Bulk Black Pre-Workout

L-citrulline is an amino acid naturally found in watermelon that plays an important role in kidney function. It's become a popular ingredient in pre-workout supplements due to its ability to boost nitric oxide levels [1]. 

When nitric oxide production increases, blood flow improves, allowing nutrients and oxygen to replenish muscle tissue more efficiently. Ultimately, this translates to greater muscle pumps and heightened energy levels.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the ergogenic effects of L-citrulline malate, the citrulline salt of malic acid, such as:

• Improving strength, aerobic performance, and muscle endurance [2, 3]
  
  
• Elevating nitric oxide levels even more than equivalent doses of L-arginine [4]
  
  

Enhancing muscle anabolism and reducing muscle catabolism [5]

Beta-alanine is a beta-amino acid that combines with L-histidine to form the dipeptide carnosine. Supplementing with beta-alanine has been shown to increase muscle carnosine levels, which are quickly depleted during intense exercise [6].

Carnosine is an endogenous dipeptide that functions as a buffer in muscle cells, thereby attenuating the accumulation of acidic byproducts of muscular exertion (e.g., lactate and hydrogen ions) [7].

Each scoop of LEAN Pre-Workout provides an evidence-based dose of beta-alanine (2,000 mg) to confer a range of benefits, such as:

• Delaying the onset of neuromuscular fatigue during intense exercise [8]
  
• Increasing overall muscle strength [9]
  
• Improving muscle endurance and total work capacity [10]
  
• Reducing and combatting the formation of dysfunctional proteins and promoting the formation of healthy proteins [11]

Significantly increasing lean muscle mass as part of a diligent resistance-training program [12]

Betaine, also known as trimethylglycine, is a naturally occurring metabolite that serves as a methyl donor and osmolyte in the body. Though the mechanisms are not entirely understood, betaine supplementation has shown promise in enhancing power output and, to a lesser extent, endurance capacity in athletes [13, 14, 15].

 It is plausible that betaine supplementation promotes athletic performance by maintaining cellular hydration and reducing homocysteine levels, thereby encouraging healthy cardiovascular function and blood flow [16].

L-tyrosine is a conditionally essential amino acid that serves as a precursor to dopamine and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters that govern motivation and reward. Research shows that supplementing with L-tyrosine can significantly enhance cognitive performance, especially under acutely stressful situations (such as intense training) [22].

L-Tyrosine has also been shown to improve “cognitive flexibility,” meaning it can help you adapt to changing cognitive demands without letting extraneous thoughts take over [23].

Alpha-GPC (glycerylphosphorylcholine) is a popular nootropic supplement and a bioavailable source of choline, an essential micronutrient for cholinergic transmission and, by extension, cognitive function. Alpha-GPC is primarily found in the brain and is one of the two major storage forms of choline in the cytosol (interior space of cells), along with phosphocholine [24].

This ingredient can enhance physical and mental performance by increasing acetylcholine and growth hormone production [25, 26, 27]. The former is important for focus and mental acuity, while the latter promotes fatty acid oxidation and reduces muscle tissue breakdown. As such, alpha-GPC (as patented AlphaSize®) is one of the key ingredients in Bulk Pre-Workout.

While most pre-workouts contain synthetic caffeine anhydrous, we formulated BULK BLACK Pre-Workout with organic caffeine derived from green coffee beans (as PurCaf®) and sustained-release Infinergy™ (di-caffeine malate). 

On the molecular level, caffeine (chemically known as 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is an alkaline, organic substance derived from xanthine — a biologically important purine base found in many bodily tissues and fluids. 

Methylxanthines like caffeine and theobromine stimulate the central nervous system (CNS) and heart to promote wakefulness and motivation.

Numerous studies have shown that taking caffeine before exercise can significantly improve overall performance, largely by reducing the rate of perceived exertion [28]. Caffeine may also enhance endurance and strength by increasing fatty acid oxidation and sparing muscle glycogen [29].

L-theanine is an isomer of the amino acids L-glutamate and L-glutamine. It was discovered centuries ago as one of the primary amino acids in green tea leaves and is also found in various mushroom species.

L-theanine is highly bioavailable when taken orally and actively traverses the blood-brain barrier to enhance mental acuity and attenuate stress [30, 31]. Its nootropic effects are appropriately described as "alert relaxation," which is to say it promotes a sense of calmness while improving focus. 

L-theanine can also help take the edge off of stimulants, particularly caffeine. In fact, research shows that pairing L-theanine with caffeine creates a nootropic synergy that bolsters cognitive function and alertness more effectively than taking either nootropic on its own [32].

The adaptogens that comprise SenActiv® are Panax notoginseng root and rose hips (Rosa roxburghii). The notoginseng in SenActiv® is highly concentrated in notoginsenoside R1, a beneficial compound that helps accelerate muscle recovery during/after intense exercise. 

Likewise, the rose hips provide several ginsenoside-like molecules that confer synergistic recovery-enhancing effects with ginsenoside R1 [35]. 

These phytonutrients are suggested to work by bolstering a cellular "cleaning" process known as autophagy, particularly in skeletal muscle cells [36, 37, 38].

BioPerine® is a patented black pepper (Piper nigrum) fruit extract standardized for its piperine content. Piperine is a natural alkaloid known for its “bioenhancer” properties, improving the bioavailability of molecules that are typically poorly absorbed or extensively metabolized in the liver [39, 40]. 

Hence, BioPerine® helps your body better absorb and utilize the other active ingredients in Bulk Pre-Workout.

Boron is an important trace mineral with numerous roles in the human body. Recent evidence suggests that men who supplement with boron daily have higher levels of testosterone and lower levels of estradiol (estrogen) than those who don’t [41].

Chelated zinc is a bioavailable source of zinc, an essential cofactor for various enzymes. Research suggests zinc is crucial for supporting fertility and sperm cell counts in men [42]. This is largely because zinc aids in natural testosterone production, and males who are zinc deficient are at a higher risk of infertility [43].

Vitamins, as a collective group, are essential micronutrients that act as coenzymes (read: "helper molecules") for enzymes throughout the body. Vitamins B6 and B12 are water-soluble vitamins that are particularly important for cognitive function, cardiovascular health, nutrient metabolism, and immunity [44, 45]. As such, you can't go wrong with having these in your pre-workout arsenal.

Many minerals act as electrolytes in aqueous solutions, meaning they carry an electric charge that influences concentration gradients across cellular membranes and enzyme functions. Sodium and potassium are arguably the most important electrolyte minerals, being well-known to impact hydration status and exercise performance  [46].