Part Five in a Series
Editors Note: We are extremely fortunate to have Dr. Fred Hatfield share some of his insightful In conjunction with a base Amino Acid formula, you might want to consider some additional supplements: training ideas on achieving peak athletic performance without drugs. Dr. Hatfield is a prolific and creative writer of over fifteen books on weight * Serine may be taken between meals to increase blood training. After spending years as a track and field sugar levels or taken before a workout or competition to athlete, soccer player, gymnast, olympic weightgenerate energy. It’s especially helpful if you have lifter andbodybuilder, Dr. Hatfield turned to the hypoglycemia. sport of powerlifting.
He is known as Dr. Squat and * Alanine can also be taken between meals to increase his 1014 squat in Hawaii this year was another the glycogen levels in your body, which protects your world record; one of many set by this champion of muscles. If you’re under stress or have hypoglycemia, champions. your body will break down muscle tissue to obtain the amino acids like alanine that it needs to raise the bloodsugar level. | personally use it before workouts, between Other important points to remember: ¢ The base amino acid formula should be taken after meals and before bedtime. Dosages can be increased when you're under additional stress.
* Glutamic acid in powdered L-glutamine form helps memory and concentration. Personal experience with glutamine and medical exams in college showed that one to three grams of glutamine taken under the tongue every two hours was a good study aid. Glutamine is helpful if you’re training intensely or involved in sports that require a great deal of concentration. meals. You can take it between meals if you want to suppress your appetite, such as when you're dieting or (for bodybuilders) cutting up for competition. And you can also take it as a pre-workout aid one-half hour before you take any other pre-workout formula .
¢ If you use the wrong supplements in combination with the wrong doses, you can expect not to see the results you'd like, and it can even be detrimental. ¢ Your body’s biochemistry changes slowly. It may * Alpha ketoglutaric acid helps to drive your energy be three to twelve weeks before you see the full benefits system and provides additional energy before training of your supplementation program, although the initial or competition. response occurs within 36 to 48 hours.
* Carnitine helps to accelerate the fat-burning process by combining with fat and carrying it into the cells’
Overtraining, according to research, has a detrimental effect on amino acid metabolism, and I’ve mitochondria where it’s used for energy. This can result found that the majority of athletes | have observed have in lower bodyfat levels, increased long-term energy and been guilty of over-training. When the intensity or the ability to conduct more intense workouts. frequency of training is slowed down, there has been a notable increase in muscle size, strength and endurance.
* Citric aspartic acid, like alpha ketoglutaric acid, increases your available energy. It’s especially helpful Don’t overtrain. The key is balance between training and recovery time. taken before a workout or competition.
¢ Diet is very important. Animal proteins can limit Dimethyl glycine is excellent for boosting your amino acid response and therapy. The best diet consists immune system, and for preventing or delaying the of 60 to 70 percent complex carbohydrates, 10 to 20 build-up of lactic acid in your muscles. It can prevent percent animal protein and 5 to 10 percent fats. the painful muscle burn that occurs when you “hit the wall” or lift your maximum weight. In my opinion, it can give you the extra edge required of champions.
How to Take Amino Acids | As with all supplementation, you should start amino acid supplementation with small dosages and increase them gradually. You must also be taking a complete multivitamin and mineral supplement. Amino acids are dependent on vitamins and minerals to work. 56
From BFS Magazine — May/June 1998. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).
