Sodium Phosphate

[Bikingmomof3]

I consulted my husband, who is a chemist, and in his non-medical opinion did not think taking sodium phosphate for this purpose was a good idea. Check with a doctor or pharmacist.

[KnottedYet]

Is there something else you could do instead? A little extra sleep, a massage or two?

Messing with the acid/base chemistry of your blood isn't going to help functional oxy much. Remember, if the hemoglobin is releasing oxy easily, it's equally poorly transporting oxygen. Like taking the shoelaces out of your shoes because it's so much easier to get them on and off then, but can you run well without shoelaces holding your shoes on?

I have a fabulous host of neurological problems because my body screws up the acid-base balance of my blood all by itself. The thought that it takes a week or more for you to recover after dosing yourself with sodium phosphate is quite chilling.

Trust me, you don't want what I've got. And yes, I think that could be considered cheating if it actually worked. And dangerous either way.

[alpinerabbit]

Why would you want to take additional sodium and phosphate?

your diet probably contains enough sodium and phosphate and from a biochemical point of view, these are not required in the release of oxygen in the muscles. Can you provide a link to said study?

Loading with a water soluble salt makes very little sense, as you will just excrete any excess.

[RoadRaven]

Thanks for your concern ladies.

I am not too worried about it, as Friel recommends it as one of the "best kept secrets in cycling". In the same chapter he talks about other legal performance enhancers like caffiene (which many of us here at TE use). Every other bit of advice and observation of Friel's I (and other friends who have his books) have followed has been useful, sound and improved my fitness - both physical and mental.

It is legal Knotted, but I was interested to see how many might think of it as cheating - for me the lines are thin. I use caffiene in races - I take it an hour before I will need it, as it is most effective an hour after being consumed. Is this different? I dont know. Its a performance enhancer and not naturally found in the body... should it be disallowed?

Like creatine, found naturally, can be consumed naturally or over the counter? Is it bordering that thin line? You can eat huge quantities of red meat to load with it, or take it as a more convenient powder - the perception out there is that it "builds muscle" but many studies show that used judiciously it helps with recovery... a close friend has been using that as a powder and has found his muscles feel better and recover more quickly.

I hear your concerns Knotted, and I am listening. I have followed how health impacts on several women here (including you). I appreciate your concerns.

Alpine... Friel cites several studies in his little blurb about it. The link of Squirrel's is 5 years old - maybe I need to find some more specific recent studies - that link is about use for constipation, not sporting related.

I will take your words under advisement and keep researching til next weeks "D-Day".

I would be interested in any other opinions, links, critiques.

If you don't wanna talk about it in public, please PM me.

I am still considering doing this unless I can find compelling evidence to stay away. You gals seem to collectively see everything there is and I value your input and opinions.

Thanks again for your responses thus far.

~R~

[divingbiker]

The way I interpreted Squirrel's "are you sure you want to do this?" question was that if sodium phosphate can be used to relieve constipation, and you're not constipated, wouldn't that cause some diarrhea issues that are not all that easily handled while competing in a bike race?

[matagi]

RoadRaven, I would be really interested in the references you have regarding this supposed benefit of sodium phosphate.

My only knowledge of the use of sodium phosphate in relation to oxygen diffusion comes from its use as a buffering agent when doing experiments on isolated muscle cells. If that is the basis this guy is claiming for the use of sodium phosphate as a supplement, then it is based on poor science and not only is it one of the best kept secrets in cycling, it is one of the best kept secrets in medical science.

[RoadRaven]

DivingBiker (do you really? dive on the bike I mean? your nic conjures up some funny images... I'm guessing you "dive" down hillsides?) your post cracked me up - I hadn't read Squirrel's post that way - of course! That is an important consideration! It didn't seem to have that effect on either of us last week when we 'tested' it on our stomachs. Fingers (and legs?) crossed if we load next week with it.

Matagi... I did a quick google search and found the following bits I will paste below. At the weekend, I'll type in what Friel says in his book along with the studies he refers to...