Supplements, Energy Drinks, Snake Oil?

[Tatonka]

Dear RacerX VT - can you give us the lowdown on this stuff? Is there any benefit from using these (some very high priced) additives? Can a regular guy with a decent diet expect any performance gains or reduced recovery times by using these? I know there's a lot of different stuff on the market these days but just in general, what do you think? Stick with water, beer, chocolate milk?

thanks in advance!

[racerxvt]

Oh I certainly have an opinion on Energy Drinks and its not a good one. In fact I have been scolded by DC at Racer X for "Energy Drink Bashing" on the Virtual Trainer website. To put it nicely, Energy Drinks HAVE NO PLACE IN ANYONE's DIET. PERIOD. If you need an energy drink to get through the day, try finding out why you are so tired and fix the problem. If you drink them for the taste (like a soda) then I certainly don't think they will kill you. But if you are drinking them for the boost, then I think you have other problems that need fixed. I do, however think that suppliments like Cytomax and MonaVie have a place in EVERYONE's diet, not just atheletes' diets. All the top guys use it and just about every professional athelete in any sport uses some sort of dietary suppllement. I personally have had great success with Cyto, but there certainly are others that are good too. Aldon turned me onto MonaVie and before I used the product I was totally against products like this. I still hate the whole multi level marketing thing, but this stuff has really worked for me. I didnt realize how poweful the Glucosomine in it really is. I am not one to tell tall tales, I swear all the little aches and pains in my joints have gone away. I even stopped using MonaVie just to see if something else was relieving the pain, but when I stopped using it, hte pain came back. I am a believer and hopefully the anti ozidants in it will pay off in the long run.

[mommotox]

Very little makes me angrier than being at races, even the local ones, and seeing Monster and the like giving out their drinks to little kids. And by little, I mean my 5 year old daughter has been handed one several times (which she has been quickly relieved of).

If they're not good for adults (which they're not), they are DEFINITELY not good for kids!!

[fastlearner]

Couldn't agree more. I've also had good results with Cytosport products.

I like to bust chops with the parts guys at my local shop. Always see them drinking a Red Bull at the parts counter..."Is that to help you run to the back and get back here with my parts even quicker?"

[fastlearner]

Just started using Recoverite recovery drink. Seems to have a really good effect as I feel much less sore than I normally would. Supposed to be all natural which is a plus. :thumb

[Tatonka]

I'm trying Moto Fuel right now during and after my workouts. Honestly too soon for me to tell if it's helping or not but it sure doesn't seem to be hurting anything! I'd like to try CytoMax's recovery drink and the stuff Tony just mentioned (RecoveRite?). I have used Monavie in the past and feel it's a great product also (I'm a huge fan of Glucosamine!).

[Walker Sky Ranch]

Energy Drinks HAVE NO PLACE IN ANYONE's DIET. PERIOD.
I am finally glad someone had the guts to tell it like it is..
try drinking one of these, the high is great, the crash is even bigger!

I swear by Cytomax, but I am going to give that MonaVie a gander..
thanks for an awesome question and ANSWER!

[racerxvt]

Walker....if you want to try MonaVie, here is a link.
http://www.mymonavie.com/VirtualTrainer/mystory.asp

[fastlearner]

the stuff Tony just mentioned (RecoveRite?).

Yup, Recoverite, by Hammer Nutrition. I've got the "subtle citrus" flavor and it's pretty good - very light.