Bodybuilding.com - Alissa Carpio's Supplement Review # 2!

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Did you know?
In April of 2002, Alissa received the U.S. Army Physical Fitness Excellence Award.

With a plethora of products out there costing an arm and a leg, and so many bodybuilders eager to make the most gains on a small budget, proper supplementation becomes an important decision.

By: Alissa Carpio

Click here for part one.

With a plethora of products out there costing an arm and a leg, and so many bodybuilders eager to make the most gains on a small budget, proper supplementation becomes an important decision. Unfortunately, since the FDA doesn't regulate supplement claims, most companies tell you what you want to hear in order to sell their product.

So, they all claim that their products work better than any other brand, whether that's true or not. What is a desperate bodybuilder to do? Hopefully, by reading my reviews, you can save some time and money by going straight to the supplements that I've tried and that I firmly believe are a bang for your buck!

Bang For Your Buck Supplements

EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control Protein Bar - Learn More

Why It's A Bang:

This bar tastes great, is low in sugar, and is readily available in most grocery and health food stores.

With a great macronutrient ratio, it's the perfect choice to supplement your bodybuilding diet, whether you're looking to gain lean mass or shed body fat. In addition, EAS makes these soft and chewy, which allows them to be a lot more palatable than the average bar.

Nutritional Breakdown:

Serving Size: 1 Bar
Calories: 210
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3.5g
Protein: 24g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 2g
Macronutrient Ratio: C/P/F = 38/45/21

Taste Tempters:

My absolute favorite, hands down, is the Chocolate Cream Pie, but there are eight other flavors to try if you need some variety. They include Apple Cinnamon, Apple Cobbler, Blueberry, Chocolate Chip Brownie, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Strawberry Mousse, Cookies & Cream, and Lemon Cheesecake.

You Should Also Know:

These bars are sweetened with olgifructose - a dietary fiber which also provides a sweetening taste profile.

Damage To Your Wallet:

A box of 12 will put you out $20.58, less than $1.75 per bar. Learn More.

MHP Secretagogue-One - Learn More

Why It's A Bang:

Most bodybuilders are well aware of the importance of keeping growth hormone levels elevated in their quest for building the perfect physique. But for those that aren't, allow me to enlighten you. Growth Hormone is a critical component involved in many bodily functions, including muscle growth, recovery, brain function, physical and mental health, bone strength, energy and metabolism.

After age 20, your body slows its production of growth hormone. This decrease continues on until by the age of 60, your growth hormone levels may have dwindled by as much as 75%! Unfortunately, your body's need for the previously high levels does not go down, which results in the inevitable "aging process."

Secretagogue-One is an effective way of maximizing your body's own creation of growth hormone and IGF-1 to account for this diminishment, and is sometimes referred to as the "fountain of youth" supplement because of this.

Nutritional Breakdown:

Serving Size: 1 packet
Calories: 45
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Protein: 0g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 4g
Anterior Pituitary Substance: 25mg
Glycoamino Acid-Glucose Complex: 4,200mg
Novel polyose complex: 1,700mg
(glucose polymers)
Amino Acid Blend: 5,000mg
Glycine
L-Glutamine
L-Tyrosine
GABA
L-Arginine (as L-arginine HCl)
Pyroglutamic acid
L-Lysine (as L-lysine HCl)
Broad Bean: 10mg

Taste Tempters:

This effervescent formula is available in delicious Lemon Ice and Orange. I alternate between the two flavors for variety, but they are both tasty!

You Should Also Know:

There is way more information available on the web about the importance of growth hormone to in relation to bodily functions. Learn more about growth hormone, click here.

Damage To Your Wallet:

A one-month supply of 30 packets can be purchased on Bodybuilding.com for only $49.89. That's a whopping $25.00 cheaper than the retail price of $74.95. Learn More.

MHP TRAC - Learn More

Why It's A Bang:

There is much supporting research verifying the effectiveness of combining creatine with sugar for loading purposes; however, this is very ineffective when trying to lose body fat or gain muscle while remaining relatively lean. TRAC delivers an answer with the first and only Nitro-Loading Creatine supplement. TRAC's TRT delivery system uses L-Arginine to increase muscle creatine stores, resulting in better strength and mass gains than with using creatine alone or with a carbohydrate.

Nutritional Breakdown:

Serving Size: 1 packet or 17g
Calories: 35
Carbohydrates: 4g
Sugars: 0g
Creatine Monohydrate: 4g
L-Arginine: 4 grams
L-Lycine: 600 mg
L-Phenylalanine: 200 mg
NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucledtide): 2.5mg

Taste Tempters:

TRAC comes in 3 great flavors - Grape, Orange, and Lemon Ice. You can buy the variety pack to try all three in single-serving pouches, or you can buy one flavor in a 25-serving container of 425g.

You Should Also Know:

TRAC's constant Nitric Oxide production provides all the benefits of supplementing with NO2, including increased blood flow and nutrient delivery, as well as reduced inflammation for quicker recovery, to name just a few.

Damage To Your Wallet:

This high-powered creatine will cost you 425g for $35.94 or 15 packets (flavor variety) for $17.55. Learn More.

Labrada Lean Body Instant Breakfast Shake - Learn More

Why It's A Bang:

Labrada Nutrition combines an unbelievable taste sensation with as much nutrition as a bowl of oatmeal, 10 egg whites, and a handful of vitamins. Because it contains 35g of quality carbohydrates, this shake works great as a post-workout meal as well.

Nutritional Breakdown:

Serving Size: 1 packet (92g)
Calories: 360
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 2.5g
Protein: 40g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Dietary Fiber: 7g
Sugars: 6g
Macronutrient Ratio: C/P/F = 38/44/18

Taste Tempters:

The ideal flavor in my book is Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal. I have yet to try the other two options - Bananas & Cream and Blueberries & Cream.

You Should Also Know:

This shake is comprised of quality, whole foods and has no added sugar, is aspartame-free, blends easily, and makes a great protein pancake. It's perfect for the on-the-go bodybuilder who has little time to spend preparing meals, yet requires quality muscle-building food sources.

Damage To Your Wallet:

Cost is $39.98 for 20 92g-packets, which equates to a little under $2.00 per shake. Learn More.

[ Click Here For Part One. ]

alissa.carpio@yahoo.com