Issue 091
August 2012
Coincidence or corruption? Keep your nose clean with the right supplementation
Gareth Nicholas is part of the elite sports nutrition team at Maximuscle, one of the world’s leading sports nutrition suppliers.
After one of the most eagerly anticipated fights of the year, Alistair Overeem versus UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos, was canceled due to Overeem’s failed drugs test, tongues have been wagging questioning the former Strikeforce champion’s guilt or innocence.
Recording a testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) ratio of 14:1 is way beyond what would be expected in healthy individuals, who would likely exhibit a T/E ratio of 1:1. For athletes, such as pro fighters, testosterone levels are often elevated, however, and consequently the Nevada State Athletic Commission – which tested Overeem – has an upper permissible T/E limit of 6:1.
Testosterone and Steroids
Since the 1960s, steroid pharmacology, including testosterone production, has been misused and abused by a minority of power and strength focused athletes. Agents that boost testosterone are linked to muscle growth (hypertrophy) through growth within the constituents of muscle fibers and the activation of cells which fuse and differentiate to grow or develop muscle fibers. Thus it may improve the overall protein synthesis, the key determinant to muscle growth.
There’s no quick fix
Boosting muscle growth and repair might be seen as beneficial supplement to an MMA fighter’s armory, hence there could be potential misuse of illegal boosters. However, androgens like testosterone were synthetically developed for clinical purposes and the safety of their widespread use, particularly when abused, falls into question. Potential side effects such as organ growth can occur which means abuse could seriously risk health.
Stay this side of the cliff
Most reputable nutrition companies recognize the undeniable need that MMA fighters have to be bigger, stronger, faster and leaner to perform in their sport, and provide a range of sports supplements that support these goals in a safe, legal way whilst completing the diet to support health too. All batches should be drug screened against the WADA list to give athletes peace of mind, so they are left to focus on training.
Gain the edge
Any supplementation plan should always be a compliment to a well-balanced healthy diet for sport. Supplements are then the icing on the cake that will help a fighter achieve the desired training adaptations. An MMA fighter can benefit from a diet that supports for strength, power, speed and agility; that is a diet rich in carbohydrates to facilitate energy delivery and adequate in protein to support muscle, repair, strength and growth in the presence of adequate calories.
Top three nutrients to defeat your opponent
The table below outlines three bodybuilding.com products that could be used on a daily basis to support a well balanced diet and provide a fighter with a physical edge.
Safe Supplements for Sports
Since the anti-doping intervention by WADA in sport, thankfully the incidence of positive tests is very low (<2% from about 170,000 test in 2004), so it’s only the minority of athletes and fighters that knowingly (or unknowingly) take a banned substance. Complimenting a sound diet with a trusted sports nutrition range which has been screened for contaminants provides a safe option for performance support that makes it easier for fighters to match their increased needs with quality ingredients that they are often unable to get from their normal diet.
The hard and fast rule is consistency in the application of a healthy diet, screened supplements and training are key to getting long term results. Make a good diet habit and you can gain a fair advantage without going over the edge.
SUPPLEMENT AND TIMINGS
Pre-Workout
Gaspari Nutrition SuperPump MAX
INGREDIENTS
SuperPump MAX has a number of active ingredients to help stimulate the mind and body prior to exercise – one in particular is Citrulline (2g per serving)
ADAPTATION AND PURPOSE
Citrulline is an amino acid that can be metabolized to arginine. Early research has indicated that citrulline acts as a metabolite (lactate) buffer and increases aerobic capacity.
SUPPLEMENT AND TIMINGS
Throughout the day
Dymatize ISO-100
INGREDIENTS
Per serving:
Protein 24g
Carbohydrate 0g
Fats 0g
ADAPTATION AND PURPOSE
To ensure that quality protein is eaten at regular intervals throughout the day. For muscle growth and development aim to take on 1.2–1.8g of protein in your total diet per kilogram of body mass.
SUPPLEMENT AND TIMINGS
Night Allmax
Nutrition ZMA
INGREDIENTS
Per serving:
Magnesium 450mg
Zinc 30mg
Vitamin B6 10.5mg
ADAPTATION AND PURPOSE
ZMA is a popular supplement to support muscle repair and growth through the hours of sleep. Zinc is accepted to help support normal testosterone concentrations. Magnesium is accepted to help in the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
