Tag: Review

AAKG (L-arginine alpha ketoglutarate) Supplement Review

One supplement you may run across is AAKG (L-arginine alpha ketoglutarate).  This one looks like a variation of the “nitric oxide booster,” marketed as something that will improve your performance.

As I’ve mentioned before, I think “NO boosters” are a complete waste of time in terms of making you bigger or stronger.  L-arginine does seem to have the potential to improve sexual health/potency (when taken with another supplement), but the hype about it building muscle should be ignored.

A recent study suggests AAKG does not improve strength or performance.  16 men (8 trained and 8 untrained) were given either 3000 mg of the supplement or a placebo 45 minutes prior to training (randomized, double-blind study).  Their one-rep max (1RM) was tested on both the bench press and leg press.  The subjects also trained with 60% of their 1RM to failure.  This test was repeated one week later.

Not surprisingly, there was a difference between the trained and untrained men in terms of strength and performance.  But the study found no differences between those taking the supplement and those taking the placebo.

Conclusion: “The results from our study indicate that acute AAKG supplementation provides no ergogenic benefit on 1RM or TLV as measured by the standard barbell bench press and leg press, regardless of the subjects’ training status.”1

This study is limited (only 16 subjects an two training sessions).  But shouldn’t an effective “pre-workout supplement” show some measurable difference?  You decide.

Reference:
1. JISSN, 2012, 9:17 Acute L-arginine alpha ketoglutarate supplementation fails to improve muscular performance in resistance trained and untrained men

 

Hoodia Review

he internet is flooded with hoodia products and ads. Researching this isn’t easy because a google search of “hoodia” produces a bunch of websites trying to sell the stuff.

Here’s the truth about Hoodia Gordoni:

Hoodia Gordoni is a very rare cactus-like plant found in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa. Tribal people have used

Hoodia Plant

it for centuries as an appetite suppressant. Researchers have isolated hoodia’s appetite suppressing ingredient—a substance called “P57.”

Sounds great so far, right? Not so fast—here are the problems:

*The hoodia plant is rare, fragile, and protected by conservation laws. You can’t collect it or grow it without a special permit.

*The before-mentioned tribal people used the hoodia flower itself. There’s no reason to believe the same appetite suppression can come from “hoodia extract” powder, especially when you consider the next fact.

*Pharmaceutical companies (most recently Unilever and Phytopharm) have spent millions trying to effectively extract P57. None have succeeded. Here’s a quote from Unilever (November 2008):

“Data suggests using the extract would not meet our safety and efficacy standards,” said Unilever global media relations director, Trevor Gorin. “We have entered talks with Phytopharm to end the partnership.”
-Quote from AP-Food Technology’s Website

If millions have been spent without success, what makes you think these fly-by-night supplement companies have managed to find an effective product?

*Phytopharm/Unilever only conducted one study of Hoodia. It was too short (15 days) and too small to (nine subjects were studied) to give us any meaningful information.

*Because these supplements are not regulated it is difficult to know exactly what you are getting when you buy one of these supplements.

Conclusion:

I believe hoodia diet pills/supplements are a complete waste of money. Even if you find a pill with genuine extract, there’s no reason to believe it would be effective. One more thing: NEVER give your credit card information for one of those “free money-back trials.”

I’d highly recommend you look into a good diet/exercise program if you are really serious about losing fat.