I just bought some ZMA - have I wasted my money?

[falco]

For me zma works like sleeping pills but without the next day numbness. And a hard-on every morning

[suckmymuscle]

never had it before...

  Magnesium is the most common dietary deficiency in Americans, and it is absolutely essential for Calcium metabolism, DNA transcription, dopamine synthesis and it even lowers plasma LDL cholesterol. I hardly think it is money wasted. Also, Magnesium in ZMA is highly bioavailable unlike the cheap Magnesium oxide from regular supplements that has a bioavailability as low as 20%.

SUCKMYMUSCLE

[240_Iz_Nutz]

I used it in the past before bed. Would say that it helped some with rest and recovery.

[WOOO]

Food

this

[Montague]

Zinc also has it’s benefits:
It’s an aromatase suppressor, which can help regulate testosterone production.
Zinc encourages proper cell growth as well as healthy prostate and immune functioning. 
Possessing some anti-inflammatory properties, it’s even been shown to improve certain acne symptoms.

Zinc levels are often lower (even deficient) in physically active people.
Taking a zinc-containing supplement does not seem like a waste.
Just don’t expect any magic to happen from your ZMA formula.

[pac-man]

Great for sleep and pretty cheap..not a waste to imo!!

[Montague]

Great for sleep and pretty cheap..not a waste to imo!!

ZMA is a good formula providing absorpable forms of zinc and magnesium.
It's unfortunate the way they hyped the initial marketing of it as a super-duper test booster. I think that gave buyers unrealistic expectations leaving them disappointed after trying it.

Maybe a better description is "recovery aid."
Anything that improves sleep architecture can fall into that category, and the ingredients in ZMA go a bit beyond that.
Unfortunately, "aids recovery" isn't quite as sexy a marketing claim as "testosterone booster" under a picture of a contest-ready IFBB pro.

[pac-man]

ZMA is a good formula providing absorpable forms of zinc and magnesium.
It's unfortunate the way they hyped the initial marketing of it as a super-duper test booster. I think that gave buyers unrealistic expectations leaving them disappointed after trying it.

Maybe a better description is "recovery aid."
Anything that improves sleep architecture can fall into that category, and the ingredients in ZMA go a bit beyond that.
Unfortunately, "aids recovery" isn't quite as sexy a marketing claim as "testosterone booster" under a picture of a contest-ready IFBB pro.

Thats a really good point.  Supplement companies are great at taking a little bit of science and then blow it completely out of proportion. 

[Montague]

Thats a really good point.  Supplement companies are great at taking a little bit of science and then blow it completely out of proportion. 

Yeah, but one of my favorite ploys they use is to combine several different effective, but vastly underdosed ingredients into a "blend." They then post legitimate studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of the individual compounds, but neglect to mention that their product contains about 1/32 the amount used in the study.

[buffbodz]

ZMA was a Balco invention by Victor Conte in the late 80's  It does what it says it does.  It will give you a great nights sleep and the deeper the sleep the more your body has a chance to grow from all the hard work you put in the gym.  Diet and exercise are 2/3 of the formula for putting on size and strength.  At least 8 hrs. is needed to get to the stage 4 rem where your body will produce igf-1 and frees up testosterone but most athletes forget about the 8* hrs. needed.  This is where ZMA comes in and does its job.  So If for any reason you can't get the sleep NEEDED to grow.  Use ZMA and see just how important a good nights sleep is to bodybuilding.

[ritch]

considering how insanley cheap it is to use nowadays, (I pay $5 a month to use it) why not take it? Magnesium levels tend to be low in people who train, so there is a real need for this one. It's good for you cns and sleep as well.

As mentioned, just don't fall into the bullshit hype of the product...

[Fallsview]

ZMA taken at the right time of day works wonders.  Sun must be at the highest point of the sky and weather must be between 65-72 for proper delivery.






EL PACIFICO!

[xpac2]

ZMA was a Balco invention by Victor Conte in the late 80's  It does what it says it does.  It will give you a great nights sleep and the deeper the sleep the more your body has a chance to grow from all the hard work you put in the gym.  Diet and exercise are 2/3 of the formula for putting on size and strength.  At least 8 hrs. is needed to get to the stage 4 rem where your body will produce igf-1 and frees up testosterone but most athletes forget about the 8* hrs. needed.  This is where ZMA comes in and does its job.  So If for any reason you can't get the sleep NEEDED to grow.  Use ZMA and see just how important a good nights sleep is to bodybuilding.

 

[andreisdaman]

ZMA is actually awesome...I used it for sleep and wow..you go into a nice deep sleep and the dreams you have are like being on LSD...seriously

[DK II]

never had it before...

Yes.

[Rickyboy]

Problem is that ZMA needs to be taken on an empty stomach and with eating 6-7 meals a day my stomach is never truly empty.

[ritch]

Problem is that ZMA needs to be taken on an empty stomach and with eating 6-7 meals a day my stomach is never truly empty.

if your pre last meal was liquid of a small whole food meal, 2 hours could be enough time.

[DK II]

if your pre last meal was liquid of a small whole food meal, 2 hours could be enough time.

 

No, because still then you will have the steak from lunch floating around your stomach.

[Princess L]

Another old thread

http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=44580.0

[WOOO]

No, because still then you will have the steak from lunch floating around your stomach.

stomach is empty within 2-3hrs...

http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/basics/transit.html

[DK II]

stomach is empty within 2-3hrs...

http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/basics/transit.html

Maybe you should read what you post.   

50% of stomach contents emptied   2.5 to 3 hours
Total emptying of the stomach   4 to 5 hours

[WOOO]

Maybe you should read what you post.   

50% of stomach contents emptied   2.5 to 3 hours
Total emptying of the stomach   4 to 5 hours

maybe you should read the fine print 

depends on contents... liquid last meal, empty sooner

[ritch]

the bottom line is many bb'er eat 7 meals a day and use the stuff, so empty stomach, or say half empty(full) you would still reap more benefits taking it as to not. $5 a month is all it costs and it will probably help you sleep better as well.

[WOOO]

Zma is shit.  Doesnt do shit.  Dont waste your money. Or... Quit asking questions, take the fucking zma, and honestly report your results. 

[andreisdaman]