Perpetuem®

SHOULD I USE PERPETUEM OR SUSTAINED ENERGY?

Hammer Nutrition offers two superb long-distance fuels in powder form – Sustained Energy 2.0 and Perpetuem 2.0. Sustained Energy 2.0 (“SE” as it’s commonly referred to) was introduced in 1992; Perpetuem first became available in early 2003. The newer 2.0 versions of both fuels were introduced in 2022. Perpetuem 2.0 and Sustained Energy 2.0 are intended to be used as your primary or sole fuel when exercise goes beyond two hours.

Deciding whether to use Sustained Energy 2.0 or Perpetuem 2.0 (or both) will undoubtedly be influenced by personal preference; however, there are a few differences between these two time-proven fuels that can assist you in the selection process.

CALORIES: Every 2-scoop serving of Perpetuem 2.0 contains 180 calories. Sustained Energy 2.0 contains 200 calories per 2-scoop serving.

PRIMARY INGREDIENTS: Sustained Energy 2.0 contains a 7:1 ratio of complex carbohydrates to soy protein and is fat free. Perpetuem 2.0’s carbohydrate-to-protein ratio is approximately 8:1, with 2.0 gramsof healthy fat (soy lecithin, sunflower oil) added to every 2-scoop of the formula.

Three reasons for the inclusion of this specific fat in Perpetuem 2.0 are:

1. To act as a natural preservative, increasing the “shelf life” of the carbohydrate and protein components
2. To assist the body in more liberally releasing its fatty acids stores, which account for up to two–thirds of one's energy requirements in long bouts of exercise
3. To slightly slow the rate of digestion and thus decrease hunger pangs

AUXILIARY NUTRITIENTS: Perpetuem 2.0 contains Sodium Phosphate (aka Sodium Tribasic Phosphate). This nutrient was not added to the Sustained Energy 2.0 formula. Primary among its benefits, Sodium Phosphate is a powerful acid-buffering nutrient, reducing the burning sensation effects of lactic acid buildup. Both fuels contain l-carnosine, which is also an effective acid-buffering/pH-neutralizing compound.

FLAVORS: Sustained Energy 2.0 has always come in a neutral (“plain”) flavor. Perpetuem 2.0 comes in four flavor options—orange, strawberry, chocolate, and caffe latte (includes 15 mg of caffeine per scoop).

OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER

We have noted that Sustained Energy 2.0 may be the ideal fuel choice when endurance exercise intensity is at a higher level (approximately 70–85% MHR), whereas Perpetuem 2.0 may be a more attractive choice the longer the athlete goes and when exercise intensity is at a more aerobic pace (under 70% MHR). Additionally, over the course of many years we have noted that Sustained Energy 2.0 may be the best option for very lean athletes (the “high metabolizer/hyper–metabolic” types), while Perpetuem 2.0—with its added healthy fat component—may be more appropriate for athletes with a naturally higher body fat percentage. The rationale for this suggestion is that athletes with a higher body fat percentage have a greater volume of calories available from body fat stores, which the healthy fat in Perpetuem 2.0 may effectively assist in accessing for use as energy.

Bottom line: With Perpetuem 2.0 and Sustained Energy 2.0 you have two great long distance fuel choices. When exercise goes beyond about two hours, you can use either product as your sole fuel, in tandem with each other, or as your primary fuel along with any of the other Hammer Nutrition fuels. Taking into account the earlier-listed differences between the products, as well as testing each product under a variety of conditions in your long–duration workouts, will allow you to determine which fuel works best for you.

What is the benefit of making a multi-hour bottle of Perpetuem, and how do I make it?

While athletes love how Perpetuem works, many do not like to drink large volumes of flavored liquid hour after hour. Making Perpetuem in a bit more-concentrated, multi-hour bottle will resolve that, with most athletes making a bottle that contains 4 hours’ worth of Perpetuem. Here’s how to do it:

Each scoop of Perpetuem 2.0 contains 90 calories. Athletes weighing ~200 pounds, may use up to 2.25 scoops an hour, which supplies 202.5 calories. For light-weight athletes, 1.0 scoop (90 calories) to 1.25 scoops (112.5 calories) per hour works well. Medium-weight athletes will find that 1.50 scoops (135 calories) to 2.0 scoops (180 calories) per hour is an excellent amount.

Using the larger athlete as an example, start with the water bottle about 1/3 filled with water, add a couple of scoops of Perpetuem, but the lid back on the bottle and shake vigorously. Repeat the process until 9 scoops of Perpetuem are thoroughly mixed in the bottle. There are now 4 hours of fuel in one bottle, which benefits in two primary ways:

1. You don’t have to drink so much volume of flavored liquid hour after hour. Because you have 4 hours’ worth of fuel in one bottle, you only need to drink ¼ of the bottle every hour, augmenting that with plain water from another source (another water bottle, hydration pack, etc.) to take care of your hydration needs. Many athletes find that plain water quenches their thirst better than liquid fuels do, and drinking water to cleanse the palate makes taking another drink of fuel even more palatable.
2. Because you have 4 hours of Perpetuem in your bottle, you don’t have to stop and make more every hour, which saves a lot of time.

HOT TIP: Using a Sharpie permanent ink pen, mark your bottle off into 4 equal segments so that you have a visual of what line you need to drink down to every hour.

NOTE: If the weather is going to be hot, make your 4-hour bottle the night before and put it in the freezer. This is perfectly acceptable, and it will keep the mixture cold for a longer period of time.

When would I use HEED or Perpetuem?

HEED is a “carbohydrate only” drink mix that is great for bouts of exercise up to 2-3 hours in duration. Perpetuem 2.0 is a “carb + protein + healthy fat” drink mix that is ideal for longer-duration workouts and races. The inclusion of protein in Perpetuem helps to satisfy the 10-15% of energy that must come from protein/amino acids during long-duration exercise. Without this protein donation the body is forced to cannibalize its lean muscle tissue to satisfy this small percentage of energy requirements. That decreases exercise performance, due to the excess amount of fatigue-causing ammonia that is produced, and it will also cause recovery after exercise to be significantly longer because there is a greater percentage of broken down muscle tissue that needs repairing. The healthy fat added to the Perpetuem formula gives the body a cue of sorts to let it know that it’s not depriving it of fat (the “you have to eat fat to burn fat” train of thought). As a result, the body releases its fatty acid stores more liberally so that the calories from them can be used to create energy more consistently and efficiently. As you can see, Perpetuem is a very complete “meal in a bottle” fuel for endurance exercise.

Why did the price of Perpetuem decrease?

In 2022, the price for 32 servings of Perpetuem Classic and 2.0 was decreased from $49.95 to $39.95, or 20%. However, this price decrease also coincided with a 33% decrease in serving size and therefore total contents of each container. See next FAQ on why serving size changed. The cost per calorie did go up and we are not trying to hide this fact. To be clear, serving size decreased by 33% and price decreased by 20%, so effectively, there was a net 13% increase - the first price increase on this product in over a decade!

Why did the serving size change?

The original 270 calorie serving was too big, which lead too many people down the path of excess calorie intake, which is the exact opposite of what we advocate - Less is best. In fact, about the only complaints we ever got was from consuming too many calories per hour. 180 calories per hour is close to what most athletes find works best, with some needing a little less and some needing a little more. Starting with one serving per hour and adjusting up or down for individual needs makes things a lot easier to find your ideal hourly caloric intake.

For those wanting to get back to the original serving size, it’s very easy. Each scoop is 90 calories, so three scoops will equal 270 calories.

How soon after mixing Perpetuem and Sustained Energy do they need to be consumed?

In moderate temperatures, a pre-mixed bottle of Perpetuem or Sustained Energy should be suitable for consumption for up to 5 hours, perhaps even slightly longer. In warm-to-hot weather, that consumption “window” will be shorter, as short as 2 hours in very warm weather. Freezing your pre-mixed bottle(s) of fuel the night before will extend their palatability (i.e., staying colder longer) and keep the mixture suitable for consumption for a longer period of time.

How Should I Mix Perpetuem Or Sustained Energy For A Hot-Weather Event?

If the weather is going to be mild-to-warm you should make your multi-hour bottle(s) of Perpetuem or Sustained Energy the night before and freeze them. If, for example, you’re doing an iron-distance triathlon you can put both bottles on the bike or leave one at Special Needs. If you’re doing a 6-hour cycling event, you can carry both bottles on the bike. If you’re doing an ultrarunning race, you can carry one and have the other in a small cooler at the “bag drop” aid station.

If it’s going to be hot on your iron-distance triathlon, freeze your first multi-hour bottle of Perpetuem or Sustained Energy. Freeze the second bottle as well, but prior to putting it in the freezer, wrap a wet face cloth or rag around the bottle and secure with a couple rubber bands… then stick it in the freezer. This second bottle will end up having a frozen face cloth/rag around it, which provides extra insulation to help keep it cool. This second bottle will go to Special Needs. This is also a good strategy for ultrarunners who have a “bag drop” aid station. Carry the first frozen multi-hour bottle with you, and pick up the wrapped-frozen multi-hour bottle at the bag drop aid station.

If the weather is going to be extremely hot on event day, make up and freeze your first multi-hour bottle of Perpetuem 2.0 or Sustained Energy 2.0 and carry with you on bike or body. Have the second one waiting for you, dry powder only in a bottle at Special Needs (triathlon), on your bike (cycling events), or at the “bag drop” aid station (ultrarunning). You will have to stop briefly to add cold water to the powder-only bottle and spend a little time getting it mixed. However, this is time well invested because you will have a fresh bottle of cold fuel to cover you for the next several hours.

Is It Okay To Mix Perpetuem Or Sustained Energy And Keep It Refrigerated?

It is perfectly acceptable to mix bottles of Perpetuem or Sustained Energy ahead of time, though for maximal potency we recommend consuming the pre-mixed bottle(s) within 48 hours’ time once mixed. Freezing the mixture is also completely acceptable, and there is no time limit on when you need to consume frozen Perpetuem or Sustained Energy. You may notice a small amount of crystals at or around the top of the bottle. This is due to the l-carnitine component in these two fuels, which is very hygroscopic (has an affinity for water). L-carnitine formed crystals may signal a slight reduction in potency of this amino acid; however, this crystallization effect is normal and harmless, and the product is perfectly acceptable for consumption.

How do I determine the equivalent of one scoop of Perpetuem?

No scoop? No problem! With the following conversion information, your "Where did my scoop go?" problems are resolved!

Perpetuem 2.0
1 Level Scoop (39cc) = 2 TBSP +1 ¾ tsp (Serving Size: 2 Scoops)

Perpetuem Classic
1 Level Scoop (60 cc) = 4 TBSP + ½ tsp (Serving Size: 2 Scoops)

What is the difference between Perpetuem and Perpetuem Solids?

Perpetuem Solids are made from the same corn maltodextrin formula as Classic Perpetuem powder. Each 3 tablet serving provides 100 calories, 10 more calories than 1 scoop of Perpetuem powder. Perpetuem Solids can be used as the sole source of calories, but most athletes use them as a supplemental fuel that gives them something to chew on without resorting to gummies (aka candy) or other solid foods that will slow digestion and can lead to GI distress.

150 - 180 total calories per hour is the “sweet spot” for most athletes and Perpetuem Solids provide a novel way to help you hit this target.

Can Perpetuem and HEED be used in a hydration pack's bladder?

Q: Can Perpetuem and HEED be used in a hydration pack's bladder without clogging it up?

A: While both products can be used in a hydration pack bladder, because Perpetuem is a bit thicker by nature--with its complex carbs, protein, and healthy fat--it has the greater potential to clog. HEED is just an all-carbohydrate fuel, no protein or fat, so it's easier mix in and consume from a hydration pack.

Why doesn't Hammer Nutrition sell a creatine product?

When creatine supplements were in their infancy and not widely available, we did sell a creatine product. We discontinued it several years ago for a couple of primary reasons, one of which was the ever-increasing number of locations, such as health food and drug stores, online bodybuilding-specific stores, and even supermarkets, where creatine supplements could be found. Additionally, while creatine supplementation certainly has its place (primarily for off-season weight training workouts), we believe there are far better endurance-specific supplements available.

Creatine monohydrate (the most common form of creatine sold) is converted to creatine phosphate in the body. Phosphate molecules are then donated to replenish the short-term ATP-CP (adenosine triphosphate and creatine phosphate) energy system, which is of benefit primarily-to-solely for strength athletes (e.g., weight lifters, bodybuilders) or athletes engaged in short-duration, high-intensity bouts of exercise or races (e.g., track sprinters).

Race Day Boost and Perpetuem 2.0 contain sodium phosphate, which we believe to be a much more appropriate creatine-like supplement for endurance athletes. This is because sodium phosphate not only replenishes/restores the short-term ATP-CP energy system, it also enhances the medium-term anaerobic/lactic acid energy system and the longer-term aerobic/oxygen energy system.

What is the “best used”  time frame once opened?

Q: I know that Perpetuem is best when used no longer than 3 years after manufacture, but what is the “best used”  time frame once opened?

A: The "best by" date that extends from the manufacture date (listed as ""MFG"") is the length of time the product will retain maximal potency once opened. Be sure to store your container(s) of Perpetuem away from direct sunlight, moisture, and excess heat, and it will be completely potent for 3 years, possibly even longer.

Does Perpetuem contain caffeine?

Caffe Latte flavor contains 30 mg of caffeine per serving.

Can my teenagers use Perpeteum?

Q: Can my teenagers use Perpeteum during their longer workouts and events? They get very hungry and needs the calories but doesn't want to eat food and bog down. This seems like a perfect product for that.

A: Perpetuem is an absolutely ideal fuel for teenage athletes! We like to refer to Perpetuem as a "meal in a bottle" fuel, as it contains complex carbohydrates, protein, and a small amount of healthy fat, and it's superb for fulfilling energy requirements, while also staving off hunger pangs.

Can I use Recoverite or Vegan Recoverite during a long workout or event?

There are two things about Recoverite and Vegan Recoverite that make them not good choices for use during exercise:

1) The carb to protein ratio in Recoverite is 3:1, which, while not harmful, is not ideal during exercise. During exercise only a small portion of the body’s energy requirements—somewhere between 8% - 12%—need to be fulfilled via protein. With that being the case, the carb to protein ratio should be skewed much more in favor of carbohydrates than protein, with a 7:1 or 8:1 ratio being ideal. This is where our long-distance fuels come in— Perpetuem and Sustained Energy.

2) The l-glutamine (aka glutamine) that we add to the product is the primary issue. Glutamine is an incredibly beneficial amino acid, but it’s not ideal to consume it prior to or during exercise, as it will produce some ammonia when it’s first metabolized. After exercise, when the muscles are no longer actively working, this is not problematic at all, and all the benefits that glutamine provides can be enjoyed. During exercise, however, you are already producing ammonia (it can’t be completely avoided), which is a primary cause of fatigue, and you don’t want to do anything to exacerbate the problem. But that’s exactly what happens when you consume glutamine supplements or glutamine-enhanced fuels during exercise... you increase the body's ammonia "burden." Interestingly, in about 3-hours’ time, glutamine actually becomes an effective ammonia scavenger, neutralizing/detoxifying the ammonia it produces, and then some. The problem is that during exercise you don’t have the luxury of waiting 3 hours for glutamine to scavenge ammonia the ammonia it initially produces and more.

For best results, use Perpetuem or Sustained Energy during exercise and save Recoverite for after your workouts.

Why do you use maltodextrin instead of sugar in your fuels?

Here are the benefits of maltodextrin, along with information about its effects on insulin during exercise and shortly after it’s been completed.

The Benefits of Maltodextrin

1. You can digest greater amounts of calories from maltodextrin than from any short-chain sugar, aka “simple sugar,” such as glucose, sucrose, and fructose (As one nutritional scientist states, “maltodextrin allows one to swallow more energy in less volume.”) With maltodextrin you get the full amount of calories that you need for energy production, and with no delay in exiting the GI tract. Fuels containing simple sugars much be mixed at very calorically weak solutions in order to be digested with any efficiency, so your body won’t be getting the right amount of calories it needs. However, when athletes try to make a “double-strength” mix of a simple sugar fuel, that too-high sugar mixture does not match body fluid chemistry, which means it just sits in the stomach undigested for a lengthy period of time... and that means severe stomach distress. You won’t have that issue with maltodextrin.


2. Maltodextrin goes to work extremely quickly in producing energy because it’s a high Glycemic Index carbohydrate; in fact, it’s the same as pure glucose (both are 100). That’s a good thing because you want that energy as quickly as possible, and that’s what maltodextrin will do. Another benefit with maltodextrin is that, because it’s comprised of hundreds of saccharide molecules all weakly bonded together, it will provide a much more consistent and longer-lasting energy than glucose or any other simple sugar, and without that undesirable “peak and valley”, “flash and crash” energy that is typical with simple sugars.

Because of maltodextrin’s high Glycemic Index (GI), many people ask about the insulin release that occurs. The answer to that is that, yes, maltodextrin does elevate blood sugar levels very rapidly and will cause an insulin release. This is not an issue immediately prior to exercise, during exercise, however, as Dr. Misner explains: "During exercise, insulin release is inhibited because sympathetic nervous system hormones are also released and, concurrently, exercise augments muscle uptake of glucose from exogenous intake accompanied by lower insulin levels and effects." Basically, what Dr. Misner is saying is that because energy turnover is very high, and with the release of specific central nervous system hormones, the body is able to deliver glucose to the muscles with very minimal insulin… insulin release is not a significant factor during exercise.

After exercise, when the body needs to have its cells restocked with fuel, maltodextrin’s high Glycemic Index is also desirable… Recoverite and Organic Vegan Recoverite are PERFECT fuels for maximizing recovery.

Those are the only three times—immediately prior to exercise, during exercise, and shortly after exercise—when a high-GI carbohydrate such as maltodextrin should be consumed.

Is Sodium Phosphate, found in Race Day Boost and Perpetuem, safe to Consume?

Yes, sodium tribasic phosphate (also referred to simply as sodium phosphate) is remarkably safe, especially in the relatively small amounts found in Race Day Boost and Perpetuem. Sodium phosphate enjoys FDA "GRAS" (Generally Recognized As Safe) status as an emulsifying agent, Nutrients and Dietary Supplement, a sequestrant (a food additive whose role is to improve the quality and stability of the food products), and for miscellaneous use.

The LD50 of orally dosed sodium tribasic phosphate for rats (the amount of an agent that is sufficient to kill 50 percent of the rats) is 7,400 mg/kg. Translated for a 75 kg/165 lb. athlete, that would mean a dose of nearly 555 grams (555,000 mg), an astronomically high amount that no one would even conceive of trying to take. By comparison:

• The LD50 of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) for rats is 4,220 mg/kg
• The LD50 for rats consuming acetic acid (vinegar is a dilute aqueous solution of acetic acid) is 3,310 mg/kg
• The LD50 of sodium chloride (table salt) for rats is 3,000 mg/kg

More information can be found in the article "Alleviating Sodium Phosphate Concerns" in Endurance News #69, beginning on page 48.

Which version of HEED, Perpetuem, and Recoverite are Kosher certified?

At this time, all flavors of Classic HEED and Classic Recoverite are Kosher certified by the Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc). We are currently working to obtain Kosher certification for the 2.0 versions of HEED and Recoverite, as well as both Classic and 2.0 versions of Perpetuem.

Is the soy protein in Perpetuem non-GMO?

The soy protein isolate used in Perpetuem is GMO-free.

What is the source for iron in Perpetuem?

Q: What is the source for iron in Perpetuem? Is it from the soy or additional additives?

A: The 1 mg of iron that you see on the labels of all flavors of Perpetuem 2.0 and Perpetuem classic is for a 2-scoop serving, and it is what naturally occurs in the soy protein and soy lecithin in the product. No iron has been added.

Is there a recipe for a soy-free Perpetuem?

Q: I cannot consume soy. Is there a recipe for a soy-free Perpetuem?

A: Yes, you can make a non-soy endurance fuel that’s comparable to Perpetuem by using HEED and Vegan Protein:

Each 2-scoop serving of Perpetuem contains 180 calories from 34 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of protein, and 2 grams of fat. To make a soy-free version that’s similar to Perpetuem, mix together the following:

• 1.25 scoops of HEED = 137.5 calories from 35 grams of carbohydrates
• 1/3 scoop of Vegan Protein = 40 calories from 2.5 grams of carbohydrates, 6.5 grams of protein, and 0.67 grams of fat

TOTAL CARBOHYDRATES – 37.5 grams
TOTAL PROTEIN – 6.5 grams
TOTAL FAT – .67 grams
TOTAL CALORIES – 177.5

How can I prevent any clumping from happening when mixing my fuel bottles?

Always start with about one-third of your water bottle/blender bottle filled with water. Adding water to dry powder will oftentimes cause clumping, but if you first start with water and then add the powder, this issue will cease to exist. Once you’ve added the powder to the water-containing bottle, put the lid on and shake vigorously. After that, add a bit more water, put the lid on, and repeat the process. Continue until your fuel bottle is full. Note: This is especially important when you’re making a multi-hour bottle of fuel; make it a little bit at a time—add some water, add powder, put the lid on, shake, repeat.