Arachidonic Acid

Pikey · 09-12-2007, 10:19 AM

Has anyone any experience of using Arachidonic Acid, I've recently started using it and am getting some wicked pumps and also good aches. This morning I've been reading the medical documents on the net relating to this fatty acid and it looks pretty dodgy?

Also I've paid £50 for 100 gel caplets, now I’ve looked I can get the same from the states for $49 is £50 the going rate in the UK?

razg · 09-12-2007, 12:18 PM

AA is definitely a key player in the inflammatory/hypertropic response, as it is a core component of prostaglandin synthesis. Healthwise it is not very good, to be honest - and yes, like any supp, it is around half price in the US, but it depends on your shipping.

One of the best sources of AA is egg yolks. It's been discussed that you can replicate the effects of X-Factor (1000mg AA/day) by eating around 12 jumbo yolks - i'm not sure if this fits in with your diet, but on a bulker, why not. Another thing is that the other components of the eggs (DHA, lecithin, to mention a few) may offset some of the negative effects - in essence this is somehow the old whole foods vs extracts issue.

**Bodyworks** · 09-12-2007, 12:30 PM

Ah Chris, i see you fell for Bill Llwellyns' advertising strategy. write a book on gear, and put in a section on his own supplement. Honestly i haven't tried it so i can't comment on it's effectiveness, but i thought he was sneaky including that in his books.

Pikey · 09-12-2007, 02:02 PM

mmm I tend to agree, I've fallen for his marketing.... £50.... for what replicates the yolks I chuck away...(mind you the rooks like them - I chuck the cooked yolks on my garden and the rooks come down)... ah well at least I'm getting good pumps...I'll let you know if I rate them in a few weeks.
And the potential health issues...

***TinyTom*** · 09-12-2007, 05:25 PM

I tried this last year.

OK as a supplement but not a miracle like its reported.

I think using IGF alongside would be a very beneficial combination as AA is supposed to make the muscles more sensitive to IGF.

**Tall** · 29-12-2007, 11:16 AM

Theres a really interesting thread going on over at UK-M on this subject with Bill Llewellyn posting...

Molecular Nutrition XFactor - Page 7 - Supplementation

Pikey · 29-12-2007, 11:59 AM

I'll read it later - I have to say I am noticing increased pumps while training, more intense pain when training and during recovery and I also seem to feel sick on every workout even small muscle groups. I also seem to get a greater pain response from even knocking my knee or elbow...

**Tall** · 01-01-2008, 11:17 PM

Razg - some interesting studies on there now if you read this...

**Tall** · 07-02-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bodyworks

Ah Chris, i see you fell for Bill Llwellyns' advertising strategy. write a book on gear, and put in a section on his own supplement. Honestly i haven't tried it so i can't comment on it's effectiveness, but i thought he was sneaky including that in his books.

Quote:

Effects of arachidonic acid supplementation on training adaptations in resistance-trained males

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2007, 4:21doi:10.1186/1550-2783-4-21
Published:28 November 2007
Abstract (provisional)

Background

To determine the impact of AA supplementation during resistance training on body composition, training adaptations, and markers of muscle hypertrophy in resistance-trained males.
Methods

In a randomized and double blind manner, 31 resistance-trained male subjects (22.1 +/- 5.0 yrs, 180.0 +/- 0.1 cm, 86.1 +/- 13.0 kg, 18.1 +/- 6.4% body fat) ingested either a placebo (PLA: 1 g * d-1 corn oil, n = 16) or AA (AA: 1 g * d-1 AA, n = 15) while participating in a standardized 4d * wk-1 resistance training regimen. Fasting blood samples, body composition, bench press one-repetition maximum (1RM), leg press 1RM and Wingate anaerobic capacity sprint tests were completed after 0, 25, and 50 days of supplementation. Percutaneous muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis on days 0 and 50.
Results

Wingate relative peak power was significantly greater after 50 days of supplementation while the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 was significantly lower after 25 days of supplementation in the AA group. PGE2 levels tended to be greater in the AA group. No significant differences were observed between groups in body composition, strength, anabolic and catabolic hormones, or markers of muscle hypertrophy (i.e., total protein content or MHC type I, IIa, and IIx protein content) and other intramuscular markers (i.e., FP and EP3 receptor activity or MHC type I, IIa, and IIx mRNA expression).
Conclusions

AA supplementation during resistance-training may enhance anaerobic capacity and lessen the inflammatory response to training. However, AA supplementation does not promote greater gains in strength, muscle mass, or influence markers of muscle hypertrophy.

^^^ Bill paid for that study too... His claims of 1-2lbs of tissue growth per week were from anicdotal (sp?) studies done via logs on internet forums...

09-12-2007, 10:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
Pikey Legend Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Near Chesterfield Posts: 642 Rep Power:	Arachidonic Acid Has anyone any experience of using Arachidonic Acid, I've recently started using it and am getting some wicked pumps and also good aches. This morning I've been reading the medical documents on the net relating to this fatty acid and it looks pretty dodgy? Also I've paid £50 for 100 gel caplets, now I’ve looked I can get the same from the states for $49 is £50 the going rate in the UK?

09-12-2007, 12:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
razg Legend Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Birmingham/Bristol Posts: 887 Rep Power:	Re: Arachidonic Acid AA is definitely a key player in the inflammatory/hypertropic response, as it is a core component of prostaglandin synthesis. Healthwise it is not very good, to be honest - and yes, like any supp, it is around half price in the US, but it depends on your shipping. One of the best sources of AA is egg yolks. It's been discussed that you can replicate the effects of X-Factor (1000mg AA/day) by eating around 12 jumbo yolks - i'm not sure if this fits in with your diet, but on a bulker, why not. Another thing is that the other components of the eggs (DHA, lecithin, to mention a few) may offset some of the negative effects - in essence this is somehow the old whole foods vs extracts issue.

09-12-2007, 12:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bodyworks Moderator Musclechat Icon Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: west yorkshire Posts: 973 Rep Power:	Re: Arachidonic Acid Ah Chris, i see you fell for Bill Llwellyns' advertising strategy. write a book on gear, and put in a section on his own supplement. Honestly i haven't tried it so i can't comment on it's effectiveness, but i thought he was sneaky including that in his books.

09-12-2007, 02:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Pikey Legend Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Near Chesterfield Posts: 642 Rep Power:	Re: Arachidonic Acid mmm I tend to agree, I've fallen for his marketing.... £50.... for what replicates the yolks I chuck away...(mind you the rooks like them - I chuck the cooked yolks on my garden and the rooks come down)... ah well at least I'm getting good pumps...I'll let you know if I rate them in a few weeks. And the potential health issues... Last edited by Pikey; 09-12-2007 at 03:54 PM.

09-12-2007, 05:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
*TinyTom* Administrator Muscle Chat Management Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Babylon Posts: 428 Rep Power:	Re: Arachidonic Acid I tried this last year. OK as a supplement but not a miracle like its reported. I think using IGF alongside would be a very beneficial combination as AA is supposed to make the muscles more sensitive to IGF. ______________________ Get an extra 5% off all products at www.mosn.co.uk Use code 'MC 110' when ordering Also mod at www.uk-muscle.co.uk Excellence is a Habit not a skill Any advice I give is from my own experience, I do not recommend the use of drugs. Be responsible and careful if you decide to use any performance enhancing product as misuse can result in dangerous side effects.

29-12-2007, 11:16 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tall Moderator Musclechat Icon Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The White House. But I'm moving soon. Posts: 2,532 Rep Power:	Re: Arachidonic Acid Theres a really interesting thread going on over at UK-M on this subject with Bill Llewellyn posting... Molecular Nutrition XFactor - Page 7 - Supplementation

29-12-2007, 11:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
Pikey Legend Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Near Chesterfield Posts: 642 Rep Power:	Re: Arachidonic Acid I'll read it later - I have to say I am noticing increased pumps while training, more intense pain when training and during recovery and I also seem to feel sick on every workout even small muscle groups. I also seem to get a greater pain response from even knocking my knee or elbow...

01-01-2008, 11:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tall Moderator Musclechat Icon Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The White House. But I'm moving soon. Posts: 2,532 Rep Power:	Re: Arachidonic Acid Razg - some interesting studies on there now if you read this...

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Alpha Lipoic Acid ALA sorts the men from the boys!	Philly	Bodybuilding Supplements	0	13-07-2007 07:01 PM
Targex-1 Glycyrrhetinic Acid	Nick500	Performance Enhancement & Anabolic steroids	1	21-08-2006 01:34 PM
where can i get bulk pathanoic acid - vitamin b5?	Jason_uk	Performance Enhancement & Anabolic steroids	2	18-03-2005 11:09 AM
Lipoic Acid 500	Comando Tom	Bodybuilding Supplements	4	28-01-2005 06:34 PM
ACID REFLUX	themule	General Discussion	3	24-07-2004 05:12 PM