It’s well established that exercising at higher altitudes allows athletes to maximize their training benefits. Since 1968, nearly 95% of Olympic medals from endurance events were awarded to athletes who spent substantial time training at high altitudes. Training at high altitudes where oxygen is scarce forces the lungs and heart to work harder, ultimately making them more efficient when returning to normal altitudes.
Enter Altitude Boost. This drug-free training supplement aims to mimic the experience of high-altitude training to improve overall aerobic capacity. Altitude Boost markets itself as a way to gain the benefits of high-altitude training without having to head to the mountains.
A few things first: Since Altitude Boost is labeled as a “dietary supplement” rather than a drug, the creators can make various claims about its capabilities without providing evidence. Today we’re examining Altitude Boost to see if it lives up to the hype.
Altitude Boost: Overview
Altitude Boost is an exercise supplement designed to mimic the effects of cardio training at high altitudes. The product claims to boost energy and stamina, expand lung capacity, enhance mental performance, delay muscle fatigue, and improve training load and recovery. That’s a substantial list of claims, and it’s difficult to believe a single supplement could deliver all these benefits.
As with every dietary supplement, there’s a disclaimer at the bottom specifying that none of their claims have been evaluated by the FDA, so take these assertions with skepticism. The manufacturer recommends taking 2 tablets daily with a meal and maintaining consistency for maximum effect.
Altitude Boost contains various ingredients and has received endorsements from world-class athletes, including Todd Parker, a renowned cyclist and triathlete.
Who Makes Altitude Boost?
Altitude Boost is manufactured by BRL Sports Nutrition, an offshoot of Biomedical Research Laboratories, a global nutrition company founded in 2008 by bioengineers from UCSD. BRL Sports Nutrition has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies for three consecutive years. BRL says it’s dedicated to providing products that naturally enhance endurance and performance during exercise.
BRL claims that all their product formulations are clinically proven to work and that all products are 100% drug-free, allowing athletes to use them without fear of failing drug tests. Unfortunately, we couldn’t locate links to these supposed studies.
Moreover, many of the provided studies for each ingredient don’t actually support what the manufacturers claim. For example, their webpage states that choline in the blend “improves blood flow,” but the linked study only mentions that choline can decrease sodium concentrations in plasma and alter red blood cell membrane properties. The issue is that many of these ingredient descriptions are so broad and vague that virtually any study can be twisted to support the claims. This doesn’t necessarily mean Altitude Boost doesn’t work, but it’s worth noting.
How Does Altitude Boost Work?
Altitude Boost allegedly works by stimulating the production of hemoglobin and hematocrit. The website claims it mimics the effects of high-altitude training, though exactly how remains unclear. The presumed benefit of high-altitude training is that it forces the body to produce more red blood cells while strengthening the lungs and heart muscles. Altitude Boost also claims to help the body absorb more iron so hemoglobin carries oxygen more efficiently.
Again, while their claims sound promising, the supporting research is limited and thin. If Altitude Boost can actually increase red blood cell production, then it stands to reason that it’s at least minimally effective. However, there’s a notable lack of evidence regarding the product itself.
Ingredients in Altitude Boost
Altitude Boost contains numerous ingredients, so we’ll focus on the major ones here.
- Choline: Choline works mainly to create fats that makeup part of cell membranes. Too much choline can be dangerous though.
- Boron: Boron in the diet is believed to increase blood lymphocyte levels and regulate plasma composition, making blood flow easier.
- Lutein & Lycopene: Both lutein and lycopene are antioxidants found in fruits in vegetables like tomatoes and broccoli. Both have been shown to reduce inflammation
- N-acetyl cysteine (NAC): NAC stimulates the production of red blood cells by acting as a bio-signaling molecule.
- Folate: Folate has been shown to assist in the production of red blood cells.
Safety and Side Effects
All BRL’s nutritional supplements are legal for sporting events and they claim no side effects occur. Some users report experiencing slight nausea or an upset stomach, particularly when taken on an empty stomach. Some users also report that the vitamins can deteriorate quickly.
Where to Buy and Cost
You can purchase Altitude Boost directly from the company’s website or from third-party online retailers like Amazon. You can also buy Altitude Boost from select physical retailers that you can locate using their store locator. A single bottle 30-day supply costs $54.95.
Altitude Boost: Is it Worth It?
Honestly, it’s difficult to determine. With so many claimed effects, Altitude Boost is challenging to evaluate comprehensively. Furthermore, it’s unclear whether positive customer reviews and claimed benefits result from the product actually working or from a placebo effect. It’s also quite expensive for a 30-day supply.
