Scivation's Xtend: Bammy's Log

[Bammy]

Marc, being the generous person he is, sent me a bottle of Xtend to write a review on.

Here is some info on Xtend.
Xtend is designed to designed to:

-Speed Recovery.
-Enhance ATP production and promote cell volumization.
-Decrease muscle breakdown and cortisol levels.
-Avoid fatigue by blocking entry of fatigue-inducing tryptophan into the brain.
-Increase protein synthesis, immune function and digestive health.
-Promote vasodilation which can lead to better assimilation and absorption of protein.
-Elevate growth hormone levels.

One seving contains:

L-Leucine 3.5 g
L-Isoleucine 1.75 g
L-Valine 1.75 g
L-Glutamine 2.5 g
Vitamin B6 10 mg
Citrulline Malate 1 g

My Stats:
age: 21
weight: 162
height: 6 ft.
bf: 7.8% (according to electronic impedance)

Current Supplements:
ON's 100% whey
Dymatize Elite whey
Syntrax Matrix 5.0
Dextrose
Multi Vitamin
VPX CEX
Myochem Throttle 1400X

I have used bcaa's regularly during workouts, but never over a 10g serving, or at any other times during the day.

Marc suggested that Xtend would produce great results by taking it at higher doses, or even mixing multiple servings in a gallon jug and drinking throughout the day. I am going to play around with the doses, and hopefully see some nice effects from this product. I will keep you updated on anything significant.

[Bammy]

Day 1:

Workout: Back, Bis, Forearms, calves
Length: About 70 min.

Dosage: one serving of Xtend during workout, mixed with about 18 oz of water.

Taste: The flavor is refreshing grape. It is different from ICE grape, and also different than Scivation's grape Substance WPI. At first I was disappionted that it didn't tast exactly like the WPI, but it still tasted excellent. It is similar to ICE, but a more sweet and tart flavor, probably because of the Citrulline Malate.

Initial reactions: At first drinking Xtend was just like drinking any other bcaa mix. But as I got about half way done with it, I began to crave the stuff! I did not want to see that shaker run out! By the time it was gone, about 20 min before my workout was over, I really wanted more! I think that craving had to do with more than the flavor but it's too early to say. Next workout I will definitely bring more than 1 serving.

[Sixpack]

Sounds good bro interested in this

[larmenta]

Can't wait to see your results on this with the Throttle 1400X. I have a bottle coming too..

[youngvet1]

Have u ever tried grape ICE? If so how do u compare the flavors?

[Sixpack]

Yup got a bottle coming will post feedback

[Scivation]

Originally Posted by Bammy

Day 1:

Workout: Back, Bis, Forearms, calves
Length: About 70 min.

Dosage: one serving of Xtend during workout, mixed with about 18 oz of water.

Taste: The flavor is refreshing grape. It is different from ICE grape, and also different than Scivation's grape Substance WPI. At first I was disappionted that it didn't tast exactly like the WPI, but it still tasted excellent. It is similar to ICE, but a more sweet and tart flavor, probably because of the Citrulline Malate.

Initial reactions: At first drinking Xtend was just like drinking any other bcaa mix. But as I got about half way done with it, I began to crave the stuff! I did not want to see that shaker run out! By the time it was gone, about 20 min before my workout was over, I really wanted more! I think that craving had to do with more than the flavor but it's too early to say. Next workout I will definitely bring more than 1 serving.

I look forward to seeing your progress and am honored that you would participate in the testing of Xtend.

The taste is yummy to me and many who have tasted it. The thin, refreshing consistency of Xtend makes me look forward to consuming liquid during training. In fact, I don't think I've had water without Xtend mixed in it for the last month or so.


Thanks again Bammy!
Marc Lobliner

[Bammy]

Originally Posted by youngvet1

Have u ever tried grape ICE? If so how do u compare the flavors?

Yes I have tried grape ICE. I would say that the Xtend is sweeter tasting than ICE. The ICE has a stronger taste, and more of a bite to it. With Xtend, you don't need to dilute it as much because the taste is not as strong.

I like ICE, but Xtend is better. Yesterday, hours after I left the gym, I couldn't help having another serving of Xtend, it tastes really good. This is weird, but it made me feel calmer and happier, like a satisfied feeling after drinking it, like I had quenched a craving. I'm serious.

[Bammy]

Originally Posted by Scivation

I look forward to seeing your progress and am honored that you would participate in the testing of Xtend.

The taste is yummy to me and many who have tasted it. The thin, refreshing consistency of Xtend makes me look forward to consuming liquid during training. In fact, I don't think I've had water without Xtend mixed in it for the last month or so.


Thanks again Bammy!
Marc Lobliner

Marc, the honor is all mine. Yeah, refreshing and satisfying is how I would describe the taste, but I wonder if those feelings are due more to the ingredients than the flavor. Probably both.

[UnleashedBeast]

Originally Posted by Bammy

This is weird, but it made me feel calmer and happier, like a satisfied feeling after drinking it, like I had quenched a craving. I'm serious.

That's the secret ingredient in it, crack
Looks like good stuff, but I can't afford it at over 180 lbs.
Good luck with your log Bammy

UnleashedBeast

[Scivation]

Originally Posted by UnleashedBeast

That's the secret ingredient in it, crack
Looks like good stuff, but I can't afford it at over 180 lbs.
Good luck with your log Bammy

UnleashedBeast

The servings are a guideline. You can still use it during training only.

Also, keep in mind that a bottle is over a kilo....

[krustster]

In fact, I don't think I've had water without Xtend mixed in it for the last month or so.

Nice... so the 2+ gallons you get during the day is all just Xtend? Doesn't that get expensive even though you make the stuff?

[Scivation]

Originally Posted by krustster

Nice... so the 2+ gallons you get during the day is all just Xtend? Doesn't that get expensive even though you make the stuff?

Yes it would!

I dilute it so that I have 2.5 servings per gallon and on top of that I drink 1 serving for each of my two daily workouts (training for a show on March 19). In all, I get around 7 servings per day.

[drewkowsky]

are you huge yet?

[Scivation]

Originally Posted by drewkowsky

are you huge yet?

I've put on 40 pounds of lean mass and dropped over 20 pounds of fat.

I can say that there has been a noticeable difference in my physique and this is the only change in my diet and supplement regiment.

[drewkowsky]

[QUOTE=Scivation]I've put on 40 pounds of lean mass and dropped over 20 pounds of fat.
QUOTE]
lol sign me up!

[youngvet1]

[QUOTE=drewkowsky]

Originally Posted by Scivation

I've put on 40 pounds of lean mass and dropped over 20 pounds of fat.
QUOTE]
lol sign me up!

Yeah me too.

Youve really noticed a difference with this method? Im use to taking BCAA pre/during workout only.
Need another tester for the constant supply BCAA testing method. Sounds interesting.

[Scivation]

Originally Posted by youngvet1

Yeah me too.

Youve really noticed a difference with this method? Im use to taking BCAA pre/during workout only.
Need another tester for the constant supply BCAA testing method. Sounds interesting.

Let's see how this tester turns out.

I have really noticed a difference but am afraid to quantify it in numbers publicly because I am obviously a biased source.

[youngvet1]

Originally Posted by Scivation

Let's see how this tester turns out.

I have really noticed a difference but am afraid to quantify it in numbers publicly because I am obviously a biased source.

Fair enough.
Do u know if there is any research done with free form BCAA's that shows supplementation in this manner as opposed to just the standard pre/during workouts.

[Bammy]

Day 2:

Workout: Delts, Traps
Length: About 60 min.

Dosage: two servings of Xtend during workout, mixed with about 25 oz of water.

Taste: I love it. It now tastes like grape Smarties candy, but then again I havent had any of those in like 10 years. It is so damn refreshing!

Today's thoughts: I liked having 2 sevings during workout today. Tomorrow I am going to drink the Xtend continuosly throughout the day in a gallon jug. I might as well to see if my results coincide with Marc's. Also, I feel like I can handle much longer workouts than I've been doing while drinking this. I workout right before my shift at the Gold's I work at. Today they had to come get me because I just didn't want to cut my workout short or stop. I think having the bcaa's and also the citrulline is just keeping me from fatiguing. Tomorrow is leg day and I'm gonna go in much earlier so I can workout as long as I want. I am going to go for a long hard killer session and will report back how long it takes me to wear out.

[Scivation]

Originally Posted by youngvet1

Fair enough.
Do u know if there is any research done with free form BCAA's that shows supplementation in this manner as opposed to just the standard pre/during workouts.

Damn, can't find that study.

Guess you'll have to see for yourself. Email me at mlobliner@scivation.com.


Thanks!
Marc

[youngvet1]

Originally Posted by Scivation

Damn, can't find that study.

Guess you'll have to see for yourself. Email me at mlobliner@scivation.com.


Thanks!
Marc

[sawastea]

Marc, considering the best results of citrulline malate are around 3-6g, do you recommend taking at least 3 servings a day?

[Scivation]

Originally Posted by sawastea

Marc, considering the best results of citrulline malate are around 3-6g, do you recommend taking at least 3 servings a day?

Sawastea,

If you go by the chart posted on the label, everyone except for really small dudes will be getting the full 3 gram dose.

This also leaves room for people like Youngvet and I who sip throughout the day to not risk taking in 400 grams of CM!

[krustster]

Originally Posted by Scivation

Damn, can't find that study.

Guess you'll have to see for yourself. Email me at mlobliner@scivation.com.


Thanks!
Marc

I was going to link to the study where the high-altitude hikers were given BCAAs but as it turns out, that is just supposed to show the effect of BCAAs on athletes affected by hypoxia. I'm not sure what it was but I know I read something else too that shows the benefit of taking BCAAs throughout the day... I take a large amount throughout the day and I haven't noticed any big changes (pre-workout I have, however) but again it's one of those things that are hard to quantify.

[IronBear04]

Originally Posted by krustster

I was going to link to the study where the high-altitude hikers were given BCAAs but as it turns out, that is just supposed to show the effect of BCAAs on athletes affected by hypoxia. I'm not sure what it was but I know I read something else too that shows the benefit of taking BCAAs throughout the day... I take a large amount throughout the day and I haven't noticed any big changes (pre-workout I have, however) but again it's one of those things that are hard to quantify.

Our stats are very similar Kruk, although I only got up to 285 pounds at my largest. I know its off this particular topic but I thought it interesting to point out.

[krustster]

[sawastea]

Originally Posted by Scivation

Sawastea,

If you go by the chart posted on the label, everyone except for really small dudes will be getting the full 3 gram dose.

This also leaves room for people like Youngvet and I who sip throughout the day to not risk taking in 400 grams of CM!

Thanks maing. Hope you and the wifey are having a nice holiday season.

[Scivation]

Originally Posted by sawastea

Thanks maing. Hope you and the wifey are having a nice holiday season.

Not a problem.

If I didn't love what I do for a living, this holiday season would have driven me to the insane assylum a while ago. What could have gone wrong has gone wrong.

I need some more Phenibut dammit!

[Scivation]

Here is an excerpt from an article by Karl Hoffman. I found many statements that could theoretically support all-day sipping of BCAAs. It also mentions the use of BCAAs post cycle.



Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is a cytokine produced by immune cells in the body called monocytes and macrophages. TNF exerts a number of deleterious effects on the body, including muscle wasting, and locally produced igf-1 suppression, and general fatigue. While usually associated with illness, TNF-alpha levels are also high in hypogonadal patients and overtrained athletes. In one study, lipopolysachharide, a bacterial toxin that elevates TNF-alpha, was administered to rats. One group of rats was fed citrulline malate, and one group served as controls. The citrulline malate group performed much better on treadmill tests and exhibited less overall fatigue that did the controls (8).

These results may be of significance to overtrained athletes in whom TNF-alpha is elevated, and in anabolic steroid using athletes who are essentially hypogonadal post cycle. Citrulline malate may help alleviate the fatigue associated with both these conditions.

BCAAs may suppress TNF-alpha and its damaging effects on muscle tissue as well. In one study in animals, TNF-alpha was administered and diaphragm tissue was examined post mortem. Chronic TNF-alpha treatment produced a significant decline in the synthesis of all types of myofibrillar proteins, namely heavy chain myosin, light chain myosin and G-actin. TNF-alpha impaired peptide-chain initiation in diaphragm muscle was reversed by the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) therapy of TNF-alpha treated rats. The authors concluded that

"These findings indicate a significant [inhibitory] role for TNF-alpha in the translational regulation of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle [which is reversed by BCAA administration ] (9) We see here a potential additive or even synergistic effect between citrulline malate and BCAAs in fighting muscle loss due to cytokines like TNF-alpha which are associated with illness, overtraining, and post anabolic steroid use.

In addition to blocking the muscle wasting catabolic effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines, BCAAs also seem to fight a tug of war with catabolic glucocorticoids. This suggests that under conditions such as stress or overtraining, BCAAs might help alleviate the catabolic effects of cortisol (10).



Just as glucose uptake into cells is dependent upon a family of so called GLUT (Glucose Transporters), amino acids are transported into cells by a distinct family of transporters. One main transport system is the so-called System A. In vitro studies have shown that leucine upregulates System A transporters, allowing for greater entry of a number of amino acids into muscle cells (11). It should be noted that one of the anabolic effects of IGF-1 is believed to be upregulation of this same transport system. So in this sense leucine may share at least one of the anabolic effects associated with insulin like growth factor.

So we have seen that amino acids, and leucine in particular are capable of activating signal transduction pathways in an almost hormone like manner. They are much more than simple nutrients in this regard. To quote from one recent review,

"The protein kinase mTOR is a common intermediate in both nutrient and hormone signal transduction pathways. Signaling through mTOR is enhanced by nutrients and anabolic hormones, such as insulin or IGF-I and repressed by elevation of cAMP or activation of AMPK suggesting that one function of mTOR is to integrate the anabolic response to nutrients and insulin and the catabolic response to counter-regulatory hormones, such as glucagon...Although other amino acids have been shown to increase signaling through mTOR, leucine is arguably the most potent of the amino acids in activating the pathway." (12)