ATP Supplement Enhances Exercise Performance, Boosts Recovery Time, and Potentially Shields Brain Cells
Replenishing ATP through supplementation helps maintain muscle function, improve exercise performance, and support healthy aging.
ATP vs. Disodium ATP
ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is a molecule that stores and transports energy inside the cells of all living things. Cells need this energy to perform a variety of functions, including muscle contractions, DNA and RNA synthesis, the movement of proteins and fats in and out of cells, and cellular communication. It is also a molecule that our bodies continuously produce.
Disodium ATP
Disodium ATP is a form of ATP that has added sodium ions that improve its stability and solubility, making it a better choice for use as a dietary supplement. ATP is the naturally occurring form found in the cells of living things, and disodium ATP is a stabilized form used in nutritional supplements, said Douglas Kalman, co-founder of the International Society of Sports Nutrition and a clinical associate professor at Nova Southeastern University.
Key Benefits of Disodium ATP
When we exercise, the demand for ATP increases up to 1,000-fold. Intense exercise can significantly reduce ATP stores in muscles because ATP is essential for sustaining muscle activity during workouts.
Improved Muscle Strength
A study published in the journal Nutrition & Metabolism investigated the effects of 12 weeks of oral supplementation with 400 milligrams (mg) daily of ATP disodium combined with resistance training.
The investigators found that the ATP group showed significant improvements in muscle mass, strength, and power compared with the placebo group. The ATP group also significantly improved vertical jump power and total body strength. In addition, supplementation with ATP reduced the breakdown of muscle protein during periods of intense resistance training. The study authors also noted that they did not observe any adverse effects.
Enhanced Blood Flow
Supplementing with ATP increases vasodilation, which opens vessels and increases blood flow. This increase delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, aiding performance, recovery, and muscle building. In humans, these effects can be seen in as little as one week of supplementation with 400 mg of ATP.
Recovering With ATP Supplements
When we work out or engage in physical activity, our muscles get tired primarily because their ATP stores become depleted. During exercise, our bodies demand significantly more ATP to fuel muscle contractions.
Supplementing with ATP can increase the available ATP to our muscles, and increase oxygenation and blood flow. Increased blood flow allows for the clearance of metabolic waste products, thus mitigating fatigue. Ensuring we have adequate levels of ATP allows us to work out longer while sustaining a higher level of performance.
