ProCard Nutrition: Ecdy N7

From the Desk of Chris Aceto

ECDY N7: Bedrock To Growth

In the early 1990's nutrition seemed to turn on its head as both authors and Universities feverishly touted carbohydrates as the be-all to sports nutrition. In a talk I was giving in Florida, a professor challenged my assertion that nothing is more important then protein. He countered that carbohydrates were the most important nutrient. I told him, "Sorry Sir, for bodybuilding, nothing is more important then protein." I asked what would happen in the extreme case. What would happen to the bodybuilder who went on an all-carb no protein diet? And, what would happen to the bodybuilder who chose an equally lopsided diet comprised of all protein? "Which one would lose more fat and hold more muscle," I asked. You need not be a rocket scientist - and he was not - to know the answer and to understand where I was going. The fact was and remains, nothing is more important to the bodybuilder then protein. It builds muscle mass by repairing damaged muscle tissue. And, by sparing the burning of muscle mass when dieting, it creates an anti-catabolic state where it helps maintain metabolically active muscle mass. In other words, when calories go down, you need to eat more protein to protect your muscles from being burned away.

I know to pack on muscle you need lots of protein, and the easier it is to digest and absorb the protein you consume the greater the positive impact it has on muscle growth. In developing Ecdy N7, I wanted the highest quality whey proteins available, which I use, and I added branched chain amino acids which impact the body's ability to hold onto and preserve nitrogen. Nitrogen is a marker for muscle growth. It's found in protein and adding branched chain amino acids to high quality whey results in greater nitrogen balance, resulting in greater muscle growth. I've also added Beta Ecdysterone which has drives nitrogen retention, facilitate amino acid uptake by muscles and encourage muscle growth, and prevents the build-up of body fat.