Staminex page

Staminex is a performance-enhancing supplement for racing sled dogs. It is a syrup containing L-carnitine, a naturally occurring substance in muscle cells that plays an important role in fat metabolism. Staminex has been formulated to help promote peak physical performance in working and sporting dogs (especially racing sled dogs). L-carnitine enhances the transport of long-chain fatty acids into cell mitochondria, where they can be converted into useable energy, and thus slows down the rate of muscle glycogen burn. Staminex also prevents lactic acid build up in muscles. This in turn allows the dog to maintain peak performance in the latter stages of a race.

The L-carnitin used in Staminex is a natural form (as opposed to synthetic D-carnitine, D,L carnitine, Carnitine HCl or Carnitine Hydrochloride used by other manufacturers of similar products)*. In addition to L-carnitin, Staminex also contains selected herbs that will help to ensure the flexibility of blood vessels in muscles, reducing their susceptibility to injury during physical stress.

Dogs bred for sporting purposes, e.g. greyhounds and sled dogs, require large amounts of L-carnitine. Because of the constant degree of vigilance expected of them, watch dogs, sheep dogs, and hunting dogs also have a high requirement for L-carnitine, and therefore their feed should be appropriately supplemented. L-carnitine should also be supplemented to dogs with heart problems.

EFFECTS OF STAMINEX (an L-carnitine supplement):

- It promotes the development of fetuses (e.g. lung maturation) and neonates.

- It increases L-carnitine levels in the milk of lactating dogs.

- It reduces fat deposition in the tissues.

- It helps convert fatty acids to energy.

- It increases the stamina of greyhounds and sled dogs.

- IT lowers lactic acid production due to muscle work.

- It reduces muscle degeneration and protects the cell membranes during muscle work.

- It shortens the recovery period after intensive exercise.

- It promotes immune competence.

- It supports liver metabolism and skeletal and heart muscle activity.

- It promotes spermatogenesis (sperm number, motility and volume of seminal plasma).

Staminex is the most economical L-carnitine supplement on the market formulated for the use in racing sled dogs. It comes in a liquid form, which is very easily absorbed (unlike pills). 500 ml (16 oz.) bottle contains 111 individual doses. The price per bottle is $49 and the price per dose is $0.44 per dog/day. The individual dose should be doubled during a race.

MORE L- CARNITINE INFO:

L-carnitine acts as a natural essential co-factor in animal energy metabolism. Without L-carntine, animals cannot break down long–chain fatty acids or utilize them for energy generation. L-carnitine also performs numerous other metabolic functions. Feeding trails have shown that a shortage of L-carnitine has adverse effects on performance of animals.

L-carnitine occurs naturally in most feedstuffs in varying amounts. Feedstuffs of vegetable origin normally contain very little L-carnitine (for example grain based dog foods). Protein of animal origin (muscle tissue, blood meal, fish meal, liver, etc.), and diary products are rich in L-carnitine. On the other hand, fats of plant or animal origin do not contain L-carnitine.

Additional intake of L-carnitine is needed in those cases:

- Neonates (biosynthesis not fully developed)

- Conditions of stress

- Higher performance

- Conditions of sustained exertion (racing and sport animals)

- Diets low in L-carnitine

- Diets rich in fat

*L-CARNITINE VERSUS D-CARNITINE:

Carnitine is chemically available in both the D- and the L-form. In nature, carnitine occurs only in the L-form. Only the L-form is of importance for human and animal nutrition. Studies have shown that the D-form inhibits the effect of L-carnitine and that it may even be harmful in large doses. The D-form inactivates the enzyme carnitine acyl-translocase, which is responsible for the transport of fatty acids through the mitochondrial membrane. As a result, the body has an energy deficit. The effect of D- and L-carnitine on the contraction force of the musculus latissimus dorsi was studied in dogs. L-carnitine improved muscle performance by 30%. Under D-carnitine supplementation performance dropped about 15% (compared with the original levels).

So far the largest studies of the effect of L-carnitine in sled dogs had been done by Grandjean and Paragon (1987, 1993).