BBS Protovol ??

[dlucks]

PROTOVOL

anyone see this yet?

Is HICA any good or crap?

 

[schizm]

Ah! that's the other supp I saw that has HICA in it...I just saw that Anabolic Designs is also releasing a HICA based supp...here's an excerpt copy/pasta from their (bbs) write up...for all to paruse...

Composed of a powerful leucine metabo- lite synthesized for maximum absorption and efficiency as well as key ingredients to enhance the bioavailability and effectiveness... In studies HICA has been shown to increase lean muscle tissue and reduce muscle soreness thus allow- ing you to train harder, train longer, and recover quicker. Getting you ready for the next xtreme workout or athletic event!

HICA (alpha-hydroxyisocaproic acid) helps increase protein synthe- sis through it’s key molecule Leucic Acid. This concentrated dose of Leucic Acid is delivered to the muscle tissue without being broken down by the gut! Once it reaches the muscle tissue it prevents catabolism (muscle wasting) and increases anabolism (muscle building). End result is increased
muscle output and repair.

 

[mattrag]

A company coming out with this product?

 

[schizm]

A company coming out with this product?

2 that I've seen so far....for kicks, here's an article I pulled from Ironmanmag...Jose Antonio, PhD...

Yep, here’s another acronym to add to the endless list: alpha-hydroxy-isocaproic acid, also known as DL-alpha-hydroxy-isocaproic acid, leucic acid, DL-2-hydroxy-4-methylvaleric acid and HICA. It’s an end product of leucine metabolism in human tissues. Can it be anabolic or anticatabolic? Let’s find out.
Scientists looked at the effects of HICA supplementation on the body composition, delayed-onset muscle soreness—commonly called DOMS—and physical performance of soccer players.
Fifteen healthy male soccer players, aged 22, took part in a four-week double-blind study during an intensive training period.[SUP]1[/SUP] The players supplemented with either 583 milligrams of salt of HICA (corresponding to 500 milligrams of HICA)—or a placebo of 650 milligrams of maltodextrin—mixed with liquid three times a day for four weeks.
They practiced soccer three to four times a week, had strength training one to two times a week and had one soccer game during the study. HICA supplementation significantly increased bodyweight and overall lean body mass, particularly in the legs, while fat mass remained constant. In those who got the placebo, the lean lower-body mass even decreased a bit. HICA supplementation also decreased DOMS in the fourth week compared to the placebo.
So four weeks of HICA supplementation of 1.5 grams a day leads to increases in muscle mass during an intensive training period in soccer athletes.[SUP] [/SUP]What’s so intriguing about the study is that the type of training soccer players do is rather catabolic. Running isn’t typically the best way to stimulate muscle hypertrophy. The fact that a rather small dose of HICA can produce a small but significant increase in lean body mass points up the anabolic potential of the supplement.
That adds to the body of work on the various molecules that are related to leucine. For instance, you’ve probably heard of ketoisocaproate, a.k.a. alpha-KIC. One study looked at the glucose-sparing effect of leucine and its keto acid alpha-ketoisocaproate, called KIC, in overnight-fasted normal volunteers.[SUP]2[/SUP] Both leucine and KIC infusions alone decreased glucose uptake (42 and 40 percent, respectively) and increased lactate release (37 and 116 percent, respectively).
So it’s clear that amino acids and their derivatives have roles much more complex than previously realized. With the new data on HICA, I’d suggest a stack of HICA, caffeine, creatine, beta-alanine, essential amino acids and protein hydrolysates. Mix it with sugar if you’re a performance athlete. If you’re just interested in looking pretty, no need for the sugar. That combination will not only enhance anaerobic and aerobic performance but increase energy and promote optimal gains in muscle mass and muscle fiber size as well. Not a bad combo, eh?
Editor’s note: Jose Antonio, Ph.D., is the CEO of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (www.TheISSN.org)

 

[schizm]

and one from Flex (the mag, not the AM member

Of all the amino acids that make up protein, leucine has been established as the most anabolic of them all. in recent years, scientists have begun to uncover the muscle-building effects of leucine metabolites, such as KIC and HMB (alpha-ketoisocaproate and beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate, respectively). Now another leucine metabolite, HICA (alpha-hydroxyisocaproic acid), is also showing great promise for its effects on recovery from intensive training.
Leucine is considered to be a potent anabolic agent because it can activate cellular proteins that lead to muscle growth. Once leucine is broken down in muscle tissue, it forms a variety of related compounds (such as KIC and HMB). These compounds have also proven to be popular supplements, because studies have shown that they can decrease muscle breakdown while helping to increase overall strength and 1 muscle mass. HICA, which is formed when leucine is completely broken down, has also been reported to inhibit muscle loss by blocking the action of certain catabolic compounds.
The first study to test the effects of supplemental HICA was performed with competitive wrestlers. Each wrestler was given 1.5 grams per day of HICA during six weeks of heavy training in their sport. By the end of that period, the wrestlers had added about two pounds of muscle to their frames. It may not sound like much, but the results are rather impressive considering that they were training up to five hours per day, a time period during which they would be expected to lose muscle. The wrestlers also reported significantly less posttraining workout pain compared to the previous six weeks, when they were not receiving the supplement.
THE STUDY Based on the promising results of the preliminary study in wrestlers, researchers from Finland conducted a second study in soccer players. One group of athletes was given 500 milligrams of HICA three times per day; a second group received a placebo. All of the athletes participated in an intensive training program consisting of four practice sessions, one match and two weight-training workouts each week over four weeks
THE RESULTS As reported in the original study, the athletes receiving HICA increased muscle mass--with almost 1 pound of muscle added to the legs alone. The placebo group lost muscle due to the high volume of training and energy expenditure. Postexercise muscle soreness was also significantly reduced in the HICA group compared to the placebo group. In addition to working by blocking muscle-damaging compounds, it is likely that HICA also worked by being converted back into the anabolic amino leucine.
THE DOSAGE Both studies used 500 mg of HICA three times per day, which appears to be an effective dose. However, HICA may be hard to find at your local supplement shop--or even online. With news of these studies and the coverage here in FLEX, you can expect that to change soon. In the meantime, be sure you are dosing with plenty of leucinerich branched-chain amino acids. Go with 5-10 g of BCAAs with breakfast, your pre- and postworkout shakes, and your nighttime meal. When HICA becomes more readily available, you can add 500-1,000 mg to your BCAA dosing.
--Jim Stoppani, PhD

 

[dlucks]

There is also another supplement with it - anabolic science labs Droxy p3

I might purchase some and try it for a month

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