Noxtreme
Also known as: Noxtreme, nitrate-based compounds, beetroot extract, sodium nitrate, pre-workout, performance-enhancing supplement, ergogenic aid, Dietary Nitrate
Overview
Noxtreme is a branded dietary supplement blend, primarily featuring nitrate-based compounds such as beetroot extract or sodium nitrate. These dietary nitrates are naturally found in vegetables like beetroot, spinach, and arugula. Once consumed, nitrates are converted in the body to nitric oxide (NO), a molecule crucial for enhancing blood flow and muscle function. The supplement is marketed as a pre-workout or performance-enhancing aid, primarily used to improve exercise performance, endurance, and muscle strength. By increasing nitric oxide bioavailability, Noxtreme aims to enhance oxygen delivery to muscles and improve overall muscle efficiency during physical activity. While dietary nitrate supplementation is a well-researched area with strong evidence from numerous randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses, specific independent research on the Noxtreme brand itself is limited.
Benefits
Dietary nitrate supplementation, the core mechanism of Noxtreme, offers several evidence-based benefits for exercise performance. Meta-analyses have consistently shown that nitrate supplementation significantly improves cardiorespiratory fitness and endurance in young, healthy adults, with statistically significant effects (p < 0.05). For endurance, standardized mean differences (SMD) typically range from 0.3 to 0.5, indicating small to moderate benefits. Furthermore, systematic reviews report positive effects on resistance exercise performance, including improvements in back squat and bench press strength, with modest but statistically significant effect sizes. These benefits are most pronounced in recreationally active young adults, with less consistent effects observed in older or clinical populations. Secondary effects include potential improvements in muscle oxygenation and a reduction in the oxygen cost of exercise. Benefits typically appear within hours to days of supplementation, with acute dosing being effective for performance enhancement.
How it works
Dietary nitrates, the active components in Noxtreme, are absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Once absorbed, they are converted to nitrites, primarily by oral bacteria. These nitrites are then further reduced to nitric oxide (NO) in the body, particularly under conditions of low oxygen availability, such as during exercise. Nitric oxide acts as a potent vasodilator, meaning it relaxes and widens blood vessels, thereby improving blood flow and oxygen delivery to working muscles. NO also enhances mitochondrial efficiency, allowing muscles to produce energy more effectively and reduce oxygen consumption during exercise. This modulation of vascular tone, muscle contractility, and mitochondrial respiration ultimately leads to enhanced oxygen utilization and improved exercise performance.
Side effects
Dietary nitrate supplementation is generally considered safe when consumed within recommended doses, typically up to approximately 15 mmol nitrate per day. The most commonly reported side effect is mild gastrointestinal discomfort, which occurs occasionally. Uncommon or rare side effects include hypotension (low blood pressure) in sensitive individuals, due to the vasodilatory effects of nitric oxide. Caution is advised regarding drug interactions: individuals taking antihypertensive medications or phosphodiesterase inhibitors should consult a healthcare professional, as nitrate supplementation can lead to additive blood pressure-lowering effects. Contraindications include individuals with pre-existing low blood pressure or those on nitrate medications. Data on the safety of dietary nitrates in special populations such as pregnant women, children, and individuals with cardiovascular disease are limited, and supplementation in these groups should be approached with caution or avoided.
Dosage
For optimal ergogenic effects, the minimum effective dose of dietary nitrate is approximately 300–600 mg (equivalent to 5–10 mmol) per day, as demonstrated in randomized controlled trials. The optimal dosage range is generally considered to be 6–12 mmol of nitrate daily, often delivered through beetroot juice, nitrate salts, or concentrated extracts. The maximum safe dose, based on short-term studies, is up to 15 mmol per day. For acute performance enhancement, it is recommended to take the supplement 2–3 hours before exercise to maximize plasma nitrite levels. The form of nitrate (e.g., beetroot juice vs. nitrate salts) can influence bioavailability. It is important to note that oral bacteria play a critical role in the conversion of nitrate to nitrite; therefore, the use of antibacterial mouthwash can potentially blunt the effects of supplementation. While no specific cofactors are required, adequate hydration and a healthy oral microbiome are important for efficacy.
FAQs
Is Noxtreme safe?
Based on its nitrate content, Noxtreme is likely safe within recommended doses. However, specific independent safety data for the branded product Noxtreme itself is not available.
When should I take Noxtreme?
For acute performance benefits, it is recommended to take Noxtreme 2–3 hours before your exercise session to allow for optimal absorption and conversion to nitric oxide.
How long does it take for Noxtreme's effects to appear?
The effects of nitrate supplementation typically appear within hours of ingestion. Chronic supplementation may help sustain these benefits over time.
Does Noxtreme work for everyone?
The effects of nitrate supplementation can vary among individuals. Benefits are generally more consistent and pronounced in young, healthy, recreationally active athletes.
Can Noxtreme replace other pre-workout supplements?
Noxtreme primarily targets nitric oxide pathways to enhance performance. While it offers specific benefits, it may be complementary to other pre-workout ingredients rather than a full substitute, depending on your goals.
Research Sources
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32936597/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis by Senefeld et al. (2020) synthesized data from multiple randomized controlled trials. It concluded that nitrate supplementation significantly improves cardiorespiratory fitness and endurance performance in recreationally active young men, with moderate effect sizes. The study highlights the ergogenic potential of dietary nitrates for athletic performance.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37299456/ – Tan et al. (2023) conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis focusing on the effects of dietary nitrate on resistance exercise. Their findings indicated that nitrate supplementation modestly but significantly improves performance in exercises like back squat and bench press in adult males. This research supports the role of nitrates in enhancing strength-based activities.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.895192/full – The study by Sun et al. (2022) is a systematic review and meta-analysis on dietary supplements for skin moisturizing. While a high-quality study, its findings are not directly relevant to the ergogenic effects of Noxtreme or dietary nitrates on exercise performance. It was included in the original research but does not contribute to the understanding of Noxtreme's primary benefits.