Could I get a simple explanation of these supp's please?

[olotti]

I am trying to get some simple explanantions for some supp's that after reading through all the other posts has left me even more confused. My scenario is such: I have to trim back my training days due to class and I work full time too so my schedule will look something like weight training 2-3 days, hopefully 3, and cardio 2 days and it will be like this for a couple months if not longer. I am trying to maintain muscle maybe even gain a little but maintaining is the main thing. Here are the supp's in question and I am wondering if any of these would benefit my situation:

L-Arginine
Glutamine
HMB
ALA

That's it. I take a multi and whey protein now and am probably going to start with creatine as soon as the end of the week to try and help me with maintaining some strength and muscle. Thanks for the help.

[ACEHOLE]

i honestly feel ALA would be the only thing that you need in addition to your whey and multi. It will help open up your muscles to store more carbs and help insulin sensitivity which helps burn fat. also an antioxident. take with carb meals

im not a creatine responder

general consensus about HMB is that its junk

glutamine and arginine dont do it for me

IMO

[olotti]

i appreciate the response and will definitely take what you said into conisderation but what are these other supp's supposed to do, protein synthesis, recovery, reduce catabolism etc. in regards to the HMB, L-Arginine and Glutamine and when you say carb meal in regards to ALA would I don't eat just carb meals except for maybe b-fast which is oatmeal w/ protein powder or my post workout shake.

[Gooseneck]

I'm with Acehole on this one. ALA is a great supplement and natural chelator. Vitamins, lots of water, and plenty of clean food is really all you need.

[olotti]

What about ZMA? Would this be beneficial for me?

[Lady C]

Try googling them and do some research on your own. Here in one example. http://www.supplementquality.com/z_askexpert/ZMA.html

[Lift2Live]

Originally Posted by olotti

What about ZMA? Would this be beneficial for me?

I'll be perfectly candid in my experience that i've actually had good results with ZMA. I figure that since Zinc is quite needed by the body in it's daily function, supplementing with ZMA can be effective, especially if you don't get enough zinc naturally through diet or vitamins.

I am with the others on ALA. The Arginine is just an amino acid and has been studied to show increase of IGF-1 and nitric oxide levels in the body. I don't believe in the whole Glutamine (also an amino acid) fad yet. It's supposed to help muscle recovery time. Both of these are a waste of money in my opinion. Here is an article on ALA's benefits; http://www.berkeleywellness.com/html...LipoicAcid.php