Posts Tagged: Anabolics

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Boron

The Mythology: Testosterone booster of epic proportions.

The Truth: Only good for killing cockroaches.

Research: Its hard to believe that there actually was a time when Boron was hailed as breakthrough supplement who’s time had come. Then new supplements came along and lacklustre research showed Boron the door. It keeps a low but persistent profile these days. The evidence base is awful. I wouldn’t touch it if I was you. The entire hype about Boron was orchestrated around results extrapolated from one 1987 study by Nielsen who demonstrated increased testosterone levels in post-menopausal women! Further research has demonstrated no changes in body mass, testosterone or strength when taken by bodybuilders.

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HMB

AKA: Beta-Hydroxy-Beta-Methylbutyrate

The Mythology: Anticatabolic supercompound, increases strength and muscle mass. Decreases fat.

The Truth: Noobs may benefit with minor strength gains in the lower body. Body comp changes mostly a pipe dream.

Research: HMB or beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate is a by-product of the essential amino acid leucine, proposed to influence muscle protein metabolism and cell membrane integrity.

HMB is claimed to influence strength and lean body mass1.2. by acting as an anticatabolic agent, minimizing protein breakdown and damage to cells that may occur with intense exercise. Research shows that previously untrained men may benefit from HMB supplementation, in terms of minor gains in strength.5.6. Evidence for gains in lean mass or fat loss are less awesome both in trained and untrained individuals with more nays that yeas.

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BCAA (Branched Chain Amino Acids)

AKA:Leucine, Isoleucine, Valine

The Mythology: Delays the onset of fatigue, allowing you to train harder. Like an amino acid version of Creatine. Muscles soak it up and grow huge when you take them post workout.

The Truth: Evidence for Fatigue improvement 50:50. No advantages over a pre or post workout protein shake.

Research: Amino acids are theorised to enhance performance in a variety of ways, such as increasing the secretion of anabolic hormones, modifying fuel use during exercise, preventing adverse effects of overtraining, and preventing mental fatigue.

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Chromium Picolinate

The Mythology: A barely legal anabolic agent that will have you putting on slabs of muscle in no time flat.

The Truth: A complete and utter dud. Move on folks.

Research: Over a decade of human studies with Chromium Picolonate indicate that the supplement has not demonstrated effects on the body composition of healthy individuals, even when taken in combination with an exercise training programme. Basically it’s a dud and possibly harmful.

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