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ZMA
A BETTER CHOICE THAN PROHORMONES
Many
bodybuilders and other weight-training athletes have tried
prohormones in their search for a legal and effective way
of increasing testosterone levels and muscle strength.
However,
new research has surfaced indicating that prohormones may
not be the best choice for athletes looking to enhance their
anabolic hormone levels and muscle strength.
In
fact, there is an amazingly effective new sports performance
product from Beverly International called ZMA that has been
clinically proven to significantly increase both anabolic
hormone levels and muscle strength in trained athletes. (1,2)
BEV
ZMA is a scientifically designed, university laboratory tested
anabolic mineral support formula.
It
contains zinc monomethionine aspartate plus magnesium aspartate
and vitamin B-6 in the precise ratios that were used in the
research.
ZMA
is a 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 the first nighttime anabolic
formula developed specifically to enhance recovery and
improve sleep efficiency. BEV ZMA is a very effective sleep
aid. We recommend that you take three capsules 30-60 minutes
before bedtime.
Healing, tissue repair, anabolic
hormone production and muscle growth are maximized during
sleep, so quality sleep is extremely important to you.
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 intensive
8 week spring training program had their total and free testosterone
levels increase by 32.4% and 33.5%, respectively.
In contrast, the placebo group
of 15 athletes engaged in the same intense training regimen
experienced a significant decrease in total and free
testosterone by 10.2% and 10.5%, respectively.
The insulin-like growth factor
1 (IGF-1) levels in the ZMA group (an important precursor
to Growth Hormone) increased by 3.6% compared to a substantial
21.5% decrease in the placebo group. (1)
33.5% INCREASE (BEV
ZMA) COMPARED TO
10.2% DECREASE (PLACEBO) IN SERUM
FREE TESTOSTERONE LEVELS
43.7% DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
BEV ZMA AND PLACEBO
In addition to measuring
the anabolic hormone increases in the football players, Dr.
Brilla measured their muscle strength and functional power
increases.
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.
(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".
This is the exact
formula used in BEV ZMA.
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 year's 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 (2000 Arnold 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 training results in significantly greater bodily
losses of zinc and magnesium. (3), (4)
In 1998, BALCO Laboratories in
Burlingame, California, 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 these football players
were found to be either depleted or deficient in zinc and
magnesium. After correcting their zinc and magnesium deficiencies
with appropriate ZMA supplementation, many of these athletes
have report very positive results.
John Gamble, strength and conditioning
coach for the Miami Dolphins, reports that
"players using ZMA are cramping
much less and seem to be getting a much more deep and restful
sleep which significantly enhances their recovery".
The NCAA football players in
the ZMA study had reduced baseline blood levels of both zinc
and magnesium as well.
However, eight weeks of nightly
ZMA supplementation was very effective in optimizing their
levels of these minerals, resulting in dramatic increases
in their anabolic hormone levels as well as muscular strength.
(1)
Women, This
is For You
Most of the prohormone experts
have recommended that women in particular should not consume
prohomones.
However, BEV ZMA is a very effective
product for women. In a study involving nationally ranked
elite bodybuilders, eleven female bodybuilders were found
to consume an average of 9 mg of zinc per day.
This is only 76% of the RDA for
zinc, which is 12 mg per day for the average female. (5) The
recommended dosage of BEV ZMA for women contains 20 mg of
elemental zinc.
This is a more appropriate dosage
for female athletes, because rigorous exercise and stress
causes even greater bodily losses of zinc.
Another group that has been advised
by the experts to avoid taking prohormones are teenage male
athletes.
However, I think it would be
beneficial for young male athletes to take an appropriate
daily dosage of BEV ZMA. The RDA for zinc for males 11 years
and up is 15 mg per day.
Two capsules of BEV ZMA contain
20 mg of zinc and 300 mg of magnesium, appropriate daily dosages
for physically active young men, 13 to 17 years of age.
To summarize, ZMA is rapidly
becoming the preferred natural testosterone-boosting supplement
by strength athletes who were previously using prohormones.
This is because 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 like prohormones.
ZMA may be taken on a continuous
basis, while the prohormone proponents suggest that they be
cycled. Secondly, since BEV ZMA is not a prohormone or hormone
precursor, it is not banned by any athletic organizations
including the NCAA, NFL or the U.S. Olympic Committee.
In conclusion, I'm optimistic
that the science of BEV 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.
References
1. Brilla LR, Conte, V. A novel zinc and magnesium formulation (BEV ZMA)
increases anabolic hormones and strength in athletes. Sport Med Train and
Rehab (in press). Abstract presented November 14, 1998 at the 18th
Annual Meeting of the S.W. Chapter of the ACSM.
2. Brilla LR, Conte, V. Effects of zinc-magnesium (BEV ZMA) supplementation
on muscle attributes of football players. Med and Sci in Sports and
Exercise, Vol. 31, No. 5, May 1999
3. Haralambie G, et al. Int J Sports Med, 1981, 2:135-138
4. Singh A, et al. Am J Clin Nutr, 1989 Apr, 49:695:700.
5. Kleiner SM, et al, Nutritional status of nationally ranked elite
bodybuilders. Int J Sport Nutr
6. Mar, 4:1, 54-69.
7. Krothiewski, W, Zinc and muscle strength and endurance.
Acta Physio Scand (1982), 116:309-311.
8. Brun J, et al. Serum zinc in highly trained adolescent gymnasts.
Bio Trac
9. Elem Res, 1995, Vol. 47, 273-278.
8. Castillo Duran C, et al, Zinc supplementation increases growth velocity
of male children and adolescents with short stature.
Acta Paediatr (1994) Aug, 83:8, 833-7.
Improves Anabolic Hormone Levels
and Muscle Strength...Naturally.
Bev ZMA is a scientifically
designed and university laboratory tested anabolic mineral
support formula. It contains zinc monomethionine aspartate
plus magnesium aspartate along with vitamin B-6 in the precise
ratios that were used in the research.
3 tablets contains:
- Vitamin B-6 - 10.5 mg.
- Magnesium Aspartate - 450
mg.
- Zinc (Monomethionine and
Aspartate) - 30 mg.
Independent study at Western
Washington University found testosterone increased by an average
of 32.4% in 12 competitive NCAA football players. Their free
testosterone (more important to raise than total testosterone
for muscle building) also went up 33.5%. The placebo groups
readings all went down by 10.2% and 10.5% respectively.
The best part is there are
no added prohormones so this product is safe AND effective
for women as well. After all, only zinc, magnesium, and vitamin
B-6 are in the product (although in a much greater bioavailable
state due to their composition).
Maximize your efforts in the
gym by taking Bev ZMA.
90 capsules lasts 30 days for
men, 45 days for women. (Normally priced at $20, for a
limited time only the Bev ZMA is available for only $19)
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