Grenade .50 Calibre is a hard hitting, pre workout detonator designed to make every workout an explosive, energy fuelled assault.
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Grenade, the multi award winning sports nutrition specialists,
50 Calibre combines full potency dosages of research-validated ingredients so as to deliver devastating energy levels and incredible pumps!
50 Calibre also contains patent pending MDS™ (Muscle Defence System) – anti-catabolic support designed to help avoid excess muscle breakdown.
Containing over 20 University tested ingredients, in high-potency dosages,
50 Calibre was formulated by our expert R & D team after evaluating and considering every possible natural component that has been studied to enhance physical performance.
Grenade .50 Calibre contains large dosages of Citrulline Malate (the most proven NO-boosting amino acid), high nitrate Beta Vulgaris, high-dose, flavanol-rich Theobroma Cocao and numerous other effective ingredients that support muscular blood flow. Of course, no pre-workout product would be complete without beta alanine, caffeine and creatine, as they are backed by thousands of scientific studies in exercise performance. Additionally, bicarbonate electrolytes are added to resist the energy-sapping effects of lactic acid (lactate) and BCAAs are added for anti-catabolic support.
Another advantage of .
50 Calibre is what it doesn’t contain. Grenade researchers have studied DMAA from Geranium closely and have decided not to add it to .
50 Calibre. Research indicates that DMAA combined with caffeine has a vasoconstricting effect (it narrows blood vessels) – this defeats the main purpose of a nitric oxide product…the whole point of nitric oxide (NO) is that it widens blood vessels so that more blood, energy and nutrients can be delivered to the muscle for better performance and a better pump. Also, studies have so far failed to detect improvements in performance from taking DMAA but have demonstrated increased blood pressure.
So the ingredients in
.50 Calibre, along with other botanicals and essential micronutrients combine to constitute what we believe is the most innovative and effective pre workout, nitric oxide product available on the market today – 50 Calibre, the ultimate pre workout ammunition for better exercise performance.
Read Our Review of .50 Calibre Here: http://www.nutricentresports.com/sports/blog/50-calibre-product-review-by-mark-ohara-ba-hons-fd-arts/
Suggested Use
Recommended Usage: Grenade 50 Calibre - 50 Servings
Initial Single Serving Dosage: Mix half a scoop (11.6g) with 150 to 250mL of cold water and stir or shake. Consume .50 Calibre approximately 30 minutes before training.
Maximum Performance Dosage: For those who have previously used pre-workout formulas and want the most dramatic results, mix one full scoop (23.2g) with 300 to 500mL of cold water and stir or shake. Consume .50 Calibre approximately 30 minutes before training. Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. DO NOT exceed one scoop of .50 Calibre per day.
Ingredients
Citric Acid, Natural Flavouring, Colour (beetroot Red), Sweetener (Sucralose).
Nutritional Info
Per Serving:
Creatine Monohydrate (N-Amidinosarcosine): 1,520mg
Beta alanine (3-aminopropanoic acid, H+ Neutralization amino acid): 1,500mg
Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid): 250mg
Arginine (2-Amino-5-guanidinopentanoic acid): 500mg
Citrulline Malate (2-Amino-5-(carbamoylamino) pentanoic acid): 1,500g
BCAA blend (L-Leucine, L-Valine, L-Isoleucine [2:1:1 ratio]): 400mg
Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine): 275mg
Theobroma Cacao Seed (rich in flavanols): 800mg
Green tea (Epigallocatechin, Epicatechin Gallate, Gallate, Epicatechin): 125mg
Bitter orange peel (Citrus Aurantium – contains Synephrine): 50mg
Niacin (Nicotinic Acid): 20mg
American Ginseng (Panax Quinquefolium): 100mg
Beetroot extract (high nitrate content): 250mg
Glucuronolactone: 100mg
L –Tyrosine: 80mg
Potassium Bicarbonate: 300mg
Sodium bicarbonate: 200mg
Glycerol: 1,500mg
Folic acid: 150mcg
Benefit Claims by Ingredient:
Creatine Monohydrate (N-Amidinosarcosine): 1,520mg
Creatine is well accepted as being the most effective and proven dietary supplement for significantly increasing strength and lean muscle mass. Studies have documented up to 45% improvements in bench press one rep max versus subjects who didn’t use creatine monohydrate, along with numerous other muscular benefits.
The ‘monohydrate’ form is by far the most-studied type of creatine and veteran creatine researchers have recently stated, ‘the efficacy, safety, and regulatory status of most of the newer forms of creatine found in dietary supplements have not been well established’. So generally, the experts agree that the vast majority of the research supports the use of the creatine monohydrate versus other forms. Other research has also shown creatine monohydrate to be more effective than other creatine types[3].” That’s why .50 Cal uses the most research-proven, superior form – creatine monohydrate.
Beta alanine (3-aminopropanoic acid, H+ Neutralization amino acid): 1,500mg
Beta Alanine is a Non-essential, non-proteinogenic (isn’t used to build proteins such as muscle) amino acid. Consumption of this amino acid is the most effective known means of increasing levels of Carnosine (a dipeptide – two joined amino acids) in the body[1].
Carnosine improves exercise performance by taking up and neutralizing hydrogen ions (H+), which are the cause of muscle burn during intense exercise. Too much H+ is known to constrain high-intensity activity. By mopping up these excess hydrogen ions, carnosine allows a longer duration of high-intensity exercise before rest is required.
Beta Alanine supplementation for 4 weeks has been shown to increase carnosine concentration by 42-65%and this is considered the primary mechanism by which it increases performance1. Several studies confirm that beta alanine improves high-intensity exercise performance. In highly-trained rowers, supplementing with beta alanine significantly improved their muscle endurance and power.2 In another study, beta alanine not only increased performance but it also increased lean muscle mass4. Performance was measured three different ways – VO2 Max, the length of time subjects could exercise before exhaustion and the amount of muscular work done in a given timeframe. Other studies have also demonstrated increases in muscle mass with beta alanine use3. Importantly, body fat either decreased or remained stable with the use of this amino acid3,4.
Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid): 250mg
Taurine is a sulphur-containing organic acid that is found in high concentrations in the digestive system and in muscle. It has been shown to increase force production in muscle and because taurine levels may fall during exercise, supplementation of taurine prior to exercise makes a good deal of sense[1]. Research confirms taurine’s role in muscle contraction. When taurine levels were lowered in rodents, their muscular force output decreased[1].
On the other hand, when taurine was combined with caffeine, it not only increased performance but decreased lactate in muscle[2]. So, like beta alanine, this would be expected to allow longer bouts of intense exercise before the painful burn and fatigue sets in.
Just as importantly, a study conducted by the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences in Ontario showed that when taurine is taken before exercise, subjects burned 16% more fat during the session[3]!
Arginine (2-Amino-5-guanidinopentanoic acid): 500mg
Arginine is a crucial amino acid for exercise performance and muscle growth. It is most notorious in sports nutrition for its role in increasing nitric oxide levels. Through this and other effects, no other amino acid (and perhaps no other ingredient) has so many diverse potential benefits.
The “arginine nitric oxide pathway” is involved in the release or function of the hormones testosterone, IGF-1, growth hormone and even insulin[1,2,3,4]. In fact, insulin can’t even function properly without adequate nitric oxide. Most importantly, nitric oxide can increase strength in humans and animals and it has also been shown to increase muscle growth in animals and in isolated muscle[5,6,7,8]! In fact, researchers that study this compound believe that nitric oxide may soon be used to improve muscle mass in patients who are losing muscle due to disease[8]. It has also been known for many years that nitric oxide accelerates wound healing and helps repair tissue and decrease the breakdown of muscle protein[8,9,10,11].
Several more recent carefully-designed (double-blind and placebo-controlled) studies show that NO can increase high-intensity muscle power output and several other measurements of exercise performance including a significant increase in bench press strength[12,13,14].
Finally, studies have indicated that NO is involved in more than one of the processes that help the body break down fat, with the first of these studies coming out over a decade ago[15,16]. New research seems to confirm arginine’s fat-burning ability[17]. In a study published in the American Journal of Physiology Endocrinology and Metabolism, when researchers gave obese subjects arginine, they lost significantly more fat and an even more significant number of inches from their waist[17].
Citrulline Malate (2-Amino-5-(carbamoylamino) pentanoic acid): 1,500g
Citrulline is a “must” for any pre-workout product. It boosts nitric oxide (“NO”) levels, has been shown to increase weight training performance, increase muscle protein synthesis, increase the protein content in muscle, reduce fatigue, increase energy production and increase creatine phosphate production[1,2,3,4,5].
Many readers may have heard of arginine and its ability to increase levels of “nitric oxide” (NO) and that NO dilates (widens) blood vessels, increasing blood flow. Increased levels of NO have also been shown to increase exercise performance, strength and numerous activities that increase muscle growth (as discussed in the review of Arginine above). Supplementing with citrulline actually increases muscle arginine levels better than taking arginine itself because, unlike arginine, citrulline is not metabolised in the liver but is transformed into arginine in the kidneys1.
In a study published recently in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, when subjects were given citrulline malate, the number of reps achieved in several sets of bench press improved by over 50%2! The citrulline group also experienced less muscle soreness than the placebo group2.
A team of French researchers have done several studies in rats and determined that supplementing the diet with citrulline leads to “higher protein synthesis and protein content in muscle” (muscle growth) and that “citrulline is a very efficient means of increasing arginine levels and improving nitrogen balance3,4”. Nitrogen balance measures how much protein is contained in muscle.
Finally, when citrulline malate was given to a group of healthy men complaining of fatigue, they not only reported a reduction in the sensation of fatigue but there was also a 34% increase in the rate of oxidative ATP production during exercise (this is the ability of the body to produce energy – ATP is the body’s fuel), and a 20% increase in the rate of phosphocreatine recovery after exercise (phosphocreatine regenerates ATP)5.
BCAA blend (L-Leucine, L-Valine, L-Isoleucine [2:1:1 ratio]): 400mg
The three BCAAs (branched chain amino acids) L-leucine, L-isoleucine and L-valine are essential amino acids that must be consumed in the diet for muscle growth to occur. The BCAAs make up one third of muscle tissue and are the only amino acids that are broken down and used for energy by muscle cells[1].
Amongst the BCAAs, recent research has highlighted the ability of L-leucine in particular to “turn on” muscle-building pathways in the body, making it by some measures the most important amino acid for stimulating protein synthesis (the muscle growth process)[2]. This is why Grenade .50 Cal’s BCAA blend contains twice as much L-leucine as L-isoleucine or L-valine. Not only does leucine stimulate muscle growth but it has also been shown to increase strength gains from weight training[2]. When British researchers put male subjects on a resistance exercise program and gave half of them 4 grams of L-leucine per day and the other half a placebo, the group that got the L-leucine experienced significantly better gains in strength (over 30% greater gains)[2].
Branched chain amino acids have also been shown to decrease muscle breakdown (catabolism), support hormone levels and decrease fatigue during exercise[3]. A study in the International Journal of Sports Medicine showed that giving subjects BCAAs with arginine decreased muscle breakdown during exercise substantially[3]. This forms the basis of Grenade-.50 Cal’s patented Muscle Defence System technology for anti-catabolic muscle support!
Furthermore, in a 2010 study, when subjects were put on a very high-intensity weight training program, the group given BCAAs maintained significantly higher testosterone levels and lower levels of cortisol (which breaks down muscle)both during and after exercise[4].
Finally, BCAAs have even been shown in several studies to decrease mental fatigue and this may lead to better exercise performance and focus[5].
Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine): 275mg
Caffeine has several major effects that are beneficial to a pre-workout product: It increases the amount of fat that gets released from cells[1,2, 3,4,5]. Study after study clearly demonstrates that when people take caffeine, the body releases substantially more fat from the cells to be oxidized for energy. Both during exercise and at rest, caffeine causes the body to burn a higher percentage of fat for fuel[3,4,5,6]. More fat being burnt should mean less body fat!
It may also improve weight loss – A study published in the journal Obesity Research stated that, “High caffeine intake was associated with weight loss through thermogenesis and fat oxidation”4.
Caffeine is also well-known to improve exercise performance[7]. It has been known for almost 100 years that caffeine can increase the body’s ability to do work and dozens of studies support this fact. Obviously, being able to exercise harder for longer would further assist in fat loss.
Finally, caffeine also improves the fat loss effects of other ingredients, especially ingredients that (like caffeine itself) boost adrenalin and noradrenalin levels in the body[8]
Theobroma Cacao Seed (rich in flavanols): 800mg
Theobroma Cacao Seeds, like many natural foods such as fruits and vegetables, contain flavanols. Certain types of specially-prepared theobroma cacao seed extracts have very high levels of these flavanols and these have been shown to have strong, nitric oxide (NO) boosting effects[1]. These effects are especially potent during exercise[2,3]. In one recent study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, measures of increased blood flow during exercise improved by over 80 per cent in subjects given a high-flavanol cocoa supplement[2].
As stated in the citrulline (2-Amino-5-(carbamoylamino)pentanoic acid) and arginine (2-amino-5-guanidinopentanoic acid) sections above, nitric oxide or “NO” has numerous positive effects on hormone levels, muscle strength and muscle growth along with other desirable effects.
Green tea (Epigallocatechin, Epicatechin Gallate, Gallate, Epicatechin): 125mg
Green tea is presently probably the most effective legal fat loss support ingredient available[1,2,3,4,5]. During exercise, studies show that it also actually increases the amount of fat burned and even causes greater fat loss from the abdominal region[6,7]. On top of these fat burning effects, green tea also increases exercise performance[8]. So you get both a better fat burning effect and are able to do a more intense workout!
Bitter orange peel (Citrus Aurantium – contains Synephrine): 50mg
The only thing better than a perfect, muscle-building workout is a muscle-building workout that burns more fat! Well, besides being an adrenal stimulant that brings focus and energy to your workout, the principal ingredient in bitter orange supports fat loss!
A recent study that reviewed all scientific information surrounding synephrine concluded that natural synephrine (from bitter orange / citrus aurantium, as found in Grenade-.50 Cal) seems to have all of the fat-burning effects of ephedrine and other adrenal stimulants, yet not have the side effects of increasing heart rate, blood pressure anxiety and the jitters[1].
The main findings of this latest and biggest study were that because synephrine binds much less strongly than ephedrine to certain receptors in the body, it has little to no influence on blood pressure or heart rate as compared to ephedrine and the like. The even better news is that because it binds ‘more’ strongly to other receptors that help to control appetite, body weight and fat burning activity in the body, it is considered a much better alternative to these previous fat-burning stimulants! This avoids the biggest drawback of DMAA (Geranium) – that it constricts blood flow and nutrient delivery to the muscles during exercise – yet natural synephrine still delivers a stimulant effect!
The study then goes on to describe three other studies in which synephrine was shown to promote weight loss and two other studies showing that it increases calorie burning and metabolic rate.
Animal studies show that the natural form of synephrine (p-synephrine) found in bitter orange causes weight loss or decreased weight gain[2,3,4]. The thermic effect (the increase in calorie burning) of synephrine (using 26 mg) was shown in 30 study subjects[5]. Also, a recent double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study demonstrated that large dosages of synephrine boosted resting metabolic rate in humans, without any increase in heart rate or blood pressure[6].
Niacin (Nicotinic Acid): 20mg
Niacin is an essential B vitamin that is known for its ability to improve cholesterol levels and to cause ‘flushing’ at high dosages. This flushing is characterised by a redness and tingling on the surface of the skin from about 10 minutes to 30 minutes after administration. Part of this effect is caused by a dilation of small blood vessels, caused by a very complex cascade of reactions mediated by arachidonic acid. So this simple B vitamin is causing vasodilation by another pathway other than nitric oxide (the traditional pathway that most pre-workout supplements seek to simulate)1.
American Ginseng (Panax Quinquefolium): 100mg
Various forms of ginseng have been known as ‘adaptogens’ for centuries, starting in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Modern research reinforces this belief. A review in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that ginseng has been shown to improve ‘muscular strength, maximal oxygen uptake, work capacity, fuel homeostasis, serum lactate, heart rate, visual and auditory reaction times, alertness, and psychomotor skills’. The study goes on to state that these effects have been ‘repeatedly documented’[1].
Now a large body of research confirms how ginseng may deliver its effects and it turns out that it is at least in part through the production of nitric oxide (NO)[2,3,4]. So not only is this likely to yield performance benefits but it will also probably contribute to a great pump.
Beetroot extract (high nitrate content): 250mg
Recently, a large body of research has accumulated quite quickly supporting the use of nitrates and high-nitrate foods to boost exercise performance[1]. Bodybuiliders should enjoy the additional benefits to their muscle pump, as these nitrates work by increasing nitric oxide and therefore delivering more oxygen to working muscles.
However, caution must be observed! A recent review of the exercise benefits of nitrates has warned that certain forms of nitrates are ‘potentially hazardous’[1]. The only forms that these scientists endorse using are those from plant sources because they seem to deliver a ‘slow, controlled release of nitrate’ within the body. Of course, beetroot is the most concentrated form of natural, vegetable nitrates and use.50 Cal uses a high-nitrate beetroot.
Glucuronolactone: 100mg
Glucuronolactone is found naturally in the connective tissue of humans and animals and in the fibre of plants. In humans, it may have a mild detoxifying effect[1]. When combined with caffeine and taurine (as in Grenade-.50 Calibre), glucaronolactone may improve alertness and aerobic and anaerobic performance[2].
L –Tyrosine: 80mg
L-tyrosine is a precursor to noradrenalin, a stimulatory hormone that also increases the use of fat for fuel[1]. It has been added to .50 Cal to support improved focus, performance and spare the use of muscle glycogen, whilst supporting the use of fat for fuel during exercise.
Potassium Bicarbonate: 300mg
Potassium bicarbonate not only decreases acidity, which should delay the lactate burn that is caused by intense weight lifting and other intense exercise but it also may shift more water towards the inside of the cell – including muscle cells[1]. So this ingredient may allow longer and more intense training sessions and fuller muscles!
Sodium bicarbonate: 200mg
Sodium bicarbonate has a long history of use in improving exercise performance during intense exercise[1,2]. Large reviews of the research on this topic have stated that, ‘overall, [anaerobic] performance was enhanced’ using this nutrient and that sodium bicarbonate seems to be effective in activities ‘characterized by a very high intensity and involving large muscular groups’[1,2].
Glycerol: 1,500mg
It has been known for over 20 years that drinking glycerol with water causes super-hydration (greater fluid volume in the body as compared to drinking water alone)[1]. This has been shown to improve exercise performance, especially under hot conditions, and to protect against dehydration[1]. As such, glycerol may lead to better muscle-cell volume and possibly increased muscle fullness.
Folic acid: 150mcg
Folic acid is known to regenerate tetrahydrobioterin, which is a co factor required for nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide (or ‘NO’) is a gas produced in the body that widens blood vessels, increases blood flow and may have performance, hormonal or muscle-building effects (as described in the review of Arginine above).
References for all studies are available on request – contact, markohara@nutricentre.com
Reviews
Nutritional Supplements are increasingly popular for both regular and elite Athletes. However, knowing which products or brands to use can be confusing. NutriCentreSports.com has tried to take make things a little easier for you.
We posed the same question to all the brands who we deal with:
Our Question
“Please could you let me know which of your products are safe to take by tested athletes/contain no banned substances and the wording we are to use should we be asked by a tested athlete?”
The Brands Answer
“We have many professional athletes and military personnel using Grenade products worldwide but we always advice that they speak to their relevant drug testing authority first. Please see our official statement below.
Grenade® conforms to the regulations laid down by the relevant authorities to qualify as a legal food supplement. However, depending upon what your sporting organization tests for, it is possible that Grenade may lead to a positive (or a ‘false positive’) test. Grenade® contains Bitter Orange, which has traces of a naturally-occurring amine called ‘Octopamine’. This molecule is banned by W.A.D.A. (the World Anti-Doping Agency). Some sporting organizations may have more strict testing protocols and ban other ingredients too. So all tested athletes must consult with their drug testing authority before using any supplement, including Grenade®.”
I hope this helps.
Kind regards
Stuart Crowther, Account Manager – UK & Europe
The Nutri Centre Sports Disclaimer
IMPORTANT: It is important to remember that under the overarching principle of strict liability in effect under anti-doping regulations, as an athlete, you are ultimately and completely responsible for everything that goes into your body, whether it was recommended, prescribed, or even provided by someone else. If an athlete tests positive, the result is a disqualification, and possible sanction or suspension
WARNING: Although the products identified under the ‘Tested Athlete?’ section conform to high manufacturing, labeling and ingredient processes we strongly recommend the athlete check the product against their sporting organisations ‘banned substances’ list and seek an independent analysis. The Nutri Centre Sports act in good faith and from information provided by the brands/manufacturer and therefore takes no liability whatsoever should a positive result occur during a drugs test. Liability lies with the consumer and not with The Nutri Centre Sports.