Despite a dearth of information on their effects, supplementation with andro-compounds has become widespread. Unlike synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroids, these precursor androgens are produced endogenously by adrenal, gonadal, and peripheral steroidogenic pathways as part of the normal sexual and reproductive hormonal milieu. It has been suggested that peripheral enzymatic conversion of these pro hormones to testosterone […]

Alpha-Ketoglutarate (a-KG) is an intermediate of the Krebs cycle and is the precursor for the synthesis of glutamine, glutamate, proline, and arginine. Few data exist on the use of a-KG as an ergogenic aid. Like glutamine, however, there are some clinical data that suggest a possible anti-catabolic role. Wernerman et al. state that the “addition […]

The initial studies done on prohormones (i.e. over-the­counter androgens or testosterone precursors) examined the acute hormonal response to their ingestion.Androstenedione became famous through professional baseball’s single-season home run king, Mark McGuire. His admission that he consumed and/or, as it’s commonly referred to by the lay press, set off a firestorm of scrutiny. At the time, […]

Living in an oxygen-rich environment presents an enigma for principally aerobic organisms such as human beings. Oxygen is an absolute requirement for life, yet paradoxically it also contributes to an “erosion” of the organism over time as metabolism continues. Derivatives of oxygen known as reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in a number of […]

On August 16, 1999, the Wall Street Journal published a report on General Nutrition Center (GNC) decision to carry androstenedione as a nutritional supplement. Oddly enough, this occurred hot on the heels of a paper in Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) by King et al, showing it to have no effect on body […]

Endurance competitors (i.e., distance runners, soccer players, rowers, etc.), perhaps more than other athletes, must not overlook the distinct advantage provided by adequate carbohydrate intake. As defined by the authors, endurance activities are those activities that include prolonged, continuous, low- to moderate-intensity exercise that is principally aerobic in nature. Endurance athletes expend an inordinate amount […]

Of all the exercise-induced body fluid changes during exercise, decreases in vascular blood volume during rhythmic or endurance exercise are of greatest concern. Types of exercises that make use of large muscle groups for a period of time (e.g., running, cycling, walking, swimming) have been the most well researched, with varying resuIts. During some types […]

Achieving the right balance between business/marketing objectives and scientific considerations is always a difficult goal. On the one hand, government regulations are flexible in their allowance of claims that can be made for dietary supplements, so many companies are reluctant to commit large financial investments for research that can be “poached” by competitors. On the […]