IGF-2®

IMMEDIATE GROWTH FACTOR IGF-2 is a powerful anabolic blend of the strongest herbal anabolic compounds on the market; precisely formulated and dosed to provide dramatic, noticeable results FAST.   The unique ingredients in IGF-2 have been scientifically proven to significantly increase testosterone and human growth hormone (HGH) levels, providing the user with more lean muscle, strength, and fullness than ever before possible from an OTC product.   IGF-2 is especially effective for men over 40 as a natural hormone replacement therapy product due to its aforementioned ability to help stimulate testosterone and HGH production, potentially to that of an 18 year-old! IGF-2 Provides: Maximized muscle hardness and fullness Increased strength and endurance Accelerated recovery time Enhanced libido and virility

FAQ

Q: When is the best time to take IGF-2? A:Take first dose on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, 45 minutes before a meal.   Take the second dose on an empty stomach 45 minutes before bed time for maximum effectiveness.  Back to top Q:  How long will it take me to notice the positive anabolic benefits from IGF-2?  A: You will begin to feel the testosterone and growth hormone increases from IGF-2 about 7-10 days after beginning the product, at which point you will notice measurable increases in strength and size. By the end of the third week, you’ll be feeling the full effects of this amazing product with ever-increasing gains in strength, size and density.  Back to top Q:  What makes IGF-2 different from other anabolics on the market? A: Not to be cynical, but this one actually works. We are proud that this product delivers exactly what we claim it to. The specifically titrated ratios of the compounds in IGF-2 trigger enormous increases in growth hormone and testosterone production, while serving a critical anti-catabolic function as well.  Users of IGF-2 generally report lean body mass gains of 5-7 lbs. over an 8 week cycle, with even greater gains being reported when stacked with NeoVar, our advanced creatine product. Back to top Q: How does IGF-2 boost testosterone levels, and how does testosterone grow more muscle?  A: The safed musli componet of IGF-2 contains large amounts of spirosta-steroidal saponins (desoxydiosgenin, tigogenin and neotigogenin) which are intermediates to various hormonal pathways in the body. When ingested, desoxydiosgenin from the safed musli is enzymatically converted to 11-oxa-5 alpha-androstane-3,17-dione, a portion of which is converted to testosterone through the testes.  The testosterone produced binds to the androgen receptor, which signals the muscles via mRNA to increase protein synthesis, increased nitrogen retention and muscle cell hypertrophy; leading to greater strength, mass, and recovery. Back to to Q:  How does the L-Dopa in IGF-2 help with testosterone production and growth hormone secretion?  A: The variety of mucuna pruriens used in IGF-2™ is standardized to 25% L-Dopa, delivering large amounts of this active ingredient per capsule.  Two important mechanisms of action of L-Dopa is increased growth hormone (GH) release, and increased testosterone secretion through prolactin inhibition.  Prolactin is a hormone that regulates testosterone production, and too much of it can hinder testosterone production.  By inhibiting prolactin,  IGF-2 increases endogenous testosterone levels dramatically.  L-Dopa is a precursor to Dopamine, a potent GH and testosterone agonist, meaning that dopamine inhibits prolactin release and somatostatin secretion in the hypothalamus, which allows for a greater stimulatory effect of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and secretion of testosterone by the testes.  GHRH signals the pituitary to release GH, which is produced by the pituitary gland.  GH is an important anabolic hormone that stimulates skeletal muscle cells to grow and, in some cases, divide. Acting directly, GH also mobilizes fats from fat depots and decreases the rate of glucose intake and metabolism.  Back to top Q: What anabolic and energy-enhancing actions does rhodiola rosea have?     A: Rhodiola rosea has been shown to increase ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) production in the mitochondria of the cell. ATP is an energy molecule that allows for muscle contraction to occur. In a university study, mice were administered rhodiola and made to swim to exhaustion twice a day for six days.  At the end of the testing period, muscle biopsies were performed, with the rhodiola-treated mice having 17% greater ATP levels, 45% greater creatine phosphate stores, and 53% greater muscle glycogen levels, along with lowered intramuscular concentrations of lactic acid and ammonia. What this means to you is stronger muscle contraction, allowing for improved energy and stamina.   In human studies, the rosavin and salidroside found in rhodiola rosea have also been shown to have significant effects on stress reduction. This is accomplished by reducing cortisol release, while optimizing levels of key brain chemicals involved in mood, such as serotonin and dopamine, which function together to maintain a healthy response to stress.  Blocking cortisol is important, as cortisol tends to break down muscle tissue, increase body fat stores, slows the metabolism and lowers immune function.  Rhodiola has been shown to have adaptogenic qualities, meaning that it allows humans to work harder during stress, while at the same time maintaining higher energy reserves.   Back to top Q: Should I cycle IGF-2?  A: Yes- we recommend that IGF-2 be taken in 8-10 week cycles to maximize effectiveness. The user should allow thirty days to pass before commencing a new cycle. Many use a two months on, one-month off philosophy with outstanding results.  Back to top Q: Who can benefit from IGF-2?  A: Any serious athlete or bodybuilder looking to gain size and/or strength and speed recovery time.  Endurance athletes can also benefit from IGF-2 as well; testing with IGF-2 was performed on Olympic-level track athletes who experienced measurable incremental improvements in speed plus reductions in muscle fatigue.  Extensive testing has been also been conducted with nationally-ranked and IFBB pro bodybuilders and competitive power lifters, and the results in terms positive effects/benefits have been phenomenal. Additionally, all ingredients comply with IOC, NCAA, NFL, NBA, and MLB banned substances lists. Back to top

 

IGF-2™

IGF-2™ is a powerful blend of the strongest legally available herbal compounds, perfectly standardized to provide the highest quality and effectiveness.   IGF-2™ incorporates Safed Musli, Mucuna Pruriens, Dodder Seed, and Rhodiola Rosea combined into a specific, synergistic formula that produces amazing results faster than would ever be expected from an over-the-counter preparation. 

 

Safed Musli (chlorophytum borivillanum) is an Ayurvedic herb used for centuries to improve physical strength and male fertility, and in more recent  animal studies has been shown to significantly increase testosterone levels (4,5,6,27, 28).   Mucuna Pruriens, another Ayurvedic herb, contains high concentrations of L-Dopa, a compound responsible for increasing endogenous GH and testosterone secretion (12,29,30,31,32).  Dodder Seed (Cuscuta Chineses) is an herb used by the Chinese for centuries to treat male impotence and infertility, which has been shown to increase cAMP production (cyclic AMP – a precursor to ATP, the primary cellular energy molecule), as well as testosterone levels (24).   Rhodiola Rosea is an adaptogenic herb that has been shown in animal studies to boost ATP, glycogen, and Creatine Phosphate levels, and has been shown in humans to decrease physiological stress while increasing memory, alertness, and energy (18-23).

 

Chlorophytum Borivillanum and Mucuna Pruriens: A Potent Testosterone and GH-Enhancing Stack

 

The two principle components of IGF-2,  Mucuna Pruriens and Safed Musli (Chlorophytum Borivillanum),  are a potent testosterone and Growth Hormone (GH)-boosting combination.    Recent studies have shown that mucuna pruriens can increase natural testosterone production through inhibiting prolactin and thereby increasing luteinizing hormone (LH) levels (12,29-32).  Prolactin is a hormone that has a regulatory role over gonadotrophic hormone secretion, meaning that it can suppress the action and release of these important hormones (1,3),.  This is important because gonadotrophic hormones control the entire process of male testosterone production, and luteinizing hormone (a gonadotrophic hormone directly responsible for spermatogenesis and natural testosterone production).is a key factor in the control of endogenous male androgen production. Prolactin can directly suppress the secretion of luteinizing hormone, an action that can hinder natural testosterone production significantly, thus not allowing optimal levels of the hormone to be produced by the testes (1,3).  By inhibiting prolactin,  mucuna pruriens increases endogenous testosterone levels dramatically, resulting in increased lean body mass gains and better recovery (29-32).

 

Figure 1: THE MALE HORMONAL PATHWAY

Moreover, the ethanolic and sapogenic extracts of Chlorophytum Borivillanum have been shown in animal studies to increase testosterone and body weight significantly (see below), and in some instances, these increases have been comparable to testosterone propionate, a potent anabolic steroid (4-6, 26-28).   Chlorophytum seems to act as a phytoandrogen (an herbal substance that acts on the androgen receptor), and anecdotal data from products containing this compound also point to increased testosterone and lean body mass (4-6, 26-28).  While the mechanism of action for Chlorophytum is poorly understood, and more research on the compound must be conducted, it seems to act in a manner very similar to testosterone, in both terms of strength and lean body composition (26-28).

 

Figure 2: BODY WEIGHT INCREASES DURING A STUDY USING CHLOROPHYTUM

Another positive benefit of IGF-2 is growth hormone (GH) enhancement.  The main standardized ingredient of mucuna pruriens is a L-Dopa, a potent compound that has been shown to significantly increase levels of growth hormone in human subjects in an orally viable manner. L-Dopa does this through inhibiting hypothalamic somatostatin secretion.  Somatostatin is important because it inhibits GH secretion directly from somatotrophs. Therefore, by inhibiting somatostatin via taking L-Dopa (found in IGF-2), overall mean serum GH will increase significantly. 

 

Figure 3: Injectible Growth Hormone

 

 

This is good news for anyone looking to build muscle, as GH stimulates skeletal muscle cells to grow (hypertrophy) and, in some cases, divide (hyperplasia). GH can also have significant positive effects on fat loss as well, as it mobilizes fats from fat depots and decreases the rate of glucose intake and metabolism (1-3, 7-11, 16-17).

 

Dodder Seed and Rhodiola Rosea

 

             Dodder Seed is another important component of IGF-2™ as it also activates the second messenger system, and subsequently causes adenylate cyclase to generate cAMP from ATP (1, 24-26).  cAMP generation has a variety of effects on tissue and glandular activity, but the most notable is the stimulation of the thyroid to produce thyroxin (promoting elevated fat burning). Increased cAMP levels to also activate the protein kinase enzyme, which in turn activates hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in targeted tissues(10-11, 13-15,17) and signals for the production of luteinizing hormone, which elevates testosterone levels in males (1-3,25).   Elevations in these two hormones can cause a marked increase in fat as body fuel, as well as a strong correlation to decreased body fat and increased muscle mass, density and strength (1-3, 10-11).

 

             Rhodiola Rosea also displays some individualistic qualities of greater ATP enhancement and creatine phosphate storage in animal studies (18-20, 23).  At the Tomsk State University and Medical Institute in Russia, mice were administered Rhodiola supplementation and made to swim to exhaustion twice a day for six days.  At the end of the testing period, muscle biopsies were performed, with the Rhodiola-treated mice having 17% greater ATP levels 45% greater creatine phosphate stores, and 53% greater muscle glycogen levels, while having lower intramuscular concentrations of lactic acid and ammonia (21-22). 

 

Figure 4: The ATP-PCr System
Carbohydrates
Muscle Glucose

 

The rosavin and salidroside content of Rhodiola Rosea has also been shown to have significant effects on stress reduction in human studies by reducing cortisol release, while optimizing levels of key brain chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine that function together to maintain a healthy response to stress (18-23).  Blocking cortisol is a very important effect, as cortisol breaks down muscle tissue and increases body fat, slowing the metabolism and lowering immune function.  Rhodiola has been shown to also have adaptogenic qualities, allowing the human body to work harder during stress, while at the same time maintaining higher energy reserves (18-23).  This is important to hard-training athletes because intense stress and strain can cause significant increases in stress hormone levels like cortisol, thus diminishing results (18-23).

 

Synergy
            
            The ingredients in IGF-2™, precisely blended to optimal ratios together produce a powerful synergistic combination. Synergism of hormones occurs in situations where more than one hormone produces the same effects at the target cell, and their combined effects are amplified.   Safed Musli and Mucuna Pruriens, as mentioned before, increase testosterone and growth hormone release, leading to more rapid muscular growth, along with increased recovery and noticeable strength increases  (1,10,11,12,16,17).  

 

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