X2PERFORMANCE Product
Recently another ENer asked about X2PERFORMANCE product on the dashboard so I thought I would post about my use and experience of the product to the forums. Recently X2PERFORMANCE starting making appearances at events as an official sponsor of Ironman. I won't go into detail into the science behind it, but just a quick explanation of what it is and my experience. I'm sure there are much more knowledgeable people who can explain the detailed science behind it.
On the packaging it state:
"X2PERFORMANCE contains the patent pending BIODS Advanced Cellular Compound engineered to enhance cellular energy by improving ATP (adenosine triphosphate) generation and regeneration thereby increasing energy, endurance, and muscle recovery. X2PERFORNAMCE is a Nutraceutical Dietary Supplement formulated utilizing biochemical science and functional nutrition which is manufactured adhering to the highest quality standards including NSF Certified for Sport"
I was fortunate to receive a sample package of this product. It contained seven - 2 oz vials of the product. Each vial consisted of one dose for an individual who is less than 200lbs, two vials if you are over 200lbs. The instructions state that you are to take the dose of product on an empty stomach 30-45 minutes prior to training or competition on exercise days. On non-exercise days you are to take the dose around the same time of day. This dosing schedule indicates that you need to take it every day to maintain effectiveness of the produce.
The main ingredient in the product is BIODS Advanced Cellular Compound which Advanced Bio Development has created a trademark and is marketing in their product which also contains Sugar and a few other nutrients. BIODS consists of a few components of unknown quantities including (Glucose, Bioenergy RIBOSE, PEAK ATP Di Sodium, Co Enzyme Q10, Natural Caffeine and D-Pinitol). From their marketing materials it appears Ribose is the major component of this product as much of the information and publication on their website is citing research and medical benefit of Ribose and it's impact on cardiovascular recovery. Ribose is readily available for purchase at local nutrition stores like GNC or the Vitamin Shoppe.
Ribose is defined by WebMD as :
Ribose is a kind of sugar that is produced by the body. It is used as a medicine.
Ribose is used to improve athletic performance and the ability to exercise by boosting muscle energy. It has also been used to improve symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, and coronary artery disease. Ribose has been used to prevent symptoms such as cramping, pain, and stiffness after exercise in people with an inherited disorder called myoadenylate deaminase deficiency (MAD) or AMP deaminase deficiency (AMPD deficiency). Ribose has also been used to improve exercise ability in people with another inherited disorder called McArdle's disease.
Healthcare providers sometimes give ribose intravenously (by IV) as part of an imaging procedure used to measure the extent of damaged heart muscle in people with coronary artery disease. Ribose has also been used intravenously in patients with MAD to prevent symptoms such as cramping, pain, and stiffness.
How does it work?
Ribose is an energy source that the body makes from food. There is some evidence that supplemental ribose might prevent muscle fatigue in people with genetic disorders that prevent sufficient energy production by the body. It might provide extra energy to the heart during exercise in people with heart disease.
My personal experience:
In taking this product the first thing I noticed was the taste. It almost tasted like a cross between cough medicine and some slightly citrus flavored drink which given the choice I would not drink voluntarily as it tastes more like cough medicine in my book. It is a 2 oz serving and goes down well enough. Given that it has a slight amount of caffeine in the product I would expect I would get a little boost from it during my workouts. From the few times I've used it, I haven't noticed an significant improvement or performance impact from workouts which I haven't used it. In comparison to other products I've used such as GUs or Hammer Gels; I've found that the GUs and Hammer Gels give me more of a performance boost than X2PERFORMANCE. In looking at the literature, the research does state that Ribose has been shown to improve cardiovascular recovery, but I expect that this is over an extended period of time with continual use of Ribose.
Overall, it is very possible this product can create the conditions for improved performance when used regularly. Although, rather than purchase X2PERFORMANCE at a minimum cost of $3.99 per vial which can add up pretty quickly, I would just go and purchase a Ribose product from the Vitamin Shoppe or GNC. A 309g tub of D-Ribose with Peak ATP is going for $62 at Vitamin Shoppe online. Another product is a 200g tub of D-Ribose for $27.99. IMO, save your money and go to your local nutrition retailer to purchase a similar product if you want to experiment with the use of Ribose as a supplement to your current nutrition regiment.
Hope this helps and starts a good discussion of Ribose in the forums.