{365} Days A Path towards Elite Powerlifting

The Ultimate Supplement Stack with Controlled Labs

Decided to have a post where I talk a little bit about my experiences and opinions on my favorite supplements and my preferred Controlled Labs stack.

Summary [How I would currently take them, please read below for how I used to take them with OZ of Water]

1. Vitamin C - 1 Tablet with 3 Meals Everyday (3 Total)
2. Fish Oil - 1 Tablet with 3 Meals Everyday (2-3 Tablets per Meal when Bulking) (3-9 Total)
3. Orange TRiad - 2 Tablets with 3 Meals Everyday (6 Total)
4. Pre-Workout
   • Blue Gene - 5 Tablets 1 Hour Pre-Workout or with Breakfast on Off Days
   • Green Bulge - 5 Pills 30 Minutes Pre-Workout on Weightlifting Days Only
   • Green MAGnitude - 1 Scoop 30 Minutes Pre-Workout on Cardio Days or 1 Scoop Anytime on Off Days
   • PurplE WrAAth - 1 Scoop 30 Minutes Pre-Workout on Cardio Days and Weightlifting Days (None on Off Days)
5. Intra-Workout
   • Purple InTrain - 1 Scoop During my Workout on Cardio Days and 2 Scoops During my Workout on Weightlifting Days (None on Off Days)
6. Golden Gains - 2 Scoops as Post Workout or Random Meal Replacement Drink
7. REDuction PM - 2 Tablets Pre-Bed Everyday
8. Protein Powder - With Oatmeal, Baked into Bars, or Sometimes Milk

Member's Mark Chewable Vitamin C

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving
Total Carbohydrate	1 g
Sugars	0 g
Vitamin C	500 mg
Sodium	35 mg

About Vitamin-C

Vitamin C is required for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body. It is necessary to form collagen, an important protein used to make skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Vitamin C is essential for the healing of wounds, and for the repair and maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth.

Vitamin C is one of many antioxidants. Vitamin E and beta-carotene are two other well-known antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients that block some of the damage caused by free radicals, which are by-products that result when our bodies transform food into energy.

The build up of these by-products over time is largely responsible for the aging process and can contribute to the development of various health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and a host of inflammatory conditions like arthritis. Antioxidants also help reduce the damage to the body caused by toxic chemicals and pollutants such as cigarette smoke.

The body does not manufacture vitamin C on its own, nor does it store it. It is therefore important to include plenty of vitamin C-containing foods in your daily diet.

Why?

These are the nice and yummy chewable kind. I take it because it kinda reminds me of candy and it is easy to pop one in right after a meal. I like it for the immunity function Vitamin-C has and personally feel this, Emergen-C, and Orange TRIad has helped me from getting over initial sick symptoms of the sore throat.

How?

I take three of these a day, one with breakfast, one with lunch, and one with dinner.

Member's Mark Fish Oil Pills

Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	10
Calories from fat	10
Total Fat	1g	2%**
Saturated Fat	0g	0%**
Polyunsaturated Fat	0g	0%***
Monounsaturated Fat	0g	0%***
Cholesterol	5mg	2%
Fish Oil	1,000mg (1g)	***
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)		***
DHA (Docosahexanoic Acid)		***
Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids 300mg		**

About Fish Oil

1. Less Pain and Inflammation. Omega 3 fatty acids, particularly EPA, have a very positive effect on your inflammatory response. Through several mechanisms, they regulate your body's inflammation cycle, which prevents and relieves painful conditions like arthritis, prostatitis, cystitis and anything else ending in "itis."

2. Cardiovascular Health. Omega 3 fatty acids have also been proven to work wonders for your heart and the miles and miles of arteries and veins that make up your cardiovascular system. They help to lower cholesterol, tryglicerides, LDLs and blood pressure, while at the same time increasing good HDL cholesterol. This adds years to your life expectancy.

3. Protection from Stroke and Heart Attack. When plaque builds up on arterial walls and then breaks loose, it causes what's known as a thrombosis, which is a fancy way of saying clot. If a clot gets stuck in the brain, it causes a stroke and when it plugs an artery, it causes a heart attack. Research shows omega 3 fatty acids break up clots before they can cause any damage.

4. Better Brain Function and Higher Intelligence. Pregnant and nursing mothers can have a great impact on the intelligence and happiness of their babies by supplementing with fish oil. For adults, omega 3 improves memory, recall, reasoning and focus. You'll swear you're getting younger and smarter.

5. Less Depression and Psychosis. Making you smarter is not all omega 3 does for your brain. Psychiatry department researchers at the University of Sheffield, along with many other research studies, found that omega 3 fish oil supplements "alleviate" the symptoms of depression, bipolar and psychosis (Journal of Affective Disorder Vol. 48(2-3);149-55).

6. Lower Incidence of Childhood Disorders. Just to show how fish oil fatty acids leave nobody out, studies show that children (and adults) with ADD and ADHD experience a greatly improved quality of life. And those with dyslexia, dyspraxia and compulsive disorders have gotten a new lease on life thanks to omega 3 oils.

7. Reduction of Breast, Colon and Prostate Cancer. And finally, omega 3 fish oil has been shown to help prevent three of the most common forms of cancer – breast, colon and prostate. Science tells us that omega 3s accomplish this in three ways. They stop the alteration from a normal healthy cell to a cancerous mass, inhibiting unwanted cellular growth and causing apoptosis, or cellular death, of cancer cells.

Why?

The benefits of fish oil are amazing ranging from glowing skin, healthier hair, and joint health. It is the one supplement to purchase before all others.

How?

I take 1 fish oil pill with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Many people swear by taking 12-15 pills a day, but my cutting diet does not allow for me to take in all the fat. When I start bulking I think I will take 2-3 pills with each meal.

Protein

Typically I think a good whey protein is all you need. I picked up a couple tubs of Nitro Core 24 on sale, but after running 3 tubs, I feel whey protein (ON 100% Whey/Myofusion) is the easiest to use during a cut and in various baking recipes.

Here are some links to some reviews I did...

Nitro Core 24 Ultimate Chocolate and Extreme Cookies and Cream Review

http://yanyanxu.com/2009/07/25/optimum-nutrition-nitrocore-24-ultimate-chocolate-and-extreme-cookies-cream-review/

Gaspari Real Mass Rich Vanilla Milk Shake Review

http://yanyanxu.com/2009/07/25/gaspari-real-mass-rich-vanilla-milk-shake-review/

Whey Tech Pro Chocolate Mint and Banana Creme Review

http://yanyanxu.com/2008/05/29/whey-tech-pro-chocolate-mint/

http://yanyanxu.com/2008/03/24/whey-tech-pro-24-banana-creme-review/

How?

I typically take 1.5 to 3 scoops a day. I usually use it only in oatmeal or protein bars. I ordered Myofusion and hopefully it will be good enough for me to use in milk. Typically I will use 6-10 OZ of milk/water with my protein shakes.

Orange TRIad

Nutrition Facts

Supplement Facts

Orange TRIad is now one of the best multi-vitamins on the market with its recently updated formula. We changed up the formula to be MORE bio-available.

* made the carotenes mixed (instead of just beta)
* increased vitamin c from 350mg to 500mg
* increased vitamin D from 400IU to 1000IU
* changed the form of vitamin D to Cholecalciferol
* changed the vitamin E sources to fully mixed, instead of just alpha
* Increased Niacin from 50mg to 100mg
* changed the form of niacin from niacinamide to inositol hexanicotinate
* doubled the vitamin B12 to 500mcg from 250mcg
* changed the form of vitamin B12 to Methylcobalamin
* decreased the calcium from 400mg to 250mg
* changed many of the forms of the minerals to chelates (or citrates in some cases)
* added bromelain for joint and digestion benefits

Orange Triad combines key vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for supporting optimal digestion, immune system, and joint health into one "twice daily" dietary supplement.  The Joint and Flex Complexes help lubricate joints and cartilage as well as increase the resiliency of connective tissue, while the Digestion and Immune Complex includes digestive aids, and nutrient partitioning agents to take your performance to the next level.

Why?

I'm a strength athlete, I destroy my muscles on a weekly basis. I need something more than the average person. This is where Orange TRIad comes in. It is DESIGNED for he athlete, which goes far and beyond your typical multi-vitamin. What is great about Orange TRIad is that ingredients utilized are have a much higher bio-availability than the cheap stuff most people typically buy. With Orange TRIad, you are getting high quality micro-nutrients.

But what really shines is the Joint, Digestive, and Immunity complex. Not only is it a multi-vitamin but it helps protect my joints and my health. I hate getting sick, it slows me down considerably, and Orange TRIad is a barrier that helps me fight the common cold.

My favorite complex is the Digestive complex. Not to go into detail, but everything feels better with Orange TRIad.

How?

I take my dosages with breakfast, lunch and dinner. I take 2 tabs per meal everyday for a total of 6 tabs a day.

Golden Gains

Nutrition Facts

Supplement Facts

Key Attributes:

- Premium ingredients
- Postworkout or any time nutrition
- Real Meal with Protein, Carbs, Healthy Fats and Fruits & Vegetables
- 98% sugar free
- Prevent catabolism and achieve fitness goals
- Support muscle glycogen and recovery
- Convenient all in one formula
- Great taste

Now that you've made fitness a part of your lifestyle, treat yourself to Golden GAINS after every workout. Formulated with precise amounts of protein, amino acids, healthy fats, and designer carbohydrates, we enhanced Golden GAINS further by adding exclusive super-nutrients to help support the athletic lifestyle.

The GoldPro protein complex delivers essential and branched chain amino acids so crucial for lean muscle tissue and recovery between workouts. Featuring both immediate and sustained proteins for constant assimilation, now you no longer need to choose between great taste, mixability, and value... get everything you need with Golden GAINS .

The GoldCarb Complex, our exclusive carbohydrate blend, offers the best of both worlds with efficient premium highly processed waxy maize and natural oats for a CONTROLLED insulin response and great taste and a good dose of fiber. As a bonus, this formula may help optimize hormone ratios and combat toxins, post-workout crash and adrenal fatigue.

The HealthyFat Complex is a blend of healthful fats that athletes consume to optimize performance. It has the potential to help optimize blood sugar levels, enhance cardiovascular health and scavenge free radicals.

The Fruit & Veggie Complex relies on 5,000mg of the best organic fruit and vegetables available. Other formulas rely almost strictly on macro nutrients and ignore the importance of micronutrients in a post workout setting (as well as all day), which is not the case with Golden GAINS . Micronutrients are plentiful in fruits and vegetables and help form a solid nutritional foundation that is essential for muscle growth. This complex also helps to convert the body from the acidic environment of most bodybuilding diets, to a more basic one that is needed for optimal lean muscle mass GAINS and overall health.

For optimal post-workout cellular anabolism, look no further than our GFH Complex. We included crucial Electrolytes and Taurine to work in synergy, keeping your muscles in an anabolic state at the cellular level and for as long as possible. As a bonus, it appears that this complex may even help reduce muscle cramping and unnecessary soreness.

With your health and performance in mind, Golden GAINS delivers!

Why?

This meal replacement drink or post workout drink is one of a kind. Not only does it have a delicious unique tasting flavor, Apple Pie, it also has an amazing profile. This product contains a full day's serving of Fruits and Vegetables. This doesn't mean to ignore fruits and vegetables, but it contains the necessary micro-nutrients needed throughout the day so you do not have to worry about how much fruit or veggies you are actually getting. What is great about this shake is that it actually uses oat flour, you can taste the oats in the shake, giving a delicious apple pie crust feeling. It is definitely worth a try.

How?

I either take it immediately post workout while walking home from the gym or randomly as a meal replacement during the day. I mix 2 scoops of Golden Gains with 20 OZ of water.

Green MAGnitude

Nutrition Facts

Supplement Facts

From the company that brought you Green Bulge? capsules...

Green MAGnitude? is an advanced powder creatine matrix. It combines
Magnesium Creatine Chelate (a patented form of creatine), with Dicreatine
Malate (creatine bound with Malic Acid) to deliver synergistic benefits you
can actually FEEL working during your workout.

Magnesium Creatine Chelate and Dicreatine Malate are important during both
anaerobic and aerobic workouts and are involved in the efficient production
and utilization of ATP. This KEY COMBINATION also has oxygen-sparing
effects and helps optimize mitochondrial function to directly and
indirectly "boost energy" during your workout or cardio session. As a
bonus, when combined with Betaine Anhydrous, this potent combination may
also help neutralize lactic acid build-up indirectly, and signal the body to
use oxygen to burn fat as fuel.

Taurine, Betaine Anhydrous, and Tyrosine have a wide variety of
physiological and metabolic functions and were added to Green MAGnitude?
for potent volumizing, antioxidant, ergogenic, and cognitive benefits.

Key Attributes:

- Juicy Green Sour Apple Flavor
- Exclusive Synergistic Creatine Formula
- Instantly Dissolves
- Patented Form of Creatine
- Improve Strength, Stamina, and Athletic Performance
- Greater Protein Synthesis
- No Bitter CEE Taste
- Caffeine Free

Why?

Creatine is one of the few proven and most researched supplements that brings significant strength and size gains. I particularly like the Green MAGnitude formula for the Taurine, Betaine Anhydrous, and Tyrosine. These make it a potent pre-workout supplement that gives great pumps and endurance during the workout.

How?

Typically I take 1 scoop of Green MAGnitude 30 minutes pre-workout. I also take it on off days randomly when I feel like it. There is NO loading phase and NO cycling phase. Meaning if you stop a different creatine, you can start Green MAGnitude immediately, and you never need to stop using it. I try to take some sort of carb source (granola, bread, rice cake) when I take my pre-workout mix. This is extremely important to prevent possible stomach issues and help shuttle the nutrients into your body. It is even better if you can get a full meal 1 hour before in addition to the carb source. I mix 1 scoop of Green MAGnitude with 18-20 OZ of water.

With the recent update on Green Bulge, I've decided to stick with Green MAGnitude on my off days and my cardio days. Leaving Green Bulge for my workout days. The reason below.

Green Bulge

Nutrition Facts

Supplement Facts

Green bulge was actually recently formulated making this my #1 choice for pre-workout creatine.

* Replaced CEE with dicreatine malate
* Added 75mg of Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxal 5 phosphate)
* Added 1000mcg of Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin)
* Removed most of the HyerBulge Complex (except K-RALA) and added in Curcumin (95% Curcuminoids), Gymnema Sylvestre (Extracted for 25% Gymnemic Acid), Orotic Acid and L-Norvaline

Key Attributes:

• Synergistic Creatine Formula
• Convenient and Potent Capsule Delivery
• Improved Strength and Stamina
• Enhance Performance and Muscle Recovery
• Caffeine Free/Stimulant Free

CONTROLLED LABS has responded to customer demand and the result: Green BULGE new and improved, delivering a synergistic formula you can actually feel working during your workouts. The exclusive stimulant-free HyperBULGE complex features Curcuminoids,  GYMnemic Acid, and more.... boosting performance while taking muscle recovery / regeneration to the next level. The HyperCRE complex features a potent combination of patented Magnesium Creatine Chelate and 2CM (Dicreatine Malate), beneficial during both anaerobic and aerobic workouts and involved in the efficient production and utilization of ATP. Featuring clinically proven active ingredients and potent B Vitamins, this formula also has oxygen-sparing effects and helps optimize mitochondrial function to directly and indirectly boost performance during your workout or cardio session.

Why?

I never really had an interest in Green Bulge until Controlled Labs updated the formula recently. With the change of the creatine source, and the addition of the vitamins and new HyperBULGE complex, this product caught my attention. I've been on Green MAGnitude for nearly 1.5 years straight. I feel it is time to switch it up to a different formula to test the improvements in strength, stamina, and recovery. I've personally had great results with Green MAGnitude, but Green Bulge might help me take it to the next level.

How?

I will be using this 30 minutes pre-workout for weightlifting. Again like Green MAGnitude: "I try to take some sort of carb source (granola, bread, rice cake) when I take my pre-workout mix. This is extremely important to prevent possible stomach issues and help shuttle the nutrients into your body. It is even better if you can get a full meal 1 hour before in addition to the carb source." Green Bulge does not need to be cycled, loaded, etc.

I will be taking Green Bulge on weightlifting days, Green MAgnitude on cardio and off days. Creatine, in general, can be taken everyday even off days.

PurplE WrAAth

Nutrition Facts

Supplement Facts

Discover the "Holy Grail" of bodybuilding and athletic performance enhancement: maximizing lean gains and fat loss while enhancing recovery and increasing strength, endurance, and energy. Purple Wraath™ was created to be the most complete EAA/BCAA product on the market; keeping your body in a constant anabolic state and keeping you training hard with its added super endurance complex.

Key Attributes:

- Fast absorption/fast acting
- EAA & BCAA
- Caffeine-free ergogenic formula
- Delicious tangy grape flavor
- Natural anabolic environment
- Increase athletic performance, endurance, focus, stamina, and muscle recovery
- Legal, safe, and effective for both men and women
- Stimulate metabolism to reduce body fat
- Explosive strength, power, and energy
- Increase or maintain muscle mass whether cutting or bulking
- Dextrose/maltodextrin free

Discover the "Holy Grail" of bodybuilding and athletic performance enhancement: maximizing lean gains and fat loss while enhancing recovery and increasing strength, endurance, and energy.

Sound too good to be true? Keep reading...

We all know that supplements are not a replacement for nutrition and training, but if you are looking for a supplement to enhance every part of your workout and take your gains to the next level... look no further than Purple Wraath™ by Controlled Labs.

PurplEAA Complex™:

The Purple Wraath™ PurplEAA Complex™ is a very efficient formula based on the science of actual homo sapiens muscle protein and clinical studies on human amino acid assimilation. Essential Amino Acids (EAA's) are the "building blocks" of lean muscle mass, but the EAA's from whey protein can take hours to enter circulation. The solution is the Purple Wraath™ fast-acting, free-form PurplEAA Complex™:

While essential amino acids function cohesively as a group to aid in your training, additionally they each produce a significant benefit when it comes to training:

Leucine:
- Primary anabolic trigger
- Enhance recovery
- Optimize hormone levels

Valine:
- Energy
- Recovery
- Glucose production
- Nitrogen balance
- Anti-inflammatory
- Analgesic

Isoleucine:
- Energy
- Recovery
- Glucose production
- Hormones

Lysine:
- Beta-oxidation
- Nitrogen balance
- Calcium absorption
- Energy

Arginine:
- Vasodilator
- Nutrient delivery
- Anti-Catabolic

Histidine:
- Vasodilator
- Sexual function

Threonine:
- Nutrient uptake
- Immune system

Methionine:
- Enhance metabolism
- Energy
- Mood
- Antioxidant

Phenylalanine:
- Energy
- Hormones
- Mood

It's important to understand that our EAA Complex includes all of the BCAA's (Branched Chain Amino Acids) that you have used in the past, including a precise ratio of leucine. Research shows that blood levels of these KEY amino acids are directly related to muscle protein synthesis, so we formulated a comprehensive and efficient matrix to enhance lean mass directly and indirectly, and under various conditions. Now, that ratio is important, but there are some other very exciting points about this formula. Unlike some of the amino acid supplements on the market, you aren't paying for cheap "filler" ingredients such as dextrose or maltodextrin when you purchase Purple Wraath™. Also, we chose not to include the amino acid glutamine since it is not an essential amino acid, and our bodies can synthesize it on its own in sufficient quantities. Because the studies that we based this formula off of do not use tryptophan and since it has the potential for "sedative" like side affects, we designed Purple Wraath™ to be completely tryptophan-free.

By combining intense exercise or weightlifting with the fast absorbing PurplEAA Complex™ you can rush nutrients into the active cells of your working muscles, creating an anabolic environment optimal for recovery and lean mass.

What would an EAA product be without some amazing support ingredients? Good, but not great. To make this formula great we added the PurplEndurance Complex™.

PurplEndurance Complex™:

You can't create an optimal anabolic environment without intensity so Controlled Labs decided to take things to the extreme with Purple Wraath™ by including the ultimate caffeine-free Ergogenic Complex:

So what does each of the ingredients in the PurplEndurance Complex™ do?

Beta-Alanine:
- Helps increase aerobic efficiency
- Helps enhance oxygen transport
- Helps to reduce lactic acid accumulation

Citrulline Malate:
- Reduces Lactic Acid and Ammonia
- Boosts energy production
- Has an oxygen sparing effect
- Boosts mitochondrial function

Betaine Anhydrous:
- Key osmotic/cellular hydration ingredient
- Enhances muscle fullness
- Acts as an energy enzyme protector
- Induces the conversion of homocysteine to methionine
- Elevates glutathione levels
- Promotes liver health
- Helps you maintain intracellular electrolytes
- Enhances metabolism

Ginger:
- Aids in nutrient absorption
- Enhances digestion/stomach function
- Produces a nootropic effect

Norvaline:
- Helps elevate naturally occurring eNOS

Why?

As the #1 endurance product on the market, it is hard not to pick up a tub of PurplE WrAAth. This is a staple in my diet and I have not stopped taking it for a year and a half. With PurplE WrAAth (PW) you get an amino product with a very nice ergogenic complex. What I love about PW is that it is 0 calories and is versatile on a bulk or a cut. I have great recovery and endurance while on Purple Wraath and always keep it around no matter if I'm doing cardio or weightlifting as the first step to preventing possible muscle catabolism. Feeling the tingles is perfectly normal (some describe it as an itchy sensation, I feel it in my fingers). This is the beta-alanine in the product (which enhances endurance overtime) screaming that it is working .

How?

With the introduction Purple InTrain, I've changed my dosing protocol to the below:

On weightlifting days, I'll take 1 scoop of PW 30 minutes pre-workout while taking 2 scoops of Purple InTrain during my workout. I mix the 1 scoop of PW with 12 OZ of water and I mix the 2 scoops of Purple InTrain with 24 OZ of water.

On cardio days, I'll take 1 scoop of PW 30 minutes pre-workout while taking 1 scoop of Purple InTrain during my workout. I mix 1 scoop of PW or 1 scoop of Purple InTrain with 12 OZ of water.

What I did previously without Purple InTrain was:

On weightlifting/cardio days, I'll start sipping on 1.5 scoops of PW on my way to the gym and drink it during my workout. I mix this with 24 OZ of water.

Purple InTrain

Nutrition Facts

Supplement Facts

Designed to shine where other products fall short, Purple INTRAIN is the anabolic INTRA workout solution, but taking INTRA workout supplementation to the next level wasn't easy. While amino acids are the king of building muscle, many also prefer a moderate amount of carbs during training because of the muscle sparing effect. Stored in the sarcoplasm of muscle fibers, muscle glycogen is short term energy storage we can take advantage of during a workout.

Key attributes:

- Hydro Whey and Free Form Amino Acids for optimal performance and growth
- Active muscle glycogen enhancement
- Exclusive herbal extract for carbohydrate shuttling
- Fuel your training intensity
- Potent vitamin and electrolyte complex designed for the serious athlete

Instead of just combining sugars and amino acids like so many products, Purple INTRAIN features designer carbohydrates, glycine, and banaba extract for dramatic muscle glycogen enhancement.... results you can SEE and FEEL ! CONTROLLED LABS didn't stop there.... INTRAIN features both Hydro Whey and Free Form Amino Acids like leucine for optimal performance and growth, along with the ergogenic beta-alanine and potent b-vitamin delivery for endurance.

Why?

This formula is an alternative option to PurplE WrAAth. I personally just stack them together for the ultimate pre/intra-workout mix. What I love about InTrain is that the flavor is by far the best out of all the Controlled Labs product. Purple raspberry really hit a home run. With a hefty vitamin-b dosage and banaba extract, I hope to see some incredible endurance and recovery in the future. I've only been on this for a few days and already I feel like I want to workout forever. My biggest fear is that I stay at the gym too long and start burning muscle. With Purple InTrain, it breaks my fear considerably and lets me workout at a crazy intensity until I am ready to leave.

How?

Read the PurplE WrAAth description above. Essentially I take 2 scoops in 24 OZ of water DURING my workout. The taste is so good that I drink it too fast and leave none left for the end of my workout.

Blue Gene

Nutrition Facts

Supplement Facts

Designed to help the serious athlete optimize mitochondrial biogenesis, hormone level ratios, and support oxygen rich blood cells during athletic performance and recovery, this stimulant-free formula means more endurance, power, and better recovery without pro-hormones or grey area compounds. No hormones means no post-cycle therapy, depression, or other risks associated with exogenous hormonal ingestion.

Cissus is a natural, cutting-edge anti-cortisol / anti-catabolic compound that has taken the supplement industry by storm. While more research is needed on the exact mechanism of it's anti-catabolic activity, we do know that the phytoconstituents are active and effective, improving the healing rate of tendons and ligaments (tendons and ligament function is essential for weightlifting strength and form). Acting as a natural glucocorticoid antagonist, Cissus may also have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Carnitine was added to the formula for it's numerous benefits, including recovery from intense training and reduced DOMS. When part of a CONTROLLED LABS stack / combo you have the ability to train harder AND more often. Users have reported enhanced energy, alertness, cholesterol levels, and fat utilization leading to a recomp effect. Another mechanism of action may be that carnitine enhances our 100% natural hormone levels during training including insulin-like growth factor.

Carao and Catuaba extracts work in synergy with other ingredients to help the target muscle group receive more oxygen, improving performance and strength. As a bonus, many users report a noticeable increase in libido.

Quercetin and Ginkgo Biloba (used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine) provide a stimulant-free performance boost by increasing oxygen and circulation, giving the serious athlete a unique alternative to stimulant-based products. As a bonus, over time the formula may help support a healthy immune / respiratory system with potent anti-oxidant, anti-viral, and anti-allergen properties.

Sodium Bicarbonate acting as a hydrogen buffer, helps reduce fatigue during training and enhance recovery between sets.... experience jitter-free endurance and stamina like never before.

lcariin, Grape Seed Extract, Griffonia Simplicifolia Extract, Apigenin, Luteolin and Niacin work in synergy to help increase bloodflow, natural growth hormone levels, and circulating levels of testosterone while keeping estrogen under control. The formula may even help with cholesterol ratio (cholesterol is the building block for testosterone).

Why?

By far the most underrated product on the market. It is my favorite product in the Controlled Labs line and I swear by the ingredients. Many people are confused at what this product does... first thing to do is read the write up and the frequently asked questions. This is NOT a testosterone booster, this is NOT a pro-hormone, and this is NOT meant only for people over the age of 25.

Blue Gene has a healthy dose of Cissus which has really helped my recovery and joints. Cissus also reduces aches and pains (read the above). I noticed that when I take Blue Gene in the morning it dulls my muscle soreness and other physical pains. Taking it pre-workout allows me to blast through some of the discomforts to allow me to feel fresher and more able to lift.

Carnitine can also be felt with the incredible recovery that I get. Once you are on Blue Gene for a few months and come off, you will definitely notice the huge difference in delayed onset muscle soreness. This is one of the major reasons I Swear by Blue Gene, recovery is very important to me, and Blue Gene delivers.

Carao and Catuaba claims to increase strength and performance. With Blue Gene strength levels have increased steadily and nicely. This benefit is harder to isolate but I did pull at 440 pound deadlift in less than 10 months of training . Did Blue Gene help me? Who knows, the recovery sure did and that allowed me to train harder and get stronger with less rest.

Another great thing about Blue Gene is that it really helps me lean out and promotes nice muscle thickness. Again this is hard to isolate, but more then a few people have commented on this. With a solid diet and Blue Gene, I am able to drop weight while maintaining a thick look. But this is of course a  combination of many factors, but I feel Blue Gene is a contributing one.

Blue Gene has a slew of other great ingredients that makes it a hodge podge combo of awesomeness. It works well in promoting general health and really benefits someone who is serious about weightlifting. The problem with Blue Gene is that it fits no category in the market and people are hesitant about a product that does not promise significant gains. When it comes to Blue Gene, trying it for yourself is the best way to see how it can benefit you.

How?

I take 5 tabs everyday. On off days, I take it first thing in the morning with my breakfast. On workout days, whether weightlifting or cardio, I take it 1 hour pre-workout with a carb snack. Again... "I try to take some sort of carb source (granola, bread, rice cake) when I take my pre-workout mix. This is extremely important to prevent possible stomach issues and help shuttle the nutrients into your body. It is even better if you can get a full meal 1 hour before in addition to the carb source." You can use the same carb snack for your creatine and Blue Gene. What I typically do is take Blue Gene and eat a slice or two of bread and then wait 20-30 minutes, take my creatine (but not take a second piece of bread).

REDuction PM

Supplement Facts

REDuction PM is one component of the REDuction AM/PM fat loss system. The PM formula keeps your appetite under control, maximizes your metabolism overnight, and helps you sleep deeper to enhance lean mass.

REDuction PM is available separately for the following reasons:

1. The ability for those taking the REDuction system (AM/PM) to continue taking PM while cycling off the AM after 60 days
2. For those who cant tolerate stimulants, found in the AM component, for various reasons
3. For those who already have a stimulant product that they cannot seem to part ways with, but want to continue taking something for nighttime fat loss

Key Attributes:

• Controlled release formula
• Optimize metabolic rate
• Fast results and muscle definition
• Improved sleeping patterns to enhance lean mass

Why?

Nothing to really say about this product other than it helps me get some deeper sleep. You can definitely smell the raspberry ketones.

How?

I take 2 tabs with a glass of water before I go to sleep.

Yellow nEuphoria Generation 2

Nutrition Facts

Supplement Facts

Key Attributes:

* Helps boost natural endorphins and libido
* Caffeine Free
* Help improve mental focus and mood
* Experience feelings of well being
* Helps fight stress and fatigue
* Helps to increase endurance and stamina
* Ephedra Free

The Best Mood-Elevating And Endorphin-Boosting Extracts!

The athletic lifestyle is extremely demanding and Controlled Labs customers have
requested a product to improve central nervous system performance, reduce
stress, and improve mood / vigor during training and all day long. Controlled
Labs has responded with a powerful and synergistic blend of only the best
mood-elevating and endorphin-boosting extracts. By focusing on enhancing and
potentiating the bodies own natural (very powerful) endorphins, we were able to
keep the formula caffeine-free, so that you can elevate to a new level without
the crash / jitters associated with caffeine products.

nEuphoria Complex:

Acacia Rigidula contains natural alkaloids that contribute to the powerful
energy, pleasure, and stimulating effects of nEuphoria Gen2. These natural CNS and
SNS stimulants have been shown to improve mood as rapidly as amphetamine,
without producing tolerance or physical addiction. Synephrine is a natural,
but powerful stimulant / ergogenic. Isobutyryl-Thiamine Disulfide has been
used for years as a nootropic to decrease anxiety, improve response to stress,
and have a positive effect on mood / athletic performance.

cRush Complex:

Used since ancient times to promote feelings of wellbeing, promote circulation,
enhance awareness and concentration, Nymphaea Caerulea and Rhizoma Corydalis
Yanhusuo are partly responsible for the calm, steady, and long lasting rush of
focused well-being that is part of the nEuphoria Gen2 experience. Unlike some
prescription and illegal opiates, this blend does not appear to affect brain
serotonin levels, deplete monoamine stores, or block GABA receptors.

Humulus lupulus is unique because it is one of only two plants in the family
Cannabinaceae. You guessed it.... the other plant is Marijuana. The alkaloid
extract known as Lupulinum produces a mild stimulant effect at first, followed
by a very agreeable, calming sensation... the perfect combination. Historically,
it has been used in some cases of nervous irritability where opium / narcotics
failed.

With a long history of traditional herbal and recreational use, Nepeta Cateria
and Griffonia Seed Extract are used mainly to relieve stress and enhance
meditation

Developed and patented by Sabinsa Corporation, Bioperine has been clinically
tested in the United States and shown to significantly enhance the
bioavailability of supplemented nutrients through increased absorption. This
results in a convenient serving size of 3 capsules.

Why?

This product was marketed pretty badly, but it does wonders for your Central Nervous System (CNS). This product should of been marketed for CNS recovery, which is a very important part of weightlifting. Too bad it was discontinued.

How?

I don't really take these too often, sometimes I pop 3 pills 30 minutes pre-cardio. I really like these and hope they bring it back in some form.