Shanek, I can't answer your questions, sorry. I for one will not take epedra, since I already take in too much caffiene than is good for me and my thyroid levels are still a bit on the high side. But that's just me.
The only "sports nutrition" products I use are the sports drink Cytomax (the peach flavor is the best ever!) and CarbBoom (apple cinnamon flavor). The Cytomax probably contains a lot of herbs and such that I don't need, but in general, I think they're in too low of concentrations to do ANYTHING. I mostly drink it because it works quite well to keep me from bonking, compared in my own experiences on consecutive rides using Cytomax, Gatorade and water. It also tastes better than any of the Gatorade or Powerade flavors out there! CarbBoom I use likewise to keep from bonking, usually towards the end of a ride, for that last bit of energy to get back to the car. I like using the energy gels because I have a hard time wanting to chew and swallow any sort of food when I'm feeling that crappy. [No jokes here, please] I'd rather just suck and swallow
I realize CarbBoom doesn't do anything for me that honey can't, but it does come in convienient, already-measured packets that I don't have to muss about with too much. So that's my two cents on the concept of sports supplements.
The only "sports nutrition" products I use are the sports drink Cytomax (the peach flavor is the best ever!) and CarbBoom (apple cinnamon flavor). The Cytomax probably contains a lot of herbs and such that I don't need, but in general, I think they're in too low of concentrations to do ANYTHING. I mostly drink it because it works quite well to keep me from bonking, compared in my own experiences on consecutive rides using Cytomax, Gatorade and water. It also tastes better than any of the Gatorade or Powerade flavors out there! CarbBoom I use likewise to keep from bonking, usually towards the end of a ride, for that last bit of energy to get back to the car. I like using the energy gels because I have a hard time wanting to chew and swallow any sort of food when I'm feeling that crappy. [No jokes here, please] I'd rather just suck and swallow
I realize CarbBoom doesn't do anything for me that honey can't, but it does come in convienient, already-measured packets that I don't have to muss about with too much. So that's my two cents on the concept of sports supplements.