As the nation copes with a shortage of vaccines for H1N1 influenza, a team of Alabama researchers has raised hopes that they have found an Achilles’ heel for all strains of the flu — antioxidants.

In an article appearing in the November 2009 print issue of the FASEB Journal, they show that antioxidants — the same substances found in plant-based foods — might hold the key in preventing the flu virus from wreaking havoc on our lungs.

“The recent outbreak of H1N1 influenza and the rapid spread of this strain across the world highlights the need to better understand how this virus damages the lungs and to find new treatments,” said Sadis Matalon, co-author of the study.

“Additionally, our research shows that antioxidants may prove beneficial in the treatment of flu.”

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This week I’ll be taking a look at Gaspari Nutrition’s Size On.  This is basically a creatine product meant to be consumed during or after the workout.  Gaspari’s supplements seem to be quite popular with the weightlifting crowd but is this because of the Gaspari ads plastered all over the magazines or is it because these are quality supplements?  We shall see.  The main ingredient in Size On is, you guessed it, creatine.  I love how Gaspari Nutrition describes the creatine as “Drive II Mitochondrial Energy Factor”; buzz words meant to make your standard, every day creatine sound more like some sort of experimental rocket fuel.  They’re also adding various forms of carbohydrates and insulin mimickers as a delivery system to help shuttle the creatine into the muscle cell.  This is kind of standard in today’s creatine products. 

Gaspari Nutrition does use a few unique ingredients in the formula including Peak ATP and Creatine Gluconate.  These ingredients are both involved in cellular energy and ATP production.  As a result you should see some strength gains from this product.  They also use a proprietary carb which they call Outlast which is essentially a mix of maltodextrin, amylose and fibersol 2. 

Gaspari Nutrition Size On is a decent creatine formula and it should deliver on the promise of strength gains.

If you keep up with the latest research you know that muscles are extremely receptive to nutrients especially amino acids directly before and after your workouts.  By “loading” with amino acids before and after (even potentially during) workouts you can flood your muscles with the nutrients necessary for muscle repair.  During the workout the muscle is being bathed in blood which will be full of nutrients if you have consumed the proper pre-workout amino acids.  “Loading” the body with amino acids will ensure they get delivered to the muscle during your workout which will jumpstart the repair process and enhance athletic performance. 

For pre-workout nutrition try any of the following:

Intek BCAA Evolution

SSL Rush

Scivation Xtend

During your workout we suggest:

Intek BCAA Evolution

SNI Nitric Shock

Post workout we recommend:

BioRythm AfterGlow

Evolution X10

Dairy based protein has been shown to be more anabolic than plant proteins.  Of the two main dairy proteins whey elicits a faster rise in plasma amino acids than casein does.  Recent studies have also shown that you should combine whey and casein to build muscle and reduce body fat more quickly. 

When reformulating TNT we built off the strengths of the original formula to make ANS TNT 2 one of the most potent natural testosterone boosters on the market.  With new research and better standardization processes available we decided to update the original formula. 

The new formula (TNT 2) has an increased dose of Acetyl L-Carnitine; in fact the dose has more than tripled for this single ingredient.  Although many people are familiar with L-Carnitine for its ability to help the body utilize fat stores the Acetylated version is also a potent test booster.  It has two main mechanisms of action.  First it directly influences LH (luteinizing hormone) which controls the amount of testosterone produced by the testicles.  It is in a sense maximizing the signal going from the brain to the testicles telling your body how much testosterone should be produced.  Acetyl L-Carnitine also influences the sensitivity of androgen receptors in muscle tissue by making them more sensitive/receptive to circulating testosterone.  The receptors in the body desensitize with age.  The more sensitive your testosterone receptors are the more productive the testosterone circulating in your body will be.

Nettle extract is a new addition to the TNT 2 formula.  Most of the body’s testosterone is bound up by SHBG which prevents testosterone from having an effect in the body.  Total testosterone levels are important but free circulating levels are probably more important as this is the testosterone that can actually have an impact on performance and physique.  Nettle has been shown to have an affinity for SHBG which keeps SHBG from binding to testosterone resulting in greater levels of free circulating testosterone.

ANS TNT 2 also includes a healthy dose of tribulus but what makes it different from many other formulas is the standardization process this tribulus has undergone.  With any plant there are active components which are responsible for the pharmacological effect of the plant.  Having a high dose of tribulus means nothing if it is not standardized to the right ingredients.  The two most potent components of tribulus are protodioscin and saponins which is why TNT 2 is standardized for these compounds.

Iccarin is also a new compound to this formula.  Recent research on this ingredient has found that it not only boosts libido but that it also acts like testosterone in the body.  It is considered a testosterone mimicker.  What this means is that it can bind to the testosterone receptor and provide a result similar to what you would see from testosterone.  Namely increases in protein synthesis which leads to muscle recovery and muscle growth.

The estrogen blocking complex was enhanced with white button mushroom extract.  White button mushrooms suppress aromatase activity and estrogen biosynthesis.  White button mushroom helps keep your testosterone from being converted to estrogen via aromatase enzymes.

DIM and Resveratrol help your body rid itself of bad estrogens.  Some estrogen is needed to remain healthy however bad estrogens can cause negative reactions when they are allowed to build up in the body.  DIM and resveratrol bind with these bad estrogens allowing the body to clear them out more efficiently.

Ahh, MuscleTech…the mother of all supplement companies.  This week I’ll be reviewing their creatine product, MuscleTech Cell Tech Hardcore.  MuscleTech is notorious for making outlandish product claims, using creative “buzz” words and employing high profile athletes to market their supplements.  As informed consumers we know that we must look past the smoke and mirrors to get down to the true efficacy of a product.  MuscleTech Cell Tech uses a total of 10g of creatine from seven different sources.  Are seven sources of creatine really necessary?  No, but it doesn’t really hurt the formula either.  Whether you get 10g of creatine from creatine monohydrate or from a blend the end result is the same; enhanced ATP production.  As an added benefit MuscleTech added insulin mimickers to enhance the absorption of the creatine.  I do like the alpha lipoic acid and chromium used as insulin mimickers and blood sugar stabilizers but Cell Tech also adds some odd compounds which have very little scientific evidence backing them as insulin mimickers.  If you look at the sugar content of this product you can understand why they would need to add blood sugar stabilizers.  75g of sugar!!  It’s no secret that this ghastly amount of sugar will put on the pounds, just in the wrong areas.  Creatine is well known for its poor absorbability and by adding massive amounts of sugar the body’s insulin levels spike which helps to shuttle the creatine into the muscle cell.  So then why do they use insulin mimickers?  MuscleTech loves adding a bunch of ingredients to make it seem like the end user is getting more for his money when in reality its just eye candy to make the label look good and confuse the customer.  Will Cell Tech work?  It should, but compare the price of a jug of straight creatine monohydrate and a bag of sugar to Cell Tech, which is essentially what MuscleTech Cell Tech is.

This week I’ll be reviewing a well known supplement, BSN’s NO Xplode.  If you haven’t heard of this product then you probably don’t get out from under the rock you live under too often.  BSN has done an excellent job marketing this and all their products, I mean, who hasn’t tried NO Xplode?  At first glance this pre-workout powder contains all the ingredients that makes up most strength building, pump enhancing, energy producing powders.  BSN uses a couple different kinds of creatine with creatine ethyl ester being the main source.  Ethyl ester creatines are supposed to reduce water retention with an increased absorbability and work well with some people but in my experience its kind of been hit and miss.  In addition to a healthy dose of caffeine, NO Xplode uses various amino acids such as L-tyrosine and taurine to enhance energy levels.  This is what the user “feels” when he takes this product.  Although caffeine and other various stimulants are great for a kick in the ass before the gym it doesn’t necesserily translate to size or strength gains.  In fact studies show that high doses of stimulants can actually release cortisol into the bloodstream.  Cortisol is a stress hormone and is catabolic in nature which can hault muscle growth.  The nitric oxide component of NO Xplode is quite interesting.  In addition to a few oddball, unstudied compounds, BSN uses L-arginine AKG and two types of citrulline to increase the pump effect of working out.  Nitric oxide is sythesized from these compounds.  This combination works well if dosed correctly.  Thats where this formula gets a little hazey.  The extensive list of ingredients is labeled as a total of about 18 grams in a proprietary blend.  There are about 30 ingredients in NO Xplode which begs the question “Is anything in the right dosing?” and “Are these exotic compounds even proven?”  It’s tough to tell.  I do believe that this product will give you energy due to the stimulant content and it will pump you up but I think its more from the massive amounts of sodium they add to the powder (bloat pump).  NO Xplode wouldn’t be my first choice for a pre-workout powder but it definately deserves a fair chance.