Original article: Max Sports and Fitness August 2002
ZMA was the first nighttime anabolic formula developed specifically to enhance recovery by improving sleep efficiency. ZMA is a scientifically designed, university-tested anabolic mineral support formula that contains zinc monomethionine aspartate plus magnesium aspartate and vitamin B-6 in precise ratios. In addition, ZMA is a patent-pending, all-natural product that has been shown to significantly boost the levels of your body's two strongest muscle-building hormones, testosterone and insulin-like growth factor 1. Since ZMA was introduced to the sports nutrition industry in July 1999, many world-class athletes have been reporting strength and recovery benefits in the gym as well as on the athletic field.
Barry's Bond With ZMA
Barry Bonds shocked the sports world in 2001 by destroying Mark McGwire's single-season home-run record when he slammed 73, three more than Big Mac's 1998 mark. Barry came into BALCO Laboratories before spring training in 2001, and we adjusted his nutritional supplementation regimen to maximize his muscle recovery, absorption of minerals, and protein synthesis. As with most elite athletes, Barry had depleted levels of zinc and magnesium. We had him take ZMA each night before bedtime, which helped him to heal and recover quickly from his strenuous weight-training workouts and the daily grind of baseball. It seems that Barry's intensive strength training and nutritional supplementation program played a huge part in his history-making season.
Mr. Olympia ZMA Connection
Four-time Mr. Olympia (1998-2001) Ronnie Coleman has been receiving medical and nutritional consultation from BALCO Laboratories since May 1998. This is the period when we first discovered that Ronnie was depleted in zinc and magnesium, and he started routinely taking ZMA before bedtime. Ronnie says, "ZMA really does help me to relax and recover after my intense workouts. When I wake up in the morning after taking ZMA, I feel well rested and ready for another ass-kicking workout."
ZMA Track Club
Members of the ZMA Track Club won three "US titles at the US Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, on June 21-24, 2001: Chryste Gaines - women's 100-meter gold medalist with a fast time of 10.89. Marion Jones - women's 200-meter gold medalist with a time of 22.52. Tim Montgomery - men's 100-meter gold medalist with a fast time of 9.95. In addition, Kelli White won the silver medal in the women's 100 meters as well as the bronze medal in the 200 meters behind Jones. Ramon Clay also won the silver medal in the men's 200 meters.
These five ZMA Track Club athletes advanced to the World Championships in Edmonton, Canada, on August 3-12, 2001.
Three of these five athletes went on to win World Championship medals. Marion Jones - women's 200-meter gold medalist and 100-meter silver medalist. Tim Montgomery - men's 100-meter silver medalist in a very fast time of 9.85. Kelli White also won the bronze medal in the women's 200 meters behind Marion.
Jones is a big fan of ZMA. "I had a number of tests done on my blood at BALCO Laboratories," says Jones. "I learned that I was really deficient in both zinc and magnesium." ZMA fixed that, and she credits the supplement with helping her to sleep better and making her morning workouts more effective. "ZMA really has helped me," she says.
Nighttime Anabolic Formulas Sleep and Recovery Aids
In an article I wrote in 2000 called "Grow As You Sleep," I predicted that the science of ZMA would help to establish an entirely new category of sports performance products called "Nighttime Anabolic Formulas" or "Sleep and Recovery Aids." More and more athletes utilizing ZMA to enhance sleep efficiency are beginning to truly understand the process of maximizing recover, healing, anabolic hormone production, and muscle growth. As a result, the ZMA gospel, "You Grow As You Sleep," is spreading like wildfire.
ZMA was developed by Victor Conte, founder and director of BALCO Laboratories in Burlingame, California, which has been in existence for more than 18 years. BALCO specializes in mineral and trace element assessment and performs research with elite Olympic and professional athletes. Victor routinely provides consultation for several hundred elite athletes from a variety of sports including football, baseball, bodybuilding, basketball, tennis, hockey, track and field, swimming, and soccer.
ZMA is a registered trademark of SNAC System, Inc., Burlingame, CA 94010.
