Bodybuilding For The Masses …where we do it our way…

By Victor Conte

A lot of bodybuilders have tried prohormones, hoping to find a legal and effective way of increasing their testosterone levels. However, new research has surfaced indicating that prohormones may not be the best choice for athletes looking to enhance their anbolic hormone levels and muscle strength. In fact, there is an amazingly effective new sports performance product called ZMA that has been clinically proven to significantly increase both anabolic hormone levels and muscle strength in trained athletes.

ZMA is a scientifically designed, university laboratory tested anabolic mineral support formula. ZMA contains zinc monomethionine aspartame plus magnesium aspartame and vitamin B-6 in precise ratios. ZMAis patent pending all natural product that is manufactured utilizing a unique proprietary process, which significantly enhances the absorption and utilization of both zinc and magnesium.

ZMA is also the first nighttime anabolic formula developed specifically to enhance recovery by improving sleep efficiency. ZMA is a very effective sleep aid and is recommended to be taken 30-60 minutes before bedtime. Many athletes fail to realize how important it is to get a deep and restful sleep. Healing, tissue repair, anabolic hormone production and muscle growth are maximized during sleep, so quality sleep is extremely important to athletes.

An independent study of ZMA was recently conducted at Western Washington University under the direction of sports performance researcher, Lorrie Brilla, Ph.D. A group of 12 competitive NCAA football players who took ZMA nightly during an 8 week spring training program had over 30% increases in free and total testosterone levels compared to more than 10% decreases in the placebo group of 15. The ZMA group also had a slight increase in insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels compared to a 20% decrease in the placebo group. (1) In addition to measuring the anabolic hormone increases in the football players, Dr. Brilla measured their muscle strength and functional power increases.

Pre and post leg strength and power measurements were made using a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. The players who took ZMA nightly during the 8 week period of intensive training had 2.5 times greater strength gains than the placebo group. The muscle strength of the ZMA group increased 11.6% compared to a 4.6% increase in the placebo group. The ZMA group also had two times greater functional power gains compared to the placebo group. The functional power of the ZMA group increased 18.2%, in contrast to 9.4% for the placebo group. (1,2)

According to Dr. Brilla, “This study shows that anabolic hormone and muscle strength increases can be induced in already strength-trained athletes by using a novel zinc-magnesium preparation.”

Many world class athletes are reporting tremendous benefits from ZMA, in the gym, as well as on the athletic field. For example, more than 250 NFL players are currently taking ZMA. Lester Archambeau, starting defensive end for last years NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons, says he is “extremely satisfied with ZMA. ZMA definitely helps me recover! I can tell when I take it and when I don’t. There is no doubt that it makes me sleep better.” And when it comes to the gym, the big Falcon claims, “I have much better endurance when taking ZMA.” Bryce Paup, Jacksonville Jaguar’s multi-All Pro defensive end and 1995 Defensive Player of the Year (he led the NFL with 17.5 sacks) has also been taking advantage of ZMA. Paup says, “When I take ZMA, I sleep better and more soundly, and I feel more rested when I wake up.” And when it comes to the football field, Paup claims, “The more I rest and the better I sleep, the better I perform on the field.”

In addition to the professional football players, more than 25 IFBB pro bodybuilders have benefited from using ZMA. Flex Wheeler (1999 A r n o l d Schwarzenegger Classic Champion) says “I can’t believe how much better I feel using ZMA. I have greater output. I’m stronger in everything. I wake up very well rested, and my workouts have gone better!” Michael Ashley (1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic Champion) claims “ZMA is the most effective recovery supplement I’ve used in my entire bodybuilding career! A deep and restful sleep is the secret to maximizing the anabolic process.”

While zinc and magnesium deficiencies are common in the general population, deficiencies of these minerals are even more prevalent in athletes. Research shows that rigorous exercise and stress results in significantly greater bodily losses of zinc and magnesium.

For example, in a study called “Serum Zinc in Athletes in Training,” blood (serum) zinc levels were determined in 160 training athletes, 103 males and 57 females. In 23.3% of the males and 43% of the female athletes, serum zinc levels were significantly below the “normal range.” (3)

In another study of strenuously trained men called “Magnesium, Zinc and Copper status of 270 US Navy Sea, Air and Land (SEAL) trainees” conducted by the US Department of Military Medicine, it was shown that the blood concentrations of magnesium and zinc were significantly below the “normal range” for 23% and 24% of the trainees, respectively.(4)

Furthermore, in 1998, BALCO Laboratories tested the mineral status of over 250 NFL players, including the entire Denver Broncos Super Bowl championship team, as well as the entire Miami Dolphins team. Over 70% of the football players were either depleted or deficient in both zinc and magnesium.

The NCAA football players in the ZMA study also had reduced baseline blood levels of both zinc and magnesium. However, eight weeks of ZMA supplementatio was very effective in optimizing their levels of these minerals, which resulted in dramatic increases in the anabolic hormone levels and muscle strength of the athletes. (1)

ZMA is rapidly becoming the preferred natural testosterone boosting supplement by many athletes who were previously using prohormones. ZMA has two very important advantages over prohormones. First, ZMA doesn’t need to be cycled, because ZMA will not suppress your own endogenous production of testosterone. ZMA may be taken on a continuous basis, while the prohormone proponents suggest that they be cycled. Secondly, since ZMA is not a prohormone or hormone precursor, it is not banned by any athletic organizations.

In conclusion, I’m optimistic that the science of ZMA will eventually help to establish an entirely new category of all natural sports performance products called “Nighttime Anabolic Formulas” or “Sleep and Recovery Aids”. I believe that as more athletes begin to truly understand the process of maximizing recovery, healing, tissue repair, anabolic hormone production and muscle growth, they’ll be rapidly spreading the “recover as you sleep” gospel of ZMA.

ZMA was developed by Victor Conte, founder and director of BALCO Laboratories in Burlingame, California, which has been conducting sports nutrition research for more than 16 years. BALCO specializes in mineral and trace element assessment and performs research with elite Olympic and professional athletes. Victor routinely provides consultation for several hundred elite athletes from a variety of sports including bodybuilding, football, basketball, tennis, hockey, track and field, swimming, and soccer.

ZMA is a trademark of SNAC System, Inc. in Burligame, CA and is a patent pending formulation.

Brilla LR, Conte, V. A novel zinc and magnesium formulation (ZMA) increases anabolic hormones and strength in athletes. Sports Med Train and Rehab (in press). Abstract presented November 14, 1998 at the 18th Annual Meeting of the S.W. Chapter of the ACSM.

Brilla LR, Conte, V. Effects of zinc-magnesium (ZMA) supplementation on muscle attributes of football players. Med and Sci in Sports and Exercise, Vol. 31, No. 5, May 1999

Haralambie G, et al. Int J Sports Med, 1981, 2:135138

Singh A, et al. Am J Clin Nutr, 1989 Apr, 49:695:700

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