[Kilo1636]

So, I know I saw this someplace in one of these threads but didn't pay attention then and can't find it now, but is there any difference between the c5 blend in c5 and the c3 blend in citruvol?
If you had to choose c5 or citruvol, which would you choose?

Also(a general question here), from what I understand c5 greatly increases aerobic activity (amount & intensity), when the product was discontinued Id have to assume this increase would drop due to the cordyceps no longer being in you system. correct? and if so, would they drop less if you gradually fazed out the c5 (i.e. assuming you're running it at 3 daily, drop to 2 daily for 3 weeks, then 1 daily for 3 weeks, then 1 every other day for 3 weeks)?

[EasyEJL]

I think it depends on what you want it for. C5 seems to be better for true long term endurance, Citruvol seems to be geared to a shorter time frame - marathon vs sprints. I could go indefinitely on cardio or other activities while on C5. Citruvol I'm less sure on, but from the samples I tried I decided to buy 2 bottles to check it out.

[Millennium 1]

The Cordygen5 blend is now in the Citruvol-XS. We actually replaced the C3 to make Citruvol-XS more potent. NP just hasn't updated the nutritional facts panel I believe.

Cordygen5 is all about oxygen utilization and ATP regeneration. It is a "Fourth Lung" type of product.

When you take C5 it takes about 3-4 days to reach peak effect and will take 3-4 days after discontinuing to completely wear off. Now when you train with Cordygen5 it will help you train harder and improve your VO2 max which technically doesn't drop off as fast as oxygen utilization does after you discontinue use. You could drop the dose gradually as you mentioned and the effects will be much slower to fade.

The Citruvol-XS is more on the lines of muscular endurance from the CM with a some improved oxygen utilization from the 500mg of C5 in it. Since there is less C5 in Citruvol-XS you won't get the complete fourth lung effect but it will be present.

If you are an endurance athlete we are coming out with a product that combines both of these products plus our Carnage product all in one. (plus lots of other goodies)

[Kilo1636]

Thanks for the replies. I guess my real concern is how much of a drop off is there once you discontinue use?

If I comfortably run say (hypothetical numbers here) 8 miles, add cordygen to my training, get to the point Im running 12+ miles, then discontinue use, would I drop back down to 8-9 miles? would it settle more halfway? or would I retain the majority of the performance gains?

I ask only because I am training to join the Navy SEALs and once I go to basic any supplementation will have to end. And even after you graduate and go to BUD/s, supplementation is restricted somewhat. Therefore, if I am going to use a supplement (other than the basics- protein, carbs, BCAA, etc) I want it to be something that will have lasting effects, not something that will only help while you are on it.

For the past 6 months I have used nothing but the basics and stopped all creatine, etc. I have recently played with the idea of adding one or two supps to give me an edge in training bc I plan on joining in the next 6-12 months. I have looked at Cordygen, Citruvol, & Carnage, and though they all sound exactly like what I would be looking for they all leave me wondering if, since they all rely on a buildup & saturation of something (cordyceps/carnosine), would their effects last once discontinued.

Once again, thank you for your help.

[Millennium 1]

Originally Posted by Kilo1636

Thanks for the replies. I guess my real concern is how much of a drop off is there once you discontinue use?

If I comfortably run say (hypothetical numbers here) 8 miles, add cordygen to my training, get to the point Im running 12+ miles, then discontinue use, would I drop back down to 8-9 miles? would it settle more halfway? or would I retain the majority of the performance gains?

I ask only because I am training to join the Navy SEALs and once I go to basic any supplementation will have to end. And even after you graduate and go to BUD/s, supplementation is restricted somewhat. Therefore, if I am going to use a supplement (other than the basics- protein, carbs, BCAA, etc) I want it to be something that will have lasting effects, not something that will only help while you are on it.

For the past 6 months I have used nothing but the basics and stopped all creatine, etc. I have recently played with the idea of adding one or two supps to give me an edge in training bc I plan on joining in the next 6-12 months. I have looked at Cordygen, Citruvol, & Carnage, and though they all sound exactly like what I would be looking for they all leave me wondering if, since they all rely on a buildup & saturation of something (cordyceps/carnosine), would their effects last once discontinued.

Once again, thank you for your help.

If you are training hard enough to increase your VO2 max then the products effects will stay with you to a good extent. If you are just training moderately and aren't doing anything to increase your VO2 max while on the C5 then you may not have the same lasting effects. Either way it will help you to achieve goals and break through plateaus. I really doubt you will digress too much if you are training as hard as I think you are. I can tell you that VO2 max increases aren't 100% retained regardless of what you take. It is almost always attributed to the combination of maximal training and supplementation.

I can tell you it will help get you into great cardiovascular shape much faster so it is well worth it.

[Kilo1636]

Thanks. I think I will probably try it out then. I push myself to the limit now, if I use c5 and push myself to the new limit hopefully I should achieve some pretty nice increases.

[poison]

Originally Posted by Millennium 1

I can tell you it will help get you into great cardiovascular shape much faster so it is well worth it.

That's it in a nutshell. ^

I'd take creatine, beta alanine, citrulline, and cordyceps if I were you. Creatine stores take a month to slowly return to normal levels, which will give you a boost for that first month of BUDS. Beta Alanine/carnosine diminishes faster, and citrulline won't have any effect once you stop supplementation, but you'll be able to train so much harder and recover so much faster that the added fitness you'll gain in the time up to supplement cessation will be worth its weight in gold.

You'll be able to hang with your previous times and distances once you stop supplementing, you'll just feel a lot worse doing it.

I served in the IDF as airborne combat infantry. Our training rivals BUDS, minus the nasty water . Think rigorous selection process, multiple 40-60 mile runs, 4 hours interrupted sleep a night if you're lucky for my whole service, etc. I trained extremely hard, as I joined as an American immigrant to Israel and had to prove I was better to make the cut. If only I had had the knowledge and access to supplements I have now, I'd have done even better.

One tip: your only job now is to come in as fit as possible. Once they throw in sleep deprivation, extreme stress, and lack of food, everything goes to ****. The last thing you want to worry about is your overall fitness. Keep in mind you can't and SHOULD NOT try to train in a sleep deprived, hungry manner (occassional stress is OK). It's counter productive, and hinders progress. It's OK to try just skipping a nights sleep...once. Just to see how it feels, how you behave the next day, and how it affects the next days workout.

Good luck, kick ass, and remember: EVERYTHING has an end. Everything. When things seem the worst, remember that. And break things down; when you're running with your 185lb buddy over your shoulder in mud, just make it to the next tree. Made it? Pick another tree, and go to there. Repeat. Pretty soon someone will be telling you to stop, it's over.

[Kilo1636]

Thanks for the reply. Its nice to hear from somebody who has some experience with what Im talking about.

Perhaps youd be the best person to answer this question for me then: They do not allow you to use creatine during BUD/s because it can make you cramp up during long swims/runs (p.32, The Warrior Elite by **** Couch). If you are caught using creatine you are dropped from training.

When I stated this info hear, nobody got it. I even had Marines on here say that tons of Marines use creatine.

So, with your experience, creatine- good or bad?

[poison]

I've heard conflicting info on whether or not it is allowed in BUDs. I know it's allowed in regular units, and likely after BUDS, too.

Studies have shown that creatine does not cause cramping. Anecdotal evidence suggests it does. I would probably side with caution and stop taking it for BUDS; why risk having issues?

[Kilo1636]

I totally agree. I would not take it during BUD/s, but should I also stop taking it with the training I am doing now? Or would I benefit from taking it as long as I still can?

And with creatine, would the weight gain be greater to the strength gain? Because (as Im sure you already realize) doing body weight exercises could be hindered by a large mass gain without a greater strength gain. This is one of the reasons I stopped taking it in the first place (out of precaution). I always felt like creatine made me bigger, but not necessarily stronger. But everybody swears by creatine as a staple, so I have mixed emotions...

[poison]

i would take it up to Buds, then stop. it'll increase strength and number of reps you can do. You won't put on mass in a way that hinders your training, especially with bodyweight stuff.