Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish such as salmon and tuna can help prevent muscle loss in aging adults and people with muscle wasting diseases.  Insulin and essential amino acids promote protein synthesis in people of any age.  A British study using healthy, young and middle-aged adults found that feeding Omega 3 fatty acids along with insulin and amino acids increased muscle protein synthesis at a greater rate than insulin and amino acids alone.

Omega 3 fats have been shown to be beneficial in losing body fat, it looks like they also can play a role in maintaining muscle especially as we age.

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BCAA’s otherwise known as branched chain amino acids can be an effective aid for helping to both lose body fat and build muscle. Research has shown that even if you consume an adequate amount of protein you can improve your body composition by consuming at least 5 grams of BCAA’s each day.

Among the many benefits of BCAA’s are the following.

They are the key amino acids for muscle recovery. During exercise you are damaging muscle tissue in order to lose body fat and build muscle your body must repair damaged tissue. Branched Chain Amino Acids are the most important amino acids for muscle recovery.

BCAA’s cause cells to absorb and burn more fatty acids. High levels of BCAA’s in the blood stream usually mean excessive muscle breakdown. In order to stop muscle breakdown the body will adapt by using more fat for fuel. You can trick your body into triggering this process by consuming supplemental BCAA’s.

Significant amounts of BCAA’s also trigger an increase in leptin emission. This is the hormone that tells the body that it has consumed enough energy; it also increases energy burning and helps control appetite.

BCAA’s can be used by both men and women to help improve body composition. BCAA’s can be consumed at almost any time throughout the day. For optimal results try to consume a few grams before or during workouts.

We recommend Intek’s BCAA or Muscle Sports BCAA Revolution.

Muscle Sport continues to set the standard in pre-workouts with Fight Revolution. It is a concentrated product but with over a 10 gram serving it has a large enough serving to actually provide proper doses of the active ingredients. It is also another product which doesn’t rely on geranium extract to provide the energy punch. Long term geranium use can eventually fatigue the adrenal glands, affect sleep and cause mood swings.

This is one of the few pre-workouts that have included ingredients to optimize hormone levels. Both D Aspartic Acid and N-Methyl-D-Aspartate promote a natural increase in the production of testosterone. D Aspartic Acid has been shown in human studies to increase testosterone by 42% in as little as 14 days. D-aspartic acid is an amino acid present in the neuroendocrine tissues of humans, playing a role in the synthesis of both LH (luteinizing hormone) and testosterone. LH, is secreted causing a subsequent release of testosterone from the testes. D-aspartic acid is synthesized when aspartate racemase converts L-aspartic acid into D-aspartic acid. This conversion occurs in the testes as well as other tissues throughout the human body.

If you are not familiar with 3-beta-hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid you may be familiar with Ursolic Acid. Ursolic Acid is derived from the peel of an apple and is capable of increasing IGF. The result of Ursolic Acid use is both gains in muscle as well as a reduction of body fat. The increase in IGF will also have a complimentary effect with the test boosting components of Fight Revolution.

Creatinol O Phosphate or COP increases levels of ATP in the muscle, and this may be due in part because of its actions as an intracellular buffer, a phosphate donor, and a stabilizer of cell membranes. The end result is that contractility (force of contraction) of muscles is increased – especially in low oxygen, low blood flow conditions. These conditions would be present during demanding activity such as weight training.

When you are performing an explosive activity like weight training you are going to create conditions in which lactic acid increases and PH drops in the muscle. ATP levels also drop as you perform intense activity. These are the conditions that cause muscle failure. So what happens when you supplement with Creatinol O Phosphate? Your muscles are able to generate a greater amount of force which leads to strength gains, and increased muscular endurance.

Fight Revolution is also the only pre-workout to include Tart Cherry extract. Tart Cherries have been shown to reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery. They can also promote joint health also due to their anti-inflammatory effect and new research has shown Tart Cherry supplementation reduced fat mass and stimulated the growth of lean muscle mass.

As we mentioned earlier this product doesn’t use geranium extract to boost energy but it does provide a healthy boost of energy and motivation. One of our favorite ingredients is N-Methyl Tyramine which is like talking a shot of adrenaline. It doesn’t have a jittery feel like stimulants but does trigger the flight or fight response and is great for generating aggressiveness and motivation during a workout. After continuous use almost all stimulants have diminishing returns and often lead to a lack of focus. This leaves users of pre-workouts continuously seeking higher and higher doses of stimulants. Fight Rev uses Pirecetam and ALCAR (Acetyl L-Carnitine) to “awaken” the brain and keep you focused on your workout.

Fight Rev brings some new ingredients together to improve pre-workout science. It also addresses some of the shortcomings of other products. Checkout Fight Rev for improvements in workout performance and motivation.

ANS Ultra-Lite just flat out makes you feel good, this fat burning energy enhancer also turns out to be a pretty good mood elevator. Reducing calorie intake reduces dopamine production in the brain leading to sluggishness and binge eating. Ultra-Lite is designed to offset the effect of lower calories by increasing energy and improving well-being. Its natural appetite suppressors also keep appetite and cravings under control. High energy plus low appetite will equal weight loss.

In addition Ultra-Lite uses a thermogenic component to increase calorie burning even while the body is at rest. By causing your body to become energy inefficient you waste excess calories as heat allowing you to burn more calories throughout each day.

While most “fat burning” products are little more than massive doses of stimulants there are natural ingredients that can burn fat and improve body composition. Unfortunately most companies don’t use them. If you look at the most effective body recompositioning drugs you find beta-2-agonists. Clenbuterol is a well-known one, but salbutamol and fenoterol are also beta-2-agonists. What they have in common is that they stimulate the beta-2-adrenoreceptor in the body, thus promoting a decrease of fat mass. Use of the substances is forbidden in sport and supplement makers are not allowed to put them in their products. However, a class of amino acids found in cocoa has been shown to produce similar effects. These amino acids are in the bean, as well as other parts of the plant. The cocoa plant probably manufactures them to increase its resistance against disease and other forms of plant stress.

The amino acids in question are metabolites of tyrosine and go by the name of clovamide. Clovamide and its analogues imitate the effects of clenbuterol in test-tube trials. This was discovered in research done at the Phytonutrients Laboratory, part of the American ministry of agriculture, and published in 2005 in FASEB Journal.

The researchers introduced clovamide and its analogues to immune cells with beta-2-receptors. To determine how well the substances were capable of stimulating the receptor the researchers measured the cAMP concentration. The more cAMP the cells produced, the better the beta-2-receptor stimulated clovamide and its analogues. Within this category of substances, clovamide and its analogue N-coumarolydopamine are the most powerful beta-2-agonists.

One of the more interesting fat burning compounds that has been discovered recently is curcumin. A review of literature by scientists from the University of Buffalo concluded that curcumin helps regulate fat metabolism and is an effective supplement for promoting weight loss and preventing heart disease, diabetes, and inflammation.

Curcumin decreases insulin resistance and promotes normal blood sugar metabolism. It may also promote health by reducing inflammation and neutralizing free radicals – which amount to a kind of biological rust that impairs the immune system, breaks down DNA, and promotes aging.

To maximize energy and improve mood ANS turned to Sulbutiamine. Sulbutiamine is a synthetic analogue of thiamine, or vitamin B1. Its slightly different structure means it enters cells more easily than regular vitamin B1 does. As a result of this thiamine analogues – including sulbutiamine – show a performance enhancing effect in animal studies. Sulbutiamine also increases mental alertness, improves cognitive functioning, reduces chronic fatigue, and can also be effective in boosting ones mood, by creating a feeling of euphoria similar to caffeinated beverages but without the jitters.

Ultra-Lite activates fat burning mechanisms in your body while simultaneously blocking the internal biochemistry that prevents you from burning fat. Under normal conditions your body will adjust to weight loss and dieting by slowing your metabolic rate. This is the reason so many people have difficulty losing weight and why they often gain lost weight back.

Imagine having something available that helps you train BEYOND YOUR LIMITS. The goal when designing Diesel Force was to use ingredients with legitimate scientific backing, that showed real performance benefits. A product designed with proven ingredients at proven doses that, together, create a perfect mix of energy, focus and performance enhancement.

Diesel Force uses research proven-effective ingredients in their research-backed dosages together in a formula that will truly enhance your training results. Diesel Force is more than a “pump” product or an “insane energy buzz” product that only provides temporary results. Diesel Force is a product that will deliver actual improvements in your performance and physique.

Improving the Energy Equation
Caffeine and other stimulant centric ingredients are great for providing a quick energy fix but can lead to a crash and often have diminishing effects over time. Diesel Force has paired traditional stimulants like caffeine with other ingredients like Sulbutiamine and N-Methyl Tyramine designed to enhance energy while minimizing the weak points of traditional stimulants. Sulbutiamine is a synthetic analogue of thiamine, or vitamin B1. Its slightly different structure means it enters cells more easily than regular vitamin B1 does. As a result of this thiamine analogues including sulbutiamine show a performance enhancing effect in studies. The results of studies suggest that they may have a modest muscle-building effect as well. Sulbutiamine also increases mental alertness, improves cognitive functioning, reduces chronic fatigue, and can also be effective in boosting ones mood, by creating a feeling of euphoria similar to caffeinated beverages but without the jitters.

Changing Body Composition
Among the most effective body recompositioning drugs are the beta-2-agonists. Of which Clenbuterol is probably the most well known. What they have in common is that they stimulate the beta-2-adrenoreceptor in the body, thus promoting an increase of muscle mass and decrease of fat mass. Use of the substances is forbidden in sport and supplements makers are not allowed to put them in their products. However, a class of amino acids found in cocoa has been shown to produce similar results. These amino acids are located in the bean, and throughout the rest of the plant. The cocoa plant probably manufactures them to increase resistance against disease and other forms of plant stress.

The amino acids in question are metabolites of tyrosine. Which also go by the name of clovamide. Clovamide and its analogues imitate the effects of clenbuterol in test-tube trials. This was discovered in research done at the Phytonutrients Laboratory, part of the American ministry of agriculture, and published in 2005 in FASEB Journal.

The researchers introduced clovamide and its analogues to immune cells with beta-2-receptors. To determine how well the substances were capable of stimulating the receptor the researchers measured the cAMP concentration. The more cAMP the cells produced, the better the beta-2-receptor stimulated clovamide and its analogues. Within this category of substances, clovamide and its analogue N-coumarolydopamine are the most powerful beta-2-agonists

Building Muscle While Losing Body Fat
Building muscle is difficult and not many natural compounds can truly help with the muscle building process. A new compound produced from the peel of an apple has proven effective at accelerating muscle growth and is now available in nutritional supplements. The fatty layer of an apple peel contains a compound that has an anabolic effect, write researchers from the University of Iowa in Cell Metabolism. It’s called ursolic acid, but also goes by the shorter name of malol. In tests on mice, the compound caused their muscles to grow and fat mass to shrink.

The researchers from Iowa stumbled upon the anabolic properties of ursolic acid when they were examining cells from muscle tissue that where wasting. They determined which genes in the cells were active during the process of muscular atrophy. Then they searched databases for substances that had the opposite effect. The most promising substance that they found was ursolic acid.

The researchers gave this to fasting mice and observed that the ursolic acid led to a reduction in the processes of muscle atrophy. They then did a second round of experiments in which a control group was given ordinary feed and another group was given feed containing 0.27 percent ursolic acid. A five-week course of ursolic acid resulted in growth of the quadriceps and the mice grew stronger. The activity of the catabolic genes MuRF-1 and Atrogin-1 declined in the muscle cells. In contrast, the activity of the gene for IGF-1 increased, as did the concentration of IGF-1 in the blood. Molecular signaling molecules, like the receptor for IGF-1, Akt and S6K, were switched on.

In the studies ursolic acid also reduced the fat cells’ emission of leptin, the concentrations of triglycerides and cholesterol, and even the fasting glucose level. All of these are positive effects.

The researchers suspect that ursolic acid’s prime target is the IGF-1 receptor. This becomes more sensitive and as a result the IGF-1 that is present in the body works better.

Increasing the Work Load
Not to be out done by some of the more novel ingredients, the Diesel Force formula also includes COP or Creatinol O Phosphate as well as Creatine Citrate.

Creatinol O Phosphate or COP increases levels of ATP in the muscle, and this may be due in part because of its actions as an intracellular buffer, a phosphate donor, and a stabilizer of cell membranes. The end result is that contractility (force of contraction) of muscles is increased – especially in low oxygen, low blood flow conditions. These conditions would be present during demanding activity such as weight training.

When you are performing an explosive activity like weight training you are going to create conditions in which lactic acid increases and PH drops in the muscle. ATP levels also drop as you perform intense activity. These are the conditions that cause muscle failure. So what happens when you supplement with Creatinol O Phosphate? Your muscles are able to generate a greater amount of force which leads to strength gains, and increased muscular endurance.

The citrate form of creatine is composed of a creatine molecule that is attached to a citric acid molecule. Citric acid is an intermediate of the Krebs cycle (the metabolic pathway that produces aerobic energy within muscle). In other words, citric acid is important for energy production. Because of this, creatine taken with citrate may provide greater muscular energy than creatine alone.

ANS Diesel Force is a true advancement in the pre-workout category as it blends the benefits of energy, pump, and real performance into a single product.

Among the most effective body recompositioning drugs are the beta-2-agonists. Clenbuterol is probably the most well known. What they have in common is that they stimulate the beta-2-adrenoreceptor in the body, thus promoting a decrease of fat mass. Use of these substances is forbidden in sports and supplements makers are not allowed to put them in their products. However, these rules do not apply to a class of amino acids found in cocoa. These amino acids are in the bean, and parts of the plant. The cocoa plant probably manufactures them to increase its resistance against disease and other forms of plant stress.

The amino acids in question are metabolites of tyrosine. The amino acids in cocoa also go by the name of clovamide. Clovamide and its analogues imitate the effects of clenbuterol in test-tube trials. This was discovered in research done at the Phytonutrients Laboratory, part of the American ministry of agriculture, and published in 2005 in FASEB Journal.

The researchers introduced clovamide and its analogues to immune cells with beta-2-receptors. To determine how well the substances were capable of stimulating the receptor the researchers measured the cAMP concentration. The more cAMP the cells produced, the better the beta-2-receptor stimulated clovamide and its analogues. Within this category of substances, clovamide and its analogue N-coumarolydopamine are the most powerful beta-2-agonists.

The fatty layer on an apple peel contains a compound that has an anabolic effect, write researchers from the University of Iowa. It’s called ursolic acid, but also goes by the shorter name of malol. In tests on mice, the compound caused their muscles to grow and fat mass to shrink.

Ursolic acid is also present in basil, blueberries, cranberries, rosemary, oregano, thyme and plums. And speaking of plums: researchers at the American department of agriculture discovered in 2006 that prunes (dried plums) boost the concentration of IGF-1. They had no explanation for this, but it might be that ursolic acid explains the special effects of prunes.

The researchers from Iowa stumbled upon the anabolic properties of ursolic acid when they were examining cells from muscle tissue that was wasting. They determined which genes in the cells were active during the process of muscular atrophy. Then they searched databases for substances that had the opposite effect. The most promising substance they found was ursolic acid.

The researchers gave this to fasting mice and observed that the ursolic acid led to a reduction in the processes of muscle atrophy. They then did a second round of experiments, in which the mice were given as much to eat as they wanted. A control group was given ordinary feed and another group was given feed containing 0.27 percent ursolic acid.

A five-week course of ursolic acid resulted in growth of the quadriceps and the mice grew stronger. The activity of the catabolic genes MuRF-1 and Atrogin-1 declined in the muscle cells. In contrast, the activity of the gene for IGF-1 increased, as did the concentration of IGF-1 in the blood. Molecular signaling molecules, like the receptor for IGF-1, Akt and S6K, were switched on.

In the animal studies ursolic acid also reduced the fat cells’ emission of leptin, the concentrations of triglycerides and cholesterol, and even the fasting glucose level. All of these are positive effects.

The researchers suspect that ursolic acid’s prime target is the IGF-1 receptor. This becomes more sensitive and as a result the IGF-1 that is present in the body works better.

Proteins taken ahead of a training session and immediately after – is good nutrition for a strength athlete. And now researchers have found a way of tweaking this basic principle, in a study done by sports scientists at Baylor University in 2006. According to their research, the best post-workout shake contains a combination of fast and slow protein.

The researchers got 36 men aged between 23 and 29 to do weight training for 10 weeks. The men had all been doing weight training for at least a year, and were all given the same training schedule. They trained 4 times a week, working through all the large muscle groups in the body in 2 sessions. The men started with sets of 10 reps and ended with sets of 6 reps.

On the days that they didn’t train, the subjects drank a shake in the morning. On all the other days they drank a shake as soon as possible after finishing their training session, and not longer than 2 hours later.

The placebo group drank a shake that contained only carbohydrates. The first experimental group drank a shake containing 40 g whey protein, 3 g BCAAs and 5 g glutamine. The second experimental group drank a shake containing 40 g whey protein, 8 g casein.

After 10 weeks the group drinking whey and casein had progressed more than the other groups on all counts.

Look for a protein product like Intek Evolution or Pro Complete 40 which combines both whey and casein protein.

Many athletes take caffeine before workouts to increase energy levels and strength.  A study from Cal State University found that high doses of caffeine (approximately 400mg)  increased strength during maximal knee extension-flexion.  A lower dose of caffeine had no effect on strength-endurance.  High doses of caffeine where able to increase high-intensity strength-endurance by about 6 to 8 percent.

A review of literature by scientists from the University of Buffalo concluded that curcumin helps regulate fat metabolism and might be an effective supplement for promoting weight loss and preventing heart disease, diabetes, and inflammation.

Curcumin decreases insulin resistance and promotes normal blood sugar metabolism.  It may also promote health by reducing inflammation and neutralizing free radicals – which amount to a kind of biological rust that impairs the immune system, breaks down DNA, and promotes aging.