• Citrulline Malate.
• L-Leucine.
• L-Isoleucine.
• L-Valine.
• Creatine Hydrochloride.
• CarnoSyn® Beta-Alanine.
• Betaine (Trimethylglycine).
• L-Tyrosine.
• Taurine.
• N-Acetyl L-Cysteine.
• Beta vulgaris L. (beet extract)
• Choline Bitartrate
• Caffeine Anhydrous (300mg).
• Alpha-Glyceryl Phosphoryl Choline 50%
• BioPerine®

Ingredient Explanations

Citrulline malate

Citrulline malate is a non-essential amino acid, which means it is made in the body and thus we don’t usually need to obtain it by our diet. It has been reported that citrulline malate affects subjective feelings. The Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition stated that, “oral L-citrulline supplementation enhances cycling time trial performance. Moreover, L-citrulline improves subjective feelings (e.g. of muscle soreness) after performance. These results suggest that L-citrulline is a promising amino acid for enhancing sport performance.” Citrulline also improves blood flow, and so is useful for men with mild erectile dysfunction.

L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine (BCAAs)

Very common in supplements, branched chain amino acids are frequently beneficial when combined with other ingredients. In an article titled The effects of a pre-workout supplement containing caffeine, creatine, and amino acids during three weeks of high-intensity exercise on aerobic and anaerobic performance, the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition concluded that, “Although there was not a single ingredient in [said supplement] that could solely account for the improvements, it is likely that the combination of relatively low doses of several ingredients (caffeine, creatine, BCAAs, whey protein, and cordyceps) may be responsible for the increases in aerobic performance, training volume, and the maintenance of lean mass.”

Creatine Hydrochloride

Though more often seen in bulking supplements and mass gainers, creatine can be beneficial in pre-workouts. The International Society of Sports Nutrition labelled creatine “the most effective ergogenic nutritional supplement currently available to athletes in terms of increasing high-intensity exercise and lean body mass.”

CarnoSyn® Beta-Alanine

According to their website, CarnoSyn® Beta-Alanine is the only beta-alanine imported and sold in the U.S. that is licensed by Natural Alternatives International, Inc. (NAI). it works by increasing muscle carnosine through beta-alanine supplementation. CarnoSyn® supplementation led to a muscle carnosine increase of 80% after 10 weeks of supplementation. ^[1]

Betaine

Betaine is a natural chemical that may improve athletic performance and strength.

L-Tyrosine

The amino acid (and versions of it) have been shown to reduce the decline in cognitive function in response to physical stressors. Furthermore, Tyrosine has also been shown to help increase energy levels during periods of fatigue due to sustained work and sleep deprivation.

Taurine

Now a well-known ingredient in performance drinks and supplements. Taurine is an organic acid that is found in the heart, red blood cells and the brain. Also, taurine can boost attention levels, and it seems to lower blood pressure – perfect for that pre-workout routine.

N-Acetyl L-Cysteine

A form of the amino acid L-Cysteine, this has many uses. Perhaps the most important in pre-workout supplements is the reduction of levels of a blood fat called lipoprotein in people with high levels of this blood fat.

Beta vulgaris (beet extract)

The humble beetroot. In the human studies to date, beetroot supplementation has been reported to: reduce blood pressure, attenuate inflammation, avert oxidative stress, preserve endothelial function and restore cerebrovascular haemodynamics. Furthermore, although beyond the scope of this review, several studies have now established beetroot supplementation as an effective means of enhancing athletic performance.

BioPerine®

A patented product sourced from piperine, which is found in black pepper. Common in pre-workouts, black pepper is well-known for its fat-burning qualities. Additionally, BioPerine® is, according to the manufacturers, the only product sourced out of piperine to obtain a patented status for its ability to increase the bioavailability of nutritional compounds.

Choline Bitartrate

Choline is a vitamin-like essential nutrients, made in humans in the liver. It is similar to B vitamins. Choline is used for its cognitive-boosting properties, which display more benefits in a pre-workout supplement than those to specific athletic performance. Therefore, it seems to gear the brain and body to focus on the workout itself, rather than boost body performance during the actual workout.

Caffeine anhydrous

Everyone knows about caffeine. After all, it’s the world’s most commonly used stimulant. Study results suggest that acute ingestion of a caffeine-containing energy drink can enhance resistance exercise performance to failure and positively enhance psychophysiological factors related to exertion in trained men. For example, a 2012 study in the Journal of Strength Conditioning and Resistance found that men who took caffeine supplements could deadlift, bench-press and do other heavy lifting at greater weights compared with men who took a placebo.

Alpha-Glyceryl Phosphoryl Choline (Alpha GPC)

A phospholipid compound of choline (see above), Alpha GPC found in the brain. Well controlled clinical trials are reporting that glycerophosphocholine improves attention, cognitive function, mood and behaviour. Additionally, it aids in recovery from brain trauma, can be used to boost growth hormone, and can partially revitalise an ageing brain ^[2].

1. C.A. Hill, et al. Influence of beta-alanine supplementation on skeletal muscle carnosine concentrations and high intensity cycling capacity. J Amino Acids, 2007, 32: 225−233. ]. Also see this page here.

2. P.M. Kidd, GPC (GlyceroPhosphoCholine) Mind-Body Power for Active Living and Healthy Aging The Vital Nutrient for Survival. Parris M. Kidd, PhD, April 2005