ny times article about extreme exercise

[CycleChic06]

"He added that the legal, safe way to do it is through glycerin loading. The technique exploits the unusual properties of glycerin, a thick, gooey sugar alcohol that is sold in drugstores as a lubricant. Each molecule of glycerin absorbs three molecules of water. During a race, the body uses the glycerin for energy. And every time the body metabolizes a molecule of glycerin, “it unleashes three molecules of water,” Dr. Martin said.

The result, he said, is that “you have a water bank account.”

Glycerin loading, he added, should be reserved for races of a half marathon or longer, when runners are competing in intense heat for at least an hour and a half. Ten days before the Tokyo world championships, Dr. Martin told Steve Spence to try glycerin loading."



Wondering if anyone here has tried this on long rides...

[Kitsune06]

I can't imagine that would *taste* good.

...Glycerin... isn't that the main ingredient in KY Jelly?

[mimitabby]

yes, i think so!

[Lise]

Glycerin is in the "really pukey" category of Edible Things, in my book.

I used to make herbal tinctures in glycerin. They last longer in alcohol, but I don't drink or eat alcohol, and you can make them in glycerin. It is so sweet, so viscous, so ... pukey. I stopped making the herbal preparations for a variety of reasons, but even before I did, I stopped with the glycerin. Just couldn't take it anymore! Some tinctures can be made with cider vinegar...but that's drifting far from the point!

Interesting article. Thanks for posting it.