ANS Diesel Fuel creatine builds muscle through several different pathways but for the purpose of this article we will touch on its effect on producing a natural insulin response. 

This product has developed its own cult following by producing consistent positive results.  It has also generated a lot of questions on why it works so much better than competing products.  Read on to learn more about how Diesel Fuel creatine works.

ANS Diesel Fuel forces an insulin response in order to drive creatine and amino acids into the muscle for enhanced muscle growth.  This concept involves using the body’s natural insulin response to drive increased levels of amino acids, creatine, and glucose into muscle during extremely intense training sessions. The net effect equals more rapid gains in strength and muscle.

Insulin is the chemical trigger that drives nutrients into muscle cells. The larger the insulin response the greater the anabolic response. It’s that simple.

Insulin up regulates and activates all the transport mechanisms responsible for pumping amino acids, creatine, and glucose (all of which are critical for building maximum muscle and strength) directly into the muscle tissue.

So in effect, going into a workout with insulin spiked, and the bloodstream loaded with an abundance of these nutrients, will produce the necessary anabolic environment for gains in mass and strength.

ANS has taken this strategy to an entirely new level with the advent of Diesel Fuel, by utilizing the body’s own insulin production to drive increased levels of anabolic nutrients into working muscle — effectively turning the body into an anabolic machine.

Diesel Fuel sets off a near skin-splitting pump. It should be noted that even though the pump feels very pronounced and is definitely addictive, it’s not the feel that’s anabolic. It’s what’s being pumped into the engorged muscle tissue that’s making the difference.

Diesel Fuel can be taken pre or post workout but if you are looking for the pre-workout insulin response make sure to dose it before your workout.  If you really want to maximize results from this product mix it into a pre-workout product like SSL Rush or BioRhythm’s Juice.

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If you shop for your supplements at discount stores you may be seriously shortchanging yourself because those products typically use cheap synthetic isolates.

Millions gorge themselves on synthetic vitamins, only to acquire and die from degenerative diseases.

You see, isolated vitamins are partial vitamins, combined with other chemicals. They’re a low-end alternative to whole, real complete food.  When you remove a part from the whole, you get ‘Synthetic,’ ‘Isolated,’ or ‘Fractionated’ pieces of the whole, but it’s simply not the same. 

There are four problems with synthetic vitamins…

1. Nature intended for you to consume food in WHOLE form because all the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes are together in one package. They work synergistically to give your body the nutrition it requires for optimal health. 
2. Your body only absorbs a small percentage of an isolate form of vitamins and minerals – and it utilizes even less. You get the best bioavailability in whole food form.
3. Synthetic vitamins often give you massive quantities of some nutrients (usually the most inexpensive ones) and insufficient quantities of others, not balance.
4. You can experience side effects of synthetic isolates from the additives and the unnatural state of the synthetic supplement.

You’ve heard it before… Fast food and a sedentary lifestyle can be a disaster for your health.

Don’t let your multivitamin add to the collateral damage.  In fact, you want to be sure it makes a real and significant contribution to your health, especially if you’ve already adopted healthy lifestyle practices.

Check out ANS Natural Vita Greens for a good whole food based multivitamin.

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.

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.

If you’re anything like me you want the absolute best of everything.  When it comes to exercise you want the best facilities and the best training techniques and, of course, the best supplements to promote recovery.  Let’s say you’ve got the first two covered and as an avid gym goer you use protein as your foundation supplement.  There are many different kinds of protein on the market including; casein, whey, egg, soy and even hemp protein!  By now I’m sure you’ve figured out that you should be using whey protein due to its absorbability, high BCAA content, mixability and better flavoring.  But did you know there is more than one type of whey?  From poorest quality to purest, this list includes: whey concentrate, whey isolate, micro filtered ion exchange whey isolate, and hydrolyzed whey isolate.  Ion exchange whey is of the purest quality and hydrolyzed whey is a form of ion exchange whey broken down for enhanced absorption.  Although these are the absolute best types of whey they are not cheap to manufacture and can be a costly finished product.  The people that use Isopure or VP2 know what I’m talking about.  I’ve seen Isopure at $52 for a 3lb and VP2 at $50 for a 2lb!!  Ok, you might just want to wipe down your computer screen real quick because you’re about to kiss it.  I’ve found an affordable ion exchange/hydrolyzed whey protein that actually tastes good, no, scratch that, great.  Fortified with glutamine and a vitamin and mineral complex Intek’s Isolate Evolution Protein is, bar none, the best isolate I’ve ever had.  As an added bonus it contains way less sodium than any of the other isolates on the market and it comes in a really cool see through green jug!  Did you kiss your computer screen yet?  Well if that didn’t do it than let’s talk price.  A 3lb jug fetches just $39.99…seriously; you can stop kissing your computer screen now. 

Colostrum is a unique supplement used by many health oriented people to boost the body’s immune response.  As of late it has been used by weightlifters, bodybuilders and gym rats alike to increase muscle growth and recovery.  To understand the benefits lets first take a look at where it comes from.  Colostrum is produced in the mammary gland of animals (humans too) just after giving birth.  This “mother’s milk” is rich in immunoglobulins which are certain types of proteins involved in promoting immune system development and warding off germs in the newborn.  This is why many people take supplemental colostrum for immune system enhancement.  This is also a great reason for those wishing to increase muscle mass to supplement with colostrum.  We all know how getting sick can derail a training program.   There are also important growth factors contained in colostrum.  Colostrum increases the level of IGF 1 and 2 in the body, which promotes lean muscle development.  The cytokines contained in colostrum can help to boost T-cell activity which, in turn, regulates the body’s response to exercise and other stimuli.  Other growth factors found in organic colostrum can aid in joint health and tissue repair, making it ideal for weightlifters.  This beneficial supplement can be found in a couple places at Performance Nutrition.  BioRhythm’s ReGenerate contains a healthy dose of colostrum as does Intek’s Evolution protein.  Give these supplements a try and you will not be disappointed.   

Digestion is of primary importance to health. An under active digestive system does not absorb the nutrients the body needs, either from food or from supplements. Complete Digestion is a broad spectrum digestive enzyme supplement that supports health and digestion in a multitude of ways. Without digestive enzymes, the body cannot break down proteins into their constituent amino acids. In addition to being imperative for mineral absorption, these amino acids are also the building blocks from which cells, anti-bodies, hormones and enzymes are built. If the body does not produce enough enzymes, it cannot break down protein sufficiently to manufacture more enzymes.  Supplementary enzymes can help to break this vicious cycle.

Complete Digestion continues to support digestion in the intestines with the addition of protease, a complex enzyme that digests proteins, amylases (for digesting starches) and lipases (for digesting fats).  Complete Digestion adds plant enzymes, to further assist with the breakdown of proteins. The digestive aids peppermint and ginger are also included to soothe the gastrointestinal tract and reduce flatulence.

Gaspari has become a big name in the supplement industry so we decided to take a look at one the their more popular formulas to see what is actually in it.  Here is an inside look at Gaspari Novedex XT.

1. 3-hydroxy-4-androstene-6,17-dione—also known as 3-OHAT (in the form of a THP ether)
2. 1,4,6-androstatriene-3,17-dione—also known as “ATD”
3. Hesperitin—a flavonoid

3-OHAT is actually a metabolite of 6-OXO, and is an aromatase inhibitor. it’s claimed that the THP ether modification (at carbon 3) “produces a substantial increase in oral bioavailability and plasma half life in mammals” by increasing its lipophilicity (i.e., lipid—or fat—solubility).

It’s claimed this modification allows it to enter the circulation via the lymphatic system and bypass “first pass” metabolism in the liver.

The second compound in Gaspari Novedx XT is known to the bodybuilding world as ATD.  ATD has been used as an aromatase inhibitor and is effective for this purpose.  This compound does present a couple drawbacks as it can decrease sex drive and in some cases suppress natural testosterone levels.

The final ingredient is hesperitin, which is a flavonoid (a class of polyphenols). Hesperitin is frequently ingested in the form of citrus fruits/juices. Hesperidin has antioxidant, anti-diabetic/lipid-modulating and anti-inflammatory effects. Interestingly enough, it also enhances bone-mineral density in animal experiments.

Gaspari Novedex XT should function as a decent anti-aromatase but would likely be disappointing as a muscle builder, especially when run as a stand alone product.