The Science behind the SportLegs- it’s not there

SportLegs, professes success with their performance enhancing pill but does not have the scientific research to support the claims. In fact the science thus far proves that the calcium, magnesium and vitamin D contained within the SportLegs pill has no effect on buffering lactic acid, and may instead lead to GI distress. SportLegs promises the secret to the pills affectivity is the physiological buffering and removal of lactic acid.
While SportLegs is correct that the accumulation of lactic acid is commonly understood as inhibiting performance, the increased acidity associated with the accumulation of hydrogen ions as they split from lactic acid to produce H+ and lactate (used as fuel in the cell) is actually the cause of muscle irritation. Swedish scientist Westerblad on the other hand attributes the major cause of muscle fatigue during activity to the break down of creatine phosphate and not lactic acid. Robergs, a scientist at the University of New Mexico argues that lactic acid is a byproduct and not a cause of muscle irritation. Whether it is lactic acid or creatine phosphate which limits performance, ingesting lactate does not mean that there is more lactate in the blood to neutralize and bind to hydrogen ions thus prolonging intense muscle contractions.
The research presented on SportLegs website concerning the lactate system is accurate up to the point where SportLegs claims that: “since “lactate removal is concentration-dependent; lactic acid needs to be raised to a higher level to force its removal”3, taking SportLegs™ before exercise can help prepare your body to increase its lactate removal” (http://www.sportlegs.com/how/how.asp). This is where the concept of the product breaks down. SportLegs cites Brooks 2000 as the scientific substantiation for this claim. Most recently (2006 ACSM conference) Brooks presented updated research concerning the lactate shuttle transport protein, Monocarboxylate (MCT). Brooks found that with training, MCT concentration increases up to 88%, a substantial increase in the bodies’ ability to oxidize and clear lactate from working muscle cells. So MCT is the key to lactate clearance, not the ingestion of lactate itself. Further scientific research challenges the affectivity of SportLegs.
Brouns et al found “A 3-week oral lactate supplementation did not result in differences in lactate disappearance.” (1995). Ingesting lactate thus did not reduce lactate concentrations. Triplett et al. concur with Brouns finding “In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that aspartates are not effective in reducing indices of fatigue associated with weight training exercise or significantly altering plasma ammonia concentrations.” (1990). A different study found that the salts may in fact have a performance enhancing effect, but they also have the potential to disrupt the GI track. “[It] Appears that bicarbonate salts taken at dosages of 0.3 g.kg-1 may improve performance during repeated sprints or at the end of a progressively more intense exercise test. [However] Athletes are advised of potential ill effects of bicarbonate ingestion, such as gastrointestinal distress.” (Horsewill)
So while SportLegs touts the success of multiple athletes who take SportLegs, the science doesn’t support the claims. SportLegs even seems to backpedal a bit in their final claim that “Depending on how competitive you are, you'll either think of SportLegs as a pain preventative, or a performance enhancer. Or maybe a little of both. Either way, you're going to love it(http://www.sportlegs.com/what/what.asp)” SportLegs is neither a pain pill, nor a performance pill, what it may do, however, is give you an upset stomach.