What is the Best Fat Burner?

Why take a Fat Burner?

Fat burners, or thermogenics, increase the body’s temperature, allowing it to use more fat for energy during exercise such as weight training or cardio. By increasing the body’s temperature, thermogenics speed up the metabolism of the person taking them, allowing them to burn more calories, and lose more weight. Certain ingredients such as carnitine utilise the body’s fat stores as the main energy source in exercise. Fat burning supplements may also increase mental focus and delay muscle fatigue.

What is in Fat Burners?

Caffeine
Caffeine has been the subject of numerous studies, and has many benefits to those looking to burn fat. It increases the body’s temperature, speeding up the body’s metabolism, allowing it to burn more calories. It also increases training intensity, which allows for longer or more powerful workouts. It also helps the body utilise stored fat as energy, and improves concentration levels and mental focus.

Green Tea Extract
One of the most powerful ingredients, green tea extract helps break down the body’s fat stores and increase energy expenditure.

Carnitine
Carnitine is a popular ingredient in fat burning supplements, and it has a host of benefits to the body. Carnitine allows the body to oxidise fat stores for energy, as well as increasing energy levels, delaying muscle fatigue and assisting muscle building.

Coleus Forskohili
An Indian herb, Coleus Forskohili contributes to weight loss and increased metabolistaion of fat stores.

Bitter Orange (Citrus Aurantium)
Bitter orange is used to enhance the metabolic rate, increase energy and increase fat breakdown. It shares a similar structure to ephedrine (a very popular yet widely criticised fat loss supplement due it’s stimulant effects), but contains none of the negative side effects.

Hyrdoxy Citric Acid (HCA)
Another popular ingredient in fat burning products, HCA is believed to assist the body in metabolising fat stores for energy, and decreasing fat storage.

Brindleberry (Gambooge)
Brindleberry is used in thermogenic products and in herbal medicine due to a number of benefits it provides, most specifically appetite suppression and weight management.

What Forms do Fat Burners come in?

Fat Burning Supplements can be taken in a number of forms. The most popular of these forms is in pills, such as Muscletech Hydroxycut Hardcore X, or Nutrex Lipo-6. They can also come in powder form, such as Musashi L-Carnitine, or in liquid form such as Inner Armour liquid L-Carnitine. Protein powders with thermogenic ingredients, such as Max’s SuperShred and Black Widow Hydroxy Whey are becoming increasingly popular.

If you’re after the best Fat Burning Pill / Capsule, Protein King Recommends…

1) Nutrex Lipo-6 Black 

One of the most potent fat burners on the market, Nutrex Lipo-6 Black contains a number of potent ingredients such as carnitine and bitter orange.

2) Body Science Lipoburn Hardcore

Specifically formulated to enhance fat loss and help achieve weight loss goals. Assists in increasing body temperature, breaking down fat stores, oxidising fat and increasing metabolic rate.

3) Cytogenix Xenadrine RFA-X Hardcore

A multi-level fat burning product, Xenadrine helps increase training intensity, increase thermogenesis and enhancing fat burning signals.
If your after the best Fat Burning Protein Powder, Protein King Recommends…

1) Maxs SuperShred

Very high in protein, and great tasting, Max’s SuperShred contains seven nutrient complexes, including carb blockers and fat burning ingredients, to assist the body in building lean, shredded muscle.

2) Redbak Sting

A high-protein, low carb protein blend, combined with  a number of key fat-burning ingredients at strong doses. Redbak Sting is one of the most potent fat burning proteins on the market.

3) Vital Strength Hydroxy Ripped

Ideal for athletes who want to build lean, ripped muscle, Vital Strength Hydroxy Ripped contains hydroxy citric acid, carnitine and chromium picolinate for a powerful fat-burning combination.

NOTE: The information contained on this website is “as is” without any representations or warranties, expressed or implied.  Protein King makes no representations or warranties in relation to the medical information on this website. Protein King recommends to ALWAYS read the label of the product, and use only as directed. You must not rely on the information on this website as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.

 Yours in health,

James
Protein King

Which Women’s Supplement Is Best?

A quick run-down on women’s supplements. Enjoy 🙂

 

What Kinds of Women’s Supplements are Available?

There are many supplements specifically formulated for women, just as there are for men. These include protein powders, fat burners and meal replacements. Brands such as Ladybird and Vital Strength have lines of products tailored to the specific needs of women undergoing athletic training, and are designed to help manage weight, burn fat, and develop muscle tone. Precise formulations of ingredients such as protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals are developed to meet the needs of the female cardiovascular or weight trainer.

Why do I Need a Protein Supplement?

Adequate consumption of protein is essential for men and women for a number of reasons, such as:
* Supporting immune system function
* Repairing muscle tissue damaged during exercise
* Red blood cell production
* Boosting metabolism
* Hair, skin and nail health

Often, women’s diets are lacking enough protein to support all these functions. This is where a protein supplement can help. Also, it can be difficult to consume enough dietary protein through eating. Liquid protein shakes are often a good option in these cases.

Why do I Need a Fat-Burning Supplement?

Fat burning supplements, like protein powders, can be a great benefit to women undertaking cardiovascular or weight training. They can assist in boosting energy levels, suppressing appetite, aiding recovery and utilising bodyfat for energy. Some popular ingredients in these products include:

* L-Carnitine – allows the body to oxidise fat stores for energy, as well as increasing energy levels, delaying muscle fatigue and assisting muscle toning.

*Caffeine – increases the body’s temperature, speeding up the body’s metabolism, allowing it to burn more calories. It also increases training intensity, which allows for longer or more powerful workouts. It also helps the body utilise stored fat as energy, and improves concentration levels and mental focus.

* Green Tea Extract – helps break down the body’s fat stores and increase energy expenditure.

* Brindleberry – aids appetite suppression and weight management.

Will I Bulk-up Using Protein Supplements?

In short, no. Men’s and women’s bodies respond to weight training and supplementation very differently. Whereas males are able to increase muscle mass fairly easily through weight training and a surplus of calories, the lack of certain key hormones such as testosterone in the female body don’t allow this to happen.

If you’re after the Best Womens Protein Supplement or Best Womens Meal Replacement Supplement, Protein King Recommends…

1) Ladybird Figure Tone

Very high in protein, low in carbs and with added fat burning ingredients. An all-in-one product.

 

2) Vital Strength Define

Also high in protein and low in carbs, with added vitamins and minerals, and fat burners.

 

3) Body Science BODY

Another all-in-one product, and with added antioxidants and omega 3, 6 and 9.

If you’re after the Best Womens Fat Burning Supplement, Protein King Recommends…

1) Vital Strength Hydroxy Liquid Lean

Contains a number of different fat-burning ingredients to help achieve maximal fat loss.

 

2) Ladybird Metabolise

Designed to assist weight management, fatty acid transportation and liver function.

 

3) Musashi SLM Pre Workout Fat Metaboliser

Wwith 2g of L-carnitine per serve, it will help utilise the body’s fat stores for energy in workouts.

 

NOTE: The information contained on this website is “as is” without any representations or warranties, expressed or implied.  Protein King makes no representations or warranties in relation to the medical information on this website. Protein King recommends to ALWAYS read the label of the product, and use only as directed. You must not rely on the information on this website as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.

Gaining 17 kilos in 3 months… Is it possible??

Of course it’s possible, but is it possible to gain that much muscle in such a short period of time? According to Tim Ferriss, author of “The 4 Hour Body”, it is. Through his diet and exercise plan, he gained 34 pounds (15.5kgs) of muscle in just one month. And that’s without any anabolics of any kind.

Inspired by his book, I am trying to put on 17 kilograms of muscle in three months. Why 17? Well that will get me to a neat 110kgs. Why three months? A friend bet me I couldn’t do it in three months.

The diet part of this challenge is pretty standard – high protein, high complex carbs, low-medium fat. Don’t count calories – if you are not putting on weight then just eat more.

The training principles Ferriss uses are not ‘standard’. He prescribes two x 30 minute workouts per week. That’s it. Each workout has two compound movements, with one set to failure, and some optional extras. The theory behind this (Occam’s Principle) is that the muscle should be stimulated but not completely destroyed, and then adequate rest and recovery given for optimal growth. Here’s what the workouts look like:

Workout A

Incline Bench Press – Warm up, then 7 reps to failure

Squat – Warm up, then 10 reps to failure

Kettlebell Swings – 1 x 50 reps

Workout B

Yates Barbell Row – Warm up, then 7 reps to failure

Barbell Shoulder Press – Warm up, then 7 reps to failure

Abs – 2 exercises x 10 reps

That’s it… Is it enough to stimulate muscle growth?  I will find out in about 11 more weeks…

Diet wise, I’m following a pretty standard mass gain plan, looking something like this:

Meal 1 – 2 x scoops Optimum Nutrition Nitro-Core 24, 100g quick oats, 5g Redbak Glutafine glutamine

Meal 2 – 3 whole eggs, 3 egg whites, 400g natural yoghurt, 100g blueberries

Meal 3 – 200g chicken breast, 1 cup brown rice

Meal 4 – 200g steak, 300g sweet potato

Preworkout – 2 x scoops Optimum Nutrition Nitro-Core 24, 100g quick oats, 5g Redbak Glutafine glutamine

Postworkout – 2 x scoops Musashi ISO8 WPI, 80g dextrose, 10g Max’s Cre8 Carnage creatine, 5g Redbak Glutafine glutamine

Meal 7 – 200g chicken breast, 1 cup brown rice

That’s it from the guinea pig. Will keep you all posted 🙂

Yours in health,

James
Protein King

Which Creatine is best??

We’ve had quite a few enquiries about creatine products, and there’s loads of information on the net. So here’s our summary and recommendations… Enjoy 🙂

What is Creatine?

Creatine is a natural element of skeletal muscle, produced by the liver and kidneys. It is made up of L-arginine, glycine and L-methionine. Creatine is manufactured in the human body, and is also found in meat and fish. Creatine has been well documented as a supplement which increases energy to muscles, resulting in greater strength and endurance. It also aids recovery of muscles which have undergone stress such as through cardiovascular or resistance training. Many athletes worldwide have used and continue to use creatine in various forms to enhance their performance and recovery.

Various forms of Creatine

Creatine comes in many different forms, each designed to absorb faster into the muscles with less waste. Creatine Monohydrate is by far the most popular form of creatine. Monohydrate is found in meats and fish, and was the original form of creatine supplement on the market. Monohydrate has been subject to numerous studies over a number of years, with quite positive results indicating that it often led to strength gains and faster recovery in resistance and cardiovascular athletes. Recently, however, many more forms of creatine have been developed which promise to absorb better and faster than monohydrate. Some of these forms include: Creatine ethyl ester, Tri-creatine malate, Di-creatine malate, Creatine HCL, Creatine anhydrous. Creatine gluconate, Tri-creatine ororate.

When to take Creatine

On training days, it is best to take a serving of creatine within an hour of your workout, and another serving immediately after. If you wish, a single serving size can be halved, with half being used pre and half used post workout. Supplementing with creatine before a workout will help support your muscles through the rigours of exercise – delaying muscle soreness and lactic acid buildup. By having a serve of creatine after your workout, you are delivering nutrients directly to the muscle cells which have been damaged during the workout. The better and faster the creatine is absorbed into the muscle cells, the better the recovery and growth of those muscles. This is where creatine, combined with a high glycaemic carbohydrate, such as dextrose, can deliver nutrients to the muscles as fast as possible.

Loading phase and dosages

It is generally recommended with creatine products to undertake a ‘loading phase’, where a number of servings of creatine are taken daily for approximately a week, to ensure that creatine levels in the bloodstream are high. After this loading phase, the individual switches to a ‘maintenance phase’ where one serving of creatine is taken daily, to maintain creatine levels in the bloodstream. There is much debate as to whether a loading phase is necessary, as well as cycling (for example 6 weeks on and 6 weeks off creatine supplementation). Some studies suggest that loading phases and cycling are unnecessary and one or two servings a day will ensure that the most is being made of the supplement. Protein King recommends that you always follow the directions on the product’s labels. There is no agreed upon amount of creatine per serve, as it varies between forms of creatine, and studies suggesting serving size. For creatine monohydrate, anywhere between 5-20 grams per day is a safe and effective amount, whereas concentrated forms of creatine such as HCL require much smaller doses, as little as 750mg per day. Always follow the directions on the labels.

Creatine Supplements

There are literally hundreds of creatine supplements on the market today, each with different blends of ingredients, and promising different results. Protein King will recommend three ‘pure’ creatine products, and three creatine blends, to help you figure out what is best for you.

If you’re after a Pure Creatine Supplement…

1) Con-Cret Creatine

Con-cret is a revolutionary creatine product made up of pure creatine hydrochloride. As it is a super-concentrated form, the dosage sizes are much smaller in comparison to other creatine products, decreasing the chances of bloating and water retention. It is the most soluble creatine on the market, meaning less waste. It also requires no loading phase.

2) Black Widow Tri-Creatine Malate (TCM)

Another relatively new form of creatine, TCM is designed to absorb quickly into the muscles, without the need for simple sugars to create an insulin spike. This is great for anyone looks to replenish and recover from a workout without adding additional weight.

3) Musashi Growling Dog Creatine

Although there is 5% fructose added, Growling Dog is mostly made up of pure creatine monohydrate, the original and most studied form of creatine on the market. It is recommended for beginning athletes, or those new to creatine to start with creatine monohydrate, such as Musashi Growling Dog, before progressing to creatine blends or other more potent forms.

If you’re after a Creatine Blend…

1) Max’s Cre8 Carnage

This product is a blend of 8 different forms of creatine, as well as added beta alanine and arginine to assist with bloodflow, absorbtion and a sustained release of creatine. This is perfect pre or post workout, and each tub provides 150 servings. It comes unflavoured, so it can be added to a protein shake or even a glass of water.

2) BSN Cellmass

This is a hugely popular product worldwide, and with good reason. Cellmass is a post workout/nighttime creatine formula, enhanced with a number of key ingredients designed to support muscle recovery and growth.

3) BodyScience Myocytin

This product is a blend of creatine and dextrose, designed to spike the body’s insulin levels after a workout and shuttle as much creatine into the muscles as possible. Myocytin has been well researched, and is recommended for anyone looking to put on size, fast.

NOTE: The information contained on this website is “as is” without any representations or warranties, expressed or implied.  Protein King makes no representations or warranties in relation to the medical information on this website. Protein King recommends to ALWAYS read the label of the product, and use only as directed. You must not rely on the information on this website as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.

Well there you go. Feel free to comment if you think there’s anything left out. Also check out our FAQs page for more topics.

Yours in health,

James
Protein King