Vitamin D is also essential for proper musculoskeletal system functioning, with a strong correlation noted between vitamin D sufficiency and optimal muscle function. Research supports that type II, fast-twitch muscle fibers are particularly sensitive to the effects of vitamin D deficiency. Type II muscle fibers are extremely important in many of the burst activities necessary for peak athletic performance and fall avoidance. Studies have shown that increasing Vitamin D levels can aid muscle protein synthesis, ATP concentration, strength, jump height, jump velocity, jump power, exercise capacity, and physical performance. Vitamin D has also been shown to help reduce inflammation, help regulate blood pressure, regulate insulin secretion to aid in weight loss and act as a hormone to control mood.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant recommended for all endurance athletes to prevent exercise-induced oxidative damage caused by free radicals released during and after strenuous exercise. Research shows that Vitamin E plays an important role in promoting muscle growth and inhibiting muscle breakdown, and works in concert with the other vitamins to improve cardiovascular function and boost immunity.