ASEA and Redox Signaling Molecules
2.03.2011
I was introduced to a new product last summer called ASEA. It touted big claims of increasing your body’s ability to utilize oxygen, improve cellular regeneration for better recovery, and improve overall health through enhanced antioxidant usage. The science behind these benefits comes from the actions of Redox Signaling Molecules, a relatively new discoverey in the human body that activates antioxidants through appropriate reduction and oxidation of free radicals and the naturally occurring antioxidants surrounding our cells. The ASEA scientists figured out (accidentally, I’m told) how to bottle these molecules, that until now only were found stable inside the human body. I wasn’t totally sure what all this meant (still learning in fact) when I was introduced to it, but the performance benefits the studies reported were hard to ignore, so I wanted to try it out for myself. I can say that I did notice an improvement of recovery between hard efforts in training and racing as well as improved endurance at higher intensities. I went on to have some of my best racing of the season last year and feel like ASEA contributed to to the performances. So convinced, I decided to get more of the stuff for 2011.
I’ll be posting a lot more info on the product, the studies around it and my own “experiments” and experiences using the product throughout the year. For now, here is a little back ground info from their website on how your body works while exercising and how Redox Signaling Molecules can improve your performance.
As the energy requirements of the cells and tissues increase during aerobic activity, oxygen and sugars in the blood must be able to be transferred from the lungs and energy stores into the muscle cells and tissues. Waste products like CO2 and excess lactates must be transferred out of the cells and tissues and back into the blood and out of the body. The efficiency at which the cells can move oxgen fuel and waste products back and forth through the blood and cellular membranes determines how long the body can sustain aerobic activity. When the oxygen and energy demands of the muscle tissues exceed the ability of the body to maintain adequate delivery, the muscle cells and tissues start to burn internal energy stores anaerobically (without the use of oxygen), waste products (CO2 and lactates) start to build up and further interfere with the aerobic processes. When the internal energy stores of the muscle cells are exhausted, no more energy can be provided and muscle activity ceases completely.
Increasing the amount of balanced redox signaling molecules in the body helps normalize the redox potential in and around the cells and tissues. A balanced redox potential in the tissues increases the efficiency at which oxygen, fuels and wastes can be transferred in and out of cells and tissues, making the natural aerobic processes more efficient. If aerobic capacities are increased, then the natural length of time that aerobic activity can be sustained under high energy demands is also increased. The time that it takes to recover normal aerobic balance after an intense anaerobic effort is also shortened.
I’m finding that ASEA is really a great compliment to the daily training regimen we prescribe to as endurance athletes. Through training aerobically we are improving the duration of aerobic abilities and increasing the speeds at which we can move over longer periods of time. Redox Signaling Molecules basically to the same thing! Combining the benefits of ASEA with that of your regular training can allow for an even bigger and faster improvement of aerobic function. That is our end goal, right?
Learn more about ASEA.
- CW