The following list is taken from CME (Chemical Muscle Enhancement) book.

The following is a list of items that were reported to significantly have altered fat to muscle ratios quickly. Any one or combination of these items has been successfully utilized to reduce fat stores and shredded most anyone in 28-42 day unless they were a blimp.

1.Any IGF-1 producing androgen such as Testosterone Propionate.

2.Any Testosterone stacked with any anti-estrogen (some added Primobolan Depot for more kick).

3.200 MCG of T-4 or 50 MCG of T-3 Two-days on-Two days off.

4.Clenbuterol 80-120 MCG daily, 2 days on alternated with 50 MG of Ephedrine /350 MG of Caffeine.

5.6 MG of DNP per KG of bodyweight daily for 5-10 days.

6.6 G of Linoleic Acid and 2 G of Linolenic Acid daily (Flax Seed Oil).

7.1 teaspoon of Virgin Olive Oil daily.

8.2 I.U. of GH 2-4 times daily.

9.Replace equal amount of carbohydrate calories with MCT oil (Up to 3 TBS daily).

10.Ingest 2 G of protein per pound of bodyweight daily.

11.Eat broccoli 5-6 times daily.

12.Eat 4-5 OZ. Of salmon every 3rd day.

13.Take 4 G of Glutamine per 25 LB of bodyweight daily.

14.Drink 2 gallons of water daily.

15.Take 5 G of Vitamin-C in the morning.

16.Take 20 G of Amino Acid tablets per 100 LBS of bodyweight daily
(A 250 LB bodybuilder ingested 50G daily)

17.Eat only what is on this list.

18.Have lots of sex, the best cardio there is.

19.1 MG or Arimidex and 40 MG of Nolvadex daily, 2 days on-2 days off.

20.Smile more.

21.250 MG of Cytadren 2 x d, 2 days on-2 days off.

22.(Drop water weight) 25-50 MG of Spironothiazid daily for 3 days.

23.25 ML of Glycerin in 8 OZ water in AM and before bed.

24.Trade carbohydrate calories for protein calories gram for gram.


----------------------------end of list----------------------------------------------------------

Taken from the book: Chemical Muscle Enhancement and Building the Perfect Beast by Author L Rea


Diuretics


The use of diuretics in competitive bodybuilding is nothing new. Since Rich Gaspari showed striated glutes in the mid-1980's, diuretics have become a common phase in contest prep. Even after Mohammad Benaziza passed out and later died in 1992 due to complications from severe dehydration, athletes still utilize these drugs to rid their bodies of excess water.

The idea is to suck as much water as possible from under the skin to create the "dry" look and further enhance the visual effects of very low body fat levels. Though effective, the practice of using diuretics is also very dangerous. Diuretic misuse can result in electrolyte imbalances and excessive dehydration triggering congestive heart failure. It only takes one mistake and results are final: DEATH! (No re-do's on this one)

We will discuss some common diuretic drugs used individually as this section progresses. However, a basic break-down of these drugs can be listed in three groups or classifications:

1. Potassium Sparing Diuretics

Potassium sparing diuretic drugs are often said to be the safest. Though I do not necessarily agree. Drugs such as Aldactone and Aldactazide are examples of this group and they act as Aldosterone antagonist.

Aldosterone is the hormone the body uses to regulate water retention endogenously. In short, for now, Aldosterone elevation equals water retention/elevation. Since potassium-sparing diuretics work by inhibiting the activity of Aldosterone, the result is greater sodium and water excretion, and increased potassium retention. Problems arise when athletes ingest additional potassium without the guidance of a doctor daring use of these drugs.

Some users assume muscle cramps are due to imbalances of other electrolytes in all but the rarest cases. Supplementation with over the counter potassium products during use can result in heart attack. Personally I disliked the anti-androgen effect of these drugs. Some athletes experience gyno during use and assume it is due to estrogenic activity. They often increase diuretic dosages assuming "with estrogen comes water".

Since potassium sparing diuretics require 7-14 days to provide maximum results, dosages can again be easily misjudged. I believe they are not all that safe.

2. Thiazide Diuretics

Thiazide diuretics act upon the kidneys to stimulate urine production. This can also result in excessive loss of sodium chloride, bicarbonate, and potassium ions. It is common practice to increase supplemental potassium intake during Thiazide use. Normal reference ranges for potassium are:

*

Serum=3.5-5.1 m Eq/L

*

Plasma (heparin) =3.5-4.5 mEq/L

For those under medical care. Maxide, Hydrodiuril are common brands of Thiazide diuretics and hydrachlorothiazide is a generic chemical name for popular Thiazide.

3. Loop Diuretics

Loop diuretics such as furosemide and ethacrynic acid are actually double trouble. They have a two level approach to ridding the body of endogenous water.

First they act upon the kidneys like Thiazide diuretics to stimulate urine production. Obviously, this can result in excessive loss of sodium chloride, bicarbonate, and potassium as well.

Second, loop diuretics negatively affect an area of the kidneys called the "Loop of Henle". This double action places a severe strain on kidneys already dealing with high dosages of certain anabolic/androgenic steroids and below normal water insertion as in a pre-contest period.

These are probably the most dangerous diuretic drugs. But use was restricted to 1-3 days in most cases. Common brands of loop diuretics are Lasix and Bumex.

As replacements there are save products that eliminate water in 10 hours.

Diureatics and High Blood Pressure

Diuretics are commonly prescribed for individuals with high blood pressure. Whereas 120 over 80 is considered normal for average individuals 160 over 100 is not unusual for a large athlete. Simply said, bigger people have greater circulatory needs and a larger more powerful heart to supply this. The heart is a muscle of course. This is not to say that this is an optimum or even healthy BP of course. Just that it is not all that uncommon.

When athletes utilize anabolic/androgenic steroids that aromatize to estrogens, the production of the water balance hormone Aldosterone is affected as well. When Aldosterone is elevated, the body excretes more potassium but spares sodium and water. The result is a greater full body water content. Including within the vascular system.

More water in the vascular system results in increased total volume and pressure. (Which is the balloon faced look explanation) This in turn places severe strain on the heart. Individuals with high blood pressure resulting from anabolic/androgenic steroid use must control the problem. For this reason, it is not unusual for AAS users to also include low dose diuretic use during cycles as a means of controlling blood pressure.

It is absolutely paramount that athletes replace the water excreted by drinking an increased level of fluids. During mass cycles, Gatorade-like sports electrolyte drinks are excellent for this purpose due to the 6% glucose / electrolyte solution.


end

This post has been edited by plumuscle: Oct 5 2007, 02:15 AM

Glycerol


Glycerol is similar in structure to alcohol and is found in fat stores in the body. In fact a triglyceride is a 3 fatty acid chain attached to a glycerol molecule and makes up about 95% of body fat stores. Get the idea that the body deals well with Glycerol?

A much smaller amount of Glycerol is present in body fluids. This means it is present throughout the body's tissues. Supplemental Glycerol-loading increases fluid concentration in blood and muscle in a sort of hyperhydration that lasts for hours. The result is that the water will not be removed until the excess Glycerol is broken down.

If Glycerol-loading is applied to the salt/Aldosterone/water strategy for pre-contest preparation, the result is an increase in muscle fullness and vascularity due to increased fluid volume. Since Glycerol has no effect upon Aldosterone secretion, this can be a real plus because it therefore aids in pulling excess water from subcutaneous areas and into the blood.

For some individuals, this works very well. The usual protocol calls for 10-20 ML of Glycerol 3 times daily on the last day of water/salt intake pre-contest. The alternative approach calls for 10 ML of Glycerine in 8 oz. of water with 50 grams dextrose and 5 grams of creatine 4 times in a 6 hour period ending 24 hours before show time.

It creates a slightly leaner appearance and provides a noticeable training endurance increase in hot weather. Great pumps, too!


end

Salt: The Pre-Contest Nutrient


Since we are discussing diuretics and water retention it only seems logical to dispel another pre-contest myth as well. Salt is a bodybuilders friend, not enemy, pre-contest. Many bodybuilders eliminate sodium like an ex-spouse at a honeymoon assuming the result will be the coveted "dry look" on contest day.

When salt intake is reduced, a series of "dry look" nemesis arise. Salt contains sodium, and to a lesser degree potassium in the form of potassium iodide. When salt/sodium is reduced or eliminated from the diet the result is increased Aldosterone release. This makes the body excrete more potassium and hold more sodium/water. The resulting water retention gives the athlete a puffy wet look. This is due to electrolyte imbalances.

Reduced salt intake also negatively effects the all important sodium-potassium pump. This is the mechanism the body uses to shuttle many nutrients into cells like those that all muscle fibers are composed of. (Gee, ya think?) This would therefore inhibit creatine and some amino acid structures from adequately transporting, as well as inhibit glycogen synthesis.

If the salt content is reduced in muscles so is the water content. This means catabolism, flat muscles come show time, and a lack of vascularity. (It would inhibit erectile function also, but that is another issue all together.)

The body has three major areas it stores water and there is an actual hierarchy. The order of importance is:


The Body's Water Hierarchy


*

The most important water store is in blood and the vascular system. Without adequate water in the vascular system blood volume is compromised, and if severe enough, the result is death. So this rates a big number one in the water store hierarchy.
*

The second on the big three list is muscle tissue. Water is required within all muscle tissues, both smooth and fibrous, to support life sustaining metabolic processes.
*

The last area of importance for water storage is subcutaneous (under the skin) areas. For those who have not been paying attention, this is the area that a bodybuilder wants to eliminate as much water from as possible the day of a show. The results are a "make-it or break-it" issue. So how do we do it? Piece of cake! (But not during contest dieting!)

The key to subcutaneous water control depends upon control of the hormone Aldosterone. Obviously estrogen control is part of this hormone cascade action/reaction factor. But, our main focus is salt and water control, so Aldosterone is the key.

Beginning 15 days out from a show, an athlete should increase salt intake 20-30%. This of course means salt intake was never reduced to begin with. The amount must remain reasonably high and steady each day. This creates an environment in which the body does not have to release Aldosterone. This causes salt to stay in muscle tissue and the subsequent attraction of water stores there. Also, the all important maintaining of the sodium-potassium pump is accommodated as well. (During diet phases, this also reduces catabolism.)

During the 15 day period, water intake must absolutely remain high. 1.5-2.0 gallons daily is a base line in fact. This helps your body excrete any extra sodium, which of course it will, because Aldosterone secretion in the body has been controlled by elevated salt intake/water intake. The body will continue to dump all excess water and sodium as long as this is followed.

On the Friday night before a Sunday AM show, the athlete stops water intake. The body thinks it will still get the 1.5-2.0 gallons of water daily and continues to excrete water at its normal rate. This causes a decrease in blood volume and of course muscle water volume. Remember the body's water hierarchy? Well, as a survival response or reaction, the body gives up water from the area of least importance as a means of compensation.

Yup, you got it. Subcutaneous water is pumped into blood and muscles. The result is vascularity, full muscle bellies, and paper-thin skin.

end

Taken from Chemical Muscle Enhancement book by Author L Rea


Thyroid Hormones


Thyroid hormones were most likely one of the most misunderstood and underrated drug groups in the bodybuilder's so-called arsenal. Based upon personal experiences, they certainly increased the rate and efficiency of fat loss during diet periods. And they acted synergistically to increase the rate of lean tissue growth during mass gaining periods....if used correctly.


Notes POSTIVE Effects Of Thyroid


*

Increased protein synthesis rate.
*

Increased rate of fat oxidation.
*

Increased sensitivity of receptors for androgens, Insulin, GH, IGF-1, PGE-1, PGF-2, Clenbuterol, Ephedrine, Creatine, and others.
*

Increased metabolization of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and micronutrients.
*

Increased metabolic rate and calories expenditure.
*

Enhanced oxygen consumption by most body tissues.
*

Improved recovery time.




Notes NEGATIVE Effects Of Thyroid (excessive dosages)


*

Loss of lean mass tissue.
*

Increased heart rate and palpitations.
*

Insomnia.
*

Diarrhea.
*

Vomiting.

Thyroid hormones govern the body's metabolic rate. This means that the metabolism of nutrients and subsequent cellular utilization or storage rate is dependent upon blood circulatory thyroid hormone levels. Higher levels result in elevated over all metabolic rate providing that other metabolic factors are accommodated also.


Thyroid Hormones & Calorie Expenditure


Those who are familiar with, or have read the section on DNP are aware of the term "oxidative phosphorylation". This is a process by which cells/mitochondria convert ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate) into ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). Basically this means adding another phosphate molecule to ADP so that it can be converted back into the body's energy/ATP. But the term keeps kids flunking biology anyway. DNP makes cells waste calories and burn fat by "uncoupling" the oxidative phosphorylation process and making it less efficient, even when at rest.

Thyroid hormones are powerful uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation. However this is a different method of action than that induced by DNP. Thyroid hormones increase cell/mitochondrial substrate oxidation by effecting both cytochrome-C reducers and cytochrome-C oxidizers. This increases metabolic rate and substrate (nutrient/food) use as fuel for either ATP or heat production. Heat production by a cell is referred to as thermalgenesis, in this case the conversion of fat into heat. Though other substrates such as glucose/glycogen can be used for heat production also under adverse conditions.


Thyroid Hormones & Fat Oxidation


Fat oxidation or thermalgenesis involves the conversion of fat calories into heat. In the case of thermalgenesis caused by thyroid hormones it is due to "special uncoupling proteins" found in fat, muscle, and organs called UCP-3. Two things before we continue here. First UCP-3 stands for uncoupling protein -3 (big deal) and "special" refers to "specific", not "special" like the weirdo we all dated once and tried to explain later.

When UCP-3 is increased, the calorie expenditure through thermalgenesis increases. But decreases will result in an increase in fat stores. As example, supraphysiological T-3 levels increase UCP-3 600 % and below normal levels results in a 300 % decrease. This is why calorie restricted diets significantly decrease in results after 2-4 weeks. The body down-regulates thyroid hormone production to save calories and reduce calorie expenditure as heat. The result is less UCP-3 and slower metabolism.

Thermalgenesis and oxidative phosphorylation uncoupling is the reason athletes used synthetic thyroid hormones during calorie restricted or diet phases. The individuals were able to ingest more calories than normal while still burning fat. It should be noted that a minimum of 2 grams of protein per pound of body weight was ingested daily during exogenous thyroid hormone use to prevent excessive muscle catabolism or loss.

Athletes commonly stacked adrenalgenic beta-agonist drugs like Clenbuterol, Ephedrine/Norephedrine, or Fenoterol to increase UCP-3 levels and act synergistically with thyroid hormones to favor fat oxidation and reduce muscle loss. DNP was another option commonly used as well. Obviously, anabolic/androgenic steroids, Insulin, GH, and other growth enhancement drugs were commonly stacked with thyroid hormones too.


Thyroid Hormones Are Anabolic


Many athletes were not aware of the fact that thyroid hormones are a true form of absolute anabolic. The usual method of employment for thyroid hormones was during pre-contest periods. Obviously, this is because increased thyroid hormone levels means elevated metabolic rate and resulting increased calorie expenditure or use. This explanation itself suggests the noted anabolic potential.

Thyroid hormones govern or regulate our metabolic-rate or metabolism. Metabolic rate is the speed or rate at which all chemical and physical processes occur. This is true of every living cell in our bodies. This means that the rate of nutrient metabolism, absorption, and utilization is vastly dependent upon thyroid hormones.

In fact the levels of thyroid hormones in our body determines if the food we eat is stored as adipose (fat) tissue, utilized for regeneration and building, or burned as heat /energy. How often have you heard some whale claim "it's glandular" as they stuff another box of donuts in their mouth? In some cases it is actually the truth. So fix it!! Low thyroid hormone levels slow the healing/growth process while increasing fat stores. Overly high thyroid hormone level results in tissue catabolism or wasting.

But thyroid hormone levels matched to nutrient supply and demand were commonly considered to be seriously anabolic. Remember, training and chemical muscle enhancement protocols created a massive nutrient demand. If thyroid hormone levels are too low, no amount of calories will be an adequate supply simply because they are not metabolized at the necessary rate. This is why athletes often got needlessly big-time fat. They ate to keep up with major muscle chemistry, but failed to provide a metabolic rate to match.


Why Are Thyroid Hormones Anabolic


Thyroid hormones trigger the release of fat stores so other cells can convert the long chain triglycerides (fat) into heat, energy, ATP. By increasing ATP, muscle cells are better able to regenerate, and do so at an increased rate. Thyroid hormones increase creatine transport and increase androgen/GH/IGF-1/IGF-2 receptor-site sensitivity. Thyroid hormones increase the rate of nutrient metabolism, absorption, and utilization.

Gee, sounds like the perfect growth environment to me when considering the fact that growing children do this naturally so well. It also meant major chemical muscle enhancement synergy for those whom reported use.

Many would be surprised to realize how many top bodybuilders remained "on cycle" with thyroid hormones all year long. This allowed maximum growth and recovery rates while preventing excessive fat accumulation even in the very brief "off season". The difference in diet and mass phases was dosage, though some altered the term dosage to mean "available". Why did they include thyroid hormones in their mass stacks?

Thyroid hormones can have a re-partitioning effect upon body composition or muscle-to-fat ratio. As example were the many athletes whose weight was 250 LBS but only 10% bodyfat when total daily circulating thyroid hormone levels were elevated 10-50%. This would be due to thyroid hormone activity inducing improved nutrient metabolization and cellular efficiency combined with other hormone synergy. Of course, this is what "Absolute Anabolic Phases" were all about. But those who read about "Frank N. Steroid" already know about this effect and how it was created.


Natural Thyroid Hormones Production In Humans


The thyroid is a part of the endocrine system. The endocrine system monitors and manufactures or synthesizes many hormones and hormone-like substances. For this reason, the endocrine system and its sub-systems have many built in "checks and balances" to assure proper substance ratio or synergy. It is no surprise that thyroid functions are no exception.

*

Endogenous thyroid hormone production begins when neuro-input tells the hypothalamus to synthesize an release Thyroptropin -Releasing -Hormone. (TRH)
*

TRH stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to release or secrete Thyroid-Stimulating-Hormone (TSH) (also referred to as Thyrotropin on some lab chem. Panels)
*

When TSH contacts its receptor-sites located throughout the thyroid gland a series of enzymic reactions occur using tyrosine and iodine as substrates or raw materials to produce and/or release L-Thyroxine (T-4). This is then released into the vascular system so it can circulate. It should be noted that T-4 is an active form of thyroid hormone.
*

The active T-4 circulating in the vascular system merges with receptors and triggers metabolic activity; but when it reaches the liver it is changed into the more active thyroid hormone L-Triiodothyronine (T-3) by an enzyme called 5-deiodinase. T-3 is about 5 times more active than T-4. The newly formed T-3 is released into the vascular system where it may contact and merge with cellular receptors which initiates all the metabolic activity discussed earlier.



Feedback Mechanisms & Feedback Loops


Of course the thyroid does not simply produce T-4 continuously. This is due to the "checks and balances" nature included called "feedback-mechanisms". In the care of thyroid function the feedback-mechanism or loop involves the hypothalamus (secretes TRH), pituitary gland (secretes TSH), thyroid gland (secretes T-4), and the liver (converts T-4 into T-3).

A feedback-mechanism or loop can trigger the release of another hormone (positive feed-back), or inhibit its release (negative feed-back) thus maintaining that balance. This means high levels of T-4 or T-3 initiate a negative feed-back loop that tells the hypothalamus to produce less TRH, and low levels of T-4 or T-3 initiate a positive feed-back loop that tells the hypothalamus to produce more TRH.

*

Individuals reported the utilization of doctor prescribed blood tests for their personal average thyroid hormone levels before, during, and after thyroid drug administration as a means of base line dosage requirements and assessment.
*

Thyroid gland function also regulates calcitonin which combats elevated levels of calcium.
*

The normal thyroid gland (human) contains about 200 MCG of T-4, and 15 MCG of T-3 per gram)
*

About 80% of circulatory T-3 comes from Monodeiodination (T-4 to T-3 liver conversion) of T-4.
*

It should be noted that only "free" or unbound thyroid hormones are active and the bound form is not. When reviewing blood test results and reference ranges this is an important factor to assess. The human body normally produces about 76 MCG/daily of T-4 and 26 MCG/daily of T-3. A mid-range test result/reference would express these approximate averages. Over 99% circulating hormones are bound. Thyroid Binding Globulin (TBg) Thyroid binding pre albumin (TBPA) and albumin (TBA).




Healthy Thyroid Hormone Reference Ranges

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Serum/Plasma 2-10 M U/L

T-4 (L-Thyroxine) Total serum 65-155 NMOL/L

T-4 (L-Thyroxine) Free Serum 0.8-2.4 NG/DL (or) 10-31 PMOL/L

TBG (Thyroxine Binding Globulin ) Serum 15.0-34.0 MG/L

T-3 (L-Triiodothyronine) Serum 100-200 NG/DL (or) 1.54-3.08 MMOL/L

T-3 (L-Triiodothyronine) Serum 260-480 PG/DL (or) 4.0-7.4 PMOL/4L

Notes Of Interests

*

According to researchers, calorie restricted periods that provide less than 2 grams of complete protein per pound of bodyweight daily during thyroid drug administration usually resulted in weight loss consisting of 75% fat and 25 % muscle in most cases.
*

The 5-deiodinase enzyme activity necessary for liver conversion of T-4 into T-3 requires adequate levels of zinc and selenium. During calorie restricted periods lasting more than 2-3 weeks T-4 conversion to the more active T-3 decreases dramatically greatly reducing fat loss. Adequate zinc intake and absorption prevents the decline in 5-deiodinase that causes this negative by about 67% and adequate selenium levels prevents the decline by about 47%. Obviously both in sufficient amounts are best.
*

Thyroid hormones were commonly cycled with Insulin, AAS, GH, IGF-1, PGF-2, Ephedrine, Clenbuterol, and other drugs by athletes.

List Of Various Thyroid and Thyroid Enhancing Drugs

Armour

Guggulsterones

Triacana

Cytomel

Synthroid

T-2

Forskolin


end

This post has been edited by plumuscle: Oct 5 2007, 02:14 AM

Taken from the Book: Chemical Muscle Enhancement by Author L Rea

Creatine (Methylgluanido-Acetic Acid)


Creatine is a nitrogenic compound naturally manufactured in the liver from the three amino acids Methionine, Arginine, and Glycine and is transported to the muscles via the circulatory system. Creatine is transformed into phosphocreatine and is stored in the muscle. (Also called Creatine Phosphate or CP) The conversion of Creatine to C.P. is aided by the enzyme Creatine Kinase (CK) in bonding the Creatine to a high energy phosphate group. Once C.P. is stored in a cell, it remains until it is used as a high energy source called Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP).

Normally the body produces about 1-2 grams of Creatine daily, and of course, metabolizes about 2 grams daily also. The average person stores over 100 grams of Creatine in muscle tissue and in the liver. When C.P. is utilized in natural ATP regeneration, one of the by-products is called Creatinine which is then removed by the kidneys and eliminated in urine. Since Creatinine levels are checked as an indicator of proper kidney function (and as a stress indicator for the heart) one might assume supplemental Creatine would place undue stress on the kidneys.

This just is not the case. In fact, a 5 year study showed no negative side effects from continuous Creatine supplementation. Pretty cool, huh? Creatine is also absorbed form animal and fish protein. In fact, I pound of red meat contains about 2 grams.

Loading phases (contrary to the belief of some half-experts) are very important to bodybuilders and strength athletes when using any supplemental creatine product. The goal is to raise muscle creatine concentrations to a supraphysiological level as quickly as possible. If the creatine product is simply ingested at a daily so-called maintenance dosage the result will be an action/reaction type response in which the body down-regulates CP storage enzyme secretion thus limiting the actual possible muscle cell CP hyper-concentration (total muscle cell CP content).

Since ATP is the basis of all growth, and CP is the basis of ATP regeneration, does the elimination of a loading-phase seem maximum progress goal oriented? This increases nitrogen retention and creates an osmotic effect within muscle cells. You have often read about cell volumization in every creatine ad. If a bodybuilder is using creatine stores as fast as they come in, how can a supraphysiological (above normal concentration) saturation exist? Duh! Load first.

All AAS increase nitrogen retention and testosterone tends to notably create an even greater osmotic effect. Both facets increase protein synthesis and strength. Nitrogen retention is anabolic simply because amino acids are not exiting muscle cells. They therefore are available for repair and growth instead of exiting or becoming an energy source.

Osmotic reactions simply mean there is an elevated level of intracellular nutrients, including water, available. The way an osmotic response effects or induces an elevation in strength is basic physics. Try benching on a waterbed. (No, I mean weights) There is little in the way of structural integrity. Now, if you filled that waterbed with much more water, thus creating a firmer structure, the ability of it and you to support and leverage a higher weight load will improve. The osmotic effect is not simply water retention. It is an increase intracellularly (inside muscle cells) of growth nutrients, including C.P., for increased cellular repair and growth.

If it were outside of the cells, you would be very smooth, but this is not the case. Strength increases from proper Creatine supplementation range from 5-10% and body weight increases (over a 2 month cycle) range from 3-10%. This means a bodybuilder that weighs 200 LBS and bench presses 200 LBS for 10 reps max can realistically expect to weigh 206-220 LBS and bench press 210-220 LBS for 10 reps by the end of a 2 month cycle. Results from any following Creatine cycles tend not to be as impressive as first time cycles. Unfortunately about 20% of Creatine users do not respond to Creatine. This is usually due to an inability to get the Creatine into muscle cells. But there is a solution ..... Read on.


Creatine Monohydrate (CM) - The Supplement


This is the most common form of Creatine in the supplement industry. CM contains about 850-880 MG of free Creatine per 1000 MG of weight. When loading on C.M., daily intake will total .3 grams per kilo of bodyweight (a 220 LB bodybuilder would need 30 G per day for 5 days -100 KG x 0.3 =30 G) divided into 3-5 daily dosages, followed by a daily maintenance dosage of 5-15 GMS.

C.M. dissolves much better in warn water and about 16 OZ per 5 GMS is a must. Simple fact is if it does not dissolve, it does not absorb. Undissolved C.M. crystals tend to cause intestinal irritations, and in some cases, the runs. This is due to the body's need to flood the intestinal tract with excess water to flush out the irritant. Try that on a heavy squat day!

The highest purity is a must when buying creatine products. Many brands utilize SKW Creatine (now Tracolabs), which is manufactured in Germany. When tested by HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography) method, SKW creatine usually ranges between 99.5-99.8% pure Creatine Monohydrate. The by-product content is usually Dieyandiamide-20ppm, Creatinine-50 ppm, and Dihydrotriazine-n.d. (none detected).

Ppm stands for parts per million. USA produced Creatine normally ranges in purity from 80-95% pure Creatine with by-product contents of Dicyandianmide 300-400-ppm, Creatinine 190-2500-ppm, and Dihydroltriazinde 90-410-ppm. Don't even think about China's Nanjing or Jeangsu produced Creatine. Purity ranges from 50-70% pure Creatine with other interesting things. Look for the Creapure R registered trade mark on Creatine Products. It means SKW manufactured Creatine.

There are other forms of Creatine. Creatine Citrate is very water soluble but requires twice the amount to equal the same amount of Creatine Monohydrate. Creatine Phosphate is another option but cost to effectiveness makes the product less effective than Creatine Monohydrate.

Many people have tried the second generation creatine products. These are products containing other nutrients to increase muscle cell absorption of C.P. There is a direct correlation between the amount of Creatine absorbed (not merely ingested) and results. At one time, the market was flooded with products containing Dextrose (glucose) and Creatine. They did improve cellular absorption to some extent. The reason is Insulin. (Yes, go back and read the whole section on Insulin again)

Okay, Insulin is a storage hormone. When the body senses excess blood sugar (Glucose), the pancreas releases Insulin to force it into cells including muscle tissue. So by utilizing a high glycemic carb such as Dextrose, an Insulin spike is created and more carbs and amino acids enter cells. Oh, did I mention Creatine is an amino acid? The idea helped, but the problem is timing. After ingesting Creatine, blood circulatory levels peak at about 90 minutes.

So what? After ingesting Dextrose, circulatory levels peak and cause an Insulin spike after about 30 minutes, and is on the down side when the peak levels of Creatine arrive.

The third generation of Creatine products employed natural Insulin optimizers (they make Insulin receptors more sensitive in muscle tissue) and mimickers. The first real break through was the Insulin mimicker... ALFA LIPOIC ACID.

Alfa Lipoic Acid? Without writing an ad for anybody, let me simply say that Lipoic Acid increases receptor site sensitivity while also mimicking Insulin's actions. Though my choice for micro-nutrient of the year award for maximum creatine transport without an increase in bodyfat synthesis would be 4-hydroxy- Isoleucine. Major potential here!

For Creatine supplementation to result in an increase in strength and protein synthesis, the cellular concentration level must reach 20 MMOL/KG DM. During a 5 day loading periods with a high glycemic carbohydrate such as Dextrose and Creatine, the level reaches MMOL/KG DM. When Creatine levels increase in muscle cells, the active Creatine transporters are down-regulated, so less Creatine is transported. This could be avoided if the Creatine is fortified with the Creatine substrate 3-guanidinopropionate.

Second, Creatine cannot be diffused across the muscle cell membrane without the co-transports of sodium and chloride ions to cause enough electrical charge to transport the Creatine. (Table salt) Other up-regulators of Creatine transport are Clenbuterol and Ephedrine as well as T-3 thyroid hormone. These are quite potent transporters to say the least. Of course, Insulin (Humulin) and IGF-1 are very effective Creatine transporters.

Though Dextrose is an excellent trigger for Insulin release there is a higher glycemic carbohydrate. Malt extracts contain a mixture of maltodextrins, glucose, and dextrose which are made of glucose chains of 3-7 gycosyl units. And guess what? The small intestines absorb glucose chains containing 3-7 gycosyl units much faster than dextrose. This means a higher and stronger Insulin spike. So barley malt extract or maltodextrin is a better carb choice and can be utilized in lower levels than 75 GMs per dose. Whey protein also creates an Insulin spike which can prolong the spike from high glycemic carbs.

By the way, caffeine intake over 400 MG daily, as well as the isoflavone genistein in soy protein inhibit creatine transport. Genistein inhibits tyrosine kinases which is necessary for nutrient transport.

The body has 3 periods when creatine uptake is highest: After a nights sleep, the body is in a fasted stated due to a period of natural GH pulses (about half of your daily total GH production is released during the first 4 hours of sleep) and a prolonged period without nutrients. This results in an up-regulation of nutrient transporters and enzymes which favor intramuscular uptake of nutrients, including Creatine.

When Creatine is ingested 45-90 minutes before a work-out, an athlete can take advantage of the training induced increases in blood flow to muscle tissue to transport essential nutrients across muscle cell membranes. (This also acts as a buffer to lactic acid) Since high intensity work-outs trigger the release of adrenal hormones such as Epinephrine and Norepinephrine, the cellular uptake of nutrients is improved. Remember, Ephedrine increases cellular uptake? Well Ephedrine is an Epinephrine Mimicker.

Within the first 45-90 minutes following an intense work-out, the body is in a very nutrient receptive state. Heavy training reduces muscle glycogen stores (glycogen comes from blood sugars such as carbs) and receptor-sites for nutrients become sensitive. This means the body is in a catabolic state requiring nutrient supply. Several storage enzymes are up- regulated and creatine (CP) levels are lower which of course means intramuscular nutrient storage ability is at a high level. It also means the muscle cells need ATP regeneration.

So what was the best Creatine mixture currently available?

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16-32 OZ of water
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5-10 G of Creatine
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250-500 MG of salt
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50 G of Malt Extract
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25 MG of Ephedrine



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300 MG of Lipoic Acid and/or 50 MG of D-Pinitol
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A source of 3-guanidinopropionate
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4-25 G of Glutamine
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30 G-50 G of whey protein
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1 MG of Triacana




Creatine & Muscle Hyperplasia


How many times have you heard some gym supplement expert say that the weight gained from creatine is just water? Well, researchers wrote an interesting paper concerning creatine called: Dangott, B. Schulz, E. Mozdziak, P.E. "Dietary Creatine Monohydrate supplementation increases satellite cell mitotic activity during compensatory hypertrophy" in International Journal of Sports Medicine 21:13-16,2000. What the heck is that, huh?

Satellite-cells are the "stem cells" of skeletal muscle which the body utilizes to produce or add new cells and fibers to existing cells. This means satellite-cells are used to: (1) Repair damaged muscle fibers from training (2) To add cells to existing fibers to make them larger (3) To form new muscle fibers through an action called muscle fiber hyperplasia. These researchers cut off the soleus and gastrocnemius (calve) muscle on a bunch of rats, then split them into two groups.

One group received a creatine/glucose/water mixture and the other did not. Then they exercised the poor rodents in a manner that the plantaris leg muscles had to compensate for the missing calve muscles. In both groups, the plantaris showed significant hypertrophy (growth). But the creatine/dextrose supplemental group showed much higher satellite-cell activity. In simple terms, the creatine appears to have increased hyperplasia and total muscle cell numbers.

So what? Okay, go read "Growth Hormone" and come back. So, this supports idea that Creatine Supplementation increased the actual muscle mass on a very important level. More cells, more fibers, bigger muscles.

If you have been reading so far with a close eye upon anabolism (muscle growth) you will already realize the connection between CP, ATP, Anabolic/Androgenic steroids, Growth Hormone, Insulin, thyroid hormones, IGF-1, prohormones, and Creatine. Each is tied to the other by the actions of ATP and cellular CP levels. When a bodybuilder does a heavy set, intracellular ATP levels decrease. (Remember, muscle contractions depend on available ATP) As the work-out continues, ATP is further depleted. Another adaptive response to training is the up-regulation of androgen receptors.

Simply stated, for several hours after training, your muscle cells have more androgen receptors than they did before training. This allows a greater amount of androgens, (whether naturally produced endogenously, or provided from exogenous sources such as steroids and prohormones) to enter the cell and signal anabolism. Unfortunately due to depleted ATP levels, the cell lacks the "energy" to do its thing. This results in low anabolism, or at least much less than would occur with higher ATP stores.

This in part explains why Methyltestosterone and Oxandrolone made any reported AAS cycle much more effective. Methyltestosterone increases 3-guanidinopropionate and Oxandrolone increases CP synthesis.

Another example is GH and IGF-1. When GH finds a GH receptor-site on a muscle cell, it triggers IGF-1 release within the cell (or from the liver if the GH activates IGF-1 production there) and a high level of anabolism results. But not if ATP/CP levels are low. This is one of the reasons why, during dieting, it is difficult to increase muscle anabolism. GH works anabolically, only with high calories because high calories increase ATP production, and anabolism depends on ATP for an energy source. Anabolism is hard work.

Again, this is why most anabolic/androgenic steroids work only in an environment of high calories. Every muscle fiber contains satellite-cells just waiting to join the fibers so the fibers can grow thicker and stronger. More cells, more fibers and thicker fibers, means more cell/fibers to grow. Creatine Monohydrate is an exogenous source of CP which increases ATP production.

I have noted that dieting bodybuilders not using Creatine lose bodyweight more quickly. Yet they also lose much more lean muscle mass as well. Those who used a T-3 thyroid hormone also had higher creatine stores, and those using Creatine supplementation with T-3 had the highest creatine stores.

I have also noted that those using a fast acting glycemic carb, whey protein, creatine drink only after training and during diet phases lost more bodyfat yet actually gained lean muscle mass. Those who used the mixture of whey, Creatine, D-Pinitol, Triacana, Ephedrine, and Maltodextrin, looked much harder and fuller. So what do you think of Creatine now?

end

This post has been edited by plumuscle: Oct 5 2007, 02:12 AM

At the very least, state the author of the article
http://bodybuilding.com/fun/author22.htm

may i ask, to whom u wanto give the credit for writting up the above article?

fren , u could hav put all topics under Pre-contest preparation right ?

yeah i can do that.,.but then it will be very long. so by posting different topic on pre-contest it may not be so boring for some.

anyway thanks for the feed back,

i have more articles coming under one Topic.

all the articles are from CME (Chemical Muscle Enhancement) from Author L Rea.

forgot that.

g

It's from Chemical Muscle Enhancement by Author L Rea

u can put different articles under spoiler , and PLS state where u quote it, the author deserves the credit...

I've merged your threads together as they're all from the same book covering the same bigpicture, feel free to rename your thread as you see fit, don't spam threads out like that next time. It floods the first page with your threads and monopolizes the first page everytime they get a post in.

Also, for future reference and (if you have any posts already requiring editing), every time you copy and paste from another website, book, etc you MUST credit the author your post.

This post has been edited by malaysianPotato: Oct 5 2007, 01:08 PM

thanks for the merge ..but how do i separate the topics since i want them to be reflected as different category like creatine, pre-contest preparation and so on.