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Innovation in Sports Nutrition:
Ingredients/ Potassium |
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Custom Sports Drinks 
Please feel free to ask additional questions about nutrition and to request additional ingredients. |
PotassiumThis mineral, present in intracellular fluid, is responsible for regulating total body water and stabilizing controlled and automatic muscle contractions. It is also lost through sweat and urine.In a study of athletes running 40 minutes at 70o F, potassium loss was estimated at 435 mg/hour. The rate of potassium loss is approximately 200 mg/kg of weight lost during exercise.9 Cells release potassium into the bloodstream and serum levels rise with exercise, possibly instigating fatigue. Potassium supplementation after short events (less than two hours), and during and after long events, is warranted.10 For postactivity replacement, athletes should take about 435 mg/hour of exercise or 200 mg/kg of weight loss. As much as 150 mg/hour during activity can be tolerated by most athletes. Take potassium cautiously, because too much too quickly can cause cardiac arrest. Supplementing with potassium during training does increase markers of recovery (primarily serum lactate and muscle hydration) but does not aid performance.10 |