HOME/BIOMARKERS/VO2MAX
performance ยท mL/kg/min

VO2max

Maximum rate of oxygen consumption during exercise. The gold standard of aerobic capacity.

DIRECTION
โ†‘ higher is better
NORMAL RANGE
35โ€“55 mL/kg/min (trained adults)
MECHANISMS
2

What
moves it.

These biological pathways influence VO2max. Click any to see what affects it.

supported
Mito Biogenesis
Mitochondrial Biogenesis

Creating new mitochondria. Increases cellular energy capacity.

established
NO
Nitric Oxide Production

NO dilates blood vessels, improving blood flow to muscles and brain.

What
affects it.

amino-acid
Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Carnitine form that crosses the blood-brain barrier. Studied for cognition and neuropathy.

supported$$
amino-acid
L-Citrulline

Raises blood arginine and nitric oxide more efficiently than arginine itself.

established$
amino-acid
L-Arginine

NO precursor. Poor oral bioavailability โ€” citrulline is usually better.

supported$
amino-acid
Taurine

Supports cardiac function, bile acid conjugation, and neurotransmission.

supported$
botanical
Shilajit (PrimaVie)

Fulvic acid mineral complex. Possibly effective for testosterone in hypogonadal men [citation:31].

supported$$$
mushroom
Cordyceps

Studied for exercise performance and oxygen utilization. Human data mixed.

supported$$
mushroom
Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus)

Stimulates NGF synthesis. Studied for cognition and nerve regeneration.

supported$$
antioxidant
CoQ10 (Ubiquinone / Ubiquinol)

Electron carrier in mitochondrial ATP production. Ubiquinol is the reduced, active form.

supported$$