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A study done by Dr. Andrew Creer (2007 South Dakota State University) showed Optygen reduces cortisol levels (the primary stress hormone) by 26%. Researchers concluded that Optygen is beneficial for trained athletes undergoing high training volumes because it decreases baseline stress and improves training sessions. Cortisol is a catabolic (breakdown) hormone that the body produces when under stress, such as after hours of running. Chronically elevated cortisol levels can prevent an athlete from recovering, increase the risks of overtraining and supress the immune system.

Another study done by Dr. Karlton Larson (2007 Luther College) showed endurance athletes who used Optygen increased the time to lactate threshold by 42%. Results of this study show Optygen is effective in reducing lactic acid production and delaying onset of lactate threshold (the exercise intensity at which lactic acid starts to accumulate in the blood stream), therefore improving endurance.





Optygen works on three different levels all working synergistically with the goal of increasing endurance. Endurance is defined as your ability to perform work over a period of time where there is oxygen delivered to the muscles. There are three critical components necessary to increase your endurance capacity.


Rhodiola and Cordyceps are the key ingredients in Optygen. Clinical research on elite athletes has shown both these adaptogenic herbs increase oxygen utilization, increase the body’s ability to adapt to high levels of physical stress, increase anaerobic threshold and reduce lactic acid. These herbs are both found and cultivated in Tibet. Clinical studies on Cordyceps have shown it increases endurance. In a 1998 study, Dr. Edmond Burke demonstrated how these two adaptogenic herbs improve the efficiency of oxygen transfer in the cell leading to improvements in oxygen uptake and VO2max.


Endurance athlete’s VO2max is directly proportional to their ability to efficiently produce Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). Clinical research has shown that endurance athletes diminish their ATP stores in exhaustive exercise, which can lead to a reduction in aerobic metabolism and endurance. Since ATP is the final step in aerobic energy production, it’s critical that the nutrients feeding the ATP cycle are readily available. Calcium pyruvate, sodium phosphate, potassium phosphate, adenosine and d-ribose all play critical roles in glycolysis and the citric acid cycle, leading to efficient ATP production. Optygen’s proprietary ATPro™ matrix of five key nutrients is designed to assure ATP production.


The Optygen formula utilizes chromium for its ability to break down fuel. Chromium is an essential trace mineral that aids in glucose metabolism, regulation of insulin levels, and maintenance of healthy blood levels of cholesterol and other lipids. Chromium forms part of a compound in the body known as Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF), which is involved in regulating the actions of insulin in maintaining blood sugar levels and, possibly, in helping to control appetite. It’s critical that any drink, bar or meal consumed prior to a race or exercise gets broken down efficiently in order to maximize your fuel delivery. Insulin spikes or lack of insulin response can cause the nutrients to either be rushed into your bloodstream too quickly or not quickly enough. Chromium regulates this nutrient breakdown so you have equal and sustained nutrient delivery to the working muscles.