Supplement Godfather

Q. With the Lance Armstrong doping scandal, it seems like all top cyclists and MMA fighters are jacked up on EPO. What is EPO and does it have any applications for other sports? Can it help with fat loss in any way?

A. EPO, or erythropoietin, is one of the increasingly popular performance-enhancing drugs used by athletes. Essentially, it’s a naturally occurring hormone secreted by the kidneys with the simple function of regulating red blood cell production. Athletes, however, have been injecting it directly into their bodies as a means of gaining an edge in performance. So, how exactly does EPO work? Well, the idea is that EPO will stimulate bone marrow to produce more red blood cells, and consequently more hemoglobin, which makes the blood oxygen-rich. As muscles then receive this oxygen-rich blood, aerobic respiration rates increase. What this means is that athletes can work to a higher level without having to switch to their anaerobic systems, which are associated with the buildup of lactic acid, fatigue, and muscle failure.

Athletes and trainers have realized that EPO can be very useful, especially for endurance sports like cycling, mixed martial arts (MMA), hockey, basketball, boxing, long-distance running, and so on. In fact, one study shows how increased EPO is directly related to motivating sedentary individuals to exercise! Imagine what this effect would do to professional athletes who are already motivated.

When it comes to fat loss, some studies show that increasing oxygen-rich blood transport also works to strengthen the oxidative capacity of the mitochondria, therefore, increasing fat loss. The studies also prove, however, that these positive effects are only noticed in test subjects that are already performing
at professional or near-professional levels and don’t have a significant effect on sedentary individuals.

There are a few natural supplements that have been shown to increase EPO, at least to a certain degree. Some of the more popular EPO-boosting supplements include Astragalus membranaceus (huáng qí in Chinese), arachidonic acid, betaine, vitamin B6 and B12, echinacea, cobalt, arginine, and niacin.