Nootropics are known as 'cognitive enhancers'. It is a supplement that some people use to improve memory, increase mental alertness and concentration as well as boost energy levels and wakefulness.
Nootropia can be used in various ways that can be short terms and long-term benefits.
Mood
Mood issues are strongly linked to brain functions that can be improved with nootropics including bad brain circulation, unbalanced brain chemicals, low brain energy, and poor cortisol (stress) resistance. In addition, nootropics that enhance overall brain health and have been linked to mood benefits.
One of Nootropias key ingredients is L-Theanine. It modulates Alpha brainwaves to encourage a relaxed, anxiety-free state. L-Theanine has been linked to a reduce the heart rate and lower stress.
Energy
Nootropics are also used as energy boosters because they work without the use of stimulants, eliminating stim related side effects.
Nootropics are instead suggested to fire up "brain energy" because they:
The brain consumes 20% of the body's energy, this is why having healthy brain metabolism is important.
Memory
Nootropics have a long history of use for improving memory. Traditionally, brain boosters were taken mostly by mature adults experiencing age-associated memory impairment.
Today, memory enhancers are known to be far more versatile – optimising performance-oriented memory functions in addition to helping with age-related memory concerns.
Memory functions that may benefit from Nootropia include:
Another favourite ingredient of ours is L-Tyrosine - shown to help enhance working memory in multitasking settings with additional benefits for mental performance under stress.
Attention
Attention and focus refer to the ability to concentrate one’s mind on a single task while ignoring other environmental stimuli over an extended period of time.
Attention underlies many other cognitive functions. But in the context of nootropics, consumers are often looking for attention support for performance reasons, such as studying, work productivity and competitive activities.
Sleep & Stress
People are increasingly aware of the link between healthy sleep patterns and peak brain performance. As a result, many are seeking out Nootropia that assists in optimising both sleep and cognition at the same time.
Nootropia for sleep has the potential for significant performance benefits because it works on two levels:
There are several different nootropic compounds that may help with sleep in a number of different ways. One standout, however, is L-theanine, which is patented for its sleep-supportive activity.
There are so many more reasons to start adding Nootropia to your daily supps, aside from the above it also assists in learning, motivations and mindset and it also has anti-ageing properties!
The KAMIKAZE PRE-WORKOUT from Athletic Sport can be consumed via cans or tubs. There is an array of beneficial ingredients in both the cans and tubs for performance optimisation but I want to touch on two specific supplements that are most likely responsible for the longer lasting energy and fatigue reducing effects during training.
The two ingredients that will be discussed are Beta Alanine and L citrulline.
What is Beta-alanine?
It is the building block of carnosine, which is a molecule that supports in buffering the acid in muscles. Beta alanine is a nonproteinogenic amino acid that may improve short high-intensity exercise performance lasting from 1 to 10 minutes. One study found that four weeks of beta-alanine supplementation resulted in positive changes in time-trial performance and short-duration muscular force production in highly trained cyclists. Beta-alanine supplementation was 44% likely to increase average power output during the 4-minute cycling time trial when compared with the placebo. Another study was done with college football players showing that during resistance training sessions with higher volume BA supplementation participants perceived lower subjective feelings of fatigue. This is Indicating that as the duration of supplementation continued, the efficacy of β-alanine supplementation became apparent.
What is L-citrulline?
L-citrulline referred to as citrulline is a nonessential amino acid, which increases plasma levels of arginine and improves the ammonia recycling process and nitric oxide metabolism. L-citrulline may reduce ratings of perceived exertion, increase power output and overall volume performed in resistance training participants. L-citrulline is a vasodilator, which supports the opening of blood vessels and arteries for blood flow optimisation. In a randomised crossover trial, 14 resistance-trained participants took 8 g citrulline malate or placebo 60 minutes before muscle endurance exercise, separated by 7 days. Participants taking citrulline could perform more leg press, leg extension, and hack squat repetitions overall, which may point too increased muscular endurance output due to L-citrulline consumption compared to the placebo (non-citrulline consuming group).
How to consume and dosage recommendations
It is most optimal to take beta alanine and L-citrulline via the Kamikaze tubs or cans for convenience purposes or can be taken individually via powder form. Large doses of beta-alanine may cause a tingling feeling called paresthesia (burning or prickling sensation), so it is important to be aware of possible side effects and not exceeding daily recommendations.
If taken individually, it is best to have from 2000 – 8000 mg of citrulline malate about an hour before exercise for performance benefits and an estimated range of 0.8–6.4 grams per day of beta-alanine, preferably 30-60 minutes before training too. Both can be bought in powder forms.
To make it easier have the Kamikaze pre workout Mix 14.5g (1 scoop) with 1350ml of water or drink 1 can instead. Best consumed 15 minutes prior to and during your workout.
Recommended to not exceed 1-2 servings per day of cans or tubs, due to caffeine recommendations of consuming no more than 400mg per day.
Jordan Topham, Athletic Sport
Bibliography
https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/ijsnem/23/6/article-p562.xml
https://examine.com/supplements/beta-alanine/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0271531707002771?via%3Dihub
The New Year is here, and we are feeling motivated and ready to take on new goals and challenges. We all want to accomplish our health goals but when progress does not come quick enough, frustration may cause us to quit. However, this New Year we are going to focus on resolutions that create healthy, long-lasting habits, not just quick fixes. A habit is a behavior that starts with a choice and then becomes an unconscious action. This creation of lifelong, sustainable results is our ultimate goal. This all begins with identifying and creating specific goals.
“Time and health are two precious assets that we don't recognise and appreciate until they have been depleted"
Have you ever made a general goal and then forgot about it in a couple of days?
This can be very common and unfortunately very defeating. Specific goal creation allows someone to construct the clear step they will need to take on a goal piece by piece. By creating clear, achievable steps, one can stay motivated by feeling a sense of accomplishment at each step. For example, if someone’s goal is to run a 5k, it is unwise for them to try to run three miles at once. Instead set a specific task each day, like “today I will walk ½ mile”, and then “tomorrow I will walk one mile”. By accomplishing those goals you set forward each day, you will not lose sight of the goal or more importantly your motivation.
S.M.A.R.T
A very popular acronym for goal creation is S.M.A.R.T. Specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. When deciding on the specifics of your goal, think about what exactly you want to accomplish, when it should be achieved by and why do you want to achieve it. For example, a general goal would be “I want to eat more vegetables”. A specific and measurable goal would be “I will prepare vegetables every Sunday and Thursday so that I can include a vegetable with every dinner”. This eventually will become a habit, and healthy habits eventually lead to a healthy life.
When making a goal, be sure it is also achievable and realistic. This allows for a higher likelihood you will stick to it. Ask yourself, do you have the resources to achieve your goals? If not, what do you need to do to get them? These questions can help prepare you for what obstacles you may face when trying to reach goals. It is rare for anyone to not hit a roadblock or difficulty when striving to better themselves. However, it is that exact adversity that we must rise to and overcome in order to see a better us. Being prepared for this will help you keep moving towards your goal. Ask yourself what do you anticipate as an obstacle? Write it down and plan on how to either avoid it or overcome it. Do not give up on a goal just because difficulties lay ahead. If you can plan ahead, you will avoid many obstacles that could hold you back! Specific goals are effective because they will give you direction and you will have steps to follow to achieve those goals.
It’s no secret that pre-workout has become of the most popular supplements in recent years. Most people who have consumed a cup of coffee prior to a gym session have experienced that extra boost in performance hence our question, is there any increase in training performance when caffeine is combined with other ingredient? The answer, YES!
The use of multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements instead of caffeine-based supplements has attracted the fitness community due to its ability to provide an instant, longer lasting, energy boost allowing you to crush your workout!
What is Multi Ingredient Pre-workout?
Although ingredients will different from product to product you can expect that multi-ingredient pre workout supplements will contain caffeine, creatine, beta-alanine, amino acids, L-arginine, L-citrulline, ashwagandha, Alpha GPC and L-Tyrosine. The fusing of these ingredients or even a few mixed together, can have a positive impact on acute exercise performance and training adaptations by increasing blow flow, endurance, muscle recovery and mental clarity, when compared to single ingredient ‘pre workouts’ alone.
Are pre-workout supplements supported by science?
In a recent study it was found that the ingestion of pre workout led to increased improvements in anaerobic performance and power values in comparison to the group who did not use a pre workout stimulant.
Similarly, another study indicated that the ingestion of a multi-ingredient pre-workout prior to physical exercise was effective in improving resistance and high–intensity performance.
Are caffeine stimulants supported by science?
A test was undertaken on mean peak torque (rotation) of muscle extensors and flexors during isokinetic strength training. Participants supplemented with caffeine resulting in a 13% and 20% increase of muscle extensor and flexor torque strength, therefore seeing improved overall force production.
It is not only athletes who consume pre-workout as a recent study found recreational participants who consumed multi-ingredient pre workout were better able to prolong reaction time after exercise compared to the placebo group.
Caffeine has been shown from multiple studies to reduce your rate of perceived exertion during a workout.
How much Pre-workout Should I Have?
The recommended dosage of pre workout is one to two servings per day, which translates to 1-2 scoops. This is based upon the caffeine guidelines of not exceeding 400mg per day.
If you’re looking to enhance your overall performance in the gym, our Athletic Sport experts recommend a pre-workout supplement before training. With multiple different flavours as well as a powder and new can version, Athletic Sport are bound to have the perfect pre-workout for you!
Check out the articles below in the reference list for more information regarding multi-ingredient pre workout supplements and their effects on training performance.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4947244/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7664913/
https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-018-0247-6
https://nutritionandmetabolism.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1743-7075-9-28
Jordan Topham, Athletic Sport
Real life review. Customer - Nathan Organ.
"For quite some time I have struggled to find something that can relieve my symptoms. I've had a lot of problems recently with high levels of emotional stress and I've been through a lot of medication and therapies including neurofeedback to try and reduce the symptoms that I'm experiencing.
Your product has been the first thing that I have noticed that has made such a profound difference in my symptoms!
I'm more calm I'm more clear I feel better.
So, that's my feedback I've posted it in my article below on my blog and I've shared it around some of the adhd forums, so I hope that your organisation can help more people like me. Congrats and thank you."
Please click the here to see the written blog by Nathan Organ.
*Disclaimer - Please Note.
This is not medical advice. This site may contain testimonials by users of our products and or services. These testimonials reflect real-life experiences and opinions such of users. However the experiences are personal to those particular users and may not necessarily be representative of all users of our products and or services. Persons should always seek advice from your Doctor/GP before taking new supplementation.
The testimonial on the website is not intended nor should they be construed as claims that our products can be used to diagnose, treat, mitigate, cure or prevent or otherwise be used for any disease or medical condition. No testimonials have been clinically proven or evaluated.
What sets top athletes apart from the rest? Aside from the rigorous dedication to training and nutrition, they have the right mindset and focus to succeed at an elite level.
Even if you're not an athlete, as someone who values a healthy life, you want the whole package - not only do you want to be physically fit, but you know how important it is to take care of your mind at the same time.
What are nootropic supplements?
You may have heard of the term 'nootropic' before, but what are they? Known as 'brain boosters', they refer to several ingredients designed to work synergistically in your brain and body to deliver next-level cognitive performance.
Also called 'smart drugs' or 'cognitive enhancers', nootropics are natural and synthetic compounds that can help your mental alertness, memory, focus and mood.
How do nootropics work?
Nootropics act by increasing the activity of your mitochondria (your cell's powerhouse), supporting fatty acid transport to the cells of your brain and the uptake of nutrients and oxygen in your brain.
Are nootropics safe? Though clinical studies are lacking, our ancestors have been using plant extracts for mental cognition since early civilisation.
Top benefits of nootropics:
Can nootropics make you smarter?
A common question asked is, "do nootropics work?' You only have to look at the increasing popularity of these supplements worldwide to find your answer. Top performers are now looking for the nutritional and supplemental solutions to get the most out of themselves - essentially working smarter, not harder.
You may not wake up with the brain of Einstein, but you can feel sharper and more 'switched on’. With the right combination of ingredients, you'll find that you will naturally get the most out of yourself when you use nootropics alongside your healthy lifestyle.
A closer look at key nootropics:
Not only does Nootropia by Athletic Sport contain the above ingredients, but it also contains two key types of the most popular nootropic, caffeine, that help take your results to the next level:
Each blend is encased in a capsule to easily take your Nootropia wherever and whenever you need it - whether it be work, sport, study or play. Take five capsules a day and for best results, remember to do the basics right - support your brain health with sufficient sleep, daily exercise and a diet rich in micronutrients.
To reach peak performance, you need your mind and body to be working in sync. Whenever your brain needs that 'on' switch, think of Nootropia!
References
Bellar D, LeBlanc NR, Campbell B. The effect of 6 days of alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine on isometric strength. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015;12:42. Published 2015 Nov 17. doi:10.1186/s12970-015-0103-x
Frank, K., Patel, K., Lopez, G. and Willis, B., 2020. Theanine Research Analysis. [online] Examine.com.
Here, S., Guide, N., Nootropics, L., Nootropics, B. and Take, W., 2020. The Definitive Guide To Nootropics – Nootropics Expert. [online] Nootropicsexpert.com.
Parker, A.G., Byars, A., Purpura, M. et al. The effects of Alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, caffeine or placebo on markers of mood, cognitive function, power, speed, and agility. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 12, P41 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-12-S1-P41
Noor Azuin Suliman, Che Norma Mat Taib, Mohamad Aris Mohd Moklas, Mohd Ilham Adenan, Mohamad Taufik Hidayat Baharuldin, Rusliza Basir, "Establishing Natural Nootropics: Recent Molecular