Comments on: 10 Bodybuilding Supplements You Should Never Buy

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:00:33 +0000

@John. https://musclehack.com/the-best-bodybuilding-supplements-that-work-to-build-muscle-burn-fat/

By: Charles Wallace

Charles Wallace — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 00:25:31 +0000

6. L-carnitine. While I don’t dispute your argument you should look up Bruce Ames, a very respected researcher at UC Berkeley, and his pioneering research into l-carnitine, r-lipoic acid and mitochondria

By: john

john — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 15:47:08 +0000

Hi Mark

Its good to hear which supplements don’t work as there are many out there.

I’m nearly 50 and i really do need help with increasing testosterone, could you please name any recommendations of test supplements that you think may work – I think a lot of older guys would appreciate help on these types of test supplements

Also as you have your top ten you should never buy, I think it would be good to have an article on your top ten for supplements you would recommend / buy

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 10:42:34 +0000

@Dr sunil Kumar Singh. I can’t imagine how carbs would help with that. However, insomnia is linked to overtraining. Perhaps you’re doing too much. If you’re not already on my THT routine, get on it and stick to the number of sets and don’t do any more.

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 10:41:05 +0000

@Joe. If your test levels really are low, go to your doctor and see about possible Hormone Replacement Therapy for men. You could waste years and money trying all sorts of things on the market. At least see if you can get the real thing first. Have your doc test your levels first.
@Mark C. Thanks man.
@Newton. You could still get the pump and vascularity benefits without the caffeine in my PWO formula. The AAKG is primarily responsible. L-citrulline malate *may* help with endurance and decreasing muscle soreness. I don’t write it off and it may be worth investing in.
Yes I was reading about BFR a few months ago. I haven’t done thorough research to come to an informed conclusion on it, but it looked interesting. As far as I know, it has been demonstrated that using BFR with light weights (about 30% 1RM) can produce just as much growth as classical hypertrophy training (about 70% 1RM). But it doesn’t produce any additional benefit. This is good for those people who have to use light weights. But for everyone else, the 8-12 rep range is still where it’s at for growth. It’ll be interesting to see what further studies show about BFR.

By: Mohamed

Mohamed — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 07:58:28 +0000

i totally agree with u, Thanks a lot for your valuable articles, cheers.

By: Manoot

Manoot — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 06:16:21 +0000

As a gay man with an extreme appetite for sex and illicit behavior, I find that Natto (Japanese fermented beans) and eating a lot for organically feed French hen eggs have helped me stay on top of my game. My energy levels are off the charts and my strength is similar.

By: ajik

ajik — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 04:15:54 +0000

Uh-oh. I bought “Homemade Supplement Secrets” by Jeff Anderson some time ago, which previously has an ad posted here at Musclehack. Although, there are a lot of other things there and great stuff, Jeff’s Fat Burner recipe involves both CLA and L-Carnitine. Haha, funny, I just bought some a few days ago and then this post. Oh well.

By: Dr sunil Kumar Singh

Dr sunil Kumar Singh — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 02:13:05 +0000

You not only talk logical but also save money! In one of other posts by someone else I was pretty much convinced that kre alkalyn is something awesome. Thanks for breaking that bubble and saving my bucks! I have got just one question – I really suffer from insomnia after some heavy work out if I take only whey post workout. So I Googled and found carbs post workout will decrease that… Which worked actually! Any comments?

By: Will

Will — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 22:51:18 +0000

@Newton
You are absolutely right about Mark!
@John, Iam 54 yrs old the thing that has worked best for me is SQUATS DEADLIFT BENCH PRESS..And the info off this web site.Good Luck!

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 19:02:36 +0000

The study you cite for your opinion on CLA is based on test subjects with type 2 diabetes. There are numerous studies out there using “healthy” individuals that do not show the same effects. Rather, they seem to show increased fat burning with little or no change in blood glucose or plasma insulin. Here’s one: Smedman A, Vessby B. Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation in humans–metabolic effects. Lipids. 2001 Aug;36(8):773-81.
I’m not a fan of supplements in general, but more research might be in order here before rejecting CLA.

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 16:18:38 +0000

Well I’m not going to disagree and say anything against your article as it was worth the read, however I disagree about the kre-alkaline creatine as I use it and find it very effective. I tried creatine mono hydrate earlier but it gave me stomach cramps so I stopped.

By: newton

newton — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 15:08:34 +0000

Joe, be careful about increasing testerone too much over 50–you’re walking a fine line and may just end up with unintended and undesired side effects like enlarged prostate late in life (esp. if you don’t already have it). Maybe just stick with what your body can naturally produce via hard workouts, good nutrition and plenty of sleep and recovery time.

To all: posts like this are proof that Mark doesn’t make any money from the pharmaceutical or supplement companies. I’ve never seen such honesty in recommending/not recommending this supplement or that, this protein or that. He simply makes suggestions, what you do or buy is up to you. He points out what works for him and gives us a forum to offer feedback to each other. Wish more bodybuilders did this!

Mark, a little off the subject here, but with regards to vascularity and pumps that can be aided by NOX products or your home-made formula, do you have any recommendations for those of us (irregular heartbeat) who can’t tolerate much caffeine? How about L-citrulline malate, which I’ve read is supposed to taste awful but is cheap and effective? AND, do you Mark have an opinion on BFR training to increase pump during last set and increase nutrients getting to the muscle? Very interesting reading but have not tried it yet.

By: Mark C

Mark C — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 14:43:42 +0000

Good post Mark should help stop a few of the uninformed wasting their money.
@joe there are test boosters out there that work, but I’m not convinced that they increase test enough to increase muscle.
@M zma supplements would only increase test in people who are deficient in zinc and magnesium in the first place.

By: stuart

stuart — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 13:41:06 +0000

excellent article as always, there is soooooo much crap being marketed out there, nice to know
what to avoid.

By: Will

Will — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 13:36:21 +0000

thanks for the information

By: M

Wed, 15 Oct 2014 13:17:49 +0000

Body builders use ZMA supplement, for boosting Testosterone. It is a mix of Zink and magnesium.

By: Joe Ciulla

Joe Ciulla — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 12:02:11 +0000

Mark, so for men over 50 is there any supplement that will boost testosterone to help add muscle.

By: Darron

Darron — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 11:55:27 +0000

Cool – I’m not taking any of them lol. Just whey and sometimes creatine.