In this article we take a look at the performance benefits of the ingredient ElevATP® which is a blend of ancient peat and apple fruit extracts.

By Dr. Adam M. Gonzalez
SHIFTED’s Chief Scientific Officer

Key Points:

ATP: The Energy Currency

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) serves as the body’s primary form of chemical energy and is commonly referred to as “the energy currency of the human body” because it provides the free energy to drive various processes including muscle contraction, blood flow, and neurotransmission. 

The body does not store large amounts of ATP as it is continually being broken down and resynthesized via three main energy systems (the phosphocreatine system, the glycolytic system, and the oxidative system). 

One of the primary causes of the onset of fatigue is the inability of the body to keep up with the ATP demands of exercise. Therefore, a nutritional means of boosting ATP should allow for better work output and delay fatigue. 

Increasing ATP supply has also been associated with enhanced blood flow and enhanced anabolic activity in the muscle.  Therefore, dietary supplements with the ability to improve the supply of ATP have great potential for enhancing performance and supporting training gains.  For example, creatine monohydrate primarily functions to boost ATP levels and has consistently shown to increase strength, power, and training adaptations.

ElevATP®: The ATP Booster

ElevATP® is a patented ingredient from FutureCeuticals that consists of a proprietary blend of ancient peat and apple fruit extracts.  It is rich in bio-active compounds including several minerals and polyphenols (8).  These minerals (e.g., iron, copper, manganese, magnesium) help support the mitochondria in producing ATP through a series of enzyme complexes. 

The mitochondria are known as the “powerhouse of the cell” and serve as the primary energy generating organelles.  The polyphenols are also suggested to play an important role in maintaining proper mitochondrial function.  The prestige of this ingredient continues to grow based upon clinical research supporting its ability to raise levels of ATP and improve exercise performance.  Whereas creatine supports ATP production via the phosphagen system, elevATP® seems to support ATP production via the oxidative system.

ElevATP®: The research

The first study on elevATP® was performed in 2013 and showed that a single 150 mg serving caused a 64% increase in blood ATP levels in healthy subjects (8). 

It has been claimed that an increase in ATP production may be associated with an increase of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can compromise cell integrity by inducing oxidative stress and cellular dysfunction.  It is important to note that a secondary finding of this first study was that the increase in blood ATP levels occurred without a concomitant increase in ROS.  Therefore, it is possible that elevATP® increases blood ATP levels in a manner that is independent to ROS production or the bio-active compounds within elevATP® fight off the elevating levels of ROS.  

Next, a second research study confirmed the ability of elevATP® to increase blood ATP levels and also performed a muscle biopsy on one of the research participants to investigate intramuscular ATP levels.  They found that intramuscular ATP levels also significantly increased at 1- and 2-hours following ingestion of elevATP®, indicating that supplementation can indeed increase the “energy currency” in the muscle (9). But, does this increase in ATP in a rested state translate into better performance?  

When taken prior to exercise, just a single 150 mg dose of elevATP® can enhance performance.  The first study investigating the effects of elevATP® on exercise output showed that a single dose can improve exercise performance and calorie burn during a 20-minute stepping protocol in untrained individuals (7). 

ElevATP® can also enhance “gains” when taken regularly.  When combined with a resistance training program, daily supplementation with 150 mg of elevATP® improved measures of muscle hypertrophy (3), along with strength and power adaptations (5).  Adding further support, another study found that when supplementing elevATP® in combination with caffeine during a resistance training program, measures of muscle growth were enhanced (4).

This all sounds great – but is it safe?  Fortunately, these studies also examined clinical safety.  In all three studies that had participants regularly consume elevATP® alongside a resistance training program, no adverse effects were reported.  More importantly, no adverse changes to health markers including blood chemistry profiles were noted. 

Evidence also indicates that elevATP® is an ideal pre workout ingredient.  When part of a pre workout blend of ingredients, elevATP® has been shown to better maintain sprint cycling performance (2), improve bench press velocity (6), and boost cognitive performance (1). 

While several ingredients within the formula could have contributed towards these performance benefits, it is likely that elevATP® works synergistically with other staple pre workout ingredients.  

Elevate your ATP with elevATP®

ElevATP® is a well-researched performance enhancing ingredient that is a perfect addition to a pre workout formula. Due to its role in promoting mitochondrial ATP production, it would be effective for both strength and endurance athletes.  Most compellingly, studies have reported that elevATP® can enhance muscular adaptations to chronic resistance training – an effect that is likely attributed to enhancing exercise output during lifting sessions. 

All research reporting benefits from elevATP® has administered a dosage of 150 milligrams, therefore look for a pre workout product that offers this effective dose. Shifted Maximum Pre Workout includes 150 mg of elevATP® as part of its optimally dosed, science backed formula. 

About the Author

Adam M. Gonzalez is an associate professor in the Department of Allied Health and Kinesiology at Hofstra University.  He earned a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Central Florida in 2015 and holds certifications as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), along with a Certified Sports Nutritionist Certification (CISSN). 

His primary research interests include exercise and nutritional strategies to optimize body composition, maximize health, and enhance adaptations to exercise.  He was also awarded the 2022 Nutritional Research Achievement Award by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

References

1. Daou, M,Sassi JM,Miller MW, and Gonzalez AM. Effects of a multi-ingredient energy supplement on cognitive performance and cerebral-cortical activation. Journal of dietary supplements 16: 129-140, 2019. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29533686/ 

2. Gonzalez, AM,Pinzone AG,Bram J,Salisbury JL,Lee S, and Mangine GT. Effect of Multi-Ingredient Preworkout Supplementation on Repeated Sprint Performance in Recreationally Active Men and Women. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 34: 918-923, 2020.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31913254/

3. Joy, JM,Falcone PH,Vogel RM,Mosman MM,Kim MP, and Moon JR. Supplementation with a proprietary blend of ancient peat and apple extract may improve body composition without affecting hematology in resistance-trained men. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism 40: 1171-1177, 2015. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26489051/ 

4. Joy, JM,Vogel RM,Moon JR,Falcone PH,Mosman MM, and Kim MP. Twelve weeks supplementation with an extended-release caffeine and ATP-enhancing supplement may improve body composition without affecting hematology in resistance-trained men. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 13: 25, 2016. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27293386/ 

5. Joy, JM,Vogel RM,Moon JR,Falcone PH,Mosman MM,Pietrzkowski Z,Reyes T, and Kim MP. Ancient peat and apple extracts supplementation may improve strength and power adaptations in resistance trained men. BMC complementary and alternative medicine 16: 1-9, 2016. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27430755/ 

6. Lane, MT,Byrd MT,Bell Z, and Hurley T. Effects of supplementation of a pre-workout on power maintenance in lower body and upper body tasks in women. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 4: 18, 2019. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33467333/ 

7. Reyes-Izquierdo, T,Nemzer B, and Argumedo R. The Effect of Elevatp™ on Exercise Output: A Single Dose. Blinded, Three-Way Cross-Over Study 1: 2, 2016. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-Effect-of-ElevATPTM-on-Exercise-Output%3A-A-Dose%2C-Reyes-Izquierdo-Nemzer/036768eb3950e89e75d303654877f1ae0dc064bc 

8. Reyes-Izquierdo, T,Nemzer B,Argumedo R,Shu C,Huynh L, and Pietrzkowski Z. Effect of the dietary supplement ElevATP on blood ATP level: An acute pilot clinical study. J Aging Res Clin Practice 2: 178-184, 2013. https://www.balafive.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Reyes-et-al-N960-June-2013.pdf

9. Reyes-Izquierdo, T,Shu C,Argumedo R,Nemzer B, and Pietrzkowski Z. The effect of elevATP™ on whole blood ATP levels: a single dose, crossover clinical study. J Aging Res Clin Practice 3: 56-60, 2014.  https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-effect-of-elevatp™-on-whole-blood-atp-levels%3A-a-Reyes-Izquierdo-Shu/ab0ed4879d4077afd78a88895437e946f4ddd682