TIME TO FLY | THE TEACRINE® ADVANTAGE – First Endurance

How PreRace 3.0’s latest nootropic boosts each efficiency metric.

By Dr. Luke Bucci

INTRODUCTION

PreRace 2.0 was primarily based on intensive data of medical analysis exhibiting advantages to body-wide efficiency markers, together with boosting circulation, sustaining cell hydration, lowering muscle injury, dashing restoration, and sustaining optimum efficiency – athletes’ engines burned longer and stronger, and their minds have been clearer and quicker.

The brand new PreRace 3.0 method pushes even additional, including theacrine – an alkaloid just like caffeine’s paraxanthine – as a further efficiency multiplier. If we needed to summarize, we’d say that theacrine has a number of issues going for it:

1. Gives stimulatory advantages in time of want or in absence of caffeine, which occurs to be very useful throughout exhaustive train or when gasoline is working low;
2. Sharpens psychological toughness and cognition;
3. Prompts dopamine receptors to enhance temper and motivation;
4. Will increase sirtuin exercise to assist muscle groups rebuild and get better;
5. Smooths and extends the period of caffeine’s ergogenic results;
6. Reduces anxiousness and perceived fatigue;
7. Is a pure spinoff of tea, is just not addictive or habit-forming, and doesn’t impression sleep.

However we don’t must summarize, as a result of we’ve bought Dr. Luke Bucci to elucidate the what, why, and the way of TeaCrine ®. (You knew we weren’t going to go away you with only a abstract.) We’ll let Dr. B take it from right here.

NEVER ACCEPT “EASY”

Pre-race diet was simple. Hydration, carbs, possibly a dribble (or a deluge) of caffeine – you’re all set. Straightforward.

Nicely to us, “simple” is a huge blinking pink neon signal suggesting that no matter it’s pointing at may very well be improved. So a few years in the past, we engineered a PreRace 2.0 method that included nootropics like caffeine, in fact, but additionally taurine and theobromine to spice up psychological toughness and hold your motivation and decision-making schools as sharp as your health. We additionally added Nitrosigine®, a patented vasodilator that will increase circulation to turbocharge the supply of oxygen and all the things else your muscle groups fritter away throughout train.

And we nonetheless weren’t happy, so we engineered PreRace 3.0 so as to add one other layer of comparable ergogenic impact that additionally magnifies the impression of caffeine, which is the granddaddy of all these nootropics and a great place to start our exploration of theacrine.

CAFFEINE: WHERE WE STARTED

Utilizing caffeine as a efficiency complement is low-hanging fruit for endurance coaching, as a result of it’s entrenched as a each day ritual for athletes and non-athletes alike within the type of these low-hanging beans and leaves that carry us espresso, cocoa, and tea. Its prevalence means it’s additionally a readily accepted ergogenic help, so it’s been integrated into all method of pre-performance dietary supplements and gels (like Konda Mocha Liquid Shot).

However as with all low-hanging options, there may be room for enchancment, as a result of caffeine has shortcomings. Some individuals have totally different genetics that make caffeine much less efficient and even counterproductive. Retaining the correct quantity of caffeine in your physique all through a protracted, torturous efficiency has its ups and downs. An excessive amount of caffeine generally is a bummer, messing with efficiency by tweaking issues like physique warmth.

Dr. Matt Hanson explains extra about caffeine’s potential pitfalls in a separate weblog submit, however for our functions right here, we’re shifting on to concentrate on theacrine, another that gives related ergogenic results with out the downsides and with outcomes that may be felt all through a complete day of exercise.

THEACRINE: WHERE WE’RE GOING

Theacrine (included in PreRace as TeaCrine®) is one other naturally occurring purine alkaloid within the human food regimen, nevertheless it has not obtained the eye of fellow bitter alkaloids caffeine, paraxanthine (caffeine’s main metabolite and effector), and theobromine (in cacao extracts, chocolate, and in addition PreRace).

Theacrine is present in Kucha tea (Camellia kucha) leaves and buds, a uncommon however intently associated species to inexperienced tea (Camellia sinensis) (Qin 2021; Sheng 2020). Kucha tea is remoted to a small space of cloudy, foggy mountains in China, the place it is valued for bettering temper whereas sustaining vitality ranges and a protracted, wholesome life. Theacrine makes up ~2% by weight, together with related quantities of caffeine. 

THEACRINE HUMAN STUDIES

Theacrine was not studied systematically till about 2010, and the variety of human research on theacrine is dwarfed by the multitude of caffeine human research, however what research do exist present demonstrable advantages from the understudied prodigy. Straight away it was discovered that theacrine was totally different from caffeine – not least of all as a result of it really works the identical for everybody – however there have been additionally plenty of variations.

Like caffeine, theacrine prompts adenosine receptors, and shares a lot of the similar results everyone knows, love, and crave. One theacrine examine approximated real-life endurance racing and coaching (Bello 2019). 24 Female and male soccer gamers have been examined 4 occasions after taking placebo, 275mg theacrine, 275mg caffeine, or 125/150mg theacrine/caffeine half-hour earlier than train. All topics then proceeded to simulate a 90-minute soccer match load, with cognitive testing carried out at halftime and after the match. That was adopted by a run time to exhaustion (TTE) at 85% VO2max on a treadmill.

Caffeine and caffeine+theacrine durations confirmed important enhancements vs. placebo for cognitive exams, with the largest variations at match finish. TTE confirmed 27-38% enhancements (P=0.052) for theacrine and caffeine+theacrine durations, lasting from 194 seconds throughout placebo to 246, 255, and 267 seconds for theacrine, caffeine, and caffeine+theacrine durations, respectively. Scores of Perceived Exertion confirmed small-to-moderate results for caffeine and caffeine+theacrine durations.

Although the Bello examine didn’t final so long as most endurance races, it did present improved cognitive measures and improved bodily efficiency at prolonged efforts – that interprets to sharper considering, extra psychological toughness, and extra of a ending kick on the finish of a race. Additionally, this examine used skilled athletes vs. comparatively untrained athletes (who’ve notoriously excessive inter-subject variabilities), so the outcomes are extra related to devoted endurance athletes.

These psychological toughness results could join partially to theanine’s activation of dopamine receptors, the feel-good neurotransmitter (Feduccia 2012; Duan 2020). The dopamine distinction for theacrine was illustrated by a human examine of 200mg theacrine that elevated emotions of vitality, motivation to coach, willingness to train, and focus vs. placebo (Ziegenfuss 2017). No modifications in coronary heart price or blood strain have been famous – one thing very in contrast to caffeine. Theacrine has proven enhanced psychological capabilities – particularly cognition and temper – to the purpose of being known as an antidepressant.

Discover the overlap with caffeine? Vitality, focus, and decreased fatigue. Discover the distinction between caffeine and theacrine? Much less anxiousness – the other of caffeine. Theacrine counteracts caffeine’s “higher” results, imbuing a way of cool, calm confidence when each are taken collectively.

IMPROVED RECOVERY

One of many extra just lately found capabilities of theacrine is a rise in sirtuin (SIRT) enzyme actions. In the event you’re versed in sure alt-med and complement discourse, then you definately may acknowledge sirtuins as being pushed for longevity. Whether or not you knew that earlier than otherwise you simply realized it now, you’re most likely questioning: What does that must do with maximal endurance efficiency?

Truly, rather a lot. Sirtuins are a key regulatory step for making large modifications in cell buildings, controlling which genes get turned on/off or decrease/greater utilizing the identical cell equipment and controls that repair exercise-induced muscle injury.

Research of mouse muscle cells (Lopez 2018; Mumford 2020, 2022) and actual dwelling people (Hellenbrand 2024; Roberts 2022, 2023) have proven that theacrine prompts mitochondrial biogenesis, fights muscular irritation, regulates autophagy (which is required to get better and restore from muscular stress from exertion), and releases stem cells into circulation. The human knowledge on theacrine particularly discovered unprecedented will increase within the ratio of NAD+/NADH ranges in people (peripheral blood white blood cells) (Roberts 2022, 2023).

That equals pure, unadulterated mitochondrial vitality in cells, triggered by growing sirtuins on the proper time and place. For endurance athletes, the proper time and place is throughout irritating, muscle-damaging train, making PreRace the perfect supply automobile to make sure your cells have an efficient provide when it’s wanted.

Does that imply PreRace is a long life complement, too? Is endurance train wholesome? The analysis says: Sure squared.

BETTER TOGETHER: EFFECT + DURATION

Theacrine not solely helps us obtain our greatest, it additionally pushes caffeine to the following stage by softening the perimeters. Human research up to now have proven that in comparison with caffeine alone, theacrine-caffeine mixtures with methylliberine (one other tea alkaloid) improved high-stress coordination by reducing undesirable caffeine negative effects (Evans 2023), decreased fatigue greater than caffeine alone three hours after coadministration (Raub 2020), and confirmed higher hemodynamics and related efficacy on vigilance duties to twice the dose of caffeine with decrease blood strain in tactical personnel (Cintineo 2022).

The 2 are additionally mutually supportive in one other means: Coadministration of caffeine and theacrine will increase the period of each within the bloodstream. Which means that the mix of theacrine and caffeine in PreRace will carry on giving for 6-8 hours or longer, with much less of a drop-off over time for results – splendid for a pre-race complement. (Theacrine itself has a half-life of 20-24 hours, however don’t be concerned; in contrast to caffeine in many individuals, it is not going to hold you awake at evening [Harris 2021].)

Every thing caffeine does properly, it does higher when theacrine is there to help it.

SUMMARY

PreRace contains TeaCrine® theacrine to bolster caffeine results and decrease undesirable negative effects, including to the clinically studied enhancements in endurance train efficiency from every of the opposite components.

Theacrine gives a brand new dimension for sustaining and increasing psychological and bodily efficiency in endurance occasions by way of an additive impact with caffeine, whereas introducing two new mechanisms of motion – a dopamine neurotransmitter enhance (for higher psychological drive, focus, focus, and decision-making) and the promise of a brand new consider restoration and stopping muscle injury by way of sirtuin activation.

REFERENCES

Bello ML, Walker AJ, McFadden BA, Sanders DJ, Arent SM. The results of TeaCrine® and caffeine on endurance and cognitive efficiency throughout a simulated match in high-level soccer gamers. J Int Soc Sports activities Nutr. 2019 Dec;16:1-0.

Cintineo HP, Bello ML, Chandler AJ, Cardaci TD, McFadden BA, Arent SM. Results of caffeine, methylliberine, and theacrine on vigilance, marksmanship, and hemodynamic responses in tactical personnel: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports activities Nutr. 2022 Dec31;19(1):543-64.

Duan WJ, Liang L, Pan MH, Lu DH, Wang TM, Li SB, Zhong HB, Yang XJ, Cheng Y, Liu B, Li WX. Theacrine, a purine alkaloid from kucha, protects towards Parkinson’s illness by SIRT3 activation. Phytomedicine. 2020 Oct1;77:153281.

Evans C, Antonio J, Khan A, Vanderkley A, Berrocales M, Rojas J, Sakaria S, Petruzzelli J, Santana JC, Curtis J, Ricci T. A mix of caffeine, teacrine, and dynamine improves the neurophysiological and efficiency measures of digital (E)-gamers. Cureus. 2023 Aug;15(8).

Feduccia AA, Wang Y, Simms JA, Henry YY, Li R, Bjeldanes L, Ye C, Bartlett SE. Locomotor activation by theacrine, a purine alkaloid structurally just like caffeine: involvement of adenosine and dopamine receptors. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2012 Aug1;102(2):241-8.

Harris D, Machek S. Theacrine as a possible caffeine various for enhanced ergogenic and cognitive efficiency in athletes: a name to motion and temporary evaluation. J Exer Nutr. 2021 Jul9;4(3).1-9.

Hellenbrand J, Bloomer RJ, Van der Merwe M. The Impact of Quick-Time period NAD3® Supplementation on Circulating Grownup Stem Cells in Wholesome People Aged 40-70 Years. Cureus. 2024 Mar;16(3).

Lopez HL, Wells S, Ziegenfuss TN, inventors; ORTHO-NUTRA LLC, assignee. Theacrine-based complement and methodology of use thereof in a synergistic mixture with caffeine. United States patent US 10,398,701. 2019 Sep3.

Mumford PW, Osburn SC, Fox CD, Godwin JS, Roberts MD. A theacrine-based complement will increase mobile NAD+ ranges and impacts biomarkers associated to sirtuin exercise in C2C12 muscle cells in vitro. Vitamins. 2020 Dec 3;12(12):3727.

Mumford P, Osburn S, Roberts MD. The Results of a Theacrine-based Complement on mRNAs Associated to Numerous Metabolic Processes and Sirtuin Exercise in vitro. Res Sq.. 2020 Aug4;PPR196221. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-51095/v1 

Qin DD, Wang QS, Li HJ, Fang KX, Jiang XH, Pan CD, Wang Q, Li B, Wu HL. Progress in analysis on Camellia kucha (Chang et Wang) Chang and its particular constituent theacrine. Meals Sci. 2021;42(13):353-9.

Raub B, Cesaro Ok, Carney M, Kersick C, Sandrock J. Methylliberine (DynamineTM) and theacrine (TeaCrine®) enlarge indices of cognitive have an effect on when mixed with espresso. J Int Soc Sports activities Nutr. 2020;17(Suppl 2):59, A1.

Roberts MD, La Monica MB, Raub B, Sandrock JE, Ziegenfuss TN, Smith R, Dwaraka VB, Lopez HL. The Results of a Multi-Ingredient Complement Containing Wasabia Japonica Extract, Theacrine, and Copper (I) Niacin Chelate on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell DNA Methylation, Transcriptomics, and Sirtuin Exercise. Physiologia. 2023 Apr18;3(2):233-46.

Roberts MD, Osburn SC, Godwin JS, Ruple BA, La Monica MB, Raub B, Sandrock JE, Ziegenfuss TN, Lopez HL. Improve trial: results of NAD3® on hallmarks of growing old and medical endpoints of well being in center aged adults: a subset evaluation centered on blood cell NAD+ concentrations and lipid metabolism. Physiologia. 2022 Mar21;2(1):20-31.

Sheng YY, Xiang J, Wang ZS, Jin J, Wang YQ, Li QS, Li D, Fang ZT, Lu JL, Ye JH, Liang YR. Theacrine from Camellia kucha and its well being helpful results. Entrance Nutr. 2020 Dec17;7:596823.

Ziegenfuss TN, Habowski SM, Sandrock JE, Kedia AW, Kerksick CM, Lopez HL. A two-part strategy to look at the results of theacrine (TeaCrine®) supplementation on oxygen consumption, hemodynamic responses, and subjective measures of cognitive and psychometric parameters. J Food regimen Suppl. 2017 Jan2;14(1):9-24.