GO ENERGY RECOVERY SHAKE
Aaron Shelley, MSS, SSSC, SPN, SSC, CFT, Director of Sports Nutrition
Texas Tech University
Kendra Allred
Texas Tech University
The Go Energy Recovery Shake is very essential in vitamins and minerals. This
shake helps athletes recover successfully after a workout. Vitamins and minerals are
necessary for helping the growth and development of the body and it also contributes to
many metabolic processes. Vitamins and minerals are also required in a number of
reactions involved with exercise and physical activity, such as energy, carbohydrate, fat
and protein metabolism, oxygen transfer and delivery, and tissue repair. Here are the
benefits of each vitamin and mineral that is provided in the Go energy recovery shake to
help with optimal recovery:
Calcium is needed to permit optimal gains in bone mass and density. Calcium also has a
number of metabolic roles in cells in all other tissues. It is required for nerve
transmission and regulation of heart muscle function. Muscle contraction and relaxation,
blood clotting, nerve function, and blood pressure are also functions of calcium. Bone
loss occurs if enough calcium is not consumed in the diet.
Phosphorus is important in bone mineralization. It participates in numerous essential
functions of the body. Adequate phosphorus helps with strong bones and teeth, it is a
buffer in acid-base balance, it helps emulsify and transport fat, and it also helps with the
oxidation of carbohydrates. Phosphorus is required by the muscle cells so that they can
utilize ATP for immediate energy production.
Magnesium helps with the development of bones and teeth, helps transmit nerve
impulses, helps with muscle contraction, and it activates enzymes needed for energy. It
is also necessary to allow carbohydrates to break down ATP. A deficiency in magnesium
could cause weakness.
Vitamin A helps with healthy bones and hormone synthesis. It also reduces the risk of
acquiring infections in the lungs, eyes, and kidneys. A deficiency in vitamin A could
cause poor bone growth.
Vitamin D is considered both a hormone and a vitamin and contributes to strong bones.
Vitamin A deficiency causes softening of bones in adults and bone fractures.
Vitamin K helps prevent blood clotting. A deficiency causes hemorrhaging (bleeding
problems).
Vitamin E is an antioxidant and necessary to maintain cellular health. Vitamin E is
important in protecting against conditions related to oxidative stress, such as aging, air
pollution, arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, cataracts, diabetes, and infection. A
deficiency will cause anemia, weakness, and the cells of the body, including muscle
tissue, to deteriorate.
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Thiamin is used in energy metabolism. Nerves, tissue, and muscles depend on thiamin. A
deficiency in thiamin could cause edema, heart damage, weakness, and confusion.
Riboflavin is used in energy metabolism.
Vitamin B6 is used in amino acids and fatty acid metabolism, it helps form red blood
cells, and helps provide a healthy nervous system. A deficiency in vitamin B6 could
cause anemia, convulsions, and muscle twitching.
Vitamin B12 helps form new cells and a healthy nervous system. A deficiency in vitamin
B12 could cause anemia and fatigue.
Biotin is used in energy and amino acid metabolism, and breakdown and synthesis of fat.
A deficiency in biotin could cause fatigue, loss of appetite, and muscle pain.
Pantothenic acid is used in energy metabolism and a deficiency could cause fatigue and
vomiting.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps with wound healing and it strengthens resistance to
infection. A deficiency vitamin C could cause anemia, infections, muscle pain, and joint
pain.
Niacin is used in energy metabolism; nervous system and digestive system. A deficiency
causes weakness, dizziness, loss of appetite, and confusion.
Iron helps produce hemoglobin, which carries oxygen from the lungs to the muscle cells.
A deficiency in iron causes anemia, infections, weakness, fatigue, and the body can't
regulate body temperature.
Selenium works with vitamin E. It is also essential for normal functioning of the immune
system and thyroid gland.
Chromium is associated with the hormone insulin that is needed for release of energy
from glucose. If the body doesn’t receive enough chromium it could cause an inability to
properly use glucose.
Iodine helps with the production of the thyroid hormone, which are necessary for
maintaining normal metabolism in all cells of the body.
Zinc activates enzymes for important functions and helps with the production of insulin.
It is also responsible for many cellular reactions, including the digestion of proteins.
Deficiency of zinc could vomiting, weakness, and delay in wound healing.
Manganese works with enzymes to help with many cell processes. It is an antioxidant
nutrient; important in the blood breakdown of amino acids and the production of energy;
necessary for the metabolism of Vitamin B-1 & Vitamin E; activates various enzymes
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which are important for proper digestion & utilization of foods; is a catalyst in the
breakdown of fats & cholesterol; helps nourish the nerves and brain; necessary for
normal skeletal development and maintains sex hormone production.
Molybdenum contributes to the working part of several enzymes, which help with many
cell processes.
Folic Acid is necessary for production and maintenance of new cells. A deficiency could
cause anemia, infections, confusion and weakness.
Proteins promotes growth, maintenance, and repairs body tissues; supports the immune
functions in the body; and synthesis of enzymes and hormones. They are also used for
energy production when glycogen levels are depleted.
Cholesterol is an important part of a healthy body because it's used to form cell
membranes, some hormones and serve other needed bodily functions.
Sodium aids in the conduction of nerve impulses and the control of muscle contraction.
Potassium is involved in maintaining normal water balance and acid-base balance. It is
important in the regulation of neuromuscular activity.
Carbohydrates provide fuel for the body and it is the fuel the body prefers. They replenish
glycogen stores and are the preferred fuel for the brain/body. Stamina, power and
endurance are dependent on adequate carbohydrates in the diet.
Fiber will help promote regular bowel movements — but not too much fiber or you'll
have the opposite problem.
Go is a protein and carbohydrate recovery shake. It is a combination of 65%
simple and complex carbohydrates, 25% milk protein (casinate and whey) and 10% fat.
Go is fortified with over than 25 vitamins and minerals. It is also lactose free and low in
fat, so it is quickly absorbed for energy and increases recovery. Because it is lactose free
it’s easily digested and gentle on the stomach. Go provides energy, muscle recovery,
weight loss/gain, and is also a nutritional supplement. Go provides simple carbohydrates
for quick energy and complex carbohydrates for sustained energy. Go can also be used
as a meal replacement for weight loss or it can be used to maintain and increase weight
gain.
Go is unique in that it begins with wholesome, lactose free, low-fat milk. For a
naturally steady flow of energy, the shake provides carbohydrates. For recovery, Go
provides a balance of carbohydrates and proteins needed for greater glycogen synthesis
and fast muscle recovery.
Go can be taken at different times to increase performance. If taken before
exercise, take it 45 minutes before activity. It helps the athlete train longer and harder. If
taken immediately after exercise, it provides muscles with a faster recovery. Also after
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exercise, Go restores depleted glycogen and provides the nine essential amino acids
needed to repair tired, overworked muscles within the critical one hour post-exercise.
If you an athlete, a busy parent, or just have an active lifestyle, Go is very
beneficial in providing a balanced nutrition for someone on the run. Go can also be used
as a healthy snack to help curb the appetite instead of junk foods.
References:
Go Energy Recovery Shake. http://www.go-energy-recovery.com/index.cfm. November
13, 2003.
Mahan, Kathleen L. and Stump-Escott, Sylvia. Krause’s Food, Nutrition, and Diet
Therapy. Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, 2000.
Rosenbloom, Christine A., Ph.D. RD. Sports Nutrition. The American Dietetic
Association. Illinois: Chicago, 2000.
“Vitamins and Minerals.” West Virginia Dietetic Association.
http://www.wvda.org/nutrient/. November 17, 2003.
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