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During the prep process for the Tulsa comp, I asked a few guys if they had tried R-ala for their carb-up. The general response was, “What’s R-ala.” I thought I’d give a little info on it for those that are still curious, as I think it could be the weapon of choice for many lifters, especially those “supplementing” and those trying to “make weight.” Much of the following is snipped from posts by Ulter, the resident R-ala guru.
R-ala is the natural version of ala (alpha lipoic acid). Regular ALA is a 50/50 mix of natural and synthetic. The problem is that the synthetic actually gets in the way of the natural and inhibits its ability to lower insulin levels. No matter what level of carbs you are eating you want the carbs to go to the muscle cells. R-ALA makes the muscle cells accept more nutrients so you will get stronger. What does this mean for you? If you are trying to make weight by dropping carbs, but are uncertain about what water loss will do to your joints, and what strength you will lose low carbing, AND if you will be able to RELOAD in time for the meet, etc...R-ala is your best friend. You can practically stay in a state of ketosis while eating a pizza. Most people are finding the best thing about it is the fact that you can eat/drink sugar carbs like the ones in your pre or post workout shake and keep those carbs partitioned to your muscle cells. If you take a pre workout shake with a lot of carbs and drink a carb drink, you just take r-ALA with it and your pumps are incredible because the carbs are going straight to your muscles...this is great if you have 24 hours from weigh in to be at your best. Mark your weights to check for strength increases; It should do that. It will also make you think better...it makes the neurotransmitters work faster. This is a HUGE factor for any powerlifter; we rely on those neurotransmitters to do what we do.
On top of the mega fat burning effect, its ability to suppress insulin, its impact on neurotransmitters, etc…it is first a foremost a VERY POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANT. If you are “on” and especially If you are on a 17aa AS, you can use R-ala to keep your liver from exploding while you cycle.
It will help you clear out after too, by regenerating damaged cells.
ALA is taken at about 100mg per 30g CHO (about 3x the effectiveness of racemic ala), and can be taken as you are about to eat…it’s in your system and working THAT fast.
In summary:
It is used to help your liver regenerate damaged cells.
It is used to make your muscle cells drink up more glucose so it doesn't get sent to the fat cells for storage.
It makes the neurotransmitters in your brain work faster.
It cleans out iron deposits left in the brain.
It regenerates the other anti oxidants like C, E, and Beta Carotene. When you take these vitamins they don't work very long and the r-ALA will give them new life.
R-ala is the natural version of ala (alpha lipoic acid). Regular ALA is a 50/50 mix of natural and synthetic. The problem is that the synthetic actually gets in the way of the natural and inhibits its ability to lower insulin levels. No matter what level of carbs you are eating you want the carbs to go to the muscle cells. R-ALA makes the muscle cells accept more nutrients so you will get stronger. What does this mean for you? If you are trying to make weight by dropping carbs, but are uncertain about what water loss will do to your joints, and what strength you will lose low carbing, AND if you will be able to RELOAD in time for the meet, etc...R-ala is your best friend. You can practically stay in a state of ketosis while eating a pizza. Most people are finding the best thing about it is the fact that you can eat/drink sugar carbs like the ones in your pre or post workout shake and keep those carbs partitioned to your muscle cells. If you take a pre workout shake with a lot of carbs and drink a carb drink, you just take r-ALA with it and your pumps are incredible because the carbs are going straight to your muscles...this is great if you have 24 hours from weigh in to be at your best. Mark your weights to check for strength increases; It should do that. It will also make you think better...it makes the neurotransmitters work faster. This is a HUGE factor for any powerlifter; we rely on those neurotransmitters to do what we do.
On top of the mega fat burning effect, its ability to suppress insulin, its impact on neurotransmitters, etc…it is first a foremost a VERY POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANT. If you are “on” and especially If you are on a 17aa AS, you can use R-ala to keep your liver from exploding while you cycle.
It will help you clear out after too, by regenerating damaged cells.ALA is taken at about 100mg per 30g CHO (about 3x the effectiveness of racemic ala), and can be taken as you are about to eat…it’s in your system and working THAT fast.
In summary:
It is used to help your liver regenerate damaged cells.
It is used to make your muscle cells drink up more glucose so it doesn't get sent to the fat cells for storage.
It makes the neurotransmitters in your brain work faster.
It cleans out iron deposits left in the brain.
It regenerates the other anti oxidants like C, E, and Beta Carotene. When you take these vitamins they don't work very long and the r-ALA will give them new life.
) Not to mention they, too, inhibit glycogen uptake. Seems there's alot of people shooting themselves in the foot with what they THINK makes them perform better.
) protein supps are a waste of money for me. for smaller guys who cant hang with me at the table theyre ok though
