This week we are putting the new comer Muscle Tech Cryotest up against TNT to see which natural testosterone booster comes out on top.

The Case for Nexx Gen TNT:

Nexx Generation Nutrition’s TNT uses several potent herbs to increase lutenizing hormone which is responsible for the signal that goes from the brain to the testicles telling the body how much testosterone to produce.  Most supplement users don’t realize there are different grades of herbs which are standardized to varying levels of active ingredients.  For example Nexx Gen Nutrition’s TNT uses a blend of Tribulus standardized to 20% and 40% protodioscin.  This potency gives it an edge over almost all other tribulus products based on this factor alone.  Factor in Acetyl L-Carnitine which drives test production even further and this is a product that you will definitely feel. 

Nexx Gen Nutrition’s TNT uses Avena Sativa for its ability to free up bound testosterone.  This is extremely important as a large percentage of testosterone in the body is bound up leaving it unavailable for muscle building purposes.

Fenugreek, another TNT ingredient, seems to have Testosterone like properties on its own. It appears to bind to the Testosterone receptor sites in the body which stimulates anabolic and androgenic activity. This has been verified by studies done on castrated male Swiss Wistar rats wherein administration of Fenugreek has led to anabolic and androgenic activity similar to Testosterone.

Longjack also known as Euryacoma Longfolia is also in the TNT blend.  It has been shown to boost sex drive as well as testosterone levels although the exact actions are unknown at this point.

Add in TNT’s natural estrogen clearing compounds DIM and Resveratrol and this product rounds out a very complete and potent formula.

The Case for Cryotest:

New research is showing L-Carnitine will sensitize testosterone receptors in the muscles and may increase the amount of androgen receptors in the muscle.  However we think this affect is minimal as many individuals have supplemented with L-carnitine without seeing gains in muscle or performance.  We would recommend using L-carnitine but it is probably best purchased on its own for greater cost effectiveness.  Cryotest does contain Avena Sativa which is an effective ingredient although this product does not give us the amount which it contains.  The balance of this product contains ingredients which will help with sleep and sex drive.  Often company’s ad yohimbe and other sex drive enhancing ingredients to test boosters in an attempt to make people feel as if the product is working by increasing sex drive.

Conclusion:

Stick with the TNT for best results.  The ingredients are research proven and the product has been battle tested by countless users.

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Conjugated Linoleic Acid or CLA has been shown to inhibit the activity of lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme involved in the uptake of fat into fat cells.  This can reduce fat uptake into cells preventing accumulation of body fat.  Several studies have shown that CLA can positively affect body composition and has a beneficial effect on lean muscle mass. 

Most products are dosed between 800 and 1000mg per soft gel.  For best results take between 3 and 6 grams per day in divided doses.

If any of you remember back to 2000 through about 2002 you will recall that ecdysterone products came into the market place with great fan fair.  They where being touted as the “Soviet” secret to muscle building and where often compared to Dianabol as well as other anabolic steroids.  These products where even reviewed in the EAS Supplement Review which had a huge following at the time.  Even this supposedly credible source was comparing ecdysterones to anabolic steroids.  The premise was that these compounds would increase protein synthesis and nitrogen retention on a cellular level.  Basically they would have some similar effects to anabolic steroids without affecting hormone levels.  If this had actually panned out it would have been great for strength and muscle gains with limited chance of any side effects.  The problem was that all of the hype was based on a less then credible study done in the old Soviet Union before the collapse of communism.  When reviewed the study was not well designed and had numerous flaws not to mention when people used ecdysterone products they where not seeing results.  Ecdysterone products quickly fizzled out as the lack of results put an end to all the hype surrounding the compounds.

As is typical in this industry we are now seeing a re-emergence of ecdysterones all be it under different names but with the same big claims as before.  The new ecdysterone extracts are using names like 25r spiro stan, 6 keto diosegin, 20 beta-hydroxy, and 20 hydroxy ecdysone.  Manufacturers of these compounds are claiming that the new extracts are standardized to active compounds so the potencies are higher and that these compounds will produce increases in nitrogen retention and protein synthesis.  The steroid claims are also being used in some of the marketing of these compounds.  While the steroid claims are again inaccurate some of these compounds may produce small increases in nitrogen retention and protein synthesis.  Don’t expect dramatic gains but if you have some extra cash adding these compounds into a muscle building supplement regimen could help promote some muscle gains.

To really select supplements that work you need to understand what is in them and how those ingredients work.  Most consumers do one of two things; they either read magazine ads or articles (ads in disguise) or they look to a website for reviews on the product they are considering.  This is what most consumers call doing “research” or “doing their homework”.  Unfortunately this gives the consumer no clue as to what is actually in the product or any understanding as to whether the ingredients in the product work for their intended purpose.  Magazine ads are obviously paid advertisements with the supplement company’s best interests in mind and not the consumers.  What gets a little confusing is that most companies are now using what are called advertorials which are advertisements disguised as editorials or magazine content.  Basically they use an article format for an ad so that what you are looking at reads as if it is an article.  Even the articles in the magazine can be compromised by the manufacturer’s biases.  All magazines are ad sponsored meaning they are paid for by advertisers.  Don’t think for a second that these magazines will publish anything negative about their advertisers, after all without the ads the magazines would not exist.  In fact most magazines help out their advertisers by publishing content that promotes the products the advertisers want to sell, so even the “unbiased” articles you are reading are likely influenced in some way, shape or form by supplement manufacturer advertising dollars.  Make sure you are careful and critical of what you read. 

So if we can’t trust the magazines surely we can trust unbiased product reviews from real life consumers.  Maybe and maybe not, keep in mind you have no idea who is writing the review you read.  Does this person have any experience with supplements?  How long have they been working out?  Are their goals the same as yours?  On what basis are they reviewing the product?  Did the product cause them any side effects (they may not be aware of them)?  Does this individual have any affiliation with a supplement manufacturer or website?  To take this a step further lets assume you are reading a review for BSN’s NO Xplode.  Let’s say the reviewer says something like the following: 

“I have been using NO Xplode for about three weeks and really love the product.  It gives me awesome pumps.  The workouts are great, lots of intensity.  I have definitely gotten stronger and added a couple pounds.  This product is a must.”

If we break down this review you will see just how hard it is to determine whether this product actually did anything for the user.  First off the reviewer mentioned size and strength gains but did not tell you whether they where using any other products, they also did not mention whether they increased their calories or if they are new to lifting weights.  Any of these could account for size and strength gains.  The reviewer also mentioned the “pump”, this seems like a no brainer but if you talk to guys who are younger many associate pump with being pumped up as in energy.  Most serious lifters associate pump with muscle pump or blood flow to the muscle however from the statement above we have no way of knowing what pump means.  Hopefully you get the picture.  You will have no way of determing any of these questions and many more which are all important in determining whether the review has any validity.  Again be critical of what you read.

So if magazines and the web can’t be trusted how is a supplement user able to find good information?  That’s a good question and there are no good answers to it.  The best way is to really understand the ingredients in the products and what they are capable of.  Try doing some searches in databases like pub med for information on individual ingredients.  Also try spending some time in your local library reading books on supplements and nutrition.  You will be surprised at what you can find once you start looking for quality information.

You wouldn’t do the same workout day in and day out and expect to make continual progress.  The same concept applies to most supplements as well.  Some supplements like multi vitamins, protein, and EFA’s (fish oil, flax) should be considered food and can be used all the time.  Most of the other supplements that you use should be cycled on and off.  If you make changes in your supplement routine usually every 30 to 90 days you will find that you make more consistent progress.  The other way to maximize supplement results is by stacking products together that have a complimentary effect.  You should be carefully choosing products that will help you achieve your desired fitness or performance goals.  For example if you are looking for strength gains try pairing creatine, beta-alanine and branched chain amino acids.  A combination like this will allow your muscles to handle a greater workload leading to strength gains.  This product combination should be run for about 90 days at which point you will probably notice that your strength will plateau.  Once you find your progress stalling out you should start looking to put together another product combination that will jump start your progress.

The following information will help you make better food choices and understand what types of foods you should be eating for better health.

Calories per gram: 

Protein 1gram = 4 calories

Fats 1 gram = 9 calories

Carbohydrates 1 gram = 4 calories

Health Fats:

Olive oil, nuts especially walnuts, avocados, seeds

Healthy Carbs:

Vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes, whole and cracked grains

Healthy Proteins:

Eggs, low fat dairy, fish, chicken, lean cuts of beef

Most people are familiar with creatine monohydrate and its benefits for muscle building.  However as the science of sports nutrition has advanced so have the different creatine offerings.  Keep in mind that some “new” creatine products are nothing more than marketing and don’t provide any added benefit.  Below is a list of some of the more interesting types of creatine.  We recommend trying out some different options to see which one works best for you.  Different people do tend to respond to different types of creatine.

Creatine Monohydrate (micronized) – Micronized creatine is simply a smaller creatine particle which enables better digestion and utilization.  It has greater surface area which can mean greater uptake in the bloodstream.  It tends to dissolve better and exit the stomach more quickly which helps to alleviate stomach discomfort.

Creatine Pyruvate – Creatine Pyruvate is creatine monohydrate with pyruvic acid.  Creatine Pyruvate is more soluble than creatine alone and pyruvate gives the added benefit of stimulating glucose extraction from blood into muscles which fills glycogen stores for greater muscular endurance.

Creatine Ethyl Ester – Creatine Ethyl Ester is a creatine monohydrate with an ester attached.  Esters are organic compounds resulting from esterification (the reaction of carboxylic acid and alcohols).  Esters are found in fat tissues and the esterification of creatine allows it to use fat more efficiently to permeate the cell wall.  Monohydrates use fats to enter the cell as well but the esterification process makes this process much more efficient.

Creatine Alpha-ketoglutarate – Creatine Alpha-ketoglutarate is creatine attached to an Alpha-ketoglutarate(AKG) molecule.  AKG molecules help bring more creatine directly into muscle cells since AKG is a Krebs cycle intermediate that can easily enter muscle cells.  The more creatine getting to the muscle the more strength and power will be enhanced.  AKG also triggers cell volumization which causes an anabolic response whereby muscle cells quickly expand due to increased water content.  This also stimulates protein synthesis.

Tri Creatine Malate – Tri Creatine Malate is derived from creatine monohydrate and malic acid.  This compound is very water soluble reducing the possibility of gastric disruption.  Malic acid is also a key component in the energy producing Krebs cycle allowing this creatine to have a greater impact on ATP production.

If you where to compare today’s food to food grown 50 years ago you would find today’s food contains 15 to 75 percent less nutrient content.  This is even true for most organically produced foods.  What has happened is that food quality has diminished while food production or quantity has increased.  Modern farming methods allow for greater yields but they have sacrificed the nutritional value of the food we eat.  Modern farming took off in the 1930’s as farmers started using purified fertilizers like nitrogen, phosphorus and potash.  The is known as the NPK model.  Crops grow faster but other nutrients that are needed for plant and human health where never replenished to the soil and are now gone in most areas. 

Fortunately for consumers the ability to get a high quality multivitamin and mineral supplement is relatively easy.  Almost everyone should be taking a high quality multi vitamin, mineral supplement.  Look for a product that is food based meaning the nutrients are derived from actual foods rather than synthetic sources.

There are several ways to enhance sexual health and sexual function.  Natural products for this purpose should address vasodilatation, hormone levels, healthy arteries and overall libido.  Ingredients like arginine, citrulline and norvaline can increase nitric oxide which will assist in vasodilatation.  Maca has been clinically proven to increase libido.  Horny goat weed standardized for epimedium has also been shown to increase libido and increase testosterone levels.  Tribulus Terrestric extract produces significant increases in levels of DHEA and testosterone.  Yohimbe has been shown to increase erectile function and libido as well as support micro vascular health.  One caution with Yohimbe is its effect on blood pressure.  Yohimbe can increase blood pressure and should be avoided or used cautiously for individuals who have high blood pressure.  Muira Puama has shown a significant improvement in erectile function and sexual desire in men and women.  Natural ingredients like l-arginine, ginseng and ginkgo can benefit the circulatory system, increase blood flow and promote sexual health.