Creatine 101
Creatine: What You Need and Want To Know
Creatine is possibly one of the most popular and most used supplement in the Health and Fitness industry. But its mechanics are sparingly understood. Nor do many people know where it comes from or what exactly it is. So to better inform you as a consume we are going to take a through look at Creatine, it’s history, forms, functions, and effects.
Creatine is a nitrogenous organic acid that is naturally occurring in vertebrates. Its systematic name is 2-(1-Methylcarbamimidamido)acetic. Creatine is was first identified in 1832 by Michel Eugène Chevreul as a component of Skeletal Muscle. Chevreul later renamed it his discovery Creatine after the greek word for meat κρέας (kreas).
Creatine is naturally synthesized in the human body from a few different amino acids within the liver and kidneys. Although synthesized in the liver and kidneys 95% of all Creatine in the human body is contained within skeletal muscle. Though most of this stored Creatine is not biosynthesized, but it is derived from food, primarily meat. But Creatine is not an essential nutrient and is only manufactured within the body from amino acids L-arginine, glycine, and L-methionine.
In 1912 harvard researchers Otto Folin and Willey Glover Denis observed that ingesting Creatine significantly increases the Creatine content of skeletal muscle. Then in the late 1920’s after discovering that ingesting large amounts of Creatine to boost Creatine muscle content, Scientist discovered Creatine Phosphate and determined it has a major role in skeletal muscle metabolism. Creatine first entered the public eye following the 1992 Olympics after reports of multiple athletes using the compound. But it wasn’t until 1993 that a Creatine supplement became available when a company know as Experimental and Applied Sciences (EAS) produced a supplement called Creatine Phosphagen.
Creatine found in supplement is usually in three primary forms Creatine monohydrate, Creatine hydrochloride, and Creatine ethyl ester. The main difference between these three forms of Creatine is the solubility of each monohydrate is the most common and widely used and is superior to Creatine ethyl ester, but recently studies published have shown that Creatine hydrochloride is the most soluble and allows for 59times more absorption by the body.
Creatine found in supplements is synthetic and is usually manufactured from sarcosine and cyanmide both of which are naturally occurring compounds found within the body. The Creatine is made in glass-lined vats called reactors. The reactor is filled with water, the sarcosine and cyanamide are put in with Catalyst compounds. The reactor is heated and pressurized, causing synthetic creatine crystals to form.The crystalline creatine is then centrifuged to spin out undesirable by-products like creatinine and di-cyanimide and subsequently vacuum dried. The dried creatine compound is milled into a fine powder for improved bioabsorption. Milling techniques differ, resulting in final products of varying solubility and bioabsorbability. This process is very expensive and require specially trained technicians to operate the reactor due to this very few firms produce this creatine, but the ones who do resell their product to a variety of retailers.
A Creatine Supplement is a great addition to an individual’s usual supplement stack. Especially for those wishing to optimize fat-loss and continue adding muscle mass. Creatine when taken is absorbed into the body and is broken down into Creatine phosphate which is used to fuel short bursts of energy it allows the replenishing of depleted ATP stores, which is your bodies form of energy, this allows for greater gains in and out of the and gym as well as increased recovery time.
Creatine is a definite must have supplement for the serious gym goer here is a list of 3 brands which contain varying forms of creatine, but all of which can be used with success and we here at intellectual fitness recommend.
1. Con-Cret specially Conjugated Creatine
2. Optimum Nutrition Creatine Powder
3. GNC Pro Performance Creatine Monohydrate
Creatine is possibly one of the most popular and most used supplement in the Health and Fitness industry. But its mechanics are sparingly understood. Nor do many people know where it comes from or what exactly it is. So to better inform you as a consume we are going to take a through look at Creatine, it’s history, forms, functions, and effects.
Creatine is a nitrogenous organic acid that is naturally occurring in vertebrates. Its systematic name is 2-(1-Methylcarbamimidamido)acetic. Creatine is was first identified in 1832 by Michel Eugène Chevreul as a component of Skeletal Muscle. Chevreul later renamed it his discovery Creatine after the greek word for meat κρέας (kreas).
Creatine is naturally synthesized in the human body from a few different amino acids within the liver and kidneys. Although synthesized in the liver and kidneys 95% of all Creatine in the human body is contained within skeletal muscle. Though most of this stored Creatine is not biosynthesized, but it is derived from food, primarily meat. But Creatine is not an essential nutrient and is only manufactured within the body from amino acids L-arginine, glycine, and L-methionine.
In 1912 harvard researchers Otto Folin and Willey Glover Denis observed that ingesting Creatine significantly increases the Creatine content of skeletal muscle. Then in the late 1920’s after discovering that ingesting large amounts of Creatine to boost Creatine muscle content, Scientist discovered Creatine Phosphate and determined it has a major role in skeletal muscle metabolism. Creatine first entered the public eye following the 1992 Olympics after reports of multiple athletes using the compound. But it wasn’t until 1993 that a Creatine supplement became available when a company know as Experimental and Applied Sciences (EAS) produced a supplement called Creatine Phosphagen.
Creatine found in supplement is usually in three primary forms Creatine monohydrate, Creatine hydrochloride, and Creatine ethyl ester. The main difference between these three forms of Creatine is the solubility of each monohydrate is the most common and widely used and is superior to Creatine ethyl ester, but recently studies published have shown that Creatine hydrochloride is the most soluble and allows for 59times more absorption by the body.
Creatine found in supplements is synthetic and is usually manufactured from sarcosine and cyanmide both of which are naturally occurring compounds found within the body. The Creatine is made in glass-lined vats called reactors. The reactor is filled with water, the sarcosine and cyanamide are put in with Catalyst compounds. The reactor is heated and pressurized, causing synthetic creatine crystals to form.The crystalline creatine is then centrifuged to spin out undesirable by-products like creatinine and di-cyanimide and subsequently vacuum dried. The dried creatine compound is milled into a fine powder for improved bioabsorption. Milling techniques differ, resulting in final products of varying solubility and bioabsorbability. This process is very expensive and require specially trained technicians to operate the reactor due to this very few firms produce this creatine, but the ones who do resell their product to a variety of retailers.
A Creatine Supplement is a great addition to an individual’s usual supplement stack. Especially for those wishing to optimize fat-loss and continue adding muscle mass. Creatine when taken is absorbed into the body and is broken down into Creatine phosphate which is used to fuel short bursts of energy it allows the replenishing of depleted ATP stores, which is your bodies form of energy, this allows for greater gains in and out of the and gym as well as increased recovery time.
Creatine is a definite must have supplement for the serious gym goer here is a list of 3 brands which contain varying forms of creatine, but all of which can be used with success and we here at intellectual fitness recommend.
1. Con-Cret specially Conjugated Creatine
2. Optimum Nutrition Creatine Powder
3. GNC Pro Performance Creatine Monohydrate
Recommended Protein
Here are our recommendations for the best proteins available on the market today.
1. Optimum Gold Standard 100% Whey
Optimum's Gold Standard 100% WheyTM has won the Supplement Of The Year and Protein Powder Of The Year awards for 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010! Since the very beginning, Optimum Nutrition has raised the standard by which all other whey protein supplements are judged.Pick up some 2. BSN Syntha-6
Syntha-6TM is the ultra-premium protein with an ultra-premium taste. Our multi-functional protein blend utilizes multiple individual proteins, each with varying digestive rates and distinct amino acid profiles. This combination ensures active muscles are fed for hours with the most complete blend of proteins available.Pick up some 3. Gaspari MyoFusion
The competition between companies is fierce and the drive to sell more protein by differentiating a product by any means necessary (whether it's legitimate science or not) is prevalent to say the least. MyoFusion® delivers only the highest and most legitimately bioavailable proteins in existence - hard and fast!*Pick up some
4. CytoSport Muscle Milk
Muscle Milk® is an evolutionary muscle formula that promotes efficient fat burning, strength, lean muscle growth and fast recovery from exercise.* Designed after one of nature's most balanced foods: human mother's milk, Muscle Milk takes the guesswork out of high performance nutrition, delivering a precise blend of ultra-premium proteins, complex carbohydrates, functional fats, vitamins and minerals.Pick up some
5. Optimum Platinum Hydrowhey
By combining the absolute finest ingredients with a series of highly specialized processing techniques Optimum Nutrition (ON) has created its most valuable muscle building protein yet.
1. Optimum Gold Standard 100% Whey
Optimum's Gold Standard 100% WheyTM has won the Supplement Of The Year and Protein Powder Of The Year awards for 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010! Since the very beginning, Optimum Nutrition has raised the standard by which all other whey protein supplements are judged.Pick up some 2. BSN Syntha-6
Syntha-6TM is the ultra-premium protein with an ultra-premium taste. Our multi-functional protein blend utilizes multiple individual proteins, each with varying digestive rates and distinct amino acid profiles. This combination ensures active muscles are fed for hours with the most complete blend of proteins available.Pick up some 3. Gaspari MyoFusion
The competition between companies is fierce and the drive to sell more protein by differentiating a product by any means necessary (whether it's legitimate science or not) is prevalent to say the least. MyoFusion® delivers only the highest and most legitimately bioavailable proteins in existence - hard and fast!*Pick up some
4. CytoSport Muscle Milk
Muscle Milk® is an evolutionary muscle formula that promotes efficient fat burning, strength, lean muscle growth and fast recovery from exercise.* Designed after one of nature's most balanced foods: human mother's milk, Muscle Milk takes the guesswork out of high performance nutrition, delivering a precise blend of ultra-premium proteins, complex carbohydrates, functional fats, vitamins and minerals.Pick up some
5. Optimum Platinum Hydrowhey
By combining the absolute finest ingredients with a series of highly specialized processing techniques Optimum Nutrition (ON) has created its most valuable muscle building protein yet.
Protein Type: What to Use and When to Use it?
Soy, whey, casein three different types of protein! Who knew there would be such variety right? But why? Why would you need three different types of protein? Isn't there just one in food? All these questions are usually the normal state of a first time supplement buyer and it can all be really confusing, but we here at intellectualfitness are here to provide you with the best explanation and answers for all these questions. There will be three installations of this article discussing all three types of protein
Now we aren't studying molecular chemistry here so nothing is going to be two in-depth we are going to provide very simple definitons of all three types of protein as well as what they are processed from and how they are processed.
Whey protein is probably the most commonly supplemented of all the proteins. If you have ever heard of someone drinking a protein shake they are probably referring to whey protein (there might be a slight mixture of soy,but for the most part its whey). Whey protein is found in whole foods primarily dairy products such as milk and cheese. Most whey protein powders are processed from cow's milk. Whey is left over after milk coagulates and contains everything that is soluble in milk. It is a 5% solution of lactose in water. The whey is finally isolated and removed after the production of cheese is finished. From this form there are a number of different ways to process it into its final three possible forms. If you read the nutritional label on the back of any whey protein you will find three different phrases whey isolate, whey concentrate, or whey hydrolysate. Now in intellectualfitness's opinion isolate is probably the best form you can find but, whey concentrate is also good to. The differences between these three forms are as follows
Whey Isolate: Isolates are processed to remove the fat, and lactose, but are usually lower in bioactivated compounds as well — they are 90%+ protein by weight.
Whey Concentrate: Concentrates contain a low level of fat and cholesterol but, in general, have higher levels of bioactive compounds, and carbohydrates in the form of lactose — they are 29%–89% protein by weight.
Whey Hydrolysate: Hydrolysates are predigested, partially hydrolyzed whey proteins that, as a consequence, are more easily absorbed, but their cost is generally higher. Highly-hydrolysed whey may be less allergenic than other forms of whey. They are very bitter in taste.
But the reason for whey protein for being so popular is its ability to be rapidly absorbed and used by the body. Because of this feature whey protein is best used before and after workouts to provide fuel for the working muscles.
Now we aren't studying molecular chemistry here so nothing is going to be two in-depth we are going to provide very simple definitons of all three types of protein as well as what they are processed from and how they are processed.
Whey protein is probably the most commonly supplemented of all the proteins. If you have ever heard of someone drinking a protein shake they are probably referring to whey protein (there might be a slight mixture of soy,but for the most part its whey). Whey protein is found in whole foods primarily dairy products such as milk and cheese. Most whey protein powders are processed from cow's milk. Whey is left over after milk coagulates and contains everything that is soluble in milk. It is a 5% solution of lactose in water. The whey is finally isolated and removed after the production of cheese is finished. From this form there are a number of different ways to process it into its final three possible forms. If you read the nutritional label on the back of any whey protein you will find three different phrases whey isolate, whey concentrate, or whey hydrolysate. Now in intellectualfitness's opinion isolate is probably the best form you can find but, whey concentrate is also good to. The differences between these three forms are as follows
Whey Isolate: Isolates are processed to remove the fat, and lactose, but are usually lower in bioactivated compounds as well — they are 90%+ protein by weight.
Whey Concentrate: Concentrates contain a low level of fat and cholesterol but, in general, have higher levels of bioactive compounds, and carbohydrates in the form of lactose — they are 29%–89% protein by weight.
Whey Hydrolysate: Hydrolysates are predigested, partially hydrolyzed whey proteins that, as a consequence, are more easily absorbed, but their cost is generally higher. Highly-hydrolysed whey may be less allergenic than other forms of whey. They are very bitter in taste.
But the reason for whey protein for being so popular is its ability to be rapidly absorbed and used by the body. Because of this feature whey protein is best used before and after workouts to provide fuel for the working muscles.
Check Out this Article by Jim Stoppani originally posted at Bodybuilding.com
Take your gains to the next level with these four goal-specific supplement stacks! By: Jim Stoppani
Stacked In Your Favor! To put on the most lean muscle mass and build the greatest amount of strength while maintaining the least amount of bodyfat, you need to train hard and smart, and follow a solid nutrition plan. And to really take your results to the next level, a smart supplement plan is a must-have.
But a smart supplement plan doesn't mean grabbing a jug of whey protein and a container of creatine and taking them willy-nilly. Sure, whey and creatine are crucial supplements for building size and strength, but knowing what other supplements to take them with to optimize their results can make a big difference . . . emphasis on big.
Mass Stack We know that the main reason you train is to build serious size. This mass stack will ensure your success at maximizing your muscle growth. Use this stack (minus the casein) within 30 minutes before workouts and 30 minutes after workouts (with the casein) and the results will follow.
1. Whey Protein
2. Casein Protein
3. Branched-Chain Amino Acids
4. Creatine
5. Beta-Alanine
Get-Ripped Stack Once you've packed on serious size, you'll want to get shredded to the bone so that you can show off all of your hard-earned muscle in its most striated form. Although a smart get-lean diet plan is a must, stacking the following three supplements can make a big difference in the results you experience.
Take them together two or three times per day between meals, with the first dose in the morning; on workout days, take one of those doses 30-60 minutes before workouts.
1. Caffeine
2. Green Tea Extract
3. Yohimbine
Testosterone-Boosting Stack When most of you think of testosterone, you likely think of its ability to boost muscle mass. Yes, it's very effective at that, but it also aids fat loss, and it boosts muscle strength and, of course, supports sexual health. Take these three supplements to increase your test levels and your results inside and outside of the gym.
1. D-Aspartic Acid
2. Ashwagandha
3. Forskolin
NO-Booster Stack If you're like most guys, you might prefer to just buy a popular NO-booster product and follow the label instructions. That's fine, but be sure that the product you select contains some of the effective ingredients listed here.
However, if you're a supplement scientist who prefers to buy ingredients individually and stack them yourself, this list is for you. You'll get the strongest doses of all of the most effective NO-boosting ingredients for maximal NO production. Stack these four supplements 30-60 minutes before workouts for maximal results.
1. Citrulline
2. Pycnogenol
3. Horny Goat Weed
4. Glycine Propionyl-L-Carnitine
Stacked In Your Favor! To put on the most lean muscle mass and build the greatest amount of strength while maintaining the least amount of bodyfat, you need to train hard and smart, and follow a solid nutrition plan. And to really take your results to the next level, a smart supplement plan is a must-have.
But a smart supplement plan doesn't mean grabbing a jug of whey protein and a container of creatine and taking them willy-nilly. Sure, whey and creatine are crucial supplements for building size and strength, but knowing what other supplements to take them with to optimize their results can make a big difference . . . emphasis on big.
Mass Stack We know that the main reason you train is to build serious size. This mass stack will ensure your success at maximizing your muscle growth. Use this stack (minus the casein) within 30 minutes before workouts and 30 minutes after workouts (with the casein) and the results will follow.
1. Whey Protein
- The starting material for the perfect mass stack is pure whey protein. The fastest protein you can consume, it will get to your muscles rapidly, delivering the amino acids your muscles need for energy and to build size. Whey also has been shown to boost nitric oxide amounts and blood flow to muscles. This aids energy levels for the workout, and recovery and growth after the workout is over.
Recommended:
Dymatize Elite Whey Protein
Take:
» 20 grams pre-workout
» 20-40 grams post-workout
Buy Dymatize Elite Whey Protein
2. Casein Protein
- As fast digesting as whey is, casein is slow digesting; some micellar casein proteins take up to 7 hours to digest. It digests slowly but steadily. It starts providing amino acids immediately, and does so constantly for up to 7 hours.
This is good after workouts because it boosts muscle protein synthesis (the process that leads to muscle growth) and keeps it ramped up for many hours after the workout is over, which leads to greater muscle growth. In fact, Baylor University (Waco, Texas) researchers found that trained men taking casein with their post-workout whey shake for 10 weeks gained more muscle than those taking whey without added casein.
Recommended:
Optimum Nutrition's 100% Casein Protein
Take:
» 10-20 grams post-workout
Buy Optimum Nutrition's 100% Casein Protein
3. Branched-Chain Amino Acids
- The BCAAs comprise the three amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine. These are the three most critical aminos for boosting muscle growth. Research shows that leucine acts as a key that literally turns on muscle protein synthesis in muscle cells.
These amino acids are also an important energy source for your muscles during workouts. So you need them both before and after training. Whey protein is rich in BCAAs, but not rich enough to provide all that you really need to boost energy and muscle growth around workouts.
Recommended:
Scivation Xtend
Take:
» 5-10 grams pre- and post-workout
Buy Scivation Xtend
4. Creatine
- Of course, creatine made the mass list. After all, hundreds of studies support its effectiveness for boosting muscle size and strength. It does this through a number of mechanisms, such as increasing energy levels in muscle cells, boosting muscle cell water measurements (which leads to long-term growth due to stretch receptors in muscles), bumping up the growth factor insulinlike growth factor-I, or by decreasing myostatin levels.
Regardless of how it boosts muscle growth, the research studies confirm that most guys can gain muscle in a short period of time.
Recommended:
Con-Cret
Take:
» 2-5 grams (depending on the form you use) pre- and post-workout
Buy Con-Cret
5. Beta-Alanine
- This amino acid combines with the amino histidine inside muscle cells to form the compound carnosine. Having higher levels of carnosine in your muscles has been shown to lead to greater muscle strength and power, as well as muscle size - especially when stacked with creatine.
One study from the College of New Jersey (Ewing) found that subjects who took beta-alanine along with creatine gained significantly more muscle mass than those taking creatine alone.
Recommended:
PrimaForce Beta-Alanine
Take:
» 2-3 grams pre- and post-workout
Buy PrimaForce Beta-Alanine
Get-Ripped Stack Once you've packed on serious size, you'll want to get shredded to the bone so that you can show off all of your hard-earned muscle in its most striated form. Although a smart get-lean diet plan is a must, stacking the following three supplements can make a big difference in the results you experience.
Take them together two or three times per day between meals, with the first dose in the morning; on workout days, take one of those doses 30-60 minutes before workouts.
1. Caffeine
- There's a reason we always include this stimulant in our fat-burning stacks - it works! Caffeine is an effective fat burner because it boosts thermogenesis and increases the release of fat from fat cells. Since caffeine revs up your body's ability to burn more calories, your body burns the freed-up fat for fuel, leaving you leaner.
Caffeine's stimulant effects can help your mood when you're dieting, as well as your intensity and strength during workouts, which can help you train harder to burn off more bodyfat. And it reduces hunger to help you stick with your diet.
Take:
» 200-400 milligrams per dose
2. Green Tea Extract
- Green tea extract is another no-brainer supplement that we typically add to our fat-burning stacks. That's because the research and anecdotal reports show it works well for fat loss. The active ingredients in green tea responsible for the fat-burning effect are catechins, particularly one called epigallocatechin gallate.
This catechin inhibits an enzyme that normally breaks down norepinephrine, which is a neurotransmitter and a hormone related to adrenaline that increases metabolic rate and fat burning.
Take:
» 500 mg of green tea extract standardized for EGCG with each dose
3. Yohimbine
- The active ingredient from the bark of the West African tree Pausinystalia yohimbe is now known primarily for its fat-burning effects. It aids fat loss by specifically increasing the amount of fat released from fat cells, much like caffeine does, but via a different mechanism. When you take it with caffeine - which we highly recommend - the amount of fat released is additive; i.e., more than if you took either supplement alone.
The freed-up fat can then be burned away as fuel, especially if you take yohimbine with green tea extract. One study in athletes confirmed that yohimbine significantly reduced bodyfat. It also works to dilate blood vessels in a similar way that nitric oxide does.
A product that contains all three of these fat burning ingredients in one package is BSN's Atro-Phex.
Recommended:
BSN Atro-Phex
Take:
» 5-20 mg with each dose
Buy BSN Atro-Phex
Testosterone-Boosting Stack When most of you think of testosterone, you likely think of its ability to boost muscle mass. Yes, it's very effective at that, but it also aids fat loss, and it boosts muscle strength and, of course, supports sexual health. Take these three supplements to increase your test levels and your results inside and outside of the gym.
1. D-Aspartic Acid
- Also known as D-aspartate, this amino acid is found in nerves and organs, such as the testicles and the pituitary gland. It is produced in the pituitary gland where it stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone. LH travels via the bloodstream to the testicles where it causes a boost in testosterone production.
D-aspartate is also produced inside the testicles and acts on Leydig cells (special cells in the testicles that produce testosterone) to increase testosterone production. A 2009 study by Italian scientists found that subjects taking D-aspartate increased their testosterone levels.
Recommended:
Omega Sports D-Aspartic Acid
Take:
» 3 grams of D-aspartic acid with your first meal of the day
Buy Omega Sports D-Aspartic Acid
2. Ashwagandha
- Known technically as Withania somnifera, this shrub plant has a reputation for its adaptogenic effects (helping the body to deal with stress, such as from exercise), which can aid recovery and growth. However, Indian researchers found that it also works well to boost testosterone levels.
Recommended:
Now Ashwagandha
Take:
» 1,500-2,000 mg three times per day with food; on workout days, take one of those doses with your preworkout shake
Buy Now Ashwagandha
3. Forskolin
- This is the active compound in the herb Coleus forskohlii, which is a member of the mint family. Forskolin first burst on the supplement scene as a fat burner, but now it is recognized as both an effective fat burner and an effective testosterone booster.
Forskolin activates an enzyme in special cells within testicles and causes them to produce more testosterone.
Recommended:
Solaray Forskohlii Root Extract
Take:
» 20-50 mg two or three times per day prior to meals; on training days, take one of those doses about an hour before workouts
Buy Solaray Forskohlii Root Extract
NO-Booster Stack If you're like most guys, you might prefer to just buy a popular NO-booster product and follow the label instructions. That's fine, but be sure that the product you select contains some of the effective ingredients listed here.
However, if you're a supplement scientist who prefers to buy ingredients individually and stack them yourself, this list is for you. You'll get the strongest doses of all of the most effective NO-boosting ingredients for maximal NO production. Stack these four supplements 30-60 minutes before workouts for maximal results.
1. Citrulline
- As you probably already know, most NO boosters use some form of arginine. That's because this amino acid is readily converted to NO in the body. So you may wonder why we didn't include arginine in this stack. That's because citrulline acts as arginine. This amino acid is readily converted to arginine in the body, which is then readily converted to NO.
So why not just take arginine? Because research has shown that when you take citrulline, your levels of arginine and NO in the blood increase more than when you take a similar dose of arginine. This is likely due to the fact that the digestive system uses a lot of ingested arginine before it makes it into your bloodstream. The digestive system does not use up citrulline as readily and the majority of it makes it to your bloodstream where it turns into arginine and NO.
Recommended:
Source Naturals L-Citrulline
Take:
» 4-5 grams
Buy Source Naturals L-Citrulline
2. Pycnogenol
- This trademarked extract of the French maritime pine tree is an antioxidant that helps to boost the conversion of arginine to NO. Research shows that Pycnogenol activates the enzyme nitric oxide synthase, which catalyzes the conversion of arginine to NO.
Taking Pycnogenol ensures that more of the arginine you get from arginine or citrulline gets converted into NO.
Recommended:
Twinlab Pycnogenol
Take:
» 100 mg
Buy Twinlab Pycnogenol
3. Horny Goat Weed
- Also known as Epimedium, this flowering plant contains an ingredient known as icariin that helps regulate an enzyme from breaking down NO, so you have more of it for a longer period of time.
Recommended:
Prolab Horny Goat Weed
Take:
» 500 mg of horny goat weed extract (standardized for icariin)
Buy Prolab Horny Goat Weed
4. Glycine Propionyl-L-Carnitine
- This patented compound combines the amino acid glycine with a modified version of carnitine known as propionyl-L-carnitine. Both glycine and carnitine independently boost NO levels, so taking them together further enhances the NO boost.
In fact, research has shown that trained male weightlifters supplementing with GPLC for four weeks had higher NO levels after a workout than when they used a placebo. GPLC may work by increasing the activity of the NOS enzyme similar to the way Pycnogenol works. But it may also decrease the production of free radicals, which normally increase the breakdown of NO.
Recommended:
Jarrow Formulas GPLC
Take:
» 4.5 grams
Buy Jarrow Formulas GPLC
Be Weary!
The supplement industry is by far one of the biggest profit producing industries in the world. But at the same time of the most dishonest industries in the world. This industry has finished with total consumer sales of $20billion since 2004. It is a very profittable market because of the body conscious craves that is sweeping the United States currently driving people to look for the magical bean that will take them from average joe to celebrity in as short of time allotted. This has led to the conception of many useless products that claim they can achieve such goals.
The number one major problem in the Supplement business at this time that is more of a problem to the consumer than it is to the producer is the non-existent government regulation on the supplement producing corporations.
In 1994 Bill Clinton signed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) which made amends to the current The Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) which had placed the regulation of supplement under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. With these amendments to the current act the United States Pharmacopeia and National Formulary (USP–NF) are specifically recognized for providing specifications of dietary supplements. However the vary adherence to these standards are completely voluntary allowing each coporation the freedom to really produce any product they wish and market it about any way they want. Monitoring of these products is very skeptical because these coporations are not legally under responsibility to report any adverse effects to the products such as illness or injuries. The FDA claims to monitor these products through the following: voluntary adverse event reporting, labeling claims, product literature, and occasional laboratory testing. I don't know about you but the key word to all of that to me was voluntary and if anyone out there has any common sense who would voluntarily report information that could possibly hurt sales that just isn't good business and any industry that makes $20billion annually in cosumer sales doesn't practice bad business, think about it.
So next time you are reading about the brand new formula that was recently created to allow you to lose body fat and increase muscle mass take a second look maybe the product is sound an a good addition to your supplement stack, but take the time to research it and discover who made it and how they made it. As well as what is in this new formula this important to do because no one else is watching out for you when it comes to dietary supplements you must be your own regulations.
For additional information regarding regulation and production of dietary supplemetns click the link.
The number one major problem in the Supplement business at this time that is more of a problem to the consumer than it is to the producer is the non-existent government regulation on the supplement producing corporations.
In 1994 Bill Clinton signed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) which made amends to the current The Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) which had placed the regulation of supplement under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. With these amendments to the current act the United States Pharmacopeia and National Formulary (USP–NF) are specifically recognized for providing specifications of dietary supplements. However the vary adherence to these standards are completely voluntary allowing each coporation the freedom to really produce any product they wish and market it about any way they want. Monitoring of these products is very skeptical because these coporations are not legally under responsibility to report any adverse effects to the products such as illness or injuries. The FDA claims to monitor these products through the following: voluntary adverse event reporting, labeling claims, product literature, and occasional laboratory testing. I don't know about you but the key word to all of that to me was voluntary and if anyone out there has any common sense who would voluntarily report information that could possibly hurt sales that just isn't good business and any industry that makes $20billion annually in cosumer sales doesn't practice bad business, think about it.
So next time you are reading about the brand new formula that was recently created to allow you to lose body fat and increase muscle mass take a second look maybe the product is sound an a good addition to your supplement stack, but take the time to research it and discover who made it and how they made it. As well as what is in this new formula this important to do because no one else is watching out for you when it comes to dietary supplements you must be your own regulations.
For additional information regarding regulation and production of dietary supplemetns click the link.