MyoZene The Ultimate Muscle Protein Synthesizer

Transcription

1 Sports Supplement Review By Anssi Manninen, MHS MyoZene The Ultimate Muscle Protein Synthesizer BioQuest Pharmaceuticals first entered the field of sports nutrition after recognizing a serious need still existed for a truly effective, natural diet supplement. With a focus on innovation and relentless commitment to science-based technologies, their flagship product, Tetrazene ES- 50, has ushered in a new era in the category, while quickly becoming the fastest growing diet product in America today. It s no wonder though, because the researchers at BioQuest are the same ones who developed Xenadrine -RFA-1, which is undoubtedly one of the industry s most effective and successful fat-loss supplements of all time. Although BioQuest has demonstrated a keen knack for developing highly effective diet products, their other specialty is hardcore sports nutrition. And their newest innovation is a premier example. BioQuest s MyoZene is scientifically designed to fuel rapid muscle growth through a powerful matrix of anabolic nutrients proven to stimulate muscle protein synthesis following resistance exercise. In fact, MyoZene is the most advanced product of its kind ever formulated. This is a very important development because proper post-exercise nutrition is absolutely critical for rapid recovery and maximal muscular gains. What makes MyoZene so effective? Well, let s examine some science behind its most important ingredients. Fast-acting Di- and Tripeptides from Whey Protein Hydrolysate MyoZene contains only the highest quality hydrolyzed (pre-digested) whey protein. The hydrolysis process mimics our own digestive actions, thus making it an ideal way to process dietary protein. MyoZene s whey protein has been treated with proprietary enzymes to cut the protein into di- and tripeptides, while the superior amino acid profile of whey is left intact. The diand tripeptides from MyoZene are rapidly and effectively taken up by the gut and released into the blood without digestion. Also, MyoZene s whey protein hydrolysate increases insulin secretion and insulin increases transport of amino acids into muscle cells. Obviously, these are desirable traits for serious athletes who wish to maximize amino acid delivery to the muscle (e.g., immediately after exercise). To highlight this point, a recent study at the Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre was implemented to determine the effects different protein-containing solutions have on insulin response and amino acid availability in healthy humans. 1 Four different solutions of 600-milliliter dosages were used in this study. The glucose solution (control) contained only glucose and the three additional solutions contained the same quantity of glucose and protein, but the proteins were derived from different sources. This study indicated that: Ingestion of glucose and protein hydrolysate results in synergistic and fast increases in blood insulin. In fact, protein hydrolysates stimulated an increase in blood insulin that was two and four times greater than that produced by the intact (non-hydrolyzed) milk protein solution and glucose solution, respectively. Protein hydrolysates are absorbed at a faster rate from the small intestine than are intact milk proteins, as reflected by the rapid increase in the blood concentration of branchedchain amino acids (BCAA) in peripheral blood. Whey protein hydrolysate elicited the greatest availability of amino acids during the threehour postprandial (occurring after a meal) period. This difference was attributed to the rapid increase in blood amino acids evoked during the first 40 minutes of the digestive period, during which the increase was about 37 percent greater after the ingestion of whey protein hydrolysate solution than after ingestion of the intact milk protein solution. The authors suggested that the association of high levels of blood amino acids and insulin might explain a superiority of protein hydrolysates over intact proteins in promoting better nitrogen utilization (i.e., greater anabolism), especially when administered in combination with high-glycemic carbohydrates. Dr. Boza and co-workers compared the effects of whey protein hydrolysate to the free amino acid mixture in starved rats. 25 The experiment was designed to provide the same energy

2 intake in both groups. The parameters studied included bodyweight gain, nitrogen retention, blood amino acid concentration and muscle glutamine concentration. The results revealed that the weight gain was higher in the whey hydrolysate group than in the free amino acid group and this difference was associated with higher nitrogen retention. In addition, researchers observed that the blood and muscle glutamine concentrations were higher in rats fed the whey hydrolysate than those in rats fed the free amino acid mixture, even though the glutamine intake was higher in the latter group. The authors concluded that whey protein hydrolysate was more effective than a mixture of free amino acids in the nutritional recovery of the starved rat. MyoZene provides the correct ratio of whey protein hydrolysate and high-glycemic carbohydrates for maximal post-exercise muscle anabolism and rapid glycogen re-synthesis. A Large Dose of Extra Leucine to Boost Muscle Anabolism In addition to the high-grade hydrolysates and carbs, MyoZene is also fortified with a large dose of the key branched-chain amino acid leucine, which acts as a nutrient signal to stimulate muscle protein anabolism. After exercise, recovery of muscle protein synthesis requires dietary protein or branched-chain amino acids to increase tissue levels of leucine. 2 A wellcontrolled study by Dr. Koopman and colleagues examined post-exercise muscle protein synthesis and whole body protein balance following the combined ingestion of high-glycemic carbohydrate with or without whey protein hydrolysate and/or leucine. 3 The results revealed that the co-ingestion of leucine further increases the net protein balance, compared with carbohydrate and whey protein hydrolysate ingestion (Figure 1). The authors concluded that, The additional ingestion of free leucine in combination with protein and carbohydrate likely represents an effective strategy to increase muscle anabolism following resistance exercise. [Insert Figure 1] More recently, Dr. Crowe and co-workers investigated the effects of leucine supplementation on the exercise performance of well-trained athletes. 4 The subjects underwent testing before and after six weeks of supplementation with either leucine or placebo. The results revealed that leucine supplementation significantly improved endurance performance and upper body power. Researchers suggested that the performance-enhancing effects of leucine were likely related to a reduction in skeletal muscle damage with training and/or an increase in skeletal muscle protein anabolism. Glutamine Peptides to Prevent Immunosuppression and Anaerobic Stress MyoZene is enriched with glutamine peptides, which are absorbed more readily than free form glutamine. Glutamine is an important fuel for some cells of the immune system and may have specific immunostimulatory effects. The body s blood glutamine concentration is lower after rigorous exercise and this may contribute to impairment of the immune system. A 1997 study by Drs. Castell and Newsholme showed that glutamine supplementation after exercise had a beneficial effect on the level of subsequent infections. 7 In addition, there s some evidence that glutamine peptides protect cells from anaerobic stress in a dose-dependent fashion. However, free-form glutamine doesn t show this positive effect. Finally, glutamine peptides enhance glycogen resynthesis. 12 KIC to Decrease Muscle Protein Degradation MyoZene also contains pharmaceutical grade alpha-ketoisocaproic acid (KIC), which is a keto acid of leucine. Branched-chain keto acids (BCKAs) are very similar to branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). In fact, the only difference is the presence of a keto group instead of an amino group. Thus, BCKAs can be viewed as ammonia-free sources of BCAAs. KIC is clearly the most important BCKA and some feel there s every reason to believe that KIC will prove to be of value to serious athletes, including bodybuilders. Although leucine can be converted to KIC (transamination) and both tend to increase parallel in the blood when leucine is used, there s evidence that it has anti-catabolic (protein-sparing) properties separate from leucine. A 1984 study, published in Biochemical Journal, reported that leucine stimulated protein synthesis, but didn t reduce protein degradation when leucine transamination was inhibited. 11 Thus, the anticatabolic effects of leucine, in contrast to its anabolic effects, required its transamination. In

3 addition, KIC stimulates insulin secretion, increasing transport of amino acids into the muscle cells. Taurine to Increase Cell Hydration and to Decrease Oxidative Stress MyoZene is also fortified with taurine, the second most abundant free amino acid in muscle after glutamine. Published research indicates that it has a role in cell hydration, 24 which refers to the volume of fluid within the cell. Increasing fluid in the cell (i.e., cell volumization) has been shown to decrease protein breakdown while stimulating protein anabolism. On the other hand, a reduction in cell volume (i.e., cell dehydration) promotes protein breakdown and inhibits anabolism. Taurine supplementation has other benefits, too. A study by Dr. Zhang and colleagues evaluated the protective effects of taurine supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative stress and exercise performance. 22 Simply put, seven-day taurine supplementation resulted in a significantly reduced DNA migration after exercise and also significantly increased VO 2 max exercise time to exhaustion and maximal workload. The investigators concluded that, Taurine may attenuate exercise-induced DNA damage and enhance the capacity of exercise due to its cellular protective properties. Finally, there s recent evidence suggesting that taurine supplementation may prevent obesity by increasing resting energy expenditure. 23 LCTL to Attenuate the Biochemical and Structural Stress and to Increase Fat Utilization The MyoZene formula is further enhanced with pharmaceutical grade L-carnitine L- tartrate (LCLT). Scientific studies indicate that LCLT attenuates the biochemical and structural stress responses to high-intensity exercise. For example, a recent study by Dr. Volek and colleagues provided compelling evidence of a favorable effect of LCLT supplementation on blood flow regulation during and after moderate-intensity squat exercise, as evidenced by significantly less accumulation of markers of purine degradation, free radical formation, tissue damage and muscle soreness. 5 The authors concluded that, LCLT supplementation is effective in assisting recovery from high-repetition squat exercise. Similarly, Dr. Kraemer and co-workers reported that LCLT supplementation reduced the amount of exercise-induced muscle tissue damage, which was assessed via magnetic resonance imaging scans of the thigh. According to the authors, These data support the use of LCLT as a recovery supplement for hypoxic exercise. 6 Finally, Dr. Giamberardino and colleagues reported that L-carnitine supplementation has a protective effect against pain and damage from strenuous exercise. 14 According to the authors of this study, this effect is mainly attributed to the vasodilatation property of the carnitine (i.e., blood vessels become wider), which both improves energetic metabolism of the damaged muscle and enhances wash out of algogenic (painproducing) metabolites. In addition, LCLT may enhance fat utilization. Carnitine supplementation increases fatty acid oxidation (burning) in skeletal muscle by a mechanism that includes increasing total carnitine content in muscle mitochondria (powerhouses of the cell) and the total content of acetyl L- carnitine. 13 German Creatine to Boost Athletic Performance No post-workout formula would be complete without a high-quality creatine. MyoZene provides 100 percent pure, pharmaceutical grade German creatine monohydrate. Scientific studies have demonstrated that creatine monohydrate supplementation improves maximal power/strength (5 to 15 percent), work performed during sets of maximal-effort muscle contractions (5 to 15 percent), single-effort sprint performance (1 to 5 percent), and work performed during repetitive sprint performance (5 to 15 percent). 8 Also, there s rock-hard evidence showing that creatine monohydrate enhances muscle size responses to resistance training. For example, a recent scientific paper concluded that, Creatine supplementation [creatine monohydrate] in combination with strength training amplifies the training-induced increase in satellite cell number and myonuclei concentration in human skeletal muscle fibres, thereby allowing an enhanced muscle fibre growth in response to strength training. 9 Ingestion of

4 MyoZene results in a fast increase in blood insulin, which maximizes creatine transport into the skeletal muscle. 10 Considering the huge numbers of athletes using creatine monohydrate over the past 10 years and the absence of reported problems, it s very likely that any purported long-term adverse effects are false, exaggerated or completely unrelated. The aim of the recent study by Dr. H Schoder and colleagues was to investigate the long-term effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation on clinical parameters related to health. 19 Eighteen professional basketball players of the first Spanish Basketball League participated in this longitudinal study. The subjects ingested five grams of creatine daily during three competition seasons. Blood samples were collected five times during each of the three official competition seasons of the first National Basketball League. The authors concluded, Supplementation with creatine did not alter clinical indices related to hepatic [liver] or renal [kidney] pathology or muscle injury. In fact, the recent study by Dr. R. Santos and co-workers demonstrated that creatine supplementation reduced cell damage and inflammation after exhaustive intense exercise. 20 Finally, Dr. Greenwood and colleagues reported that the incidence of cramping or injury was significantly lower or proportional for creatine users compared with nonusers. 21 Collectively, these studies indicate that creatine is safe at normal usage levels (i.e., 5 grams four times daily for five to seven days, followed by up to 5 grams daily indefinitely). Note: Some sadly misinformed individuals have claimed that about 90 percent of ingested creatine monohydrate will be hydrolyzed to creatinine by stomach acids. True, the rate of formation of creatinine is increased in the presence of acid and therefore accelerated degradation is possible in the lower ph of the stomach. However, creatine degradation to creatinine occurs at its maximal rate at ph The degradation half-lives for the conversion of creatine to creatinine at ph values 1.4, 3.7 and 6.8 are 5.5, 7.5 and 40.5 days, respectively. 10 At these rates, less than 0.1 gram of a 5-gram dose would be lost in one hour. Thus, conversion to creatinine in the gastrointestinal tract is minimal. A High-potency Multivitamin/Mineral/Antioxidant Complex Finally, MyoZene contains a high-potency multivitamin/mineral/antioxidant complex, including high doses of vitamin C and alpha-tocopherol. A recent study demonstrated that supplementation with vitamin C and alpha-tocopherol ameliorates muscle functional decrements subsequent to strenuous exercise. 16 Also, vitamin C can reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery from muscle damage. 18 Furthermore, there s compelling evidence that vitamin C can prevent the common cold in physically active individuals; five trials found a statistically significant 45 to 91 percent reduction in common cold incidence in the vitamin C group. 15 MyoZene is enriched with sodium and potassium to facilitate effective rehydration (restoration of fluid balance) following exercise. 17 Cellular hydration promotes protein anabolism and glycogen synthesis. Bottom Line BioQuest s MyoZene is formulated from the latest, cutting-edge research, the highestgrade ingredients available, rigorous testing protocols and produced in state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. For these, and all the reasons and studies cited throughout this article, I highly recommend that every serious bodybuilder should make MyoZene post-workout recovery drink an immediate staple to your supplementation regimen. For more information on MyoZene, visit (MyoZene coming soon to Bodybulding.com store!) References: 1. Calbet JA, MacLean DA. Plasma glucagon and insulin responses depend on the rate of appearance of amino acids after ingestion of different protein solutions in humans. J Nutr, 2002 Aug;132(8): Norton LE, Layman DK. Leucine regulates translation initiation of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle after exercise. J Nutr, 2006 Feb;136(2):533S-537S.

5 3. Koopman R et al. Combined ingestion of protein and free leucine with carbohydrate increases postexercise muscle protein synthesis in vivo in male subjects. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2005 Apr;288(4):E Crowe MJ et al. Effects of dietary leucine supplementation on exercise performance. Eur J Appl Physiol, 2005 Oct 29; Volek JS et al. L-carnitine L-tartrate supplementation favorably affects markers of recovery from exercise stress. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2002 Feb;282(2):E Kraemer WJ et al. The effects of L-carnitine L-tartrate supplementation on hormonal responses to resistance exercise and recovery. J Strength Cond Res, 2003 Aug;17(3): Castell LM, Newsholme EA. The effects of oral glutamine supplementation on athletes after prolonged, exhaustive exercise. Nutrition, 1997 Jul-Aug;13(7-8): Kreider RB. Effects of creatine supplementation on performance and training adaptations. Mol Cell Biochem, 2003 Feb;244(1-2): Aagaard P. Creatine supplementation augments the increase in satellite cell and myonuclei number in human skeletal muscle induced by strength training. J Physiol, 2006 Mar 31; [Epub ahead of print]. 10. Persky AM et al. Pharmacokinetics of the dietary supplement creatine. Clin Pharmacokinet, 2003;42(6): Mitch WE, Clark AS. Specificity of the effects of leucine and its metabolites on protein degradation in skeletal muscle. Biochem J, 1984 Sep 15;222(3): van Hall G et al. The effect of free glutamine and peptide ingestion on the rate of muscle glycogen resynthesis in man. Int J Sports Med, 2000 Jan;21(1): Bacurau RF et al. Does exercise training interfere with the effects of L-carnitine supplementation? Nutrition, 2003 Apr;19(4): Giamberardino MA et al. Effects of prolonged L-carnitine administration on delayed muscle pain and CK release after eccentric effort. Int J Sports Med, 1996 Jul;17(5): Hemila H. Vitamin C supplementation and respiratory infections: a systematic review. Mil Med, 2004 Nov;169(11): Shafat A et al. Effects of dietary supplementation with vitamins C and E on muscle function during and after eccentric contractions in humans. Eur J Appl Physiol, 2004 Oct;93(1-2): Maughan RJ, Shirrefs SM. Recovery from prolonged exercise: restoration of water and electrolyte balance. J Sports Sci, 1997 Jun;15(3): Kaminksi M, Boal R. An effect of ascorbic acid on delayed-onset muscle soreness. Pain, 1992 Sep;50(3): Schroder H et al. Risk assessment of the potential side effects of long-term creatine supplementation in team sport athletes. Eur J Nut, 2005 Jun;44(4): Santos RV et al. The effect of creatine supplementation upon inflammatory and muscle soreness markers after a 30km race. Life Sci, 2004 Sep 3;75(16): Greenwood M et al. Cramping and injury incidence in collegiate football players are reduced by creatine supplementation. J Athl Train, 2003 Sep;38(3): Zhang M et al. Role of taurine supplementation to prevent exercise-induced oxidative stress in healthy young men. Amino Acids, 2004 Mar;26(2): Tsuboyama-Kasaoka N et al. Taurine deficiency creates a vicious circle promoting obesity. Endocrinology, 2006 Apr 20; [Epub ahead of print]. 24. Lourenco R, Camilo ME. Taurine: a conditionally essential amino acid in humans? An overview in health and disease. Nutr Hosp, 2002 Nov-Dec;17(6): Boza JJ et al. Protein hydrolysate vs free amino acid-based diets on the nutritional recovery of the starved rat. Eur J Nutr, 2000 Dec;39(6):