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Chemical Compounds

• Chromium Picolinate

  Chromium picolinate is the chemical compound that is sold as a nutritional supplement to prevent or treat chromium deficiency. This bright-red coordination complex is derived from chromium(III) and picolinic acid. Small quantities of chromium are needed for glucose utilization by insulin in normal health, but deficiency is extremely rare and has only been observed in hospital patients on long-term defined diets. No biochemical basis for the human body's need for chromium has been identified. Some commercial organizations promote chromium picolinate as an aid to body development for athletes and as a means of losing weight. But a number of studies have failed to demonstrate an effect of chromium picolinate on either muscle growth or fat loss. There are claims that the picolinate form of chromium supplementation aids in reducing insulin resistance, particularly in diabetics, but a meta-analysis of chromium supplementation studies showed no association between chromium and glucose or insulin concentrations for non-diabetics, and inconclusive results for diabetics. However, this study has been challenged on the grounds that it excluded significant results. Subsequent trials gave mixed results, with one finding no effect in people with impaired glucose tolerance, but another seeing a small improvement in glucose resistance. In a review of these trials it was again concluded that chromium supplements had no effect on healthy people, but that there might be an improvement in glucose metabolism in diabetics, although the authors stated that the evidence for this effect remains weak.

• Creatine

  From wikipedia.org: Creatine is often taken by athletes as a supplement for those wishing to gain muscle mass. There are a number of forms but the most common are creatine monohydrate - creatine complexed with a molecule of water, and Creatine ethyl ester (CEE). A number of methods for ingestion exist - as a powder mixed into a drink, or as a capsule or caplet. Research indicates that the use of creatine with high GI carbs (such as waxy maize) in combination with protein is also beneficial.
  
  Creatine has no significant effect on aerobic endurance, though it will increase power during aerobic exercise (study)
  
  Studies clearly show that creatine supplementation helps build muscle mass. However, additional water should be taken as some of the weight gained will be through water retention in the muscle.

• • Creatine Monohydrate Powder

    Creatine monohydrate is creatine complexed with a molecule of water. Studies show that a 6g of creatine daily will help build skeletal muscle mass.
    
    Many bodybuilders use 5g of creatine with their pre-workout drink (includes amino acids and possibly nitric oxide) and 5g of creatine with their immediate post-workout drink (often waxy maize).
    
    Expand the main creatine category information for more information and links to studies on creatine.

  • Creatine Pills

    Creatine in pill form. Expand the main creatine category information for more information and links to studies on creatine.

  • Kre-Alkalyn

    From kre-alkalyn.net: Kre-Alkalyn is the patented no load, no cycle, no side effect creatine that gives you immediate results and saves you money. Kre-Alkalyn utilizes pH-Correct technology to create a creatine that remains 100% stable in liquids.
    
    Kre-Alkalyn is more potent than creatine monohydrate and many bodybuilders use 1.5g before and 1.5g after workout.

  • Liquid Creatine

    Creatine in a liquid formula. Expand the main creatine category information for more information and links to studies on creatine.

  • Magnesium Creatine Chelate

    Creatine magnesium chelate is supposed to allow creatine to be absorbed into the muscle via the ligand-gated cation channel (as opposed to the cell via a sodium-dependent transporter). It has been found that there is no evidence showing that creatine magnesium chelate enhances physical performance with respect to creatine monohydrate, thus the secondary transport pathway is not more efficient but still works nonetheless (study).

• Methoxyisoflavone

  Methoxyisoflavone, or methoxy, was discovered by livestock producers because it could naturally enlarge the animals using hormone-free methods. There is no evidence that it works in humans, and the only known studies are from the 1970s and on animals.

• Nitric Oxide

  Nitric Oxide is a free form gas that is produced in the body and is used by the body to communicate with other cells in the body. To produce this gas, enzymes in the body break down the amino acid Arginine. Nitric Oxide is a molecule consisting of one atom of nitrogen and one atom of oxygen. The production of Nitric Oxide occurs when the amino acid L-arginine is converted into L-citruline through an enzyme group known as Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS). In the body, nitric oxide (the 'endothelium-derived relaxing factor', or 'EDRF') is synthesized from arginine and oxygen by various nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes and by sequential reduction of inorganic nitrate. The endothelium (inner lining) of blood vessels use nitric oxide to signal the surrounding smooth muscle to relax, thus dilating the artery and increasing blood flow. Nitric oxide is a key biological messenger, playing a role in a variety of biological process. These include blood vessel dialatation, neurotransmission, modulation of the hair cycle, and penile erections.

• • Nitric Oxide Pills

    These products contain Nitric Oxide in a pill form. Oftentimes these do not contain the caffeine that is in the powdered and ready-to-drink forms, so these could be used by those who do not want caffeine but still want an explosive pump. They are to be used prior to your workout.

  • Ready-to-Drink Nitric Oxide

    These products contain Nitric Oxide drinks in convenient, readily-available containers. They are to be used prior to your workout.