Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Zantrex 3 - Does it aid weight loss

Zantrex-3 is one of the newest self-touted "super pills" to hit the competitive diet supplement market in recent years. Its marketing material boasts "546% more weight loss" than other brands - a statistic that is difficult to verify or investigate. There are no citations to clinical trials except for a reference to one study performed on an insignificant sample size of 47 people over 45 days, all who lost an average of 11.2 pounds.


Zantrex-3 promotes itself as a xanthine-based stimulant, Caffeine is one of the family of Xanthines and so the effects are similar to those of Caffiene.


Like similar fat-loss catalysts Xenadrine and Hydroxycut, Zantrex-3 contains caffeine-rich ingredients like yerba mate, guarana seed and green tea, making a dose the equivalent to drinking 3 to 4 cups of coffee. Caffeine can stimulate the metabolism and act as a mild diuretic, which may speed up weight-loss in people who eat a low fat diet and perform regular exercise. Other herbal ingredients include ginseng, kola nut and damiana, a South American shrub that affects the nervous system.


You may, loose a few pounds when taking Zantrex-3 especially if you are also watching your food intake and activity level. However, it probably won't lead to a dramatic dip in the scale which is probably more beneficial. Most likely, you will experience caffeine-related side effects such as the jitters, restlessness, sweating and increased urination. Plus expect to crash with some withdrawal symptoms after you stop taking Zantrex-3. Caffeine can be addictive.


So, if after reading this article you want to give it a go then why not visit a high quality supplement site and purchase some to see if it will work for you.

Monday, January 22, 2007

Xenadrine - EFX a balanced view

Xenadrine EFX was made to create more thermogenic power than ever before to give you incredible energy lift. Its perfect extra strength weight loss formula is blend of safe thermogenic compounds proven to increase the energy and metabolic rate to help loose body fat fast and easily.

What is inside Xenadrine EFX ?

Vitamin C 100 mg
Vitamin B6 10 mg
Pantothenic Acid 12 mg
Magnesium 10 mg
Proprietary Thermodyne™ Complex 1415 mg

Tyroplex™ (blend of l-tyrosine and acetyl-l-tyrosine: amino acid that is a precursor for a number of neurotransmitters related to our feeling and mood. A deficiency in this results in depression and reduced ability to cope with stress.
Green Tea Extract (powerful antioxidant, it blocks the cancer-promoting actions of carcinogens, ultraviolet light from the skin, stomach, small intestine, liver or lung)

Seropro™ (cocoa extract Phenylethylamine (PEA) helps increase attention and activity and has been shown to relieve depression)

Yerba Mate (contains a gentle form of caffeine, it also supplies vitamins, minerals, and 15 amino acids, may aid with sleep irregularities and joint pains. Many people drink yerba mate to boost energy without the side effects of coffee

di-Methionine, Ginger Root , Isotherm™ (quercetin and fisetin), Bitter Orange, DMAE (2-dimethylaminoethanol), Grape Seed Extract.

Clinical studies have revealed excellent fat loss and weight control results achieved with Xenadrine. One study with 2 groups, a placebo and a Xenadrine group proved that the Xenadrine group achieve 759% more fat-loss than the placebo group in 180 days. This group had much more increase in lean muscle mass than the placebo group. A positive note is that subjects did not experience any negative side effects.

Warnings

However the description above and the claims made generally need to be seen in the light of the recent FTC findings

"The marketers are required to back up the claims with the science and if they can't do that they can't make the claim. But we don't ban the products from the shelves," said FTC commissioner Deborah Platt Majoras.
The marketers of Xenadrine EFX must pay at least $8 million US and as much as $12.8 million.

In my view, the only way to see if this supplement is going to work for you is to try it and monitor any side-effects closely. Having used it and seen the results – they can be good when used with a fitness regime – then it is worth looking past the bad press and the bad marketing that has gone on.

So, if after reading this article you want to give it a go then why not visit a high quality supplement site and purchase some to see if it will work for you.

Monday, January 15, 2007

New Research on CLA

Researchers from Norway reported this month in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that overweight patients given conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) experienced weight loss and favorable changes in body composition.

CLA is a dietary supplement, available (and popular) where ever such supplements are sold, consisting of a slightly altered form of omega-6 free fatty acids. CLA has been shown in several animal studies to reduce total body fat and increase lean body mass. However, in a prior randomized trial in overweight humans, no benefits were seen after 3 months of consuming CLA.

In the study reported this month, 180 healthy but overweight men and women, with body mass index (BMI) scores of 25 to 30 kg/m2, were randomized to receive either CLA (in one of two forms) or an olive oil placebo. (Note: a "normal" BMI is less than 25. Overweight is 25 - 29, and obese is 30 or over. All participants took 4.5 grams of the fat supplements to which they were assigned (i.e., CLA or olive oil) per day, and were also placed on a restricted calorie diet. At the end of 12 months, patients randomized to CLA (but not to placebo) showed a reduction in body weight and BMI, as well as a reduction in body fat mass and an increase in lean body mass. No significant side effects were seen, and the side effects that did occur were similar in both CLA and placebo groups. The most common side effects were gastrointestinal in nature.

Should you take CLA?
It is highly doubtful that this single, relatively small randomized trial is going to make any medical or dietary professional organizations jump on the CLA bandwagon. CLA is already quite popular out in the wild, and without stronger data, professional groups will be reluctant to feed the frenzy.
However, this new data is quite consistent with a much larger body of evidence from animal studies showing that CLA can provide favorable changes in body composition. This, and the fact that taking CLA appears (at this moment, at least) to be pretty safe, would make consuming the stuff seem a fairly reasonable thing to do.
But don't expect miracles - in this latest study, the average weight loss experienced with CLA in these overweight patients after a full year was less than 4 pounds, and the average drop in BMI was only approximately 0.5 kg/m2. Without a good diet and lots of exercise, taking CLA is not very likely to promote a noticeable change in your appearance or your health. There's still no magic.

If this has given you a taste to try CLA and kick start your weightloss efforts then be sure to visit a quality merchant to purchase CLA

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

CLA - What it is and is it Effective

Over the last few years one subject has been coming up quite often in the weight loss arena and has really started to be quite a hot topic. The subject is a fat known as CLA which stands for Conjugated Linoleic Acid. Rumours say that CLA will cure cancer, lower your cholesterol and decrease your body fat especially around the middle all at one time. Kind of like the superman of fats.

What is CLA?

CLA, Conjugated Linoleic Acid is actually a mixture of positional or geometric isomers (molecules with the same chemical formula and often with the same kinds of bonds between atoms, but in which the atoms are arranged differentlynd are therefore of a different structural formulae) of the omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid linoleic acid. There are a number of different isomers and most studies have used mixed isomers. The fact that these studies used mixed isomers may have contributed to the differences in results of the various studies. Certain isomers seem to be more active than others.

Verification of these studies may have been problematic due to the use of mixed isomers of CLA. The isomers of CLA have different physiological effects on the body and may react differently in obese as opposed to normal weighted individuals.

CLA has been said to be useful in weight loss, cardiovascular disease prevention, diabetes, and cancer treatment. For our purposes here we will only discuss whether or not it works for weight loss and especially fat loss.

Does it work?

It would appear that there is some validity to the claims that CLA reduces body fat and that CLA can be a good supplement to assist in fat loss for the overweight and obese person. More and more studies have been done and are being done and it would seem that CLA comes out on top each time. In fact I haven’t yet seen a study which disputes the claim of earlier researchers that CLA reduces bodyfat. It also would appear from many studies that it appears to help most with abdominal bodyfat.
I have seen such noted names as Josh Bezoni, and Dr. Williams write articles in favor of CLA.

The most common method of obtaining CLA is by purchasing it as a supplement, however blue, brie, Edam, and Swiss Cheeses are also good sources of CLA.

Monday, January 08, 2007

Side Effects of Creatine

Creatine is a naturally produced by the human body and is an amino-acid based compound. The body produces half the required creatine indigenously from internal amino acids and the rest is produced from the food we eat. Creatine is produced by the liver, pancreas and kidneys and is sent to the muscle tissues through the blood.
It is converted into phosphocreatine molecules that store energy in muscular tissues. This allows the body to release large bouts of energy when the body is exerted.

Creatine can be taken as a food supplement like vitamins and minerals. This is to create additional phosphocreatine in the body for generating more energy. Creatine supplements are generally taken by people participating in sports that require sudden bursts of energy for short periods.

Creatine supplements are approved by the FDA under the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act.

Creatine also has other benefits like promoting lean-muscle mass and reducing muscle wasting in post-surgical patients. It is also believed to help heart patients by increasing their exercise capacity, reducing heart spasms and thus increasing heart function. Some studies have also indicated its usefulness in treating neuromuscular disorders though tests are still being conducted.

Use of creatine as a food supplement is on the rise. Despite its usefulness, creatine is found to have some side effects albeit few. The most common side effect is weight gain due to more water in the muscle and increase in the lean-muscle tissue. Other side effects rported are dehydration, muscle cramps, nausea, diarrhea, gastrointestinal distress. For persons with existing kidney or renal disorders, creatine was found to cause renal stress because of more stress on the kidneys.

The long-term effects of taking Creatine over a long period of time haven’t been established yet. Its side effects when used along with other medications or supplements also haven’t been determined yet. Hence it is better to be well informed about the likely side effects of creatine before using it, especially in the “loading” method.

If after reading this article you want to give creatine a try then make sure to visit a quality merchant to purchase creatine

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Whats creatine

Creatine is a naturally formed nutrient in the human body. It is an amino acid-based compound that is produced in the body from existing amino acids and food. Creatine content is found in foods like fish and red meat. The Creatine produced in the body is converted into a molecule known as “phosphocreatine”. Phosphocreatine stores energy in muscular tissues, especially in voluntary muscles and in the nervous system as these require large bouts of energy suddenly.

There are also other benefits from Creatine such as promoting lean-muscle mass and reducing muscle wasting in post-surgical patients. It is also believed to help heart patients by increasing their exercise capacity, reducing heart spasms and thus increasing heart function. Some studies have also indicated its usefulness in treating neuromuscular disorders, though tests are still being conducted. Creatine is categorized as a food supplement by the FDA.

Creatine is said to be the “most legitimate sports supplement” today. Creatine is essentially used by sportspersons who participate in heavy sports like weightlifting, wrestling and sprinting. This is because these sports require sudden bursts of energy for a short period of time. Creatine also helps the athlete to recover sooner even after using up all the energy. Taking too much Creatine is also not very harmful as the body can absorb only a certain quantity and the rest is expelled from the body through the kidneys.

Creatine is also found to be useful for people suffering from neuromuscular disorders like ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease), a degenerative neural disease, when tested in mice. It was found to be twice as effective in extending the life of mice as compared to the existing prescription drug – riluzole. This may be due to the increase in the availability of energy to damaged nerve cells. Or it can be because of a blocking to a chemical pathway that causes cell death.

If this has given you a taste to try and ethically enhance your training then be sure to visit a quality merchant to purchase creatine

Monday, January 01, 2007

How Does Xenadrine Work a Simple review

How does Xenadrine Work?

Xenadrine™ is an ephedra free, thermogenic fat burner and lipolysis stimulator to help break down fat. This revolutionary formula contains a powerful blend of natural ingredients shown in clinical research to increase the body’s metabolic rate and support the body in burning excess body fat.

I have made a number of posts on this subject please go to AllYourNutrition Blog .

In addition I have also started an online store and would be grateful for your feedback as to whether or not the store is offering the right supplements e.g. Xenadrine, Zantrex 3, Isopure, creatine

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Key Ingredients in Xenadrine

Key important ingredients in Xenadrine

1. Norambrolide

Increases the body capacity for turning stored fuel into energy by increasing the c-AMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) which is involved in activating cellular enzymes and other substances that help move fat out of fat cells and promote the weight loss.

Here is some common mistakes that people do, they though by using fat burners and by just sitting there they can lose weight, actually no and if any it is partly due to the decrease of appetite. C-AMP will move the fat out of the fat cells and and your job is to workout so that the fat can be burned up. If combined Xenadrine with a good workout, you definitely can lose a lot of weight.

2. ThermoxanthinTM

It’s a combination of Yerba Mate, Guarana, Green Tea and Cocoa seed extract. All these compounds are backed with scientific research to increase metabolism. Yerba mate is found in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay and its been used as a herbal tonic and natural stimulant.

It is also been used to alleviate fatigue, suppress appetite, stimulate body and mind, and boost metabolism. Yerba mate contains both caffeine and theobromine, and theobromine is a central nervous system stimulant alkaloid and studies shown that theobromine is a stronger cardiac stimulant that caffeine and also, it has a mild diuretic effect and this will cause the loss of excess water and suppresses appetite.

Guarana is used because it acts as a stimulant, relieve fatigue, boost energy, aid concentration and brighten mood and it contains small amounts of theobromine. Cocoa was also found out that is contains theobromine. Green tea is used because green tea is famous for its metabolic increasing effect. In University of Geneva, Dr. Abdul Dullo conducted an experiment on the effects of green tea and the results were fascinating! Subjects using green tea plus caffeine used more calories and utilize carbohydrates, proteins
and fats more efficiently compared to the controlled group.


Vitamin B12
It’s a proven fact the vitamin B12 increase metabolism and also increases the metabolism of carbohydrates to energy. The blend also contains L-tyrosine. L-Tyrosine’s function is to support the formation of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine and the lack of these 3-substance cause fatigue and depression and L-Tyrosine prevents that. That’s why supplementing with it gives you the high when working out!


Definitely Xenadrine is an awesome product and worth investing your money on. Not only from my experience, the ingredients that they used are consistent with my findings on the benefits of the ingredients that they used. They really used super stuff in this product. I say, THUMBS UP


Hopefully you have found this article of help in deciding whether to use Xenadrine or not. If you do decide to use this product then ensure that you visit a reputable Supplement store to buy the Product

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Is Whey Protein useful in Weight Loss regimes

Whey protein offers an impressive range of benefits that most people are unaware of. Would you think that whey protein as an ingredient could help you manage your weight, help your immune system and cardiovascular health and support your bone mineral density? Did you know that consuming a quality whey protein at breakfast time, between meals or after exercise aids muscle repair, accelerates your recovery and helps to maintain your metabolic rate? Well adding whey protein to your diet, indeed can offer these benefits.

WHAT IS WHEY?
Whey protein is derived from milk and separated in the cheese making process. After this point a quality Whey protein such as Isopure is refined so that the fat and carbohydrates are removed and the lactose content is reduced. This results in a protein that is superior to regular food proteins in terms of digestion, absorption and health benefits. It is high in immune fractions, which provide support for the immune system, and rich in leucine, which has been shown to help preserve muscle tissue whilst promoting fat loss.

WEIGHT LOSS AND AGE
Studies show that maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce incidence of life threatening conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. As we age, there is a related decline in our metabolic rate due to a reduction in muscle on the body. This makes it harder for us to stay slim and toned. Each pound of muscle requires additional calories to support it, therefore, if we lose muscle, our bodies need fewer calories each year to maintain the same weight. Diets deficient in protein and calories have been shown to accelerate this muscle loss

A LONG-TERM STRATEGY FOR WEIGHT LOSS
A combination of regular exercise and a healthy balanced diet has been consistently shown to be the best longterm strategy for weight loss. As protein is responsible for renewing our hair, skin, nails and muscle mass, we should be looking to ingest a protein in each meal to prevent muscle loss. A regular exerciser looking to maintain their muscle tone (and avoid the decline in calorie demand) should consume approximately 1.5grams of protein for each kilo of their weight (e.g. A 70kg person should be ingesting 105 grams of protein a day). A practical way to measure this is to add a fist-sized portion of protein to each meal.

WHICH PROTEINS SHOULD I CHOOSE?
High protein foods that are preferable include lean meats such as chicken and turkey (Vegetarians may select Quorn or similar high protein alternatives) oily fish such as salmon and sardines. Whey Protein products such as Isopure provide quality protein for mid-morning, mid-afternoon or after training offering superior digestion, recovery and immune protection. It is also really easy to transport and prepare. Either add water and mix into a shake, add to a smoothie or choose an unflavoured product such as Isopure to add to your foods.

Thanks to Lyn Clay for some of the contents of this blogg.

Monday, December 04, 2006

Creatine - More detailed Info

Creatine a naturally occurring substance, is converted by the body to phosphocreatine which is a form of stoed energy used by muscles.
Evidence for the positive effects of supplemental creatine are not definitive, but it probably has more evidence behind it then any other sports supplement. Numerous double blind studies have shown that it may be able to increase athletic performance in short but high intensity activities i.e. sprinting.
The theory behind its use is simple – creatine can build up a reserve of phosphocreatine which helps the muscles perform on demand and evidence suggests that may enable the body to make new phosphocreatine faster.

Although some creatine exists in the daily diet, it is not an essential nutrient because your body can make it from the amino acids L-arginine, glycine, and L-methionine. Provided you eat enough protein (the source of these amino acids), your body will make all the creatine you need for good health.
Meat (including chicken and fish) is the most important dietary source of creatine and its amino acid building blocks. For this reason, vegetarian athletes may potentially benefit most from creatine supplementation.

For bodybuilding and exercise enhancement, a typical dosage schedule starts with a "loading dose" of 15 to 30 g daily (divided into 2 or 3 separate doses) for 3 to 4 days, followed by 2 to 5 g daily. Some authorities recommend skipping the loading dose. (By comparison, we typically get only about 1 g of creatine in the daily diet.)
Creatine's ability to enter muscle cells can be increased by combining it with glucose, fructose, or other simple carbohydrates; in addition, prior use of creatine might enhance the sports benefits of carbohydrate-loading.
Caffeine may block the effects of creatine.

Creatine is one of the best-selling and best-documented supplements for enhancing athletic performance but the scientific evidence that it works is far from complete. The best evidence we have points to potential benefits in forms of exercise that require repeated short-term bursts of high-intensity exercise; this has been seen more in artificial laboratory studies, however, rather than in studies involving athletes carrying out normal sports. It might also be helpful for resistance exercise (weight training), although not all studies have found benefit.
Creatine has also been proposed as an aid to promote weight loss and to reduce the proportion of fat to muscle in the body, but there is little evidence that it is effective for this purpose.

Preliminary evidence suggests that creatine supplements may be able to reduce levels of triglycerides in the blood.(Triglycerides are fats related to cholesterol that also increase risk of heart disease when elevated in the body.)
Creatine supplements might also help counter the loss of muscle strength that occurs when a limb is immobilized, such as following injury or surgery; however, not all results have been positive.

Preliminary studies, including small double-blind trials, suggest (somewhat inconsistently) that creatine might be helpful for reducing fatigue and increasing strength in various illnesses where muscle weakness occurs.

Creatine appears to be relatively safe.No significant side effects have been found with the regimen of several days of a high dosage (15 to 30 g daily) followed by 6 weeks of a lower dosage (2 to 3 g daily). A study of 100 football players found no adverse consequences during 10 months to 5 years of creatine supplementation. Creatine does not appear to adversely affect the body's ability to exercise under hot conditions.
However, there are some potential concerns with creatine. Because it is metabolized by the kidneys, fears have been expressed that creatine supplements could cause kidney injury, and there are two worrisome case reports. However, evidence suggests that creatine is safe for people whose kidneys are healthy to begin with, and who don't take excessive doses. Furthermore, a one year double-blind study of 175 people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis found that use of 10 grams of creatine daily did not adversely affect kidney function. Nonetheless, individuals with kidney disease, especially those on dialysis, should avoid creatine.

Another concern revolves around the fact that creatine is metabolized in the body to the toxic substance formaldehyde.However, it is not clear whether the amount of formaldehyde produced in this way will cause any harm. Three deaths have been reported in individuals taking creatine, but other causes were most likely responsible.

As with all supplements taken in very high doses, it is important to purchase a high-quality form of creatine from a reputable retailer, as contaminants present even in very low concentrations could conceivably build up and cause problems.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Xenadrine - Some advisory information

There are many weight loss supplements in the world, but it would appear that Xenadrine is proving to be one of the most effective. Xenadrine is a thermogenic weight loss supplement, which means it raises the body temperature, helping to burn calories in the process.

When using Xenadrine people should be aware that the most successful results are found when it is used in conjunction with an exercise routine. There are some studies which claim people using Xenadrine lost 524% more fat and 729% more weight than the people in the placebo group lost. Whilst these claims could probably be proven the effects of Xenadrine will not be as extreme for everyone.

Xenadrine has had to discontinue the production of its RFA-1 product as it contained ephedra – which is now a band substance. They have now released some ephedra free products which are also proving to be very successful.

However you should be aware that you will need to cycle the use of these products as it has been proven that the body will build up a tolerance to thermogenic effects. This will cause you to require more to sustain the same effect. Cycling the use of this product should reduce this effect. I would recommend a cycle term of 6-8 weeks depending on your tolerances followed by a rest period of 3-4 weeks. I would further recommend not taking this product for anymore than 3-4 cycles a year.

Common side effects from Xenadrine include anxiety, frequent thirst, sweating, increased or rapid heartbeat, and restlessness, roughly the same as the side effects from drinking too much coffee, which comes as no surprise because of the caffeine found in Xenadrine products.

Very few people report these side effects when using Xenadrine. If you have had bad reactions to caffeine, or are worried about side effects, try using a different type of weight loss or bodybuilding supplement, such as CLA, or Isopure.

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Nutritional Site

I have re-launched my supplement site All Your Nutrition and would be interested to hear peoples views on it - does it provide the right supplements, are people looking for other supplements, is it too cheap, too expensive, does the site look professional enough, etc...

I am aiming at the Xenadrine, Zantrex 3, Creatine, Isopure, & CLA Supplement users but if you think there is a gap in the market then let me know and I would be happy to try and fill it.

I look forward to hearing your views on All Your Nutrition.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Caloric Burn and Xenadrine EFX

According to the NIH December report on "The Interaction of Physical Activity and Nutrition," medical researchers concluded that patients taking ephedra-free Xenadrine EFX increased caloric burn counts into the double digits.

Doctors say patients taking Xenadrine EFX were closely monitored and showed no signs of cardiac side effects, which are potential concerns of some people using ephedra.

The same research team also reports that it compared the efficacy of ephedra-free Xenadrine EFX to the efficacy of ephedra-based Dexatrim Natural and ephedra-based Metab-O-Lite diet pills. The conclusions, published in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition," indicate patients burned significantly more calories taking ephedra-free Xenadrine EFX compared to when they took the two ephedra-based brands.

Chief Clinical Investigator Howard Schwartz, MD, Internal Medicine, South Miami Hospital, Director of Clinical Research at Miami Research Associates, Florida, site of the diet capsule clinical studies, says "The trials involved randomly selected patients whose resting metabolic rates were measured with an indirect calorimeter." Dr. Schwartz explains, "It is a device, recently approved for medical use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which is proven to accurately determine how many calories a person is burning by gauging biological gases, respiratory rates and oxygen consumption levels." He adds, "Based on calculations, patients taking Xenadrine EFX daily would, on average, lose 25 pounds annually without altering current lifestyles."

Clinical Conclusions

In phase one of the clinical trial, patients only took Xenadrine EFX . Patients' metabolic rates were measured with an indirect calorimeter before they took the diet agent and every hour for five hours.

The study concluded that Xenadrine EFX increased metabolic rates by as much as 13.41 percent.

In phase two of the clinical trial, patients were given Xenadrine EFX on the first day. On day two they were given Dexatrim Natural. On Day three they were given Metab-O-Lite. Patients' metabolic rates were measured with an indirect calorimeter before and an hour after taking a pill.

The study concluded patients burned five percent more calories taking ephedra-free Xenadrine EFX compared to taking ephedra-based Dexatrim Natural. And, they burned 4.9 percent more calories taking ephedra-free Xenadrine EFX compared to taking ephedra-based Metab-O-Lite.

Thanks to SupplementQuality for the contents of this blogg.

Hopefully you have found this article of help in deciding whether to use Xenadrine EFX or not. If you do decide to use this product then ensure that you visit a reputable Supplement store to buy the Product

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Xenadrine NRG Review

There are tons of Xenadrine NRG reviews on the internet. Almost all of these reviews are trying to sell you it and they therefore have almost nothing bad to say about the product.

Lets take a look at the real Product and see what it has to offer

First, the product was released after the original Xenadrine product had to be discontinued because of the ban on ephedra.

Because ephedra worked so well, the makers of fat burners and weight loss pills had to come up with a new product to make up for all the sales they had lost.

So, what are the ingredients in this new formula and what properties do they have?

One of the most touted ingredients in Xenadrine NRG is Norambrolide. What exactly does this do?

Scientifically, it increases c-AMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate). c-AMP induces certain enzymes to transfer fat from cells. This therefore leads quite logically leads onto the theory that it drains the body of fat

To be perfectly honest, it's hard to tell if this theory actually works effectively until further independent studies are conducted in reputable journals verifying it or discrediting it. Take anything the company itself publishes with a grain of salt.

Having said this, the other ingredients in Xenadrine NRG are pretty decent stuff.

Such as:

Yerba Mate: This herb contain a gentle form of caffeine, it also supplies vitamins, minerals, and 15 amino acids. Research suggests that yerba mate may aid with sleep irregularities and joint pains. Many people drink yerba mate to boost energy without the side effects of coffee.

On the scale of potency, however, yerba mate is fairly tame from a stimulant point of view.

Green tea extract: what can you say about green tea? Pretty much everything good, and nothing bad. Take a look:

• Green tea is a powerful antioxidant. (Antioxidants control all the free radicals in your body, which can be harmful.)
• It helps block the cancer-promoting actions of carcinogens, ultraviolet light from the skin, stomach, small intestine, liver or lung.
• The polyphenols in green tea extract shows promising results supporting weight loss through increasing energy expenditure.
Green tea is showing pretty solid promise as a weight loss agent and metabolic booster, but it's good to see that Xenadrine NRG also has some substances such as this that are simply good for you.

Guarana: Guarana is an herb used as a fat burner/weight loss agent. In my opinion guarana is one of the most promising ingredients in this Xenadrine NRG review.

GuaranĂ¡ contains, among many other things, a high concentration of a compound called tetramethylxanthine. This substance is nearly identical to caffeine. Now, the really interesting property of this herb is that its caffeine-like compound is released slowly, over the course of many hours, thereby producing an enduring energy boost, which continues to escalate over that time.

As such, it is said to have an ability to keep the body's metabolism burning at an elevated rate over time, leading to greater fat burning effects and weight loss.

If you read company claims for Xenadrine NRG, they call it Xenadrine NRG 8 hour because it will supposedly give you an energy boost that lasts that long.

Part of the reason it may indeed work is because of the properties of Guarana.

There are other ingredients that are in this product that we could cover in this Xenadrine NRG review, they are not bad, but just that some of them aren't promising as effective fat burning/weight loss aids.

As just one example, Xenadrine NRG also contains the amino acid L-tyrosine, which may boost your mood, but it's not going to boost your metabolism.

Why does Xenadrine put substances like this in? Probably because if you also feel better on the product, then you have a higher chance of reordering it again and again.

Now that we'e covered the "good" part of our Xenadrine Review, let's get into the potentially "bad."

We would be remiss if we didn't warn people about side effects to consider in using Xenadrine NRG

Even though Xenadrine no longer contains ephedra, it does contain powerful stimulants, such as the ones discussed above.

Since a lot of these substances have caffeine and caffeine like properties, it's not uncommon to experience a range of side effects that may include: the jitters, nervousness, insomnia.

More rarely, but still possible, can be side effects such as: increased blood pressure and heart palpitations.

If you know you don't react well to caffeine, then you should certainly avoid Xenadrine NRG

Never take more than the recommended dosage, and if that makes you feel too "jittery," then cut back to half the recommended dosage. If you still feel "wired," then you should probably discontinue using the product.

Hopefully you have found this article of help in deciding whether to use Xenadrine NRG or not. If you do decide to use this product then ensure that you visit a reputable Supplement store to buy the Product

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Proper Supplementation of Creatine

The best results will be seen by having a loading phase - usually 5 days followed by a maintenance phase, followed by a wash-out phase during Creatine supplementation. A loading phase is used as it helps the muscles become saturated with Creatine faster. This would mean that the maximum effects of Creatine supplementation could be experienced faster in one week rather than four to six weeks as would be seen without the loading phase. Here is a brief summary of these phases for creatine Supplementation.

The Loading Phase - The loading phase consists of 5 days where the body will be loaded with approximately .3 grams of creatine per kilogram of bodyweight. This should be taken 5 times a day. You should ensure that each dosage is taken with roughly 16 ounces of water. Taking a large amount of Creatine can put extra strain on the kidneys, the water will aid in minimising the concentration of theCreatine and help in it being assimilated. The additional amount of water should be taken in addition to your normal daily fluid in-take this will ensure that the kidneys operate in an optimal way. Do not load for more than five days consistantly.

The Maintenance Phase - After completing the loading phase, one should take a maintenance dosage everyday equal to about .03 grams of creatine per kilogram of bodyweight. Continue this for one month, then stop supplementation for one month to allow for a "wash-out" phase. Afterwards, repeat the loading phase and mainentance as described above. Since the maintenance dosage is only taken once per day, it is generally recommended to take it with or after a meal. This will cause insulin to be released which will help to "shuttle" Creatine into the muscle cells.

If you would like to try this supplementation regime then why not take a look at a high quality nutritional site that has a wide range of creatine supplements

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

An Introduction to Creatine

Creatine is a source of energy for muscle contraction. The body produces its own creatine in the liver, kidneys and pancreas. You also get it in your diet when you eat meat or fish. (Vegetarians may have less creatine.) The body stores most of the creatine in skeletal muscle to use when you exercise. The rest goes in the heart, brain and other tissues.
Creatine is an amino acid, like the building blocks that make up proteins. Creatine in the form of phosphocreatine (creatine phosphate) is an important store of energy in muscle cells. During intense exercise lasting around half a minute, phosphocreatine is broken down to creatine and phosphate, and the energy released is used to regenerate the primary source of energy, adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Output power drops as phosphocreatine becomes depleted, because ATP cannot be regenerated fast enough to meet the demand of the exercise. It follows that a bigger store of phosphocreatine in muscle should reduce fatigue during exercise. Extra creatine in the muscle may also increase the rate of regeneration of phosphocreatine following exercise, which should mean less fatigue with repeated bursts of activity in training or in many sport competitions.
A typical loading regime for a 70-kg athlete is a 5-g dose four times a day for a week. Thereafter the dose can be reduced to 2 to 5 g per day in order to maintain elevated creatine content. This supplementation protocol will increase intramuscular creatine and phosphocreatine content and enhance high intensity exercise performance. There is now some evidence that taking glucose (100 g) with the creatine (5 to 7 g) increases the uptake of creatine into muscle (Green et al., 1996a; Green et al., 1996b). Consequently, I recommend that athletes take creatine with carbohydrate (e.g. with grape juice) or ingest commercially available creatine supplements that combine creatine with glucose. For athletes wanting to promote additional gains in lean body mass, I recommend 15 to 25 g per day for 1 to 3 months. Although many athletes cycle on or off creatine, no study has determined whether this practice promotes greater gains in fat free mass or performance than continuous use.

If this has given you a taste to try and ethically enhance your training then be sure to visit a quality merchant to purchase creatine

Monday, October 09, 2006

Zantrex 3

Zantrex is a weight loss supplement with the additional benefits of an appetite suppressant and a high energy xanthine based stimulant. It does not contain ephedra which is a big positive for this product but it still gives you all the energy you want whilst trying to attain your weight loss goals.
This product was originally marketed in Europe with a great deal of success. It has replaced the ephedrine based products which are now obsolete and a thing of the past.

Zantrex has tended to be marketed in a different way to other weight loss products. You tend not to see the tired old before and after pictures but more of the scientific clinical data that proves it is effective and will work.

So, if you are looking for something to boost your energy levels and get you past the ordinary dieting problems then why not take a look at Zantrex 3

Nitrogen Balance

This is another blogg on proteins - and starts to explain why protein is so important in gaining optimal physical performance....

Athletes tend to need more protein than sedentary individuals in order to achieve positive nitrogen balance.
In fact, protein is the key "building" nutrient for a variety of bodily tissues, many of which support muscle growth (enzymes, skin, hair, nails, bones, and connective tissue are all constructed from protein). Protein makes up 15-20% of ones bodyweight and is thus, next to water, the body's second most abundant substance..

There Are Three Basic States Of Nitrogen Balance

Positive: This is the optimal state for muscle growth - where the nitrogen intake is greater than nitrogen output. Essentially, it shows the body has sufficiently recovered from its last workout. The greater the nitrogen balance, the faster is workout recovery. This is the body's anabolic state.

Negative
: This is the worst state an athelete can find themselves in - where nitrogen loss is greater than nitrogen intake. Not only is nitrogen drawn away from muscle, where it is needed for growth, it is also taken from the vital organs where serious damage can occur. Of course, negative nitrogen balance also destroys muscle and is consequently considered a catabolic state.

Equilibrium
: This state should be what a bodybuilder might achieve at the very minimum - where nitrogen intake and loss are equal. The trainer in this state is not regressing, nor are they really gaining any appreciable muscle.

So, a caloric surplus of protein should be maintained at all times, to keep nitrogen balance positive. It is advisable to eat about six meals (each spaced two-three hours apart), each containing around 30-40-grams of protein, per-day.

An excellent way to increase the amount of protein is to purchase a high quality whey protein and one of the best on the market today is Isopure. But do make sure that you go to a high quality supplier to purchase you products.

Why use Whey Protein

What is whey protein? It is a rich source of essential amino acids needed by the body on a daily basis Whey protein is a pure, natural, high quality protein from cow's milk. In its purest form, as whey protein isolate, it contains little to no fat, lactose or cholesterol.

Most people now understand that increased protein in-take is important for athletes wanting to maximize muscle growth. But it is interesting to note that protein is an important factor in these other areas

Weight Management
The body requires more energy to digest protein than other foods (thermic effect) and as a result you burn more calories after a protein meal.
Protein also helps to stabilize blood glucose levels by slowing the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream. This in turn reduces hunger by lowering insulin levels and making it easier for the body to burn fat.

Cardiovascular Health
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is one of the leading causes of heart disease and stroke. Exciting new research has shown that Whey protein may help in the battle against hypertension. Both human clinical and animal studies found that a hydrolyzed whey protein isolate assisted in reducing the blood pressure of borderline hypertensive individuals.

Cancer
Whey protein has been shown through animal and in vitro studies to inhibit the growth of several types of cancer tumors. Dr. Thomas Badger, head of the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in Little Rock, found that feeding rats whey protein resulted in their developing 50% fewer tumors than rats fed casein. The rats fed whey protein also developed fewer tumors than rats fed soy protein and the tumors took longer to develop

Diabetes
Whey protein , a high quality, high biological value protein, is a good choice for diabetics who need to carefully manage food intake. Whey protein provides more value than equal amounts of lower quality proteins that are often higher in fat and cholesterol. In addition, whey protein helps control blood glucose levels and has been shown to be beneficial for weight management, both of which are often a concern for type-2 diabetics.

Infant Nutrition
Certain types of whey protein based infant formulas have also been shown to help reduce crying in colicky infants. While breast-feeding is preferred, infant formulas containing whey protein are the next best thing when breast-feeding is not an option. In addition, whey protein is an excellent protein choice for the expectant mother who needs increased amounts of protein. Pregnancy can increase the body's protein needs by up to 33%

Healthy Aging
The benefit of whey protein for seniors is the ability to help prevent bone loss. A recent study conducted at Boston University showed that elderly individuals who consumed low levels of protein had a significant loss of bone density four years after the start of the study, especially in the hip and spine areas. A nutritious diet including whey protein may help keep bones and muscles healthy and strong.

Wound Care
When the body is working to heal wounds and surgical incisions it requires increased amounts of protein. Protein and its amino acids are the building blocks that initiate the growth of new skin during the healing process. Therefore a high quality whey protein is important in the diet.

One way to ensure you have the optimal protein in-take is to go to a high quality supplier of a whey protein and one of the specialist whey protein products now available is Isopure

Thursday, June 29, 2006

CLA Supplements

This is the next in a series of Bloggs around the subject of Supplements. This follows on from previous bloggs about Xenadrine, .

So here goes ...

For those people who have not heard much about CLA supplements, the abbreviation stands for Conjugated Linoleic Acid. This dietary supplement has become increasingly popular among a wide variety of people from all walks of life. The main reason why people take conjugated linoleic supplements is, to battle weight loss and to preserve muscle tissue. Of course, there can also be other reasons, such as helping to fight the terrors of cancer. None the less, it is still only an attempt at prevention and not a cure.
CLA supplements are said to help in loosing weight and building lean muscle tissue. Studies have shown over the recent past that CLA supplements work really well when taken in the prescribed quantities only. Also, the customer reviews CLA supplements have been getting are very positive. People seem to be really benefiting from this great supplement.
Technically, CLA is an isomer of LA or Linoleic Acid and it is found mainly in the meat products and dairy products. Although, many people tend to be wary about any kind of supplement that promises to reduce body weight, this is a healthy alternative and does not have any harmful side effects. However, people should look at two things before starting to add CLA supplements.
The first is to make sure that they do not have any medical condition. They can consult their physician and find out whether they have a condition where they should not be having this supplement. The second is to make sure that they choose a reliable and trustworthy one of the scores of different CLA supplements that there is on the market nowadays.
Amongst other things, CLA supplements have also been proven to be very beneficial for the thyroid patients because these supplements are known to increase the metabolic rate in people. It also lowers the cholesterol level which is very essential for all thyroid patients. It also helps in developing an enhanced immune system which is beneficial to every one and not just thyroid patients.
There are very few ways through which you can get the desired amount of conjugated linoleic acid in your normal diet nowadays. And that is why CLA supplements are such a great innovation in this context. Like many similar products, CLA supplements should not be misconstrued as magic supplements. These supplements will not work wonders in the body over night. You would have to take the required dosage regularly for a fixed period of time. Moreover, like other supplements, you should follow a decent regimen of exercise. In addition, after that who knows but wonders would probably start showing in the structure of your body- including significant loss of unwanted fat and the preservation and growth of lean muscle tissue. CLA supplements do not require a prescription and are widely available both in various drug stores and on the internet.