Market Fresh Benefits

Source: Men's Health July 2007

More Benefits of Sports Carb / Protein Drink Mixes

Benefits of Carbohydrate/Protein Formula Dominate Sports Drink Research at American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting

PacificHealth Laboratories (OTCBB: PHLI), a nutrition technology company, today reported that five new studies demonstrating benefits of carbohydrate-protein sports drinks and energy gels were presented at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) held in New Orleans, Louisiana, from May 31 through June 3, 2007. The ACSM is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world with more than 20,000 members. PHLI has been a leader in the development of sports drinks and gels containing carbohydrate and protein in a patented 4:1 ratio.

The studies presented by investigators at multiple institutions showed:

1. In high intensity cycling, a carbohydrate-protein sports drink significantly improved performance during bouts;

2. In collegiate swimmers, a carbohydrate-protein energy gel (Accel Gel) improved performance and decreased muscle damage when compared to water;

3. In an exercise bout consisting of running, cycling and running, a carbohydrate-protein sports drink significantly decreased post exercise muscle soreness and improved muscle function. This study also showed that a higher carbohydrate-protein ratio (5:1) than that found in Accelerade (4:1) did not improve these parameters;

4. During a prolonged cycling bout, a carbohydrate-protein sports drink, when compared to a carbohydrate-only sports drink consumed during a 4 hour rest period following an initial workout, improved performance by 40%;

5. In a study involving triathletes during a simulated duathlon (run, bike ride), a carbohydrate-protein sports drink decreased muscle fatigue when compared to a carbohydrate-only sports drink.

Dr. Robert Portman, CEO of PacificHealth Laboratories, said, “These new studies add to the growing body of scientific evidence demonstrating the importance of adding protein to a carbohydrate sports drink, specifically in a 4:1 ratio. Both serious athletes and weekend warriors shortchange their muscles and their performance by not taking advantage of the proven benefits of consuming a protein-containing sports drink or gel both during and after exercise. These benefits include greater endurance, superior hydration, increased exercise intensity, reduced muscle damage, and faster recovery. Moreover, benefits have been shown in a wide variety of sports, including running, cycling, swimming, soccer, hockey, and even skiing.”

Dr. Portman concluded, “While future research is needed to clarify the mechanisms of these benefits, we know enough today to conclude that athletes in all sports will perform and recover better by switching from conventional carbohydrate-only sports drinks and energy gels to carbohydrate-protein products such as Accelerade and Accel Gel.”

Painless Meditation

Not long ago, I read a fascinating research study. MRI, as some of you may know, is a noninvasive imaging test that uses magnetic energy to take three-dimensional pictures of internal body organs. "Functional" MRI is a new application of MRI, in which you can see how blood flow to the brain changes as you think; it is a way to monitor brain activity.

In the research study, when 12 people who were skilled at meditation were examined using functional MRI, they had a 40 to 50 percent lower brain response to pain than 12 people who had never done meditation.

And when the people in the latter group learned transcendental meditation, their brain responses to pain also dropped by 40 to 50 percent when they were retested five months later.

Everyone experiences pain. Whether you've just stubbed your toe or gone through major surgery, the fact is that most people prefer a painless existence. This study suggests a prescription-free way to do just that.

In addition, I am excited by the potential ramifications for people I see with chronic pain. The International Association of Pain estimates that 35 percent of adults have chronic pain. As a doctor, I have seen how disabling and disempowering that diagnosis can be. Imagine how great it would be if someone could reduce his or her pain by 40 percent without ever leaving the couch!

The type of meditation used in this study was transcendental meditation. TM is a mantra-based meditation practice, which uses a repeated sound in order to allow the mind and body to achieve a state of restful alertness.

There are actually many mantra-based meditation practices, taught by many cultures for thousands of years. The benefit to TM is that it has research to support it, and that it is standardized; the downside is that it is fairly expensive to learn from an accredited center.

Source: Astrid Pujari M.D, Seattle News