VMX2® Powder is from UK based company PhD-Supplements.com. This product states that it can increase your training intensity, strength and delay fatigue and tiredness. This review will examine the ingredients within this supplement to see how it can achieve these claims.

Creatine Monohydrate

Creatine monohydrate, (CM) is defined as a nitrogenous organic acid that occurs naturally in humans and aids in the supply of energy to cells in the body, (1). The majority of CM, 95%, can be located in the skeletal muscle with the rest distributed to the brain, heart and smooth muscles.

Creatine has been found to increase the replenishment of ATP stores in the skeletal muscles (2). It is attributed to a greater rate of phosphocreatine resynthesis during the rest periods. Higher sprint speeds reported (3). There have been numerous theories proposed as to why creatine is a benefit to short term high intensity exercise (4). One theory is that the increased amount of phosphocreatine, (PCr), can be used as an immediate buffer to ATP which reduces the dependence of glycolysis which delays the production of lactate and hydrogen ions during exercise thus prolonging the activity by delaying the onset of fatigue, (5).

Beta Alanine

Beta – Alanine is a non-essential amino acid. In a wide range of studies beta – alanine has been shown to have benefits to high intensity exercise (6). The reason behind this is that it has been found to increase muscle carnosine concentrations (7). Carnosine is key to the intracellular PH buffering of skeletal muscle (8). With an increase in clearance of H+ ions, it leads to high intensity exercise lasting for longer.

Taurine

Taurine is a semi essential amino acid that has been found to increase endurance performance; this has been attributed to an increase in blood flow (9). Taurine has also been found to help protect against cell damage which will help recovery after exercise, decreased oxidative stress in cardiac tissue (10) and increased fat oxidation (11).

Tri-Methyl Glycine

Glycine is one of the components of creatine which helps increase muscle growth and energy during exercise (12). When metabolised it acts as an amino acid and regulates blood sugar levels which can also control that amount of sugar released into the blood (13).

Dextrose Monohydrate

Dextrose monohydrate is a fast absorbing carbohydrate that gives a quick release of energy. It is usually found in supplements as its properties mix very well with other substances.

Niacin (Vitamin B3)

Niacin is otherwise known as vitamin B3 and is an antioxidant. Research studies have shown that niacin supplementation increases growth hormones in response to anaerobic exercise (14) as well as a reduction in fasting triglycerides (15). An increase in fasting insulin has been found due to a decrease in insulin sensitivity (16). Further research is needed for this supplement in order to understand the mechanisms.

Beetroot Extract

Beetroot includes nitrate (17) which converts into nitric oxide which can increase blood flow in the muscle (18). Another suggested mechanism is that nitric oxide acts as an electric transporter within the muscle which aids in the same way oxygen does (19). Other effects include a lower oxygen demand during submaximal work (20). It is also known to be an antioxidant (21).

Caffeine Anhydrous

For many years caffeine has been a widely used as an ergogenic aid. There have been many studies of caffeine’s effect of both the aerobic system, (22), and the anaerobic system, (23) on sporting performance. The suggested benefits of caffeine supplementation include the ability to attain greater use of fats as an energy source and sparing of muscle glycogen, (24). It has also been suggested that there is an increase of calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which can create a greater muscle force production, (25). It has also been theorised that the effects of caffeine are probably exerted through effects upon the central nervous system or skeletal muscle by greater motor unit recruitment and alterations in neurotransmitter function (26).

N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine

L-tyrosine is an amino acid which has been found to help produce adrenaline (27) and dopamine (28).

L-Histidine

L-histidine is a semi-essential amino acid meaning that it is produced by the body but not in vast amounts. L-histidine aids in the synthesis of haemoglobin (29), tissue repair (30) and enhancing the immune system (31).

L-Arginine Peptides

L-arginine is an amino acid which helps synthesis nitric oxide (32), this in turn helps lower blood pressure (33) and coronary heart disease (34).

American Ginseng

Ginseng is a small plant found in parts of america and asia. the main part of the plant that is used in supplements is the root. The benefits of Ginseng includes giving an energy boost (35), reducing blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels (36), increasing cognitive function (37) and having an anti-inflammatory effect (38). There is limited research about ginseng however and further research is needed to elucidate the effects of Ginseng.

Glucuronolactone

Glucuronolactone is a molecule that is often found in energy drinks. This ingredient has had minimal research and is suggested to help with blood flow as it protects the blood vessel by alleviating oxidative and nitrative stress to lipoproteins and helps as a antiplatelet aggregative compound (39). More research is need for this ingredient to fully elucidate its effects.

Grapeseed Extract

Grapeseed is derived from red wine seeds and has numerous benefits. It has been suggested that it can be  helpful in lowering cholesterol (40), increase circulation (41) and has antioxidant properties also (42). There is at the moment however a need to explore the full effects of grapeseed as the research on this ingredient is lacking.

Potassium Bicarbonate

Potassium bicarbonate is a form of potassium which has several function such as regulating water balance (43), central nervous system function (44) and helps convert glucose into glycogen which provides energy to the bodies muscles (45).

Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium bicarbonate is a molecule which acts as a buffering agent against acidity within the muscle which is a factor of fatigue (46) this can enhance physical performance in elite and novice athletes by prolonging exercise and giving greater muscle force production (47). There are mechanisms in place for sodium bicarbonate to be a fat-burning agent (increasing ketone production and lipolysis and causing minor increases in metabolic rate) (48,49), but these have not yet been linked to actual weight loss in trials and further research is needed to elucidate these effects.

Vitamin B6

The active form of vitamin B6 is known as P-L-P (50), which is stimulated by exercise (51). During exercise the body relies on the liver to produce glucose via glycogenolysis, for which vitamin b6 is essential for, and is an integral part of the glycogen phosphorylase enzyme and thus will provide energy to the bodies’ muscles (52).

Vitamin B12

Research studies on vitamin B12 have found that it is required for red blood cell production (53), Protein synthesis and the repair and maintenance of tissue cells. (54).

Malic Acid

Malic Acid is an organic compound that is naturally created within the body. The benefits of this ingredient have been suggested to include a lowering in blood pressure, helping against pre – exhaustion which will prolong exercise and reduce fatigue. There is a lack of research for this ingredient and more is needed to fully understand the benefits of this ingredients.

Black Pepper Extract

Pepper extract has numerous health benefits including helping with weight management by assisting with the breaking down and blocking the creation of fat cells (55), assisting with digestion by increasing hydrochloric acid within the stomach (56). In addition to this it is also an antioxidant in which it can reduce and repair the damage that free radicals cause after an intense workout (57).

Sucralose

Sucralose is a sweetener that is calorie free. This ingredient is used in many products and is used to make the product taste sweeter and does not have any nutritional benefit.

The vast amount of ingredients within this supplement can help achieve the claims of this supplement which includes increasing training intensity and strength whilst delaying the effects of fatigue and tiredness. This supplement can also achieve an anti inflammatory effect. It is recommended that this supplement be taken once a day pre workout. This product has no banned substances when referring to the WADA prohibited list when observing the label/ ingredients posted on the website.

*NOTE – This product has not been tested in a laboratory and may contain other substances that may not appear on the label

1 – Balsom, P. D., Soderlund, K., & Ekblom, B. (1994). Creatine in humans with special reference to creatine supplementation. Sports Medicine. 18(4), 260 – 280.

2 – Greenhaff, P.L., Bodin, K., Soderlund, K., Hultrnan, E. (1994). The influence  of  oral  creatine supplementation  on  muscle phosphocreatine  resynthesis  following  intense  contraction in man. American Journal of Physiology, 266(5), 725-730.

3 – Jones, A. M., Atter, T., & Georg, K. P. (1999). Oral creatine supplementation improves multiple sprint performance in elite ice-hockey players. Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 39, 189-196.

4 – Hultman, E., Soderland, K., Timmons, J. A., Cederblad, G. & Greenhaff, P. L. (1996). Muscle creatine loading in men. Journal of Apllied Physiology. 81(1), 232-237.

5 – Casey, A., Constantin – Teodosiu, D., Howell, S., Hultman, E., & Greenhaff, P. L,. (1996). Creatine ingestion favourably affects performance and muscle metabolism during maximal exercise in humans. American Journal of Physiology. 271(1), 31-37.

6 – Baguet, A., Koppo, K., Pottier, A., & Derave, W. (2010). β-Alanine supplementation reduces acidosis but not oxygen uptake response during high-intensity cycling exercise. European journal of applied physiology, 108(3), 495-503.

7 – Sale, C., Saunders, B., & Harris, R. C. (2010). Effect of beta-alanine supplementation on muscle carnosine concentrations and exercise performance. Amino acids, 39(2), 321-333.

8 – Parkhouse, W. S., McKenzie, D. C., Hochachka, P. W., & Ovalle, W. K. (1985). Buffering capacity of deproteinized human vastus lateralis muscle. J Appl Physiol, 58(1), 14-7.

9 – Rutherford, J. A., Spriet, L. L., & Stellingwerff, T. (2010). The effect of acute taurine ingestion on endurance performance and metabolism in well-trained cyclists. International journal of sport nutrition, 20(4), 322.

10 – Kingston, R., Kelly, C. J., & Murray, P. (2004). The therapeutic role of taurine in ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Current pharmaceutical design, 10(19), 2401-2410.

11 –  Zhang, M., Izumi, I., Kagamimori, S., Sokejima, S., Yamagami, T., Liu, Z., & Qi, B. (2004). Role of taurine supplementation to prevent exercise-induced oxidative stress in healthy young men. Amino acids, 26(2), 203-207.

12 – Hultman, E., Soderlund, K., Timmons, J. A., Cederblad, G., & Greenhaff, P. L. (1996). Muscle creatine loading in men. Journal of Applied Physiology, 81(1), 232-237.

13 – Felig, P., & Wahren, J. (1971). Influence of endogenous insulin secretion on splanchnic glucose and amino acid metabolism in man. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 50(8), 1702.

14 – Stokes, K. A., Tyler, C., & Gilbert, K. L. (2008). The growth hormone response to repeated bouts of sprint exercise with and without suppression of lipolysis in men. Journal of Applied Physiology, 104(3), 724-728.

15  – Plaisance, E. P., Mestek, M. L., Mahurin, A. J., Taylor, J. K., Moncada-Jimenez, J., & Grandjean, P. W. (2008). Postprandial triglyceride responses to aerobic exercise and extended-release niacin. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 88(1), 30-37.

16 – Vega, G. L., Cater, N. B., Meguro, S., & Grundy, S. M. (2005). Influence of extended-release nicotinic acid on nonesterified fatty acid flux in the metabolic syndrome with atherogenic dyslipidemia. The American journal of cardiology, 95(11), 1309-1313.

17 – Lansley, K. E., Winyard, P. G., Fulford, J., Vanhatalo, A., Bailey, S. J., Blackwell, J. R., … & Jones, A. M. (2011). Dietary nitrate supplementation reduces the O2 cost of walking and running: a placebo-controlled study. Journal of Applied Physiology, 110(3), 591-600.

18 – Larsen, F. J., Ekblom, B., Sahlin, K., Lundberg, J. O., & Weitzberg, E. (2006). Effects of dietary nitrate on blood pressure in healthy volunteers. New England Journal of Medicine, 355(26), 2792-2793.

19 – Cermak, N. M., Gibala, M. J., & van Loon, L. J. (2012). Nitrate supplementation’s improvement of 10-km time-trial performance in trained cyclists. International Journal of Sport Nutrition andExercise Metabolism, 22(1), 64.

20 – Larsen, F. J., Weitzberg, E., Lundberg, J. O., & Ekblom, B. (2010). Dietary nitrate reduces maximal oxygen consumption while maintaining work performance in maximal exercise. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 48(2), 342-347.

21 – Wootton-Beard, P. C., & Ryan, L. (2011). A beetroot juice shot is a significant and convenient source of bioaccessible antioxidants. Journal of functional foods, 3(4), 329-334.

22 – Wiles, J. D, Bird, S. R, Hopkins, J. & Riley, M. (1992). Effect of caffeinated coffee on running speed, respiratory factors, blood lactate and perceived exertion during 1500-m treadmill running. British journal of sports medicine, 26 (11), 116-120.

23 – Kalmar, J. M & Cafarelli. E. (1998). Effects of caffeine on neuromuscular function. Journal of Applied Physiology, 87(2), 801-808.

24 – Costill, D. L., Dalasky, G. & Fink, W. (1978) Effects of caffeine ingestion on metabolism and exercise performance. Journal of Medicinal Science and sports exercise, 10 (3), 155–158.

25 – Tarnopolsky, M. A. (1994). Caffeine and endurance performance. Journal of Sports Medicine, 18(2), 109–125

26 – Bruce, C. R., Anderson, M. E. & Fraser, S. F. (2000). Enhancement of 2000-m rowing performance after caffeine ingestion. Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32 (11), 1958–1963.

27 – Boylen, J. B., & Quastel, J. H. (1961). Effects of L-phenylalanine and sodium phenylpyruvate on the formation of adrenaline from L-tyrosine in adrenal medulla in vitro. Biochemical Journal, 80(3), 644.

28 – Mannironi, C. E. C. I. L. I. A., Scerch, C. H. I. A. R. A., Fruscoloni, P. A. O. L. O., & Tocchini-Valentini, G. P. (2000). Molecular recognition of amino acids by RNA aptamers: the evolution into an L-tyrosine binder of a dopamine-binding RNA motif. Rna, 6(4), 520-527.

29 – Noort, D., Hulst, A. G., Trap, H. C., de Jong, L. P., & Benschop, H. P. (1997). Synthesis and mass spectrometric identification of the major amino acid adducts formed between sulphur mustard and haemoglobin in human blood.Archives of toxicology, 71(3), 171-178.

30 – Babizhayev, M. A., Seguin, M. C., Gueyne, J., Evstigneeva, R. P., Ageyeva, E. A., & Zheltukhina, G. A. (1994). L-carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) and carcinine (beta-alanylhistamine) act as natural antioxidants with hydroxyl-radical-scavenging and lipid-peroxidase activities. Biochem. J, 304, 509-516.

31 – Li, P., Yin, Y. L., Li, D., Woo Kim, S., & Wu, G. (2007). Amino acids and immune function. British Journal of Nutrition, 98(02), 237-252.

32 – Palmer, R. M., Ashton, D. S., & Moncada, S. (1988). Vascular endothelial cells synthesize nitric oxide from L-arginine. Nature, 333(6174), 664-666.

33 – Rees, D. D., Palmer, R. M., & Moncada, S. (1989). Role of endothelium-derived nitric oxide in the regulation of blood pressure. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 86(9), 3375-3378.

34 – Riddell, D. R., Graham, A., & Owen, J. S. (1997). Apolipoprotein E inhibits platelet aggregation through the l-arginine: nitric oxide pathway Implications for vascular disease. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 272(1), 89-95.

35 – Lieberman, H. R. (2001). The effects of ginseng, ephedrine, and caffeine on cognitive performance, mood and energy. Nutrition reviews, 59(4), 91-102.

36 – Yamamoto, M., Kumagai, A., & Yamamura, Y. (1983). Plasma lipid-lowering action of ginseng saponins and mechanism of the action. The American journal of Chinese medicine, 11(01n04), 84-87.

37 – Lee, M. S., Yang, E. J., Kim, J. I., & Ernst, E. (2008). Ginseng for cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review. Journal of Alzheimer’s disease: JAD, 18(2), 339-344.

38 – Hong, C. E., & Lyu, S. Y. (2011). Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of Korean red ginseng extract in human keratinocytes. Immune network, 11(1), 42-49.

39 – Saluk-Juszczak, J., Olas, B., Nowak, P., Staroń, A., & Wachowicz, B. (2008). Protective effects of D-glucaro-1, 4-lactone against oxidative modifications in blood platelets. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, 18(6), 422-428.

40 – Ngamukote, S., Mäkynen, K., Thilawech, T., & Adisakwattana, S. (2011). Cholesterol-lowering activity of the major polyphenols in grape seed. Molecules,16(6), 5054-5061.

41 – Moreno, D. A., Ilic, N., Poulev, A., Brasaemle, D. L., Fried, S. K., & Raskin, I. (2003). Inhibitory effects of grape seed extract on lipases. Nutrition, 19(10), 876-879.

42 – Jayaprakasha, G. K., Singh, R. P., & Sakariah, K. K. (2001). Antioxidant activity of grape seed (Vitis vinifera) extracts on peroxidation models in vitro.Food chemistry, 73(3), 285-290.

43 – Lemann Jr, J., Pleuss, J. A., Gray, R. W., & Hoffmann, R. G. (1991). Potassium administration increases and potassium deprivation reduces urinary calcium excretion in healthy adults. Kidney Int, 39(5), 973-983.

44 – Goto, A. T. S. U. O., Tobian, L., & Iwai, J. (1981). Potassium feeding reduces hyperactive central nervous system pressor responses in Dahl salt-sensitive rats. Hypertension, 3(3 Pt 2), I128.

45 – Brady, R. O., Mamoon, A. M., & Stadtman, E. R. (1956). The effects of citrate and coenzyme A on fatty acid metabolism. Journal of Biological Chemistry,222(2), 795-802.

46 – Verbitsky, O., Mizrahi, J., Levin, M., & Isakov, E. (1997). Effect of ingested sodium bicarbonate on muscle force, fatigue, and recovery. Journal of Applied Physiology, 83(2), 333-337.

47 – Linderman, J. K., & Gosselink, K. L. (1994). The effects of sodium bicarbonate ingestion on exercise performance. Sports Medicine, 18(2), 75-80.

48 – Galloway, S. D. R., & Maughan, R. J. (1996). The effects of induced alkalosis on the metabolic response to prolonged exercise in humans. European journal of applied physiology and occupational physiology, 74(4), 384-389.

49 – Smith, G. I., Jeukendrup, A. E., & Ball, D. (2007). Sodium acetate induces a metabolic alkalosis but not the increase in fatty acid oxidation observed following bicarbonate ingestion in humans. The Journal of nutrition, 137(7), 1750-1756.

50 – Ubbink, J. B., Vermaak, W. J., van der Merwe, A., & Becker, P. J. (1993). Vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6, and folate nutritional status in men with hyperhomocysteinemia. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 57(1), 47-53.

51 – Manore, M. M. (2000). Effect of physical activity on thiamine, riboflavin, and vitamin B-6 requirements. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 72(2), 598s-606s.

52 – Manore, M. N., Leklem, J. E., & Walter, M. C. (1987). Vitamin B-6 metabolism as affected by exercise in trained and untrained women fed diets differing in carbohydrate and vitamin B-6 content. The American journal of clinical nutrition,46(6), 995-1004.

53 – d’Onofrio, G., Chirillo, R., Zini, G., Caenaro, G., Tommasi, M., & Micciulli, G. (1995). Simultaneous measurement of reticulocyte and red blood cell indices in healthy subjects and patients with microcytic and macrocytic anemia. Blood,85(3), 818-823.

54 – Fenech, M. (2001). The role of folic acid and vitamin B12 in genomic stability of human cells. Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 475(1), 57-67.

55 – Bhardwaj, R. K., Glaeser, H., Becquemont, L., Klotz, U., Gupta, S. K., & Fromm, M. F. (2002). Piperine, a major constituent of black pepper, inhibits human P-glycoprotein and CYP3A4. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 302(2), 645-650.

56 – Srinivasan, K. (2007). Black pepper and its pungent principle-piperine: a review of diverse physiological effects. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition,47(8), 735-748.

57 – Singh, R. P., Sharad, S., & Kapur, S. (2004). Free radicals and oxidative stress in neurodegenerative diseases: relevance of dietary antioxidants. J Indian Acad Clin Med, 5(3), 218-225.