January 14, 2013 by Michael Colgan, Ph.D.
With athletes over the last 30 years at the Colgan Institute, we have tested synthetic caffeine, the form used in most sodas and energy drinks today. We have compared its effects with natural caffeines from arabica coffee (Coffea arabica), black and green teas(Camelia sinensis), guarana (Paullinia cupana), andyerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis).
We have seen better effects and have not found undesirable side effects with judicious amounts of natural caffeines. In agreement with controlled studies, we have found that moderate doses of plant extracts of caffeine from Coffea arabica, and Camelia sinensis, calculated for lean body weight, and used under specific conditions, yield a significant improvement in running time in a 10K race of 1.0 percent to 3.3 percent. For a runner whose best 10K is approaching 40 minutes, a goal for many recreational runners, we have found an average improvement of 1 minute 17 seconds. That is a huge gain in performance.
e+ Adds Adaptogens
Since the research of Russian and Chinese scientists showed the power of adaptogenic herbs in the 1980s, we have used them with all athletes trained through the Colgan Institute (3). Of the 40,000 plus herbals in current use only 11 are proven adaptogens in controlled trials, that is they maintain physiological functions within a normal range so as to improve energy during the day, yet promote sleep and bodily recovery from stress during the sleep cycle. Specifically, we have tested rhodiola(Rhodiola rosea) from Northeastern China, and eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) from Northwestern China. Both yield improvements in athletic performance, with and without modulated caffeine in our tests, and also when used singly in controlled trials (4,5).
Consequently, I was very pleased to see the development of the e+ by Dr. Suk Cho and his team of scientists at Isagenix. Combined by a proprietary process that cannot be duplicated, e+ contains a judicious amount of modulated caffeine from green tea and yerba mate, plus eluthero, rhodiola, and other adaptogenic herbals in a 2-oz sealed shot, exactly right for athletes.
Specifically, the e+ also contains leuzea (Rhaponticum carthamoides) an adaptogen from Siberia that has only recently become available in any quantity in the US. Famed in Russia as the herbal tonic Maralu, it was named after the Maral deer who fed on it and gained legendary strength and endurance. These effects have now been confirmed in controlled animal trials (6).
Overall, the e+ is now the leading energy formulation for athletes to use before workouts, yielding an extended energising effect that should last about four hours. When taking it, hold the shot in your mouth for about 10 seconds. For those aiming for maximum results, limit your intake of coffee and tea and other common sources of natural caffeine, and avoid sodas and other energy drinks entirely. Share the e+ before a workout, share the IsaLean Shake after workout, and share spectacular results with everyone.
References
1. Rogers PJ, Smith JE, Heatherley SV, Pleydell-Pearce CW. Time for tea: mood, blood pressure and cognitive performance effects of caffeine and theanine administered alone and together. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2008;195:569–77.
2. Haskell CF, Kennedy DO, Milne AL, Wesnes KA, Scholey AB. The effects of L-theanine, caffeine and their combination on cognition and mood. Biol Psychol2008;77:113–22.
3. Colgan M. Optimum Sports Nutrition. New York: Advanced Research Press 1993.
4. Kuo J et al. The effect of eight weeks of supplementation with Eleutherococcus senticosus on endurance capacity and metabolism in humans. Chin J Physiol2010;53(2):105-11.
5. Hung SK et al. The effectiveness and efficacy of Rhodiola rosea: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Phytomedicine 2011;18(4):235-44.
6. Selepcova L, Sommer A, Vargova M. Effect of feeding on a diet containing varying amounts of Rhaponticum carthamoides hay meal on selected morphological parameters in rats. Eur J Entomol 1995;92: 391-397.
source: http://www.isagenixhealth.net/blog/2013/01/14/e-modulated-caffeine-and-adaptogens-for-athletic-performance/#more-5913
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