New, Advice on Supplement Stacks

Diet and Nutrition
1

So I just started reading regularly from this site a few days ago, although I think I’ve read individual articles before. There’s definitely a lot of valuable information here.

My general background is that I’m 20, 5’9 and at 190lbs (with probably about 13-14%BF) looking to get muscle and cut fat.

One of the things that stand out through reading some of the articles is that I should definitely change some of my supplement stack and that some things are wastes of $$. Some of the supplements here (BETA-7 and Methoxy-7) I’ve never heard of before.

For the record, I train regularly on a 5-day split program (specifically Max-OT…btw, the training articles seem to have a flippant view on high-intensity techniques and I’m not too sure why) and eat as well as I can for a college student on a dining plan.

Here’s my current stack:
Pre-workout: Dymetadrine Extreme

PWo: banana, 40g Whey Isolate, 5g Creatine, 5g Glutamine, NAC, R-ALA

Also with a meal: 2 pills fish oil, 2 pills MultiVitamin with BCAAs, sometimes R-ALA

In the morning: 5g Glutamine, a tablet American Ginseng, tablet of Maca, a tablet of Rhodolia

Before bed: 4 tablets Garlic, 2g GABA.

The article discussing Glutamine looked fairly convincing so I’ll probably drop that. I wonder what you think of the other ones. There’s a lot of varied information out there and this seems like a good source.

Also, what’s the extent to which you recommend BETA-7 and Methoxy-7 for me.

Also are BCAAs all that helpful? I’ve read elsewhere you could get them from simple whey powder and solid meals in general.
The others seem like variations of whey powders and energy boosters and thermogens and hormone boosters. Naturally I’d guess you’d support the Biotest brand equivelants.

Also, something I’ve wondered: a lot of the other supps here seem to act by raising testosterone levels. I’ve always been wary of anything resembling prohormones. Are side effects somewhat random and unavoidable with these as well as others (like DHEA)? Are they all that useful for someone aged 20? Would they result in lowered natural production of hormone levels (like Andros)?

2

[quote]TheBlade wrote:
Also, something I’ve wondered: a lot of the other supps here seem to act by raising testosterone levels. I’ve always been wary of anything resembling prohormones. Are side effects somewhat random and unavoidable with these as well as others (like DHEA)? Are they all that useful for someone aged 20? Would they result in lowered natural production of hormone levels (like Andros)?
[/quote]

No. You’re 20 and most likely do not need any help in boosting T, unless of couse you know your levels are low.

As for the rest…

HOT-ROX Extreme is great for losing fat. It actually does live up to it’s reputation.

BCAA’s are good. Yes you can get them in other forms, but the tablet form is convenient for those in-between feedings.

Don’t have any experience with Beta-7.

Really each product has its own thread full of great information, and advice from people who have used each product.

3

OK. So you usually take BCAAs between meals? Sounds like a cool way to keep up gradual protein synthesis.

Yeah, looked up BETA-7 and Methoxy-7. Both seem like good stuff.

Not sure how kosher comparing companies’ products for the same thing are, but anyone have any words of experience for HOT-ROX versus other products?

4

[quote]TheBlade wrote:
Not sure how kosher comparing companies’ products for the same thing are, but anyone have any words of experience for HOT-ROX versus other products?[/quote]

I’ve never tried it to lose fat. I’m going to use it this winter to keep fat gain minimal during my bulk, though.

From what I’ve read, for both purposes, it would be comparing a kia to a bentley. HOT-ROX being the bentley, of course.

5

[quote]rrjc5488 wrote:
TheBlade wrote:
Not sure how kosher comparing companies’ products for the same thing are, but anyone have any words of experience for HOT-ROX versus other products?

I’ve never tried it to lose fat. I’m going to use it this winter to keep fat gain minimal during my bulk, though.

From what I’ve read, for both purposes, it would be comparing a kia to a bentley. HOT-ROX being the bentley, of course.[/quote]

Yeah but HOT-ROX doesn’t have Anna Nicole Smith… wait that’s a good thing.

6

[quote]TheBlade wrote:
OK. So you usually take BCAAs between meals? [/quote]

Yes. I actually take about the minimum daily amount (12 tabs) in three doses of 4 tabs each just spread throughout the day. I take an extra dose on gym days just for the hell of it.

7

[quote]rrjc5488 wrote:
TheBlade wrote:
Not sure how kosher comparing companies’ products for the same thing are, but anyone have any words of experience for HOT-ROX versus other products?

I’ve never tried it to lose fat. I’m going to use it this winter to keep fat gain minimal during my bulk, though.

From what I’ve read, for both purposes, it would be comparing a kia to a bentley. HOT-ROX being the bentley, of course.[/quote]

Hah. Any articles you can point me to? What’s the functional difference?

8

[quote]TheBlade wrote:
Hah. Any articles you can point me to? What’s the functional difference?
[/quote]

http://www.T-Nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1066793