This product is by far one of my favorite
supplements. When preparing for my contest, I took 1 scoop pre-workout (with
my normal pre-workout shake) and 4 scoops with 20 grams of dextrose during
my workout. During the first week, I didn't notice much, but after the
initial week I did. Before using ICE during my workout, I was having a hard
time doing cardio after leg day because my legs were so sore, as where other
muscle groups as well.
After one week on ICE, my soreness was gone. I was
able to do my cardio sessions without battling through soreness. I also
found that I had more energy during my workouts. I love this product and
will continue to use it.
 |
SAN's V12 |
Another one of my new favorite supplements. This products claims
to give you great pumps, more energy, and will not cause you to hold water
like other creatine products. I'm here to tell you that these claims are
true! V12 is the best creatine product I have ever used. I felt great in the
gym.
The pumps were better, I looked more vascular, and did I mention V12
tastes awesome. It has a very sweet, sugary taste, but it has no sugar.
Since I was dieting, I looked forward to my daily V12 treat. I used V12
right up to the day of my contest, and it didn't make me hold any excess
water.
One of the newest fat burners out is San's TIGHT. What makes
TIGHT any different than other fat burners? TIGHT is an ephedra free fat
burner. An ephedra free fat burner is not a new concept, but in the past,
they have shown little benefit as compared to their ephedra counterparts.
There has been some recent buzz surrounding TIGHT. Because of this, I
decided to check it out.
The Research
Before I use any supplement, I always research it. TIGHT is no exception.
First, let's examine the ingredients:
S.A.N. Tight
Serving Size: 1 capsule
Servings Per Container: 60
Amount Per Serving:
Caffeine Anhydrous 200mg
Synephrine HCl 99.9% 20mg
Forslean? 95% 20 mg
Synthetic Guggulsterones Z&E 99.9% 20mg
Yohimbine HCl 99.9% 5mg
Vinpocetine 99.9% 5mg
Bioperine? 96.9% 5mg
Other Ingredients:
Gelatine, Glyerine
The first thing that stood out to me was the percentages, which tells the
HPLC tested purity. SAN says they use only pharmaceutical grade synthetic
ingredients. I was surprised to see this because most fat burners of this
type use herbal extracts or derivatives.
Another thing that pushed me to examine TIGHT were the test results of its
guggulsterones content. SAN claims that each capsule of TIGHT contains 20 mg
of guggulsterones. Test results show that they exceeded this; there were
25.1 mg in each capsule.
Caffeine Anhydrous
Caffeine is widely known as a stimulant. It can be found in coffee, tea,
soft drinks, chocolate, and other foods and drinks. Caffeine is known to
give you a little boost of energy. It does this by binding to adenosine
receptors in the body. This can lead to heightened awareness and, as stated,
energy. Caffeine also stimulates lipolysis during exercise. Despite these
effects being well known, I decided to do a little research of caffeine.
Caffeine Research
Ryu S. Choi SK. Joung SS. Suh H. Cha YS. Lee S. Lim K. Caffeine as a
lipolytic food component increases endurance performance in rats and
athletes. [Clinical Trial. Journal Article. Randomized Controlled Trial]
Journal of Nutritional Science & Vitaminology. 47(2):139-46, 2001 Apr.
"These results suggest that the caffeine ingestion enhanced endurance
performance resulting from spare stored glycogen with increasing lipolysis
from adipose tissues and fat oxidation during exercise both in rats and in
athletes."
Applegate E. Effective nutritional ergogenic aids. [Review] [57 refs]
[Journal Article. Review. Review, Tutorial] International Journal of Sport
Nutrition. 9(2):229-39, 1999 Jun.
"Caffeine dosing before exercise delays fatigue and may enhance
performance of high-intensity exercise."
Synephrine HCL
Synephrine is a known appetite suppressant. This can help out a lot when
dieting. There are times when I could eat everything in sight. Synephrine is
believed to have effects similar to ephedrine (Increased metabolism,
increased energy, etc.) Unlike ephedrine, synephrine does not appear to
effect the central nervous system.
Forslean - Learn More
Forslean standardized extract from the roots of the Coleus forskohlii
plant, the only known plant source of forskolin. This supplement is very
indepth. Therefore, instead of me trying to tell you what it does, you would
be better of reading one of these articles:
http://www.vitaminretailer.com/SIE/articles/ColeusForskohlii.htm
http://www.hsrmagazine.com/articles/071feat3.html
http://www.healthproductsbusiness.com/clients/sabinsa_corp.shtm
Forslean Research
Allen DO. Ahmed B. Naseer K. Relationships between cyclic AMP levels and
lipolysis in fat cells after isoproterenol and forskolin stimulation.
[Journal Article] Journal of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics.
238(2):659-64, 1986 Aug.
"These agents caused concentration-dependent increases in both cAMP
accumulation and lipolysis. The maximum responses to forskolin for each
variable were greater than the corresponding responses to isoproterenol."
Haye B. Aublin JL. Champion S. Lambert B. Jacquemin C. Chronic and acute
effects of forskolin on isolated thyroid cell metabolism. [Journal Article]
Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology. 43(1):41-50, 1985 Nov.
Synthetic Guggulsterones Z & E
Guggulsterones, specifically the Z and E versions, stimulate thyroid
production. The thyroid gland regulates your metabolism. By increasing
thyroid production, you can increase you metabolism. The thyroid hormone T4
is created from the thyroid stimulating hormone. While this hormone does
burn some fat, the stronger and more effective thyroid hormone T3 is what we
want (This sounds like a bad terminator movie). T3 is created from the
conversion of T4 to T3. Guggulsterones have been shown to enhance this
conversion.
Guggulsterones Research
Panda S. Kar A. Gugulu (Commiphora mukul) induces triiodothyronine
production: possible involvement of lipid peroxidation. [Journal Article]
Life Sciences. 65(12):PL137-41, 1999.
"An investigation was made to find out the importance of gugulu
(Commiphora mukul) in thyroid function of mice and to reveal the possible
involvement of lipid peroxidation (LPO), if any. While no marked change in
the concentrations of serum thyroxine (T4) was observed, triiodoth yronine
(T3) concentration and T3/T4 ratio were enhanced following the
administration of gugulu extract (0.2 g/kg b. wt./d for 15 days). A
concomitant decrease in LPO was also noticed in liver, the principal site of
T3 generation, suggesting that gugulu induced increase in T3 concentration
is LPO mediated."
Tripathi YB. Malhotra OP. Tripathi SN. Thyroid stimulating action of
Z-guggulsterone obtained from Commiphora mukul. [Journal Article] Planta
Medica. (1):78-80, 1984 Feb.
Yohimbine HCL
Yohimbine Hydrochloride is derived from Yohimbine bark. It is marketed in
products as a "sexual enhancer" and weight loss aid. Yomhimbine inhibits
alpha-2 receptors— receptors involved with the regulation of lipolysis, the
breakdown of fat—, which promotes the use of stored fat for energy.
Yohimbine Research
McCarty MF. Pre-exercise administration of yohimbine may enhance the
efficacy of exercise training as a fat loss strategy by boosting lipolysis.
[Journal Article] Medical Hypotheses. 58(6):491-5, 2002 Jun.
"Administered prior to exercise, it boosts lipolysis and serum FFA levels
both during and following exercise; blockade of adipocyte alpha-2
adrenoreceptors makes at least a modest contribution to this pro-lipolytic
activity. These considerations suggest that pre- exercise administration of
yohimbine will lower the respiratory quotient during and following exercise,
thus promoting fat loss."
Vinpocetine - Learn More
Vinpocetine is an alkaloid obtained from the Crioceras Longiflorus. It has
been shown to:
- Improve cerebral blood flow
- Increases the glucose usage in the brain
- Reduces Platelet aggravation
- Improves red blood cell deformability
- Increase Noradrenaline production
- Increase Dopamine production
- Increase Serotonin release
- Increase Acytylcholine concentration
- Basically, Vinpocetine optimizes mental performance.
Bioperine - Learn More
Bioperine is a standardized piperine extract from the Piper nigrum L.
(black pepper) and/or Piper longum L. found in India. Bioperine increases
the bioavailability of nutrients through increased absorption.
Bioperine Research
Shoba G. Joy D. Joseph T. Majeed M. Rajendran R. Srinivas PS. Influence of
piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human
volunteers. Planta Medica. 64(4):353-6, 1998 May.
"Concomitant administration of piperine 20 mg produced much higher
concentrations from 0.25 to 1 h post drug (P < 0.01 at 0.25 and 0.5 h; P <
0.001 at 1 h), the increase in bioavailability was 2000%. The study shows
that in the dosages used, piperine enhances the serum concentration, extent
of absorption and bioavailability of curcumin in both rats and humans with
no adverse effects."
Vladimir Badmaev, M.D., Ph.D., Muhammed Majeed, Ph.D. and Edward P. Norkus
Ph.D. Piperine, an alkaloid derived from black pepper, increases serum
response of beta-carotene during 14-days of oral beta-carotene
supplementation. Nutrition Research (1999) 19(3) 381-388
"Supplementation with beta-carotene plus piperine for 14 days produced a
60% greater increase in area under the serum beta- carotene curve (AUC) than
was observed during supplementation with beta-carotene plus placebo."
Vladimir Badmaev, M.D., Ph.D., Muhammed Majeed, Ph.D., and Lakshmi Prakash,
Ph.D. Piperine derived from black pepper increases the plasma levels of
coenzyme Q10 following oral supplementation. J. Nutr. Biochem. (2000) 11:
109-113
"Supplementation of 120 mg of coenzyme Q10 with piperine for 21 days
produced a statistically significant (p=0.0348), approximately 30% greater,
area under the plasma curve (AUC) than observed during supplementation with
coenzyme Q10plus placebo."
Conclusion
There is a good amount of studies supporting the ingredients in TIGHT.
This, plus the fact that SAN uses highly potent versions of these
ingredients has heighten my interest in the product. Therefore, I was be
using it. But, I am not going to just use it and be done with it. For the
past 3 weeks, I have been testing my body fat percentage using calipers
(9-point test).
I have gotten down to a low body fat percentage. The fat
surrounding my waist and love handles is always hardest to get rid of. I am
going to track my fat loss, using the calipers and pictures, and compare it
to the fat lose experienced when not using TIGHT. My diet will be exactly
the same. So be on the look out for the results to my personal test.
My Results
Day One
Took 1 cap TIGHT at 7:30.
Worked out at 8:00. I seemed to be sweating more than usual.
Appetite: Too early to tell
Side Effects: None
Day Two
Sweat: The gym was VERY humid today, so this would not be valid today.
Appetite: Did not have that urge to eat like I usually do. By 7 PM, I am
usually dying to eat junk, but not today. Could be all in my head, so we'll
wait and see.
Side Effects: None
Day Three
Sweat: Nothing unusual
Appetite: No hunger pangs
Side Effects: None
Day Four
Sweat: I sweated WAY more than usual during my cardio session.
Appetite: I am definitely not as hungry as I usual am
Side Effects: None
Day Five
Sweat: Nothing unusual
Appetite: Suppressed
Side Effects: None
Day Six
Sweat: Nothing unusual
Appetite: Suppressed
Side Effects: None
Day Seven
Sweat: Nothing unusual
Appetite: Suppressed
Side Effects: None
Weeks 2-6
Everything was basically the same as week 1. Nothing new to report.
I feel that TIGHT has helped me consistently lose fat. I dropped 2% bodyfat
while using this product in conjunction with diet and exercise. Diet and
exercise were the key of course, but I feel this product gives you that
extra boost. One thing that makes this product different from an ephedra
based product is you don't get that extra energy, well I didn't at least.
But I still think it is a good product for the fact that it controlled my
appetite. That alone is worth even if it did nothing else.
Lipidex is and EFA combo containing CLA, fish oil, flax
seed, and borage oil. I didn't notice anything special from taking this, but
one normally doesn't when taken EFAs if they have already been taking them.
 |
SAN's Loaded |
Loaded is a nutrient partitioning agent. I did not feel
anything extraordinary while using this product, but it is hard to tell
whether or not more glucose is being sent to your muscles instead of your
fat cells. I was steadily losing weight, but that was expected due to my
diet and training. The ingredients in this product are good, but don't
expect this to be some magic pill.
Infusion is the best tasting protein powder I have ever had!
I went through a jug of vanilla carmel shirl and wildberry yogurt. My daily
Infusion shake was a treat. When I drank it, I felt like I was cheating on
my diet. One thing I like to do is mix a couple scoops with a good amount of
crushed ice in a blender. When you blend it, the shake comes out like a ice
cone. Again, this is one way to make yourself think you are cheating when
you are not.
I am very impressed with SAN's products. They are all high quality and they
actually work.
Be Sure To Check Out My Other Reviews Of Products:
Derek's Supplement & Video Reveiw.
More Supplement Reviews...
Later,
dspikehead@hotmail.com
Recommend this article to a friend by e-mail here!
Visitor Reviews Of This Article!
Read Visitor Reviews - Write Your Own Review
Back To Derek Charlebois' Main Page
Back To The Articles Main Page.
Related Articles
Supplement Roundtable By AnimalPak.
What Supplements Should You Take?
The Best Bang For Your Buck!
