Used by:
Strength athletes and bodybuilders
Power athletes (Rugby players, Field event athletes, Boxers etc)
Endurance athletes wanting to build muscle or increase strength
Anyone wanting to gain muscle, recover better from workouts, or improve sports performance
Anyone engaging in strenuous physical activity, wanting to enhance muscle growth and recovery
ZMA has become a number one supplement used by strength and power athletes, bodybuilders and endurance athletes. Research shows that this blend of nutrients raises low testosterone levels, increases strength, and accelerates gains in muscle size. One university study showed a 30% increase in testosterone levels following ZMA supplementation.
Deficiencies in Zinc and Magnesium are common in athletes. This results in reduced testosterone levels, lack of performance, reduced recovery, cramps and tiredness. ZMA can be used by all athletes wanting to gain lean muscle size and strength, including bodybuilders, rugby players, sprinters and other strength athletes. ZMA is also used widely by endurance athletes, such as runners, cyclists and triathletes, as it helps to prevent the drop in testosterone levels linked with high volumes of training.
ZMA increases insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) which stimulates growth and development of muscles by increasing the uptake of glucose and amino acids into cells. Studies show that ZMA increases muscle strength by around 11%, resulting in rapid gains in muscle size. ZMA has also been to shown to improve sleep patterns when taken 30 minutes before bed, resulting in increased muscle growth.
Many studies show that most athletes are deficient in zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6. A zinc deficiency results in decreased muscle endurance and lowered total work capacity of muscles. Regular exercise results in decreased zinc and magnesium levels, therefore requiring supplementation.
The minerals zinc and magnesium have a number of important functions in the body. Zinc has been strongly linked to the production of testosterone, a hormone that plays a vital role in regulating muscle growth. In addition to its effect on testosterone, zinc has also been shown to increase levels of growth hormone and IGF-1. Both are essential for increasing muscle size. Magnesium is also an essential mineral that is involved in more than 300 chemical reactions in the body including the oxidation or ‘burning' of fat.
Unfortunately, most people don't get enough of these minerals in their diets. Clinical trials show that after just 14 days of supplementation, subjects showed an impressive increase in muscular strength and endurance. Even in men just moderately deficient in zinc, 30 milligrams daily was enough to double testosterone levels in only six months.
Results have been even more impressive when a zinc and magnesium combination has been used. In one study, two groups of American Footballers took part in an 8-week training program. One group was given ZMA, while the second group used a 'dummy supplement. None of the footballers knew which was which. ZMA supplementation led to a 33.5% increase in testosterone. In contrast, testosterone levels actually dropped in the control group. IGF-1 (a powerful hormone that plays a vital role in muscle growth) is normally lowered in response to regular exercise. Yet, despite the intensive training program, ZMA users experienced a 3.6% increase in IGF-1 levels. In non-ZMA users, IGF-1 levels dropped by a 21.5%. These powerful effects on hormone levels also had an impressive effect on muscle strength - ZMA users demonstrated gains in strength that were 252% larger than the control group.