A chemical that can not only help protect the brain from stroke and toxins, but aids greatly in exercise recovery and naturally destroys pain!

Agmatine is derived from L-Arginine. It is considered to be a neuromodulator and neurotransmitter and is stored in the neurons. Presently, agmatine has been shown to possibly be effective in the treatment of neuropathic pain and addiction to drugs. With agmatine in the system, the brain is also protected from strokes and toxins. Agmatine can be supplemented as a stand alone product to increase perception of pain but it also works together with painkillers such as morphine. This synergistic relationship with painkillers allows the agmatine to reduce tolerance build up of pain killers, possible addiction, and the actual pain itself.

Agmatine is a natural pain fighter and can aid greatly in post-workout recovery. Anxiety is also relieved which lowers cortisol levels and can help fight depression. Agmatine also aids in proper nitric oxide levels of the body which creates greater pumps and increases in vascularity. The antioxidant role of agmatine protects the body from free radicals which, in athletes, tends to build up in large amounts. Overall, agmatine is a great addition to a supplement regimen given its wide array of benefits. Find it here!

- Pete M.

Learn how your favorite childhood candies can be utilized in your diet to help build muscle and burn fat!

As we know, BCAAs are essential to any athlete's diet regimen. It is best to try a BCAA supplement that is free of any fillers or dyes as these can compromise our body's utilization of the amino acids. Taste is also a big factor when choosing the right BCAA supplement. Metabolic Augmenting Nutrition, or MAN Sports, has developed a powder that contains both of these qualities. The formula (ISO-Amino) is free of dyes, colors, and fillers allowing for optimum absorption into the muscle with minimal wasting. The flavors are all great tasting and are based upon various candies: Dorks (nerds), Fruit Smash (fruit loops/fruity pebbles), Blue Bombsicle (Rocket Pop), Mighty Melon (Watermelon Bubblicious Gum), Tiger's Blood (coconut/strawberry/watermelon), Starblaze (Starburst), Sourbatch (Sourpatch Kids), and Fruittles (Skittles) with more flavors set to release soon . With a 2:1:1 ratio (2.5g Leucine, 1.25g Isoleucine, 1.25g Valine) this product aids greatly in muscle protein synthesis resulting in increased muscle repair, energy, growth, and aid in fat loss. You can check the flavors out here!

-Pete M.

Nutrient Powerhouse: This one nutrient can aid in both cutting and bulking regimines!

HMB originates from the essential branched-chain amino acid Leucine. This nutrient can be found in very small amounts from various parts of our diets (catfish and citrus fruits) and can also be produced within our body (¼ to 1 gram per day). HMB can aid in both the repair from and resistance to muscle damage. It also supports a positive protein balance considering its ability to reduce protein catabolism within the body. This allows for more protein to be shuttled into the muscle cells to create an atmosphere for more growth and repair of lean muscle mass. Given this fact, HMB can be used for both bulking and cutting regimens. When combined with a BCAA supplement, its anti-catabolic (prevention of muscle wasting) effects are amplified and more muscle tissue will be protected from breaking down.

There have been several studies over the years that have proven the effectiveness of HMB with increasing endurance, muscle mass, strength, and aerobic performance in athletes. Although HMB originates from Leucine, supplementing Leucine alone into your diet will not allow for a high enough concentration of HMB to secrete into the bloodstream. Once Leucine filters through the liver, only 5% is oxidized for HMB. For example, 1g of Leucine would allow for .05g of HMB. An effective dose is measured to be 3g per day to result in a positive benefit and no adverse side effects are known to be associated with HMB.

In short, HMB is an effective and fairly cheap addition to either a bulking or cutting diet. When stacked with a BCAA supplement the anti-catabolic effects are even greater. Increases in strength, lean muscle mass, and endurance have all been proven to be associated with this nutrient.

-Pete M

wtf pump spray ingredient?

Ursolic acid, a compound found in apples, basil, rosemary, oregano, blueberries, raspberries, thyme and plumbs, has shown exciting potential for muscle growth in catabolic muscles. Ursolic acid reduces fat storage and increases fat burning through the inhibition of pancreatic lipase and enhanced lipolysis in fat cells. This acid also reduces the conversion of blood sugar into fat via the inhibition of fatty acid synthase. The energy reserves within our muscles is also increased by enhancing glycogen storage. Abdominal (visceral) fat is reduced through the inhibition of 11bHSD1. Ursolic acid is anti-carcinogenic through the inhibition of the STAT3 activation pathway. Cholesterol will lower through the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor. Estrogen levels reduce through aromatase inhibition. Bones strengthen by enhancing differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts. Lean muscle mass increases through enhanced sensitivity to IGF-1 and insulin and inhibition of atrogin-1 and MuRF1. In short, if you are trying to get lean and vascular for summer, you have to give this ingredient and product a try.

Get a bottle here: Pump Spray

Want more vascularity? Here's a simple ingredient to aid in the skin ripping pumps!

Arginine is a rather common amino acid within our diet. It is considered a conditionally essential amino acid due to its availability in our diet. However, most diets lack enough arginine to allow for the body’s metabolic needs. Other factors could also lead to a deficit of arginine including infections, burns, and low protein intake. This amino acid can be utilized when there is a high energy demand placed upon the body’s system allowing it to act as glucose for energy.

Arginine is also responsible for acting as a building block for synthesis of new proteins in the system. As for nitric oxide, arginine is necessary for its production. Nitric oxide acts as a vasodilator in our system. Vasodilation is the process of the relaxation within the walls of our blood vessels. This allows for a wider and larger pathway for blood, oxygen, and nutrients to flow through. With this increase in flow of fluid within the vessels comes the increased extraction of toxins from within the muscles. Also, the higher concentration of nutrients and oxygen within the muscles allows for greater endurance, lean muscle mass increase, and strength gains. The vasodilation can also promote a visible difference in your vascularity. This is due to the dilation (widening) of the walls within the blood vessels where you can visually see the arginine taking effect within your body.

Arginine is found in several pre-workout formulas. Taking this before you workout, usually 30-45 minutes prior to training, can induce the vasodilation process within your body during and after your workout. The utilization of arginine in conjunction with a pre-workout product allows for greater pumps and better shuttling of lactic acid and waste out of the muscle post exercise. The increase of oxygen and nutrients that become readily available to the muscle allows for an increase in muscular endurance and strength to produce a higher intensity during your workout.

In short, arginine in necessary for the production of nitric oxide which is our body's natural vasodilator. This in turn causes a flood of nutrients into the muscles to allow them to grow and for waste to exit the muscle to avoid a delay in the muscle growth and reduce muscle soreness. The daily dosage should be 3-9g. This should be limited to 8-12 weeks of continuous use with an equal amount of time off.

-Pete M.