Ever hear “affordable” and “high quality” in the same sentence when referring to protein?  How about “great tasting” and “inexpensive?”  These are all words that describe Intek’s Protein Evolution.  This protein powder blend consists of whey isolate, egg and casein proteins.  This allows for an immediate and extended release of aminos for an anabolic and anti-catabolic effect.  What’s cool about this protein is that its not loaded with fillers like alot of other brands.  Each 40 gram serving size contains a whopping 34 grams of protein!  I don’t know about you but when I buy protein I want protein and not all that other junk some companies throw in there to water down their product.  With 34 grams of protein per 40 gram serving there is no room for fat, cholesterol, sodium or sugar so this is a protein perfect for dieters or people looking to gain lean muscle.  The story doesn’t end there with Intek’s Protein Evolution though.  Intek also adds fiber and a blend of digestive enzymes to further enhance absorbtion.  That means more protein will actually enter your system and less is wasted; more bang for your buck.  A unique feature of this particular protein is the addition of colostrum.  Colostrum is found in mother’s milk and helps to enhance immune function and increase IGF-1 levels which can lead to increased nitrogen retention.  Increased nitrogen retention equals more lean muscle accumulation.  The icing on the cake is that you get all this in a 5lb jug for $47.99!  If you haven’t tried Intek’s Protein Evolution yet I strongly suggest that you do, you will not be sorry.

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Sleep disturbances cause daytime sleepiness, accidents, constant fatigue, depression, heart rhythm disturbances and irritability. Studies show that older men with low testosterone levels had lower sleep efficiency, woke up more often at night, spent less time in deep sleep and had lower blood oxygen levels at night than men with normal testosterone levels. Many physicians are reluctant to prescribe testosterone to aging men because they fear it will lead to sleep disturbances and other side effects. There is no correlation to testosterone treatment and sleep apnea. Millions of men have had testosterone therapy and had no increased incidence of sleep apnea. Low testosterone levels can lead to poor sleep quality, but the problem might be remedied with testosterone supplements.

We get a lot of questions about Hi-Tech’s Somatomax so we decided to take a look at this product.  This post contains information provided by the manufacturer.  We do have a few reviews coming from our in house testers which we hope to have posted in the next couple of weeks.

Somatomax is a unique new nighttime formula that can increase the amount of HGH you release by over 1,600% during the first few hours of sleep, which is when the vast majority of HGH is released. Somatomax produces important physiological, biochemical, and behavioral effects when administered orally. The possible benefits that Somatomax™ administration has upon athletic performances are remarkable. Somatomax has been shown to do the following:

HGH secretion by as much as 16 times that normally produced (HGH presence in the body’s system is critical for: 1) protein anabolism and muscle growth and repair; 2) cartilage growth and repair; 3) fat metabolism that induces less body fat and more muscularity.)

Activates and increases protein synthesis in muscle, and limits nitrogen catabolism (destructive metabolism).

Lowers blood cholesterol levels.

Induces sleep and hypotnia (muscle relaxation) enhancing recuperation from muscular effort.

Enhances libido and sexual performance in both sexes.

In More Detail - Somatomax™ increases HGH Secretion

A 2004 Belizean and Chinese research study demonstrated that from a single dose of Somatomax, plasma HGH levels increased 16 times over a two-hour period, peaking after 60 minutes.

The increased HGH secretion produced by Somatomax administration is far in excess of any other previously available HGH stimulator. In fact, daily Somatomax administration produces a more pronounced and enduring plasma HGH level than daily injections with 1 ml (2 IU) of the currently marketed synthetic growth hormones (Protropin®, Humatrope®, etc.).

Injected HGH has a very short half-life of 20 minutes in circulation and 2 IU Protropin® or Humatrope® will only increase circulating HGH levels by approximately four times. HGH is of great importance in human growth and development. Its secretion diminishes with age. HGH regulates cellular transport of amino acids and has a pivotal role in protein anabolism. Muscle and cartilage growth and repair are under the positive influence of this hormone. HGH also promotes fat and carbohydrate metabolism. It stimulates adipose (fatty) tissue to release fats and helps in mediating the switch from burning predominately carbohydrates to predominately fats for energy.

HGH has been used (or seriously considered) by many athletes, regardless of its legality and its great expense, to elicit the obvious advantages of greater plasma concentrations. Somatomax provides an alternate, more convenient, natural, and inexpensive method of substantially increasing HGH plasma levels beyond previous parameters. Somatomax also exhibits other anabolic properties in addition to those produced by the increased HGH secretion by stimulating protein synthesis, activating the pentose pathway (carbohydrate and protein metabolism), by limiting nitrogen catabolism.

Somatomax Induces Sleep And Acts As A Muscle Relaxant

The study by Pharmatech Ltd. on Somatomax explored the effect it has on inducing sleep and providing “remarkable hypotnia” (muscle relaxation), probably resulting from inhibition of muscle stretch. This study concluded that Somatomax is a rapid sleep-inducer. The sleep is calm and deep, with rapid, complete, and good quality awakening. Somatomax - induced sleep closely resembles normal physiological sleep patterns, causing slow-wave sleep almost immediately, followed by a predominance of REM sleep. These studies also showed that periodic brief arousals during deep sleep result in impaired daytime performance and increased fatigue in normal young adults. Somatomax consolidates sleep, aids recovery and recuperation, and leads to increased daytime function and ability. This action of Somatomax™ is especially meaningful for hard training athletes. If recovery and recuperation can be amplified, then workout intensity and productivity will be maximized.

Somatomax™ - New HGH Releaser

In the training athlete, numerous changes in anabolic hormone levels accompany workouts and play a direct role in muscle fiber growth and body composition. Of the anabolic hormones testosterone, insulin, and HGH, HGH is unique in that it directly promotes increases in muscle mass and decreases in body fat. In the normal course of events, HGH is produced in the pituitary gland and is released into the bloodstream, but in amounts that decrease with age. These reduced HGH levels are one of the reasons why people tend to accumulate more body fat as they grow older. The most significant and noticeable effects of Somatomax™ are its HGH-releasing sedative actions. The HGH releasing effects of Somatomax™ have been shown in healthy males, ages 25 to 40, who receive one dose of Somatomax™. Within 30 minutes of administration, blood HGH levels were 9 times higher than normal (pre- Somatomax™); after 45 minutes, HGH levels were over 16 times higher than normal. Two hours after Somatomax™ dosing, the subjects’ blood HGH levels were still 7 to 8 times higher than baseline. An additional revelation has shown Somatomax™ to release HGH in significant amounts and reduce protein breakdown. The sedative action of Somatomax™ contributes to restoration of normal sleep, metabolic recovery in individuals experiencing overtraining/overstress syndrome related to insomnia, and the stimulation of general anabolic facilitating processes.

Application To Strength Training

Power lifting and weight lifting place tremendous metabolic demands on the skeletal, muscular and endocrine (hormonal) systems. Increases in tissue synthesis and repair can lead to the over-training spiral, causing excessive muscle breakdown and injury. HGH is a very powerful non-steroidal hormone that combats the potentially damaging effects of stress, and heavy training upon the anatomy. Somatomax™ is quite possibly the most powerful HGH-releasing stimulator yet to be discovered!

One Side Effect To Somatomax Is Its Ability To Make You Feel Good!

Somatomax™ causes a large increase in levels of a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Dopamine has a very noticeable effect on mood, causing you to feel good. Ironically, very large amounts of dopamine in the brain can cause nausea, especially in those using Somatomax™ the first few times. Therefore, it is advisable to reduce the amount of Somatomax™ consumed the first few times to prevent nausea. It also has an effect similar to alcohol in that it effectively removes inhibitions, which is beneficial as a sexual stimulant.

Somatomax™ is a dietary supplement used as a nighttime formula to enhance natural sleep and to assist the body in the release of natural hormonal compounds, including HGH. Somatomax™ may also be used in smaller serving amounts as a daytime formula for a feeling of well-being, increased energy, and to enhance libido and sexual function. In conjunction with proper exercise, Somatomax™ will lead to an increase in muscle and a reduction of fat. Clinical studies on Somatomax™ suggest that Somatomax™ significantly stimulates HGH and modulates cortisol (resulting in a decrease of blood cortisol levels), which makes Somatomax™ a particularly effective supplement for males desiring to increase muscle mass. GHB and its precursors (GBL and BD) were clearly powerful HGH secretagogues, but changes in the law make those products no longer available to us. (GHB is a Schedule I drug for you or me, yet a prescription drug called Xyrem® by Orphan Medical… figure that one out!)

Somatomax™, however, is now available to us and is more effective than any previous HGH stimulator, including prescription HGH products. Let us just hope that the FDA will not try to pull another safe and effective product off the market, as they have done in the past. Somatomax™ can help HGH stimulation, but that is just one of many positive effects this amazing product has on our health and well-being.

Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 heaping scoop (14 grams)
Servings per Container: 20
Amount per Serving / % Daily Value Proprietary Blend:
4-amino-3-Penylbutyrica acid, gamma amino butyric acid, macuna pruriens extract (standardized to 20% L-Dopa), L-Arginine HCL, L-Tyrosine, L-Phenylalanine 14g * Vitamin B-6 (as Pyridoxine HCL) 10 mg / 500%

Testosterone, the so-called macho hormone, actually promotes reasonableness and fair play, a new study claims.

Scientists found that giving people a testosterone boost in the shape of a pill made them more likely to act in a friendly and altruistic way.

They claim the results finally dismiss the myth - sometimes even used in court - that the sex hormone testosterone is the cause of much male aggression and anti-social behavior.

However the popular belief that it makes you more ruthless and rebellious is so strong that if people believe they are taking the hormone they tend to fulfill their beliefs.

“This shows that the popular belief that testosterone makes you aggressive is inaccurate, ” said Michael Naef, at the Royal Holloway Hospital, north London, where some of the research was carried out.

“People use it as an excuse. It appears that it is not testosterone itself that induces aggressiveness, but rather the myth surrounding the hormone.

“In a society where qualities and manners of behavior are increasingly traced to biological causes and thereby partly legitimated, this should make us sit up and take notice.”

Mr. Naef said it was more accurate to describe testosterone as the “status” steroid.

In places like prison - where it was survival of the toughest - then it promoted aggressive behavior as that was the only way to increase social standing.

However in normal life the opposite was true - as friendliness and co-operation boosted your position in society.

Mr. Naef, and scientists from the University of Zurich, who published their findings in Nature, tested the theory on a group of 121 volunteers.

Half the group were given a testosterone pill, and the other half a placebo. They were not told which was which. They then took part in a behavioral game which involved the sharing out of money.

The rules allowed for both fair and unfair sharing by a proposer whose actions could be rejected or accepted by a receiver. If they could not agree to share then no one got the money.

The findings showed that those that were given the testosterone were more likely to propose fair offers of sharing and more likely to be co-operative even if it the sharing seemed unfair.

Dr Christoph Eisenegger, a neuroscientist, said: “The preconception that testosterone only causes aggressive or egotistic behavior in humans is thus clearly refuted.”

However in a separate test, if the volunteers were told they had been given testosterone then they did act in an aggressive and anti-social way.

The original article was posted on the following site: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/6761663/Testosterone-makes-people-more-friendly-and-reasonable.html

Tired of seeing all those guys at the gym pushing fully loaded barbells?  Trying to join that elusive 300lb club?  Than this 8 week routine may be for you.  This workout plan is designed specifically for increasing your maximum poundage on any of the power movements.  I would suggest concentrating on increasing your max lift one movement at a time so as to get the best results. 

Week 1.  You’re going to want to start this program by testing your single rep max.  Start off with a warmup set and increase the poundage until you get to your single rep max. 

Week 2.  This week you are going to be doing triples, or sets of three.  Start with a warmup set and then do three working sets with a weight that you can get three repititions with.

Week 3.  Next you will be using a weight that you can get six reps with; one warmup set and three sets of six reps.

Week 4.  This week you will be doing sets of ten reps; one warmup and three sets of ten reps.

Week 5.  Increase the rep count to twelve reps this week; one warmup and three sets of twelve.

Week 6.  The rep count is now up to fifteen this week; one warmup and three sets of fifteen.

Week 7.  This is an active rest week.  This week you will be skipping the movement that you are concentrating on.  You will still work out that particular body part only you will be doing other exercises.  This gives your body a chance to “catch up” and recover for week 8.

Week 8.  This is basically Week 1 revisited.  Its time to test that single rep max again.  Your max lift should be increased by 10 to 20lbs.

This training cycle works well for most people and I utilize it often. 

Vasopro Alternatives

As the cost of Mega Pro Vasopro ephedrine has increased we have had numerous customers ask us about potential alternatives.  Below is a list of some of our recommendations broken out by the most common uses for Vasopro.

Energy:

If you are using the vasopro ephedrine for energy we recommend trying one of the following.  BioRhythm’s Adrenalean or Intek’s Fat Burner Evolution if you are looking for moderate energy.  If you are looking for something that is more intense take a look at Intek’s Thermogenic or Hyper Genetic Labs Killer Bee’s.

Metabolism:

If you’re looking for a boost in metabolism or help with weight loss try Intek’s Fat Burner Evolution or Intek’s Thermogenic.  Both will provide good energy as well as a boost in metabolism while keeping appetite in check.

Pre-workout Intensity:

If you are using vasopro before a workout for intensity and energy you may be better off with one of the products specifically designed for this purpose.  Our favorites in this category are BioRhythm Arnge Krush, SSL Rush, Nutrex Hemo Rage, and Champion Adrenol 8.

For Breathing Relief or Asthma:

Try using NOW Foods Respir All or Irwin Naturals Aller-Pure.  There products are designed to open up the nasal passages and help clear the sinuses to support clearer breathing.

Give us a call for more information or to purchase any of these products. 

This week I’ll be reviewing USP Labs pre-workout powder Jack3d.  This is a hot item and many stores can’t even keep it on their shelves.  People really seem to like USP Labs products and there has been much talk about them around the “water cooler”.  All this talk got me curious so I gave a tub of it the old college try.  Jack3d is marketed as a concentrated pre-workout formula.  The serving size is much smaller than most pre-workouts mainly because USP simplified its formula down to the few core components.  This isn’t a pre-workout powder with a million (usually ineffective) ingredients.  Jack3d contains a 4.1 gram proprietary blend of arginine AKG, creatine monohydrate, beta alanine, caffeine, geranium extract, and shizandrol A.  I’m sure that you know arginine is good for pumps, creatine is good for size and strength and beta alanine is good for muscular endurance but what I’d like to get into here is the more exotic type ingredients.  Geranium extract is a central nervous system stimulant like caffeine only geranium extract has more of an amphetimine-like effect and can really intensify workouts.  The stimulant effect is further maximized by combining the geranium extract with caffeine.  USP Labs also adds an all but unknown ingredient called shizandrol A.  To put the science in laymans terms, shizandrol A helps to lower inhibition and increases dopamine and epinephrine in the brain.  Think more energy and extra confidence when getting under that 315lb barbell.  Alot of weightlifting is psychological and to progress sometimes we must break through mental barriers; shizandrol A can help with that.  In conclusion I would say that USP Labs Jack3d is a pre-workout powder heavily dosed with stimulants that will jack up workout intensity.  People that like that “caffeine buzz” before a workout will like this stuff.  As far as muscle building goes, Jack3d wouldn’t necessarily be my first choice due to the low dosing of the creatine, arginine and beta alanine.  If you are looking for a pre-workout powder with a bit more muscle building potential I would suggest BioRhythm’s Arnge Krush or SSL’s Rush.