One study that is often cited in support of glutamine supplementation and its role in increasing muscle mass was published by Colker and associates [154]. It was reported that subjects who supplemented their diet with glutamine (5 grams) and BCAA (3 grams) enriched whey protein during training promoted about a 2 pound greater gain in muscle mass and greater gains in strength than ingesting whey protein alone. While a 2

pound increase in lean body mass was observed, it is likely that these gains were due to the BCAAs that were added to the whey protein. In a well-designed investigation, Candow and co-workers [155] studied the effects of oral glutamine supplementation combined with resistance MK-8931 in vitro training in young adults. Thirty-one participants were randomly allocated to receive either glutamine (0.9 g/kg of lean tissue mass) or a maltodextrin placebo (0.9 g/kg of lean tissue mass) during 6 weeks of total body resistance training. At the end of the 6-week intervention, the authors concluded glutamine supplementation during resistance training had no significant effect on muscle performance, body composition or muscle protein degradation in young healthy adults. While there may be other beneficial uses

for glutamine supplementation, there does not appear to be any scientific evidence that it supports increases in lean body mass or muscular performance. Smilax officinalis (SO) SO is a plant that contains plant sterols purported to MLN2238 cell line enhance immunity as well as provide an androgenic effect on muscle growth [1]. Some data supports the potential immune enhancing effects of SO. However, we are not aware of any data that show that SO supplementation increases muscle mass during training. Isoflavones Isoflavones are naturally occurring non-steroidal phytoestrogens that have a similar chemical structure as ipriflavone (a synthetic

flavonoid drug used in the treatment of osteoporosis) [156–158]. For this reason, soy protein very (which is an excellent source of isoflavones) and isoflavone extracts have been investigated in the possible treatment of osteoporosis. Results of these studies have shown promise in preventing declines in bone mass in post-menopausal women as well as reducing risks to side effects associated with estrogen replacement therapy. More recently, the isoflavone extracts 7-isopropoxyisoflavone (ipriflavone) and 5-methyl-7-methoxy-isoflavone (methoxyisoflavone) have been marketed as “”powerful anabolic”" substances. These claims have been based on research described in patents filed in Hungary in the early 1970s [159, 160]. Aubertin-Leheudre M, et al. [161] investigated the effects that isoflavone supplementation would have on fat-free mass in obese, sarcopenic postmenopausal women. Eighteen sarcopenic-obese women ingested 70 mg of isoflavones per day (44 mg of daidzein, 16 mg EX 527 mouse glycitein and 10 mg genistein) or a placebo for six months.