The athlete’s body as chemistry experiment

My wife thought I was crazy. I looked forward to turning 40! Motive? To be a Masters athlete.

By Jimson Lee

As a sprinter in college, I ran times of 10.92 in the 100 meters, 21.98 in the 200 meters and 48.36 in the 400 meters. My question: Could I beat my own college times as a “geezer”?

As a 42-year old athlete my biggest challenge is workout recovery. I rely on nutrition and supplements to help my recovery time. With a degree in physiology and biochemistry, I have expertise in this field. I also worked as a DNA forensic technologist at Canada’s National Police Force.

These days, my post-workout shake is my core supplement. It fuels my muscles right after the workout. After lots of experimenting I tried Proglycosyn from SNAC Systems.

For me, it’s the most complete ready-made product that satisfies many aspects I researched over the years. First, it contains whey protein isolates, providing a higher protein per serving ratio than ordinary whey.

Second, it has a 1:1 protein to carbohydrate ratio. The body needs carbs to fuel its muscles and protein to repair muscle tissue. Carbs also trigger an insulin response to help in the uptake of amino acids, the building blocks of protein.

Third, Proglycosyn contains glutamine. This essential amino acid contributes to protein synthesis, enhances muscle growth and prevents muscle tissue breakdown. Fourth, it contains creatine for extra short-term energy. Creatine helps recycle the muscle’s ultimate energy source, adenosine triphosphate. ATP is the molecule that releases the energy for contraction of muscles.

If creatine and glutamine are supplemented together, then glutamine can pick up where creatine “leaves off,” signaling the growth and repair process. Creatine may be controversial, but it occurs naturally in the body. Supplements just add to the body’s store of creatine. For me, Proglycosyn is not only the most complete product, it also tastes great. It’s portable, too. I carry the powder in my workout bag to mix it with water after my workout.

On the downside, I find Proglycosyn’s $2.30 per serving cost to be pricey. Additionally, the product’s maker, SNAC, is a subsidiary of BALCO, the controversial firm linked to recent steroids-in-sports scandals.

I like the results. In 2003, when I hit 40, I ran 52.4 in the 400 meters. This year I’m aiming to make that great Masters comeback. I have to get back to training, so off I go.

Jimson Lee is a Masters sprinter based in Vancouver, B.C. He can be reached at jimson@speedendurance.com