QUESTION: There are two schools of thought among fluid replacement company principals as to how many nutrients need to be included in a beverage meant to be used during exercise. One end of the spectrum holds that carbohydrate and a couple of electrolytes are sufficient, while the other that a drink with upwards of 100 nutrients is optimal, since that's what the body will use during exercise. What is your company's approach; if you want you may include any scientific reasoning to support your company's position.

ULTIMA: It is important to note that the 90 ingredients contained in Ultima Replenisher are there because they are the ingredients required for function. The formula is designed to replace only those nutrients lost during an hour of activity. Ultima Replenisher is not meant to replace dietary consumption of these nutrients or to be a daily vitamin supplement.

During endurance activities such as a marathon or triathlon, this need for nutrients becomes evident as muscles cramp, energy levels drop and other physical signs occur. The Ultima Replenisher formula consists of only the most bio-available form of nutrients instead of the less expensive forms that are more profitable to use. For example, chelated potassium aspartate is highly absorbable but it is more expensive than potassium phosphate. Ester C is six times more bio-available than ascorbic acid and it is pH buffered, but it is considered too expensive by many companies. In addition, you will find no artificial ingredients, flavors, colors, or sweeteners in Ultima Replenisher. When was it shown that Blue #1, Ester Gum, Brominated Vegtable Oils, or aspartame ever improved performance?

QUESTION: What type of sugar do you use, and why?

ULTIMA: Ultima Replenisher has only one carbohydrate source - a complex carbohydrate called maltodextrin. This is also known as a glucose polymer. The features of Maltodextrin are low osmolarity, complete solubility, and easy digestion. The decision to provide 8 grams per 16-ounce serving facilitates complete absorption of an even burning fuel source. Companies using simple sugars as their carbohydrate to provide a cheap and quick hit of energy are inviting the "yo-yo" effect that will precipitate a quick descent in blood sugar values. This yo-yo effect will not allow a steady blood sugar value during exercise. Since the body needs to respond to the input of these simple sugars (digest it), the liver will be diverted from its intended mission, that is, breaking down fats into carbohydrates during activity, a wonderful mechanism.

During activity, some athletes find that they need a higher level of carbohydrates than others and therefore benefit from the use of energy gels. These energy gels are primarily complex carbohydrates (glucose polymers) that provide 25 grams per serving (approximately 100-120 calories). These energy gels work well with Ultima Replenisher since they are both complex carbs based products offering the same benefit – they exit the stomach rapidly and together. If and athlete were to use an energy gel with a sports drink containing simple sugars, the body would have to add water to the stomach to dilute the simple sugars before digestion and then moving them on to the small intestines. This process works against the athlete since it draws fluids from important muscle groups that require the water at the same time. Although the athlete is consuming the proper amounts of fluid he is pooling the water in the stomach and the result is a "watermelon belly." I’m sure some of your readers have seen this happen during a race. In addition, simple sugars combined with strong flavors satiate the body’s thirst mechanism. Ultima Replenisher was designed to be "light’ and water-like, encouraging the athlete to continue drinking.

QUESTION: Most companies describe the ratio of solute-to-solvent in terms of their beverage's percent solution. Do you feel that this is sufficient for the discussion, or whether the discussion of osmotic pressure is germane? Please add any detail on this subject you feel is needed.

ULTIMA: Ultima Replenisher was designed not only to deliver fluid to muscle cells but also to deliver all of the nutrients necessary for optimum performance and then recovery. This formula was developed with the cooperation of world class elite athletes as well as recreational athletes to demonstrate that the Ultima Replenisher formula would properly support these functions. Using a low osmolarity and hypotonic formula, Ultima Replenisher is rapidly emptied from the stomach and absorbed in the small intestine. Tests have shown that this happens in 15 to 18 minutes. Water is absorbed faster than any other substance, typically at 12 minutes. Since the solution features such a low osmolarity, it is highly absorbable driving the nutrients across the intestinal wall into the bloodstream. This low osmolarity allows the fluid and these nutrients to reach the muscle cells quickly.

When muscle cells are adequately hydrated they do not break down and release protein enzymes, the evidence of muscle cell degeneration. Sports drinks with higher osmolarity values, that is those with hypertonic formulas, do not permit for the same level of absorption in the small intestine. Just because the milligram content number is higher in one formula compared to another, does not mean that your body is absorbing all or even a fraction of what was consumed. Since the entire absorption takes place in the small intestine, the osmolarity and hyper or hypo formulation will determine the real value of the product. Ultima Replenisher was designed to be almost 100% absorbable in the small intestines. This formula design gives the Ultima Replenisher athlete an advantage. Compared to all other sports drinks, Ultima Replenisher provides the most rapid hydration and delivery of nutrients.

QUESTION: There has been a lot of talk recently about supplementing salt to one's during-race intake, especially in long, hot races where salt loss is extreme. Can you offer your company's position on this, and perhaps your view on the pros and cons of this?

ULTIMA: The sodium dosage in Ultima Replenisher is 40 mg/16 oz. Serving. The proper sodium dosage is accomplished with sodium chloride, which is almost 100% absorbed. The average American diet contains more than enough sodium and one can always add a little salt to their food when temperature and humidity readings are high. Sodium is needed in the formula, but higher levels are not required for proper body function. Ultima Replenisher does not add nutrient components to the formula for taste as most companies do. Personally, I do not recommend taking salt tablets during long runs or races. I am against this practice because it loads the system with a high level of one electrolyte, which disrupts the body’s normal balance. When sodium is provided in a well-absorbed hypotonic solution, it will keep blood values within normal limits.

QUESTION: It is customary for a race organizer to offer a variety of food and drink. In particular, one might find bananas on the course, gels such as GU, and defizzed Coke. What is your company's position on these other food and drink sources, and is it in the athlete's best interest to take any of them? If so, which, and when, and under what circumstances?

ULTIMA: Many times, I have been asked when to drink and what other products to consume during training and on race day. There is no one cardinal rule that works for everybody. I recommend that your readers experiment during training with different combinations to see what works best for their body. I find that most people can perform very well using Ultima Replenisher and some water as their only replenisher. Some need more carbs and therefore perform better with one Ultima Replenisher and one packet of an energy gel like GU every 45 minutes or every hour. I would not recommend "defizzed" Coke because it contains caffeine and phosphoric acid that will actually work as a diuretic -- the last thing you need on a hot race day.

QUESTION: We may not have asked a question you feel is important. Please feel free to expand and expound on anything we've missed on the topic in general, or with regard to your brand in particular.

ULTIMA: With all of the advances in science and particularly in the area of sports nutrition, I am amazed by the absence of appropriate recommendations available to competitive and recreational athletes regarding hydration. Too much attention is focused on the latest ergogenic sports nutrition products such as Creatine, Testosterone, Hgh and Erythropoietin to improve performance. Very little attention is paid to proper hydration, and the critical influences that minor changes in our diet can have on the absorption of fluids.

Our society has accepted the consumption of sugar in copious amounts and has ignored the dangers of long term consumption of artificial sweeteners. Constant consumption of large sugar loads (30-70 grams per 20-ounce serving) places an inordinate load on the pancreas and on insulin production. Studies have confirmed that the resulting physiological response to huge swings in blood sugar levels leads the consumer back to the same beverage to repeatedly lift energy levels; hence, the "yo-yo" effect. Even the current new age botanical beverages from SoBe, Snapple, and others contain comparable large sugar loads.

The extensive use of artificial sweeteners over long periods to reduce calories but maintain the sweet taste has been proven dangerous. There are many examples of food and beverages that have been withdrawn from the market place after science had proved that these substances were dangerous to the population. Today, there is considerable concern over the current crop of artificial sweeteners. Including phosphoric acid in all cola beverages (regular or diet) contributes to the leaching of calcium and other minerals from the body. The heavy dependence on caffeine and/or the moderate use of alcohol can cause a further diuretic effect on the kidneys. The significant loss of many minerals and vitamins from our food supply attributed to the exhaustion of the soil diminishes the probability or replacement once achieved from a good diet.

The body requires eight glasses of clear fluids every day, preferably water, to maintain proper hydration and normal body function. Using this standard would classify almost all Americans and most athletes as chronically dehydrated. When physical activity is added to the picture, 4-6 ounces of additional fluid are required for every 15 minutes of activity. The American College of Sports Medicine promotes this gold standard. During physical activity, the body utilizes fluids and every nutrient available to it to produce performance. The same demands are made for recovery. Yet, the rehydration products produced by some companies only address one nutrient element, or at most a few elements ignoring the rest that have been expended in activity.

Well know body cycles utilize nutrients. ATP and Krebs are just two examples. These cycles include vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and other co-factors. Without any of them, the cycle cannot be completed. Another example of a required group of nutrients is the B vitamin group. All of the Bs are required in order to maximize their potential. In a healthy diet, these nutrient elements will be found in food in groups in their natural ratio. You will not find a food with a single amino acid, or only one or two B vitamins, or calcium without magnesium. The RDA for sodium is 500 mg per day yet the RDA for potassium is 2,000 mg per day. Nevertheless, most food companies add more sodium to their products for taste and have ignored the need to balance sodium with magnesium. Only a few companies have realized this and have made the effort to keep their sodium/potassium ratio at 1:2. This has been important to my company in the formulation of Ultima Repelenisher.

Remember hydration and replacement of essential nutrients is paramount to performance. Every muscle cell in the body is depending on what is replaced to keep you going as well as to control body temperature and other functions. Most people do not realize that the synovial fluid in our joints and in particular in our knees is dependent on adequate hydration to maintain the levels at "normal." If this critical level drops it can change the biomechanics of the joint, which can lead to injury. Typically this happens in the late stages of an event as one becomes fatigued and the level of hydration drops.

It is very important to consider when athletes hydrate. Many think of this only during or after a hard workout or long run, or on race day. Hydration is an every day process. We eat every day without thinking about it, but we do not experience thirst in the same manner as we experience hunger. You would not think of driving your car without knowing that you had the proper fluid levels, but many athletes over look this basic need when using their bodies. If an athlete were working out for thirty minutes to an hour daily, I would recommend consuming 20 ounces of Ultima Replenisher each day. If these workouts last longer than an hour or if the conditions are extremely hot & humid, I recommend replenishing with proportionately more. Hydration is something healthy athletes do seven days a week!

Ultima Replenisher was designed and has been field proven with world class athletes and hundreds of thousands of competitive athletes. Today, there is no better product available to help your readers experience the advantages possible from proper hydration and nutrient replacement. It works.