What is it?

Myostatin is a member of a superfamily of related compounds known as  “transforming growth factors beta.” They are intimately related to tissue growth and differentiation, as well as many other functions. What scientists discovered was by knocking out the gene that codes for myostatin (the famed “myostatin gene”), animals would grow up hugely muscular. One needs only to see pictures of that ridiculously muscular mouse in the ads to know what I mean.

What is it supposed to do?

Scientists have been looking at these growth factors, what regulates them, what genes code for them, etc. since it may have applications to grow live-stock with greater amounts of meat and less fat, or combating wasting syndromes in humans, such as AIDS, cancer, and muscular dystrophy. For example, high levels of myostatin  have been associated with muscle wasting in HIV-infected men compared to healthy normal men. However, this simple association does not in anyway prove  myostatin directly contributes to muscle wasting, per se. It may simply be an intermediate indicator vs. a direct cause.

Relating to bodybuilders and other athletes, one theory is that the reason some people put on muscle so much easier than others is that they have a genetic propensity for making less myostatin due to a mutation in the gene. Conversely, the reason some people find it almost impossible to add muscle might be that they are genetically set up to have high levels of myostatin and, therefore, their efforts in the gym are being blocked.

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What is it?

HMB is actually a metabolite of the amino acid L-leucine. L-leucine is one of three amino acids known as the branched chain amino acids or BCAA (isoleucine and valine being the other two).

It has been known for a long time that BCAA play a critical role in the turn over of lean body tissues (muscle) and is muscle sparing (i.e. anti-catabolic) in a variety of muscle wasting states. Of the three BCAA, L-leucine appears to be the most important to preserving hard earned muscle mass and intense exercise and certain disease states have been shown to eat up a great deal of L-leucine. So far so good!

The main drawback of L-leucine is the fact that you must use large amounts of this amino acid to get a positive effect, making it both expensive and impractical. Many studies that showed benefits were in fact done intravenously and used as much as 5 grams per hour of L-leucine!

That, my friend, is a lot of leucine.

So, it was theorized there might be a metabolite of this ultra important amino acid that was responsible for many of the positive effects of L-leucine but could be taken in far lower doses and by mouth (as opposed to having a tube stuck in your arm). That metabolite appears to be HMB.

During stressful conditions, animals will often lose weight and/or become quite ill. Some even die. This of course can be quite expensive for any company trying to make a living from these animals in one way or another. When animals were fed HMB a large reduction in mortality rates, increases in muscle mass, and improvements in immune function in the animals fed HMB, were found.

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What is it?

The ‘non-essential’ amino acid glutamine has been getting a great deal of attention over the past few years in sport nutrition publications and scientific journals and for good reason. Though it might not be considered “essential,” glutamine appears to have many potential benefits for people interested in gaining new muscle and/or preserving that hard earned muscle.

What is it supposed to do?

Glutamine is required for countless functions in the human body from immune system function, to liver function, to gastrointestinal integrity, to name only a few. Supplement companies have taken to adding glutamine to various products and athletes have taken to adding glutamine to their diet.

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What is it?

In the world of amino acids, the structural “building blocks” of proteins, there are several classes and types of aminos. For example, we have the essential amino acids, the non-essential amino acids, the conditionally essential amino acids, and the branch chain amino acids (BCAA).

The essential amino acids are deemed as such because the body cannot manufacture them and they must be supplied by the diet. The non-essential amino acids can be made from the essential amino acids, and thus don’t have to be supplied by the diet for survival, though many non-essential amino acids play essential roles in health and metabolism in their own right.

What is it supposed to do?

The conditionally essential amino acids, so named because during certain periods, such as infancy or certain metabolic states, can be considered essential for that period of time. The branch chain amino acids (so named because they branch off another chain of atoms rather than form a straight line as other amino acids do) are leucine, valine and iso-leucine.

The BCAA’s are the amino acids that are primarily used (oxidized) during exercise and make up to one third of the amino acids in muscle tissue. It has been known for a long time that BCAA’s play a critical role in the turn over of lean body tissues (muscle) and is muscle sparing (i.e. anti-catabolic) in a variety of muscles wasting states. Of the three BCAA, L-leucine appears to be the most important to preserve hard earned muscle mass; intense exercise and certain disease states have been shown to eat up a great deal of L-leucine.

For more detailed information, including effectiveness, dosages, possible side effects as well as independent science based reviews of over 60  ingredients for gaining muscle mass we recommend the well respected Will Brink’s supplement review module found in his complete BodyBuilding Revealed program.

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What is it?

Arachidonic acid (AA) is a naturally occurring polyunsaturated fat, belonging to the Omega-6 family of fatty acids and is found in cell membrane phospholipids. It’s formed in the human body from the essential fatty acid Linoleic Acid (LA) or ingested pre-formed in various foods, with highest amounts found in red meat, egg yolks, and other animals based foods. From AA, highly unsaturated biologically active compounds such as prostaglandins, prostacyclin (PGI12), leukotrienes, and thromboxanes are formed.

What is it supposed to do?

The metabolism of AA is extremely complicated and far beyond the scope of this section. The many biologically active downstream metabolites of AA mentioned above are still under investigation with new roles for each being discovered all the time. Relating to the issue that concerns the reader (e.g., effects on strength, performance, and body composition), AA plays a role in the inflammatory response which appears to have direct effects on protein synthesis. In particular, the prostaglandin PGF2alpha has been identified as an important mediator of protein synthesis. In theory, an increase in the tissue levels of PGF2alpha (via ingestion of AA) might alter the anabolic to catabolic balance which would increase muscle mass. Other lines of evidence that support AA metabolites as being essential for protein synthesis come from studies that found the cox-1 enzyme inhibitors ibuprofen and acetaminophen greatly diminish the anabolic response to resistance exercise by inhibiting the normal post-exercise increase in levels of PGF2alpha. As these OTC drugs exhibit their anti-inflammatory actions by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins, and it’s been found they reduce protein synthetic rates in response to weight training, it’s been seen as additional support for the concept that prostaglandins play an essential role in the anabolic response to exercise. Again, that’s a generalization of an extremely complicated system. The essential take home of the above is, prostaglandins are derived from dietary and in vivo conversion of AA and appear up-regulate recovery mechanisms including: inflammation and protein synthesis within skeletal muscle in response to resistance training.

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What is it?

There is a long list of supplements being sold claiming to either be Human Growth Hormone (HGH or GH) or cause the release of GH. The number of nutrients claiming to be able to increase HGH levels is long. The major products in this category currently being, marketed can be broken down into three major categories however. There is:

• Homeopathic GH claiming to contain actual HGH
• Growth hormone promoting nutrients (e.g., certain amino acids, vitamins, etc.)
• Secretagogues which are short peptides that supposedly cause a release of GH.

What is it supposed to do?

The role of GH in the human body is extensive and rather complicated with many effects still being elucidated. GH is known to play an essential role in the regulation of bodyfat levels, immunity, muscle mass, wound healing, bone mass, and literally thousands of other functions both known and yet unknown. Real human GH is a peptide 191 amino acids long with a molecular weight of approx. 20,000.

It is produced by the anterior pituitary gland, located at the base the brain. The bulk of the effect accomplished by GH is performed by a related hormone (Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 or IGF-1), which is released predominantly by the liver and, to some extent, by other tissues in response to GH levels. However, some recent data suggests GH has effects separate from that of its relation to IGF-1.

It is well established that GH levels steadily decline as we age and is partially responsible for the steady loss of muscle mass, loss of skin elasticity, immune disfunction, and many other physical changes that take place in the aging human body.

GH releasing nutrients claim to release GH and thus have the positive effects associated with GH.

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What is it?

Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack) also known as Long Jack, is an herb found in Indonesia. It contains compounds known as “quassinoids” such as eurycomalacton, eurycomanon, and eurycomanol as well as others.

What is it supposed to do?

Tongkat Ali (TA) is sold as a male sexual enhancer, muscle builder, and testosterone booster. It has a long history in Indonesia as a male sexual enhancer, with it being sold as a testosterone booster/muscle builder a more recent development.

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What is it?

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is primary inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the brain and is produced from glutamate and vitamin B6, via the enzymes L-glutamic acid decarboxylase and pyridoxal phosphate. There are neurotransmitters that cause excitation in the brain and there are neurotransmitters that have the opposite effect. The balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters is essential to proper brain function and has direct effects on all facets of human physiology, mood, health, and well-being.

What is it supposed to do?

Because GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, it’s associated with inducing relaxation, reducing stress, and as a sleep aid. For example, drugs in benzodiazepine family (e.g., zanex, etc) have been shown to induce relaxation by stimulating GABA receptors, and hence induce relaxation. There’s a long list of drugs that work by interacting with GABA receptors (GABA receptor agonists) or act by increasing levels of GABA in the brain, with varying effects.

This is an extremely simplified explanation for an incredibly complex –and not fully understood – system, but it will have to suffice for this section.

As a supplement, GABA has a reputation for improving sleep and causing mild relaxation. Particular to the interests of bodybuilders and other athletes, GABA has been sold as a growth hormone (GH) releaser due to GABA’s known role as a modulator of GH release.

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What is it?

Beta-alanine is the only naturally occurring beta amino acid. Beta amino acids have their primary amino groups attached to the beta, rather than the alpha carbon. Although beta-alanine is involved in the formation of other, larger molecules, it is not found in proteins.

What is it supposed to do?

Beta-alanine is being touted as “the new creatine” and the latest breakthrough supplement in the world of sports nutrition. It’s used by the body to synthesize carnosine (L-beta-alanyl-L-histidine). Carnosine performs a variety of valuable roles, including: inhibiting the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) which can damage tissues, chelating metal ions, and scavenging free radicals. Carnosine’s importance to athletic performance, however, lies in its ability to buffer hydrogen ions produced in skeletal muscle during high intensity exercise. It is thought that direct supplementation with carnosine precursors might be as – or even more – effective at increasing muscle carnosine stores than supplementing directly with carnosine. So why not just use carnosine you ask? Though you will find more in depth information in the next section, here’s the reason in a nutshell: Studies show ingested carnosine is simply broken down into its constituent parts and reformed into carnosine. Studies generally find that ingesting beta-alanine is actually superior for increasing tissue carnosine levels then ingesting carnosine itself.

For more detailed information, including effectiveness, dosages, possible side effects as well as independent science based reviews of over 60  ingredients for gaining muscle mass we recommend the well respected Will Brink’s supplement review module found in his complete BodyBuilding Revealed program.

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What is it?

6-oxo (androst-4-ene-3,6,17-trione) is a naturally occurring compound with anti aromatase/anti estrogen properties. It’s produced in the human body or can be produced synthetically.

What is it supposed to do?

6-oxo is believed to decrease estrogen and increase testosterone via its effects on the enzyme (aromatase) which converts testosterone to estrogen. The mechanism of 6-oxo appears to be what’s known as an irreversible suicide inhibitor of the enzyme. As the name implies, once bound to the aromatase enzyme, the process cannot be reversed, hence the term “irreversible suicide inhibitor.” Translated, 6-oxo binds to the enzyme and prevents it from doing its normal function, which is to produce estrogen from androgens (testosterone, etc.) . As most people know, excess estrogen (in particular estradiol) can lead to negative effects such as increased bodyfat, water retention, gynecomastia (bitch tits), reduced libido, as well as other clinical conditions best avoided. Increased estradiol is often found in steroid users, aging men, as well as other populations.

6-oxo appears to increase testosterone- and keep estrogen in check- by altering a key feedback loop in how the body regulates testosterone production. Exactly how the body regulates various hormones is a very complex topic beyond the scope of this section. Suffice it to say, it primarily involves what’s called the Hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis (HPTA) which works via overlapping negative feedback loops. Estradiol is key in this system. Estradiol is suppressive to testosterone production. High estradiol sends the signal there is high testosterone, and T production is reduced. Lower estrogen, and the body thinks T is low, and sends the signal to produce more T. Reducing estrogen levels is a way to fool the HPTA into producing more T, via an increase in the gonadotropins: follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) That’s the basic mechanism, which has been greatly over simplified. Bottom line is: 6-oxo may allow for a more favorable testosterone/estrogen ratio by alerting the “set point” for these two hormones. 6-oxo is not an anabolic/androgenic steroid, is not a pro-hormone, and does not work via androgen receptors or as an anabolic compound directly.

For more detailed information, including effectiveness, dosages, possible side effects as well as independent science based reviews of over 60  ingredients for gaining muscle mass we recommend the well respected Will Brink’s supplement review module found in his complete BodyBuilding Revealed program.

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