supplements to help recover.

[Derek Broussard]

As a Cirque performer, our performing schedule can be pretty intense. Doing breath holds 9 times a week really caught up to me after I got to Bogotas elevation. ( 3,000 meters or 9,000ft) . It took me almost 2 weeks to recover.

Since then I took an interest in not getting to that point. I found that Apnea causes a lot of stress in your blood. ( decrease in hemoglobin, plasma, free radicals etc). As a guy most of our daily vitamin don't offer Iron or enough B vitamins. I ended up finding a product called Vitamin Code: Healthy blood. It carries Iron, Vitamin C ( to help the absorption of iron) B-6, folate, and B-12. I take at least one a day, and on two show days I've been taking 2.

42635

Fast foward.

I've now performed in Guadalajara (1,570Meters) and Mexico city (2,250meters or 7,381ft) . And have felt pretty good. Nothing compared to the misery I felt in Bogota.

[AniaR]

I have a metabolic disorder and I can't take any B supplements :(

I take D drops, and I take collagen, and more than average calcium and magnesium because my body wastes it too quickly. I also find taking kelp supplements helps deal with chlorine (cuz I'm in it a lot)

I've actually found that drinking meal supplements before cold gigs helps me a lot, and after any gig I always drink an electrolyte drink and take a magnesium bath.

Sean my merwrangler finds createne makes a huge difference for him.

[Derek Broussard]

I'll try the kelp!

Creatine...HMMMM... I guess it depends on what your goals are. Creatine helps with muscle contractions, and has been shown to help swimmers. However Creatine does have a negative effect on breath holds.

*edit*
Creatine helps with ATP production. I found this information
"This is part two of the ‘muscle metabolism’ article series. In part one (link) we have analysed human muscle metabolism, how muscles are supplied with oxygen, and how they store fuel. We learned that muscles store fuel in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and CP (creatine phosphate). These fuels are metabolized without using O2 or producing CO2. Muscles are supplied oxygen from the lungs through the bloodstream and through myoglobin. Slow twitch muscle fibers (those that you engage while walking around) contain more myoglobin. However, human muscle contains limited amounts of myoglobin compared to freediving mammals. Fast twitch muscle fibers (those you use during strenuous exercise) contain more high energy phosphates (ATP and CP).We also analysed the metabolic pathways in muscle. Aerobic glycolysis is slow but is the most efficient metabolic pathway. It generates 34 ATP molecules out of one glucose molecule. Anaerobic glycolysis produces lactate and generates only 2 ATP molecules out of one glucose molecule. Because the reaction occurs faster more energy can be liberated quickly. This process can be dominant for a maximum of 75 – 120 seconds. Anaerobic alactic metabolism uses only high energy phosphates (ATP and CP) present in muscle and can be dominant for about 5 – 15 seconds."
https://www.freedivewire.com/muscle-metabolism-freediving/

For this reason I don't believe Creatine would help Mermaiding or Apnea at all.

[AniaR]

Sean is my merwrangler, so not mermaiding of apnea ;)

[Mermaid Alea]

Not sure if this will help or not, but Adam Freediver on Youtube just recently posted a video titled "Diet for Freediving". Not only does he mention what food he eats but he also covers supplements and provides links to learn more. I think he covered the topic really well.

Also, if you leave a comment he will usually reply quickly so if you have a question he will most likely answer it.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx-XelrhFe0

[AniaR]

I love Adam!

[Derek Broussard]

Adam Is awesome. I got to meet him during the freediving World Championships. He's pretty much that awesome in real life too. I've heard people call him " the Robin Hood of freediving" as he gives free freediving and instructor courses in countries that often wouldn't afford it. A diver who just loves the water and sharing his passion.

The video is interesting.
one point I disagree is the breakfast. With Doing apnea everyday I have had a lot of chance to play with how long I fast before my act. Research has shown that eating 1.5 hours before a max static attempt reduced the total static time by 23%. For me I need a full 6-8 hour fast with a nap before I dive. The other apnea specialist in the show needs a minimum of 4 hours. However, on 2 show days where we only have 1.5 hours between shows, I will have 2 bananas. Bananas and most fruits do digest within 2 hours.

The great thing about going to the world championships was seeing everyones approach to pre dives. We had three different times for trainings: early morning, mid morning and early afternoon. The divers had an infinite combination of what they preferred; early morning with no breakfast, afternoon with oats, etc. There is science to nutrition and freediving, and then there is what works for an individual. It's important to take the time and learn what works for you.

[AniaR]

this is really interesting stuff, I'd love to interview you sometime for both a podcast and my vlogs. I wonder if I can record skype....

[Derek Broussard]

this is really interesting stuff, I'd love to interview you sometime for both a podcast and my vlogs. I wonder if I can record skype....

That would be really fun :)

[Mermaid Alea]

Yes I hope the two of you can do something like that!