Recent Reserch on Citrulline Malate not looking good

[MR. BMJ]

Per Brad Schoenfeld:

The evidence is mounting that citrulline malate is ineffective as an ergogenic supplement. Most alarming was the finding that the product contained only half the citrulline stated on the label!

"The present investigation also included chemical analysis of the supplement used, which concluded that the ratio of citrulline to malate was not equivalent to the ratio stated by the manufacturer. Analysis suggests that the supplement contained just over half the manufacturers stated dose of citrulline. Subsequent analysis of four additional commercially available CM products, with a purported ratio of 2:1 (citrulline to malate), shows that only one of these products had a value close to the ratio stated by the manufacturers."

https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-018-0245-8


Citrulline malate supplementation does not improve German Volume Training performance or reduce muscle soreness in moderately trained males and females

Andrew J. Chappell, Daniel M. Allwood, Rebecca Johns, Samantha Brown, Kiran Sultana, Annie Anand and Trevor Simper

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition201815:42

ABSTRACT:

Background
Use of supplements to aid performance is common practice amongst recreationally active individuals, including those without a sufficient evidence base. This investigation sought to assess whether acute supplementation with 8 g of citrulline malate (CM) (1.11: 1 ratio) would improve anaerobic performance.

Methods
A randomised double blind placebo control trial was employed, using a counterbalanced design. We recruited recreationally active men and women to take part in an isokinetic chair protocol, based on German Volume Training (GVT) whereby participants attempted to perform 10 sets of 10 repetitions against a force representing 70% of their peak concentric force.

Results
The number of repetitions achieved over the course of the GVT was 94.0 ± 7.9 and 90.9 ± 13.9 for placebo and CM respectively. There was no significant difference between the placebo and CM treatment for number of repetitions (P = 0.33), isometric (P = 0.60), concentric (P = 0.38), or eccentric (P = 0.65) peak force following the GVT. Total muscle soreness was significantly higher in the CM compared to the placebo treatment following the GVT protocol over 72 h (P = 0.01); although this was not accompanied by a greater workload/number of repetitions in the CM group.

Conclusions
We conclude that an acute dose of CM does not significantly affect anaerobic performance using an isokinetic chair in recreational active participants. Practical implications include precaution in recommending CM supplementation. Coaches and athletes should be aware of the disparity between the chemical analyses of the products reviewed in the present investigation versus the manufacturers’ claims.

 

[FK86]

I love citrulline malate. The veins on my arms look like garden hoses when I'm training, DOMS is almost a non-issue for me (I combine my CM with BCAA's), and it gives me steel hard erections.

I don't train GVT, so no big loss to me.

 

[Stewie]

I never viewed citrulline as a ergogenic aid. I use it in a cyclic fashion moreso as a replenishment from metformin lowering endogenous citrulline. As well the perks of endothelial cells functionality, effects on ureagenesis and renal reabsorption of bicarbonates--> acidosis/ ammonia elimination.

Interesting nonetheless, thanks for sharing!

 

[tren_plz]

Not surprised by the under dosing. Thats why i use TN. The point of the study was to see if they could perform more repetitions? I dont use CM for that purpose..or am i reading the study wrong?

 

[jeroendebleser]

Of course it is. You just have to try it to know this. BS like all other supplements.

 

[MR. BMJ]

Of course it is. You just have to try it to know this. BS like all other supplements.

Yea, but Stewie brings up good points about using it for other applications. I know some guys who it helps in lowering their BP, and some guys swear on the vascularity it brings them. Personally, it breaks me out in cold sores, so I have to be careful on the amount I use. Have a few bags of it I've not used in awhile. The good thin g is that hopefully more research is brought to it's attention for use to determine it's benefits....in all areas.

 

[aphextwin]

I'm sure there are other studies showing the exact opposite.

 

[machinemind]

I use Citrulline for it's eNOS-induced intracellular NO production to improve circulation and da pump bro, I never thought it necessarily improved performance.

 

[OutToLunch]

Citruline over citruliine Malate?!??

 

[11sh11]

I like using it, and the increased blood flow during a workout is a benefit when Ive been dieting. I seem to have a better capacity to finish my workout, with less fatigue. There are multiple studies that prove the benefits for the heart, by decreasing systolic blood pressure. Seems like that study is a little narrow, and uses products that merely have cm in it.... I get mine from true nutrition, straight cm

 

[suppdude]

Citruline over citruliine Malate?!??

Yes. Malate really has no benefit for the type of training we do and most of the time Citrulline Malate is just mixed together and not bonded.

Stick with L-Citrulline.

 

[Elvia1023]

L-Citrulline is a fantastic supplement. I plan to start using more of it. I don't use it for performance enhancement. Moreso for the pumps, vascularity, ammonia elimination and blood pressure benefits. Incidentally for ammonia elimination I also recommend using a ZMA product as that compliments things very well. L-Citrulline without a doubt makes me look better when I am using it consistently.

 

[Ashop]

I love citrulline malate. The veins on my arms look like garden hoses when I'm training, DOMS is almost a non-issue for me (I combine my CM with BCAA's), and it gives me steel hard erections.

I don't train GVT, so no big loss to me.

I've noticed the exact same. Crazy vascularity and improved erections.
Curious what types of dosages your using?

 

[cracker backer]

I can’t remember for sure, but I think I remember seeing a brief write up of a study that showed a group using citrulline experienced some abdominal fat loss over a control group not using citrulline? My memory is vague on this, but I’m pretty sure it was. Maybe someone else has heard of it or read it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jeroendebleser]

Yea, but Stewie brings up good points about using it for other applications. I know some guys who it helps in lowering their BP, and some guys swear on the vascularity it brings them. Personally, it breaks me out in cold sores, so I have to be careful on the amount I use. Have a few bags of it I've not used in awhile. The good thin g is that hopefully more research is brought to it's attention for use to determine it's benefits....in all areas.

Keep us updated on what science has to say on it's other uses. I'd be surprised if something positive comes out of it but who knows

For pumps and vascularity, there is no better legal alternative than Glycerol/Glycerine imo and if you really want something for that purpose, you should go for that. Dirt cheap and at least you have a pharmaceutical grade substance in your hands.

 

[notorius]

Keep us updated on what science has to say on it's other uses. I'd be surprised if something positive comes out of it but who knows

For pumps and vascularity, there is no better legal alternative than Glycerol/Glycerine imo and if you really want something for that purpose, you should go for that. Dirt cheap and at least you have a pharmaceutical grade substance in your hands.

how much of it are you using pre?

 

[KillerStack]

Irritating when they can't say which brands they tested.
I remember Bruce Kneller saying that most CM is also
only a blend of citrulline and malate, not the bound stuff.

As far as ammonia scavenging, how about this oldie: ornithine alpha ketoglutarate? Stewie, what do you think of it? There were some papers speculating the bound form had some unique effects beyond what a simple mix of ornithine and ketoglutarate would do. Boosting glutamine levels too, which glutamine itself is bad at.

 

[aphextwin]

Without a don't I notice an increase in vascularity in 6 grams plus a day. It def would help someone with ED.....it def increases erection

 

[mementomori515]

In terms of blood pressure reduction and pump/vascularity increase, is Citrulline operating through same pathways as cialis and viagra? Is it worth stacking the two or is that redundant?

 

[jeroendebleser]

how much of it are you using pre?

Hard to say because it's in a 1L container and I just pour it out of the bottle. I'd say probably a little more than what's in some of the preworkouts with Glycerol.