I have been asked from time to time about all the supplements I am taking and more importantly what each one of them is supposed to do for me. For that reason I created the following list of supplements, meal replacement bars, and various other things I am taking to achieve a healthy big boy body. Pretty much everything is listed here except for the items in my day to day diet. Let’s get started!
(If you see anything that doesn’t look right, needs more details, etc., let me know and I will update this posting.)
What is it supposed to do?
New Whey Liquid Protein is the ultimate in convenient protein supplementation. Having a great taste and a serving size of about 3 ounces, New Whey is compact and refreshing. With no need for blending, refrigeration and virtually unbreakable packaging, New Whey is perfect for any on the go lifestyle.
Does it work for me?
Yes. I like the smooth flavor of this product as apposed to the granular powdery shake style protein offerings. I am able to get it down and keep it down and as a result I am getting bigger, stronger, and harder.
Any side effects?
Not that I have seen so far. This is the easiest way to get 42 grams of protein in one shot.
What is it supposed to do?
To reach your bodybuilding goals it is important for your body to be in an anabolic state as much as possible. For individuals on the run it is extremely difficult to feed your starving muscles the nutrients they need to grow every two-and-a-half to three hours. Meso-Tech® Complete bars are your anabolic solution on-the-go. Each great tasting bar contains 25 grams of musclebuilding protein. Plus, with zero grams of trans fats, you can be confident that your are supplying your hard working muscles with a nutritious and delicious meal supplement that will help you get the body of your dreams.
Does it work for me?
I have been taking these bars as a part of my post workout meal plan for the added carbs and sugars it provides over the Nitro-Tech Hardcore bars. Eating these bars within 30 minutes of a workout allows me to fill my system with what I need to recover from my workout.
Any side effects?
Eating these bars with the rest of my diet has helped me to lose weight. That is a good side effect.
What is it supposed to do?
Nitro-Tech® Hardcore bars are based on the original #1 selling protein formula in America. With their own unique formula, these bars are loaded with potent musclebuilding ingredients and out-of-this-world flavor. Packed with 30 grams of premium-grade protein and rapid-absorbing amino acid peptides, Nitro-Tech Hardcore bars trigger muscle growth fast. For the fastest muscle growth on the go, bite into a delicious Nitro-Tech Hardcore bar!
Does it work for me?
Ok, I have to be honest about this product. Using them does exactly as advertised. It provides me with a convenient meal that is easy to consume. If you are eating every two to three hours then this certainly makes that task easier. The down side of this product, though not a side effect, is that it tastes good going down. And leaves a dog food taste in your mouth. A quick gargle of water gets you paste that…but buyer beware. I used to eat dog food as a kid (what boy didn’t) so it isn’t that big of a deal for me! <GRIN>
I have been losing weight with these as part of my diet. And I have been able to maintain high spirited smooth energy through out the day from start to finish. These are great meal replacement bars for non workout related meals. See Meso-Tech Bars for pre or post workout meals.
Any side effects?
Eating these bars with the rest of my diet has helped me to lose weight. That is a good side effect.
What is it supposed to do?
Nitro-Tech® Hardcore is the only musclebuilding protein formula in the world clinically shown to help you add up to 8.4 pounds of muscle in as little as 14 days! Backed by scientific research spanning more than a decade, Nitro-Tech Hardcore is the world’s #1 selling protein formula! From two-time Mr. Olympia, Jay Cutler, to current Mr. Olympia, Dexter Jackson, to devoted gym warriors like you, more bodybuilders have used Nitro-Tech Hardcore to build jaw-dropping muscle than any other regular whey protein in the world!
Does it work for me?
If I can manage to get this into my system with out throwing it back up…it works great. I must admit that this shake style protein power is a bit pithy or grainy and doesn’t really taste all that great. It does work as advertised in that it gives me what I need. But in order to get 40 grams of protein I have to take two scoops as apposed to the one shot of New Whey. It is hard to use this product when using New Whey is so much easier to work with, take with you, and consume! Not a bad protein shake…but not the best.
Any side effects?
Other than not always being able to keep this product down the only side effect is massive growth and sustained energy!
SubstanceReviews.com: Nitro-Tech Hardcore
What is it supposed to do?
Hydroxycut Hardcore utilizes an exclusive liquid Micro-dispersion Technology to deliver fat burning components immediately to the body. Hydroxycut Hardcore attacks the fat-burning process through a proprietary 5-step process to ensure maximum-strength fat loss. First Hydroxycut Hardcore elevates levels of norepinephrine - the key fat burning hormone - by 40%. The second step involves ensuring norepinephrine levels remain elevated longer by drastically increasing cAMP levels. The third step involves alpha-receptor inhibition to ensure the fat-burning signal remains uninterrupted. The fourth step involves inhibiting the enzyme COMT, to ensure the fat-burning signal grows in strength. The fifth step involves producing heat (thermogenesis) by accelerating the breakdown of released fats in the mitochondria.
Does it work for me?
Does this product work for me? Hell yes. It works for everyone! It works so well that it was pulled from the market. I am almost out of this formulation of Hydroxycut but I have looked at the next formulation of Hydroxycut and it appears to be promising. The one thing that must be watched here though is that you don’t take it with Gakic (or any other caffeinated product). And don’t take it to close to your bed time as you won’t get much sleep at all.
Any side effects?
When I first started taking this product a felt my heart skip a beat..but then things mellowed out from there. I am now used to taking the product and would like to report that I am losing weight in all of my appendages (but am still a tad fat around the mid section!). I am still making progress but I will have to start using the next Hydroxycut formula soon and will let you know if they still work or not.
SubstanceReviews.com: Hydroxycut Hardcore
What is it supposed to do?
GAKIC Hardcore is scientifically engineered to neutralize fatigue toxins, such as ammonia, from your muscles. These toxins flood your muscles and grow greater with every single rep you squeeze out, consequently killing your strength. But because of the exclusive GAKIC Hardcore formula, these toxins are annihilated and your workout intensity skyrockets so you can bust out more reps with heavier weights!
Does it work for me?
If I had to pick just one thing in the stack of stuff that I am taking as my “best supplement” I would have to choose this product! The simple fact is that it removes the acid buildup from my muscles and allows me to push past any boundaries that I would have previously hit. And unlike many of the claims from people that they were unable to sleep, got the jitters, and many other claimed side effects, I am able to take a full dosage and only receive the benefits of taking it. The one thing to watch with taking this product though is that you can versy easily “over train”…as your body will no longer know when enough is enough.
Any side effects?
There are a lot of claimed side effects scattered across the Internet. Some of these side effects include, jitters, head aches, inability to sleep,
SubstanceReviews.com: Gakic Hardcore
What is it supposed to do?
To get big, you must get anabolic. To get massive, you must get highly anabolic. That's the real secret to getting massive and this is why bodybuilders from beginner to professional are turning to LEUKIC™ - the world's first and ultimate 100% anabolic compound! LEUKIC is so shockingly potent that it triggers rock-hard gains fast, by sending your anabolism skyrocketing through the roof! What's more, there are zero androgenic or estrogenic side effects like bloating or gyno.
Does it work for me?
This one is hard to say. I don’t really notice any real affects in my body. I have to sort of trust MuscleTech on this one. Their other products appear to work so I have to think that this one will too. I also take Vitakic too which should generally put you into an “anabolic” state too. Who knows. I don’t see any side effects by using this product other than an additional lightness in my wallet!
Any side effects?
None that I am aware of.
SubstanceReviews.com: Leukic (not the hardcore version though)
What is it supposed to do?
CREAKIC® Hardcore – America’s #1 Musclebuilding Creatine Pill – was developed to meet the needs of a true bodybuilder. For those that demand brutal force and extreme results CREAKIC Hardcore is for you because it’s officially the most powerful hardcore creatine pill in existence! Its molecularly engineered formula was designed with a specific purpose: to offset the destructive effects of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) on creatine transport, so that you can see explosive gains in muscle size and strength.
Does it work for me?
I will admit that taking creatine into my system does in fact help me recover. However, taking in the Creakic product really sucks (at least for me)! I don’t know if the act of eating breakfast and protein followed by a BIG WORKOUT followed by a high carb (small) meal followed by this Creakic stuff…makes me BLOW CHUNKS. Now not only does it really suck to get sick for any reason. But it sucks even more to know that you are throwing up at least $10 or $20 worth of supplements! Argh. But when my body does allow me to digest these pills they do in fact help me to recover from my workout. Just looking at those bright shiny blue pills makes my stomach turn!
Any side effects?
I have had so many bad runs with this supplement that just the thought taking these pills makes me sick. I am able to take them from time to time so I don’t think that it is just the pills that do it but instead a combination of my routine. I know many people that take these without any side effects.
What is it supposed to do?
You already know that taking a multivitamin every day is a smart choice. That's why Anabolic VITAKIC is designed to deliver a cutting-edge micronutrient multivitamin complex specifically for hard-training bodybuilders. This complex includes multiple key micronutrients that protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals, making it extremely beneficial to bodybuilders. In addition, Anabolic VITAKIC is dosed with a key musclebuilding compound, forging the foundation for explosive muscle growth!
Does it work for me?
This provides me with all of the vitamins that I need. I feel great when I am taking them. I don’t feel any bad side affects. The only possible bad thing that I experience by taking this (or any of the other stuff I am taking) is the neon green pee that it provides me with!
But from all the reading that I have done on which vitamins to take I was led to just take this one super multi vitamin instead. From all the vitamins that are suggested I would end up taking a bowl full of pills just from the vitamin perspective. Vitakic at least takes the vitamin pill count down to five.
Any side effects?
Possibly neon green pee.
What is it supposed to do?
Of all the hormones in your body, testosterone is one superior musclebuilder. Every feat of strength, world record or Mr. Olympia physique is powered by increased testosterone levels. Without a doubt, testosterone offers bodybuilders an undeniable advantage. That’s why Team MuscleTech™ researchers spent countless hours searching for new and powerful ways to increase testosterone. The result is a testosterone-amplifying supplement more advanced than any other testosterone supplement on the market – CryoTest™!
Does it work for me?
This one is hard to nail down. I don’t really know if this works or not. This is another product that I take simply because it is stated to work. I will say that the pills float to the top of your mouth when you try to drink them down. This makes it hard to swallow them without a bit of a gag reflex. It takes a special method for me to get them down.
Any side effects?
No known side effects here.
What is it supposed to do?
If you want to unlock the anabolic floodgates to massive growth and extreme vein-swelling vascularity, you need the brand new naNOX9™ Hardcore – The World’s Fastest Anabolic Nitric Oxide Injection System. Many supplement companies have tried to create the ultimate nitric oxide product, but the truth is that their inferior, slow-acting formulas are just not good enough for you. That’s why Team MuscleTech™ has applied the latest scientific and technological breakthroughs in pre-workout supplementation to create a state-of-the-art nitric oxide generating powerplant – naNOX9 Hardcore!
Formulated with multiple forms of arginine, including two radically advanced matrices, naNOX9 Hardcore is guaranteed to activate the hardest hitting, blood-boiling pumps conducive to new growth. In order to earn its reputation as the world’s fastest acting anabolic nitric oxide boosting matrix on the market, naNOX9 Hardcore is scientifically engineered with Nanomolecular Rapid Explosion Technology™ to initiate compound hyper-diffusion in just nine seconds! By rapidly stretching your vascular system to its limits, naNOX9 Hardcore unlocks the anabolic floodgates, allowing more naturally occurring musclebuilding compounds to supersaturate your starving muscles. No regular nitric oxide product available even compares to the blood-drenching, musclebuilding power of naNOX9 Hardcore!
Does it work for me?
Hell yes this works for me! When you take this it opens your blood pipelines and gets your blood flowing. It doesn’t turn me bright red as it has been reported for many other people. But it does get me hyped up and ready for my workout.
Any side effects?
Some people turn as red as a chili similar to how the Hulk turns green. This is not the case for me though. I feel all of the benefits and none of the negative down sides.
SubstanceReviews.com: naNO X9
Glucosamine
What is it supposed to do?
Glucosamine is a compound found naturally in the body, made from glucose and the amino acid glutamine. Glucosamine is needed to produce glycosaminoglycan, a molecule used in the formation and repair of cartilage and other body tissues. Production of glucosamine slows with age.
Does it work for me?
Yes. Before I started taking all the other stuff listed on this post I started taking Glucosamine. Think of these little pills as the WD-40 for humans. This is a must have for anyone doing jiu-jitsu, various other forms of fighting where your joints get folded in ways that they weren’t meant too, or if you are planning on lifting super heavy weights. I perform all of the above so this is a must have for me.
Any side effects?
I have felt no side effects from this particular product.
SubstanceReviews.com: Glucosamine
Fish Oil
What is it supposed to do?
http://ezinearticles.com/?Fish-Oil-Can-Enhance-Your-Bodybuilding-Performances&id=938119
There is good news for those of you who desire more muscle, especially when it comes to bodybuilding supplements. When you are building muscle, it is essential that you do take in fat, contrary to popular belief. A decreased fat intake can lead to lower testosterone levels. This, in turn decreases the rate and volume at which muscles are made.
So, a good intake of fat increases testosterone and helps to build muscles. Staying away from saturated fats is the key. These promote fat gain in the body and health problems. Essential fatty acids like omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil are the perfect natural bodybuilding supplements for this reason. Taking in the 'good' fat leads to better muscle production and better bodybuilding results. So, remember the fat before your next workout - the good fat.
Does it work for me?
This is not a supplement that you can truly measure. I take it because it is suggested that weight lifters should take it not only to build muscle but also for general health reasons.
Any side effects?
I have not seen any side effects that are a direct cause of taking fish oil.
SubstanceReviews.com: Fish Oil
Bee Pollen
What is it supposed to do?
The complexity behind why you should take bee pollen is to much for listing here. So read this article and come back! http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/fit44.htm
Does it work for me?
It is hard to tell if this truly works or not as it is not something that is easily measured. It doesn’t cause me any harm though!
Any side effects?
None that I am aware of.