Keeping Mass Without Lifting?

A research team at the University of Texas just discovered another benefit of supplementing with essential amino acids (EAA). In their study published recently in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (2004), these researchers took healthy men and confined them to beds for 28 days. The supplement group received a combination of essential amino acids and carbohydrates, while the other group got a placebo with no nutritive value.

After 28 days, the placebo group, on average, lost about a pound of leg muscle. The group taking the essential aminos, on the other hand, kept all their leg muscle mass. This is pretty amazing. It suggests that even without exercising for nearly a month, it's possible to maintain muscle mass if you take an essential amino acid/carb drink. According to lead researcher Dr. Douglas Paddon-Jones: "We thought it was the most astounding thing that even though our subjects did no exercise, they were able to maintain muscle mass."

The potential applications for lifters are obvious. If you can't train for an extended period of time, supplementing with essential aminos like those found in Animal Nitro <http://animalpak.com/html/sections.cfm?id=55> may help you keep the muscle you've worked so hard to gain. So the next time you're out of the gym for a while, the next time you go on vacation, take a trip, or whatever, be sure to take your Animal Nitro <http://animalpak.com/html/sections.cfm?id=55> with you. Two packs a day may help save your mass.

One important thing to remember: This study looked specifically at essential amino acids. Essential amino acids, unlike non-essential amino acids (NEAA), can only be obtained through diet and supplementation. The body cannot manufacture EAAs by itself. So get the right supplement for the job. Get a can of Animal <http://animalpak.com/html/sections.cfm?id=55> Nitro the essential aminos you need in convenient packs.


Source:
Paddon-Jones D, Sheffield-Moore M, et al. Essential amino acid and carbohydrate supplementation ameliorates muscle protein loss in humans during 28 days bedrest. J Clin Endocrin Metab 2004; 89(9): 4351-4358.