[admin1]

ZMA: Sucked Then, Sucks Now
by Anthony Roberts

ZMA, otherwise known as Zinc Magnesium Aspartate, was the brainchild of Victor Conte, who originally pimped his zinc product as a cure for acne, but later touted its benefits to athletes as a testosterone booster. He even cited a study showing that the stuff boosts testosterone.

One problem: Victor was one of the authors of the study.

Later, world champion athletes started using – and promoting – ZMA, claiming that it was the secret weapon behind their recent victories.

Another problem: we later found out that Victor was secretly steroids to these athletes.

Recently, a group of German researchers studied Conte’s own brand of ZMA and it’s effects on androgen levels, and found that it did absolutely, literally, nothing. Nothing at all.

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2009 Jan;63(1):65-70. Epub 2007 Sep 19.
CONCLUSIONS: The present data suggest that the use of ZMA has no significant effects regarding serum testosterone levels and the metabolism of testosterone in subjects who consume a zinc-sufficient diet.

[admin1]

what's your opinion bros?

[MEATHEAD]

Never really relied on over the counter supp. There is to much bs thats suppose to do this and that when all you really need is a quality protein drink,multi vitamin and some good ole test.

[admin1]

Well, I cant imagine training for results without having 2 protein shakes per day.

[unknown]

OTC supps have their place in bodybuildin/nutrition... It would be extremely hard to get 300-400 grams of protein a day without supps, BCAA's also.... million reasons to take em' but they definately don't do anything close to what the sauce does

[Ftblk36]

I agree but find ZMA really helps with my sleep, not much good for anything else. Sleeps a real problem for me but find that when I'm out, ZMA keeps me out.

[Robbie]

ZMA gives me strange dreams lol , if i want a good nights sleep i just roll a big joint lol !

[chuckzilla]

when i first started lifting the ZMA hype was still going strong. tried it a few times and got nothing. wish i knew then what i know now.

[Fizzyx]

When it comes to supps, I basically assume that they are a scam until there are several independent studies that confirm otherwise.

The primary reason for the existence of supplement companies is to make money; everything else comes second. After the deregulation of the industry, it is up to the end consumer to prove that a product does not work as claimed. Compounding the issue is that there are so many variables in human metabolism and people's lifestyles that concluding one way or another would require a large and expensive study. Who is going to pay for it?

I am not saying that all supp companies are completely crooked but I think a lot are.

(FWIW I don't really consider protein a supp - basically it's just food)

I think if one wants some magic in a bottle then it's time to look at aas, not the supp store...

[mr.bean]

well but without supps you cant get too big, I mean you cant just eat all day a lot of meat and other protein sources food to get needed amount of protein, because
1. you may have not enough time
2. thats hard for your stomach and body to always digest food

so here comes protein supplements. I take one in the morning and I feel good because I am always busy and sometime I just dont have time to eat normally.