Pre-w/o boost needed!
Due to a rather intense acid reflux problem, I have been ordered to stay away from caffeine/ephedrine. Believe me,the LAST thing I want to do is quit caffeine.
So I am looking for any/all safe alternatives to this.
My initial thoughts are to try a yerba mate/Power Drive 1-2 punch combo. Has anyone tried this with any success?
Any other thoughts or suggestions on other possibilities would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
BodyIQ
If your Doctor has not already given you a prescription for Prilosec or Nexium, try taking Pepcid AC tablets in the morning. Then you should be able to handle the C. I don’t know about Ephedra though. I have never used it so I cannot relate to the impact on Acid Reflux.
I’ve never used Power drive, but sometimes for a lil pick me up, L-tyrosine seemed to work.
Avoids Roids,
Doesn’t long term use of Pepcid and such cause drastic reductions in T-levels?
Forskolin, tyrosine,acetyl-l-carnitine, along with ingredients such as in power drive all will provide some caffeine like boost.
Obviously Power Drive is a good choice. Kelly mentioned ALC which is good as well as PS but they’re very expensive at proper dosage.
For more cost-effective choices, try Vinpocetine and Huperzine. Both were very effective for me.
bump
Doogie, that was a good call. I had to go look it up, but Pepcid (Ranitidine) does NOT cause the anti-androgenic or prolactin stimulating effects like Tagamet (Cimetidine). Pepcid is also 5-10 times more potent than Tagamet at acid reduction.
Doogie, I had not heard that before and certainly have not have that experience. However, perhaps someone has some knowledge relative to that that they can share.
Hey, there, B!!!
Believe it or not (another little known fact), MSM at about 5g is mentally stimulating and will make you feel more alert. It affects membrane fluidity of the brain cells, allowing glucose more efficient entry. Glucose is the brain’s ONLY energy source. MSM won’t give you the jitters like caffeine, though. You could take MSM twice or three times a day. It would be especially effective if taken with a P+C meal. (A fringe benefit is that it’s highly protective of the joints!)
Other thoughts? Try some phosphatydl serine (PS) and/or phosphatydl choline (PC). They’re involved with membrane fluidity and are energizing at a whole-body level as well as at the brain level. PC is also a substrate for neurotransmitters (specifically acetycholine, the energy/alertness brain chemical).
Fish oil, too, is energizing. If you don’t believe me, try taking some before bed and see if you can sleep. (grin)
Another little trick of mine is a small apple one half hour before working out. Since it’s high in fructose and since I tend to go low-carb before my PM workout, the fructose in the apple helps to refill liver glycogen stores a tad. The liver is responsible for maintaining steady blood sugar levels. It doesn’t give you energy like caffeine, but at least for me it provides me with a level of energy and alertness during my workout.
The L-Tyrosine that was recomended and Acetyl-L-Carnitine also have my vote.
But since L-Tyrosine is already in Powerdrive, I wouldn’t add extra, especially if you with the double dose of PD with club soda.
As a general approach, I’d recommend that you try these supplements one at a time to assess their effectiveness and value to you. Once again, since we’re all biochemically unique, different things tend to work for different people.
I know you’re missing your caffeine, but a lot of people in our fast-paced, high-stress society are propped up by caffeine (and sugar). It has a way of catching up with you. The adrenals get shot. Energy and vitality start to suffer and health issues start cropping up when we continually overdraw our energy brank account. You’re making moves that will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life. There isn’t any reason that you can’t have a great looking body and vibrant health to boot!!!
P.S.: Like DonM I’ve been off coffee about a week now. Yerba Mate is doing the job nicely for me. In fact I have some brewing right now in anticipation of my PM workout.