■ ARGININE This amino acid is readily converted to nitric oxide in the body. NO is a potent vasodilator — it gets more blood flow to the muscles and therefore more oxygen and more nutrients like amino acids and glucose for enhanced energy levels in the muscles, which leads to greater strength and more intense workouts. Increased blood flow to muscle also leads to more fluid being delivered. This can lead to better pumps and long-term gains in size. Arginine also boosts growth hormone levels, and research has shown that subjects supplementing with arginine simultaneously gain muscle while dropping bodyfat.
■ DIMETHYLAMYLAMINE (DMAA) Also known as methylhexanamine, this active ingredient found in geranium oil provides a stimulant effect. It can enhance mood, decrease hunger and enhance fat burning. It does all this mainly by increasing levels of the neurohormone norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is related to adrenaline, which ramps you up, boosts your metabolic rate and enhances your body’s ability to burn up fat for fuel.
■ TAKE IT LIKE THIS About 30 minutes before workouts take a product that supplies 2–5 grams of some form of arginine such as L-arginine or arginine alpha-ketoglutarate along with 25–50 milligrams of DMAA or 150–500 mg of geranium extract, or a preworkout product containing DMAA.
