One of the fastest and most efficient areas for absorption in the human body is sublingual (under the tongue) absorption. The lining of our mouth consists of a thin epithelial layer surrounded by tiny blood vessels, making it an ideal site for the passive diffusion of nutrients at the molecular level. Sublingual absorption bypasses hepatic first-pass metabolism, meaning nutrients can skip the process of being metabolized through the gastrointestinal tract.¹ As a result, sublingual absorption allows for the full absorption of nutrients directly into the bloodstream.
Residence & Dissolution Time
Residence time refers to the duration that nutrients remain in the desired area of the mouth for effective sublingual absorption.² A lengthy dissolution time may lead to diminished effects, while a rapid dissolution time could result in oral ingestion, negating the benefits of sublingual delivery. Our product is specifically formulated to dissolve gradually and smoothly within 3 to 5 minutes, ensuring a quick yet effective sublingual experience.
Lipid Solubility & pKa Value
The majority of nutrients that travel sublingually undergo passive transcellular diffusion, which involves moving through cells.² Lipid-soluble molecules are particularly well-suited for this type of diffusion due to their high pKa values (strength of an acid).² A high pKa value suggests a weak base, facilitating easier passive diffusion. Both caffeine⁹ and Alpha-GPC¹⁰ possess high pKa values, making them lipid-soluble. As a result, they can efficiently traverse cell membranes through passive transcellular diffusion.
Water Solubility & pH value
In addition to lipid-soluble nutrients, water-soluble nutrients can also be effectively absorbed sublingually.² These nutrients utilize passive paracellular diffusion, which involves traveling between cells², and their absorption can be influenced by the pH of the environment.¹¹ L-Citrulline⁸, vitamin B12¹⁴, and vitamin B6¹³ are highly water-soluble. Our flavoring agents are specifically designed to lower the mouth's environmental pH. This lower pH enhances saliva secretion, thereby aiding in the sublingual absorption process for water-soluble nutrients.²
Fast Effects
Sublingual absorption is known to be 10 times faster than oral absorption because nutrients bypass hepatic first-pass metabolism and enter directly into the bloodstream.¹ Sublingual absorption acts as a shortcut to the circulatory system, allowing effects to be felt within minutes.
Efficient Effects
Sublingual absorption bypasses the gastrointestinal tract, reducing the likelihood of nutrients being metabolized.¹ This decrease in metabolism results in a higher absorption rate, allowing nutrients to be absorbed more efficiently. As a result, they may produce the same if not even greater effects at smaller doses.³
No Side Effects
Sublingual absorption bypasses the gastrointestinal tract entirely, preventing nutrients from interacting with the digestive system.³ As a result, common side effects associated with traditional powdered or liquid pre-workouts—such as increased bathroom usage, tingling sensations, and stomach discomfort—are eliminated.
Caffeine
Caffeine is typically ingested orally 30 to 60 minutes prior to exercise in doses ranging from 1.4 to 2.7 mg per pound of body weight, translating to about 200 to 400 mg daily.⁵ However, there is growing evidence that alternative delivery systems, such as sublingual absorption, may produce similar ergogenic effects.⁶ At KALOS, we incorporate 80 mg of caffeine per melt, with a total of 240 mg in a three-melt serving. This dosing strategy may yield similar, if not greater, effects compared to larger oral doses due to the efficiency of sublingual absorption. While caffeine has been shown to increase athletic performance, it has also been shown to cause many negative side effects such as stomach discomfort, crashing, and increased bathroom usage.⁵ With sublingual absorption, caffeine skips the process of interacting with the digestive system and enters the blood stream directly. The sublingual approach ensures rapid and sustained ergogenic benefits without the negative side effects commonly associated with oral caffeine ingestion.
Alpha-GPC
Alpha-GPC has been shown to effectively increase acetylcholine levels, leading to enhanced focus.⁴ At KALOS, we incorporate 73 mg of Alpha-GPC (50% L-alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine) per melt, totaling 220 mg in a three-melt serving. When combined with caffeine, these ingredients create a synergistic effect that boosts both energy and focus without overshadowing one another. Users often report experiencing a more controlled version of a typical caffeine buzz. In addition, we opted for Alpha-GPC (50% L-alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine) instead of Alpha-GPC (99% L-alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine). Alpha-GPC (99% L-alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine) tends to trap moisture within its composition, increasing the risk of bacterial growth and resulting in a slushy consistency. Therefore, Alpha-GPC (50% L-alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine) is the more suitable choice for our delivery system, ensuring both efficacy and stability while maintaining a pleasant user experience.
L-Citrulline
KALOS utilizes 333 mg of L-Citrulline per melt and 1000 mg in a three-melt serving. The rationale behind our dosing lies in the unique benefits of our delivery system. Sublingual absorption operates differently than traditional oral ingestion, as none of the active ingredients are metabolized in the stomach. This means that the full dose of L-Citrulline is absorbed directly into the bloodstream¹, allowing for similar, if not greater, effects at smaller doses compared to larger amounts used in oral forms.³ The efficiency of sublingual absorption ensures users can still experience the benefits of L-Citrulline without the need for higher doses.⁷
B-vitamins
At KALOS, each melt contains 100% of the recommended daily value for both vitamin B12 (2.4 mcg)¹⁴ and B6 (1.7 mg)¹³. B vitamins are crucial for enhancing energy levels, as they help to efficiently convert food into energy and support red blood cell production. What many may not realize is that the sublingual route is the most effective way to absorb B vitamins. Studies¹² have demonstrated that sublingual absorption surpasses both oral ingestion and even intramuscular injection¹⁵ in terms of bioavailability. By leveraging sublingual absorption, KALOS ensures that users receive the maximum benefits from B vitamins, making our melts an optimal choice for boosting energy and enhancing overall performance.