6d Sports Nutrition Sodium Bicarbonate

6d Sports Nutrition Sodium Bicarbonate

Increased buffering capacity for high-intensity performance

6d Sports Nutrition Sodium Bicarbonate contains sodium bicarbonate, which increases the body’s buffering capacity, stimulates the transport of lactate from muscle cells, and can help improve performance during short, high-intensity efforts.

During short and intense exercise, muscles primarily rely on glucose as an energy source. Muscle glycogen is converted into lactic acid, which then dissociates into lactate and hydrogen ions (H⁺). The accumulation of these protons leads to muscle acidity, which is a major factor contributing to fatigue during high-intensity efforts lasting approximately 30 seconds to 5 minutes.

The body has a natural protective mechanism in the form of buffer systems that help neutralize excess acidity. The greater the buffering capacity, the more lactic acid can be produced during exercise without excessive acidification of the muscles.

How sodium bicarbonate works

Acidification occurs when the production of hydrogen ions exceeds the body's buffering capacity. At this point, the excess protons are no longer neutralized, acidity in the muscles and blood increases, and fatigue and performance decline may occur.

Sodium bicarbonate is an alkaline salt that increases the concentration of bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) in the body. This makes the blood more alkaline and helps:

• neutralize excess acidity

• stimulate lactate transport from muscle cells

• reduce muscle acidification during intense exercise

Numerous scientific studies show that oral sodium bicarbonate supplementation may improve performance during short, high-intensity efforts lasting 30 seconds to 5 minutes.

This is particularly relevant for sports such as:

• competitive swimming

• sprinting

• middle-distance running

• cycling

• rowing

Sodium bicarbonate intake after intense efforts has also been shown to help restore the body’s acid-base balance more quickly.

Recommended protocol

The classic supplementation protocol is approximately:

0.3–0.4 g of sodium bicarbonate per kg of body weight, taken 1–2 hours before exercise.

This corresponds to approximately:

• 18 g for a 60 kg athlete

• up to 32 g for an 80 kg athlete

However, such high doses can cause gastrointestinal discomfort due to high sodium intake.

Recent research suggests that consuming sodium bicarbonate gradually or over a longer period before exercise may help reduce these digestive issues.

Key benefits

• increases the body’s buffering capacity

• helps reduce muscle acidification

• supports lactate transport from muscle cells

• may improve performance during short high-intensity efforts

• suitable for sprints, intervals and middle-distance efforts

Suggested use:

Recommended Intake: Aim for 0.3–0.4 g of 6d Sodium Bicarbonate per kg of body weight. Examples: For a 60 kg person: 16–22 capsules (0.3–0.4 g/kg). For an 80 kg person: 22–28 capsules (0.3–0.4 g/kg).

Take all capsules 2–8 hours before exercise. If no stomach issues (classic method): Swallow all capsules 90–120 minutes before start. If sensitive to stomach issues: Spread intake over 6–8 hours. Take larger doses (5–10 capsules) with meals, and smaller ones (2–3 capsules) in between, with a snack.

Important: High sodium can cause stomach problems—always take with plenty of water to reduce risk. Caution: High doses of sodium and water may increase body weight, which could affect performance.

Ingredients:

Ingredients per capsule: 1125mg sodium bicarbonate. Capsule ingredient: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.