244 Other Training-Related Issues
Summary of Ergogenic Agents
Below are brief comments on various ergogenic agents, grouped by purported
benefit or effect.
Sapogenins -
Smilax,
Diascorea,
Trillium, Yucca,
or Sarsaparilla
Increases
muscle mass
and lean body
weight by
increasing test-
osterone levels.
A testosterone
precursor.
Sublingual or capsular
as directed. Use prior to
workout and before bed.
Little benefit reported. Some
products suspended in 18%
alcohol. READ the label.
Tyrosine
Reverses cold-
induced work-
ing memory defi-
cit. Positive
impact on
stress- induced
cognitive
performance
degradation.
75 to 150 mg/kg of
L-tyrosine 1 to 2 hours
prior to exposure.
Some benefits reported in
SEAL cold weather
operations. Branched chain
amino acids should not be
taken with tyrosine since
they interfere with tyrosine’s
action.
Agent Comment
Delays Fatigue/Increases Energy Levels
Caffeine Some benefit reported
Choline Theoretically beneficial - remains to be tested
Coenzyme Q 10 No proven benefit
Inosine Little or no proven benefit
Octacosanol Some reported benefit
Sodium Bicarbonate Some reported benefit
Tyrosine Some benefit reported during SEAL cold weather ops
Table 14-4. Nutritional Ergogenic Agents
Agents Claims Dose Comment