GU Sports Roctane

Roctane is GU sports’ high-performance energy gel that utilizes a similar formula to our original GU Energy Gel, but with significantly higher concentrations of amino acids and citrates, plus a new amino acid complex—Ornithine Alpha-Ketaglutarate (OKG). These ingredients mitigate the energy-sapping effects of lactic-acid build-up, produce energy more efficiently, improve recovery through a decrease in exercise-induced muscle damage and maintain mental focus through delayed onset of fatigue signals from the central nervous system. The result is a premium sports nutrition product that allows athletes across all sports to perform at a higher intensity for a longer period of time.

We know Roctane works. Since 2001, we’ve used it as a nutritional research tool with in-house and elite athletes. This has allowed us to take new research and ideas and test them in competition and training with athletes performing in the world’s greatest races. And after many tweaks and trials, Roctane is now the most potent energy gel in the world.

Roctane’s Amino Acid Blend: Your Muscles Never Had It So Good

By increasing the amounts and relative ratios of the following key ingredients found in regular GU and adding OKG, we created Roctane’s revolutionary blend.

Higher levels of histidine—by a factor of 10 times. When you stress muscles, they fatigue and experience a rather unpleasant side-effect, metabolic acidosis (a.k.a., “the burn”). Both are primarily due to proton (H+) buildup1. In our research, we found studies that demonstrate how various naturally occurring proteins packed with histidine have buffered the muscles’ acid build-up2. That’s because the histidine residues contained within these proteins are able to neutralize those nasty H+ ions and reduce the effects of acidosis. By adding more histidine, we’re encouraging the body to produce more of these buffering proteins and keep muscles pumping harder for longer.

Higher levels of citrates (potassium citrate, sodium citrate and citric acid)—by a factor of up to 3 times. During any training or competition, the body requires energy to keep moving. Central to the production of energy is the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle), which is responsible for the breakdown of amino acids, glucose and fatty acids to produce ATP3 (the actual energy molecule that fuels your muscles). Roctane’s citrate blend contributes to the citric acid cycle and promotes greater efficiency in the production of ATP. The faster you can produce ATP, the sooner your muscles can utilize the energy.

Higher levels of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs—leucine, valine and isoleucine)—by a factor of 3 times. During physical exertion, BCAAs become a major fuel source, in addition to to promoting protein synthesis—the conversion of protein into fuel—as well as setting the table for rapid glucose biosynthesis3,4. Our BCAAs also thwart muscle catabolism, a distressing natural situation where the body starts breaking down its own muscle to use as fuel. In addition, research suggests that BCAA supplementation may delay the onset of central fatigue by blocking the transport of tryptophan into the brain, thus limiting the production of serotonin5. This key neurotransmitter has been linked to depression of the central nervous system function which leads to feelings of sleepiness and fatigue6. By blocking this effect, Roctane helps you stay more alert and focused and on top of your game.

Roctane contains a new amino acid complex, Ornithine Alpha-Ketaglutarate (OKG), formulated to further the BCAAs ability to block the body’s destructive catabolic process during extreme physical exertion or muscle trauma. Where you may notice the positive effect of OKG is during recovery, as it goes to work blocking the catabolic effects of the various hormones that control this process. Amino acids also play an important role in the Krebs cycle alongside the citrates listed above7.

While our original GU contains each of these key citrates and amino acids (aside from OKG), the increased percentages found in Roctane and the ensuing enhanced level and efficiency of these benefits—plus OKG—are what sets Roctane apart as the ultimate performance gel for serious athletes.

Electrolytes: Necessary for Optimum Hydration and Muscle Function

There are two major electrolytes in the body: sodium and potassium, both of which are lost through sweat. Compared to original GU, Roctane packs almost 3 times more sodium and contains approximately 20 more mg of potassium. Why? The greater the intensity of your workout or race, the more you’re going to sweat. By replacing the extra amount of lost electrolytes with Roctane, you can rehydrate more effectively and retain more fluid. In combination, the carbohydrates (below) and electrolytes ramp up the body’s ability to absorb fluid into the blood stream.

Maltodextrin & Glucose: GU’s Carbohydrate Formula for Success

Like GU, Roctane provides athletes with a shot of 100 calories in the form of an approximately 4:1 ratio of maltodextrin to fructose (final ratio depends upon flavor). Why maltodextrin? It’s a complex carbohydrate, and studies have shown that complex carbs are actually digested faster than simple sugars like table sugar and honey. This matters because the quicker your body can tap these carbs, the less blood is diverted away from your muscles to digest those carbs. Fructose is the principle sugar in fruit, and we use it because your stomach processes it faster than maltodextrin, yet it doesn’t produce the sugar high like you experience with simple sugars such as sucrose or corn syrup. Fructose also enhances flavor—it’s what makes you crave Roctane. We limit the amount of fructose used so it doesn’t taste too sweet. Studies show that we become highly sensitive to taste after extensive exercise. As a result, what tasted sweet at the beginning of exercise will, two-plus hours later, taste overly sweet and become unpalatable. In other words, you won’t eat it.

Two C’s (Calcium and Caffeine) for High Performance

We put calcium into each packet of Roctane because you lose calcium during exercise, and your body needs it to thrive. In addition to helping build up your bone density, calcium plays a crucial role in the Krebs cycle of converting carbohydrates into energy molecules that fuel your muscles. Research has also shown that there may be a link between muscle fatigue and calcium loss, so adding it back to your body is a good thing. Roctane’s 35mg of caffeine is roughly equivalent to a can of Coke. It acts as a stimulant, but it also serves another purpose: helping the body produce more power and reducing its perception of pain. There’s even evidence that caffeine sparks the body to metabolize fat during exercise which provides the body with another fuel source. 35 mg is the optimum level of caffeine to keep you zipping along without getting a case of the jitters.

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