Whitedevil's Kreaceps/Citruvol Log (Supplements of the Future?)

[whitedevil74]

I want to thank Millennium Sport Technologies for letting me test out their products. I am very interested in the additon of Cordyceps in these products. As far as I know Millineum is the first company to add this substance which has been used in China for centuries for health and performance boosting.
I also want to acknowledge that it only took a few days for my package to arrive, so Millenium seems to be a stand up company. The products I am testing are listed below.

www.millenniumsport.net
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/ms/krea.html
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/ms/cit.html

INTRODUCTION: I have been working out off and on for years. However, my biggest problem was that I had smoked for 15 years. A couple of months ago I quit and believe I have it licked this time. Since then my training has become alot more consistent. Also, I have just started my own business after working for the government for the past couple of years so I am entering another new phase of my life and I am not sure how this will impact my training. Well here are my stats.

SEX: Male

AGE: 32

HEIGHT: 6'3'

WEIGHT(as of this morning): 216

BODYFAT: Unsure, I would say probably 15.5% according to the machine at my gym but that thing always gives different readings



CURRENT SUPPLEMENTS:
Millennium Sport technologies: Kreaceps & Citruvol
Dymatize: Elite Whey Chocolate
ON 100% Casein chocolate
Centrum mutli
Fish Oil - 6 caps a day
Flax Oil - 3 caps a day
Paravol (caps twice a day)

PAST SUPPLEMENTS:
This would take 2 hours to write so I will list what I was taking before I began this log. I was taking bulk Kre-Alk powder and bulk Citruline Malate powder. 3 grams of each pre/post workout. This is perfect because I know exactly how these products affect me and these are the main ingredients in both of Millenium products. However, Millineum's contain cordyceps, and from my recent supplement use I believe I am in a perfect position to evaluate whether this addition enhances the effectiveness of either Kre-Alk or Cit Mal, both of which are excellent supplements on thier own.

DIET: My diet is a pretty solid 40/40/20. My protein comes from Whey, Casein, Lean turkey breast, chicken breast, and steaks when they are on sale. Carbs come mostly from oats, fruits and veggies. Fats come from nuts, fish, avocadoes etc.. I try to eat clean most of the time, but you only live once and I do cheat from time to time usually on the weekends.

Training: DC style training with compund movements, rest paused. I perform an explosive positive movement with a controlled negative. I train 2 days on Upper (chest/back/shoulders) then Lower + Arms, then 2 days off. It is not a set MWF or TTHRSAT. 2 on 2 off works for me.

Pictures will be added hopefully every week.

[whitedevil74]

Here is some information on Cordyceps:

Description Cordyceps is a Chinese mushroom used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for “lung protection” and “reproductive invigoration” as well as to balance the “Qi” – the fundamental “energy of life.” Cordyceps is also known as the Chinese caterpillar fungus (yuck!) because it is a parasitic organism that grows on a rare Tibetan caterpillar until the caterpillar dies and the mushroom sprouts from the caterpillar’s head (double yuck!!). Luckily, the source of cordyceps used in most modern supplements is not pulverized caterpillar heads, but a strain grown on soybeans or other less disgusting nutrient source.
# Claims Relieves asthma
# Increases lung function
# Boosts libido and sexual function
# Improves athletic performance

Theory:
Cordyceps could be the next Ginseng due to its reported effects on increasing energy levels, sex drive and athletic performance. You may remember mention of cordyceps in the news a few years ago when several Chinese athletes came from out of nowhere to break world records in swimming and running. It turns out that the athletes were following a supplementation regimen that included cordyceps. Although the pharmacologically active components of cordyceps remain unknown, at least two chemical constituents; cordycepin (deoxyadenosine) and cordycepic acid (mannitol) have been identified and suggested as being the active compounds in improving lung function and increasing energy levels and sex drive.

Scientific Support
Although a number of studies have been conducted on cordyceps in China, relatively little information is available from U.S.-based scientists. A few animal studies have shown cordyceps feeding to increase the ratio of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to inorganic phosphate (Pi) in the liver by 45-55% - an effect that may be viewed as beneficial in terms of energy state and potential for performance enhancement. Furthermore, mice fed cordyceps and subjected to an extreme low oxygen environment, were able to utilize oxygen more efficiently (30-50% increase), better tolerate acidosis and hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and live 2-3 times longer than a control group. A number of Chinese clinical studies, primarily in elderly patients with fatigue, cordyceps-treated patients reported significant improvements in their level of fatigue, ability to tolerate cold temperatures, memory and cognitive capacity and sex drive. Patients with respiratory diseases also reported feeling physically stronger. Overall, the efficacy rate for cordyceps in alleviating fatigue in elderly subjects was 80-90%. In addition to its effects on energy levels – possibly due to the adenosine content of cordyceps, the mushroom extract can also induce sex steroid-like effects (in mice) – which may account for the increased libido reported by elderly subjects in several studies. Recently, a small study presented at the American College of Sports Medicine annual meeting (1999), showed that a cordyceps-based supplement (CordyMax, Pharmanex) significantly increases maximal oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold, which may lead to improved exercise capacity and resistance to fatigue.

Safety
Dietary supplements of Cordyceps sinensis are not associated with any significant side effects.

References
1. Bao TT, Wang GF, Yang JL. Pharmacological actions of Cordyceps sinensis. Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih. 1988 Jun;8(6):352-4, 325-6. 2. Bok JW, Lermer L, Chilton J, Klingeman HG, Towers GH. Antitumor sterols from the mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis. Phytochemistry. 1999 Aug;51(7):891-8. 3. Bucci LR. Selected herbals and human exercise performance. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Aug;72(2 Suppl):624S-36S. 4. Chiou WF, Chang PC, Chou CJ, Chen CF. Protein constituent contributes to the hypotensive and vasorelaxant activities of Cordyceps sinensis. Life Sci. 2000 Feb 25;66(14):1369-76. 5. Kaczka EA, Trenner NR, Arison B, Walker RW, Folkers K. Identification of cordycepin, a metabolite of Cordyceps militaris, as 3'-deoxyadenosine. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1964;14:456-7. 6. Kuo YC, Tsai WJ, Shiao MS, Chen CF, Lin CY. Cordyceps sinensis as an immunomodulatory agent. Am J Chin Med. 1996;24(2):111-25. 7. Manabe N, Azuma Y, Sugimoto M, Uchio K, Miyamoto M, Taketomo N, Tsuchita H, Miyamoto H. Effects of the mycelial extract of cultured Cordyceps sinensis on in vivo hepatic energy metabolism and blood flow in dietary hypoferric anaemic mice. Br J Nutr. 2000 Feb;83(2):197-204. 8. Manabe N, Sugimoto M, Azuma Y, Taketomo N, Yama****a A, Tsuboi H, Tsunoo A, Kinjo N, Nian-Lai H, Miyamoto H. Effects of the mycelial extract of cultured Cordyceps sinensis on in vivo hepatic energy metabolism in the mouse. Jpn J Pharmacol. 1996 Jan;70(1):85-8. 9. Wang SM, Lee LJ, Lin WW, Chang CM. Effects of a water-soluble extract of Cordyceps sinensis on steroidogenesis and capsular morphology of lipid droplets in cultured rat adrenocortical cells. J Cell Biochem. 1998 Jun 15;69(4):483-9. 10. Xu WH. Water-soluble constituents of Cordyceps sinenses (Berk.) Sacc.--the nucleosides. Chung Yao Tung Pao. 1988 Apr;13(4):34-6, 63. 11. Zhang SS, Zhang DS, Zhu TJ, Chen XY. A pharmacological analysis of the amino acid components of Cordyceps sinensis Sacc. Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao. 1991;26(5):326-30. 12. Zhao-Long W, Xiao-Xia W, Wei-Ying C. Inhibitory effect of Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris on human glomerular mesangial cell proliferation induced by native LDL. Cell Biochem Funct. 2000 Jun;18(2):93-7. 13. Zhu JS, Halpern GM, Jones K. The scientific rediscovery of a precious ancient Chinese herbal regimen: Cordyceps sinensis: part II. J Altern Complement Med. 1998 Winter;4(4):429-57. 14. Zhu JS, Halpern GM, Jones K. The scientific rediscovery of an ancient Chinese herbal medicine: Cordyceps sinensis: part I. J Altern Complement Med. 1998 Fall;4(3):289-303.

[Millennium 1]

Great intro to your log. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts. I really think you'll love Kreaceps and Citruvol.

Thanks again for taking time to test and log for us,

-Matt

[Amino89]

Nice log man, I think you will love the products.

[whitedevil74]

I am actually updating from yesterday's workout.

As mentioned I am now training DC style and hope to add some more strength over the next month. I am not really looking to add much size because all of my suits are already getting tight and I can't afford to go out and purchase a new wardrobe just yet. Well now for the update.

Saturday (Chest, Shoulders, Back)

Incline bench Press:
135 X 11, 135 X 11, 205 X 6 (warm ups), workset: 205 X 8 X 4 X 1 (all restpaused)

Dips:
BW x 12 x 4 x 2 (al rest/paused) controlled negative

Push Press:
100 x 10 x 4 x 2

Widegrip Pull Up (no straps)
BW X 9 X 4 X 2

Barbell Rows
135 x 9 x 6 x 2

These workouts are abbreviated but absolutely kill you. For those who are unfimiliar with DC training you only perform three sets of each exercise but only take about 15-20 seconds between each set. That is the rest-pause method.

Following my workout I performed full body stretches for about 15 minutes:

Initial Impressions: Well this was my first workout in two weeks and my bodey needed the break. The workout went very well and my strength did not diminish to seriously during my break. My goal is too see all of these weights move up everytime I lift. As I mentioned I had already been taking both Kre-Alk and Citruline malate, but these new products did make me feel a little different. It also could have just been that my body had finally recovered, but the workout went really well and I seemed to recover quickly from each set and was ready to tear into the next one. So far so good. I will update again tommorow. Hitting my legs tonight.

[whitedevil74]

Leg Day

Squats:
65 x 10, 85 x 10, 135 x 19 (warm up sets)
205 x 8, 155 x 20 PR for me.

whether it was my break or the new supplements I don't know but I had not been able to hit 155 x 20 before my break. These 20 rep squats are absolutely torture. Prior to my break I could not rep this weight 20 times, this time I hit my target 20 reps and possibly could have added 1-2 more but I was gasping for breath at 20 and coming off a two week break I decided to be happy with hitting my goal. However my legs were so swollen I had to move on to my biceps because my legs were so "pumped" I couldn't even walk right.

Underhand close grip chin-ups:
BW x 10.

Hammer Curls across my body.
45 x 8 x 5 x 3

Leg Extensions
120 x 14 x 11

Ab Crunches:
100 x 15 x 12.

Overall: Another excellent workout. My endurance between sets was definetly improved and my muscles are just responding better. It is hard to explain but I can just feel them working better. I will know in a couple of weeks whether it was my break or the supplements, but right now I am pleased with this combination.

[whitedevil74]

Monday. Day 3

This is an off day so there is nothing much to report. My legs are not as stiff as I thought they would be after yesterdays workout. Also after my workout I ended playing tennis for about 2 hours. Something in this combo is working, my guess the Citruvol, because my endurance yesterday was much improved. I was running all over the court and while I would get winded I just seemed to recover much more quickly than usual.

Question: What is the dosing recommendation for off days. Today I took 6 Kreaceps and 4 Citrovol as recommended but was wondering if this is recommended?

[whitedevil74]

Day 4

Another Off day. I am sore but not a crippling sore as I am used to experiencing. I am also experimenting with barefoot running (treadmill only at this time) and ran for about 20 minutes. Surprisingly I never really got tired adn felt as if I could keep running. The Citrulline Malate seems to be working very well.

[Millennium 1]

Monday.

This is an off day so there is nothing much to report. My legs are not as stiff as I thought they would be after yesterdays workout. Also after my workout I ended playing tennis for about 2 hours. Something in this combo is working, my guess the Citruvol, because my endurance yesterday was much improved. I was running all over the court and while I would get winded I just seemed to recover much more quickly than usual.

Question: What is the dosing recommendation for off days. Today I took 6 Kreaceps and 4 Citrovol as recommended but was wondering if this is recommended?

Off day dosing is the same as training dosing. You can cut it back if you'd like but the NO effect won't be as strong.

[whitedevil74]

Thanks for the response. I will take the same dosages on off as on days. Also I am taking all 6 kreaceps caps before my workout. Should I split it up or does it matter?

[Millennium 1]

Thanks for the response. I will take the same dosages on off as on days. Also I am taking all 6 kreaceps caps before my workout. Should I split it up or does it matter?

Use the Kreaceps how you feel it fits best. I like it 3 before and 3 after. But if I know I'm in for a heavy leg or chest workout I'll use all 6 pre workout. It's just personal preference.

[whitedevil74]

Well since I am killing myslf on every workout I think I will take all 6 before lifting. Thanks again.

[whitedevil74]

Bench Press:
225 x 8 x 3 x 1 (Up 10 lbs)

Dips
BW + 10lbs x 12 x 4 x 3 (up 10lbs)

Wide Grip Pull Ups
9 x 3 x 1 (Up 1)

Rows
145 x 9 x 5 x 3 (Up 10 lbs)

Upright Rows
45lb dumbells x 6 x 3 x 1

Ab Machine Crunches
100 x 20
100 x 20

Hyper Extensions
45lbs x 15 (up 20lbs)
45lbs x 15

I am busy so I will update more later. Just wanted to get this info entered.

[hvit]

Nice log, dude. *subscribes*

I've always been interested in the DC training method, I'll have to give it a shot at some point.

[whitedevil74]

Thanks for paying attention to my log. It seems like unless you are running a DS or Controlled Labs log no one pays attention.

DC training is great. You should really give it a try. GO to intense muscle .. com Most of the guys their use the method and Dante post over their all the time.

[whitedevil74]

Leg and Bicep Day

Squats:
Warm ups: 135 x 10, 135 x 10, 185 x 10
Work Sets: 225 x 10, 275 x 5, 300 x 2 (Personal Record for me I am stoked)

Leg Extensions (rest-paused)
195 x 8 x 4 x 2 (increased weight)

Close Grip Underhand Pull Up
BW x 11 (go all the way down no jerking, hold at the top a second)

Hammer Curls
50lb dumbell x 8x 4 x 1

I had a business meeting I had to attend last night so I had to have an abbreviated workout, but I did score a free filet mignon (rare and bloody). My workout's are progressing nicely. The 2 weeks off I took from lifting is reallty paying off, but I can definetly tell a difference with the combination of supplements. My strength just keeps improving and my endurance is outstanding. I am really enjoying these products.

[whitedevil74]

This was an off day from lifting so not much to report on. Legs are sore, but not as sore as usual. I was so tired from work I just slept last night. Took both products as recommended.

[whitedevil74]

This was alight workout day where I hit odd muscle groups and I try to keep it really brief.

reverse barbell curl
80lbs x 9 x5 x 5 (this was odd, usually if I do 5 on my second rest pause set, I can only get 2-3 on last set. this time I got five reps and it my muscles seemed to have the same amount of energy as on my second set.)

barbell shrugs
135 x 8 x 5 x 5 (The same thing happened this time. Very strange indeed because I go all out on each rest paused set, closely monitor my time (no more than 20 second breaks, and my muscles do not recuperate this fast usually.)

Calf Raises
175 x 15 x 15 x 15 (these are straight sets and not rest paused)

Cardio
5 minutes jumping rope
20 minutes barefoot running on steep incline. I love barefoot running. I can feel muscles developing in my calf, ankles and feet that I did not even know where there. Also my knees never hurt when barefoot running, but I always get the strangest looks from people who pass me, but nobody ever ask why I do it.

impressions
another great workout. The endurance benefits of this stack are fantastic. I recover quiclkly and feel like I can go endlessly.

Weight
218.7 (up 2.7) WOW!!!

BF
15.2 (down, but the machine always changes a little. Need calipers)

[whitedevil74]

Chest, Back, Shoulders

Bench Press
155 x 10 x 2 (Warm Up sets)
235 x 6 x 2 x1 (I don't think I warmed up enough before going into this set. My shoulders were hurting and my strength just didn't seem on. Bad set, everything else after this set went really well.)

Decline Press
245 x 8 x 5 x 3 (+10) This set I really felt on.

Clean and Press
115 x 6 x 3 x 2 (+10) - Again this set felt really good.

Barbell Rows
145 x 10 x 6 x 3 (My reps went up on this. I just felt really strong should have increased the weight)

Wide Grip Pullups
12 x 5 x 4

Farmers Walk
70lb dumbells carried around the gym. Only stopped once and this is a huge gym.

Cardio
Jump Rope

Impressions
what can I say. My strenght keeps going up, my endurance is improving, my recovery time between sets is improving. The citruvol really is beneficial with the DC style training which really challenges muscular endurance. Kreaceps truly appears to be assisting in strength gains. I also feel like I keep getting stronger the longer my wrokout goes on, my energy just seems to keep going up. My entire upper body was so pumped up after this workout I had trouble pulling my shirt off and it is still hard to type because my forearms are still pumped. Now pumped is something I could care less about but people who are looking for it, this is a good product that has really excellent strength and endurance benefits as well and that is what I am looking for.

[Millennium 1]

So far so good. Looks like things are picking up. Your training is crazy. I trained DC style for awhile and it truly kicks your butt, I think Citruvol is one of the reasons I got through it making strong gains. Your gains are looking solid already and only a week in. Great log!

[whitedevil74]

Yeah, this stack seems potent for me. the strength and endurance I get from these products really faciliate the type of training I do. Thanks Matt!!!

[whitedevil74]

Jesus my chest and triceps are sore today. I will update later after leg workout tonight. But, my suits are getting really tight which is good and bad. Good because they are tight in shoulders, arms, and thighs. Bad because I have no money for tailoring or new suits. Driving in to work today I had to take off my jacket because it was just too tight!!!

[whitedevil74]

I did not workout on Monday as planned. Afterwork I went out to meet a friend and played tennis. As I was chasing a ball down I suddenly changed directions and slipped, twisting my ankle pretty badly. Therefore no leg workout. I hope to be able to walk around soon and keep up the log. I did take the Kreaceps and Citrovol per directions.

[whitedevil74]

My ankle was still too sore and swollen to workout on Tuesday. I am still walking with a slight limp and I am just trying to stay off of it. I do plan on going to the gym tonight so I will let you know how it goes.

[Millennium 1]

Like I said man, Duct tape! It works every time. Nah, hopefully it's nothing too serious. Did it turn black and blue? If not you may be ok in a few more days. You might just take it easy on it for a while to be sure. We all have set backs.

[whitedevil74]

Squats
135 x 10
135 x 10
225 x 10
315 x 2
315 x 2
325 x 1 PR

Leg Extentions
180 x 11 x 8 x 5 (all rest paused)

Close Grip Underhand Pullup
13 PR

Hammer Curls
50lb dumbbells x 5 x 3 x 2 (all rest paused)


Impressions
Well I could finally walk properly so I trained my legs today. Also I always squat barefoot so the twisted ankle set me back a little bit. Judging from my lifts it didn't affect things too much. I just keep getting stronger and stronger every workout. I also notice that my recovery between sets is great and I seem to get more energy as my workout goes on. I will update again tommorrow.

[whitedevil74]

Look at these strength increases.

Bench Press
135 x 11
135 x 11
245 x 6 x 2 x 1 (+10)

Decline Bench Press
275 x 10 x 6 x 4 What the hell +30lbs and upped reps

Barbell Rows
100 x 11
100 x 11
155 x 10 x 6 x 4 +10 and upped reps

Wide Grip Pullups
11 x 5 x 2 These went down. Not much but I only had about 35 minutes to workout before the gym closed tonight. I jumped to this almost as soon as I completed the barbell rows so all in all not bad.

[Millennium 1]

Great strength increases, especially for a 35 minute workout. Congrats!

[bbgolfer]

Strength is outstanding on this stack, with NO bloating at all. Keep it up.

[whitedevil74]

Thanks for stopping by. This also seems to help with DOMS. I imagine it has to be the cordyceps because I have taken Kre-Alk and Citrulline Malate before and they didn't do much in terms of alleviating DOMS.