Nutrition Guide

Tribulus terrestris is a flowering plant in the family Zygophyllaceae, native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the Old World in southern Europe, southern Asia, throughout Africa, and in northern Australia. It can thrive even in desert climates and poor soil.

Like many weedy species, this plant has many common names. Puncture Vine, Caltrop, Yellow Vine, and Goathead are the most widely used.

“Goathead” fruit

It is a taprooted herbaceous perennial plant that grows as a summer annual in colder climates. The stems radiate from the crown to a diameter of about 10 cm to over 1 m, often branching. They are usually prostrate, forming flat patches, though they may grow more upwards in shade or among taller plants. The leaves are pinnately compound with leaflets less than a quarter-inch long. The flowers are 4–10 mm wide, with five lemon-yellow petals. A week after each flower blooms, it is followed by a fruit that easily falls apart into four or five single-seeded nutlets. The nutlets or “seeds” are hard and bear two to three sharp spines, 10 mm long and 4–6 mm broad point-to-point. These nutlets strikingly resemble goats’ or bulls’ heads; the “horns” are sharp enough to puncture bicycle tires and to cause painful injury to bare feet.

The Latin name tribulus originally meant the caltrop (a spiky weapon), but in Classical times already meant this plant as well.[2]

MET-Rx’s meal replacements and protein powders contain a proprietary blend (known as METAMYOSYN) which consists of ingredients such as whey protein, calcium caseinate, egg albumen and milk protein isolate, combined with maltodextrin, vitamins, minerals and added amino acids. METAMYOSYN was originally developed by Dr. Connelly, who performed extensive post-medical surgical research. He found that RNA synthesis and protein transfer in myosin filament chains achieved greatest sensitivity to nutritional intervention. MET-Rx became the “metabolic prescription” for specific metabolic requirements emphasizing intervention on the myosin filaments.

While the original METAMYOSYN blend is no longer used in MET-Rx products (the current incarnation of METAMYOSYN no longer contains micellar casein), it is still used in numerous MET-Rx products to this day.

The original MET-Rx meal replacement product came in two canisters - one labeled MET-Rx “base” and the other MET-Rx “plus.” The instructions were to take two scoops of the base and one scoop of the plus and mix them in milk or water. As the product grew more popular, it was released combining the “base” and “plus” into one formula while removing the micellar casein component.

Created by Dr. A. Scott Connelly, M.D. MET-Rx was originally designed to help prevent critically ill patients from losing muscle mass. Connelly’s product was discovered by Bill Phillips and the two began marketing to the bodybuilding and athletic communities, launching sales from the low hundreds of thousands to over $100 million annually. Connelly sold all interest in the company to Rexall Sundown, (at the time a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Numico), for $108 million in 2000. MET-Rx is currently owned by NBTY.[1]

3SUM is an Alcopop “infused” with the energy components caffeine, ginseng, and taurine. The flavored drink is produced by United Brands Company in La Mesa, California. 3SUM is considered an energy drink and a flavored alcoholic beverage. 3SUM is available in 4 different flavors: original, apple, tropical, and watermelon.

A gainer is a bodybuilding supplement usually comprised of both high and low glycemic carbohydrates and protein (usually in the form of calcium caseinate, milk and whey protein) and often other nutrients such as certain vitamins and minerals. Gainers are used by bodybuilding and strength athletes, both amateur and professional alike.

When performing intensive exercise the stress can cause the release of hormones such as cortisol in order to quickly make available energy to the body. Cortisol forces breakdown of glycogen, protein (muscle) and fat deposits which are used in gluconeogenesis. Gainers seek to combat this effect after (and sometimes during) an exercise routine.

Higher glycemic carbohydrates will prompt a steep rise in blood glucose, forcing an equal release of insulin by the body to counter the longterm negative effects of high blood sugar, inhibiting the effects of cortisol. Some of the carbohydrates are immediately absorbed by the muscles without insulin. The rest is stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles.

Due to deaths linked to ephedrine and its potential use as a precursor in illegal methamphetamine manufacture, many countries have taken steps to regulate ephedrine. If ephedrine cannot be obtained, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine’s optical isomer, can be substituted, but many countries are restricting sales of over the counter pseudoephedrine as well, because it is likewise used as a precursor in methamphetamine manufacture. Contrary to popular belief studies have shown pseudoephedrine to have a thermogenic effect; approximately three times less than L-ephedrine.[citation needed]

Many people have felt that ephedrine is not worth the risks, and have tried “ephedrine free” stack formulas. However, there is no proof that any of these formulations are actually effective, whereas a great deal of evidence exists to support the effectiveness of the ECA stack,[dubious – discuss] albeit with apparent risks.

Status in The United States

Currently in the United States, ephedrine is legal, but the FDA bars marketing any supplements containing ephedrine as weightloss or bodybuilding supplements. To be legal, ephedrine must be marketed for medical conditions such as asthma. In addition, the FDA recently barred the sale of herbal supplements containing ephedra (a herb which contains both ephedrine and pseudoephedrine) under any circumstances. Ephedrine is still commonly available as a bronchodilator in several over the counter asthma medications from companies such as Biotek and Mega-Pro as well as in Primatene or Bronkaid tablets.

Status in Canada

In January 2002, Health Canada issued a voluntary recall of all ephedrine products containing more than 8 mg per dose and products containing combinations of ephedrine with stimulants such as caffeine.[1] 8 mg Ephedrine, 200 mg caffeine, and 325 mg or 500 mg Aspirin can be bought separately.

AMP Energy (or simply AMP - formerly Mountain Dew AMP) is an energy drink produced and distributed by PepsiCo under the Mountain Dew soft drink brand.

AMP Energy Drink is currently the sponsor of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.
AMP Energy was launched in 2001 to compete with Red Bull and is available in 8.3 oz, 16 fl.oz. (TallBoy) and 24 fl.oz. (Big Rig) cans and made with Mountain Dew’s base flavor formula. 16 fluid ounces of AMP contains 143 milligrams of caffeine,[1] as well as MDX5, taurine, ginseng, B-vitamins, guarana and maltodextrin.

The primary risk of the ECA stack is in the effect of ephedrine on the heart. Ephedrine has been linked to deaths in people with valve damage, heart problems and heart disease, but also in previously healthy young adults when taken in high doses. It is not recommended that stimulants be taken in users with a pre-existing heart condition. Additionally, there is some evidence that the long term use of amphetamines can lead to heart damage, but this has not been shown for ephedrine use.

Caffeine and ephedrine also act to raise blood pressure by approximately 4–7 mmHg on average,[citation needed] so users with existing hypertension must be careful that the stack does not increase their blood pressure to dangerous levels — especially during exercise (for example, by lifting exceptionally heavy weights).

Other risks include insomnia, dry mouth, irritability, stress, headache, anxiety, dizziness, nausea, irregular heartbeat, interaction with MAO inhibitors, trembling hands, increased need for water and potassium, and psychosis resulting from the long-term use of ephedrine.

While Aspirin is not physically addictive, caffeine is, and users develop a tolerance to lowered adenosine levels, leading to withdrawal symptoms from adenosine sensitivity if caffeine use is discontinued too quickly. Ephedrine is also physically addicting[citation needed]. Psychological addiction to ephedrine and caffeine are also possible.