Cortisol Down, Muscle Up

Most bodybuilders know that the stress hormone cortisol can slow, stop or reverse muscle gains. It causes the body to use muscle tissue for energy, which is not good considering how hard that hardness is to build. That’s why many bodybuilders supplement with phosphatidylserine, a soy lipid that reduces cortisol by more than 30 percent in hard-training athletes. There’s also an herb that may help lower cortisol as well.

In a Japanese study, subjects were given ginseng, and after just 30 days there was a dramatic improvement in their cortisol-to-DHEA ratio. Another study showed that taking ginseng made subjects feel more energetic, which could be a result of reduced cortisol.

While the subjects in the studies weren’t bodybuilders, those who train intensely may benefit in the muscle and strength departments by adding ginseng to their supplement regimen. It could be a great adjunct to PS.

 —Becky Holman
www.X-tremeLean.com