Guys Index

Glutamine.

Benefits : Muscle Growth; Strength Gain; Increased Muscle Recovery; Anti-Catabolic (i.e. prevent muscle tissue from being broken down to produce energy).

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the human body. Like other amino acids, glutamine plays a vital role in protein metabolism and muscle recovery by increasing protein synthesis and reducing muscle breakdown. The higher the amount of glutamine in muscle cells, the greater the rate of cell-production. Glutamine is not only utilized by muscle tissue, but also in large quantities by the immune system and by the digestive system as well. However, strenuous exercise can deplete glutamine levels in the human body faster than what we are able to reproduce. This leads to decreased gains in protein synthesis and a lower muscle growth rate.

Glutamine supplementation provides the body with ample amounts of this very important amino acid. Not only does glutamine prevent muscle breakdown, it also creates the proper environment for the body to produce more muscle cells. It shuttles in more fluids into the cells (a process called "cell-volumizing"), which acts as a powerful, anabolic signal for the body to build more proteins.

In short, glutamine is an often-ignored but essential supplement to aid in size and strength gains. It places the body in an optimum state for muscle growth, as well as protects the precious muscles that we have worked so hard for from being torn down for energy.

ZMA.

Benefits : Muscle Growth; Strength Gain; Increased Muscle Recovery; Better Skin Healing Power.

ZMA is a unique patent-pending anabolic mineral support formula containing zinc-l-monomethionine, covalently-bound zinc/magnesium aspartate and vitamin B6. It is designed to optimize absorption and availability of zinc and magnesium during peak times of muscle growth and repair. ZMA has been clinically proven to provide nutritional support for healthy levels of total and free testosterone in active individuals. This equals to an anabolic environment that results in a higher muscle growth rate, as well as a decrease in recovery time between exercise sessions. It also increases strength and power in athletes. Since ZMA is not a pro-hormone or a hormone precursor, it does not adversely affect blood hormone levels.

Rather, it naturally supports the body's own anabolic hormone levels.Zinc and Magnesium can be found in food sources such as oysters, wheat germ and beef liver. Taking ZMA supplementation as directed (usually before bedtime) can significantly increase muscle growth and strength in individuals.

HMB.

Benefits : Anti-Catabolic; Muscle Growth; Increased Muscle Recovery. HMB, which is short for "beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate", is a metabolite of the amino acid, leucine. HMB is basically an anti-catabolic substance that is used for nitrogen retention in the body. It decreases muscle-protein turnover and works primarily by minimizing protein degradation. This means that HMB prevents muscle tissue breakdown that occurs during strenuous exercise.

Usually when an individual exercises longer or more intensely, muscle catabolism (breakdown) can occur. Thus, the positive gains made by stimulating the muscles can be thwarted by the potential damaging effects of exercising. HMB's anti-catabolic properties work against this by shifting the balance towards anabolic growth. This allows the athlete to work out harder or more often and still reap the due benefits.

HMB can be found in food that we eat, such as grapefruit, catfish and is very abundant in mother's milk. However, it is impractical to consume enough quantities of these food, if at all, and on a regular enough basis to provide the benefits of HMB. Supplementation is the easier and more convenient way to go.

Thermogenic Formulas.

Benefits : Fat Loss; Increased Metabolism; Appetite Control; More Energy.

Thermogenics are substances that, when taken, raise the body's metabolic rate. It encourages the body to use body-fat as fuel by increasing the rate at which calories are burned to carry out vital functions. Not only do thermogenic supplements increase the amount of calories burnt during exercise, it also increases the body's basal metabolic rate. This means that more energy is used up by the body to carry out its normal routine functions, even when at rest.

Thermogenic supplements are usually made up of a formula of different fat-burning ingredients combined in specific ratios. Although each individual ingredient is effective in its own right in aiding fat loss, stacking them together would create a synergistic effect. Some of the more popular and effective ingredients are used in conjunction with a sensible diet and exercise plan, thermogenic supplements can give an added advantage when it comes to shedding body-fat.

Antioxidants.

Benefits : Muscle Recovery; Supports Immune Function; Less Bruising; Better Circulatory Health.

Free radicals are by-products of cellular activities that can damage other cells or cause stress on the human body. This is especially true for athletes and physically active people. When we exercise, the amount of free radicals produced by our cells is very high. These free radicals attack other cells in our bodies and can cause fatigue, stress, and other damaging effects, which not only impair our performance and recovery rate but also weaken the immune system.

Antioxidants, in the form vitamin C, E, beta-carotene, selenium and glutathione are also very effective in countering the effects of free radicals.

Pine bark and grapseed extracts are a powerful form of antioxidant. The OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins) in these extracts bind itself to collagen fibres in the body, thus improving the elasticity and integrity of your body's connective tissues. Not only does it protect your body from environmental stresses, but it works as an anti-inflammatory agent as well. Pine bark and grapseed extracts provide a wide range of health benefits, of which include the strengthening of blood vessels, overcoming inflammation, and improving joint flexibility. In this, it keeps the circulatory system fit and reduces the risks of circulatory and cardiovascular diseases. The fact that it maintains skin health comes as a welcome bonus.

A good antioxidant formula is an essential part of every active person's nutritional arsenal. Although it does not boast of any sensational athletic gains, it helps that the individual perform at his optimum level by preventing the negative effects of exercise.

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