Training & Nutrition - Glycerol / Glycerine

I have a confession - I perspire heavily. On hot days, I perspire to the point where it certainly knocks down my performance level quite a bit. My body simply can't replace the fluids fast enough regardless as to how much I drink before, during and after I ride.

I've read a bit on glycerol/glycerine. This suppliment apparently helps with retaining fluids in the body. Does anyone have any experience with this product? Any thoughts?

ThanX!

here is a link to a good site that gives a nice synopsis of the current studies out there. http://www.sportsci.org/traintech/glycerol/rar.htm#comments


Some of the discrepencies as they stated may be due to the different glycerol ingestion protocol. It is based on some good science, but the upshot is we really don't know how it works. It also details the glycerol regimine. Look at the last clinical study which actually looked at cyclists.

Originally posted by cbhungry
here is a link to a good site that gives a nice synopsis of the current studies out there. http://www.sportsci.org/traintech/glycerol/rar.htm#comments


Some of the discrepencies as they stated may be due to the different glycerol ingestion protocol. It is based on some good science, but the upshot is we really don't know how it works. It also details the glycerol regimine. Look at the last clinical study which actually looked at cyclists.

ThanX for the link, cbhungry! :)

This information is consistent with my understanding of this suppliment. The only real issue I have with trying glycerol is my fear of long-term health risks. However, none of my readings thus far have shown any evidence of any health risk other than the potential for a few mild, temporary side-effects. As you stated though, there is no clear understanding of just why this science works.

Do you think I should be concerned with the long-terms health risks of this suppliment??

ThanX!!!!!

Ahh, you have obviously seen my mantra about having long term studies to look at sideeffects of any compounds that are ingested.

Let me answer in terms of my experience with it in my past life as a chemist.

It is technically a sugar alcohol, or 1,2,3 propanetriytriacetate and is commonly used a a food additive in the food processing industry. In addition, it is very hydroscopic so in it's non hydrated form will absorb water from the air. Thus, it is used in cosmetic products to retain moisture (lubricants, moisterizing eye shadows, lipsticks etc.) In addtion, it is stored in its ester form in the triglycerides of many animal and plant oils which we ingest. However, the FDA has labelled it a carbohydrate rather than a alcohol or fatty acid due to the fact it really doesn't know how to classify it. So the upshot is, it is commonly ingested in the form of food additives and is ubiquitous in alot of the compounds we use topically on a regular basis so in small amounts it probably is safe. There are no long term studies on the large doses used in the sportsmedicine literature for hydrating effects on athletes although it seems pretty safe. I hope that answers you a little.

Originally posted by cbhungry
I hope that answers you a little.

That's more than a little! ThanX for taking the time to post your reply. I'm still not sure if I'm going to take the plunge, but @ least it will be more of an educated decision @ this point. :)