Ingredient review - Peak02

What is Peak O2?

Peak O2 is a revolutionary ingredient that is made from organic-certified six different Ayurvedic mushroom strains (Cordyceps, Reishi, King Trumpet, Shiitake, Lion’s Mane and Turkey Tail). These mushroom strains are classified as a powerful adaptogen that allows athletes to adjust and overcome physical and mental stress when performing intense exercise. It is an endurance enhancer that can help users get the most out of their workout. 

Why would you choose Peak O2?

Peak O2 has been clinically studied to increase power and endurance in athletes. As Peak O2’s mushroom strains are grown on organic whole oats, it undergoes a specific process that preserves peak bioactivity for maximum performance. After processing, Peak O2 contains high amounts of beta-glucans and antioxidants that help to fight oxidative stress in the body. This, in turn, helps users to recover faster, train longer and get back to the gym faster. Peak O2 increases your body’s ability to uptake oxygen and use it more efficiently, it elevates your workout by providing more power, endurance, and bioactivity. 

Peak O2 is clinically proven to decrease lactate and improve peak power, VOâ‚‚ max and time-to-exhaustion in 7 to 28 days. Its mechanism of action is the increased uptake and efficient utilisation of oxygen. Because we get more ATP from oxygen than any other source, Peak O2 is a fast-acting solution to ATP depletion. Additionally, it's beta glucans and l-ergothioneine make it a free radical scavenger, limiting muscle damage. In other words, Peak O2 can help delay muscle failure and its positive effects are felt nearly acutely, within one week if you load at least 28 grams.

Peak O2 benefits for athletes & bodybuilders

Scientific research can often be a hit or miss. Peak O2 has proposed the benefits for its ergogenic properties and performance enhancing properties. Supplementation that includes strains of mushroom-like Cordyceps has been shown to increase oxygen intake during exercise resulting in better exercise capacity. Research has also suggested that Peak O2 may be effective for enhancing aerobic performance and delaying fatigue by improving the uptake of oxygen in the body.

What is CSN's experience with Peak O2

Right off the bat, it is important that we tell you that it tastes pretty bad. Even though it states it is unflavoured, it is essentially ground up mushrooms so it has a very earthy natural flavour so it is recommended you mix it with something sweet.

Now for the part that really matters, we know it doesn't taste great but does it work? From what we can tell yes. Peak O2 claims to have the following effects: Increase workout duration, Increase time until exhaustion, anaerobic power increase, better oxygen utilisation, increase in power output and exercise capacity, peak strength.

During our run with Peak O2, our staff did find they were able to push through tough workouts and push harder during times. Some of that we have to attribute to Peak O2. Vo2 max efforts, in particular, saw a boost. We ran WattBike max effort interval style workouts and was smashing through them that used to leave them laying in a heap. As far as power goes there were some strength increases, we don't think you can attribute any of them directly to Peak O2 (although it may have helped).

Overall athletic performance did increase as well in regards to running and swim workouts, and the staff found themselves pushing for longer and being able to keep pushing during the later stages of a given session.

Continued use will most likely show more substantial changes while confirming the above statements are in fact down to Peak O2

Any side effects or negatives to worry about

Although most of the ingredients in Peak O2 are of natural origin, there are possible side effects that include minor health problems like skin irritation, allergic reactions and dizziness. Very few studies have indicated that the ingredients from Peak O2 have any serious negative impact after consumption, but it is worth mentioning any significant side effects from these ingredients. 

Recommended dosage & ingredients

The recommended dose for Peak O2 is 1-4 grams per day and has a loading phase of 28-56 grams. One of the most recent studies indicates that using 4 grams of Peak O2 gives better results. For the most part 2g of Peak O2 has been the methodically validated dose for athletes.

Who should supplement with this ingredient?

At the end of the day, any time you improve the body’s ability to use oxygen, it’s a good thing.

If you’re an endurance athlete, fighter, rugby player, cross trainer, footballer, tennis player or any performance-driven athlete, or simply heading into a serious stretch of high-volume training, is PeakO2 something you should seriously consider? Absolutely!

Peak O2 Supplements

Peak O2 can be found as a stand-alone supplement like Primaforce’s Peak O2 or in other pre-workout supplements because of its proven effects in significantly improving VO2 max time. Peak O2 can also be taken at any time during the day. Additionally, there have been studies that Peak O2 works better in conjunction with beta-alanine and creatine monohydrate

Stacking Peak O2 Supplements

Peak O2 is extremely versatile and easy to use. Peak O2 can be stacked with most supplements including creatine, beta-alanine, pre-workouts, fat burners or amino acid supplements to maximise performance.  Depending on what your goals are, Peak O2 can be combined with branched chain amino acids for intra-workout gains. Alternatively, trainers have the option of stacking it with a performance protein or performance carb for improving endurance and workout intensity. 

Quick Summary Points

  • Peak O2 is a revolutionary ingredient that is made from organic-certified six different Ayurvedic mushroom strains (Cordyceps, Reishi, King Trumpet, Shiitake, Lion’s Mane & Turkey Tail).
  • Peak O2 functions as powerful adaptogens that allow athletes to adjust and overcome physical and mental stress when performing intense exercise.
  • The benefits of Peak O2 include an increase in endurance, power, decreased fatigue and reduced stress levels.
  • The ingredient has been clinically validated for its positive outcomes on performance.
  • Can be taken at any time and best stacked with Beta-Alanine, Creatine Monohydrate & Pre-workouts.