Scivation Sesamin and Primaforce Max CLA only $34.99!
The norm in bodybuilding is to alternate between periods of cutting and
bulking, or simply put periods of losing fat while trying not to lose
muscle and periods of gaining muscle commonly along with fat. I myself
hate dieting for 20 weeks for a competition only to quickly regain the
fat I loss as soon as I raise my caloric intake. Because of this, I try
to keep my body fat percentage under control while bulking. Sesamin has
proved to be a godsend in regards to keep my body fat under control
while bulking. Like everyone else reading this article, I am always
looking for ways to improve my results. The combination of Sesamin +
CLA looks to be a way to do just that.
Sesamin
Sesamin is a lignan isolated from sesame seeds. A lignan is a molecule
that combines with another entity acting as an “activator.” In the case
of sesamin, it binds to and activates a receptor called Peroxisome
Proliferator-Activator Receptor Alpha (PPARalpha). Sesamin has been
shown to be a potent PPARalpha activator [1].
The PPAR receptor family is divided into three subgroups: alpha,
beta/delta, and gamma. PPARalpha is highly expressed in muscle, the
liver, kidneys, and heart and is involved in the regulation of lipid
metabolism, specifically the transcription of the genes involved in the
beta-oxidation (burning) of fatty acids and lipogenesis. Activation of
PPARalpha increases gene expression of the fatty acid oxidation enzymes
and decreases gene expression of lipogenic enzymes.
Of vital important, Sesamin increases the expression of the
mitochondrial enzyme carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT), among other
enzymes [2]. CPT, the rate-limiting enzyme in beta-oxidation of fatty
acids in skeletal muscle and liver cell mitochondria, is found on the
outer membrane of mitochondria and carries fatty acids across the
membrane into the mitochondria by binding to them. Increasing the
expression of CPT, along with other enzymes involved in beta-oxidation,
will allow more fatty acids to be transported into the mitochondria
where they can be oxidized.
In addition to increasing the oxidation of fat, Sesamin supplementation
has also been shown to decrease lipogenesis (fat storage) by decreasing
lipogenic enzymes in the liver. Sesamin has been shown to decrease
lipogenic the gene expression of sterol regulatory element binding
protein-1 (SREBP-1), acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase,
among other lipogenic enzymes [3], which means less fat is esterifized
in the liver and therefore less fat is stored in adipose tissue (fat
cells). So Sesamin works in two ways to make you lean (and keep you
lean): increasing fat oxidation and decreasing fat storage.
Conjugated
Linoleic Acid (CLA)
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is a mix of isomers of linoleic acid
(commercially sold as a 50:50 mix of cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10,
cis-12 isomers). Studies done on humans have shown decreased body fat
and/or increased lean mass (though results are mixed). CLA is believed
to influence body composition through regulation of lipid metabolism.
Studies have shown CLA to inhibit transcription of enzymes involved in
de novo fatty acid synthesis/lipogenesis, desaturation of fatty acids,
and triglyceride synthesis [4]. It is believed that CLA decreases the
activation of PPARgamma, resulting in the attenuation of fat cell
differentiation. In mice, CLA supplementation has been shown to
decrease adipocyte number and size as well as cause apoptosis (cell
death) of adipocytes [4].
Sesamin + CLA Supplementation
The combination of Sesamin + CLA should prove very potent for fat loss
or fat gain prevention. Supplementing with CLA will cause a decrease in
triglyceride uptake by adipocytes and lipogenesis/fat storage, but if
these fatty acids are not oxidized, they will build up in the blood and
liver leading to insulin resistance. By adding Sesamin into the mix,
fat oxidation will be increased (very strongly in the liver), resulting
in the oxidation of the elevated fatty acid concentration caused by CLA
as well as working synergistically with CLA to decrease fat storage.
The combination of Sesamin + CLA attacks fat oxidation and storage from
multiple angles, resulting in less stored body fat.
*Common dosages for Sesamin range from 500-150 mg per day.
*Common dosages for CLA range from 3-6 grams per day, with some user
experimenting with and noticing enhanced results with 6-12 grams per
day.
References:
JARQ 37 (3), 151 – 158 (2003)’
J Agric Food Chem. 2001 May;49(5):2647-51
Biochim Biophys Acta. 2001 Nov 30;1534(1):1-
J Lipid Res. 2003 Dec;44(12):2234-41. Epub 2003 Aug 16