Anything to reduce WO nausea?

Revok · 03-13-2007, 06:53 PM

I've been on a 20 rep squat routine for almost two weeks now and it's beginning to get pretty damn challenging - not only because of the rapid poundage increases, but because every session I'm plagued by nausea.

I've been lifting hard for years and I have decent cardio. I also eat clean, stay hydrated throughout the day and during my workout (w/ just plain water) and have experimented every which way with peri-workout meals. I know 20 reppers are supposed to be arse-kicking brutality, but the strange nausea is getting annoying and I think it will soon start impeding my performance.

Is there anything I can take, or any tips or tricks I can use to suppress the nausea?

**MikeMartial** · 03-13-2007, 08:06 PM

I'm only suggesting this because you are an experienced athlete. For most guys, this would be counter-productive.

NaHCO3. I can sell you some, but it'll cost you, and I have to disguise it in the mail....

Seriously, try some sodium bicarb, aka baking soda. There's a few things floating around on it, and for something like 20 rep hell programs, it just may do the trick to buffer that excess lactic acid.

I dug up some interesting stuff on it about a year ago( which, of course, I can no longer find), but never got around to actually supplementing with it.

oyaji poi · 03-13-2007, 11:53 PM

T-Nation and Chad Waterbury have been pimping this Beta 7 stuff. Chad recommended it in some of his recent MMA articles on conditioning.

In that link there, they talk about baking soda. Of course they say it only "may" work, but the Beta 7 stuff "can" work.

And it's ONLY $47.99 (plus shipping and handling) for a one month supply!!

Let us know how it goes eh!

Seriously though, I have yet to hear of anyone taking this stuff, so if you do have 50 bones sitting around collecting dust and you decide to spend it on this, let us know how you feel.

Revok · 03-14-2007, 12:41 AM

Hmm, I just might be driven to that if it gets any worse. My gym sessions are only 30 minutes on this program, but five minutes after the squats something seems to go haywire in my body chemistry and I feel fucking awful.

I've read a bit about baking soda and it sounds good, but didn't I heard it can give you the shits? Last thing I need on this program is laxity in my nethers.

erco · 03-14-2007, 01:01 AM

Are you getting nauseous during your workout or after your workouts? What sorta peri-workout nutrition have you tried?

EDIT:

Changed my fob-y grammar.

Revok · 03-14-2007, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erco

Are you getting nauseous during your workout or after your workouts? What sorta peri-workout nutrition have you tried?

EDIT:

Changed my fob-y grammar.

Early each session. I'm following this program at present. I'm pretty much screwed up by the end of the first compiund set, even though I've been doing chins/dips/decline situps for years they've never felt this much of a grind. It must be down to the squats - some massive lactose dump screwing me up a few minutes afterwards.

I know it's not a blood-sugar or hydration problem from experimenting with my eating schedule. I'll spruce up my usual water drink a bit and read up on baking soda if it continues over the next few sessions.

Sledge Hammer · 03-14-2007, 11:03 AM

Baking soda was discussed a few weeks ago. Fat_Wilhelm specifically asked about "soda loading" before a strong man comp. Ultimately he concluded he would not attempt to soda load before the comp, but he may be experimenting now. Shoot him a PM. I'd be interested in knowing if he experienced any of the side effects that were rumored.

Found the thread:
Soda Loading

erco · 03-14-2007, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revok

Early each session. I'm following this program at present. I'm pretty much screwed up by the end of the first compiund set, even though I've been doing chins/dips/decline situps for years they've never felt this much of a grind. It must be down to the squats - some massive lactose dump screwing me up a few minutes afterwards.

I know it's not a blood-sugar or hydration problem from experimenting with my eating schedule. I'll spruce up my usual water drink a bit and read up on baking soda if it continues over the next few sessions.

Lactose dump? You mean lactic acid, right?

Either way, Lactic Acid actually works to buffer your blood pH, as wonky as that sounds. You got insurance? If so, try asking a doctor =/

**MikeMartial** · 03-14-2007, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erco

Either way, Lactic Acid actually works to buffer your blood pH, as wonky as that sounds.

I've never heard of lactic acid as part of any buffering system, but it looks like it's not the culprit that causes acidosis, as I was taught. I had read something like this a while back, but dismissed it as BS.

"Contrary to popular belief, this increased concentration of lactate does not directly cause acidosis, nor is it responsible for delayed onset muscle sorness. This is because lactate itself is not capable of releasing a proton, and secondly, the acidic form of lactate, lactic acid, cannot be formed under normal circumstances in human tissues. Analysis of the glycolytic pathway in humans indicates that there are not enough hydrogen ions present in the glycolytic intermediates to produce lactic or any other acid.

The acidosis that is associated with increases in lactate concentration during heavy exercise arises from a separate reaction. When ATP is hydrolysed, a hydrogen ion is released. ATP-derived hydrogen ions are primarily responsible for the decrease in pH. During intense exercise, aerobic metabolism cannot produce ATP quickly enough to supply the demands of the muscle. As a result, anaerobic metabolism becomes the dominant energy producing pathway as it can form ATP at high rates. Due to the large amounts of ATP being produced and hydrolysed in a short period of time, the buffering systems of the tissues are overcome, causing pH to fall and creating a state of acidosis. This may be one factor, among many, that contributes to the acute muscular discomfort experienced shortly after intense exercise."

Nice find on the thread, Sledge! I totally missed that one. You should try that bicarb out, Revok (in small doses at first, though), and let us know how it goes!

erco · 03-14-2007, 01:42 PM

Hrm, I screwed up and wrote lactic acid, I meant lactate.

Lactate = good

Bear with me, it's been a few years since 2nd year Biochem, but lactic acid is made from pyruvic acid, which is a byproduct of glycolysis. Lactic Acid then combines with NADH to form Lactate and NAD+, which is then used for further glyoclysis and junk. Christ, it's been a long time, so don't ask me for the exact chemistry behind it.