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ZMA

esmuva06 Posts: 57 Joined: 2003/11/10	2003/11/29, 12:58 AM what do you guys think about ZMA as a supplement... little background.. i also take protein 3 times a day, fish oil, glucosamine, and a multivitamin... just began taking ZMA and i don't know if it is a placebo effect or what but i do seem to sleep better... just wondering what you guys thought.
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/11/29, 12:42 PM ZMA is excellent. It will make you sleep better, enhnaces the quality of sleep. It is essential to me, along with my Vit. C. It is nothing but minerals, it will not hurt you in any way. Because of this better sleep, you have enhanced recovery and healthy hormone production. It is as mentioned simply Zinc, Magnesium, and Vit. B-6. depending on the brand, may have some proprietary stuff in it also. -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything....
agamble Posts: 1,029 Joined: 2003/09/22	2003/11/29, 03:06 PM How about in the morning? Does it make you sluggish, etc.?
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/11/29, 05:13 PM You do sleep deep, as mentioned it increases the "quality" of your sleep. I guess the option is not getting this good sleep. I get up every morning, same time. Remember, it is in no way a drug, it is but minerals, that will even boost your immune system with the zinc. The benefits far outway any negatives, of which there are really none to me. I have been using it for over a year straight, as I mentioned, I am never without it. The quality of sleep is to great. -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything....
Jdelts Posts: 1,218 Joined: 2003/10/19	2003/11/29, 06:28 PM EAS throws a little extra in their product, either way, I'll swear by the stuff. I don't know if its a plecebo effect but I can't sleep right without it.LOL I've been taking it for over a year now (thank God I can still use my employee discount at GNC). While training for my last show, I don't think I could have slept without it. For those who have trained for shows before should know what I'm talking about on that one. -------------- OPINIONS ARE LIKE BUTTHOLES, EVERYONES GOT ONE. NOW, SHUT-UP AND GROW!!!
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/11/29, 09:36 PM Boy, if that isn't the truth! It is a lifesaver at contest time. Lets you sleep so you can ward off the middle of the night cravings! I personally don't care so much for the EAS brand. The new formulation has 500 mg. Vit.C and it is capsules. I am partial to the chewable Cytodyne brand. Absorbs very quickly, so easier to me to use. No guessing as to when it is digested. The only different thing about it is the chewable and it contains NAC. ============ Quoting from jdelts: EAS throws a little extra in their product, either way, I'll swear by the stuff. I don't know if its a plecebo effect but I can't sleep right without it.LOL I've been taking it for over a year now (thank God I can still use my employee discount at GNC). While training for my last show, I don't think I could have slept without it. For those who have trained for shows before should know what I'm talking about on that one. ============= -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything....
AzNsTaR101 Posts: 16 Joined: 2003/09/29	2003/11/30, 02:33 PM I don't know about you guys.. but when I take ZMA i get horrible horrible gas =/. Maybe it's just me though .... =P
AzNsTaR101 Posts: 16 Joined: 2003/09/29	2003/11/30, 02:43 PM I don't know about you guys.. but when I take ZMA i get horrible horrible gas =/. Maybe it's just me though .... =P
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/11/30, 04:31 PM I cannot imagine it is the ZMA. As mentioned numerous times, it is only minerals. I would suggest looking into other things in your diet. -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything....
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2003/11/30, 07:21 PM if ur saying that zma is just zinc, magnisium, and b-6.....i take a multi vitaman thats has all these products in it what the difference of zma and a mulit vitamin. the multivitim i take ahas alot of 100% of my daily vitamens in it, and i here to much of some vitamims can actually hurt you???? -------------- ---andrew.......adversity causes some to break, but others to break records!
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/11/30, 10:22 PM It is the precise combination (synergy) of the three, along with the aspartame transport system. You do not want to take calcium with it, they fight fiercely for absorption. -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything....
Shane123 Posts: 148 Joined: 2003/11/27	2003/12/01, 01:16 AM Long-term, there may be issues with toxicity. Shorter term, it should be fine. Might want to add a copper supplement, though. It can cause issues with iron absorption as well, but if you're supplementing and eating properly (and not menstruating), you should not have any iron worries.
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/12/01, 09:23 AM You do not want iron as a man especially anyway. And there is no problem with toxicity. Where this stuff starts is beyond me. -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything....
Jdelts Posts: 1,218 Joined: 2003/10/19	2003/12/01, 03:54 PM I don't take the EAS brand anymore, just strait ZMA from the GNC brand (smells really bad). I do believe it was your post BB1FIT, on the adverse effects of iron intake and its correlation to death, etc, etc...correct me if I'm wrong. If it was your post, was it in the supplements section? ============= -------------- OPINIONS ARE LIKE BUTTHOLES, EVERYONES GOT ONE. NOW, SHUT-UP AND GROW!!!
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/12/01, 05:24 PM Yes it was I believe. -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything....
Shane123 Posts: 148 Joined: 2003/11/27	2003/12/01, 05:58 PM ZMA by itself is above the safe upper limit (granted, this is often conservative), not even getting into food and other supplements, which could bring it to double or triple that amount. Toxicity is a concern with long-term use, and levels of zinc and those micronutrients (especially copper) related to it should be tested if the product is not cycled.
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/12/01, 07:15 PM I have been taking 50 mg. of zinc minimum per day for probably better than 20 yrs. Add in a the onset of a cold and I step it up to 150 mg. and this is not counting the ZMA. -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything....
Ogun Posts: 559 Joined: 2002/08/11	2003/12/02, 06:08 AM I just started taking ZMA and add me to the list; sleep quality went up, and I woke up fresh. And it helped curb midnight sweet cravings. I'm also taking Dessicated Liver now, but I'm not sure what it does :)) -------------- --There are no versions of the truth.-- Jeff Goldblum, Jurassic Park II
esmuva06 Posts: 57 Joined: 2003/11/10	2003/12/02, 06:44 PM yea i think ZMA is the real deal... sleep quality is a lot better and i feel more energetic in the weight room. I guess i'll know more in a couple weeks as to what it does as far as strength gains
Shane123 Posts: 148 Joined: 2003/11/27	2003/12/05, 12:24 AM Which puts you at risk for zinc toxicity, and even if you don't have any issues with it or the deficiencies it may cause, it may cause it in others.
YodelingAdam Posts: 111 Joined: 2002/12/30	2003/12/14, 01:28 AM I didn't do a whole lot of research on the subject of zinc toxicity, but i did find an issue with zinc and prostate cancer: "No increased risk was found in men who took up to 100 milligrams a day. But those who took more than that amount daily were 2.29 times more likely to develop the cancer than those who took less" How much zinc does ZMA tablets usually have?
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/12/14, 10:08 AM Hankmeister...most have 30 mg. This is the standard amount for a good ZMA. (this should be the amount in whatever the dosage is on the bottle, whether 3 or 4, depending on the brand). Many instruct women to take one less. -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything....
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/12/14, 10:50 AM Something to remember about the use of ZMA, the largest daily burst of natural growth hormone occurs during stage 3 and 4 sleep (about an hour and a half after going to sleep). Insulin, testosterone, zinc, and magnesium increase the effect of growth hormone. So, this is the time you want zinc and magnesium at a peak level in the bloodstream. Supplementing them with your own dose, i.e., buyng zinc and magnesium separately is acceptible, but make it the exact dose. I prefer to use the blended ones already made, but this is my choice. Just make sure there is no calium with it, they fight fiercely for absorbtion, and will ruin the effect of the ZMA. -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything....
YodelingAdam Posts: 111 Joined: 2002/12/30	2003/12/15, 01:07 PM bb1fit, do you take ZMA before you go to bed then to get the most out of the natural growth hormone burst? If thats the case, would I benefit at all if I took a multivitamin in the morning, possibly another multivitamin after an intense workout, and then a ZMA before I go to bed?
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/12/15, 01:20 PM This sounds like a good plan. Some multi's may contain some things that may not be right immediately post training. I would take 1 gr. of vit. C and calcium post workout, take another multi later in the day with another meal, and definitely take ZMA before bed.(no calcium here). The optimal way to do this, if you eat before bed, would be take your ZMA about 2 hrs. past your last meal of the day, or next to last if you do a pre bed meal. 30-45 minutes after the ZMA have a meal of protein, fiber, and a small amount of fats. Go to bed. If you do not do a pre bed meal, then just take your ZMA a couple hours(on an empty stomach) before bed. -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything....
bicep Posts: 315 Joined: 2001/01/26	2003/12/21, 12:14 AM I guess I was the only one that suffered from lack of sleep due to ZMA
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2003/12/21, 08:23 PM my multivitam has 100 percent of all or most of them for a day? do i need to take zma as well? when i already have 100 percent of those vitamans? -------------- ---andrew.......adversity causes some to break, but others to break records!
Jdelts Posts: 1,218 Joined: 2003/10/19	2003/12/21, 11:36 PM Andrew, look up a few posts where BB1 talks about the cynergy of the vitamin combo. This should answer your question. -------------- May the lift be with you.