Issue 100
April 2013
How the benefits of agmatine can enhance your workout
Danielle McVey
VP of business development at Infinite Labs, she has a masters degree in sports physiology and is a supplement and nutrition specialist.
Playing a large role in the production of nitric oxide (NO), arginine has been labeled as a growth hormone (GH) releaser and utilized by athletes around the world. Along with GH production, arginine is well renowned for its capacity to stimulate protein synthesis, sustain the endogenous production of creatine, support insulin sensitivity via attenuation of blood glucose and assist during the removal of nitrogenous waste in the urea cycle.
Until recently, arginine has been labeled as a go to supplement in many athletic regimens. However, with the growing literature and knowledge on the potential ergogenic value of agmatine, athletes are beginning to gear their supplementation needs in a new direction. Agmatine is likely the one supplement to take part in more metabolic processes than arginine.
The benefits of agmatine include enhanced muscle pumps, more effective nutrient transport, improved nutrient partitioning (greater number of calories shunted towards muscle tissue and less stored in fat cells), increased blood flow, and greater production of luteinizing hormone and growth hormone. Agmatine appears to boost muscle pumps in various ways:
Agmatine may enhance nutrient partitioning, which leads to more muscle glycogen stored (carbohydrates stored in muscle tissues), thus more water retained in the muscle. This can lead to a fuller look to the muscle and enhanced muscle pumps.
Agmatine appears to increase NO production by playing a competitive inhibitor role of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase. The nutrient partitioning effects of agmatine may be due to its potential ability to increase the insulin response to carbohydrates, as well as the increased blood flow to the muscle seen with increased nitric oxide production. Agmatine may play a potential role in the hypothalamic control of luteinizing hormone (LH) and GH release, thusly leading to increased levels of both hormones.
8 REASON WHY Agmatine Is an Ergogenic Aid
1. Enhances insulin production that elicits better insulin responses. Increased insulin response has been shown to have positive effects on body composition and musculature.
2. Acts on catecholamine release (epinephrine > norepinephrine > dopamine). These endogenous compounds are utilized in almost every action throughout the human body. Specific to the athlete is the role in energy production and support in stress relief.
3. Offers potential assistance in kidney function via stimulation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). This may prep the athlete as various nitrogenous waste products are eliminated through this system.
4. Serves as a potential aid in the recovery process of the athlete. It can also enhance the effects of analgesics required during recuperation from injury.
5. Stimulates GH and LH. In addition to the obvious effects on overall body composition, the stimulation of GH and LH levels can also be helpful in maintaining a healthy lifestyle as age sets in. The stimulation of pituitary hormones may also lead to stimulation of other various hormones such as IGF-1.
6. Modulates NO through a variety of mechanisms. It stimulates some types of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) while restraining others. This is crucial to the proper functioning of the polyamine biosynthetic pathways.
7. Specific to body composition, agmatine has an independent role of testosterone and insulin management on lipid (fat) metabolism.
8. Offers antioxidant properties. This is of particular interest to the committed athlete. The load an athlete endures throughout a strict training regimen directly affects the free-radical buildup in the human body and can have damaging effects if the buildup continues. Agmatine can serve as a protection from these unwanted effects that free radicals propose to the body.
Infinite Labs Pre Fight has been formulated with a patented version of agmatine sulfate known as AgmaMax to help promote these effects. Along with a multi phase energy blend and electrolytes, Pre Fight combines beta alanine and creatine to have a synergistic effect that many increase performance, cellular hydration, lean muscle growth and ATP resynthesis during intense training.
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