Quote (Gosu @ Dec 27 2011 08:07pm)
does jack3d harm your body? what are your thoughts on preworksupps?
thanks in advance
Pre-workout supplements in general have some rather large flaws. I am going to explain this in full and save the reply for future questions in regards to pre-workout supps.
The problems include the following:
1. Caffeine + Arginine together. The issue here is the fact that you are using a vasoconstrictor (caffeine) with a vasodialator (arginine). The two work antagonistically. Caffeine constricts the blood vessels and increases blood pressure, whereas arginine dialates the blood vessels and reduces blood pressure. Some supplements have much more caffeine, others have much more arginine, some have about the same. Either way though this is a stupid and useless transaction to have quantities of both - choose one or the other. Caffeine for energy, or Arginine for Pump.
2. Tons of Magnesium. Most pre-workout supplements have a ton of Magnesium which has a laxitive side effect. Many of the original NO-Xplode users will attest to the "explosive" results 10-15 minutes after drinking. This can disrupt your workout and cause obvious focus issues.
3. Artificial colors/flavors. As we know, artificial colors and flavors are obviously NOT good to put into our bodies. There really is no argument here. All pre-workout supps are chock full of these.
4. Sucralose (Splenda), Aspartame, and Acesulfame potassium (Artificial sweeteners). All pre-workout supplements are FULL of these. They not only have laxitive like side effects (yes, it stacks with the magnesium) but also these artificial sweeteners have potentially carcenogenic effects when used over the long term. It's not clear how much or what mechanism is required to cause such an effect - so for right now the FDA labels these as "safe." However certain labratory animals have experienced mast cell growth and cancerous tumors as the result of the introduction of artificial sweeteners. Avoid these!!
5. Extremely expensive per serving. The cost of most pre-workout supplements like Jack3d and NO-Xplode are generally very high per serving. Sometimes $1-$2. If you substitute with 2 cups of plain black coffee (around $.15 each) you can have tons of energy, without any added BS, and much cheaper!!
In conclusion, most pre-workout supplements are a ton of caffeine (energy) and beta A (which gives you the tingly feeling). They are full of artificial sweeteners and colors and also can produce laxative-like effects with excessive magnesium. They are very expensive per serving and mostly popular due to very obvious aggressive marketing campaigns.
I personally recommend the following:
1. 2 cups plain black coffee prior to working out for energy (cheap, natural, and effective)
2. 5g Di-Arginine Malate pre-workout and 5g again at the 1 hour mark if training for more than 1 hour (for great pumps and vasodialation)
3. GAT! Jet Fuel. This is the only pre-workout supp I think is good. It's made up of entirely good ingredients and has a MUCH greater energy effect than plain caffeine.
Good luck!