Muscle & Fitness magazine, September 2010
Muscle & Fitness magazine, September 2010
Taking a purely scientific look at the best products in the world of sports supplements by Jim Stoppani and Chris Aceto
We examine the critical active ingredients in various sports supplements. We award high marks to those with existing supportive data, real-world results and innovation in formulation.
Here we put Maximuscle Cyclone under the microscope.
Whey Protein Isolate
Is a premium source of whey protein. Isolates are generally derived from a heat-free system that protects amino acids from being damaged or “denatured” which can occur with other ways of creating whey protein.
Whey Protein Hydrolysates
Is a whey protein which has undergone an enzymatic process to speed the delivery of amino acids from whey protein into muscles where they can rapidly affect muscle growth and recovery.
Glutamax®
Is a multi-functional amino acids. It lowers ammonia levels, the by product of trainining that can interfere with muscle growth. It also can block the uptake of cortisol by muscle tissue. Cortisol is a catabolic hormone that’s released with training that can cause muscle damage.
Glutamax® can maintain adequate levels of branched chain amino acids which are extremely important in muscle recovery and growth. Studies have also shown it can help the body store glucose as muscle glycogen which can enhance training intensity and support recovery.
Creatine Monohydrate
Is the original form of creatine that has the longest proven track record in terms of concrete and positive scientific studies. Creatine is used to power the initial few reps of a set and also plays a primary role in building ATP levels in the body which energizes the muscles. Creatine has been shown to increase strength, size and can mildly increase the metabolism.
HMB
Is a by product of the amino acid leucine. HMB can increase insulin secretion which drives amino acids into muscles and signals anabolic pathways to become activated. Unlike many amino acids, HMB does not produce ammonia a by product of protein that can interfere with muscle contraction.
Sodium Bicarbonate
Is a “basic” element which is used to buffer or fight an increase in acidity in the blood that occurs with training. With hardcore training, the body produces hydrogen ions which can interfere with muscle contraction and energy production. Sodium bicarbonate can interfere with the negative effects of hydrogen ions which, in turn may allow the bodybuilder to fight fatigue and train both harder and longer.
Potassium Bicarbonate
Is a form of potassium. Like sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate can interfere with an acid build up in the body. Some evidence shows lowering acid levels not only helps training intensity and duration but can support growth. In general acidic environments are counter productive to muscle growth. In addition, potassium helps muscles contract and is responsible for making glycogen the preferred form of training fuel for the working bodybuilder.
Beta Ecdysterone
Is a plant sterol that exerts marked effects on muscle growth. Specifically it allows the body to hold onto greater amounts of nitrogen. Nitrogen is the unique compound to protein that is used to measure muscle growth. Generally, if one holds onto and retains more nitrogen then is leaving the body, he can expect to add muscle mass.
Chromium
Is a trace mineral that makes receptors for insulin located on muscle tissue more friendly . When insulin receptors are more friendly or active, it becomes easier for the body to deliver both amino acids from protein and glucose from carbohydrates into muscles where they can influence growth and repair.
