Building the perfect body is tough. Because of this, it’s common for bodybuilders to seek a little help from illicit substances. Things like anabolic steroids used to be at the top of the list. They were prized for their abilities to deliver exceptional results. But they also came with a massive list of dangerous side effects. Because of this, many bodybuilders have started looking for alternatives.
One of the best options is phosphatidic acid. This supplement is based on a substance our bodies produce naturally. It can also be found in some foods. Phosphatidic acid is essential for forming protein synthesis. By taking a supplement to boost your levels of this important compound, you should be able to gain muscle mass faster. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about phosphatidic acid and how it can slot into your gym routine.
How Phosphatidic Acid Affects Your Body
Phosphatidic acid will trigger your body’s mTOR system. This compound is responsible for the health of your muscles. The mTOR system will determine whether you are in an anabolic state or a catabolic state. When your muscles are anabolic, you are building muscle. This is what bodybuilders want to create. In a catabolic state, you are losing muscle mass.
It does this by improving the rate at which your body synthesizes protein. The more effectively you can synthesize protein, the easier it will be for your muscles to access the nutrients it needs to grow.
It should be mentioned, that you can obtain phosphatidic acid naturally, by altering your diet. For example, a cabbage can contain around 0.5mg. The problem is that this dose is very low. It’s unlikely that you’ll experience any benefits at these levels. For context, most supplements can contain around 750mg.
Now to one of the big questions, does phosphatidic acid affect testosterone? This is still an area that is being studied. However, phosphatidic acid likely does play a role in regulating testosterone production. In particular, it helps to stop your body from making LH-induced testosterone. This can lead to some interesting stacking possibilities, as we’ll discuss later.
Benefits Of Taking Phosphatidic Acid?
As you might expect, this supplement is perfect for those who are looking to build lean muscle. This can be a dramatic increase. According to one study, participants reported a 2.8 percent increase in lean muscle. You might be able to pair this supplement with other substances to further increase the amount of lean muscle you can create. Even better, this supplement can help you burn through fat, allowing you to show off your lean muscle gains.
But this isn’t just about building your physique. This substance can also help you increase your strength. This will produce even more dramatic results. A recent study put a group of men through a 12-week program that was designed to improve their strength. Along the way, they were given a daily dose of phosphatidic acid. Squat strength grew by 12.7 percent, compared to 9.3 percent for the placebo group.
However, these results should be taken with a grain of salt. This is a relatively new supplement. Because of this, there are still scientific studies being conducted to determine how effective it is. For example, other studies have been conducted to examine the growth of lean muscle. They didn’t get the same impressive results. This highlights the importance of getting the dosage correct.
It’s also important to note that this supplement doesn’t lead to androgenic effects. This is one of the biggest problems with taking anabolic steroids. It can cause females to develop male physical features, such as developing facial hair or lowering their voice. By avoiding these side effects phosphatidic acid will be suitable for people of both genders.
It’s also important to note that this supplement is available in tablet form. There’s no need to worry about the dangers associated with needle injections.
Downsides Of Taking Phosphatidic Acid
This is a unique situation. There haven’t been any reported side effects of phosphatidic acid. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is safe. It just means that there aren’t any short-term impacts.
As we mentioned, people have been taking small amounts of phosphatidic acid for years, as part of their diet. With no apparent side effects. But new supplements allow you to take a dramatically higher dose. Having a more dramatic impact on the mTOR compound. We know that the body likes to return to equilibrium, which is why bodybuilders need to keep raising the dosage of anabolic steroids to get the same effect. There is a chance that the same cycle could play out here with the mTOR compound.
As we mentioned earlier, this supplement is safe for women. But there is a large caveat. It might not be suitable for women who are at risk of endometriosis. During this time, we know that women have elevated phosphatidic acid levels. It’s a good idea to talk about this with your doctor. Taking a supplement could make the endometriosis symptoms worse.
The biggest concern is that this is a new supplement. We don’t have any research on the long-term impacts that it is having on your body. There is reason to be concerned. For example, other bodybuilding substances, like anabolic steroids, can wreak havoc on your health, throwing your body’s hormonal balance out of order. Taking them for years will have severe side effects, including dramatically raising your risk of cancer. Plus, the human body is complex. For example, we are still actively investigating questions like does phosphatidic acid affect testosterone.
Getting The Right Dosage Of Phosphatidic Acid
To get the most out of your phosphatidic acid you need to get the dosage right. Because the supplement is so new, this might require a little experimentation. In this case, we know that lower dosages, of about 350mg, aren’t very effective. According to the published research, the dose needs to be 750mg before bodybuilders will see any benefits.
It’s also worth thinking about how you should take this supplement. It’s a good idea to take two doses per day. Take one dose of 450mg before you work out. Aim to take it around 30 minutes before you start your exercise session. The second dose of 300mg can be taken once you are finished at the gym. You can also take this supplement on your rest days, as the mTOR compound will help your muscles recover after an intense workout session. On recovery days, you can space out the dosage more. Take your first dose in the morning and the second dose in the afternoon.
While there are no known short-term side effects, it’s always a good idea to take a cautious approach with new training supplements. Begin with a half-dose and monitor how your body reacts. If you start having an adverse reaction, stop taking the supplement. If the symptoms last, you should go to your doctor.
Stacking With Phosphatidic Acid
The good news is that phosphatidic acid is a very versatile supplement, due to the lack of apparent side effects. However, it will work best in a cutting stack. Due to the lack of research on this drug, you’ll need to be prepared to experiment. Try it as part of your stack and see how you go. If you aren’t getting the results you are used to, stop taking the phosphatidic acid.
However, there are some things that you shouldn’t stack with phosphatidic acid. Most notably, this supplement shouldn’t be taken with whey powder. According to some studies, this might curtail the effectiveness of both the phosphatidic acid and the whey protein. Furthermore, scientists are still trying to figure out does phosphatidic acid affect testosterone. The initial answers suggest that it might limit production. If this is the case, this supplement might also reduce the effectiveness of anabolic steroids.
Other Tips To Get The Most Out Of Phosphatidic Acid
There are a few tricks you can use to boost the effects of phosphatidic acid. First, you’ll need to choose the right time to take this supplement. As we mentioned, it’s a good idea to split the dose. Take half before your workout and half after the gym session is over. It’s best to take this supplement on an empty stomach, as foods might limit its effectiveness.
Next, think about the type of diet you have. This supplement makes it easier for your body to absorb protein. So, it makes sense to have a protein-rich diet. Many bodybuilders rely on whey powder to boost their protein intake. This won’t work with phosphatidic acid. But there are a few other protein sources you can explore. For example, you can turn to foods like red meat, nuts, eggs, and Greek yogurt. Or you can use protein bars.
Sourcing Phosphatidic Acid
There are plenty of supplements bodybuilders might take to improve their physique. Many of these, like anabolic steroids, are illegal. They are also counted as banned substances and might destroy your athletic career. However, phosphatidic acid is different. It is easy to find and legal to buy. A quick Google search will bring up dozens of results. Make sure to do your research. Look for a reputable brand. You just need to be mindful of the size of the dosage. Perhaps, you will need to take two tablets to get a dose of 750mg.
It should be noted that many of the available supplements combine phosphatidic acid with substances like chlorine or lecithin. This will enhance the power of phosphatidic acid.
Alternatives To Taking Phosphatidic Acid
Phosphatidic acid is a good choice for bodybuilders. But it isn’t the only way you can get an edge in the gym. Let’s run through some of the other supplements bodybuilders can explore. This will let you see how phosphatidic acid compares to the competition and decide if it’s the right choice for you.
Anabolic Steroids
Many bodybuilders prefer to stick to anabolic steroids. The good news is that these are very powerful drugs. Furthermore, they work fast, delivering results within a few weeks.
But, compared with phosphatidic acid, the side effects are much stronger. During the cycle, you can expect to start experiencing male pattern baldness, mood swings, and androgenic effects. Over the long term, these drugs can cause cancer and damage your liver. Because of this, I think that the risks of taking anabolic steroids far outweigh the benefits.
Peptides
You can also explore peptides. Like phosphatidic acid, these are naturally produced by your body. Some of the most popular options are Sermorelin, Tesamorelin, and Ipamorelin. These amino acids are designed to trigger the release of growth hormones, these burn fat and build lean muscle. Because of this, they are a great choice for the cutting cycle.
There’s just one problem. Peptides will require an injection to be effective. You’ll need to be careful when doing this. Sharing infected needles can give you nasty diseases, like HIV.
Natural Supplements
There is a third option for you to explore. You can try one of the supplements from Crazy Mass. They have been designed with natural ingredients and are approved by the FDA. Because of this, you won’t need to worry about any dangerous side effects. Even better, they have been formulated to replicate the effects of anabolic steroids. This ensures that you won’t need to wait long to start seeing impressive results.
Conclusion
Phosphatidic acid shows a lot of promise for bodybuilders. It can help your body synthesize protein more easily, making it easier to grow muscle. Even better, there aren’t any nasty side effects to worry about. However, research is still ongoing, investigating the long-term impacts and answering important questions like does phosphatidic acid affect testosterone.
While this sounds great, there are a few reasons why I’d recommend people approach this supplement with caution. First, to get any results, you’ll need to take at least 750mg. This is a relatively high dose. Most importantly, though, while it might be able to deliver impressive results, we don’t know anything about the long-term impacts. I’d recommend sticking with the natural supplements from Crazy Mass.
Gary David is the founder and CEO of CrazyMass, one of the nation’s leading supplement companies. Before starting CrazyMass in 2006, Gary was a bodybuilder and personal trainer for several gyms throughout Northwest Michigan, helping clients meet their fitness goals. Gary happily worked in this profession for over 15 years. He saw that most weight gaining products to increase muscle were made with ingredients that were dangerous or of poor quality. He knew there was a safer and healthier way to do this, so he created a special blend of herbs, amino acids, and nutrients to help bodybuilders slim down and gain muscle.
Although Gary no longer participates in bodybuilding competitions, he continues to be involved in the community, helping others prep for shows and attending events where he can advertise CrazyMass products. When Gary isn’t working long hours, he likes to spend his time working out at the gym, boating on Lake Michigan, traveling the trails around Northern Michigan by four-wheeler, and spending time with his family. He also loves to take a yearly trip to Europe with his wife and children.