Have you checked out GAT Sport Nitraflex Ultra yet? If not, now’s the time! Most lifters probably know GAT Sport, they’re an old name in the supplement business. They have always made decent supplements but recently they have begun to make stronger, fully disclosed products, especially their pre-workouts. One of their most impressive is Nitraflex Ultra. In this edition of Supplement Spotlight, we’ll break it down and take a close look at this outstanding Pre. Let’s get started!
What Is GAT Nitraflex Ultra
GAT Nitraflex Ultra is a cutting-edge pre-workout designed to help you get the most out of your training sessions. This high-stim pre-workout includes a balanced selection of key ingredients, including several branded ingredients. It also features effective dosing and a fully disclosed label, that’s impressive coming from a brand that has hung onto prop blends longer than most.
Ingredient Breakdown
A 1 scoop serving provides the following.
Nitraflex Ultra Pump & Performance Blend – 10.7 Grams
L-Citrulline – 5 Grams
L-Citrulline is an amino acid that’s part of the urea cycle, which also uses the amino acids l-arginine and l-ornithine. In this cycle, the body converts high levels of ammonia into urea, a byproduct that’s eliminated from the body. Also, citrulline is a non-essential amino acid that is converted by the body into l arginine. This is a good, but not outstanding, dose. Nowadays, many Pre’s are using 8-10 grams. Still, this dose will provide results. If you want more, I will provide a solution a little later.
Beta-Alanine – 3.2 Grams
Beta-alanine is a non-proteinogenic amino acid that combines with the amino acid histidine to form the dipeptide carnosine. The interesting thing about beta alanine is that it works indirectly by increasing levels of carnosine in the body. Carnosine lowers acid buildup and reduces fatigue. This allows you to knock out more reps than what you could normally do. (1)
Betaine Anhydrous – 2.5 Grams
This is the amino acid glycine with three methyl groups attached. In the context of bodybuilding, its most important function is as an osmolyte. That means it pulls water into the muscle cells, increasing muscle cell volume (water-based pumps). It is also believed to act similar to creatine, and can help improve strength and power.
Betaine’s other function is as a methyl donor. That’s key for bodily processes such as the reduction of homocysteine into L-methionine. Homocysteine is a byproduct of the metabolism of protein. High levels of homocysteine have been linked to cardiovascular problems. As a methyl donor, betaine supports overall cardiovascular health. (2, 3)
Super Sodium™ – 1.51 Grams
(Pink Himalayan Sea Salt, Sodium Ascorbate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Bicarbonate)
This is an innovative patented electrolyte blend designed to optimize hydration levels and replenish essential minerals lost through sweat while you’re working out, ensuring peak performance.
Dopaphen™ Xtreme Dopamine Synergy – 1.5 Grams
L-Tyrosine – 1 Gram
This is a common nootropic found in most pre-workouts. Tyrosine is an amino acid that elevates focus and enhances your mood. Plus, it may help ease stress. (4)
DL-Phenylalanine – 500 mg
Phenylalanine is involved in the production of norepinephrine and dopamine, two neurotransmitters that are essential for the proper cognitive function.
XPLOSIVE ENERGY & FOCUS BLEND – 1.15 Grams
Choline Bitartrate – 500 mg
Choline bitartrate is a very commonly used form of choline. In fact you’ll find it in quite a few pre-workouts. It elevates focus and is a precursor to acetylcholine, which is often called the “learning neurotransmitter”. (5)
Caffeine (as Green Coffee Bean Extract) – 350 mg
Of course, caffeine is the most popular energy and alertness ingredient available. As many of you no doubt know, caffeine is a powerful CNS stimulant. It targets your adenosine receptors, which prevents them from making you feel tired. Caffeine can dramatically increase energy, focus, and alertness. It also stimulates thermogenesis and supports overall peak performance. (6)
Theobromine – 150 mg
Theobromine is a mild stimulant found in chocolate. It promotes energy and helps smooth out the sometimes harsh effects of caffeine. In addition, it elevates focus and can increase blood flow, leading to better pumps. (7)
L-Theanine – 100 mg
L-Theanine is a non-proteinogenic amino acid found in tea, especially green tea. It helps relax the mind yet does not cause drowsiness. It’s often paired with caffeine to help smooth out caffeine’s sometimes harsh effects. L-Theanine also supports focus and overall cognitive function, while relieving anxiety. (8)
Dynamine™ (Methylliberine) – 50 mg
This is a fast-acting, natural neuromodulator that will enhance mental alertness, increase energy, elevate focus, and improve mental clarity for optimal physical and mental performance.
Hydration Matrix – 527 Mg
Calci-K® (Calcium Potassium Phosphate Citrate) – 300 mg
Calci-K is a patented combination of calcium and potassium. This exclusive blend is designed for maximum absorption and utilization. Its bioavailability and ability to support hydration levels help lifters achieve peak performance.
Magnesium Malate – 131.6 mg
This version of magnesium combines it with malic acid, which helps improve absorption. Also, malic acid is involved in ATP production via the kreb’s cycle, and since magnesium plays an important role in muscle contractions, the insight of this combo becomes clear.
Potassium Chloride – 95.4 mg
This is a form of potassium that is highly absorbable. In fact, it’s often used to treat people with low levels of potassium caused by medications or illness. (9)
Boron Citrate 10 mg
Back in the 90s, boron was one of many supplements that were touted to increase muscle mass. It fell by the wayside but has made a recent comeback as boron citrate. Boron is a trace mineral that has been clinically shown to increase both free and total levels of testosterone. To be clear, free testosterone is the amount of test that the body will use towards muscle growth. In addition, this form of boron has been shown to decrease excess levels of estrogen. (10)
How To Use It
If you are new to higher caffeine pre-workouts, determine your tolerance by consuming ½ serving (½ scoop) mixed with 8 ounces of water. Once your tolerance has been determined, you can go up to a full 1 scoop serving mixed with 12-16 ounces of water.
Stack It!
I would stack Nitraflex Ultra with the following:
Hi-Tech Precision Protein – This is, of course, a foundational product. As I have pointed out in the past, this is one of a handful of protein powders that target protein synthesis. Precision Protein does by speeding up leucine absorption and release, thereby targeting protein synthesis faster than normal.
Panda Supplements Pump Juice – Glycerol would supercharge this Pre! Many of you know that I advocate glycerol. For me, it’s the most impressive supplement since Creatine came out in the early 1990’s. Again, for me, I think it should be in every pre-workout at effective doses.
AllMax Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate – Another “must have” as far as I’m concerned.
5% Nutrition Core L-Citrulline 3000 – This addition solves the somewhat lower dose of citrulline in Nitraflex Ultra. By adding 1 scoop you’ll push it up to a more current 8 grams.
From there, you can add anything you might like.
Summary
There’s nothing quite like a great pre-workout, and GAT Sport Nitraflex Ultra fits the bill better than most! So stop by illpumpyouup.com and grab yours, grab the stack suggestions, and stock up on the rest of your supplements!
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257613/
- NE;, C. (n.d.). Effects of Betaine on Performance and Body Composition: A Review of Recent Findings and Potential Mechanisms. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24760587/
- Olthof, M. R., & Verhoef, P. (2005). Effects of betaine intake on plasma homocysteine concentrations and consequences for health. Current drug metabolism, 6(1), 15-22; Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15720203
- https://www.braintropic.com/the-encyclopedia-of-nootropics.pdf, p. 111
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Choline-HealthProfessional/
- https://medlineplus.gov/caffeine.html
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464624001282
- https://www.braintropic.com/the-encyclopedia-of-nootropics.pdf, p. 103
- https://www.drugs.com/potassium_chloride.html
- Naghii, M. R., Mofid, M., Asgari, A. R., Hedayati, M., & Daneshpour, M. S. (2011). Comparative effects of daily and weekly boron supplementation on plasma steroid hormones and proinflammatory cytokines. Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS), 25(1), 54–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2010.10.001