Sodium phosphate, anyone here ever load on this stuff? if so what was your experience. here is some info i found on it, please share your thoughts.
Studies from various laboratories have repeatedly shown that phosphate supplementation raises blood levels of 2,3 - diphosphoglycerate (2,3 - DPG), the enzyme that deposits oxygen from haemoglobin into muscle cells (Farber M, et al. J Lab Clin Med 1984;104:166-175. CADE R et al. Med Sci Sports Exer 1984;16:263-268. STEWART I, McNAUGHTON L Res Quart 1990;61:80-84). Phosphate is a far safer but effective alternative to erythropoietin (EPO) - the real heart stopper. Slightly recapping, all three energy systems, ATP-CP, Lactic Acid and Oxygen are improved. To what extent the following studies will indicate.
DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENTS IN POWER AND ENDURANCE WITH LACTIC ACID BUFFERS
WITH LESS PERCEIVED EFFORT
Dr Robert Cade and his group at the Department of Medicine of the University of Florida in 1984 ran a well controlled study (double blind, placebo, crossover design). Ten highly trained distance runners consumed either 1 gram of sodium phosphate four times daily or a placebo for three days. They then ran them on a treadmill to exhaustion. During the phosphate loading trial, lactic acid levels were lower, 2,3 -DPG levels were higher, VO2 max increased by 6-12%, and subjects ran 3-9 minutes longer. (Cade R, et al Med Sci Sports Exer 1984;16:263-268).
Other research findings from the Florida physiology laboratory suggest that phosphate salts will reduce the perceived psychological stress as measured by RPE (Rating of Perceived Exertion), of riding a bicycle for 3 hours at 75 to 80 percent VO2 max. Physiological measurements during this study suggested that increases in 2,3 DPG improved the release of oxygen from the Red Blood Cells and thus reduced the workload of the heart. The findings from the Florida laboratory strongly support an ergogenic effect of phosphate salts, and the lead investigator in these studies has been quoted as saying that ‘phosphate salts do allow for better performance’.
Closer to home, Dr Ian Stewart and his colleagues at the Tasmanian Institute of Technology did a study of highly trained cyclists, giving them 3.6 grams of sodium phosphate a day or a placebo, for three days before a maximum effort on the ergometer bicycle. Results showed that phosphate loading reduced lactic acid accumulation, increased 2,3 - DPG production during exercise, increased VO2 max by 11%, and increased time to exhaustion by 20% (Stewart I, McNaughton L Res Quart 1990;61:80-84).
One of the most recent and best studies (KREIDER RB, et al Int J Sports Nutr 1992;2:20-47) which tested both anaerobic and endurance exercise gave trained cyclists 4 grams of sodium phosphate per day or a placebo, for 3 days prior to a maximal exercise test and a 40km time trial on the ergometer bicycle.
During the anaerobic phosphate trials, maximal power output increased by 17%. As Dr Michael Colgin points out in his excellent book OPTIMUM SPORTS NUTRITION, that’s the equivalent to adding 51 lbs to a 300 lb maximum bench press! During the aerobic phosphate trials, time for the 40km ride was reduced by 3.5 minutes. That’s big. Despite some contrasting findings in other studies, there is no doubt in my mind that phosphate works big time. I have personally confirmed similar results on a female olympic level sprinter over 400 and 800 metre distances.
Sodium phosphate has been used in most studies but potassium phosphate works too. With the high level of sodium added to our food and the big losses of potassium in food processing, potassium phosphate would be a lot healthier. But don’t use calcium phosphate. Two studies that have tried calcium phosphate found no effect at all (Bradel D, et al J Appl Physio 1988;65:1821-1826. MANNIX E, et al Med Sci Sports Exer 1990;22:341-347).