We have made limited edition formulas since 2011, but we have never done this before! Celebrating the 2020 with our very first limited edition CONTRA®!
Contra® Gain Train is a stacked and highly potent formula of performance elevating ingredients that has been shown to not only increase natural testosterone production, but also inhibit / correctively balance cortisol levels to maximize your body's anabolic state. Contra also includes a strong aromatase inhibitor to prevent any unwanted estrogenic side effects and maintain a lean physique.†
What is new about this formula?
We added ElevATP® and S7™ for increased ATP, intensity and some fkn muscle pumps goddammit! †
Ashwagandha (as KSM-66®):
Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic adaptogen that is mostly used to combat stress and increase fertility. It is so highly touted that it is often called the "King of Ayurveda" and oddly translates to "smell of horse." The main active compounds in ashwagandha are called withanolides, which are steroidal lactones found in the root of the plant.1 KSM-66® is standardized to 5% withanolides, but also keeps the exact ratios of withanolides that naturally occur in the plant. Ashwagandha has tons of health benefits, but for the purpose of this article, I will focus on its ability to decrease cortisol and increase testosterone levels. Cortisol is a catabolic hormone released from your adrenal glands during periods of stress. While in small amounts it can be beneficial (fight or flight), prolonged elevated levels are more conducive to storing bodyfat and breaking down muscle tissue.
KSM-66® might be the most effective herb at lowering serum cortisol levels in humans. In a study involving 52 healthy men and women, subjects given 300mg of KSM-66 twice daily for 8 weeks saw a 22.2% decrease in serum cortisol levels vs baseline values. The same study also yielded a 3% decrease in bodyweight, almost double compared to the placebo, along with a 2.9% decrease in BMI.2 Another study using KSM-66® had 64 participants (men and women) receive either 300mg twice daily of KSM-66 or a placebo for 60 days, with serum cortisol levels checked every 15 days. The KSM group noticed a 44% decrease in perceived stress, a 76% decrease in anxiety, as well as a 27.9% decrease in serum cortisol levels.
KSM-66® is also an excellent testosterone-boosting supplement. In a study involving 180 hypogonadic men, subjects given 5g/d of raw ashwagandha for 3 months showed an increase of up to 22%.3 Another study in 57 healthy males(average starting testosterone levels of 630ng/dL) given 300mg or KSM-66® twice daily for 8 weeks showed a 15% increase in total testosterone levels(the placebo only saw a 2.5% increase). Researchers also noticed a significant increase in 1RM bench press and leg extension, as well as a 3.5% decrease in body (the placebo only dropped 1.5%).4 Ashwagandha has even been shown to increase sexual function, libido, desire, and fertility in women.5 Typical doses of raw ashwagandha are up to 5g of root a day, and 600mg of standardized formulas like KSM-66®.
3,3'-Diindoylylmethane(DIM):
DIM is the main active metabolite of indole-3-carbinol, which is found in many cruciferous vegetables including brussel sprouts, turnips, kale and cabbage. The main mechanism of action for DIM is two-fold: it can, in low doses act as an aromatase inhibitor preventing the conversion of testosterone to estrogen (however in high doses can have the opposite effect), and it can modify potent estrogens into healthier estrogens via selectively hydroxylating certain parts of the estrogen molecule.6 For example, 4-hydroxyestradiol is a very potent estrogen that can cause gynecomastia in men. DIM metabolized estradiol into the less potent 2-hydroxy estrone, which is then eliminated. DIM also binds to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) which causes a downregualtion of estrogen receptor production. Some studies show that a metabolite of 2-hydroxyestrone, 2-methoxyestradiol can even help displace testosterone that is bound to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) to increase free testosterone levels. This is due to 2-methoxyestradiol's high affinity to SHBG.7 Interestingly, 2-hydroxyestradiol is not suppressive to the HTPA where 4-hydroxyestradiol is. This may also indirectly increase testosterone levels.8 Typical doses of DIM are between 100-300mg daily.
ELEVATP®:
clinically proven ingredient ElevATP® which is a natural combination of ancient peat and apple polyphenols clinically shown to increase levels of endogenous ATP and support improved strength, power, and performance in resistance-trained athletes.*
S7™
We are excited to be able to use a very meticulous clinically researched formula of plant-based ingredients called S7™! It has been shown in human studies to increase nitric oxide levels by roughly 230% and can be used in small amounts to achieve results!†
Androsta-3,5-diene-7,17-dione:
Androsta-3,5-diene-7,17-dione is a naturally occurring metabolite of 7-keto-DHEA that acts as an aromatase inhibitor in the body. Aromatase is the enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen. Due to its chemical structure, it has a pretty high affinity to the aromatase receptor, with a Ki value (how strongly a molecule binds to a receptor) of 0.2 micromolar (the lower the Ki the better). This is roughly half of the formally sold OTC supplement 6-OXO. Androsta-3,5-diene-7,17-dione acts as a suicide inhibitor, which means it irreversibly binds to the aromatase enzyme and renders it inactive until further metabolized.9,10
PIPERINE (BLACK PEPPER EXTRACT):
Derived from peppercorns from Piper Nigrum Plants, Bioperine® is a patented extract that is used as a bioavailability enhancer of numerous nutrients via stimulation of the digestive tract. On top of its noted benefits Piperine may also have an indirect function to increase thermogenesis.†