Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, vitamin D3 is a natural product. It is a form of vitamin D that occurs naturally in some foods and is also produced by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) can be found in foods such as fatty fish (like salmon and mackerel), eggs, and liver.

No, this is a natural product that strengthens your immune system. If you have an excess of vitamin D3, your body will simply regulate it.

Yes, a sports fruit snack with 30 carbohydrates is always a good addition. However, it is advisable to use caffeine in the second half of the effort when you can best take advantage of the caffeine boost effect.

Yes, a pre-workout is highly suitable for short efforts. The greatest effect occurs in the first 60 minutes after ingestion. So, yes, it is ideal for short efforts, including a short Zwift race or intense workout.

A pre-workout is used for endurance training or intense efforts. The effect of a pre-workout is to maximize endurance and minimize decline in performance during the first two hours. You can also use a pre-workout for short, powerful efforts such as sprint training or indoor Zwift races.

Yes, you can definitely do that. You can also add 1 to 2 packets to 500 to 750 ml of water. This way, you get a sports drink that is easy to digest and has a neutral taste.

Adding Carb Max sticks to your isotonic drink is done to increase carbohydrate intake. This converts an isotonic drink into a hypertonic drink, which means you will absorb less fluid but get more carbohydrates. This is ideal if you have a high energy expenditure or when you cannot drink for a while and want to load up on carbohydrates/energy. You can add 1 to 2 packets to an isotonic drink, allowing you to process up to 105 carbohydrates in a bottle.

Yes, the sticks are neutral in taste and can be added to any sports drink or water. Ideally, use 1 to 2 sticks per 500 to 750 ml. However, to optimize their effectiveness and to avoid overstimulating your intestines, it is advisable to add them to water or Neapharma’s Pro Isotonic. The Carb Max sticks are specifically designed to work optimally with these products.

Hydro contains salts and minerals to replenish what you lose through sweat, ensuring your muscle function remains optimal. At Neapharma, several minerals, vitamins, and salts have already been added to the isotonic drink. If you have a high sweat rate, lose a lot of salts, or exercise in warm (sunny/indoor) conditions, it is advisable to use Hydro or O.R.S. as an extra supplement to support your fluid balance for good muscle performance.

Yes, the sticks are neutral in taste and can be added to any sports drink or water. Ideally, use 1 to 2 sticks per 500 to 750 ml.

Hydro contains salts and minerals to replenish what you lose through sweat, helping to keep your muscle function optimal. O.R.S. is a ratio of salts and minerals in an ideal balance to maximize absorption. Often, Hydro is sufficient, but for people who lose a lot of salts during exercise, an O.R.S. ratio may be necessary. Hydro = 1 stick. O.R.S. = 2 sticks.

The Boost gel from Neapharma has a neutral pH, meaning it is as digestible as water and doesn’t put extra strain on your stomach. This allows you to use the gel at any time. However, it is wise to only use the Boost effect of caffeine in the second part of your effort. The effect slightly diminishes if used continuously over several hours.

All Neapharma gels are supplemented with extra fluid. This is to ensure faster absorption, easier digestion, and to support your fluid balance during exercise. Every Neapharma gel is as efficient as an isotonic gel in terms of fluid absorption, but contains more carbohydrates/energy.

All Neapharma gels are supplemented with extra fluid. This is to ensure faster absorption, easier digestion, and to support your fluid balance during exercise. Every Neapharma gel is as efficient as an isotonic gel in terms of fluid absorption, but contains more carbohydrates/energy.

The 45 carbohydrates per gel are ideal for building up to a maximum of 130 carbohydrates per hour without causing stomach discomfort. The combination of 45 carbohydrates from the Carb Max gel and 33 carbohydrates from an isotonic drink already provides 78 carbohydrates. If this is not enough, you can choose to further build up with a Carb Max gel (45), Carb Max stick (35), or isotonic fruit (25). For runners who cannot drink large volumes, a Carb Max gel is also an ideal solution to still take in enough carbohydrates. Moreover, the Carb Max gel contains extra fluid to support fluid balance, digestion, and absorption speed.

The Carb Max gel contains 45 carbohydrates and provides longer-lasting effects. The energy gel contains 33 carbohydrates and can deliver energy for 45 to 55 minutes. The Carb Max gel will keep you going for well over an hour because it has more carbohydrates.

Yes! Generally, this is not harmful. However, we recommend avoiding caffeine products for the first 90 to 120 minutes, as there is little added benefit since the pre-workout is already working. Additionally, you risk putting extra strain on your intestines. After 2 hours, it is a good time to use a caffeine gel again.

Always begin with 10 grams and gradually increase to 20 grams. This product varies greatly from person to person, so find your own dosage, but start with 10 grams and then scale up.

It’s best to gradually build up your omega-3 intake if you’re using it for the first time: Week 1 = 1 capsule, Week 2 = 2 capsules, and Week 3 = 3 capsules. After a month, you can reduce to 2 capsules if you wish.

Due to the high concentration, 1 capsule can already have an effect. However, it is advisable to take at least 2 capsules.

You produce vitamin D by converting sunlight into vitamin D. Often, summer is not enough to compensate for the deficiency in winter. Therefore, it is advisable to take vitamin D3 throughout the year. However, if you want to skip a season, summer is the best time to do so.

The evolution of Neapharma energy gels is such that they are nearly as digestible as solid food. Therefore, there is almost no difference in digestibility between gels and solid food. However, solid food is less aggressive in terms of insulin response and has a less significant impact on blood sugar levels, making solid food a more stable and long-lasting source of energy. Energy gels are quicker to be absorbed but also have a faster onset and decline.

Moisture in gels for Speed of Absorption
An additional benefit of moisture in energy gels is the quicker and more complete absorption of carbohydrates. Thick, sticky gels can cause up to 50% loss in absorption. Therefore, moisture in gels is advantageous to increase the efficiency of carbohydrate absorption.”

isotonic gels
Isotonic gels are an outdated concept where you receive fewer carbohydrates and overly focus on fluid intake. A good energy gel contains sufficient moisture (without being isotonic) for the aforementioned reason and, in reality, has nearly the same fluid absorption as an isotonic gel but with a lot more energy.

Hydration Balance
Energy gels are potent energy boosters, but don’t expect to extract 300 ml of fluid from a 60 ml gel. It is important to have realistic expectations, as each gel has limited capacity to maintain your hydration balance.

Digestibility
A good energy gel also includes moisture to facilitate the smooth absorption of carbohydrates. The moisture acts as a conductor for the carbohydrates in your intestines, promoting better digestibility. It is always beneficial to have fluid in your gels to enhance proper digestion.

Speed of Absorption
An additional benefit of moisture in energy gels is the faster and more complete absorption of carbohydrates. Thick, sticky gels can cause up to a 50% loss in absorption. Therefore, moisture in gels is advantageous to increase the efficiency of carbohydrate absorption.

Isotonic Gels
Isotonic gels are an outdated science where you receive fewer carbohydrates and overly focus on fluid intake. A good energy gel contains sufficient moisture (without being isotonic) for the above reason and, in reality, has nearly the same fluid absorption as an isotonic gel but with a lot more energy.

Of course, various factors play a role in this. Duration, intensity, sequence, … but nutrition and recovery also play a crucial role:

• Building endurance starts during the training; drink enough: a dehydrated body can convert up to 25% less endurance building from a workout.
• Afterward: Everything is proportional: short workouts versus long workouts. For short workouts, effective endurance building is possible. Then we use Pro Leucine: focus on muscle recovery and building. For long workouts, we aim for complete recovery with Pro Elite Recovery. You can find more information and details on the detail page.

Yes! That’s the idea! This way, you personalize your isotonic drink.

Little. 1 Hydro stick adds extra salts and minerals to your isotonic drink. 2 Hydro sticks, of course, do the same, but then the ratio of your substances is so optimal that you are talking about an O.R.S. ratio. Often, it is not necessary to add 2 sticks, and 1 (Hydro, in this case) is already sufficient.

Hydro

During prolonged exertion, you sweat out fluids and electrolytes. As a result, your fluid and salt balance will no longer be in balance, leading to a loss of performance. The Pro Elite Hydro sticks contain a low-calorie blend of essential salts, minerals, and electrolytes to maintain your fluid and salt balance.

ORS

With a double dosage (2 sticks in 500ml water/Pro Isotonic), an ‘Oral Rehydration Solution (=ORS)’ is created. This concentration contains 7.5g of glucose (maltodextrin) and 900mg of sodium. The combination of sodium and glucose in a hypotonic solution maximizes fluid absorption in the small intestine. The ideal solution for athletes who sweat a lot.

At Neapharma, we combine our Superior sports nutrition with our own Fuel Plan App. But that’s not a must!

You can use each Neapharma product on its own: an energy gel, recovery shake, or isotonic drink. Or you can personalize your sports nutrition with Kristof De Kegel’s Fuel Plan App.

Based on your energy expenditure, temperature, sweat profile, and 28 other parameters, you can personalize your isotonic drink and carbohydrate intake, and our free Fuel Plan App will assist you.

– Pro Carb Max sticks: You turn your isotonic drink into a hypertonic drink because you want to absorb much more carbohydrates (=energy). This is perfect in the final stages or at the start of a significant challenge. Add 1 to 2 sticks to your isotonic sports drink.

– Hydro & O.R.S. sticks: Add 1 to 2 sticks to your isotonic drink to maximize support for your fluid balance.

You can combine both the Carb Max sticks and the Hydro sticks in one water bottle with your isotonic sports drink.

No.

The products are formulated with the best ingredients in the correct proportions to ensure optimal absorption. Additional scoops will not have a greater effect. They may, however, intensify the flavor.

Leucine helps to recover your muscles and build your endurance during small, non-intensive efforts. A recovery shake is designed for recovery after longer, more intensive exertion.

You can reach us via info@neapharma.be, our website chat at the bottom right, WhatsApp (0468133037), and phone (0468133037). We always provide a complete and accurate response, so you can ask questions about our products anytime and anywhere.

These black specks come from the natural flavoring, which provides that wonderfully refreshing taste in your isotonic sports drink without overloading your stomach. It may look a bit odd: black specks in white powder. However, we don’t process the natural aroma we use because doing so would be an additional burden on the digestive system.

All Neapharma products are pH-neutral. Without flavorings and acids that affect the pH, everything is absorbed more quickly and effectively, resulting in maximum outcomes without burdening the stomach and intestines. Additionally, pH-neutral products are gentler on your tooth enamel.

Do you have a strong stomach and this is not important to you? A neutral pH also guarantees faster and complete absorption of nutrients. So, a neutral pH is not only good for your stomach, intestines, and teeth. It also enhances performance!