Nitric Oxide

What is Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate?
Arginine alpha-ketoglutarate is simply two arginine molecules attached to one alpha-ketoglutarate molecule. Arginine is an amino acid and alpha-ketoglutarate is a precursor of the amino acid glutamine. It is believed that this formulation improves arginine absorption, thereby further increasing nitric oxide (NO) production.

What is Nitric Oxide?
NO2 is the most popular supplement in the United States as of this writing and is growing in populairty in Britain. It has been called the new age 'creatine' although it is not a creatine product - its effects are as impressive as when creatine was first launched. And when creatine was launched it never lost popularity as a useful ergogenic aid. It is unlikely that Nitric Oxide will ever loose populairty. Used 30 minutes prior to a workout, NO2 gives users a "perpetual pump" that lasts long after the workout is over. Its effect on nitric oxide synthesis also means that bodybuilders using NO2 regularly for several weeks usually gain both muscle size and strength. There is also a massive motivational, almost palcebo-like effect with this supplement, because when you take it you feel so pumped, you feel stronger than ever before.

What Are The Benefits oF A-AKG Supplementation?
The benefits of arginine alpha-ketoglutarate are similar to those of arginine, mostly due to the increased NO production triggered by the supplement, which increases blood flow and nutrient delivery to the muscle.

Arginine may help prevent or reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease, and may decrease the occurrence of artherosclerosis (the formation of hard plaque from fatty deposits in the arteries). Arginine is also thought to help lower cholesterol levels, and may help improve symptoms of angina.

Arginine may also help prevent or reduce the spread of certain cancers, and is thought to have antioxidant properties.

Research shows that arginine may help the body repair wounds, may help individuals with some kidney disorders, may help decrease the severity or incidence of migraine headaches, and may help improve symptoms of male infertility caused by erectile dysfunction.

More conclusive research is necessary as to what degree arginine helps improve exercise performance and increase of lean muscle mass.

How Does It Work?
Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate acts to stimulate the production of nitric oxide in your body. Nitric oxide acts as your body's master "cell-signalling" molecule, directing and ordering a complex array of activities. It regulates blood flow, muscle contraction, nerve signalling and muscle growth, to name just a few. The functions of this molecule are very impressive and you should take note.

However, you can't just go out and buy nitric oxide (known also as NO). Instead, you use Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate, which is a natural, non-drug method of creating NO in the human body. Arginine has been shown to increase NO production in blood vessels, where it widens their diameter, increasing blood flow without elevating blood pressure. Wider blood vessels carry more blood to muscles and tissues, delivering increased amounts of protein, carbohydrate and the various anabolic hormones (such as growth hormone and testosterone) needed for muscle growth. When nitric oxide is present in the muscles, it activates “gene-expression” and turns on the body's muscle-building mechanism (commonly called protein synthesis). All of this is rather amazing and potentially stageringly brilliant news for athletes.

The most obvious and immediate benefit of extra NO is the enhanced "pump". Some bodybuilders report that their pumps were far larger and lasted longer while using NO. Quite obviously they looked bigger. Their muscles felt fuller and tighter. Some of them literally felt pumped all day. But the pump is really only a side effect. The real benefit is the ability of NO to rapidly generate new muscle growth, increase strength and accelerate recovery in all of the muscles — the small as well as the larger ones. Scientists still don't why, but NO stimulates protein synthesis in the muscle. That protein then goes on to form muscle tissue. Protein Synthesis is the anabolic activity within the body of proteins flooding into muscle cells, if you imagine your muscles like a balloon being filled with air. Increased protein synthesis is essentially what anabolic steroids achieve through a different route.

Plain arginine supplements (or even red meat, which is rich in arginine) won't produce the same dramatic results. For a supplement to be effective at boosting nitric oxide levels continuously, it needs to have some kind of extended-release delivery system. This is achieved by combining Arginine with Alpha-Ketoglutarate. Taking plain arginine to raise nitric oxide levels is a bit like trying to extinguish the fire in a blazing building with a cup of water. It won't work.

Arginine also boosts the production of growth hormone. This has been well documented in the famous book - Optimum Sports Nutrition by Colgan. Human growth hormone helps in muscle building, leading to increased muscle size and strength. Growth hormone also decreases body fat. Arginine is a very popular treatment for erectile dysfunction, and has a reputation for restoring sex drive and confidence.

Most bodybuilders report greater pumps — not just during the workout, but throughout the day — when NO2 is taken before exercise. NO2 also accelerates muscle growth, though the effects are not instant, and take 20-30 days to become apparent. Some people may also notice a strong increase in libido when using this product.

More About Nitric Oxide
At its core is the delivery of the nitrogen donating compound L- arginine alpha keto-glutarate (A-AKG). For those of you who are scientifically minded, there are over 30 clinical trials that have shown nitrogen donating amino acids enhance the release of nitric oxide; a cell signalling molecule that enhances blood flow (hemodilation), exercise performance and nutrient delivery. In the case of Nitro3 its principle action is to enhance what is commonly referred to as a “muscle pump” by providing a nutrient support system for the production and release of myocellular (muscle) nitric oxide (NO).

Although no direct studies exist on A-AKG due to its relatively short existence for commercial use, we do know that it provides a high quality and bioavailable source of nitrogen containing amino acid L-arginine. It is the availability of nitrogen sources that control the release of NO; one of the bodies most powerful cell signalling systems. .Studies have shown that the delivery of < 4 times less L-arginine into plasma than that delivered with your typical A-AKG product on the market, has resulted in nitric oxide levels increasing.

The use of A-AKG in the sports supplements currently onthe market are designed specifically for athletes looking to increase muscle blood flow (muscle PUMP) and nutrient delivery though the nutritional support of the bodies own natural NO release systems.

Usage Indications
Essentially most companies are suggesting an effective dosage of Arginine Alpha-Ketogluterate (A-AKG ) to be in the region of 6 grams per day. This is typically consumes in two seperate daily doses of 3 grams at a time.
Consult your physician about arginine supplements if you suspect you are deficient, or suffer from a serious condition.

Side effects:
May occur with daily intake of 15 grams or more, and include nausea, abdominal cramping and diarrhea. Sensitive individuals may experience side effects at lower doses.

ContraIndications:
Do not use arginine supplements if you suffer from the rare genetic disorder argininemia. Consult your physician before using arginine if you have any medical conditions, or are taking any of the following medications: nitroglycerin, Viagra, cyclosporine, ibuprofen, organic nitrates, or the herbal supplement yohimbe. Arginine may cause herpes or cold sore outbreaks in prone individuals. Individuals using arginine supplements on a long term basis should consider taking an amino acid complex to ensure proper amino acid balance.