Did you know that more than 60 percent of our free amino acids are glutamine? Or that for years, glutamine was considered to be just another nonessential amino acid?

Of course, the term “nonessential amino acid” only means that our bodies don’t manufacture glutamine for us. But recent studies reveal that glutamine is much more important for maintaining health than previously believed. Glutamine, which becomes conditionally essential during times of stress or injury, elevates growth hormone levels and restricts the catabolic actions of cortisol as well. In fact, it is now well documented that glutamine is also essential for cell proliferation and that it acts as a respiratory fuel and boosts immune function.

Nonessential but Important
When our bodies’ glutamine reserves are low, we become much more prone to infections and other immune-system-related problems. Many glutamine researchers focus on the fact that depleted glutamine stores make it much more difficult for our bodies to fend off illness and on the fact that illnesses can further deplete glutamine reserves. But glutamine depletion does not only occur through illness; it also happens through stress caused by exercise.

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If you’re a dedicated bodybuilder, you’re probably aware of nitric oxide (NO) boosters on some level. Because they seem to work very well, they’re extremely popular with bodybuilders and other athletes. Read the rest of this entry »

In a rut? Typically, when you take any sort of prohormone or testosterone supplement, the manufacturer will recommend that you cycle these products. In other words, you’ll take the product for a time, and then you’ll take a temporary sabbatical from it. Read the rest of this entry »

Guggulsterone has been cultivated for thousands of years in India and surrounding regions. Before being brought to the Western world, it was popularized in Ayurvedic medicine; now it’s a common ingredient in dietary supplements. Guggulsterone is a compound derived from the gummy resin of the gugul plant (Commiphora mukul). Traditionally, it was used as a remedy for ulcers, obesity, arthritis, and even epilepsy. Today, though, its supplemental use is largely confined to controlling weight and cholesterol. Read the rest of this entry »

When looking for a testosterone-boosting supplement, how can you decide which to choose? Here we’ll compare some key details about several of them.

Cost
One of the most notable differences among testosterone boosters is the price. Some are much cheaper than others, and if cost is a factor for you, this can be very Read the rest of this entry »

Creatine monohydrate supplements are readily available in countless nutrition and bodybuilding stores, but how do you find the right one for your training goals? Building muscle safely and rapidly is a common goal for endurance athletes, bodybuilders, and even fitness enthusiasts who want to bulk up. Creatine has long been used as a supplement to build up muscles and aid in muscle recovery after a workout; including nitric oxide (NO) and arginine in the mix can lead to more muscle gains and improved recovery. Read the rest of this entry »

A successful training and workout schedule requires consistency and persistence, but it’s also important to work through different levels and stages of challenges. The body can adapt very easily to continuous use of a given supplement and will gradually build up a resistance. Overcoming this hurdle often involves cycling your diet and supplements, such as nitric oxide (NO) boosters, so your body can make the most of each supplement combination.

Why Cycling Works

As you introduce new activities and processes into your routine, your body may react immediately to a shift, and require increasing amounts of time and support for recovery. At this level, NO supplements can be introduced with immediate results. Read the rest of this entry »

Reducing joint and muscle inflammation after a tough workout can be challenging, and many people turn to a steady diet of quality protein and complex carbohydrates to aid in recovery. Still, many bodybuilders and other athletes use nitric oxide (NO) supplements to help maximize their workouts and recover with ease. You can combine these supplements with amino acid and vitamin supplementation as a pre- or post-workout formula, and they’ll even give you a boost during your workout.

MHP TRAC Extreme-NO is a powder supplement that contains high levels of NO and other key ingredients for rapid delivery. Its patented release formula lets you get through your workout with maximum energy and enjoy the benefits of targeted release at just the right time. The B vitamins and chromium in TRAC Extreme-NO can help increase your energy and speed post-workout recovery.

NO’s Role in Bodybuilding
A necessary part of everyday cell functioning, growth, and repair, NO also plays a particularly important role during intensive workouts and bodybuilding sessions. Any stress and resistance that the body experiences increases blood circulation and enzyme breakdown. Read the rest of this entry »

The maxim “Eat for growth” is familiar to competitive bodybuilders. But what about “Cycle for growth”?

No, we aren’t talking about the Tour de France pedal-pushing crowd. In bodybuilding, cycling refers to the practice of using one or more nutritional supplements for a specified period, discontinuing them, and starting another set. Cycling is assumed to have three purposes: to optimize results in a given training phase; to prevent harmful side effects by giving the body a rest; and to overcome the body’s tolerance for the supplements. Typical supplementation cycles run between four and 12 weeks. There are hundreds of supplements available, and the choices can be dizzying. 

Supplements Can Complement Training Cycles

Whether you’re a competitive bodybuilder or you just want to have a great physique, your goal is to gain lean body mass. How much mass you can expect to gain is largely determined by training and genetics. Read the rest of this entry »

As all bodybuilders know, it isn’t always easy to get the precise ratio of the nutrients necessary for performance nutrition. Some products with high-grade protein never realize their potential because they include high-glycemic carbohydrates that cause blood sugar levels to spike. Fortunately, MHP’s Macrobolic Performance Bars can provide the protein you need for optimum muscle growth, as well as slow-releasing low-glycemic carbohydrates that keep your blood sugar levels even.

The Right Ratio

So many power bar products either shortchange users on carbs or try to boost energy by adding sugar. Luckily for bodybuilders, MHP spent three years researching and developing Macrobolic Performance Bars, basing them on the best nutrition and food science. Read the rest of this entry »