By Brad Culp
Oct. 22, 2007 -- If you’re a serious triathlete, chances are you can’t go a day without squeezing at least one pack of energy gel. But have you ever spent the time to read what’s really in all those packs you’re throwing back? You would need a Master’s in Chemistry to be able to pronounce all the ingredients. Sure, gels are one of the best and most convenient sources of energy, but beyond helping us through a mid-race bonk, they don’t do a whole lot to make us healthier.
A few years ago, athlete and entrepreneur Glen Jensen was squeezing in yet another pack of regular sports gels when an idea hit him in the head and almost knocked him off his bike. Jensen wondered if it would be possible to concentrate the world’s best whole foods into one easy-to-use gel pack. After years of research and development with many of the world’s top chemists, nutritionists, and herbalists, Jensen introduced
Agel Sport Gels. What started with one whole-food energy gel has developed into nine separate products, all available in gel packs and all made with 100% natural ingredients. Jensen’s original goal was to make a convenient, gel pack, that’s easy-to-use, for people on the go and to help everyday people live healthier. Now, he wants to make you a faster and healthier athlete.
We got a chance to meet up with one of Agel’s local team members, Roy Gelinas, to learn more about the product and to give it a test on our most extreme training days.
The results? This stuff works. It really works. And it’s no secret why. Nutritional professionals have been preaching about the ingredients that are in these gel packs for years, as being key to staying healthy and fit. All the guys at Agel did was listen to the research and pump those nutrients into portable gel packs.
Roy and the rest of the Agel team don’t suggest that you abandon all other supplements in favor of theirs, rather, that you incorporate these gels into your regular training and recovery program.
“Our gels are relatively low in calories (about 15-30 per pack), because we don’t load them with extra sugar,” Roy said. “For extended exercise, you’ll still need a high-calorie sports drink or gel. Our gels, when used with some of the other products out there will take you to a whole new level of nutritional protection and endurance.”
All told, Agel produces eight gel packs and a L-Arginine drink, which will be available as a gel shortly, and will help you fight fatigue, allow you to recover faster and stronger.
Here’s the scoop on Agel™ Performance and Recovery gels:
EXO – 17 natural whole fruit purees and botanical extracts go into each pack, providing 200 separate antioxidants. With juices like acai, blueberry, dark grape, cranberry, pomegranate, and noni, plus 11 others. This gel pack is a free radical’s worst enemy. Take one pack before an intense workout and stash a few on your bike or in your jersey when you’re going long.
FIT – A patent-pending suspension gel made with Hoodia, Super CitriMax, and apple cider vinegar. These ingredients have been proven to speed weight loss and assist in serotonin production. A truly healthy way to drop a few pounds. Take it early in the morning, or before a workout and before your biggest meal of the day.
PRO – A protein gel available with either 10 or 20 grams of pure whey protein. Perfect for speeding recovery and rebuilding muscle tissue after an intense workout. The chocolate truffle flavor (10 grams) is absolutely the best tasting gel we’ve every tasted and the Strawberry-Banana flavor (20 grams) is good too! No matter how wrecked your stomach is after a workout session, you’ll enjoy swallowing it. No more blending or shaking your protein drink!
OHM – If your looking for a during-race boost you’ll want to pack some OHM. It contains taurine, d-ribose, Korean ginseng, rhodiola and inositol, OHM helps delay the onset of muscle fatigue and regulate energy production.
UMI – This gel contains a potent dose of fucoidan, an extract of brown algae (don’t worry, it tastes like a Granny Smith apple), which supports white blood cells and reduces normal cell degeneration. Best used before and after a workout or before bed.
FLX – Ideal for an athlete with nagging joint pain or arthritis. FLX is a blend of glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and Celadrin, all of which have been proven to support joint health. Use it in the morning or before or after a workout.
MIN – If you hate swallowing pills, replace your normal vitamin with MIN. Each pack contains 100% RDI of 12 essential vitamins and 75% RDI or minerals like zinc, selenium and chromium. Take it first thing in the morning and with your biggest meal of the day.
HRT – A gel that’s good for your heart. Each pack contains CoQ10, L-carnitine, Oyster Mushroom Powder, B3, and Folate, to support normal levels of cholesterol and protect your heart. Best taken early in the morning and before you go to bed.
L-Arginine M2 – Now available as a mixable powder, but very soon to be produced as a gel. L-Arginine has been talked about for years as a proven pre-race/workout booster and this powder delivers 5,000 mg of pharmaceutical grade L-Arginine plus BCAA’s, and other ingredients too numerous to list. Take it before a hard workout and during a long race.
For more info on these Performance and Recovery gels and to receive TWO FREE documents to your e-mail: “Ageless Nutrition explained” and “Can food change your genes?” go to www.gelnutritionman.com.