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Pump Up

Pump Up is extremely popular with bodybuilders. Used 15-20 minutes prior to a competition, it helps to increase vascularity and muscle "fullness." Bodybuilders using Pump Up regularly for several week usually gain both muscle size and strength.

Per 1 capsule:
Alpha-Lipoic acid (ALA): 100 milligrams
Niacin: 50 milligrams
Vanadyl sulphate: 30 milligrams
Chromium: 400 micrograms
Sodium selenate: 66 microgramsAlpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid has several potential benefits for bodybuilders. Studies shown that alpha-lipoic acid speeds the removal of glucose (sugar) from the blood, and drives it into muscle rather than fat cells [7]. In a four-week study, 74 subjects were given either a placebo or lipoic acid [6]. There was a 27% increase in glucose disposal among subjects given lipoic acid. Single doses of lipoic acid have been shown to increase glucose clearance by about 50% [5]. This means that supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid has the dual effect of increasing muscle size (in both the short- and long-term) while minimising fat gain.

Niacin
Vitamin B3, also called niacin, is one of eight B vitamins. All B vitamins help the body to convert carbohydrates into glucose (sugar), which is "burned" to produce energy. B complex vitamins play an important role in maintaining muscle tone along the digestive tract and promote the health of your nervous system, skin, hair, eyes, mouth, and liver.

Vanadyl sulphate
Vanadyl sulphate is an essential trace mineral derived from vanadium. The interest in vanadium began in the late 1970s when research highlighted the important role vanadyl sulphate plays in the control of blood sugar levels [3]. When you eat large amounts of carbohydrates, sugar levels in the blood increase. This sugar can be stored as fat. However, studies show that vanadyl sulphate increases the rate at which carbohydrate and protein enter muscle cells. This helps to swell each muscle fibre, increasing both muscle size and vascularity. There is also evidence to show that vanadyl sulphate diverts sugar away from storage in fat cells, reducing the amount of fat your body stores. Competitive bodybuilders find vanadyl sulphate especially effective because of the fullness it gives their muscles. It's usually taken prior to exercise in order to improve the muscle "pump" and vascularity. Vanadyl sulphate is so effective, it has been used to lower blood sugar levels and control insulin in diabetics [1, 2].

Chromium
Chromium is an essential trace mineral that helps the body maintain normal blood sugar levels. The primary function of chromium is to make the hormone insulin work better, helping to drive both protein and glucose into muscle cells while minimising fat storage. Since chromium helps to control insulin levels, chromium supplements also help to maintain blood sugar and cholesterol levels and control the appetite (particularly sweet cravings). Research also shows a reduction in body fat in people given 400 mcg of chromium per day for three months [8, 9]. Chromium polynicotinate, chromium picolinate and chromium chloride are the most popular forms of chromium supplement. When taken as part of a nutrition and training programme designed for weight gain, chromium will help to divert calories away from fat storage and towards muscle gain. Some bodybuilders also report that chromium gives them greater pumps, vascularity and muscle fullness.

Selenium
Selenium works as an antioxidant, especially when combined with vitamin E, by scavenging damaging particles in the body known as free radicals. These particles occur naturally in the body but can damage cell membranes and possibly contribute to the aging process. Antioxidants such as selenium can neutralise free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause.
Pump Up is used in one of two ways. Most bodybuilders report greater pumps and feelings of muscle "fullness." when 1-2 capsules are taken 15-20 minutes before exercise or a competition. Bodybuilders who regularly use Pump Up with high-carbohydrate meals (1 capsule three times daily) usually gain both muscle strength and size, when combined with an appropriate diet and vigorous weight-training programme.Most bodybuilders report greater pumps and feelings of muscle "fullness" when Pump Up is taken 15-20 minutes before exercise or a competition.Regular users of Pump Up usually notice greater strength, vascularity and muscle size after 3-7 days.

1. Cohen N, Halberstam M, Shlimovich P, Chang CJ, Shamoon H, Rosseti L. (1995). Oral vanadyl sulfate improves hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 95, 2501-2509
2. Cusi K, Cukier S, DeFronzo RA, Torres M, Puchulu FM, Rdondo JC. (2001). Vanadyl sulfate improves hepatic and muscle insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 86, 1410-1417
3. Goldwaser I, Gefel D, Gershonov E, Fridkin M, Shechter Y. (2000). Insulin-like effects of vanadium: basic and clinical implications. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 80, 21-25
4. Hoeger WW, Harris C, Long EM, Hopkins DR. (1998). Four-week supplementation with a natural dietary compound produces favorable changes in body composition. Advances in Therapy, 15, 305-314
5. Jacob, S., Henriksen, E.J., Schiemann, A.L., Simon, I., Clancy, D.E., Tritschler, H.J., Jung, W.I., Augustin, H.J., & Dietze, G.J. (1995). Enhancement of glucose disposal in patients with type 2 diabetes by alpha-lipoic acid. Arzneimittelforschung, 45, 872-874
6. Jacob, S., Ruus, P., Hermann, R., Tritschler, H.J., Maerker, E., Renn, W., Augustin, H.J., Dietze, G.J., & Rett, K. (1999). Oral administration of RAC-alpha-lipoic acid modulates insulin sensitivity in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-controlled pilot trial. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 27, 309-314
7. Packer L, Witt EH, Tritschler HJ. (1995). Alpha-lipoic acid as a biological antioxidant. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 19, 227-250
8. Kaats, G. R., Blum, K., Fisher, J.A., & Adelman, J.A. (1996). Effects of chronium picolinate supplementation on body composition: A randomized double masked, placebo controlled study. Current Therapeutic Research, 57, 747-756
9. Kaats, G.R., Blum, K., & Pullin, D. (1998). A randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study of the effects of chromium picolinate supplementation on body composition: a replication and extension of a previous study. Current Therapeutic Research, 59, 379-388

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