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Arachidonic Acid: Bodybuilder's Friend or Foe?

I had trouble posting it all, but here is the conlusion:
Conclusion
ARA is the principal precursor of many biological
regulators. The eicosanoids derived
from ARA play an abundant and essential
role in embryo development, reproduction,
immunological response and bone development.
ARA can be derived in vivo from
linoleic acid. However, the elongation and
desaturation of linoleic acid to ARA is
affected by genetic, environmental and
dietary factors. As a consequence, dietary
ARA may be of importance in pig and poultry
nutrition. ●
References
Calder, P.C. 1997. Ann. Nur. Metb. 41: 203-224.
Calder, P.C. 1998. Nutr. Rev. 56: S70-S83.
Carlson, S.E. 1996. J. Nutr. 126: 1092S-1098S.
Cerolini, S., et al. 1997. Biol. Reprod. 57: 976-980.
Jiménez, J., et al. 1997. Nutr. Biochem. 8: 217-223.
Jonhnston, P.V. 1985. Adv. Lipid Res. 21 : 37-86.
Kankaanpaa, P.E., et al. 2001. FEMS Microbiol.
Letters 194: 149-153.
Kinsella, J.E., et al. 1990. Nutrition 6 : 24-60.
Leskanich, C.O. & Noble, R.C. 1997 W. Poult.
 
And again, I know, their speaking of pigs and chickens, not humans...
 
The info was from the following article:
The hidden properties of arachidonic acid // 01 Feb 2002
Arachidonic acid is the principal precursor of many biological regulators. Products derived from arachidonic acid play an essential role in embryo development, reproduction, immunological response and bone development. Glutamine’s importance in gut health
This article can also be found at Feed Mix, volume 10, no. 1

To view the entire article, click on the pdf below.
 
It's likely a bust at this point.

In my original Blueprint course I cautioned against experimenting with Arachadonic Acid (known as "X-factor" and sold as part of some other formulas such as "Halodrol liqui-gels"). It appears my opinion has since been validated by at least one University study - see attached.

Conclusions

"AA supplementation during resistance-training may enhance anaerobic capacity and lessen the inflammatory response to training. However, AA supplementation did not promote statistically greater gains in strength, muscle mass, or influence markers of muscle hypertrophy."

There are two versions though, of the results. One appears on the manufacturer's web site, and highlights only the preliminary poster abstracts and the smidgeon of positive results noted during the study. There was a marginal increase in peak power for the Wingate anaerobic capacity test, along with a decrease in one inflammatory marker, interleukin-6. Also, there were no adverse side effects.

The manufacturer and man behind the funding for the study is far from a scammer though, IMO. As I note in The Blueprint, it was an excellent theory brought to the table, he funded the study himself and I suppose there may be some, marginal benefits noted by a small number of users.
 

Attachments

And there is conflicting theory/science too...

The intial premise behind AA was that it INCREASED the inflammatory response to exercise, which was predicated upon loading greater AA levels into muscle tissue. Again, an interesting theory and one that on the surface, seemed to make sense. But let's look closer at that study....because you notice something curious.

Per the authors: " In fact, one of the initial theories related to the potential ergogenic value of AA for athletes was that dietary supplementation of AA during training would promote greater localized inflammation thereby stimulating subsequent intramuscular
protein synthesis during resting/repair phases between workouts.

Nonetheless, present findings do not support this hypothesis. Rather, results suggest that AA supplementation during training may reduce chronic levels of IL-6 thereby reducing associated inflammation that may occur during high volume training".

Conflicting theory/science and the absence of any anabolic effects = stay away in my book.

Literally, in my E-book :)
__________________
 
I have to state that although its hard for me to quantify muscle gains, there was definitely noticeable difference in fat loss during my use of AA
 
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