FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Find practical answers about Katsuo Stamina, ELEC Stamina and QC Stamina, including when to use each product and how they fit into a race-day nutrition plan. Start with the product you are using.
Katsuo Stamina
- Does Katsuo Stamina replace electrolytes, water, or carbohydrate fuel?
No. Katsuo Stamina is not a hydration drink, electrolyte replacement, or carbohydrate fuel. For longer training and races, you should still follow an appropriate hydration, sodium and carbohydrate plan based on the event, conditions and your individual needs. Katsuo Stamina should be used alongside—not instead of—your normal race nutrition strategy.
- How are peptides different from amino acids?
Amino acids are individual building blocks of protein, while peptides are short chains of amino acids linked together. Katsuo Stamina uses bonito-derived peptides rather than free-form amino acids. Their structure, digestion and absorption pathways are different, so they should not be treated as the same type of ingredient.
- Who should avoid Katsuo Stamina because of allergies?
Katsuo Stamina contains bonito fish. Anyone with a fish allergy should avoid it. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or are unsure whether the product is appropriate for you, check with a qualified healthcare professional before use.
- Does Katsuo Stamina hydrate me?
No. Katsuo Stamina is not a hydration or electrolyte product. Take it with water, but plan fluid and sodium separately for long training and races. If you are also using ELEC Stamina or a sports drink, count those products as part of your electrolyte plan.
- Can I use Katsuo Stamina for ultra-marathons or Ironman-distance events?
Yes. Katsuo Stamina has dosing guidance for long events, including ultra-marathons and other endurance sports. For ultras, the current schedule is 8 tablets before the start, then 4 every 120 minutes. It should be used alongside your normal carbohydrate, fluid and electrolyte strategy rather than replacing it.
- Can I take Katsuo Stamina during a race?
Yes. For longer events, the current label schedule includes repeat doses during the race. For example, marathon and ultra schedules use 4 tablets every 120 minutes after the pre-start dose, while trail events over 30 km use 4 tablets every 90 minutes. Follow the product label and rehearse the timing in training.
- What is the recommended Katsuo Stamina dosage?
Follow the product label and use the schedule for your event. Current guidance: half marathon—4 tablets before the start; marathon—4 before, then 4 every 120 minutes; ultra marathon—8 before, then 4 every 120 minutes; trail 15–30 km—8 before; trail over 30 km—8 before, then 4 every 90 minutes. Cycling or climbing uses 8 before then 4 every 120 minutes; swimming or rowing uses 4 before then 4 every 60 minutes.
- What is the main ingredient in Katsuo Stamina?
Katsuo Stamina is based on a bonito (katsuo) fish extract containing peptide compounds derived from the fish. Because it is fish-based, it is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians who avoid fish, and anyone with a fish allergy should not use it.
- What makes Katsuo Stamina different from other endurance supplements?
Katsuo Stamina is a Japan-made bonito fish extract tablet with a sport- and distance-specific dosing schedule. It is not a carbohydrate gel, electrolyte tablet or caffeine-based pre-workout. Its role is separate from fuelling and hydration, so those still need to be planned independently.
- Is Katsuo Stamina a pre-workout or a recovery supplement?
Katsuo Stamina is mainly used around endurance training and racing according to the event schedule on the product label. For race use, the current schedule starts before the event and adds repeat doses during longer events. It should sit alongside—not replace—your carbohydrate, fluid and electrolyte plan.
- What is Katsuo Stamina, and how does it work?
Katsuo Stamina is a Japan-made endurance tablet based on bonito (katsuo) fish extract. It is used alongside your normal carbohydrate, fluid and electrolyte plan, with dosing that varies by sport and event duration. It is not a stimulant and does not replace race fuel or hydration.
ELEC Stamina
- Is ELEC Stamina useful for marathons, ultras, cycling and triathlon?
Yes, when the event is long enough and conditions make planned sodium intake useful. ELEC is designed for endurance sports such as running, cycling, hiking and triathlon, especially in hot conditions. Test your intake plan in training before race day.
- Can I take ELEC Stamina with sports drink, gels, QC Stamina or Katsuo Stamina?
Yes. They can be used in the same race plan because they serve different purposes. Count sodium from all sources, including sports drinks and QC Stamina, so you do not accidentally double your planned electrolyte intake.
- Will ELEC Stamina prevent cramps?
We do not claim ELEC Stamina prevents cramps. Exercise-associated cramps can involve fatigue, pacing, heat and individual susceptibility. ELEC helps you plan electrolyte intake; it is not a guaranteed cramp treatment.
- Does ELEC Stamina replace water or carbohydrate fuel?
No. ELEC Stamina provides electrolytes, not meaningful energy or enough fluid by itself. Keep drinking according to thirst and conditions, and keep eating carbohydrate during long efforts.
- How should I take ELEC Stamina during a race?
Take 1 to 2 caplets with water every 10 km during exercise, up to 10 caplets a day, following the product label. Use a planned schedule rather than waiting until you already feel depleted.
- When should I use ELEC Stamina?
ELEC Stamina is most useful during long sessions and races in the heat, especially when you are sweating heavily or know you lose a lot of sodium. For most short or easy sessions, normal meals and water are usually enough.
- How much sodium is in each ELEC Stamina caplet?
Each ELEC Stamina caplet provides 220 mg of sodium. It also contains 90 mg potassium, 50 mg calcium and 15 mg magnesium, plus vitamins B1 and B2.
- What is ELEC Stamina?
ELEC Stamina is a swallowable electrolyte caplet for long sessions and races, especially in hot conditions. Each caplet provides 220 mg sodium plus potassium, calcium, magnesium and vitamins B1 and B2. It is designed to make sodium intake easy to count during an event.
QC Stamina
- Does QC Stamina contain milk, and should I test it before race day?
QC Stamina contains whey protein and therefore contains milk. If you have a milk allergy, do not use it. Because it is a 260 kcal drink rather than a small gel, test it during a long training session before using it in a race.
- Do I need QC Stamina for a marathon or shorter race?
Usually not. For most events under about four hours, carbohydrate gels or sports drink plus water are simpler. QC Stamina is designed mainly for much longer endurance events, where a more substantial fuelling option can become useful.
- Can I use QC Stamina with ELEC Stamina and Katsuo Stamina?
Yes. They serve different roles and can sit in the same long-race plan. QC provides carbohydrate, protein and 221 mg sodium per pouch; ELEC adds counted electrolytes; Katsuo is used separately according to its event schedule. Count QC's sodium when planning ELEC intake.
- Why is there protein in QC Stamina?
QC Stamina includes 13 g of protein per pouch because it is designed for very long endurance events, where athletes may want a more complete fuelling option than carbohydrate alone. For shorter races, carbohydrate and fluid remain the priority and extra protein during the event is usually unnecessary.
- Is QC Stamina a replacement for gels?
It can replace most of the carbohydrate you would otherwise take from gels during the hour you use it. One pouch provides 42.2 g carbohydrate, so count it inside your total carbohydrate plan rather than adding it on top of a full hour of gels.
- How do I mix and take QC Stamina during a race?
Add about 150 to 200 ml of water or another suitable drink directly into the pouch, close the cap, shake well and drink. During a long event, one pouch every 2 to 3 hours can be used as part of your overall fuelling plan, following the product label.
- When should I use QC Stamina?
QC Stamina is most useful in very long endurance events, especially from the middle of the race onwards when gels become difficult to tolerate or solid food is inconvenient. For most events under about four hours, simpler carbohydrate and fluid strategies are usually enough.
- What is QC Stamina?
QC Stamina is a race-fuelling pouch designed for very long endurance events. One 65 g pouch provides 260 kcal, 42.2 g carbohydrate, 13 g protein, 4.4 g fat and 221 mg sodium. Add about 150 to 200 ml of water, shake and drink.
