CarboGen

Carbohydrates are an important energy source for humans.While there is debate over the ideal percentage to consume, research has shownthat carbohydrates serve as the primary source of fuel during exercise. Higherintake results in increased glycogen stores in muscles, which can be used forfuture energy production. The importance of high-carbohydrate diets to promoteglycogen storage in days preceding an intense athletic event is wellestablished. Glycogen depletion during storage can be prevented by ahigh-carbohydrate diet and periodic rest days to allow muscles time to rebuildglycogen stores.

Foods that are rich in complex carbohydrates are generallypreferred to those high in simple or refined sugars because they are morenutrient dense. However, complex carbohydrates place increased digestive stresson the body to break down the complex carbs into simple sugars for energyproduction or glycogen storage.

Using expedients, such as enzymes, can aid the body inmaximizing the energy it gains from carbohydrate intake. CarboGen is an enzymeformulation consisting of a blend of non-animal-derived, food-gradeenzymes--amylase, cellulase and hemicellulase. This patented (U.S. Patent No.5,817,350) formula from Wayne, N.J.-based Triarco Industries aids in digestinginsoluble complex carbohydrates into simpler carbohydrates that are readilyabsorbed and rapidly available for energy production.

Laboratory tests have shown the efficiency of CarboGen inincreasing carbohydrate release without spiking blood glucose levels. Only 200mg of CarboGen, added to cooked pasta, helped break down pasta into componentssuch as amylopectin (60 percent) and maltose (15.9 percent) with only2.85-percent release of glucose.

In vivo rat studies showed CarboGen dosed at 1 mg/g ofcarbohydrates had a 20-percent increase in blood glucose levels versus placebo.Researchers also found a smooth decrease in glucose levels in dosed animalsversus a sharp decline in controls. They concluded CarboGen aided in thedigestion of ingested soluble dietary starches (cellulose, hemicellulose) andother complex carbohydrates (starches), and converted them into solublemaltodextrins and oligosaccharides. These simple carbohydrates can be used as aprimary source of energy by the body over a prolonged period of time.

Further in vivo testing showed the efficacy of CarboGen whenadded to a nutrition bar. CarboGen dosed at 1 mg/g of carbohydrates withingestion of a nutrition bar significantly increased blood glucose levels over afive-hour period and had a smoother decrease in glucose levels versus animalsreceiving only the nutrition bar. Peak glucose levels in the CarboGen group wereapproximately 225 mg/dL and peaked at two hours after ingestion; peak glucoselevels in controls were approximately 150 mg/dL and peaked 1.5 hours afteringestion.

This boost to blood glucose levels is important in athleticperformance. Many sports nutrition products are based on maltodextrins andoligosaccharides; breaking down these complex sugars increases energy productionand glycogen storage. Pre- and post-athletic event meals usually consist mainlyof carbohydrates to maximize and replenish glycogen stores. Manipulatingcarbohydrate intake, and maximizing glycogen storage, offers benefits toathletic performance.

Increasing muscle performance and recovery has been the focus ofclinical work by Triarco, particularly in a trial performed on CarboGen at theUniversity of Dayton Human Performance Lab in Dayton, Ohio, in conjunction withthe American Institute for Biosocial and Medical Research (Int J Sport NutrExerc Metab, 12, 3:310-7, 2002). Researchers investigated the effect of 160mg of CarboGen consumed with a meal replacement bar on exercise performanceduring 60 minutes of high-intensity cycling. After an overnight fast, fivetrained male cyclists performed two 60-minute cycling bouts at 80-percent VO2max followed by a sprint at 100-percent VO2 max. Subjects consumed a mealreplacement bar plus 160 mg of CarboGen or placebo one hour prior to eachcycling bout.

The researchers found glucose levels were consistently higherwhen CarboGen was used, with values after 60 minutes of exercise significantlyhigher than those consuming placebo. Lactate values were also consistently lowerafter use of CarboGen versus placebo. Additionally, subjects were able tomaintain a 100-percent VO2 max workload significantly longer with CarboGen andreported a lower rate of perceived exertion.

CarboGen has been shown safe in animal studies. An acutetoxicity study used an oral dose equivalent of 5 g/kg of CarboGen in five mice.All mice survived 48 hours with no outward signs of toxicity. The enzymes inCarboGen are also considered GRAS (generally recognized as safe) by the Food andDrug Administration (FDA) based on a history of safe use in food.