sounds interesting. Have you ever used it before I tried looking it up it seems to all come from Russia
I found this from an article from Medical News Today:
"Meldonium is a fatty acid oxidation inhibitor, and it is now principally used for heart conditions, such as
angina,
heart attack,
heart failure, and others. The medication works by
altering pathways for carnitine, a nutrient involved in fat metabolism."
"According to the designer of the drug, Ivar Kalvins, chair of the scientific board of the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, meldonium was created to
increase the capacity of the body to carry oxygen.
Prior to the use of meldonium for cardiac health issues, the company shipped large quantities of the drug to Soviet troops in Afghanistan between 1979 and 1989.
Due to the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan, Soviet soldiers would take meldonium to increase their endurance in the oxygen-reduced air while carrying large backpacks."
A study in 2005 found that meldonium, in combination with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor called lisinopril,
improved exercise capability and peripheral circulation for individuals with chronic heart failure.
A Chinese study group tested meldonium for its efficacy in treating acute ischemic
stroke, finding it to be as effective as cinepazide, a vasodilator that people in China commonly use to
treat stroke.
In some countries, people use meldonium to treat problems with circulation in the brain. Some people report that the drug elevates mood and improves motor symptoms, dizziness, and nausea.
A study published in Drug Testing and Analysis in December 2015 summarized the following about meldonium:
“[It] demonstrates an increase in endurance performance of athletes, improved rehabilitation after exercise, protection against stress, and enhanced activations of central nervous system (CNS) functions.”
So you make steady cardio gains while carrying a higher body weight than normal? People seem to say it makes you lighter on your feet or makes you feel like you weigh less, which, if true would make sense why a tennis player would use it. What's your experience?
I don't necessarily feel lighter on my feet but it doesn't seem like I am getting any heavier (which I am). The biggest thing for me is being able to have a lower heart rate at a given cardio zone. Like for instance.....I can run for 1.5 hours @ 215lb around a 10:00/min per mile pace and stay at 130 - 140 bpm. Well with a couple weeks of Meldonium I am around 225lb and my heart rate at that zone is consistently in at 120-125bpm.
I noticed I am able to recover faster between sets in my higher volume weight training too but I can't say if it's directly the meldonium or the increased capacity I am getting from my cardio training.
Either way I agree with you though, if athletes were being banned for it and WADA has taken notice chances are there is an actual affect of the drug.