Dinoiii gets Re-ActivaTed: This time Divanil's Brought some friends!

[dinoiii]

Dinoiii Gets Re-AcitvaTed: This Time Divanil has brought some Xtreme Freinds

Introduction: "Oh you didn't know, your a** better call somebody AGAIN!!!?" How many people haven't been around these boards long enough to know I am a product's harshest critic? Hell, many of you recall my "antics" way back from the old Syntrax board.

Therefore, should a company accept a challenge from me, they are putting 100% faith in their product; dinoiii likes that! Interestingly enough, a rare ActivaTe Xtreme thread peaked my interest and my mere expression of intrigue caught Matt's eye; I thought to myself...people could view this in one of two ways:

(1) That dinoiii's up to no good once again.

-or-

(2) That dinoiii's up to no good once again!

Well, I am sorry to disappoint you. This log will be a very similar feel to some of my others (CL's Yellow nEuphoria and AX's HyperMass stack come to mind, though some on this board have not and will not ever see the Yellow nEuph one due to board politics.

There are some interesting treats lined up in the way of testing this product, that is the dinoiii-way, yet still it will also be very fair. I don?t do this log stuff very often BUT many that have witnessed my industry-related writing over the course of the last say 8 years or so are VERY well aware of my love for Indole-3-Carbinol. Not to mention the reason this log is dubbed "Re-activaTed" is really due to an oddball thing that happened back in 2005 when I beta-tested the original Divanil from Designer and while it didn't happen in accordance with my BodyOpus: Reloaded article as suggested?Divanil still went ?on trial.? (for those of you that recall my antics back then and a trial it was when I was much less constrained than these days.

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Another trip to Dinoiii's bedroom: HA! Hey, you ever heard the story about the disinhibited doc? I swear, you guys have no idea what you are in for with this one - I think I suffer from a frontal lobe lesion (though uhockey may be the only one who understands this kind of quirky doc humor; its there for all to see). But, you wouldn't expect a log on something with Epimedium in it to not have some bedroom talk do you?

YUP, YUP?I hype the piss out of my logs, but the difference is I DELIVER!!!

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Dinoiii's INDEPENDENT Supplement Ingredient Review

This was started with the Yellow nEuph log and many liked it?well, it continued on with the HyperMass log, however Hyde took an abrupt vacation due to some outside questioning of my role seeing though the log was part of a contest (and won, even at half- staff, btw).

Still, I NEVER recommend ingestion of an item without allowing yourself time to become intimately acquainted with what it is that you are ingesting. We will explore the ingredients dinoiii-style. Prior to my own log, I sat down and worked out all of the potential effects and mechanisms of action and science (perhaps mumbo-jumbo to most) which will subsequently follow [in a future log entry] for the scientifically-interested. For now, if it has passed that test, then it has done well.

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Important Extracted Dinoiii Pertients:


Subject's Tale of the Tape

Age: 29
Sex: I happily possess a Y chromosome!
Height: 5?9? (per NY state Driver?s License)
Weight: currently...this AM: 209 pounds, 7.8% BF verified through Hydrostatics, Biolectrical Impedence, and Caliper average (BF % was last measured on July 7, 2007)
Bodytype: I hate this question. I would technically be considered an endomorph...but I think the body typing is a rationalization....see BF% above...it always hasn't been this way



Training

Training experience: Quick Hits: Going on 16 years; Any/All programs you can think of. Started at 300+ pounds ? dropped to 141 (low) before pushing back up to competition weight in 2000, which sat at about a 10-20 pound heavier weight tally than I am now. More information can be observed in threads / blog entries entitled ?Getting Inside the Mind of Dinoiii? which has seen MANY revamps (most recent at mid-year 2007 over on LB?but the original appeared on DA back in 2004/2005).

Cardio Schedule/Protocol: DON?T DO IT!!! DON?T THINK IT IS NEEDED!!! If you haven?t read my stuff, find it! Visit DA, LB, MAN-UP, AX, and a couple on AM (though the advertisements over there tend to steer me away). A lot of re-directional items can be found in the confides of my BodyBlog and SHAME ON YOU IF YOU HAVEN?T BEEN READING!!!


Prior to beginning this log, I was partaking in a periodized program that was in more of a cutting phase, hard to explain in rapid-fire mode, but there will be two more weeks of this protocol before moving into a strength regimen, which will obviously dictate many of the potential results seen and for all to understand that weight challenges (reps/poundage will NOT be challenged until that time objectively for obvious reasons).



Supplements

Current supplements:

- Designer Supplements ActiavaTe Xteme
* This is the ONLY addition to my supplement regime comparatively!!!

- MAN Body Octane / Clout
- My own Post-Workout Formula (unfortunately, I cannot offer the exact ingredients on a public forum ... I am certain you can appreciate my rationale here)
- VPX Zero Carb (protein powder - chocolate is da bomb when mixed with various oils)
- VPX CMZ MultiMineral
- ACES (generic verified through consumerlabs.com)
- B Vitamin (without niacin)
- Niacin once per day
- Glucose Disposable Cocktail (DS Glucophase XR + Cinnamon Extract) - this is a weekday supplement [low-carb days]

Past supplements:

- More than I care to admit. Over the course of the last 16 years, I have likely surpassed most people that take these damn things (HA!). There are pros and cons and biases that evolve out of such a role. For one, I have become a bit savvier in the selection process and do NOT make my protocols supplement-laiden, allowing nothing but a sincere challenge to discern if there is any effect from the product in question.




Drug Use

ANY and ALL Prescription / Non-Prescription / Recreational drugs:

- Dinoiii is Drug Free!!! Tell your friends?

[dinoiii]

Diet w/ Supplement Inclusion

Macronutrient + Caloric Cycling Protocol

Meal 1 (4:00 am)
2 caps ActivaTe Xtreme
B-Vitamin

* Note: go back to sleep until about 5:30am, wake up and off to the gym after dressing for the occasion. Drinking MAN Body Octane and Clout conglomerate en route, OF COURSE!

Gym time: 6:00 am / 6:30am

Meal 2 PWO Shake (roughly an hour past start time)

Meal 3 (9:00 am)
2 caps AcitvaTe Xtreme
B-vitamin
Glucose Disposable Cocktail

Meal 4 (11:00 am)
ACES, B-vitamin

Meal 5 (1:00 pm)
B-vitamin
Glucose Disposable Cocktail

Meal 6 (3:00 pm)
2 caps ActivaTe Xtreme
ACES
B-Vitamin

Meal 7 (5:00 pm)
B-vitamin
Glucose Disposable cocktail

Meal 8 (7:00 pm)
B-vitamin

Meal 9 (9:00 pm)
B-vitamin
Niacin
VPX CMZ (minerals)

* Note: This is my weekday schedule. There are a couple of variations for the weekend carb-ups.


GOALS

Short Term Goal:
- As I mentioned above, I am coming out of what may be deemed a ?cutting realm? of my periodized routine. I will return to more of a mass/strength protocol mid-way through this log.

- I am NOT in need of being a "mass monster" (no, this is NOT necessarily a contraindication with the product?s suggestion)?in fact prefer to look bigger with lowest possible bodyfat percentage YEAR ROUND...obviously avoiding any kind of lipodystrophic state or what have you....bodyfat fluctuates from lower range of 4-5% up to about 9-11% (but I have not really been above 9 for like the last I don't know 5-6 years...)....however, a bit of a boost to my 6am workouts and lift numbers.

- I am VERY realistic with my expectations for this product! In the short time, seeing precipitous Body Composition changes is highly unlikely, HOWEVER?there are a few suggestions per the ActivaTe Xtreme ads that WILL be tested. We?ll delve into this more as the log progresses.


Long Term Goal:
- hehe, being as close to lipodystrophic as possible without deleterious consequence....what could realistically be considered "fat free" and without drugs, et al btw....but really, long-term I will never be satisfied...not sure you can be and if you ever hear someone suggest it...they're flat out lying...I will always welcome new muscle and less fat...I am always realistic with expectations, however...on a personal note...if someone ever hears me suggest I am content and that I cannot strip a little more fat and/or add a little more muscle...I already have the gun loaded...please put me out of my misery

Which has lead us to today?...

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Our Journey for this (B)log

Week 1: "Cutting" parameters employed - Week 3 of this periodized portion of my regime. Baseline labs have been drawn.
Week 2: "Cutting" parameters employed - Week 4 of this periodized portion of my regime.
Week 3: "Mass/Strength" parameters employed - Week 1 of this periodized portion of my regime. We will test 1RM and such in the lifting realm in these latter weeks.
Week 4: "Mass/Strength" parameters employed - Week 2 of this periodized portion of my regime. We will test 1RM and such in the lifting realm in these latter weeks. Let the LAB testing resume?Blood Re-draws/EMG studies.
Week 5: "Mass/Strength" parameters employed - Week 3 of this periodized portion of my regime. We will test 1RM and such in the lifting realm in these latter weeks.

* You will likely see only 1-2 real time updates per week as my schedule is pretty loaded but they will be as in-depth as the information I have to present may be.

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Week 1 Review [7/8/07 - 7/14/07]

Supplement Effects:

Subjective :

Erection Enhancement (Epimedium-Icariin): *** (Not really a chance to test this week ? HA! Or should I say something different? --> :( )
Libido Lift (Epimedium-Icariin): ****
Fatigue Fighter (Rhodiola): ** (Actually was kind of tired but we?ll let this go for this week; I am always under stress)
Stress Slasher(Rhodiola): ** (As above)
Energy Elevation (Rhodiola): ***

Objective :

Increase Testosterone (Divanil, Basella, Epimedium-Icariin): N/A until week 4
Increase Free Test Fraction(Divanil): N/A until week 4
Bodyweight Increase (Basella): N/A until next week's body comp assessment
Healthy Estrogen Metabolism and effects (I3C): N/A until week 4

Dinoiii's Rating Scale KEY:
* Insignificant Effect
** Slight Effect, Still Insignificant
*** Average Effect
**** Statistically Significant Effect
***** Dinoiii's Praise (statistical significance doesn't describe this!)

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Minute to Minute Objectives :

(1) Blood Pressure
* measured via automated cuff; last calibrated on June 12, 2007

Baseline: 110-120/60-80
With Supplement this week: 112-124/66-72

(2) Labs will be on a day off from the gym later in trial // rationale: evaluation for side effect potential (Inc LFTs, et al), suggested effects.

(3) Electromyography (EMG) to assess muscle contractile effects later in trial.

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[dinoiii]

BASELINE LAB TEST RESULTS

Date Run: 7/8/07
Date Reported: 7/12/07 (the date I had all values in hand)


COMPLETE METABOLIC PANEL (CMP)

General Use: Evaluation of electrolyte abnormalities, blood glucose fluctuation, as well as incorporated liver function. Due to inclusion of the later values, it offers a superior overall look when considering it versus a basic metabolic profile/panel (BMP).

* dinoiii's note: I HAVE ONLY INCLUDED IMPORTANT VALUES HERE! If anyone wants to know carbon dioxide, etc? please email, it was just a lot to type out.

(1) Electrolytes:
Sodium: 138 mEq/L (Normal Range: 135-148 mEq/L)
Potassium: 4.4 mEq/L (Normal Range: 3.5-5.5 mEq/L)

(2) Liver & Kindey Function:
Blood/Urea/Nitrogen (BUN): 31 mg/dl (Normal: 5-26 mg/dl)
* dinoiii's note: there are not many bb?s that follow a HIGH-protein diet that would pass this, therefore the next value becomes more pertinent for kidney evaluation (BUN would only be indirect anyway).
Creatinine: 1.1 mg/dl (Normal Male: 0.5-1.5 mg/dl)

(3) Sugar Management:
Blood Glucose: 77 mg/dl (65-109 mg/dl; Optimal: 70-100mg/dl) ? dinoiii?s note: recall, I was on a lower carbohydrate portion of my CHO-cycling, coming off a higher carb day when blood was drawn.

(4) ?Liver? Function
AST: 52 IU/L (Normal: 0-40 IU/L)
ALT: 45 IU/L (Normal: 0-40 IU/L)
* dinoiii's note: these values are always mildly elevated for me and I cannot attribute it to liver function per se. As I work out hard, consistent elevations in CPK lead me to believe that this is more likely attributable to muscle damage (i.e. ? breakdown).

Alk Phos: 72 IU/L (Normal: 25-150 IU/L)

* dinoiii's Note: CPK is NOT included in CMP, however ? as I had stated before ? I have to make sure this is elevated as well to rule out the need for imaging in me. It is usually elevated as it was this time.

Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK): 198 IU/L (Normal: 5-100 IU/L) ? again, likely indicative of muscle damage ? with 100% of the isoenzyme panel coming from the MM fraction. Still less than both my HyperMass AND Yellow nEuph logs probably because I have been more in ?cutting? range low-intensity rep tallies.

All within normal limits:
Bilirubin: Total, Direct, and Indirect; Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH); Protein: Albumin


HORMONAL PROFILE

Testosterone

General Use: In the male, total testosterone is used to evaluate testicular function in clinical states where the testosterone binding proteins may be altered (obesity, cirrhosis, thyroid disorders). It is our most accurate predictor of gonadal function and a rather good predictor of adrenal function ? and any secondary changes as a result of dysfunction would potentially be evident here. Free testosterone is used to evaluate testicular function in clinical states where the testosterone binding proteins may be altered (obesity, cirrhosis, thyroid disorders, drug/supplement/herb use as below).

Rationale in this trial: There are obvious suggestions of testosterone alterations with the Epimedium, Divanil and Basella, as well as the free fraction with nettle extracts.

Total: 516 ng/dl (Normal: 241-827/1000 ng/dl; Optimal: 500-827/1000 ng/dl)
Free: 22.7 pg/ml (Normal for males aged 20-29: 9.3-26.5 pg/ml ? this is a value that varies by age)

SHBG

General Use: This test is used to monitor SHBG levels that are under the positive control of estrogens and thyroid hormones and suppressed by androgens. Decreased levels are found in hirsutism, virilism, obese postmenopausal women, and women with diffuse hair loss. Increased levels are present in hyperthyroidism, testicular feminization, cirrhosis, male hypogonadism, pregnancy, prepubertal children, and in women using oral contraceptives.

Rationale in this trial: Needless to say, the use of nettle extacts are suggested to offer alteration to the SHBG fraction. SHBG elevations are seen in elevated estrogenic states, which we hope not to be the case (primary or secondary).

SHBG: 13.62 mmol/L (Normal: 13-71 nmol/L)


ESTROGEN

General Use: This is used in the evaluation of males with gynecomastia or feminization syndromes. Rationale for uses in females does NOT apply here ? I noted my possession of a Y chromosome above.

Rationale in this trial: Alterations to testosterone fractions and/or SHBG could impart effect here. Our ability to rule this out is a good thing on many levels, however, one of my significant desires is to see if the I3C imparts any effects (wouldn?t it be really cool if I could have directed the lab to do hydoxylated products, alas ? the lab tech looked at me like I was crazy, so we have these values?as prototype).

Estradiol: < 30pg/ml (Normal: < 30pg/ml)
Estrone: 18 (Normal: 12-72pg/ml)


DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE-SULFATE (DHEA-S)

General Use: This test is used to determine female infertility, amenorrhea, or hirsutism ? so there, it?s rather easy! In males, it offers aid in the evaluation of excess androgen/adrenocortical disease including congenital adrenal hyperplasia and adrenal tumors. You MUST remember that you have the potential for crossover feedback pathways and it is imperative to evaluate not only gonadal function as above, but also adrenal function seen here.

Rationale in this trial: Full evaluation of crossover feedback examined, plus additional explanation if an abnormal value comes into view (i.e. ? adrenocortical disease, etc?).

DHEA-S: 286 mcg/dl (Normal Male aged 18-30 yrs: 125-619 mcg/dl)


DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE (DHT)

General Use: In females, its uses are a bit different but I am male so we will concentrate on the rationales for me. In males, DHT aids in the evaluation of excess androgen/adrenocortical disease including congenital adrenal hyperplasia and adrenal tumors.

Rationale in this trial: I simply included this and offered it up here in case an adrenal issue came up. The value of it in increased testosterone states may show increased conversion routes. Overall, its value is limited here and it?s inclusion was just because I had it done. We will make this a clear point.

DHT: 61 (Normal Male: 30-85mg/dl; Optimal Male: 30-50mg/dl)

[dinoiii]

PITUITARY TIE-INS

General Use: For this, I include both TSH and prolactin. The prolactin crossover feedback pathways are innumerous in nature ? however, the connection between prolactin and TSH is a bit more intimate.

Rationale in this trial: Estrogen alterations could have profound effects on both TSH and prolactin.

Prolactin: 4.1 (Normal Male: 2.1-17.7ng/ml; Optimal Male: 2.1-5ng/ml)
TSH: 1.24 mcIU/ml (Normal: 0.35-5.50 mcIU/ml; Optimal: < 2.1 mcIU/ml)


THROID PANEL

General Use: T4, total is one of the first tests done in assessing thyroid function. It is used to diagnose thyroid function and to monitor replacement and suppressive therapy. T4, free is used to evaluate thyroid function in patients who may have protein abnormalities that could affect total T4 levels. It is also used to diagnose thyroid function and monitor replacement and suppressive therapy. T3, total is a test for thyroid function used particularly in the diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis and hyperthyroidism. T3, free is used to evaluate thyroid function and access abnormal binding protein disorders.

Rationale in this trial: Now, imagine you had an abnormal TSH, now you got to go back to the lab for additional blood work - no sirree - dinoiii doesn't like to continually play if he can afford it. Also, for my own piece of mind, thyroid function should always be evaluated when running carbohydrate cycling regimes as you guys are aware that I very much so do. CHO and caloric restriction offer up the need to explore potential euthyroid sick syndrome potential.

T4
Total: 6.7 mcg/dl (Normal: 4.5-12.0 mcg/dl)
Free: 1.31 ng/dl (Normal: 0.70-1.53 ng/dl)

T3
Total: 123 ng/ml (Normal: 60-181 ng/ml)
Free: 297 (Normal: 260-480 pg/ml)


CHOLESTEROL PANEL

I must ALWAYS warn those looking on even before I post these. Recall that I am following a perpetual low-carbohydrate diet which throws my cholesterol values low on most occasion - this is the typical for me:

Total Cholesterol: 133 mg/dl
HDL Cholesterol: 39 mg/dl
LDL Cholesterol: 72 mg/dl
Triglycerides: 42 mg/dl

Yes, I know - I have low HDL ("helpful" / good) cholesterol! Actually, it is up quite a bit. The funny thing is that if you have ever read my Cholesterol Controversy series, you'll understand I don?t see this as the negative thing medicine does (probably because I am not pushing a statin) but moreso because my particle size is rather good ? but this is beyond the scope of this analysis. Think logically for a moment, the mechanism of HDL is to actually remove the ?bad? components (LDL and triglycerides) from the blood stream; if they are already down pretty low, then what role would a VERY high HDL have except maybe even putting you a hypOcholesterolemic state. Lipid values have the chance of being modulated precipitously with hormonal "derangement." stack affect cholesterol levels in any way.

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Next set of labs approximated - Monday, August 6, 2007

[RisingAgainst]

Well Dana's up to no good again....


LOL! Well man, obviously I have my work cut out for me... I will pull something out of my... umm hat.

[dinoiii]

HA! Not really competing with anyone. This is my status quo...you know that. I don't have time to do frequent updates, just 1-2 per week as is suggested ... the most important comes out of the blood work I would presume.

Nonetheless, thanks for stopping in RA...I am curious what all the loggers of this product will feel. I think the libido effects are virtually instantaneous and this isn't placebo as I had no outlet with my significant other away this week! HA!


D_

[RisingAgainst]

Originally Posted by dinoiii

HA! Not really competing with anyone. This is my status quo...you know that. I don't have time to do frequent updates, just 1-2 per week as is suggested ... the most important comes out of the blood work I would presume.

Nonetheless, thanks for stopping in RA...I am curious what all the loggers of this product will feel.