AMA FDA misrepresentation, weight training tempo, muscle weight gain

More muscle and More Sex! Part II

By: Mike Furci (mike@bullz-eye.com)

01/22/2001

Furci Home / Fitness Channel / Bullz-Eye Home

Recap

In part one of this series, we discussed an interesting product, Tribex 500. This supplement contains ingredients that have some amazing effects, the two most common and noticeable being increased testosterone levels and an increase in libido. Tribex 500 truly is an exciting supplement because the user gets an almost immediate positive feedback. In part II, we're going to discuss a supplement that is much more subtle in its effects, but perhaps of more importance to the user.

The Everyday Grind 

Stress. Unless you've been in a cave for the last 20 years or so, you've heard about the debilitating effects stress can have on the body. Many different things in our environment cause stress. Family, job, friends and money seem to be the most common. However, what many of you may not realize is that exercise is a stress on the body and even though it has some very positive effects, like all forms of stress it can deny your body vital nutrients. Plus, in extreme cases of over training, exercise can even inhibit the body's immune system.

Heavy training has been shown to cause deficiencies in essential nutrients. The two nutrients we'll deal with in this article are zinc and magnesium. Chances are that many of you who lead stressful lives and/or train hard are deficient in both of these elements.

So you have low levels of zinc and magnesium. What's the problem? Your body can still function normally and feel fine even with low levels of these vital nutrients. For instance, 70% of 250 National Football League players tested by Balco Laboratories were found to be deficient in both zinc and magnesium. These players, many of them starters for their respective teams, were obviously still able to perform at a high level and had no idea they were deficient. However, what happens to people when they get their nutrient levels back to normal is what we're concerned with.

Back to Normal

Victor Conte, nutritionist, scientist and also the executive director of Balco Laboratories, has found that even though athletes pay close attention to diet and supplementation, they still continue to be deficient in the key nutrients, zinc and magnesium. When these elements are brought back to normal levels, there is an increase of testosterone of up to 30%, along with an increase in growth hormone. 

These increases in testosterone and growth hormone are achieved when supplementing with a product developed by Balco Laboratories called ZMA, a special zinc magnesium formulation. The two elements are combined in a specific ratio and are in a form that has the highest possible absorption. I have been using this product for about a year, on and off, and have found it to be an excellent supplement. Not only do my workouts feel better, I seem to sleep better. These happen to be the most common effects among users.

Q & A 

Can't you just buy a mineral supplement from a health food store to ensure normal levels? 

Absolutely not. The main reason is the type of binders used in the manufacturing of vitamin and mineral supplements. Most manufacturers use a form of calcium as a binder. Calcium inhibits the absorption of all other minerals and trace elements by up to 70%. So you could be using a vitamin mineral supplement from a very reputable company and have very poor absorption due to the calcium filler. (By the way, fillers are not listed as one the ingredients on the label, so you won't know what filler your brand uses.) Just understand that calcium binders have been the industry standard for decades. You may want to call the manufacturer to see what types of binders are used.

Should ZMA be taken with food? 

The answer is no. For the highest absorption, mineral supplements should be taken on an empty stomach at least one hour after eating. The best time to take ZMA is at night before going to sleep.

Why does ZMA need to be taken at night? 

Muscle tissue repair and growth occurs during sleep. Our growth hormone levels are at their highest about 90 minutes after we fall asleep. Both zinc and magnesium maximize the effect of growth hormone. Zinc's properties in and of itself have a lot to due with tissue maintenance and repair. It just makes the most sense to take it at night.

Do vitamin and mineral supplements provide any insurance at all against deficiencies or imbalances? 

No. Different minerals need to be taken at different times to avoid competing for absorption. It has been shown that people with deficiencies who supplement with a multi-mineral supplement have no change in mineral levels. Even when consuming nutritious food, the elements that are contained fight for absorption.

Victor Conte seems to have found how to help our bodies be the best they can be. He has shown that athletes who supplement with ZMA have strength gains 25 times that of non-users. So if increased testosterone and growth hormone is what you want, and I'd bet it is, then ZMA should be a part of your supplement arsenal. You'll be impressed with the results.

Buyer Beware

Because of the impressive effects, there are a lot of supplement companies selling their own versions of zinc magnesium supplements. The formulation created by Balco Laboratories is very precise and is the only one that I would recommend. Most supplement companies use their own form. These knockoff products have not been shown to have the same benefits as ZMA from Balco Laboratories. 

To learn more about the benefits of mineral assessment and supplementation, call Balco Laboratories at 1-800-777-7122

To order either Tribex 500 or ZMA, call 1-800-525-1940


Not all exercises, diets or supplements are suitable for everyone. Before you begin any program, you should have permission from your doctor to participate in vigorous exercise or change of diet or to take various nutritional supplements. If you feel discomfort or pain when you exercise, do not continue. The instructions and advice presented in this article are in no way intended as medical advice or as a substitute for medical counseling. Please consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet or exercise program. The creators, producers, participants and distributors of Bullz-Eye.com and the articles contained herein disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the exercise and advice provided here.  

Got a question for Mike? Send it to mike@bullz-eye.com.