*** Androgenic Reviews NxLabs Plasmavol ***

[Androgenic]

I have done some reviews and people seem to like them. So I decided to do a "director's cut" of my response on this product.

There will be some opposition. There will be people that say "It works dude!" "I saw more veins." Awesome. I have no doubt that the dirt cheap ingredients sold for sky high prices here will do that. It may make sense for photo shoot, competition, etc. Where aesthetics is the only goal and its used acutely, not chronically...but then again not at this price. So, yes, it will get you more vascular. But, let's look at why it sucks.

My initial response was this in one thread:

Originally Posted by Androgenic

Do you guys know what unparalleled crap this product is? Mannitol, glycerol, and creatine. This product has less than $1 in ingredients and sells for 70-90 dollars. For 18 servings? That mannitol, which isn't listed in calories or dose (illegally), is over 30g from what I've heard in the industry. A whopping dose of diarrhea and worthlessness that may get you swollen, but also dehydrated (creatine and glycerol and mannitol...oh my). Enjoy the runs, a lot of money gone and absolutely no performance gains or real muscle gains whatsoever on this rediculous product.

I hate the product and the company, so I was brief. Could've gone deeper, but hadn't yet. Also is it just me or does this seem like they make it seem like a topical, putting it in a shampoo/soap container and showing green goo shplooged across a guys chest. Odd. Well, let's go down the winding road now.

First up, mannitol:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mannitol

Originally Posted by wiki

Mannitol is used clinically to reduce acutely raised intracranial pressure, until more definitive treatment can be given, e.g. after head trauma (although significant controversy exists over this use), and to treat patients with oliguric renal failure. It is administered intravenously, and is filtered by the glomerulus of the kidney, but is incapable of being reabsorbed from the renal tubule, resulting in decreased water and Na+ reabsorption via its osmotic effect. Consequently, mannitol increases water and Na+ excretion, thereby decreasing extracellular fluid volume.

Mannitol can also be used to open the blood-brain barrier by temporarily shrinking the tightly coupled endothelial cells that make up the barrier. This makes mannitol indispensable for delivering various drugs directly to the brain (e.g. in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease).Mannitol is also used as a sweetener for people with diabetes. Since mannitol has a negative heat of solution, it is used as a sweetener in "breath-freshening" candies, the cooling effect adding to the fresh feel. In doses larger than 20g, mannitol acts as a laxative, and is sometimes sold as a laxative for children.

Diarrhea/laxative, water excretion, decreased water reabsorption and delivers things to the brain well.
Awesome. You can see how it works to make you look "ripped or swole" in conjuction with glycerol and creatine...but it will impair performance, lead to diarrhea/dehydration and not lead to muscle gain or performance enhancement.

Stop buying crap like this. Look for better products. Seriously.

Then, the people that justify their placebo/psychosomatic responses on crap products bring up pumps/vascularity. Here's some past thoughts on the "pump" subject. Its overhyped, hardly a core supplement, and you need to rethink your self-esteem and your workout regimine if you find NO-type products essential.

Originally Posted by Androgenic

If you're not getting great pumps, you probably aren't training right. Do some strip sets/dropsets, static contraction, or rest-pause with heavy weight and let me know if you're not torn down, pumped, and sweating. I've used the NO supplements and gone without, either way I get pumps. I have to believe most people train wrong, don' keep constant tension, or don't use enough intensity. Arnold while he "says" he was lying about the infamous statement for Pumping Iron...I think he was saying its a way of knowing you really are accomplishing something. If you get pumps and aren't training correctly, you may be "cheating yourself", by covering up training weaknesses.

There can be too much of a pump restricting motion and full contraction. Pumps can also be restrictive with nutrient delivery pooling blood.

Ever heard those Viagra commercials about sustained and painful erections (priapism) that last more than 4 hours? Nothing is getting in or out to well and it stays engorged. It also prevents use of the ureter for ejaculation or urination (e.g. function).

Just to throw the flip side out there. Pumps are nice, but if it restricts additional reps, proper contraction, or is leading to sustained "flexed" feelings. It is not conducive to growth.

I am not saying pumps can not be reasurring or aesthetically pleasing (this is a major reason for its presently popularity). To me, the "burn" of lactic acid/anaerobic fatigue and the "soreness"/DOMS of the microtrauma to the muscle tissue is far more indicative of growth potential and hypertrophy in general.

The pump is nice, but pumps alone don't get you far. I'll take heavier weights over a pump all workout long any day.

I then get asked about glycerol/glycerine/glycerin (all the same) and it even being "bonded" to creatine.

Originally Posted by Androgenic

Basically that's what it is. Its pointless and I would never use glycerol, due to fairly comparable reasons as to the mannitol. It forces ionic shifts, induces dehydration, etc.

Glycerol is also a precursor to adipose tissue and depending on the state your in could lead to more adipose (fat) Tri-acyl-glycerol (TAG, aka - incorrectly, triglycerides)...with glycerol being the backbone of the molecule.

Edit: here's a link to more info from wiki on glycerol: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycerol

Glycerol draws fluid from the tissues, in this case the blood stream and is forcing it to the muscle.

High blood pressure is clearly extremely dangerous when pairing creatine,glycerol,and mannitol and maybe not enough fluid, some sweating and a bunch of caffeine/stimulants...sounds like 2/3 of the gym...right?

VERY DANGEROUS to do this. So pay $4 a serving to kill yourself and your bank account and lose gains and performance in the process.

Oh and NX whatever has no labs (unless the owner has some dogs).

Then there's posts about people saying, "I would use it if it were cheaper." This REALLY pisses me off. Also it was mentioned a sugar-free syrup used mannitol and gave someone the horrific runs. Yup. I told ya.

Originally Posted by Androgenic

I bet the dose/amount you took was less than that of this product too. Combining mannitol, glycerol, creatine and then doing cardio/weights with seating and possible stim. use. I am dead serious that's a bad, bad combination that could result in hospital time, especially if you already were dehydrated, have high blood pressure (hypertension), etc.

I am suprised to see the only reason saying they wouldn't use it is the cost. If a completely garbage/harmful/counterproductive product is $30 vs. $90, you'd buy it? That makes no sense. Buy products that are supported by science. Buy products supported by years of use. Those basics you're talking about make sense. The next big thing doesn't. Its marketing. Its not a next big thing. There will be thousands more next big things. Are you sheep or a lion? Creatine (not ethyl ester), Beta-alanine, fish oil, multi, some antioxidants, protein, BCAA's & maybe leucine...that makes sense. That shows you're smart.

Plasmavol shows that well...uhhh...you're not. We all make mistakes. Just don't continue to keep buying the next "big thing". Wait, and use what you KNOW works.

So those are my thoughts on this product. Enjoy.

[MattyH7688]

i liked it.. i wonder why i was pooping more though.. i got so much of it for free but i would never pay that much for it.. it was good but not that good

[naturalguy]

Great post as usual.

I haven't used Plasmavol (although I have several samples on hand) however I do have experience with glycerol and it's uses are temporary at best. I used to use it before a competition. I tried it daily as well and was disapointed.

I share your thoughts on pumps as well. Some times they can be too restrictive and cut down on your range of motion which is counter productive.

[Androgenic]

Originally Posted by naturalguy

Great post as usual.

I haven't used Plasmavol (although I have several samples on hand) however I do have experience with glycerol and it's uses are temporary at best. I used to use it before a competition. I tried it daily as well and was disapointed.

I share your thoughts on pumps as well. Some times they can be too restrictive and cut down on your range of motion which is counter productive.

Thanks. It makes sense to use glycerol for competitions and red wine in conjunction, I believe is the old competitor's secret for thin skin/vascularity.

Good to hear your not "pump n' bloat" product obsessed looking for instant results (usually meaning worthless and temporary results).

[zachattack43]

Awesome Andro, i love your reviews

[babolat06]

Originally Posted by MattyH7688

i liked it.. i wonder why i was pooping more though.. i got so much of it for free but i would never pay that much for it.. it was good but not that good

Interesting change of opinion...you fellated it earlier.

[MattyH7688]

im cheap as ****.. i would buy it if it was like $35.. i do like it a lot, used it again today actually.. if i was rich and just had crazy amounts of money lying around i would buy it.. im in college and dont.. but for $60 or whatever.. i cannot afford it for simple vascularity

[babolat06]

Originally Posted by MattyH7688

im cheap as ****.. i would buy it if it was like $35.. i do like it a lot, used it again today actually.. if i was rich and just had crazy amounts of money lying around i would buy it.. im in college and dont.. but for $60 or whatever.. i cannot afford it for simple vascularity

I dont think being frugal and wise with your money is cheap! I think it makes sense! Yeah paying for a pump isnt really the best way to lighten the wallet, especially with tuition and books and food...man.

[MattyH7688]

yea true.. college is not cheap at all which is why i am always looking for deals and buying bulk powders for my supplements..btw x-factor in bulk is coming out in a month or so.. so i may finally be able to try it

[babolat06]

Originally Posted by MattyH7688

yea true.. college is not cheap at all which is why i am always looking for deals and buying bulk powders for my supplements..btw x-factor in bulk is coming out in a month or so.. so i may finally be able to try it

WHAT?! holy crap!

Yeah i pricematched so it didnt hurt too bad, but bulk...wow. Im so down for that! Where? when? how much?

[deserusan]

Originally Posted by MattyH7688

yea true.. college is not cheap at all which is why i am always looking for deals and buying bulk powders for my supplements..btw x-factor in bulk is coming out in a month or so.. so i may finally be able to try it

Where did you hear this?

[MattyH7688]

over at anabolicminds it should be available at NP within a month or so according to the NP rep.. ill PM both of u the links

[BuckeyeMuscle]

Originally Posted by deserusan

Where did you hear this?

x2, I can't see MN doing this or licensing it out for sale in bulk.

EDIT: hmm after reading the thread on AM, it sounds interesting. I wonder how they'll sell it in bulk...liquid or capped form, and how many grams you'll have to buy.....ok no more derailing Andro's thread, sorry man.

[redhawk76]

I read the same thing yesterday at AM

[dvsness]

Shawn, do you think Plasmavol would be superior to this product for peaking?
There sure is a price difference.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/pbl/lm.html

What ever happened to Twinlab's Glycerol Fuel?

[babolat06]

Originally Posted by dvsness

Shawn, do you think Plasmavol would be superior to this product for peaking?
There sure is a price difference.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/pbl/lm.html

What ever happened to Twinlab's Glycerol Fuel?

Something tells me that stuff wont taste very good!

[dvsness]

Originally Posted by babolat06

Something tells me that stuff wont taste very good!

PV tastes like ****, too. But I don't care. I have a shoot and I want to be flawless.

[deserusan]

Originally Posted by babolat06

Something tells me that stuff wont taste very good!

Ness used some between prejudging and her the night show of her competition. It really tightened her up to say the least. I have a packet I still need to try and may do so tomorrow. Even if it's amazing even I couldn't justify the cost. Also, as the only esterfied creatine study points out, it's not stable in solution so I'm not sure how that bodes well for this.

[dvsness]

Originally Posted by deserusan

Ness used some between prejudging and her the night show of her competition. It really tightened her up to say the least. I have a packet I still need to try and may do so tomorrow. Even if it's amazing even I couldn't justify the cost. Also, as the only esterfied creatine study points out, it's not stable in solution so I'm not sure how that bodes well for this.

Any comment on the PBL product? It's $19. Although I'm very confused as to how it shows 0g fat.

[Amazin Caucasian]

so you are against glycerol monosterate?

[deserusan]

Originally Posted by dvsness

Any comment on the PBL product? It's $19.

It gets a "meh" from me. A lot of what Shawn says about glycerol (GMS) is true. In high doses it is not safe and if you read the studies you would know that it's application in athletes should well dosed with respect to LBM along with electrolytes.

SizeON contains GMS, but it's dosed low enough and in the presence of electrolytes so even the smallest user won't run any risks but still get some benefit from hyperhydration.

Too much glycerol, beyond what Shawn said, can cause a huge flush of fluid out of your system causing unnecessary an unwelcome shift in sodium and potassium levels. This really isn't healthy, just like sodium depletion isn't during the last days of prep, but is a necessary evil for some physique athletes.

[Amazin Caucasian]

are you advising against Glycergrow?

[eldawg]

In one of the long GMS threads from way back, a couple of people had mentioned that straight glycerine was often used by the pros. I recall NOW Glycerine being mentioned and there may even be a review/log or two on these forums.

Note: though the suggested usage is topical, it does say that its pure enough for consumption.

[kappaz]

Good review as usual

Originally Posted by BuckeyeMuscle

x2, I can't see MN doing this or licensing it out for sale in bulk.

EDIT: hmm after reading the thread on AM, it sounds interesting. I wonder how they'll sell it in bulk...liquid or capped form, and how many grams you'll have to buy.....ok no more derailing Andro's thread, sorry man.

It would have to be capped. It is beyond disgusting in liquid form.

[babolat06]

Originally Posted by kappaz

Good review as usual



It would have to be capped. It is beyond disgusting in liquid form.

I saw on AM is powder

[zachattack43]

Originally Posted by Amazin Caucasian

are you advising against Glycergrow?

I believe he is against the recommended doses on the GG, opt for lower doses with your electrolytes

[BuckeyeMuscle]

Originally Posted by kappaz

It would have to be capped. It is beyond disgusting in liquid form.

Yeah, I have heard that.....but they sell sesamin in bulk liquid form, so I just figured they'd sell AA in liquid form.

[dvsness]

Originally Posted by dvsness

Shawn, do you think Plasmavol would be superior to this product for peaking?
There sure is a price difference.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/pbl/lm.html

What ever happened to Twinlab's Glycerol Fuel?

AndroBump.

[Nailbomb9]

Well, at $70 a pop there was no damn way I was gonna pay anyway!!! Nice info though, appreciate it.

[dvsness]

Originally Posted by Nailbomb9

Well, at $70 a pop there was no damn way I was gonna pay anyway!!! Nice info though, appreciate it.

I can get it for $54, which is nothing compared to the other expenses of prep. And for my purposes (peaking only) it would last forever.