ZMA Review
What You Should Know
ZMA is an enhanced formula which combines Zinc, Magnesium, and Vitamin B6 in a supplement with the purpose of increasing endurance, building muscle strength, and aiding in recovery from intense physical workouts.
ZMA is most often used to increase performance in bodybuilders or professional athletes; it is not generally used by casual exercisers. When taken before bed, ZMA allows for a more restful, restorative sleep; which gives muscles the maximum time to heal and promote growth.
List of Ingredients
15mg Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine HCI), 450mg Magnesium (as magnesium aspartate), 30mg Zinc (from Zinc L Methionine and Zinc Aspartate), Gelatin.
Product Features
ZMA is a supplement used to replenish nutrients after intensive workout sessions. The formula in ZMA is basically a combination of three ingredients, the minerals magnesium and zinc, and vitamin B6. Both magnesium and zinc are important minerals when concentrating on body building and increasing muscle strength to improve athletic performance. Zinc has a significant role in the regulation of the hormone testosterone and magnesium plans a part in providing oxygen to muscle tissue. Low levels of either one can prevent muscle growth from taking place to the optimum potential. Both zinc and magnesium tend to be underrepresented in the average diet, athletes and bodybuilders who lose large amount of minerals through increased sweat see the levels of these important elements go down even further. While the first thought might be to consume a multi-vitamin as a way of adding these nutrients, evidence suggests that this may not be the best path. Calcium, a staple of the multivitamin, can interfere with the absorption of both zinc and magnesium. Isolating those nutrients into a separate supplement gives them the best opportunity to enter the system unhindered. ZMA can be purchased online, typically 180 capsules run around $20.00.
Advantages
- ZMA contains two key nutrients, zinc and magnesium, that help to improve athletic performance.
- When taken about an hour before bed, ZMA encourages deep restorative sleep.
Disadvantages
- There is very little information available online about ZMA.
- ZMA appears to be primarily designed for serious athletes.
- Because is increase anabolic steroids and testosterone levels, some women may be reluctant to use ZMA.
Conclusion
ZMA is a product primarily geared toward bodybuilders and athletes. It serves to replenish key nutrients that are lost during intensive workout and training sessions. Beyond a list of ingredients, Zinc, Magnesium, and Vitamin B6, there is not a lot of information about ZMA online, although it is featured on numerous websites devoted to bodybuilders and weight lifters. Those two categories of people, along with athletes, may need a specialized Zinc and Magnesium blend, but the average person would do just as well with a regular multivitamin.
