Category: Supplements

Garlic is a common ingredient in many dishes but also has properties that make it a highly effective supplement for many people. Garlic is supplemented primarily for fighting viruses and improving heart health, but also has applications for bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts as well. The use of garlic dates back thousands of years to around 2,500 B.C. in ancient Egypt. Cloves of garlic were found in the tomb of Tutankhamen and were likely a large part of the diet…

Most weightlifters and athletes know that the best way to gain muscle is to train hard and eat enough of the right food. If you have these two aspects of fitness down, building muscle will be straightforward. Once you have experience with training and building muscle, though, the gains can begin to taper off and hormonal, genetic, and lifestyle factors can start to make a large difference in how much you are able to grow. By leveraging your hormones,…

Taurine is an amino acid commonly found in energy drinks, pre-workouts, and other popular supplement blends. The body synthesizes taurine on its own, making taurine a nonessential amino acid. Taurine is sometimes also called a “conditionally essential amino acid” because it not used to build proteins and is needed by neonates (newborn infants). Taurine is included in many energy drinks and pre-workout supplements because it has a calming effect but also can boost muscle endurance and performance. For most…

DHEA is a steroid hormone commonly taken by elderly people to replenish levels of sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. DHEA is naturally produced in the brain, adrenal glands, and testes but rapidly declines with age. DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) functions as a precursor to testosterone in men and estrogen in women. Excess testosterone from DHEA converts mainly to (dihydrotestosterone) and ADG (androstanediol-glucuronide). Since the adrenal glands produce both cortisol and DHEA, higher DHEA levels reduce levels of cortisol and…

Yohimbine is an alkaloid commonly derived from the African evergreen tree Pausinystalia johimbe. It is often taken as a stimulant and fat-loss aid and is an ingredient in many pre-workouts and fitness supplements. Yohimbine was originally marketed as an erectile dysfunction cure but is now mostly taken for athletic, cognitive, and bodybuilding use. The three proven benefits of yohimbine for bodybuilding are fat loss, better circulation, and improved performance. Yohimbine For Fat-Loss The most effective use of yohimbine is…

Betaine anhydrous, or TMG (trimethylglycine), is a form of betaine derived from choline. Choline is an essential nutrient which supplies methyl groups, is used for muscle function, helps with the synthesis of phospholipids, and has several other important functions within the body. Betaine anhydrous is naturally occurring and is found in many foods such as spinach, beetroot, whole grains, sweet potatoes, beef, turkey breast, and tilapia, as well as other meats and vegetables. It is also a common ingredient…

Agmatine sulfate is a metabolite of the amino acid L-arginine. L-arginine is the primary substrate used to produce nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a neurotransmitter that dilates blood vessels and increases blood flow. By increasing nitric oxide, you will recover better from workouts, get better pumps, build more muscle, and have more energy. On its own, L-arginine is not very effective to take for the production of nitric oxide since it is not easily absorbed by the body. In…

Boron is a nonessential mineral found in many nuts, fruits, and vegetables. It is not present in meat but is found in high quantities of many foods like raisins, almonds, and hazelnuts. While boron is not needed by the body, it has been shown to have a positive impact on cognition, bone growth, mood, energy levels, and male hormones. There are multiple mechanisms responsible for these benefits but the primary action of boron that makes it beneficial for men…

One of most common supplements to take before training is a pre-workout. Pre-workouts are blends of different ingredients taken to get better pumps, have more energy when lifting, maximize performance, and make the workout more enjoyable. There are both pros and cons to taking pre-workouts but ultimately they are not needed for gaining muscle. The pros of taking pre-workouts are better performance, lifts, pumps, focus, and mood during training. All of these effects can help you build muscle. Buying…