Mag - 10: High - Octane Supplementation

I. Overview

Mag - 10 is a high - tech supplement that serves multiple crucial functions, including protein pulsing, post - workout recovery, and preventing muscle loss during dieting.

Those with an affinity for muscle cars are well - acquainted with octane boosters. By adding a fuel additive, one can enhance the torque and horsepower output of a vehicle like a Camaro. Similarly, Biotest's MAG - 10 Elite Recovery (available for purchase on Amazon) operates in a parallel fashion. Labeled as a "Workout Recovery Drink," it not only expedites the recovery process but also boosts work capacity and maximizes muscle protein synthesis within the boundaries of human physiology. This makes it an optimal formulation for either muscle gain or accelerating recovery, enabling individuals to train more intensively and frequently.

II. MAG - 10 and Its Mechanism of Action

1. Unique Peptide Composition

MAG - 10 is a specialized protein powder. Unlike traditional protein powders derived from whole proteins such as milk, whey, or egg, it is formulated with a distinctive blend of di - and tri - peptides. A peptide is a short chain of amino acids connected by peptide bonds. In MAG - 10, these peptides are composed solely of pairs of two amino acids and groups of three amino acids.

This composition is of great significance. The digestive system does not need to further break down peptides consisting of less than four linked amino acids. Due to their small size, they can rapidly pass through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream, where they promptly initiate muscle protein synthesis. As a result, a single scoop of MAG - 10 not only begins to act much faster than conventional whole proteins but also stimulates muscle protein synthesis to a significantly higher degree compared to 30 or 40 grams of ordinary protein powders.

1. The Role of Cyclic Dextrin

Each serving of MAG - 10 contains a modest amount (12 grams) of the functional carbohydrate cyclic dextrin, which offers several advantages:

• Solubility and Absorption

It exhibits high solubility and low viscosity. This characteristic leads to a short gastric emptying time, enabling the gut to absorb it quickly.

• Endurance and Perceived Exertion

Numerous studies have demonstrated that it can enhance endurance and reduce the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE). This means that individuals can engage in intense physical activity without feeling overly fatigued.

• Gastrointestinal Comfort

Its low osmotic pressure, when compared to drinks lacking this component, results in less gastrointestinal discomfort, whether during exercise or at rest.

• Insulin - Mediated Amino Acid Shuttling

It triggers a minor insulin surge, which aids in transporting amino acids directly to muscle cells. All these properties make MAG - 10 an excellent pre - and post - workout drink.

III. Usage Scenarios of MAG - 10

1. Protein Pulsing for Muscle Building

Scientific research indicates that continuous over - supply of amino acids to the body is not an advisable approach. Protein synthesis accelerates rapidly after a meal but drops sharply approximately two hours later, even if amino acid levels remain high. It appears that the body requires a refractory period, a time to rest from the continuous influx of amino acids to "regroup" before re - initiating protein synthesis.

A group of researchers investigated whether "pulsing" liquid amino acids and some carbohydrates between meals would be more effective for muscle growth than consuming only a few solid meals throughout the day. The results were affirmative. Subjects who alternated between a whole - food meal and an amino acid/carbohydrate drink like MAG - 10 every 2.5 hours increased muscle protein synthesis without experiencing the significant decline.

1. During Fasting Periods

Generic fasting is effective for losing body fat. However, a common issue is that the body often loses nearly as much muscle mass as fat mass, as it extracts calories from both sources. During a pre - determined fasting period, one can discontinue consuming whole foods but should continue to drink a serving of MAG - 10 every few hours to prevent muscle loss.

1. For Post - Workout Recovery

After an intense workout, cortisol levels, a hormone that breaks down muscle, increase, and the body's rate of protein breakdown surpasses its rate of protein synthesis. MAG - 10 halts cortisol - induced catabolism and accelerates muscle growth and recovery.

1. During Cardio or Metabolic Conditioning

The effectiveness of fasted cardio in burning fat compared to fed - state cardio remains a debated topic. However, it is undisputed that fasted cardio can consume muscle as well as fat. Dr. Lonnie Lowery, through laboratory testing, discovered that MAG - 10 acts as a muscle "protectant" by interfering with muscle catabolism. All one needs to do is consume a serving during cardio. As Lowery concluded, "Fat burning remained in high gear during aerobic sessions while muscles were fully protected."

IV. References

• Areta, J. L. (2013). "Timing and distribution of protein ingestion during prolonged recovery from resistance exercise alters myofibrillar protein synthesis." The Journal of physiology, 591: 2319 - 2331.

• Arnal MA, Mosoni L, Dardevet D, Ribeyre MC, Bayle G, Prugnaud J, Patureau Mirand P. "Pulse protein feeding pattern restores stimulation of muscle protein synthesis during the feeding period in old rats," J Nutr. 2002 May;132(5):1002 - 8.

• Bohé, J. (2001). "Latency and duration of stimulation of human muscle protein synthesis during continuous infusion of amino acids." The Journal of physiology, 532: 575 - 579.

• Churchward - Venne, T. A. (2012). "Nutritional regulation of muscle protein synthesis with resistance exercise: strategies to enhance anabolism." Nutrition & Metabolism, 9(1): 40.

• Glynn, E. L., C. S. Fry, et al. (2010). "Excess Leucine Intake Enhances Muscle Anabolic Signaling but Not Net Protein Anabolism in Young Men and Women." The Journal of Nutrition, 140(11): 1970 - 1976.

• Kim, P. L., R. S. Staron, et al. (2005). "Fasted - state skeletal muscle protein synthesis after resistance exercise is altered with training." The Journal of physiology, 568(1): 283 - 290.

• Moore, D. R., J. E. Tang, et al. (2009). "Differential stimulation of myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic protein synthesis with protein ingestion at rest and after resistance exercise." The Journal of physiology, 587(4): 897 - 904.

• Paddon - Jones, D., M. Sheffield - Moore, et al. (2005). "Exogenous amino acids stimulate human muscle anabolism without interfering with the response to mixed meal ingestion." American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism, 288(4): E761 - E767.

• Pasiakos, S. M. (2012). "Exercise and Amino Acid Anabolic Cell Signaling and the Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Mass." Nutrients, 4(7): 740 - 758.

• Robinson, M. J. (2013). "Dose - dependent responses of myofibrillar protein synthesis with beef ingestion are enhanced with resistance exercise in middle - aged men." Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism, 38(2): 120 - 125.

• Takashi Furuyashiki, et al. "Effects of ingesting highly branched cyclic dextrin during endurance exercise on rating of perceived exertion and blood components associated with energy metabolism," Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 2014 Vol. 78, No. 12, 2117 - 2119.