Product of the Month

A Groundbreaking and More Refined Approach to Dramatically Enhancing Muscle Size and Strength!

Developed with solid science and credibility by renowned anabolic scientist William Llewellyn, AUGMENT^™ is an Anabolic Agent and Hormone Amplifier designed for increasing muscle size and strength. Testosterone and IGF-1 (an anabolic product of growth hormone) are the two primary hormones that drive protein synthesis rates within the muscles. Ultra Grade Liquid Softgel Delivery^™ is utilized for optimal delivery for enhanced uptake and utilization in order to drive rapid muscle recovery and growth. The result is peaked hormone receptor levels, amplified stimulation and amplified results. Utilize proper diet, training and supplementation to peak your hormone levels, then take AUGMENT™ to increase hormone productivity!^†

There are many ways to support muscle growth via supplementation. The most common involve increasing the level of testosterone or IGF-1 within the body, the two primary facilitators of anabolism (the process of constructing new muscle tissue). This type of approach can be very effective. However, it can also be imprecise. Increased hormone activity in all tissues can lead to unwanted side effects. For example, substantial testosterone elevations often result in acne, hair loss, fat retention, and gynecomastia (female breast tissue development). Side effects like these can be problematic, and thus minimizing results. With this in mind, it was the focus of my latest project to find a way to enhance hormone-mediated muscle growth, but in a much more direct and targeted fashion. I’d like to introduce you to AUGMENT.^™†

Exercise & Muscle Physiology

To understand this project is to first grasp how local cell physiology influences muscle growth. As you probably know, a muscle only gets bigger and stronger when it is trained. Neglect it, and not only will there be a lack of results, but eventually a loss of muscle. This is because the biology of muscle growth is highly localized. It is a cyclic process of cellular damage and repair overcompensation, centered around those muscle fibers most activated/stressed during training. While testosterone and IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor-1) are the primary actors in the anabolic process, the way our damaged muscle cells respond to these hormones ultimately dictates if we will grow, and how intense this response will be. Without local biology facilitating it, our anabolic hormones are not able to have much anabolic effect. This helps explain why a training stimulus is always required if we want to grow.^†

The recovery phase after training usually lasts for several days. This window of time is characterized by greatly increased activity of testosterone and IGF-1 within damaged muscle cells. This is largely caused by increased receptor concentrations. Receptors are the places where hormones act (imagine the receptor as a lock, and each hormone a specific key). More receptors mean more places for a hormone to work. Thus, they can pass along their anabolic message more quickly, and with greater intensity. In the case of IGF-1, we also see an increase in the localized production of this hormone after training (much of its activity is local in nature, directed towards neighboring cells). These changes in the local cellular environment help the body direct repair activities to damaged cells that require it, instead of all cells in general.^†

Enhancing Post-Exercise Physiology

As noted above, there are two very distinct sides to the hormonal-anabolic process.
One involves hormones themselves, the other, local hormone sensitivity. This gives us a second and potentially very solid platform for influencing muscle growth. Instead of boosting total hormone levels, we can focus on making our cells more responsive to them. The net effect (concerning muscle growth) can be the same; more anabolic signaling and greater gains in size and strength. This was my focus with AUGMENT.^™
I wanted to design a formula that would increase androgen receptor density and IGF-1 expression within muscle cells, specifically during the post-training recovery period.
To accomplish this, research and experimentation kept pointing back to the three very particular ingredients. Each holds value on its own, though together they appear to provide an added and very noticeable synergy.^†

ARASYN^™ - 40% Arachidonic Acid (USP #6,841,573)

Arachidonic acid, an omega-6 essential fatty acid, is critical for muscle growth. Release and metabolism of this EFA is directly responsible for remodeling muscle physiology during the recovery window, where it is a core regulator of protein synthesis. ARA has also been shown to increase lateral cell diameter, contractile protein content, and nuclei number in developing muscle fibers (myotubes). An enhancement of IGF-1 activity is likely responsible for much of this activity. However, ARA has also been shown to elevate androgen receptor concentrations in some tissues, suggesting it may support both testosterone and IGF-1 related anabolic actions. Note that studies show ARA is depleted from muscle tissue with regular exercise. Therefore, supplementation can be key to maintaining an optimal ongoing environment for growth within our muscles. Independent placebo-controlled University studies have also demonstrated that ARA has ergogenic activity in resistance-trained adults.^†

LoMax^™ Loquat Leaf Extract (25% Ursolic Acid)

Usrolic acid (3-ß-hydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid) is a pentacyclic triterpene found widely in various foods, herbs, and plant species. UA is a highly active natural compound, with antioxidant, hepatoprotective, blood sugar lowering, cholesterol lowering, antibiotic, and antiviral activity . It also appears to be notably anabolic. While ursolic acid has a long history of use in traditional natural medicine, it is very new in bodybuilding and athletic circles. Its positive effects here, however, have been quickly made apparent. Much is likely mediated by IGF-1, with studies finding ursolic acid to substantially increase the signaling capacity of this hormone within skeletal muscle. On top of this, UA has been shown to inhibit key cellular catabolic processes, which could otherwise slow the rate of new muscle gain. At least one study suggests it may also augment androgen receptor concentrations, enhancing testosterone uptake. With this broad spectrum of localized action, ursolic acid is an ideal candidate for further shifting the anabolic/catabolic balance during recovery.^†

LCLT-Refined^™ (Ultra-Purified L-Carnitine L-Tartrate)

LCLT is a modified form of the amino acid L-carnitine, in this case one designed for enhanced delivery and utilization. This ingredient is also fairly new, though already has compelling data behind it, especially for the purposes needed with this supplement. In particular, studies have shown that LCLT is a potent upregulator of muscle androgen receptor density. During placebo-controlled studies with recreationally trained adult men, 2 grams of L-carnitine (as LCLT) per day resulted in more than a 15% increase in the number of androgen receptors within muscle cells. This should equate to a substantial increase in the uptake and physiological capacity of testosterone in these tissues. Additional placebo-controlled studies found that LCLT substantially reduces markers of muscle breakdown following resistance training in both men and women. These activities allow L-carnitine L-tartrate to work strongly and synergistically with arachidonic acid and ursolic acid, the three substantially shifting post-exercise muscle physiology
in favor of anabolism.^†

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What is AUGMENT^™?

AUGMENT^™ is a third generation anabolic agent/hormone amplifier developed exclusively for pH Labs by renowned anabolic scientist William Llewellyn. AUGMENT^™ works by increasing testosterone and IGF-1 sensitivity in muscle cells after training. These two hormones are the primary regulators of muscle protein synthesis. Increasing their activity within the muscles means more protein can be synthesized, and thus more muscle and strength gained.^†

Q: Who is AUGMENT^™ intended for?

AUGMENT^™ is intended for bodybuilders and serious fitness enthusiasts looking to increase lean muscle size, strength, power, and endurance.^†

Q: What can be taken with AUGMENT^™?

AUGMENT^™ is very versatile, and should increase the potency of any hormone (testosterone and/or GH) booster. Since both AUGMENT^™ and any other hormone boosting supplement supports muscle growth through distinct but complementary mechanisms, they make the perfect combination; creating the ultimate
in hormonal synergy.^†

Q: What makes AUGMENT^™ different from traditional hormone boosters?

AUGMENT^™ utilizes Ultra Grade Softgel Delivery^™, an innovative encapsulation method that optimizes delivery and absorption as compared to traditional capsules, tablets and pills. AUGMENT^™ is very unique among hormonal supplements because it doesn't work by increasing hormone levels specifically. Instead, it works by increasing the sensitivity of muscle cells to anabolic hormones. Your whole body doesn't get flooded with more testosterone or growth hormone. The hormones you already produce or those that are elevated via supplementation, Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) or Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) become much more active in your muscle cells. The unique "local hormone sensitizing" effect is due to the interaction of the three primary ingredients, Arachidonic Acid (ARA), Ursolic Acid (UA), and L-Carnitine L-Tartrate (LCLT) at specific ratios. The resulting formula is extremely effective when used alone, however it can also dramatically ramp up the potency of other supplements that increase testosterone or GH levels.^†

Q: Suggested use for AUGMENT^™?

As an adult dietary supplement, take 2 softgels, 2 to 4 times daily with meals. Continue for 60 days followed by 60 days off.^†

Summary

So far, the AUGMENT™ formula has met or even exceeded my initial expectations. The rate of new muscle growth has been strongly and obviously elevated when used at the recommended dosage. Furthermore, by influencing local and not systemic (full body) hormone action, unwanted spillover effects, especially those of testosterone, have been reduced or eliminated. I think it is fair to consider this a more refined approach to enhancing muscle size and strength through hormonal means. It provides a level of anabolic benefit normally associated with significant testosterone elevations, but without the same side effects. Of course, one also has the option of taking this supplement along with a testosterone/IGF-1 booster. By influencing both hormone levels and sensitivity, this approach can even more dramatically enhance the muscle-building process, though without the same tissue selectivity. Either way, I expect AUGMENT^™ will provide a groundbreaking new perspective, on anabolic supplementation.^†