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Q: What are the differences between BSN's three protein products: LEAN DESSERT PROTEIN™, SYNTHA-6™ AND TRUE-MASS®?

By Eric Hart

The main differences in our three ultra-premium sustained-release protein powders stem from the number of calories in each, the macronutrient profile specific to each powder and finally, your specific goals. These proteins can best be categorized by your individual leaning, maintaining or gaining needs.

If leaning up, losing body fat and changing body composition are your goals, LEAN DESSERT PROTEIN™ is the best fit for that application. If you’re looking to maintain your current body weight, while adding some lean muscle mass, then choose SYNTHA-6™. On the other hand, if you’re trying to gain as much lean muscle mass as possible and/or have a high caloric need due to a high metabolism or a very aggressive training program, then TRUEMASS® is your best friend.

That said though, personally, I have found a way to integrate all three into my diet, on any given day. You see, I have six meals a day, three coming from solid foods and three coming from protein shakes—one shake right after my workout, one during the middle of the day and a final one right before bed. After my workout, I’m depleted and I need calories, quality carbohydrates, healthy fats and of course, protein. This is where TRUE-MASS® comes in. Per serving, I get 630 calories, 76 grams of glycogen-loading quality carbohydrates, 15 grams of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and MCTs, along with 50 grams of the best protein in the world from six different sources. After the TRUE-MASS® shake, I get two solid meals in, one every 2½ hours or so. For my fourth meal, I have a two-scoop SYNTHA-6™ shake, which provides me with 46 grams of protein and only 26 grams of carbohydrates (10 grams of which come from fiber). This is perfect as I begin to taper off my carbohydrate intake for the day. I have one last solid food meal for the day 2½ hours after my SYNTHA-6™ shake, and about 2 ½ hours after that, it’s time for my last protein shake of the day. This is where I really want to limit carbohydrate intake because of the time of day, while still supplying my body with quality protein. Here is the perfect time for LEAN DESSERT PROTEIN™. Per scoop, LDP, as it is affectionately called by BSN staffers, supplies only 135 calories, 20 grams of protein and only seven grams of carbohydrates. Even though I have limited my calorie consumption before bed, I’m still ensuring that my muscles have the proper nutrients they need with the sustained-release protein blend contained in LEAN DESSERT PROTEIN™.

As you can see, all three proteins are very versatile and have specific applications. Once you know your goal, you can pick the best protein product, be it LEAN DESSERT PROTEIN™, SYNTHA-6™ or TRUE-MASS®, and tailor it to your specific needs. If you’re like me, then maybe there’s room for all three!

Can I take CHEATERS RELIEF™ with every meal?

It would not be beneficial to take CHEATERS RELIEF™ with every meal. You see, CHEATERS RELIEF™ helps to inhibit the enzymes that break down the carbohydrates and fats you eat; the alpha amylase and lipase enzymes, respectively. It goes to reason that if you inhibit the activity of these enzymes, your body cannot physically digest the macronutrients coming from the carbohydrates and fat you’re consuming. As a result, you cannot reabsorb them, and thus they can’t be stored as fat. The problem with taking CHEATERS RELIEF™ with every meal stems from the fact that you may potentially be robbing your body of certain healthy fats that your body needs. Remember, fats are essential nutrients that your body cannot manufacture. That’s why they’re termed essential-you have to supply them to your body via your diet. Also, don’t forget that fats are precursors for regulatory compounds in the body, provide your body with fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) and are the basis of your sex hormones (testosterone). So you definitely want and need dietary fats from mono- and polyunsaturated sources.

CHEATERS RELIEF™ is a great tool to utilize if you need a break from your diet and want to ingest high amounts of fat- and carbohydrate-laden foods like pizza and/or ice cream. By taking CHEATERS RELIEF™ beforehand, you will be able to enjoy that sort of food without sabotaging your diet. However, you do not want to get into the habit of straying from you dietary plan on a regular basis. This can best be accomplished by eating clean everyday and taking CHEATERS RELIEF™ before you have that weekly cheat meal to keep yourself sane while dieting.

Do I need to take an estrogen blocker with AXIS-HT™?

When taking AXIS-HT™, there is no need to take an estrogen blocker or any need for post-cycle therapy. Let me explain. AXIS-HT™ is a pro-testosterone amplifier that relies on cell signalers to help maximize natural testosterone production. The main cell signaler in AXIS-HT™ is Inositol Hexaphosphate (IP6, also known as phytic acid), which increases endorphin release, antioxidant activity, lipotropic action, stress reduction, GH stimulation, growth signaling mechanisms, and improves recovery due to increased testosterone levels.The secondary cell signaler in AXIS-HT™ is Coleus Forskohlii. This compound increases the effect of cyclic AMP (cAMP), which is responsible for stimulating the Leydig cells of the testicles to produce more testosterone.This effect is very similar to that of Luteinizing hormone, which controls Leydig cell steroidogenesis by increasing androgen pathways via adenylate cyclase and cAMP-controlled mechanisms. Also aiding in testosterone production is the inclusion of Eurycoma Longifolia, a compound that will bind to sex hormone-binding globulin, allowing more free testosterone that has been produced by the body to be available.

As you can see, AXIS-HT™ is simply increasing your body’s natural production of testosterone. Unlike a synthetic compound or a pro-hormone, you are not taking testosterone per se, or even a testosterone precursor. You are merely getting your body to produce the maximal amount of testosterone that it can. Since you are not adding an exogenous (outside) source of testosterone, there is not an excess of testosterone that could potentially convert to estrogen (aromatize). Thus, there is no need to take an estrogen blocker when you take AXIS-HT™. Additionally, as I mentioned earlier, there is also no need for post-cycle therapy when you come off AXIS-HT™ because logically speaking, your own natural testosterone production has not been suppressed.

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