We often get asked how these two products differ and why one would choose OPTYGENHP over OPTYGEN. The following document will help explain the differences so consumers can decide which product best suits them. Before we get into these details lets first see if this product is right for you.
Both OPTYGEN and OPTYGENHP should not be viewed as “am I elite enough to warrant this product?”. These products are designed to help with stressful training. An athlete running their first 10K may undergo training that is very stressful whereas an experienced athlete running a 10K may find it relatively easy. If your training is stressful and leaves you absolutely drained even to the point where you have restless sleep, OPTYGEN or OPTYGENHP can help. Remember that stress comes from all aspects of life not just training. An athlete can train 4-5 hours per week and be highly stressed because other aspects of their life are stressful. Other athletes can train 20+ hours and not be stressed. If you are stressed, OPTYGEN or OPTYGENHP can help.
Both OPTYGEN and OPTYGENHP are designed first and foremost to help manage the damaging effects of stress. Cortisol, known as the regulator of immune response, is a hormone controlled by the adrenal cortex. While cortisol in normal amounts is necessary for proper metabolic function, a chronic elevated cortisol level can have a negative impact on sleep, mood, sex drive, bone health, ligament health, cardiovascular health and athletic performance, potentially causing fatigue and systemic inflammation.
Through the use of some clinically validated key adaptogenic herbs, both OPTYGEN and OPTYGENHP effectively modulate cortisol. This allows athletes to train at a very high level without going into an overtraining state. The management of cortisol also offers secondary benefits including efficient oxygen transfer, improved ATP production and improved glucose metabolism.
OPTYGENHP (High Performance) takes the formula a step further through its inclusion of some key nutrients including Beta-Alanine. Beta-alanine is a non-essential beta-amino acid that efficiently synthesizes lactate to be re-used as fuel. Improved lactate synthesis means athletes can push their lactate thresholds to a higher level. This means athletes will be able to sustain a higher heart rate before the debilitating effects of lactic acid slows them down. The result is an improvement in endurance capacity allowing you to train and race at a higher level.
Which product is right for me?
Use OPTYGEN if your primary concern is the difficulty of your training program. For best results, OPTYGEN should be used consistently for many months. Pick a hard training block and use OPTYGEN during the entire time.
OPTYGENHP OPTYGEN
-Modulates Cortisol -Modulates Cortisol
-Improves ATP -Improves ATP
-Improves mood, sleep, recovery -Improves mood, sleep, recovery
-Improves lactate threshold
-Improves fat burning
Use OPTYGENHP if you are concerned with the difficulty of your training program and if you also want to add a performance component to your supplementation. With OPTYGENHP you will be able to push workouts further due to its ability to improve lactate threshold.
*Athletes can effectively go back and forth between both products. It’s perfectly acceptable to use OPTYGEN for a couple months during base training and switch to OPTYGENHP for the final two months before a big race.
can I combine both products at the same day ?? something like 1 cap of Otygen and 2 caps of Optygen HP everyday ?? thank you
and…are these prodcuts dangerous if I drink alcohol ?? like beer ??
Yes you can combine the products. There are no contraindications using Optygen with alcohol.
Is there a powder form of these products?
No. Why do you ask?
Is there a “cycling off” period i.e. after 3 months of straight use?
Great question. Both these products work best when you are ‘stressed’, so use the product during stressful training. The cycling period should parallel your training program. In other words you should be on Optygen/OptygenHP consistently through all hard training blocks/months and go off anytime you have a break or downtime. For some, this means being on the product through most if not all the racing season. For others it might mean cycling off for a week once every 4-6 weeks.
Would it be bad to just stay on the HP version? Will plan on taking them along with the multi vitamin. Also does it matter what time of day I take the HP?
Peter,
We highly recommend athletes look to our entire product line as a system, so using the OptygenHP along with the MultiV or MultiVPRO is definitely recommended. What time of day you take the OptygenHP does not matter since it is a systemic product that needs to build up in your system.
Should I be taking Optygen everyday? Or only on hard training days? I’m also taking PreRace on my hardest days before a rest day. Isn’t there a competing pathway between the Beta-Alanine and Taurine?
On those days I usually delay the Optygen time until the afternoon.
Optygen and OptygenHP are designed to be taken every day during a hard training block. Ideally you would take the product for a 3-4 month cycle as you prep for a big event.
Do I need to take Optygen HP right before a workout or can it be taken anytime of day?
Thank you,
Danee
Danee,
OptygenHP can be taken anytime of the day. Its a systemic product that builds up in your system.
You can take OptygenHP anytime of the day. It should be taken daily over several months.
Thanks so much! This was very helpful. This article made it very clear how this product should be used and demystify expectations regarding how it impacts training. For me the most important fact is when it should be taken, its not being presented as cure all.
Hello,
I am currently taking Optygen, but am considering switching to Optygen HP. Should I still do the loading phase? Also, will it take several weeks again to reap the different benefits? Thanks
Nao,
The OptygenHP does not require a loading phase so you can move right into that product without missing a beat. You will not lose any time and will reap the benefits right away.
I love this product but I have a question now… I’ve been taking Optygen HP for a few years as an avid cyclist, but last year I suffered from bilateral pulmonary embolism and I stopped taking the Optygen… my question is if this supplement can cause any adverse affects on the blood, like a drastic increase in red blood cells that might thicken and slow the blood? I want to start taking this again, but not if my risk of getting another blood clot in my lungs will increase… any input is so greatly appreciated!
Colleen,
Great to hear you’ve had success with Optygen/OptygenHP. Though we are not aware of any contraindications that would suggest this product thicken blood or add dramatic levels of red blood cells, this is something that is better answered by your doctor.
o.k. so I have been using Optygen for a long time I triain every day and do not experience any stress, even before. my needs are for high level endurance breathing under high cadence. I also use pre-race. do I need to change to something else?
Scott, Optygen’s primary role is to modulate stress. If you are not stressed you do not need this product. Consider OptygenHP which has additional ingredients that help process lactate which effectively improves lactate clearance and threshold training. In addition, Ultragen is always a good idea following hard training sessions.