TRIED &
TESTED Tried & Tested by THE MODERN ATHLETE TEAM
A
massive product box arrived , with numerous boxes of glass vials and basic instructions . Having watched a fair number of Marvel movies lately with my six-year-old , who is obsessed with superheroes , I must admit that all the different boxes initially brought forth visions of clandestine spy activities , with unlabelled vials of rocket fuel and the like . However , being curious about what this apparent new fad offered , I was compelled to give it a proper go .
Totum is a completely natural hydration supplement , made from 100 % cold micro-filtered seawater , and which provides you with all 78 essential minerals and electrolytes that are necessary for optimal hydration during workouts or competition . When you sweat , you lose not only water , but also electrolytes , so drinking just water is not the best solution . Instead , drinking high-electrolyte content is far better , and Totum ’ s research shows that mineral salts prevent intracellular dehydration , thus aiding faster recovery , avoiding fatigue , and reducing the risk of injury .
When researching the product , it made much more sense when I read the product description : “ Our minerals are present in ionic form , meaning they don ’ t have to go through your digestive system like other mineral solutions . Instead , they are immediately and naturally absorbed , and utilised by your cells .” So , you could liken it to a drip while exercising … it goes straight to where it is needed most !
Putting it to the Test
The theory sounds about right , but the ‘ proof would be in the pudding ,’ so I decided to put the Totum products to the test during one of the many midsummer heatwaves that we have been experiencing in Gauteng . With the temperature over 30 degrees by 7am , it meant that I could still do my normal morning rides and test the range in a high-heat environment . I won ’ t lie , I was a bit nervous , but as any marathon athlete knows , we spend a lot of time out there , and the need for a product to help as well as hydrate is a must-have .
The Sport Performance Bundle consists of four boxes of Totum Sport and two boxes of Totum Nite . You take Totum Sport 10 minutes before training or racing , and then every hour during events / sessions , or more frequently as required , to maintain cellular hydration . It can be taken again immediately after you finish , to maximise your body ’ s ability to absorb protein and carbohydrates from your recovery products , which you take five to 10 minutes later . Totum Nite should be taken before bed , to help the body recover whilst you sleep .
Now , I ’ m not privy to the internal mechanisms in play when I ’ m exercising , so I can ’ t tell you if the placebo effect is happening with this product . All I have to go
Can Seawater Really Hydrate ?
When I was given the Totum Sport Performance Bundle to try out , I must admit , I was in a bit of a quandary . After decades of using every supplement , tonic and elixir available , all with “ wonder ingredients ” ( usually with unpronounceable names ) that promised breakthrough levels of renewal and revitalisation , I was a bit perplexed when told I ’ d be trying good old seawater ! – BY JASON MARTIN
on is decades of doing stupid things that my body has just had to endure , and my intellect is telling me that 100 % seawater can ’ t possibly make me feel as good as I do , while my body is saying it should be otherwise . Thanks to the supplement , I would wake up refreshed and invigorated , even after a 25-degree night and a double session of training regimen in baking heat the day before . I ’ ve never experienced that before , nor have I felt that good just a few minutes after ‘ doing a vial .’ It couldn ’ t possibly be this effective , could it ? But apparently it can . About the only criticism I have is the packaging : Glass vials are not great , because using them mid-ride is impossible .
Well , I ’ m Convinced …
These products turned out to be a revelation , and made me think that perhaps we ’ ve been overthinking what our bodies actually need . It forced me to look at absolute basics – as in , what is actually happening to my body during the course of training . If you look at what your body is losing during a workout , then plain old seawater does exactly what it claims . No more , no less , no gimmicks or complicated explanations , it simply replaces the Chloride and Magnesium that our bodies lose through sweating .
To be honest , I found this a difficult group of products to evaluate , because I had to get my head around it all first , but now I am a convert – and I ’ ll be continuing to supplement with this product during the course of the year . The real tests will come during the 24-hour MTB and 500km gravel events I have planned , but so far , I ’ m sold . Honestly , I can ’ t tell you exactly why , because in this high-tech world , it still doesn ’ t make 100 % sense to drink seawater , but then again , maybe simplicity is actually the key .
GET IT HERE
The Totum range is available at https :// quintonstore . co . za . The Sport Performance Bundle retails at R2034 , or you can purchase the Totum Sport and Totum Nite products separately ( boxes of 10 sachets ) each for R399 . Discounts for bulk purchases .
Image : Courtesy Quinton Store
68 ISSUE 165 | www . modernathlete . co . za