Two human studies conducted by TSI Group have exhibited the potential of its active nutrition ingredient, PEAK ATP, in boosting protein bioavailability.
Presented at the American Society for Nutrition's annual meeting, the results have uncovered the role of the nutraceutical in enhancing dietary amino acid uptake — unlocking greater protein utilisation.
According to TSI Group, these findings can open up a range of new opportunities for formulators in the sports nutrition/recovery, healthy ageing and malnutrition support niches.
PEAK ATP is a patented synthetic form of ATP that's identical instructure to the ATP produced by the body.
Active as a non-stimulant yet highly bioavailable energy source for the body, the ingredient has been shown to boost muscle power output, while improving blood flow.
PEAK ATP boosts building block availability
Amino acids, commonly known as the 'building blocks' that make proteins, require both ATP and specialist transport proteins to make their way through the digestive system.
Therefore, TSI Group theorised that PEAK ATP could enhance the absorption of these key molecules, allowing users to better utilise dietary proteins.
To test this hypothesis, the company performed two randomised, double-blind human clinical studies which looked at how PEAK ATP could impact amino acid absorption.
For the first study, older adults were given a 20g pea protein beverage, while the second study involved young adults, who were instead given 20g of whey protein.
Both studies involved two seven-day supplementation protocols with 400mg of PEAK ATP daily, separated by a two-week washout period.
Blood samples were drawn before supplementation and at 15 minute intervals during a four hour period.
During both studies, researchers found that supplementation with PEAK ATP resulted in a significant increase in plasma amino acid concentrations — suggesting that dietary protein was more bioavailable to the participants.
This was observed for blood levels of total amino acids and several individual amino acids.
In the younger cohort, supplementation with PEAK ATP also enhanced the prevalence of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) in the blood when paired with a whey protein beverage.
“The effect was seen with both whey and plant proteins, which broadens the application possibilities,” noted VP of TSI's Innovative Products Division, Shawn Baier.
"Results of this study highlight PEAK ATP's potential in a wide range of demographics," he added. This includes:
- Athletes: PEAK ATP can promote greater amino acid availability during the post-exercise period, supporting faster muscle recovery
- Older adults: The nutraceutical can be used as a healthy ageing aid, as age-related anabolic resistance limits our ability to use dietary protein. By taking PEAK ATP, older individuals can support muscular health and metabolic efficiency
- Those looking for a recovery aid: Nutrient demands are heightened during recoveru, but absorption is often suboptimal — meaning PEAK ATP could play a key roole in nutrient delivery to support tissue repair and recovery outcomes
- Malnutrition: Maximising the efficiency of nutrient absorption in this context is crucial, so PEAK ATP could help fill this gap by promoting greater amino acid uptake.
“For TSI’s customers, this science advances the opportunities to develop next-generation formulas that go beyond just delivering protein; they will ensure the body can actually use it,” concluded Baier.
