Macrobolic 
"Recomp and start training for a triathalon. Get into better cardiovascular condition."
|
|
Archive for the 'Supplements' Category
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009
In 2006, then President George W. Bush signed into law the dietary supplement and OTC bill dealing with reporting on adverse events. Now, the French food safety agency, AFSSA (Agence française de sécurité sanitaire des aliments), has launched a program to monitor the consumption of dietary supplements and any adverse events associated with their use.
Dr Robert Verkerk, our scientific director, told NutraIngredients.com that although government-led efforts to accumulate reports of adverse events through practitioners, health stores and other suppliers of supplements is in principle sound, there is great potential for such data to be misused:
“We have seen both in Europe and the USA, numerous cases where food supplements have been flagged as causative agents of particular adverse effects when further scrutiny demonstrates they were simply among large lists of products, often including medications and even alcohol and recreational drugs, consumed. It is utterly misleading to misrepresent the role of food supplements in such instances and the only way around the problem is to ensure absolute transparency in reporting, access to medical records and in the drawing of conclusions as to the potential contributory role of specific food supplements.”
Although very few adverse events following the use of dietary supplements are reported to the FDA, too often media frenzy focuses on the use of supplements when, in fact, other factors — including the use of medications and recreational substances, such as alcohol — have a more profound role to play. Kudos to Dr. Verkerk!
November 10, 2009 |
Posted in Supplements
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
Macro’s Final Review of Bold 200 + Testabolan
Date: Apr 13, 2008
Name: Rest/Weigh in
Notes: Alright. The moment of truth. How did I do on my gains in 6 weeks. Well, I can tell you that I have never had gains like this before. They were, in a word, incredible. I basically doubled my weight gain goal at the beginning of this log and I did keep the fat gain to a minimum (especially with the diet I ate the last bit of this log, that was a feat in and of itself!).
So here they are, the before and after (remember, these are taken cold and relaxed):
Height:
5′8″
Weight:
Before: 190.5lbs
After: 207.5lbs
+17lbs
Bodyfat%:
Before: 18.3
After: 19.4
+1.1%
Chest:
Before: 43.75″
After: 44.5″
+0.75″
Upper Arms:
Before: 14.75″
After: 15.25″
+0.5″
Waist:
Before: 35″
After: 36.5″
+1.5″
Thighs:
Before: 23.5″
After: 24.75″
+1.25″
Calves:
Before: 15″
After: 15.5″
+0.5″
Forearms:
Before: 12″
After: 12″
+0″, No change
Like you can see, I had the biggest gains in my lats, chest, and quads. I had people actually tell me that my lats looked much bigger than before.
Now, for the changes in select lifts:
EORM=Estimated One Rep Max
Front Squat:
Start: 205×9, EORM: 264
Finish: 210×13, EORM: >303
Bench Press:
Start: 205×7, EORM: 246
Finish: 215×11, EORM: 298
Incline DB Press:
Start: 75×8, EORM: 93
Finish: 80×12, EORM: 115
DB Upright Rows:
Start: 60×10, EORM: 80
Finish: 65×13, EORM: >94
Standing Calf Raise:
Start: 245×18
Finish: 275×19
So not a bad finish at all to this log. And all of that in only 6 short weeks. The only thing left is to go over side effects that I experienced.
Throughout the log, my blood pressure was out of whack. I seemed to stay elevated most of the time but eventually stabilized at around 130/80 which isn’t too bad. One thing I would have changed is I would have taken 2 scoops of AI cycle support throughout the log instead of just 1. I believe that this would have helped keep my bp lower.
Something that may be related to the bp issue, is that I also experienced more frequent headaches. These weren’t horrible, but they weren’t fun to have either.
Another side effect apparent from the 2nd week was that I got horrible back pumps. This is usually due to not enough fluid intake, but most days I was well over a gallon of pure water per day. I started taking some taurine during the day and this seemed to help lessen them. However, this only worked if I took the taurine within 30 minutes of my workout and then during my workout. I dosed it at 8 grams, split into 2 servings of 4 grams.
I did NOT experience any calf pumps, but did experience that sensation in the front of my lower leg. That was a weird side effect and it made it hard to run.
Unfortunately, I was not able to do a cholesterol level check during this. I am sure that my cholesterol levels aren’t the greatest right now, but it’s what you get for doing these kinds of supplements.
I didn’t experience any shutdown either (well, from what one can tell from a physical standpoint). Testicular atrophy was at a minimum and I didn’t feel lethargic (unless I stayed out too late, but that wouldn’t be Bold’s fault  )
All in all, this is definitely a supplement I would recommend to anyone who wants to go into the hormonal supplement game. It is apparently much more mild than most ph’s out there, but the gains I made were awesome, so I would consider this very cost effective, especially with the combo package available on bb.com right now.
The only thing I regret is not taking before and after pictures, but hey, maybe next time.
Posted in Supplements
Monday, December 31st, 2007
As for supplementation, this is what it will look like for the next 9 weeks:
Animal Stak2 and Animal M-Stak: 2 weeks of Stak2 followed by one week of M-Stak, repeat
Real Gains: 2 scoops, 3 times a day (real food is hard to do with my schedule)
Nutrabolic’s Anabolic Window: 3 scoops after weights
Animal Flex: 1 pack Sunday through Friday, none on Saturday
23 grams ON 100% Casien/Whey protein before bed (last meal)
Flaxseed Oil, 3 grams daily
ON’s OptiMen Multi
Posted in Supplements
Wednesday, November 28th, 2007
This is an excerpt from a paper I did on this supplement for a college class. I would recommend the supplement to those no younger than 25, as it will probably do nothing for you unless your test levels have started to decrease.
Ingredients
Five Phase Hormone Optimizing Blend: 903 mg
Tribulus terrestris
Fenugreek
Tongkat ali
Red clover extract
Chrysin
Kudzu root
Avena sativa
Zinc
Stinging nettle leaf
Beta siterol
Pygeum africanum extract
Saw palmetto berry extract
DIM (diindolymethane)
Bioperine® (black pepper extract)
2nd Messenger Hormone Amplifiers Receptor Signal Transduction: 625 mg
Flaxseed Glycine
L-arginine
magnesium oxide
DL-malic acid
L-methionine
Cordyceps
NADH
dipotassium phosphate
Other Ingredients: Dicalcium Phosophate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Croscarmellose Sodium, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Silica and White Film Coat Ingredients (Hypromellose, Enteric Film Coat Ingredients (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Polyethylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide)
However, the product does not give an exact amount of how much of each ingredient is included. ——————————————–
———————————————–
These are the Claims made on Bodybuilding.com’s website, found here:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/mhp/t2.html
1. Increases Your Natural Production of Testosterone by 400%
2. Cripples SHBG and Increases “Free Testosterone”
3. Stops Testosterone to Estrogen Conversion
4. Blocks Estrogen Receptors
5. Lowers the Conversion of Testosterone to DHT
Here are the ingredients in groups of what they are supposed to do (from what I was able to research at the time):
Increase Natural Production of Testosterone
Tribulus Terrestris
Fenugreek
Avena Sativa (by supporting nervous system)
Tongkat Ali
DIM
Cordyceps
Bind to SHBG
Stining Nettle
Pygeum africanum extract
Stop Conversion to Estrogen or Block Estrogen Receptors
Red Clover Extract
Flaxseed
DIM
Lower Conversion of Testosterone to DHT
Beta Sitosterol
Zinc
Saw Palmetto
Increase Bioavailability
Bioperine
——————————————–
———————————————–
The theory behind the product revolves mostly around Tribulus Terrestris extract. It should be able to increase luteinizing hormone (LH) which can then be converted into serum free-testosterone (T). 2
In an article titled, Tribulus Terrestris Update, by Richard B. Kreider, PhD., he gives a brief history of the supplement and also the theory behind its mechanism:
Tribulus terrestris is a plant (also known as puncture weed/vine or caltrops) that is mainly grown in sandysoil environments. It produces a fruit that is protected by a spiny burr. The extract from the fruit has been used in herbal medicine as a diuretic, for colic pains, and to fight hypertension and hypercholesterolemia
He goes further on to say:
The active agent in Tribulus is believed to be protodioscin. Protodioscin is a precursor to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). As you may know, DHEA and androstenedione are precursors to testosterone. As one ages, androgen levels decline. Therefore, DHEA and androstenedione supplementation have been theorized as a means of naturally increasing testoserone levels particularly in older individuals. Although Tribulus is a precursor to DHEA, Tribulus is believed to indirectly affect testosterone levels by stimulating the release of leutinizing hormone (LH). LH serves to stimulate the natural production of testosterone. Theoretically, moderately increasing testosterone availability during training may promote greater gains in strength and muscle mass.
The combination of all ingredients, if all of them work as stated, would be a logical combination. If one is able to increase production of LH or T, keep it from binding to SHBG or from converting into estrogen or DHT, and make the ingredients more bio-available so that they work better, there would be a significant increase in testosterone and therefore, it should allow for gains in lean muscle mass and strength.
——————————————–
———————————————–
Scientific Support
Most of the ingredients have some backing in science, either studies done in vitro or on animals. However, most ingredients lacked any human studies.
Most of the studies that did show a positive effect were done on rats. 4, 5 The few human studies that have been done have been either inconclusive or showed no effect on testosterone production. 6, 7, 10, 11, 13 One article stated that the move towards using Tribulus Terrestris came from studies done in Bulgaria that were translated into English. It states that the results should be regarded with caution. 8
This particular product has not undergone clinical testing itself, only the individual ingredients. 12, 14, 15, 16 ——————————————–
———————————————–
Safety
In most studies that have been done on tribulus in humans, there have not been any serious side effects nor toxicity. More research is needed however.
There is the possibility of some side effects due to increased T and LH production if they are converted to estrogen or DHT.
As previously mentioned however, there is a warning label that says the following:
Consult with your physician before using this product. Do not take this product if you have a medical condition including, but not limited to, diabetes, heart disease, psychological disorder, prostate hypertrophy or hormonal abnormalities. Consult with your physician if you are taking antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, or other prescription drugs. This product should not be used by women or males under the age of 18. ——————————————–
———————————————–
Dosage: A serving size is 3 tablets. You are to take a serving in the morning and a serving at night. There are 56 servings per bottle, which, if used as directed, would give you 28 days worth.
The studies that have been done on tribulus usually had about 10-25 mg per kilogram of bodyweight or 750 mg/day. The product does not give an exact amount of how much of those herbals are in each serving.
Price: The price from the company would be $79.99 per bottle. At this price the consumer is not getting a very good deal. For the effect that it may give, the price is extremely steep. Bodybuilding.com has it priced at $48.99. ——————————————–
———————————————–
References
1. http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/trib.html
2. Bahrke M, & Yesalis C (2002). Performance-Enhancing Substances in Sport and Exercise. Sheridan Books Inc: Pennsylvania.
3. Wu WH, Kang YP, Wang NH, Jou HJ, Wang TA. (2006). Sesame ingestion affects sex hormones, antioxidant status, and blood lipids in postmenopausal women. Journal of Nutrition, 136(5): 1270-5.
4. Gauthaman K, Ganesan AP, Prasad RN. (2003). Sexual effects of puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris) extract (protodioscin): an evaluation using a rat model. Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine. 9(2): 257-65.
5. Gauthaman K, Adaikan PG, Prasad RN. (2002). Aphrodisiac properties of Tribulus Terrestris extract (Protodioscin) in normal and castrated rats. Life Science. 71(12): 1385-96.
6. Brown GA, Vukovich MD, Martini ER, Kohut ML, Franke WD, Jackson DA, King DS (2001). Endocrine and lipid responses to chronic androstenediol-herbal supplementation in 30 to 58 year old men. J American College of Nutrition. 20(5): 520-28.
7. Antonio J, Uelmen J, Rodriguez R, Earnest C. (2000). The effects of Tribulus terrestris on body composition and exercise performance in resistance-trained males. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. 10(2): 208-15.
8. Bucci LR. (2000). Selected herbals and human exercise performance. American Journal Clinical Nutrition. 72(2): 624S-36S.
9. Jameel JK, Kneeshaw PJ, Rao VS, Drew PJ. (2004). Gynaecomastia and the plant product “Tribulis terrestris”. Breast 13(5): 428-30.
10. Brown GA, Vukovich MD, Reifenrath TA, Uhl NL, Parsons KA, Sharp RL, King DS (2000). Effects of anabolic precursors on serum testosterone concentrations and adaptations to resistance training in young men. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 10(3): 340-59.
11. Neychev VK, Mitev VI (2005). The aphrodisiac herb Tribulus terrestris does not influence the androgen production in young men. J Ethnopharmacol 101(1-3): 319-23.
12. THE JOURNALOF ENDURANCE. August 2004 7
13. Kohut M, Thompson J, Campbell J, Brown G, Vukovich MD, Jackson DA, King DS (2003). Ingestion of a Dietary Supplement Containing Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Androstenedione Has Minimal Effect on Immune Function in Middle-Aged Men. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 22(5): 363-371.
14. http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/avena.html
15. Ang HH, Cheang HS (2001) Effects of Eurycoma longifolia jack on laevator ani muscle in both uncastrated and testosterone-stimulated castrated intact male rats. Arch Pharm Res 24(5): 437-40.
16. Ng SS, Figg WD (2003). Antitumor activity of herbal supplements in human prostate cancer xenografts implanted in immunodeficient mice. Anticancer Res. 23(5A): 3585-90.
17. Le HT, Schaldach CM, Firestone GL, Bjeldanes LF (2003). Plant-derived 3,3′-Diindolylmethane is a strong androgen antagonist in human prostate cancer cells. J Biol Chem. 6;278(23): 21136-45. Epub 2003 Mar 27.
18. Carani C, Salvioli V, Scuteri A, Borelli A, Baldini A, Granata AR, Marrama P (1991). [Urological and sexual evaluation of treatment of benign prostatic disease using Pygeum africanum at high doses] Arch Ital Urol Nefrol Androl. 63(3): 341-5.
19. http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/flax.html
20. Hsu CC, Huang YL, Tsai SJ, Sheu CC, Huang BM (2003). In vivo and in vitro stimulatory effects of Cordyceps sinensis on testosterone production in mouse Leydig cells. Life Sci. 73(16): 2127-36.
Posted in Supplements
Sunday, July 1st, 2007
So at yoga about 4 weeks ago, I decided that I had to much bf% and so I decided to put my lifting goals on hold (this is also good as my shoulder is still acting up from time to time) and lose the fat.
At work, some co-workers and I decided to have a little contest with a $10 buy-in, and whoever lost the most bodyfat % in 3 months would win.
Here is the 1st phase’s workout routine (I have 3 phases that I will go through, although the weight workouts will look very, very similar in phases 1 and 3).
Sunday: Rest day
Monday: Weights/cardio
Tuesday: Weights/cardio
Wednesday: Yoga
Thursday: Weights/cardio
Friday: Weights/cardio
Saturday: Yoga
I will be rotating through 3 different workouts, so the 1st and 2nd week will look like this:
Sunday: Off
Monday: #1
Tuesday: #2
Wednesday: Yoga
Thursday: #3
Friday: #1
Saturday: Yoga
Sunday: Off
Monday: #2
Tuesday: #3
Wednesday: Yoga
Thursday: #1
Friday: #2
Saturday: Yoga
Etc…..
Workout 1
Chest, Lats, Triceps, AbsIncline Bench Press 1×7-10
Incline DB Flyes 1×15-20
Incline Bench Press w/x-reps 1×7-10
Bodweight Dips 1xfailure
DB Crossovers 1×15-20
DB Bench Press 1×10-12
The bench presses will be lighter as I still want to work chest but not aggravate my shoulder.
External Rotations: 1×15-20
Chinups 1x failure
Stiffarm Pulldowns 1×15-20
Pulldowns 1×7-10 w/ x-reps
DB Pullovers 1×8, drop set 1x~6
Decline Close Grip Bench Press 1×7-10
Rope Pushdowns 1×15-20
Decline Close Grip Bench Press 1×7-10 w/ x-reps
High Pulley Cable Pushouts 1×10, drop set 1x~7
Hanging Knee Raises 1xfailure
Full Range Crunches 1×15-20
Lying Knee Raises 1xfailure
Super Set:
Full Range Crunches 1×10
Bench V-ups 1xfailure
There are 20 total sets if you don’t count the drop sets as actual sets.
Workout 2
Quads, Hamstring, Gastroc, Soleus, and Low BackBack Squats 1×7-10
Leg Extensions 1×15-20
Front Squats 1×7-10 w/ x-reps
Sissy Squats 1×10 w/ Static X holdStiff Legged Deadlifts 1×9-12
Leg Curls 1×15-20
Stiff Legged Deadlifts 1×9-12 w/ Static X hold
Calf Raises 2×20, 15-20
Calf Raises 1×12, drop set 1x~8
Seated Calf Raises 1×12-15
Seated Calf Raises 1×12-15, drop set 1x~8
Deadlifts 1×8-12 Only 13 total sets here (excluding drop sets) but being legs, the workouts are just as, if not more, strenuous.
Workout 3
Delts, Midback, Biceps, and ForearmsDB Upright Rows 1×7-10
Forward Leat Laterals 1×15-20
DB Upright Rows 1×7-10 w/ x-reps
DB Presses 1×8 w/x-reps, drop set 1x~6
Incline One-arm Laterals 1×8, drop set 1x~6, w/ Static X hold
Cable V-bar Rows 1×7-10
Bentover/Bentarm Laterals 1×15-20
Cable Rows 1×7-10 w/ x-reps
One-arm DB Rows 1×7-10
Barbell Shrugs 1×15-20
Cable Upright Rows 1×8-10 w/ x-reps
DB Curls 2×10, 7-10
Spider Curls 1×15-20
Cable Curls 1×7-10 w/ x-reps
Incline Curls 1×8, drop set 1x~6
The wrist curls are performed with the Forearm Bar
Reverse Wrist Curls 1×12, drop set 1x~8, w/ x-reps
Wrist Curls 1×12, drop set 1x~8, w/ x-reps
Super Gripper 1×12-15
Again, another 20 sets if excluding drop sets as actual sets. So there you have it!
Cardio will be done in the mornings, Monday-Friday.
Starting in week 4, I will also be doing cardio right after my workouts as well.
I am slowly going to increase cardio time over the 12 week cut and max out at 40 minutes total.
No cardio will be done on Saturday or Sunday.
Yoga will be done on Wednesday and Saturday. The Wednesday session will be done in the afternoon (and so cardio will be done in the morning) and the Saturday session will be done in the morning.
For the past 3 weeks I have been tapering my calories down as to not shock my system.
I will be eating 6 times a day. I will gradually work my way down to 2000 calories a day. Here is what it will look like
Weeks 1-3:
Calories: 2600
Carbs: 315g
Protein: 200g
Fat: 60g
Weeks 4-6:
Calories: 2400
Carbs: 265g
Protein: 200g
Fat: 60g
Weeks 7-9:
Calories: 2200
Carbs: 215g
Protein: 200g
Fat: 60g
Weeks 10-12:
Calories: 2000
Carbs: 165g
Protein: 200g
Fat: 60g
I know that weeks 1-3 look like a lot of carbs for a cut, but those weeks will really be part of my recomp and I will still be on lower calories than usual, so I should start to lose some weight.
So this is the plan on paper right now. But it may change depending on fat loss and (heaven forbid) muscle loss.
So there you have it!
(You can see what supps I will be taking on my bodyspace page. I am in the process of updating that as we speak)
I hope to be down to 185lbs but at less than 10% bodyfat at the end of the 3 month process. Wish me luck!
Posted in Training Journal, Supplements, Nutrition
Friday, February 16th, 2007
I am really liking this supplement. Adverse effects are minimal and the strength gains are already coming. Can’t wait to see what a whole cycle will bring. For anyone interested, you can see my log here: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=1424871. There is also a link on the first page that will lead you to a thread in which most of the HLG logs are summarized. Kudos for Gaspari bringing this product to the market.
Posted in Supplements
|
Leave Comment