Energy Gel Heat Endurance Formula

Comparison Chart

Ingredient	eDISCS™ Electrolyte / Carbohydrate Discs	NUUN™
	per 10 eDiscs/500ml	per 1 NUUN/500ml
Sodium (mg) ⁽¹⁾	370	360
Potassium (mg) ⁽²⁾	96	100
Sodium:Potassium Ratio ⁽³⁾	3.8:1	3.6:1
Calcium (mg) ⁽⁴⁾	25	12.5
Magnesium (mg) ⁽⁵⁾	12.5	25
Calcium:Magnesium Ratio ⁽⁶⁾	2:1	1:2
Calories	108	0
Carbohydrate (gm) ⁽⁷⁾	27	0
Type of Carbohydrate/Sweetener ⁽⁸⁾	Dextrose Maltodextrin	Sorbitol
Resistant Starch ⁽⁹⁾	No	N/A
Other Ingredients ⁽¹⁰⁾	None	sodium carbonate, natural colors flavors, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, polyethylene glycol, magnesium sulfate, sodium benzoate, calcium carbonate, acesulfame potassium, riboflavin-5-phosphate.

eDISCS™ are the tablet supplement for the heat!

The most important sweat electrolyte is sodium, with an average concentration of 800 mg/litre ⁽³²⁾, and with an average as high as 1000-1100 mg/litre, especially in hotter, more humid environments ^(33,34).
Falling potassium levels can contribute to all of the heat illnesses, including cramping and hyponatremia ^(35,36). The potassium concentration in sweat averages 195 mg/litre ^(39,40).
The sodium: potassium ratio in sweat is approximately 3:1 to 5:1.
The average amount of calcium in sweat is 12.5 mg/250 ml, or 50 mg/litre ^(32,33). Calcium is important for normal muscle contraction and nerve conduction (hence, it probably has a role in preventing muscle cramps). Calcium supplementation may also have a role in protecting bones from reduced bone mass secondary to inadequate replacement of sweat calcium losses ⁽³⁷⁾.
The average amount of magnesium in sweat is 6 mg/250 ml, or 25mg/litre ⁽³²⁾. Magnesium may have a preventative effect on muscle cramping ⁽¹³⁾.
The calcium: magnesium ratio in sweat is approximately 2:1. Only eDISCSÃ¢âÂ¢ provide calcium and magnesium in this ratio to match the rate that they are naturally lost in sweat.
To prevent glycogen levels from dropping to critically low levels, ingestion of 1.0 to 1.2 grams/minute of easily digestible carbohydrate is recommended after a period of 60-90 minutes of endurance activity (Jeukendrup, 2004). Ingestion of a readily available carbohydrate can permit glycogen sparing and allow for intensity and duration of the activity to be optimized.
Dextrose has a glycemic index of 100, indicating it is are absorbed rapidly and it is the only known carbohydrate that facilitates sodium absorption from the small intestine, while aiding in sodium reabsorption from your kidneys ^{(39,40,41,42,43)}. Sucrose is also oxidized rapidly for quick energy production (Jeukendrup and Jentjens 2000). Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol. Research has shown that sugar alcohols are incompletely digested in the human small intestine (Beaugerie, L et al., 1991) meaning more particles left to move into the large intestine to cause gastrointestinal upset, intensified by exercise in the heat.
Resistant starch that escapes digestion in the small intestine will move down to the large intestine where the particles will have to either undergo fermentation by gut microflora or be excreted. This can contribute to flatulence, abdominal cramping and bloating. Furthermore, it can also lead to diarrhea, and contribute to dehydration (Cummings et al., 1996). It has been well established that a higher content of amylose lowers the digestibility of starch due to the positive correlation between amylose content and the formation of resistant starch (Berry 1986; Sievert and Pomeranz 1989). The relative proportions of amylose to amylopectin depend on the source of the starch.
Tablets often contain numerous additives or preservatives to help them dissolve in liquid, including sodium bicarbonate, a well known gastrointestinal irritant.
Beaugerie, L et al. Clinical tolerance, intestinal absorption, and energy value of four sugar alcohols taken on an empty stomach. Gastroentol Clin Biol. 1991;15(12):929-32.