The Science

Carbohydrates
Electrolytes
Nitric Oxide Mechanisms
Caffeine Free

CARBOHYDRATES

  • Carbohydrates are 1 of the 3 macronutrients

  • Two main classifications: simple carbs (sugars) and complex carbs (starches and fiber)

  • essential for athletes and performance

  • when thinking carbohydrates think ‘fuel’

  • carbohydrates are the major energy source at higher intensities (often seen in team sports)

  • research shows that carbohydrates have performance benefits for both endurance and power sports

  • ‘sugar’ is often seen as a negative but is just misunderstood - there are many kinds of sugars, which are all carbohydrates, and are utilized for energy

Types of Simple Sugars

Monosaccharides - Single Sugar Units

1) Glucose - blood sugar, body’s main fuel

2) Fructose - found in fruits and honey

3) Galactose - found in dairy

Disaccharides - Two Sugar Units Bonded

1) Sucrose - table sugar, naturally present in many plants

2) Lactose - milk sugar

3) Maltose - found in malt and beer

Why Maltodextrin & Fructose?

  • 2:1 ratio of Maltodextrin:Fructose

  • Simple carbohydrates are broken down rapidly by the body

    • providing immediate energy

  • Glucose (from Maltodextrin) & Fructose use different intestinal transporters

    • Glucose: SGLT1

    • Fructose: GLUT5

  • Faster Delivery: combined ingestion yields higher oxidation rates aiding in glycogen replenishment

  • Greater oxidation rates versus glucose alone

    • Independent of body mass/muscle mass

  • Decreased gastrointestinal (stomach and gut) distress

  • Best for high-intensity and endurance exercise lasting greater than 1.5 hours

Why No Caffeine??

We wanted a product that offered a non-caffeine alternative that still provided performance benefits for athletes and is usable at all times of the day

  • Caffeine primarily blocks adenosine receptors in the brain which blunt fatigue, but do not provide energy

  • Caffeine has been scientifically proven to help performance

  • HOWEVER - often times it is utilized incorrectly

  • Peak effects occur 30-60 minutes after consumption

  • For performance benefits amounts of 3-5mg/kg must be taken

  • for a 150 lb. person that would be 205-341mg of caffeine, most pre-workouts are between 150-300mg which may work for some individuals but not everyone

  • Caffeine stays in the bloodstream for an average of 5 hours meaning it can have adverse effects for sleep when taken in evening

  • Caffeine can still be taken alongside our product to help enhance performance

ELECTROLYTES

WHAT ARE THEY?

Electrolytes are essential minerals that carry an electrical charge when dissolved in water

They are vital for human and cellular function

The body does not produce them naturally so they must be replenished through diet

FUNCTIONS & PURPOSE

SODIUM

  • most abundant electrolyte in body

  • large (varying) losses in sweat

  • Fluid Regulation - dictates where water moves in body and helps with hydration

  • Nerve and Muscle Function - electrical charges needed for brain to send signals

CALCIUM

  • 99% in body structural in bones and teeth

  • Key for transmitting nerve signals and controlling muscle

  • Enzyme and hormone secretion

  • Diet is primary source

  • 42% Americans lack adequate calcium

MAGNESIUM

  • Helps cells turn nutrients to energy - ATP metabolism

  • Brain and Muscles rely on magnesium to perform job

  • Neurotransmitter release - necessary for muscle function

POTASSIUM

  • cells use potassium alongside sodium via sodium-potassium pump

  • critical to heart function

  • Fluid balance

  • Nerve and Muscle Function

CHLORIDE

  • 2nd most abundant ion in body

  • large losses in sweat

  • Key to how cells maintain internal and external fluid balance

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  • Helps maintain body’s natural pH balance

PHOSPHATE

  • Transports chemical compounds and molecules outside cells

  • Helps cells metabolize nutrients

  • key part of nucleotides - building blocks that make up DNA

What are the Benefits?

  • Offsets sweat losses - helps maintain hydration

  • Regulates cell function

  • Support muscle contraction and relaxation

  • Accelerates hydration via sodium-glucose co-transport

  • Hydration occurs faster than water alone

  • Prevent muscle cramping

  • Reduce cardiac strain - proper fluid and mineral levels preserve blood volume, meaning the heart does not have to pump harder or faster

  • Prevent excessive urination

NITRIC OXIDE MECHANISMS

What does Nitric Oxide do in the Body?

  • Vasodilation: blood vessels widen which enhances blood flow

  • Greater blood flow means greater oxygen and nutrient delivery for active muscles

  • Reduces the Oxygen Cost of Exercise

    • Reduces oxygen demands at sub maximal exercise

  • Improves Muscle Efficiency

    • Lower perceived levels of exertion

What is Nitric Oxide??

  • Nitric Oxide (NO) is a gas that acts as a powerful signaling molecule

  • Nitric Oxide has been shown to help improve athletic performance;

    • vasodilation

    • improves circulation

    • regulates blood pressure

  • Beetroot juice and precursors like L-citrulline are converted by the body to NO

Benefits for Athletes

  • Endurance Sports: improvements in time to exhaustion and time-trial performance

  • High-Intensity/Sprints: NO has shown improvements in repeated sprint ability and power output

  • Recovery: Increased blood flow and nutrient delivery can aid recovery between sessions or games

What Makes Kinetic Drive Unique?

Along with carbohydrates and electrolytes, Kinetic Drive utilizes two distinct, but complementary pathways to boost Nitric Oxide

1) L-Citrulline: NOS-Dependent Route

  • L-Citrulline bypasses liver and converts to L-Arginine in the kidneys

  • This conversion fuels Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) enzyme

  • NOS acts as catalyst which converts L-arginine into NO

2) Beetroot Powder: Nitrate-Nitrite-NO Route

  • Rich in inorganic nitrate (NO3-)

  • Bacteria in mouth reduce nitrates to nitrite (NO2-)

  • Stomach acid and enzymes convert nitrites to nitric oxide (NO)

  • Highly active during times of low oxygen (high-intensity exercise)