I have been of a binge of new supplements since attending the Arnold Classic Expo. One such supplement that I was particularly interested in was Nitric Oxide or in bodybuilding circles NO for short. I picked as many samples as I could and bought a couple of bottles at the Expo. Anxious to try these out, I started immediately upon returning from Expo. I followed the directions to the “T” to be sure that got the prescribed benefit as the product told me I would.

What is Nitric Oxide?

Nitric Oxide is found in every muscle upon contraction and muscles dilated. What NO claims to do is increase blood flow to the muscle and create the pump. It is called a hemodilator. The main ingredient is Arginine.

Product: NO2 Platinum

One of the most popular of these products is NO2 Platinum manufactured and distributed by Medical Research Institute. According to the bottle it says:

• Perpetual Pump*
• Muscularity*
• Post Workout Recovery*
• Endurance*
• Clinically Tested
• Extended Release

Now at the time I did not notice all those little asterisks after the claims, but I did later go back and find the tiny verbiage on the back side of the bottle. It says *”These claims have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration...” Now even if I did read this, I would not be too concerned. Frankly, the FDA is the same group that recommends a protein/carb/fat diet that is not effective for the bodybuilder. Aren't these the guys that also recommend white bread? Nuff said.

Well let me say I have now downed the entire bottle over a period of a week or so and what I got for my money was NOTHING. I kept looking for that perpetual pump and my new muscularity, but zippo, nada, zero. Post work out recovery….no difference.

To me this looks like another pseudo supplement for the bodybuilder.

I did some research at other bodybuilder sites and one site did a survey of the effects of this product. The results were about 50% positive vs. 50% neutral or negative. I have hunch that those that responded positively were victims of their own psychological expectations and worked harder expecting the NO to make a difference.

Product: NO-Xplode

Moving right along to the next NO supplement, I tried BSN’s NO-Xplode. Now this product is very different. It not only includes the active NO substance Arginine, but it also includes a blend of various other patented BSN products not the least of which are stimulants. If the NO doesn’t work, at least you will feel like tearing down the walls at the gym.

Once again I got no better pump than usual. I did however feel more energetic. But I get this same affect if I take Yellow Subs capsules which includes ephedrine, a stimulant. Once again I can’t contribute a pump improvement. One side affect, I had difficultly sleeping on nights when I took this product.

Well I will be moving on to more NO products that I got from the EXPO but my expectations are much lower. Be careful what you read in the “Muscle & Fiction” and similar magazines, because these NO supplement seem to be more hype than help.

My bottom line so far is “no go for NO” just save the dough.

If you want a mind blowing pump, do a mind blowing workout!

"Sweat eventually hardens to Muscle".....Scott

This article is property of Bodybuilding Program Zone and may not be reproduced without written permission from Scott Jameson. Besides it wouldn't be right....Scott