Cytomax vs Accelerade

[singleminded]

Which do you use and why.

I have been told in the past that the so called "lactic acid buffer" is a farce but many swear by it. The others claim the benefits of protein supplement during exercise.

I have used cytomax in the past and now been using accelerade.

Let the constructive debate begin

[L8 APEKS]

6 of one, half-dozen of the other.

I've bought Cytomax at the grocery store when it's on sale and Gatorade isn't.

I use Accelerade more often, someone left a full tub of Fruit Punch in my old apartment and I liked it.

I am a personal trainer and have some experience with nutrition, so I liked the protein in the Accelerade, especially for endurance events.

All in all, they really aren't that different...some sugar, some sodium...main difference is the protein. Drink the one you like the taste of. There's days when I feel the fastest drinking just plain water, so I don't think drinking one or the other will make or break you.

[singleminded]

But during 12/24 hr racing I think water will break me

I think overall Cytomax is a bit easier on the stomach and lighter...but some times even it causes bloating. I do think I get the muscle pump more without it...but i thought it was all in my head.

[KeepsWhatHappens]

Heed by Hammer. There's must be a reason so many endurance and ultra endurance athletes swear by Hammer.

[jschwart73]

Originally Posted by KeepsWhatHappens

Heed by Hammer. There's must be a reason so many endurance and ultra endurance athletes swear by Hammer.

The problem with Heed is that it tastes like shit.

[L8 APEKS]

Originally Posted by KeepsWhatHappens

Heed by Hammer. There's must be a reason so many endurance and ultra endurance athletes swear by Hammer.

Pretty much the only reason I can think of is that it's marketed specifically toward that demographic. It's really not different from many other similar products.

I take a multi that has aminos and chromium, and at that point, Heed is more or less the same as 12 other similar drinks.

[DBD]

I have used both and find both do a similar job in keeping you going but of the two I prefer Cytomax because Accelerade has 20g of sugars whewre Cytomax only has 12g.

My personal favorite endurance drink is EAS Enduromax but I believe they either stopped making it or they are changing the nutritional properties because I have yet to find any in a long while (that has not been sitting on the shelf for a long time)

[L8 APEKS]

Originally Posted by DBD

I have used both and find both do a similar job in keeping you going but of the two I prefer Cytomax because Accelerade has 20g of sugars whewre Cytomax only has 12g.

...you burnt that extra 8 gms of sugar typing your post.

[lukewiens]

your gonna want that cowbell!!

uh....i mean protein.

especially for endurance based events. i have done research papers on both - protein added to carbohydrate supplementation increases time to fatigue - and why the cytomax lactic acid buffer is a load of crap!

[Zippy]

Neither...CarboPro, Sport Legs and ThermoTabs . My secret weapon (s).

Accelerade made me puke my guts out after Xterra West in 2005 and I swear I could see the strings of protein in my vomit; never used it again. Garotade and PowerGel worked OK for a while, but turned out to be too concentrated on hot days.

I used HEED for VQ since the entire SD region was backordered on CarboPro and I was out. It worked fine, but it's sweetened with xylitol, which tastes like sugar-free gum and might be hard to get down in the later stages of a 24 solo.

I haven't tried Cytomax during a race, but it seems a little heavy when I've had it after races.

I've heard good things about Perpetuem and "they" say you should include protein in your nutrition for longer races, but I have a hard time digesting it: I get gassy and wind up with major stomach cramps.

Nutrition is trial and error. Good luck, my friend.

Ask Mario (MP3) or Luke, they're the 24 solo racers.

[lukewiens]

Originally Posted by Zippy

Ask Mario (MP3) or Luke, they're the 24 solo racers.

correction....24 hour solo wannabe!

[Zippy]

"Guys...I gotta have more cowbell..."

[LBmtb]

For me it has to be tastes reasonable as well as perform well. When I tried accelerade it tasted okay while cold but tasted like butt when it's not cold. I think I gave it to my dad. Cytomax is okay. I like to dilute any sports drink unless it's for a longer ride in the heat.

[shudder]

Hammer products are made with long chain maltodextrins, so no simple sugars. That's great news for a diabetic like me, but also for you folks (it's just better for you than simple sugars, man!).

Here's their spiel on Perpetuem from the Hammer site, which I use during solo races:

"Perpetuem contains 75% carbohydrates (from long-chain maltodextrins—no added simple sugars), 13% fatty acids from a specially made long-chain lyso-lecithin, and nearly 10% soy protein. A small portion of fat seems to cue your body to more liberally release its fatty acids stores, which account for up to two-thirds of one's energy requirements in long bouts of exercise. A little fat in the fuel also slightly slows the rate of digestion and thus promotes “caloric satisfaction,” another attractive plus during primarily aerobic ultra distance events."

Works pour moi.

I find Perpetuem to be easy on my stomach and it provides the lift I need while out on the course for long periods of time. It comes only in Vanilla Orange, which I believe, as mentioned above about HEED, tastes like shit, but there you go. I mix it four to six scoops to one 24 oz bottle. Nice and thick (ick...). I sip on it as I ride, while taking water with Elete in it from my CB.

shud

[xhuskr]

Accelerade is hit/miss for taste. I like it for shorter/medium rides or non-race type of events. I've been using the Perpetuem from Hammer and agree with the taste issue. I did find that if I put a little bit of Orange Gatorade in it, it helps. I don't mix it strong and I like the overall benefits of not bonking to early.

[Wrecker]

I like the Orange Cytomax with Sustained Energy--tastes like a 50/50 bar when you're high off of a lack of oxygen from riding

Perpetuem doesn't do well with my stomach and I've never tried Accelerade, but when I volunteered at the HB Marathon I know that one of the top runners prefered that (and she is an Ironman athlete), so it must have good qualities as well.....

[Winger]

I drink Accelerade, but I don't know if it actually does anything. Come to think of it, I drink it because of threads like this that make me think I should drink it.

[Jslow]

tried both, prefer endurox... it helps me last longer

[Albacore]

I just started using Accelerade. So far it seems to work well -- no side effects other than the taste. I used Cytomax in the past with good results. The Cyto does taste better than the Accel. Since everyone is bucking the question and throwing in their favs I will add mine. The best I have used is Gookinade Hydralyte. I really like Endurox as well.