#078: Dr. Ralf Jaeger - ATP for Nitric Oxide, Blood Flow, & Performance

Jan 11, 2023

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Show notes posted at https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/dr-ralf-jaeger-atp-078

On December 28, 2022, we had the honor of hosting Dr. Ralf Jaeger to the PricePlow Podcast. For Episode #078, we dove into all things ATP — adenosine triphosphate — and how supplementing more with Peak ATP (sold and distributed by TSI Group) can improve workout performance — but not in the way most individuals expect.

Dr. Ralf Jaeger: Using Peak ATP to improve blood flow

Peak ATP provides exogenous ATP as a disodium ATP salt, which is the most stable form. While many think of ATP as the “energy currency” of all living cells, it’s also a signaling molecule. When supplementing, its real effects take advantage of that mechanism: Dr. Jaeger explains that ATP signals greater nitric oxide release, thereby improving blood flow.

This is especially helpful to take before intense exercise, as ATP stores get used up quickly and the body needs to generate more. Low ATP levels means low performance.

At the end. Dr. Jaeger also teases some new research coming up that we’re extremely excited about, and will follow on PricePlow.

It’s all discussed in the video and audio feeds below – but first subscribe to the PricePlow Podcast on your favorite podcast platform:

(0:12) – Introductions
(2:38) – What is ATP?
(4:46) – Where is ATP stored?
(7:10) – The benefits of ATP supplementation
(8:50) – Peak ATP – How much supplemental ATP is beneficial?
(10:05) – Limitations of our ATP stores
(11:50) – ATP’s effect on blood flow
(14:08) – Peak ATP and Citrulline: Complementary?
(17:45) – Peak ATP Dose Range Testing
(18:25) – Not over encumbering the muscle
(20:20) – ATP’s effects on recovery and pain reduction
(24:55) – What stacks well with ATP?
(27:25) – How controlled are these studies in terms of diet, progression, etc.?
(31:45) – NAD+ precursors and their “spending” of ATP
(34:50) – Upcoming studies / events from Dr. Jaeger

A note regarding ATP and calcium release

Around the 8-minute mark in this episode, Dr. Jaeger mentioned that ATP increases calcium release, which aids in muscle contraction. We didn’t dive any deeper, but later asked for some supporting references when writing these show notes.

He provided two studies, adding the following:

Under conditions of fatigue oxygen availability and calcium release may decline in skeletal muscle. When this occurs red blood cells respond by releasing ATP into the blood, which triggers vasodilation, localized blood flow, enhanced nutrient uptake, and sustained muscle excitability by increasing extracellular uptake of calcium.

— Dr. Ralf Jaeger (via email)

He added that 50% decrease in calcium release = 80% reduced force, which comes from the second of those two studies provided (see Figure 5).

Closing up: ATP is more than energy

We’d like to thank Dr. Ralf for coming on, and to TSI Group for connecting us and funding his time and this episode.

In summary, the point here is that ATP is often discussed in the context of cellular energy but not as much in terms of signaling. And it turns out that its role in signaling for greater nitric oxide during exercise is potentially more relevant to our user base (sports nutrition researchers and performance athletes).

Because of what we’ve learned, we believe that Peak ATP belongs in more nitric oxide supplements. It’s great in any pre-workout sup…