Bicarbonate and Ketones with Dr. Chiel Poffe - Science of Getting Faster Podcast Episode 3

TL;DR

Combining ketones and bicarbonate in cycling performance significantly improved results.

Transcript

Welcome to a different episode of the ASCA cycling coach podcast, because this week it's actually the science of getting faster podcast. We're going to listen to episode three of this new podcast that we've just launched. And it's with Dr. and it's about ketones and bicarbonate, seemingly strange things that probably aren't connected. We've heard a... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Ketones and bicarbonate combined led to a 5% increase in cycling performance during a time trial.
• ❓ Ketones decreased appetite, but bicarbonate counteracted this effect.
• 🥺 Ingesting ketones during high-intensity exercise may lead to fatigue perception increase.
• 🖐️ The order of supplementation and timing of ketones and bicarbonate intake play a crucial role in performance improvements.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the study combine ketones and bicarbonate to improve cycling performance?

The study provided both ketones and bicarbonate separately to cyclists and observed a significant 5% increase in performance when combined.

Q: Why is it important to consider the order of supplementation with ketones and bicarbonate?

Ketones should be ingested during the submaximal phase of the race, while bicarbonate can be beneficial towards the end, as ketones may affect muscle glycogen utilization.

Q: Did participants experience any adverse effects or discomfort from ketones and bicarbonate supplementation?

Participants did not report any gastrointestinal discomfort, as the study used multiple split doses of bicarbonate to prevent any issues.

Q: Does the research suggest that athletes should always combine ketones and bicarbonate for performance enhancement?

The research indicates that combining ketones and bicarbonate consistently may improve performance in cycling, as seen in the study results.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Researchers studied the effectiveness of ketones and bicarbonate on cycling performance.

• Ketones as an alternative energy source and bicarbonate as a buffering agent were tested.

• Combining both ketones and bicarbonate showed a 5% increase in performance during a time trial.