The Navy SEAL Physical Fitness Guide - Human Performance

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