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It seems to be some new bodybuilding trend… mega-dosing supplements. There is much discussion on how to mega-dose, what to mega-does, etc.
What are the best supplements to mega-dose? Why?
A great topic for debate if there ever was one. Bodybuilders are known for extremes. It takes an extreme amount of dedication just to stick to the diet, let alone the workouts and recovery. Of course we all want faster results, better results, and that extra edge.
Diet, rest, recovery, hydration are all more important than supplementation. Once these discliplines hae been mastered there are two things left in the physical realm. If we are going drug free, that leaves one thing. Supplementation.
For extreme results we may want to consider extreme doses. Mega dosing. Creatine? Mega dosing of creatine virtually assures that constipation will not be an issue. Ephedrine? See you in the morgue. How about L-Glutamine? Possibly, known to work for cancer patients and burn victims at doses of 30 grams and up per day.
What we want to do is build lean muscle and avoid side effects. May I be bold enough to recommend;
These plant sterols have been researched and shown to have anabolic effects similiar to steroids.
They increase protein synthesis and contribute to fat loss, lean mass gain and many other desirable effects. They are not known to have any negative side effects and the toxic doses are extremely high.
At what dosages should they be mega-dosed at?
Two grams of each per day, divided doses
What supplements can be stacked and mega-dosed?
Can be? Anything. Mega dosed? anything non-toxic. The point here is to get the most benefit. I believe our friends the plant sterols are the supplements for this gig.
How much is too much?
With the above flavonoids, the chances of a person obtaining and ingesting enough to cause any problems are remote.
A toxic dose for Methoxy-7 has not been established for humans, but the two gram range should be safe. As always, consult with your physician before embarking on any exercise, nutrition, or supplementation regimen. Your mileage may vary.
"The safety of Ipriflavone was confirmed on animals when mega-doses where given to them. Up to 4000 mg per kilogram were applied with absolutely zero side effects. Rather, they just gained more lean muscle!" *
BONUS QUESTION: Have you ever mega-dosed one or more supplements? How were the results? Do you think mega-dosing supplements has more of a benefit?
Yes when I quit smoking, for 12 days I ate over 3400 calories per day, did light exercise due to a strained lower back, and took 1.8 grams of ecdysterone per day. I lost weight 5 pounds and gained some strength, being able to increment all of my lifts. I believe that the benefits of this supplement were augmented at three times the recommended dose of 600 mg for a 250 - 300 lb man.
perldog007, do you recomend taking 2g of each Ipriflavone, Methoxyflavone, and Ecdysterone at the same time or just 2g of one of them?
Personally, I havent stacked them all yet. A Clayton South article says they can be. I am doing the deed in November. Since you were nice enough to ask, I will have Mrs. Perldog007 send you my psp gear if it all goes horribly wrong
My experince has been with 1.8 to 2.4 grams of ecdysterone and it was a good one. I do believe in cycling most stuff so after a few weeks off here I am going to go for all three.
Last edited by perldog007; 10-23-2005 at 08:38 PM.
Reason: Add icon
I usually don't like to write entire articles regarding supplements because I am a firm believer that diet and training are far more important than any arsenal of supplements. Diet and training will make or break you. However, supplements have their place too, and shouldn't be neglected! Supplementation coupled with proper diet and training will get you excellent results! But what if I was to tell you that "mega-dosing" with supplements will get you even better results, faster?
What is Mega-dosing?
"Mega-dosing" is simply taking in more than the recommended serving size for a given supplement. Many bodybuilders have experienced amazing results mega-dosing supplements, and you can too!
What are the best supplements to mega-dose? Why?
1. BCAA (branched chain amino acids)
Writer's choice: Scivation Xtend
The term BCAA refers to the three essential amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. The essential branched chain amino acids (BCAA's) benefit bodybuilders and athletes greatly because rather than being metabolized in the liver, they are metabolized directly in the muscle! This is of great benefit for bodybuilders and athletes because after digestion, the amino acids can either be used as an energy source or used to form new proteins.
Xtend is a BCAA product with the addition of Glutamine, Citrulline Malate, and Vitamin B6 that give you the energy you need to maximize your training and improve recovery! Xtend also decreases catabolism (muscle breakdown), reduces coritsol levels, increases protein synthesis, and promotes cell volumization!
Bodybuilders have supplemented with a regular dosage of BCAA for many years. However, mega-dosing BCAA's was unheard of until bodybuilding.com's very own Derek Charlebois (AKA "Beast") and many other bodybuilders decided to run a little experiment: mega-dosing with BCAA's using Scivation's Xtend. During the first week of mega-dosing Xtend, Derek experienced a rather large increase in lean body mass, muscle fullness, vascularity! After 4 weeks of mega-dosing, Derek had gained 7 pounds in 4 weeks, all of which was lean body mass, and lost 3 pounds of fat while bulking!
At what dosage should BCAA's be mega-dosed at?
Using Scivation's Xtend as an example, an effective "mega-dosage schedule" would like like this:
Immediately upon waking: 1 serving Xtend Pre-Workout: 1 serving Xtend During Workout: 2 servings Xtend Immediately after workout: 1 serving Xtend Before bed: 1 serving Xtend
Total: 50 grams BCAA
Mega-dosing with 50g of BCAA from Scivation's Xtend daily is an effective dosage for excellent results! I also believe that Xtend is the best BCAA product to mega-dose with because of the addition of Glutamine, Citrulline Malate, and Vitamin B6. Not to mention the incredible taste. My choice: Watermelon flavored Xtend!
However, if you wish to mega-dose using BCAA alone, not necessarily Xtend, an effective mega-dose schedule would be:
Immediately upon waking: 10 grams Pre-Workout: 10 grams During Workout: 10 grams Immediately after workout: 10 grams Before bed: 10 grams
Total: 50 grams BCAA
Again, it is the writer's opinion that unflavored BCAA tastes like garbage, so I highly recommend getting some flavored BCAA (Xtend) if you decide to mega-dose with BCAA.
Can Xtend be mega-dosed and stacked?
Yes! In fact, I'd recommend stacking other supplements while mega-dosing Xtend for maximum results. Stacking Xtend with "the basics" such as creatine monhydrate, protein powder, multivitamins, and EFA's (essential fatty acids) will guarantee maximum results, and encourage an anabolic environment! An effective schedule for mega-dosing Xtend while stacking it with "the essential supplements" would look like this:
Immediately upon waking: 1 serving Xtend, Multivitamin Pre-Workout: 1 serving Xtend, 3-5 grams Creatine Monohydrate During Workout: 2 servings Xtend Immediately after workout: 1 serving Xtend, 3-5 grams Creatine Monohydrate, 1 scoop Protein Powder Before bed: 1 serving Xtend, 1 scoop Protein Powder, EFA's
How much is too much?
Dosing with over the recommended 50g of BCAA is really unnecessary, and will ultimately put a hole in your wallet. Stick with 50g of BCAA when mega-dosing for best results!
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Writer's choice:NOW Omega-3 Fish Oil Concentrate
Omega-3 is classified as an essential fatty acid (EFA) that is derived from plant and animal sources. However, obtaining omega-3 from fish oil supplements is the most common way of doing so. These fats are extemely vital for general overall health, and are given the term "essential" due to the fact that the body cannot process them. Therefore, the body can only obtain these fats through food intake and supplementation. Research indicates that consumption of omega-3 fatty acids may decrerease the risk of coronary heart disease. Other properties of omega-3 and EFA's:
-Promotes brain and nerve tissue development
-Regulates fluid in cell membrane
-Controls and regulates blood sugar levels
-Improves insulin levels
-Anti-inflammatory effect
-Improves immune system
-Reduces water retention
-Lowers high blood cholesterol levels
-Reduces triglyceride levels
-Essential for energy production
Obviously, these fats are of great importance for the human body and for overall health. These EFA's have also been shown to decrease body fat levels and improve body composition in many individuals. Omega-3 acids (supplemented in the form of fish oil) have been shown to also increase leptin sensitivity (and aid in nutrient partitioning) much more efficiently than other EFAs!
Supplementing with fish oil (omega 3's) with a dosage ranging from 15 to 20 grams a day will allow for drastic changes in body compisition, overall health and wellness, and even decrease body fat! This dosage recommendation assumes that you are using a standard fish oil supplement, which contains 30% EPA/DHA and 1g fish oil.
Can the omega-3 found in my fish oil be mega-dosed and stacked with other supplements?
Yep! In fact, mega-dosing fish oil and stacking it with other fat loss products such as Avant lab's SesaThin or a thermogenic such as SAN Tight will result in quicker changes in body composition! Stacking the fish oil with sesamin prodcuts will mobilize fatty acids and adipose tissue more effectively, seeing sesamin products are more readily used by the body when taken in conjunction with more than 10g of dietary fat. This means that by taking over 10g of fat worth of fish oil along with a sesamin product at one meal will promote rapid fat loss and changes in body composition! Throw in a thermogenic and you become a fat burning machine!
How much is too much?
Mega-dosing with over 20g of fish oil is too much, and not needed. Staying within the range of 15-20g a day is optimal for best results!
Vitamin C
Writer's Choice: Higher Power Vitamin C 1000
Vitamin C is very important to the human body. It's even more important for bodybuilders and athletes! Vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin, has been shown to strengthen the immune system tremendously! It also aids you in recovering much faster from your workouts because of it's cortisol (catabolic hormone) suppressing properties. Other amazing properties and benefits Vitamin C contains include:
-Strengthens bones and connective tissue
-Reduces tissue damage
-Promotes healthy blood pressure
-Reduces cortisol
-Strengthens immune system
-Reduces stress
-Aids in the healing of wounds
-Prevents arthritis
At what dosages should Vitamin C be mega-dosed at?
Generally, the recommendations for Vitamin C supplementation is 1000mg daily. However, I'm a firm believer of mega-dosing with Vitamin C to maximize recovery, muscle growth, and improve overall health. I made tremendous progress mega-dosing with 3000mg of Vitamin C daily! Recall that Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin; therefore, it will not be stored by the human body. If the multi-vitamin supplement you are taking has 1000 mg, then simply spread the remaining 2000mg throughout the rest of the day. For improved recovery, reduced muscle soreness, and increased muscle growth, Vitamin C should be mega-dosed at 3000mg daily. The best times to take your Vitamin C supplement is immediately upon waking, pre-workout, and post-workout. Therefore, an effective supplement schedule for mega-dosing Vitamin C would like this:
Immediately upon waking: 1000mg Vitamin C Pre-workout: 1000mg Vitamin C Post-workout: 1000mg Vitamin C
Can Vitamin C be stacked and mega-dosed?
Absolutely! Mega-dosing Vitamin C and stacking it with the basics (protein powder, creatine, fish oil, etc.) has worked wonders for others and myself in the past by improving recovery and reducing muscle soreness. An effective pre and post workout supplement set-up, which involves mega-dosing Vitamin C and stacking it with other supplements to improve recovery would be:
30 minutes pre-workout, after consumption of pre-workout meal: 1000mg Vitamin C, 5g creatine monohydrate, 1 serving Xtend or 10g BCAA
Although Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, which cannot be stored by the human body, surpassing the recommendation of 3000mg daily would be rather unnecessary. Remember that more isn't always better! Stick with the recommended 3000mg daily for best results!
Have you ever mega-dosed one or more supplements?
Yes. I've mega-dosed with fish oil and Vitamin C in the past and experienced amazing results. I have not yet mega-dosed with Xtend or BCAA yet, but it's next on my list!
How were the results?
The results were great! On my last bulking cycle, I mega-dosed with both fish oil (up to 15g daily) and Vitamin C (3000mg daily). I also stacked these supplements with the basics, such as protein powder, a multi-vitamin, and creatine. In a total of 12 weeks, I added 10 pounds to my frame with only a 1.5% increase in body fat! Obviously hard work, intense training sessions, and a strict diet allowed me to accomplish this. But there is no doubt in my mind that mega-dosing these supplements helped me bulk up!
Do you think mega-dosing supplements has more of a benefit?
Not all supplements are meant to be mega-dosed. However, mega-dosing with the proper supplements that I mentioned are of great benefit. Mega-dosing is a proven method to achieve your goals faster and quicker!
Animal m stak stacks two of them, maybe the ipraflavones too? not quite sure
exactly, ipriflavone and mehtoxy. I have read some about methoxy being destroyed by digestion and am trying to find something other than marketing to read on sub-lingual dosing of methoxy. My experience with Sci-fit ecdysterone orally was a good one.
Adrenaline rules - got fear ??
My yerba log/review ****
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=658762
One on the neck and 2 more on each wrist for synergy.
What do I win?
The best threads of 2004: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=377096&highlight=2004
The best threads of 2005: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=601510&highlight=2005+best
The best threads of 2006: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=940367&highlight=2006+best
The best threads of 2007: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=5860741&highlight=2007+best
methoxy and ipri and ecdysterone dont do ****.. i tried them each alone , together, on doses as high as 2 g and with other stacks like animal mstak .. waste of money..
do methyl masterbrol .. cheaper and sure results ..
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