Supplements Questions

The Mad Rapper · 28 Jun 2007 at 12:22

Hello all.

Several of my supplements have ran out and I just wanted to run through a few things before placing my new order.

L-Glutamine: I've been taking this at 5G a day immediately after training with my WMS for more efficent absorbtion. It's worked very well for me. I manage to lift heavier every session and it's been great at minimising DOMS. Now that I have a month's worth of use, I thought I'd give L-Leucine a try for a month and just compare. What dosage would you guys recommend?

BCAAs: I've never used these, I've just relied so far on acids in my PWO whey. However, I've started to consider buying some and perhaps adding 5G to my WMS along with the L-Leucine. What are your opinions? I like the idea of getting some key acids to my muscles immediately after training with the WMS, then the PWO shake 20 minutes after the WMS when I arrive home.

WMS: I've no complaints about WMS at all, it seems do do what it states it does. Again, I'm open to trying an alternative for a month for comparison purposes. Any suggestions? I'm not interested in malto/dextrose and can't afford activated barley

CEE: Works brilliantly, so I'll be ordering more.

Green Tea: This is harder to gauge. I notice a slight increase in metabolisim, but regardless, the anti-oxident properties are great so I am happy to continue taking it for that reason alone. I may try the tablets this time. the powder is dirt cheap and lasts ages but tastes disgusting IMHO.

Taurine: I want to use this in conjunction with CEE Pre WO, but am unsure of the dosage required. Advise please.

AAKG: Read about this, seems to work as a vascular volume increaser? Not sure of it's effectiveness in building lean mass. Is it negligable, or worth a trial?

Thanks in advance as always.

Kind Regards,

John.

The Mad Rapper · 28 Jun 2007 at 18:57

Small bump to catch the evening crowd

The Mad Rapper · 29 Jun 2007 at 00:08

Chong Warrior said:
Thoughts in orange.

EDIT - Sorry if some of that reads like it's been typed by a chimp or full of typo's. In a rush for gym, no time to check or go over it.

No problem, thanks for the reply!

I've realised reading your reply that some of my questions weren't worded brilliantly. so I'll clarify what I meant based upon your comments.

You can't compare Leucine with glutamine, they two totally different amino acids. Glutamine is apparently great taken PWO for low carb dieters as it's easily used in the body to refuel glycogen. Obviously this is usefull as it negates the need to take carbs and take the user out of ketosis.

I understand that they are different, I'm not stupid!

From the research I've done, it would seem that Leucine is the most important amino acid and seems to be a factor in how well the other acids are absorbed and made use of by the body. I fully appreciate that this is it's most significant effect, I wasn't looking for it to act in the same way as Glutamine. I've used Glutamine for a month now and I have noticed significantly reduced DOMS. I am not claiming any other effect, but I definately have noticed it really does seem to work. Remember, I am setting a new PB on almost every lift each week, I am pushing myself as hard as I can so I'd expect far more DOMS then I am currently getting.

Taking 5g is totally useless, whatever gains you think you got from this are down to the placebo effect if you ask me. It certainly didn't increase your strength levels for you and I'm dubious of claims about it reducing DOMS as I never noticed it. Vitamin C and grape seed extract are better for this purpose. You need to be taking large doses of glutamine for any effect, like 40g+ PWO.

Really? As I mentioned above, 5G PWO is all I've taken and it works, there's no doubt in my mind. Have a look here and you'll see that I am not the only one. I never claimed that the Glutamine was responsible for my strength gains BTW, I was stating that because I am setting a new PB in every lift every week I am pushing myself as hard as I can. I should be in a right state the following day but I'm not. The reason I'm not is because of the Glutamine. 40G a day seems like a silly amount and bloody expensive too

BCAA's are the essential amino acids Leucine:Isoleucine:Valine in a 2:1:1 ratio. They're expensive and a bit of a luxury. Leucine is cheaper. Or you can do what I do and mix Leucine into the BCAA's 50/50 to change the ratio to 4:1:1 in favour of Leucine. Great on a cut, bit of a waste of money when bulking.

You know Whey is high in BCAA's right?

Yes, I did know Whey is high in BCAAs, that's pretty much all protein is, amino acids

Interesting point you make though regarding the cost and the way you mix. What dosage would you recommend? I'm currently on a bulk so I can at least give it a try for a month and see how I get on.

Thanks very much for the Taurine advice, superb

What would you recommend the dosage of AAKG to be and when to take for maximum effect?

Finally, for the other regulars, any other views on what Chong and I have discussed? Anything you think I ought to consider?

The Mad Rapper · 29 Jun 2007 at 00:13

Morba said:
Steak, lots of it :]

Ha! Remember mate, my GF is a Vegetarian! If I can't buy it pre-cooked from the supermarket then it's not going to happen

I have to say though my diet's great now, I really think I've got it nailed.

The Mad Rapper · 29 Jun 2007 at 00:47

Chong Warrior said:
+ 1 rep

Agreed, it's great stuff

I didn't mean it like that, I was refering to your comment about comparing them? I've made my feelings pretty clear about Glutamine I won't bang on about it. Leucine is great stuff but I doubt you'll notice much from it when bulking but it can still be beneficial as it increases protein synthesis. If you really want to try it then take 5g immediately pre-workout and sip on 5g while you train. Be warned this stuff is very hard to mix in water!!

Start off with 1.5g pre workout first time. I wouldn't take anymore before you know how you respond to it. First time it pumped my arms and back up so much it was almost painfull! Stacks well with CEE and taurine

You're a star mate as always.

I'll see how I get on during the next 5 months, hopefully by then I'll have made some very noticable progress. Things seem to be going well so far, there's definately muscle growing there under my old cake retention!

Hopefully I'll be able to post an 'after' picture to compare with my 'before' photograph I took 5 weeks ago

The Mad Rapper · 29 Jun 2007 at 11:00

Styles said:
As for The Mad Rapper, you're picking this all up extremely quickly. Great work

Thank you