REAL Ingredients

MCT Oil

This is a 'Medium Chain Triglyceride' oil. A more simple name for it is Fractionated Coconut Oil. It is coconut oil that has had all of the 'bad' stuff removed and what is left is a very pure, clean fatty oil. We are the only gel to offer any sort of fat, a crucial component 70 miles into a 100 mile run, or 13.1 miles into the marathon during an Iron Man.  This oil is treated and metabolized more as a carb rather than a fat. It goes straight to the liver and used immediately as a quick energy source. This is another reason why VFuel is so easily digested. MCT oil is ideal for individuals with digestive problems. As a medium chain triglyceride it is passively diffused from the Gi tract whereas longer chained fats are absorbed by the lymphatic system. It also kills some of the troublesome microorganisms that may cause irritation and inflammation  in the intestines.

MCT oil does not require energy for absorption, utilization, or storage, while, at the same time, being a dense source of calories. A perfect marriage for the endurance athlete.

Another huge benefit that we have seen here at VFuel is a reduction in 'brain fog.' You know, when you are going from mile 77.3 to 81.6 and you can't do the math in your head as to how far that is! Or remembering when you took your last gel! MCT oil is one of the best fuels for healthy brain function. It is used in Alzheimer's treatment for its huge benefits in regards to cognitive function. Click to read more about MCT Oil.

Taurine

A very important amino acid for your muscles, Taurine has a few great benefits for the endurance athlete. It can increase energy in the muscles resulting in longer workout times and can also increase cell volume so they can hold more water aiding in muscle hydration. Click to read more about Taurine.

Glucuronolactone

Don’t let this ingredient scare you! Glucuronolactone is a naturally occurring metabolite found in your liver. To put it simply, Glucose is stored in your liver and, when needed, the liver can start releasing its stores of glycogen. It does this in the form of Glucuronolactone. With this small amount of Glucuronolactone in VFuel, it allows your liver to hold its stores of glycogen longer, resulting in higher energy for a longer period of time. Something every endurance athlete wants! This is a naturally occurring chemical that is also found in many plant gums. It has also been shown to  be an important structural component in nearly all connective tissue. There are quite a few great reasons we have this in VFuel!  

OKG

OKG is a crucial component in how VFuel works. During prolonged or intense physical activities, ammonia breaks down your cells. OKG reduces the amount of ammonia produced by your cells and reduces the rate at which it accumulates. Therefore, you muscles don't fatigue as quickly and recover faster. This is why huge gains are seen when using VFuel consistently during every training run and on race day.

L-ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG) combines the power of ornithine with alpha-ketoglutaric acid. It promotes amino acid synthesis and protein availability. It increases protein synthesis, therefore lowering protein catabolism, improving insulin and somatropin secretion and increases absorption of amino acids and glucose to the muscles.

Citrulline Malate

This too helps to rid the body of ammonia. It also increases nitric oxide which increases blood circulation. What ammonia is produced after the OKG has worked its magic is then detoxified by the citrulline malate.

You may be asking why ammonia is so bad. Here is a quick rundown.

  1. Ammonia is a waste (by product) created by muscle use. It breaks down muscles on a cellular level.
  2. It's toxic and needs to get eliminated from the body
  3. If working hard, the body can't adequately remove it and the ammonia buildup will cause muscle damage.
  4. It causes fatigue, pain, and the need for longer recovery time

Magnesium & Potassium Aspartate

Not only are these electrolytes essential to normal muscle function, but they also work in conjunction with OKG and Citrulline Malate to help detoxify and also help in the reduction of ammonia.

Sodium Citrate

Sodium is simply salt. Citrate is a lactic acid buffer for the muscles. It helps regulate PH and buffers acidity buildup. This will help limit fatigue.
Please note that we are not intending for you to get all of your electrolyte needs from VFuel. We have an amount in there that will deliver very basic levels as a baseline. Everyone's body uses electrolytes very differently. A high dose for one person may be a fraction of what another person needs. And varying external conditions (100 degree day vs a 20 degree day; humidity levels; elevation; just to name a few) make a very big difference on what amount of electrolytes your body needs. We recommend experimenting with external sources for your electrolyte needs, (solid food, salt pills, electrolyte replacement drink, etc...) whatever works best for you.

Caffeine

At approximately 10 mg per serving, we are using caffeine as a digestive aid and not a stimulant. Caffeine, in conjunction with Maltodextrin and Dextrose, increases the intestinal glucose absorption.  It helps glucose absorption in the small intestines and helps avoid passage of simple sugars into the large intestines (which helps reduce micro build up and bloating).

Note: Not everybody can handle a lot of caffeine. If you find that you need or want more caffeine, we recommend getting this from additional sources, espresso beans for example. Too much caffeine can cause diarrhea and frequent urination. This can cause the body to quickly and easily become depleted of fluids and other essential nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphate, and potassium.