I am going to first cover my own experience with this product and will then share what I found out about the ingredients.
I took this pre-workout today. I did one scoop yesterday and while it felt good, the intesity wasn't close to the old formula. I do think I will be able to take this and sleep. I could only take the old formula for morning and afternoon workouts.
Today I did 2 scoops and not much more energy. I did get a serious pump. I'm going to finish the container and will get a follow up then.
I don't miss the beta-alanine itch. We'll see if the gains keep coming on this.
Now on to the details of the Jack3d ingredients.
USPLabs has taken a big departure from the Jack3d formula. With the imminent banning of DMAA (methylhexanamine or 1,3-dimethylamylamine or Geranamine). A new formula was needed.
The old formulation consisted of :
Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate
Creatine Monohydrate
Beta Alanine
Caffeine
1,3-Dimethylamylamine HC1(Geranium [Stem])
Shizandrol A
Only Arginine and Caffeine remain in the new formulation. The new formula seems to be focused on nitric oxide production and energy.
Here's the breakdown of the ingredients.
eNOS Super Performance System™ 2799 mg
L-Citrulline
Precursor to
Arginine the nitric oxide amino acid. It has been suggested that citrulline
does this more efficiently.
Arginine
Nitrate
Sometimes
called NO3. The theory is that attaching a nitrate to Arginine increases nitric
oxide production.
Agmatine
Sulfate
Agmatine is
naturally produced in the body when arginine is processed. Bro science reports
say that agmatine produces superior pumps and greater uses of nutrients taken
in. That is nutrient
partitioning aka more calories are shuttled towards muscle tissue and less are
stored as fat. Also increased production of luteinizing hormone (testosterone)
and growth hormone.
Grape Seed
(95% Proanthocyanidins) Extract
Researchers at the Temple
University School of Medicine discovered that grape polyphenols enhance the
production of nitric oxide. These findings were reported in the November 2000
issue of the journal "Biochemical Pharmacology."
CNS
Stimulant System™ 190 mg
Caffeine
According to Flex Magazine’s Encyclopedia of Supplements, Caffeine
is “a stimulant and effective fat burner due to its ability to
increase the release of fat from fat cells, caffeine has been shown to boost
strength and power output when taken one hour before workouts.”
Norcoclaurine HCl (Norcoline™)
USPLabs always has an ingredient that is ahead of the game and
this appears to be one of them. As far as I can tell by trying to decipher a
study I found on the net. This substance appears to enhance the production of
dopamine. Resulting in the other two lifters want to increase focus and
intensity. Those being norepinephrine and epinephrine.
**** UPDATE 10/1/12 - Hat Tip to this link for breaking the ingredient down.
http://examine.com/supplements/Higenamine/#howtotake
**** UPDATE 10/1/12 - Hat Tip to this link for breaking the ingredient down.
http://examine.com/supplements/Higenamine/#howtotake
3,4-Dihydroxycinnamic Acid
I couldn’t find any information
in this one myself but found the below on the nutraplanet.com website.
“This particular
compound is an antioxidative polyphenol found in a variety of foods (coffee,
citrus foods, etc) and has multiple benefits. For one, it may enhance the
bioavailability of the norcoclaurine in the formula, allowing for greater efficacy.
It does this by inhibiting catecholamine o-methyltransferase (COMT), the enzyme
that degrades the catecholamines and other related compounds responsible for
the stimulant effects seen with stimulant type compounds. This can translate
not only to a greater stimulant effect, but a longer lasting effect as well...
Secondly, it has also been shown to increase eNOS activity
while also enhancing the formation of NO from nitrite by acting as a reducing
agent. Thus, it can increase NO formation through the two main mechanisms
through which NO is formed!”
If this weren’t enough, it also has a CNS stimulant effect
on its own. Yet, when combined with caffeine, it may actually increase the
stimulant effects of caffeine as well!"
**** UPDATE 10/1/12 - Pubmed study on this ingredient.
Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2012;76(5):1025-7. Epub 2012 May 7.
**** UPDATE 10/1/12 - Pubmed study on this ingredient.
Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2012;76(5):1025-7. Epub 2012 May 7.
3,4-Dihydroxycinnamic
acid attenuates the fatigue and improves exercise tolerance in rats.
Source
Department of General Biology,
Federal University of Viçosa, MG, Brazil. romuonovaes@yahoo.com.br
Abstract
3,4-Dihydroxycinnamic acid (3,4-DA)
is a natural compound with high antioxidant potential found in various foods.
This study found that animals administered with 3,4-DA had higher exercise
tolerance, reduced blood lactate, and markers of hepatic oxidation. Blood
glucose and antioxidant enzymes were not affected by this treatment. 3,4-DA may
have applicability in reducing the fatigue associated with exercise.
PMID:22738980
[PubMed - in process]
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 100 mg 167%
The below was taken from Flex
Magazine’s Encyclopedia of Supplements issue.
“In
addition to the health benefits of vitamin C, it can actually increase muscle
endurance and reduce fatigue via its antioxidant properties. Vitamin C destroys
free radicals created from training and other stresses, which break down NO.
Having higher NO levels has been shown in numerous clinical studies to boost
muscle endurance, stave off fatigue, and increase muscle strength. Research
even suggests that vitamin C can also enhance fat loss.”
This product is selling for about $35 online. I would say it's definitely worth trying.
Aggressive Strength Natural Testosterone Booster
