Scouting the Supplement Scene

Ever wondered about the various aromatase inhibitors on the market? Me too. Well, leave it to the boys at Baylor University to scientifically examine the stuff. They studied dose-dependent effects of 6-OXO on body composition, serum hormone levels and clinical safety markers in resistance-trained males.

For eight weeks 16 men took either 300 milligrams or 600 milligrams of 6-OXO. Compared to baseline, free testosterone increased by 90 percent in the 300-milligram group and 84 percent in the 600-milligram group. DHT, a.k.a. dihydrotestosterone, increased significantly overall by 192 percent and 265 percent, respectively. Free test and estradiol increased 53 percent and 67 percent, respectively. The lower dose increased estrone by 22 percent, and the higher dose caused a 52 percent increase. 

Despite the changes in serum hormones, no changes in body composition occurred; however, clinical safety markers were not adversely affected with either dose. The scientists concluded that “while neither of the 6-OXO dosages appears to have any negative effects on clinical chemistry markers, supplementation at a daily dosage of 300 milligrams and 600 milligrams for eight weeks did not completely inhibit aromatase activity.” Even so, free testosterone, DHT, and estradiol all increased significantly.¹

What’s fascinating about the clinical trial is that androgen levels-like DHT, which is very androgenic-went up significantly even though body composition was unchanged. Would a longer supplementation period have helped? Three  hundred milligrams of 6-OXO had the same effect on free T as the higher dose. So why take the higher dose (unless you want to elevate DHT)? 

Next up, thermogenic liquids! Coffee and soda to jack up your metabolism? It ain’t a far-fetched idea. Two studies show that those popular drinks are useful for fitness-minded people. One study compared regular coffee to a coffee beverage containing additional caffeine, green tea extract, niacin and Garcinia cambogia (JavaFit™ Energy Extreme), determining the effects on resting energy expenditure and hemodynamic variables. The subjects who drank JavaFit experienced an average increase in resting energy expenditure of 14.4 percent (12.1 percent in males, 17.9 percent in females), while those who drank regular coffee had no change.² The results indicated that fortified coffee can indeed be a great way to jack up your metabolic rate and perhaps burn fat.

What about soda? Scientists compared the effects of 12 ounces of Celsius™, a thermogenic soda, and, on a separate day, 12 ounces of Diet Coke. Metabolic rate increased by 13.8 percent one hour later, 14.4 percent two hours later and 8.5 percent three hours later after the subjects drank Celsius, while they experienced only small, statistically insignificant increases in metabolic rate when they drank Diet Coke.³

Bottom line: Fortified coffees and sodas do indeed elevate metabolic rate better than the regular versions. I’d suggest you drink them precardio so you can burn additional fat.

 Editor’s note: You can listen to Dr. Jose Antonio and Carla Sanchez on their radio show Performance Nutrition, Web and podcast at www.PerformanceNutritionShow.com. Dr. Antonio is the CEO of the International Society of Sports Nutrition—www.TheISSN.org. His other Web sites include www.SupplementCoach.com, www.Javafit.com, www.JoseAntonioPhD.com and www.PerformanceNutritionShow.com. IM

References

¹ Rohle, D., et al. (2007). Effects of eight weeks of an alleged aromatase inhibiting nutritional supplement 6-OXO (androst-4-ene-3,6,17-trione) on serum hormone profiles and clinical safety markers in resistance-trained, eugonadal males. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 4(1):13.

² Taylor, L.W., et al. (2007). Acute effects of ingesting Java Fit™ energy extreme functional coffee on resting energy expenditure and hemodynamic responses in male and female coffee drinkers. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 4(1):10.

³ Mendel, R.W., and Hofheins, J.E. (2007). Metabolic responses to the acute ingestion of two commercially available carbonated beverages: A pilot study. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 4(1):7.