The
Most Advanced Recovery Formula Available!
Racing and intense training puts your body under incredible stress,
depleting glycogen stores, elevating cortisol and draining essential
vitamins and minerals (1,2,3,4,5,6,7). For endurance athletes, it's
crucial to focus on recovery in order to be competitive the day after a
hard workout or race. That's why the scientists at First Endurance
developed Ultragen, the most advanced post-recovery formulation ever
produced. Each serving of Ultragen delivers the levels of nutrients
that have been shown in clinical research to maximize recovery and give
you an extra edge over the competition (2,3,4,6,7). In other words,
First Endurance does not use "pixie dust" levels of ingredients just to
put on the label.
Research has shown that there is a critical thirty-minute glycogen
window (called the "window of opportunity") immediately following
exercise when insulin sensitivity is at its highest and exhausted
muscles essentially open the door to nutrients. If nutrients are not
absorbed quickly enough, however, this opportunity for maximum
restoration is lost. But it’s not just when nutrients are absorbed,
it’s also about which nutrients are available. The body is extremely
complex, requiring more than sugar and protein to fully recover, so
recovery is limited without a precise balance of nutrients entering the
cell. Ultragen’s many components are designed to work synergistically
in order to fully maximize recovery, providing the right nutrients to
the right place at the right time.
Why Ultragen Works...
Time-Response
protein complex:
All proteins are not equal. Ultragen utilizes a special combination of
the most advanced proteins available, each one offering unique recovery
attributes. For example, Ultragen includes hydrolyzed protein because
it is enzymatically predigested in small, easy to digest di- and
tri-peptide chains that are quickly absorbed and digested within the
critical glycogen window. Fast acting, Whey protein isolate delivers
high levels of anti-catabolic branch chain amino acids. Milk Protein
Isolate is a high biological value protein which takes longer to fully
absorb.
Carbohydrate Catalyst:
High glycemic carbohydrates (sugars) are rapidly absorbed by the body
and are easy to digest. Glucose, which has a glycemic index of over
100, is absorbed faster than any other sugar available. Ultragen
contains 60g of glucose because studies show that high glycemic
carbohydrates taken after exercise create a catalyst, which increases
the uptake of glutamine, branched-chain amino acids, vitamins and
minerals into exhausted muscle.
Cortisol Modulation:
Excess cortisol levels have been shown to suppress the immune system,
increase the risk of upper respiratory infections and depress levels of
testosterone. In addition, excessive cortisol levels can put the body
in a catabolic state- where it breaks down muscle and store fat.
Ultragen offers a synergistic blend of vitamins, minerals, co-factors,
glutamine and BCAA's specifically designed to modulate the damaging
effects of cortisol brought on by intense endurance training
(1,3,4,5,6).
L-Glutamine:
Intense physical exercise drains Glutamine stores faster than the body
can replenish them. When this occurs, the body breaks down muscles and
becomes catabolic. Ultragen is formulated with a 6 grams of Glutamine
for its anabolic and anticatabolic properties. Research has shown
Glutamine supports glycogen and protein synthesis and increases
nitrogen retention, which means it's essential for muscle tissue repair
and recovery (2,6).
Branched Chain Amino Acid (BCAAs):
Considered the building blocks of the body, BCAAs are important for
muscle growth & recuperation. In addition to building cells and
repairing muscle tissue, BCAAs form antibodies that combat invading
bacteria & viruses. Your body cannot manufacture its own BCAAs so
they must be supplied through your diet and supplementation routine
(3,4).
Essential vitamins, minerals and
electrolytes:
Athletes, especially endurance athletes, need higher levels of specific
vitamins minerals and electrolytes to help restore energy levels, fight
free-radicals and maintain a healthy immune system. Ultragen provides
the high-potency vitamins, minerals and electrolytes your body requires
to maximize recovery (7).
References for Ultragen:
1) Petibois C, et. al. Biochemical aspects of overtraining in endurance
sports. Sports Med. 2002;32(13):867-78
2) Hiscock N, et. al. Glutamine supplementation further enhances
exercise-induced plasma IL-6. J Appl Physiol. 2003 Jul;95(1): 145-8.
Epub 2003 Feb 28.
3) Bassit RA, et. al, Branched-chain amino acid supplementation and the
immune response of long-distance athletes. Nutrition. 2002
May;18(5):376-9
4) Blomstrand E, Saltin B. BCAA intake affects protein metabolism in
muscle after but not during exercise in humans. Am J Physiol Endocrinol
Metab. 2001 Aug;281(2):E365-74
5) Halson SL, et al. Immunoligical responses to overreaching in
cyclists. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003 May;35(5):854-861
6) Castell L. Glutamine supplementation in vitro and in vivo, in
exercise and in immunodepression. Sports Med. 2003;33(5):323-45
7) Henriksen EJ, Saengsirisuwan V. Exercise training and antioxidants:
relief from oxidative stress and insulin resistance. Exerc Sport Sci
Rev. 2003 Apr: 31(2):79-84 
