A good pre-workout should do four things to improve the user’s workout.

1) It should provide physical energy, like you might feel from an energy drink. The energy component should also help with mental focus (mind muscle connection).
2) It should increase ATP or cellular energy stores.
3) It should buffer lactic acid and decrease fatigue.
4) It should increase blood flow to the working muscle and deliver nutrients and enhance the muscle pump.

The new Lean Revolution Limited Edition produces on all four of these fronts and is one of the few non geranium based products that provide a significant boost in focus and energy.

For Energy and Focus
N-Methyltyramine is a conditionally essential amino acid which works by being an essential precursor to the neurotransmitter nor epinephrine. N-Methyltyramine also activates brown fat and increases body metabolism and the use of white fat (bad fat) as body fuel. N-Methyltyramine, is known as an adrenergenic amine, which means it can help facilitate the action of the sympathetic nervous system on the adrenal glands, thereby increasing the body’s metabolism, and boosting energy. N-Methyltyramine is like a shot of adrenaline providing a very smooth focused energy.

Piracetam enhances brain metabolism by increasing Glucose Utilization, Blood & Oxygen Flow. The net result is a boost in mental energy & cerebral circulation.

CDP Choline was also added for brain and mood support. CDP Choline results in a noticeable level of alertness and motivation. In addition, colors seem brighter and sharper and libido is enhanced.

For ATP Production and Cellular Energy
Creatine MagnaPower provides more active creatine to the bloodstream for subsequent incorporation into the cells of the muscle. Chelate provides magnesium, which is involved in more energy producing systems than creatine, in addition creatine requires magnesium for its energy producing cycle. High doses of creatine are not required, since the chelate is not susceptible to acidic cyclization. Gastric disturbances are eliminated since only doses approximately 20% of what would be needed with creatine monohydrate are required.

For Buffering Lactic Acid and Fatigue Reduction
Beta Alanine and Creatinol O Phosphate act to reduce fatigue and muscle failure. Beta Alanine works through increasing carnosine levels. By doing so, it helps improve weight training and athletic performance in a variety of ways. By increasing carnosine levels it increases buffering capacity in the muscle, this helps prevent your muscles from becoming overly acidic during times of stress.

For Increasing Blood Flow and Muscle Pump
Most people are familiar with arginine but the metabolic by product of arginine known as agmatine sulfate goes well beyond arginine in terms of effectiveness. This formula also uses citrulline, glycerol and vanadyl to enhance the pump effect from exercise.

We are really excited about the new Muscle Sport product Andro Revolution. It combines two potent compounds, Fadogia Agrestis and D-Aspartic Acid. What is exciting about these two compounds is that when combined they can boost testosterone levels (naturally) to a greater extent than either could independently.

University studies show that Fadogia Agrestis has the ability to significantly increase testosterone by as much as six times that of a control group in a recent study. Studies on D-Aspartic Acid show it can increase testosterone over baseline by over 42%.

Fadogia Agrestis increases testicular cholesterol and D-Aspartic Acid increases the rate that cholesterol is converted into testosterone. Simply put where Fadogia leaves off D-Aspartic picks up.

Fadogia Agrestis is suggested to work through its ability to support an increase in the productiveness of the testis through increased testicular cholesterol – the building block and direct precursor of testosterone. 
Fadogia Agrestis is thought to naturally increase the sensitivity and production of the testis, which may result in an increase in both total and free testosterone, levels resulting in testosterone production cycles, which are higher and naturally occurring. No other natural or synthetic product on the market can replicate this!

D-aspartic acid has been shown to have some intriguing effects in several animal species and humans. D-aspartic acid has been shown to enhance gonadotropin releasing hormone from the hypothalamus as well as growth hormone and luteinizing hormone release from the pituitary. D-aspartic acid has also been shown to directly increase testosterone production by the testes. So, not only does d-aspartic acid cause the release of more testosterone but also the production of more testosterone. D-aspartic acid does this by increasing the levels of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein.

StAR plays a critical role in the production of steroid hormones in the testes and adrenals. In fact, StAR mediates the rate-limiting step in steroid hormone production, the importation of cholesterol into the mitochondria. All steroid hormones are manufactured from cholesterol in the mitochondria and if cholesterol doesn’t get into the mitochondria, then steroid hormones, and more specifically, testosterone does not get produced. D-aspartic acid increases StAR which increases cholesterol entry into the mitochondria, which results in, increased testosterone production.

Performance Nutrition is in the process of opening a new location on Route 9 in Framingham MA.  Look for us at 1291 Worcester Rd Framingham MA 01701.  We hope to be open by the end of August.

In recent studies dietary nitrate supplementation was shown to reduce the oxygen cost during submaximal exercise and to increase the time to exhaustion during high intensity exercise.  These data confirm and expand on the original findings of nitrate induced improvement of exercise efficiency in humans.  Basically this means that nitrates will allow an individual to train harder and accomplish more work in a given period of time.

Look for BCAA Nitrates in products like MSI BCAA Revolution.

ANS Melting Point is probably the most comprehensive of the non stimulant fat burning products on the market.  If you are serious about fat burning check out what this product has to offer.

In the battle against fat 7-oxo or 7-keto DHEA carries a lot of weight. Double blind placebo controlled studies have shown this ingredient to increase resting metabolic rate by as much as 5.4%. 7-oxo DHEA also works to stop reductions in metabolic rate when calories are restricted during dieting. 7-oxo DHEA achieves thermogenisis not by acting as a stimulant but by increasing the activity of fat burning enzymes. Weight lost while using 7-oxo DHEA tends to be fat as this ingredient has been shown to spare muscle tissue.

The active chemical in Coleus (forskolin) initiates a cascade of chemical reactions that cause fat cells to basically release their energy and melt away. In more technical terms, what happens is Coleus increases an enzyme called adenylate cyclase, which increases levels of another enzyme called cAMP (cyclic AMP), which is found in fat. cAMP then stimulates another enzyme, hormone sensitive lipase, to burn fat. Additionally, by a similar mechanism using cAMP, coleus increases thyroid hormone production and release, thereby increasing the bodies’ metabolism, to burn more calories.

The polyphenols in green tea appear to activate our bodies’ thermogenic activity, promoting the use of calories as energy and thus may assist our fat-fighting efforts.

Raspberry Ketones are aromatic compounds found in red raspberries that have been shown to aid fat loss without stimulating the central nervous system. The molecular structure in Raspberry Ketones are similar to capsaicin – the thermogenic (caloric burning process through heat) agent in chilies and red peppers, but are thought to be far more potent than capsaicin at lipolysis (fat cell destruction).

Due to the similarity in structure of Raspberry Ketones to capsaicin, scientific research to test the fat loss effects of Raspberry Ketones were conducted, and clearly showed that Raspberry Ketones prevented weight gain in mice even when the animals were on a high-fat diet.  Also, when rats were overfed fructose, Raspberry Ketones prevented fat synthesis.

Raspberry Ketones fat loss effects come from their ability to enhance norepinephrine-induced fat loss by promoting the relocation of HSL (hormone-sensitive lipase) to translocate to within the fat cell. HSL is the enzyme that, once inside the fat cell, slices apart fat molecules into various fatty acids in preparation for fat metabolism, which means that consuming Raspberry Ketones may lead to overall increase in fat being burned for energy without the use of harsh stimulants.

I really like this product as it ties together several ingredients that have compelling science backing their fat fighting potential. It also shows the dosing of each ingredient rather than hiding them in an under dosed blend.

Fat burning supplements are a great way to safely accelerate the weight loss process. There are a number of good products on the market which approach the fat loss process from different pathways. We broke them down in simple terms below to help you pick the best option to support your fat loss efforts.

Lipotropics
Theoretically, lipotropics don’t burn fat. But what they can do is motivate your liver to expedite the flow of bile and fat from the gall bladder while reducing the amount of fat deposited. So rather than being stored as simple sugars, fat can be used to produce readily available energy. Lipotropics include products like BioRhythm Olio, MSI Liposlim and Intek CLA/ L-Carnitine.

Starch Inhibitors
Some of the most popular starch inhibitors are standardized bean extracts from Phaseolus vulgaris. They work by inhibiting the activity of alpha amylase, the digestive enzyme in charge of shuttling the hundreds of complex carbohydrates from your super-sized #3 to your stomach, legs and rear.

Starch inhibitors prevent carbs from being utilized by normal metabolic processes, allowing them to be swept away to toilet heaven.

Solid products in this category include Irwin Naturals 3 in 1 Carb Blocker and BSN Cheaters.

Thermogenics
By definition, thermogenic translates to “creating heat”. And where there’s heat, there’s hope. They work by stimulating and speeding up the bodies metabolic processes. This ultimately affects how many calories the body is able to use in the production of energy. Thermogenic formulas usually contain supplements such as7oxo DHEA, Bitter Orange, Guarana, Geranium extract and a long list of others.

Among the best thermogenics are Intek Thermogenic, MSI Diet Revolution, and BioRhythm Adrenalean.

Cortisol Suppressors
Judging by today’s high stress, road rage-centric way of life, it’s a miracle that we all don’t weigh in somewhere above the 300 lb range. When you get stressed, be it from exercise, bar brawls or being chased by your boss with a machete, your body releases a stress-induced catabolic hormone called cortisol. Not only does it have an influence on how much fat you store, it can also leave you depressed, sluggish and unmotivated. Supplements such as phosphatidyl serine help balance how much cortisol your body releases after stressful situation.

To reduce cortisol and keep your body from storing fat try NOW Foods phosphatidyl serine, BioRhythm Relax and Chill or BioRhythm Synthrolean.

Essential Fatty Acids
We haven’t become such a grossly obese nation because we’re eating too much fat. It’s because we’re not eating enough. At least, not enough good fat. Yes, there is such a thing as good fat. And without it, your body becomes prone to storing the overwhelming amounts of saturated fats you scarf down on a daily basis. Mono and polyunsaturated fats (especially the essential fatty acids Omega-3 and -6) actually make it possible for your body to utilize the total fat from your diet more effectively, provided that you’re getting them in balance.

For fat loss purposes try BioRhythm Olio, or MSI Liposlim both of which use the ideal blend of EFA’s with CLA and other potent ingredients for mobilizing stubborn body fat.

Appetite Suppressants
Do you have an appetite that just won’t stop? If so, it’s more than likely you’re struggling to have success with weight loss since you can’t stop eating! Many people deal with this issue, not only because of a high physiological hunger, but also because of psychological factors at work with our appetite. Ever walk through the food court in the mall and find yourself feeling slightly hungry? Odd how you were not hungry beforehand.

Appetite suppressants typically have some level of stimulants in them so make sure you understand your tolerance to stimulants before choosing a product. Some of the best in this group are MSI Diet Revolution, Rocket Fuel, and Intek Fat Burner Evolution.

Thyroid Regulating Fat Burners
For other individuals, their thyroid may not be producing enough of the hormones to keep their metabolism working at an effective rate. When this happens, a slowed metabolism results, often accompanied by a weight gain, feelings of fatigue, and feeling cold all the time. Thyroid regulating fat burners serve to fix this issue by supplying the two main substances that the thyroid would normally produce, guggulsterone and forskolin. They also often contain a combination of other ingredients that help to increase the metabolic rate and keep the thyroid working effectively.

Best in class products for optimizing thyroid performance include BioRhythm Synthrolean, Tri Pharm Incinerate, and Ultra Lean FX from BioRhythm.

Australian researchers published a long-term weight loss study in healthy adult overweight women (BMI initially ~32).

In this study, they followed 79 women for more than a year to see how protein influences weight loss and compliance to a dietary program.

Women who followed a high protein diet lost MORE weight and more fat than those that ate the high carb diet. Protein intake was inversely related to weight and fat loss such that for those that ate more protein lost an average of 14 lbs and 10 lbs of fat compared to those that ate less protein (and more carbs) who lost 7 lbs and 5 lbs of fat over the course of a year. Body composition was measured by DEXA, the gold standard for body comp assessment. After 64 weeks, body fat was higher in those that ate more carbohydrate and lower in those that ate more protein. The same was seen for belly fat – more belly fat in those that ate a higher carb diet compared to the higher protein diet.

For many people Tribulus seems to work but the results where often inconsistent and it didn’t always meet expectations. Why is that you ask?

The answer, as it has been many times before, is in the lack of consistent and proper standardization that unfortunately runs rampant in this industry. The lack of standardization for Protodioscin has lead to what we believe to be a grave inconsistency in each batch produced by other companies. Some batches have a higher content and thus deliver some results, while others do not. However, no other product has EVER been standardized to the level that BioRhythm has used for Androbolix.

Protodioscin from Tribulus Terrestris is believed to directly stimulate the release of Luteinizing Hormone (LH). LH is an endocrine hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland in the brain. This hormone travels from the pituitary gland down the leydig cells of the testes where it stimulates testosterone production. Testosterone is considered the KING of all muscle building hormones. But “tribulus” in general is not capable of exerting such effects on the human endocrine system. Of the many saponins contained in Tribulus, only Protodioscin is capable of eliciting this prolific influence on testosterone production.

Forget everything you ever thought you knew about Tribulus Terrestris. The true anabolic potential of this powerful extract has FINALLY been unlocked, and BioRhythm Androbolix is proud to introduce to you to the true perfection of Tribulus Terrestris. Standardized and repeatedly verified to contain an unprecedented 300mg of Protodioscin.

There’s no shortage of whey products on the market, but unfortunately most of them will NOT give you the health benefits associated with high-quality whey.Most whey proteins are processed from ultra pasteurized milk and many are exposed to acid processing. Heat and acid damages the protein and makes it insoluble in water. Many cheap whey protein products are produced from acid cheese; they’re byproducts of acid processing, which is a cheap way to separate whey from the curd. Most of these whey products are rated below pet foods because of the inferior quality of the protein, which is actually more of a nitrogen waste product than one that will produce health benefits that are associated with whey.

In order to make these powders soluble in water they must add chemical flavors and detergents to restore flavor and solubility. 

Overheated whey protein is a clearly an inferior form of whey that also changes its molecular shape. If you have taken biochemistry you will be familiar with optical isomers. Proteins in foods and in your body are in the L form, but processing used to produce some whey products produces damaging D optical isomers, which are not designed to be in your body. Depositing this D protein in your bone, brain and muscle is associated with accelerated aging. Accumulation of D proteins in the brain has been linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson.

If you are looking for a high quality whey and a good value stick with trusted brands like Optimum Health’s Pro Complete 40 or Intek Evolution Protein.

The Basics of Fat Burning Supplements
Fat burning supplements are a great way to safely accelerate the weight loss process. There are a number of good products on the market which approach the fat loss process from different pathways. We broke them down in simple terms below to help you pick the best option to support your fat loss efforts.

Lipotropics
Theoretically, lipotropics don’t burn fat. But what they can do is motivate your liver to expedite the flow of bile and fat from the gall bladder while reducing the amount of fat deposited. So rather than being stored as simple sugars, fat can be used to produce readily available energy. Lipotropics include products like BioRhythm Olio, MSI Liposlim and Intek CLA/ L-Carnitine.

Starch Inhibitors
Some of the most popular starch inhibitors are standardized bean extracts from Phaseolus vulgaris. They work by inhibiting the activity of alpha amylase, the digestive enzyme in charge of shuttling the hundreds of complex carbohydrates from your super-sized #3 to your stomach, legs and rear.

Starch inhibitors prevent carbs from being utilized by normal metabolic processes, allowing them to be swept away to toilet heaven.

Solid products in this category include Irwin Naturals 3 in 1 Carb Blocker and BSN Cheaters.

Thermogenics
By definition, thermogenic translates to “creating heat”. And where there’s heat, there’s hope. They work by stimulating and speeding up the bodies metabolic processes. This ultimately affects how many calories the body is able to use in the production of energy. Thermogenic formulas usually contain supplements such as7oxo DHEA, Bitter Orange, Guarana, Geranium extract and a long list of others.

Among the best thermogenics are Intek Thermogenic, MSI Diet Revolution, and BioRhythm Adrenalean.

Cortisol Suppressors
Judging by today’s high stress, road rage-centric way of life, it’s a miracle that we all don’t weigh in somewhere above the 300 lb range. When you get stressed, be it from exercise, bar brawls or being chased by your boss with a machete, your body releases a stress-induced catabolic hormone called cortisol. Not only does it have an influence on how much fat you store, it can also leave you depressed, sluggish and unmotivated. Supplements such as phosphatidyl serine help balance how much cortisol your body releases after stressful situation.

To reduce cortisol and keep your body from storing fat try NOW Foods phosphatidyl serine, BioRhythm Relax and Chill or BioRhythm Synthrolean.

Essential Fatty Acids
We haven’t become such a grossly obese nation because we’re eating too much fat. It’s because we’re not eating enough. At least, not enough good fat. Yes, there is such a thing as good fat. And without it, your body becomes prone to storing the overwhelming amounts of saturated fats you scarf down on a daily basis. Mono and polyunsaturated fats (especially the essential fatty acids Omega-3 and -6) actually make it possible for your body to utilize the total fat from your diet more effectively, provided that you’re getting them in balance.

For fat loss purposes try BioRhythm Olio, or MSI Liposlim both of which use the ideal blend of EFA’s with CLA and other potent ingredients for mobilizing stubborn body fat.

Appetite Suppressants
Do you have an appetite that just won’t stop? If so, it’s more than likely you’re struggling to have success with weight loss since you can’t stop eating! Many people deal with this issue, not only because of a high physiological hunger, but also because of psychological factors at work with our appetite. Ever walk through the food court in the mall and find yourself feeling slightly hungry? Odd how you were not hungry beforehand.

Appetite suppressants typically have some level of stimulants in them so make sure you understand your tolerance to stimulants before choosing a product. Some of the best in this group are MSI Diet Revolution, Rocket Fuel, and Intek Fat Burner Evolution.

Thyroid Regulating Fat Burners:
For other individuals, their thyroid may not be producing enough of the hormones to keep their metabolism working at an effective rate. When this happens, a slowed metabolism results, often accompanied by a weight gain, feelings of fatigue, and feeling cold all the time. Thyroid regulating fat burners serve to fix this issue by supplying the two main substances that the thyroid would normally produce, guggulsterone and forskolin. They also often contain a combination of other ingredients that help to increase the metabolic rate and keep the thyroid working effectively.

Best in class products for optimizing thyroid performance include BioRhythm Synthrolean, Tri Pharm Incinerate, and Ultra Lean FX from BioRhythm.