Soda-doping anyone??

sikdogg · 08-22-2008, 06:43 PM

I wouldn't be surprised if bicarbonate of soda gets banned in international competition soon... Maybe this is Phelp's secret weapon.

A spoonful of baking soda DOES speed you up, say scientists | Mail Online

Quote:

Scientists have proven what athletes have been claiming for years - that Granny's old cure-all, bicarbonate of soda, can enhance performance.

'Soda-doping', as it is known amongst professional sportsmen, can have a significant effect on endurance and speed.

Baking soda appears to work best to enhance speed. A study at Loughborough University found that of nine swimmers who took baking soda before an event, eight reduced their times, the Times reports.

Jonathan Folland, who led the study, said: 'Essentially, sodium bicarbonate is an alkali substance that increases the pH of the blood.

'This seems to reduce and offset the acidity produced in the muscles during intense, anaerobic exercise that produces lactic acid most quickly, such as fast running or swimming.'

Sodium bicarbonate, as anyone whose taken it for indigestion knows, reduces acids - helping the body to deal with the acidic waste products produced during exercise, that tire us more quickly.

But the substance isn't a miracle-worker - shaving seconds, not minutes, off performance time - so that only the most proficient athletes will notice a difference.

The swimmers in the Loughborough study cut 1.5 seconds from their 200m time. Which is hardly significant for most of us who take a leisurely few laps up and down the pool.

A study at the American College of Sports Medicine found that runners could also improve performance with baking soda.

But the substance - used before modern times as a household cleaning agent - can cause upset stomachs, and tastes foul. 'It is not dangerous, but it tastes appalling,' warns Dr Folland.

He says that only those who are very serious about sport should try the white powder, which may cause diarrhoea

JonPop · 08-22-2008, 07:07 PM

Hee, the guy didn't even spell " Diarrhea" right. (diarrhoea?"
I know all about that 'shit.' *chortle*
But like all things on the "Net", don't try this at home.

Pegasus · 08-22-2008, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sikdogg

I wouldn't be surprised if bicarbonate of soda gets banned in international competition soon... Maybe this is Phelp's secret weapon.

A spoonful of baking soda DOES speed you up, say scientists | Mail Online

This has been well know in athletic circles for decades that I know of and has been in wide use all that time.

Betterman · 08-23-2008, 12:35 AM

I only take baking soda, if I ran out of Tums. Even then, just a small amount. That shit is supposed to be bad for you right out of the box. But, in a pinch will alleviate heartburn.

Pegasus · 12-21-2008, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pegasus

This has been well know in athletic circles for decades that I know of and has been in wide use all that time.

Well a new wrinkle on an old story.
Athletes are now using smaller amounts of bicarb over longer periods. This is supposed to decrease side effects and increase results long term. They are also using potassium bicarb and citrate salts instead of sodium bicarb.

My advice is to tread carefully with this.

BigHose · 12-22-2008, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sikdogg

I wouldn't be surprised if bicarbonate of soda gets banned in international competition soon... Maybe this is Phelp's secret weapon.

A spoonful of baking soda DOES speed you up, say scientists | Mail Online

That's old school stuff compared to products on the market today.
If you want to reduce lactic acid in the muscles, you would do much better with beta-alanine, citrulline malate, and L-histidine. This combination provides a real good lactic acid buffering agent. Small amounts produce good results and the side effects are simply a little tingle (flushing action) that lasts a few minutes. The best part is they are available as one supplement. I Used it in the gym, had great results.

Pegasus · 12-22-2008, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigHose

That's old school stuff compared to products on the market today.
If you want to reduce lactic acid in the muscles, you would do much better with beta-alanine, citrulline malate, and L-histidine. This combination provides a real good lactic acid buffering agent. Small amounts produce good results and the side effects are simply a little tingle (flushing action) that lasts a few minutes. The best part is they are available as one supplement. I Used it in the gym, had great results.

Bicarb is cheap and well proven.
Beta-alaine has varied test results for all the marketing hype. Glutamine is also used for buffering purposes.
If a conservative mainstream body, like the Australian Insitute of Sport, says a supplement works I really take notice. Bicarb is one of a handfull, of supplements they say works.
On a cuting edge basis, it is always good to hear what is out there and this forum is a great place to hear it all.

BigHose · 12-23-2008, 04:37 AM

The marketing hype is sometimes right, which is why I'll try a product based on user feedback. The Beta-alanine/histidine combo works well based on my experience. I don't think bicarb lasts too long once it hits the stomach because it will neutralize stomach juices and get used up before hits the bloodstream. The amino acid profile in products like Body Octane or Clout enter the bloodstream in their original state and have a longer half-life. I've used these products and swear by their claim that you will definitely go longer before lactic acid fatigues you.

Pegasus · 12-23-2008, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigHose

The marketing hype is sometimes right, which is why I'll try a product based on user feedback. The Beta-alanine/histidine combo works well based on my experience. I don't think bicarb lasts too long once it hits the stomach because it will neutralize stomach juices and get used up before hits the bloodstream. The amino acid profile in products like Body Octane or Clout enter the bloodstream in their original state and have a longer half-life. I've used these products and swear by their claim that you will definitely go longer before lactic acid fatigues you.

Given the vast number, of supplements that have come and gone, marketing hype has a very low hit rate. If the science if showing at least some support and user feedback is good, I too will try a product. In fact I have recently tried No vapor, Beta-alanine and a trib product. The Nano vapor and beta alaine were given to me as samples. Got no result from the trib or the beta alaine. Have good workouts with the Nano vapor so I bought some. WMP tells me I bought the wrong sort of trib ,so I may try again at some point, likewise with the beta-alanine.
Bi carb has any amount of science backing it and decades of use by numerous athletes, mainly runners. Do I use it ;no I am not a runner.
I am not saying that your experience is of no value to the forum.

BigHose · 12-26-2008, 09:07 PM

I am a member to at least 1 bodybuilding forum and offer/find many opinions there. I can tell you if you try Body Octane from "Man", you'll see how insignificant baking soda is. Just my opinion based on feedback and experience.

Pegasus · 12-27-2008, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigHose

I am a member to at least 1 bodybuilding forum and offer/find many opinions there. I can tell you if you try Body Octane from "Man", you'll see how insignificant baking soda is. Just my opinion based on feedback and experience.

Have not found bodybuilders opinions of much use and activly avoid them. I have found their opinions counterproductive on issues such as training,diet and supplements.
Sorry if this seems rude but I have wasted enough time and money. Anyone using roids etc has gone a different path, which is ok, but means their experiences are of little use to me. Not saying you use drugs, or that there isn't drug free bodybuilder on earth. Just saying I look elsewhere than bodybuiders when looking for experiences/ opinions that may be that usefull to me.

lizagill · 03-09-2010, 05:54 AM

Thanks for sharing this, this forum is very helpful. Keep coming up with such post in future also.