Nutrition products you may or may not have seen

Not endorsing any of this stuff.  I've been listening to a lot of triathlon podcasts, and those folks are very up to date on endurance nutrition products that might give them an edge.  So, why aren't ultrarunners?  It's an interesting difference between the two endurance camps.  Let's not argue about the respective difficulties, but appreciate that there are different approaches taken to the two different endeavors.

That being said, I have compiled and grouped several different classes of supplements that may be utilized or marketed to endurance athletes and just put my random (slightly scientific) thoughts in along with them.  I think they'll be published in this order.  If you can think of any other supplement groups that might be interesting, leave a comment or shoot me an email.

Before we start, I want to emphasize:  MORE IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER

1st - Natural Food Supplements (is that an oximoron?)
2nd - Amino Acid Supplements
3rd - Super Starches
4th - Oils

 Natural Food Supplements - Dehydrated food stuffs as well as isolated nutrients.  Usually chocked full of anti-oxidants including all the new ones such as polyphenols, isoflavonoids, catechins, and other plant phenols.  Generally speaking, the marketing behind these compounds is well ahead of the science, but there is at least some evidence that components in these products can be beneficial for endurance athletes.

Of the many compounds found in these products, the most compelling and consistent evidence supports the use of beetroot or beets in these products, as this contains nitrate, which acts on multiple systems which could enhance running performance.  Read more here:  Dietary nitrate and performance

Low calorie, but contains tons of nutrients.  Also should be a great source of nitrate which has been proven to increase endurance

Based on literature, a source of nitrate

Not sure what to say.  The publication on their website is definitely on the weak side of things.