Agmatine Sulfate – Nitric Oxide Perpetual Pump
WHAT IS AGMATINE?
Agmatine is a small molecule that the body makes naturally from the amino acid, arginine. Agmatine is a decarboxylized Arginine metabolite. More simply, Agmatine is what Arginine becomes within the body.
Agmatine has dual functions:
A) Selective inhibition of the enzyme that breaks down Nitric Oxide – the result, increased (NO) Nitric Oxide.
B) The direct stimulation of NO. With increased NO you create an environment for increased nutrient delivery, improved metabolic waste removal, and most importantly, increased overall performance.
NITRIC OXIDE – Vascularity, Blood Volume, Pump:
Agmatine modulates nitric oxide (NO) through different ways. It stimulates some types of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) while inhibiting others, in this respect it is considered "selective". This is essential to the proper functioning of the polyamine biosynthetic pathways. There are 3 forms of NOS, iNOS (inducible), nNOS (neuronal) and eNOS (endothelial).
Research suggests that Agmatine is unique in that it stimulates eNOS while limiting the iNOS and eNOS. This is a very important difference for those of us looking for increases in vascularity, increase blood flow and volume. Among body builders, Agmatine has become legendary for its ability to produce long lasting pumps. It has even been coined the "Perpetual Pump" by some.
COINED THE ‘PERPETUAL PUMP' BY SOME.
LEAN BODY MASS – Improving Insulin Response:
Agmatine has been shown in some research to help enhance insulin production leading to better insulin response. This allows for positive effects in attaining body composition goals. While the research is still considered prelimary, it could point to an improved insulin response; if so, this could have an impact on a leaner, harder physique.
Agmatine has been shown to act on catecholamines (Epinephrine > Norepinephrine > Dopamine) release. These are chemical messengers that play a big role energy production, fat loss and stress is. There are well-established effects that epinephrine can have on the body including:
- Increasing endurance
- Enhancing performance
- Decreasing body fat
ANTI-OXIDANT ACTION – Reducing AGEs (Advanced Glycation End-Products):
Agmatine has been shown in some research to have an antioxidant role. There can be no greater source of free-radical build up than that seen in the day-to-day activity of the athlete. The sheer stress that the body takes on when in you're an athlete in the trenches (i.e. – the gym, the field, etc...) could ultimately have significant detrimental effects with continued build up. Agmatine may offer some protection from the damaging effects that free radicals can have on the body.
STRESS – The Cortisol Response:
Agmatine has shown anxiolytic (relieves anxiety) activity in some research and may offer potential control of elevated cortisol levels in the stressful life of the athlete.
