The use of Riboxin in modern bodybuilding is a rudiment inherited from our ancestors in the 1970s. Athletes of the Soviet Union experimented widely with this drug at one time, and Western colleagues, spying on them, speculated: “Is this the secret of their success?” and repeated them only with inosine, which is more common there.
However, even today the use of Riboxin in sports is a widespread practice.
Let's figure out why Riboxin is needed in bodybuilding and... is it needed at all.
Main thoughts:
Riboxin is promoted in the world of bodybuilding almost exclusively thanks to the work of sports “word of mouth” radio
Riboxin performs many important functions in the body, which, theoretically, should have a positive effect on athletic performance when supplemented with it.
Scientific research clearly refutes the effectiveness of Riboxin in sports
Scientific studies indicate the benefits of Riboxin for the treatment of certain diseases of the heart muscle, which may be the basis for its use in bodybuilding during a course of anabolic steroids
Reviews of amateur athletes about Riboxin contradict both each other and the opinion of scientists about the drug
Long-term use of Riboxin can lead to side effects such as arthritis of the joints due to the formation of uric acid crystals in them
Riboxin is not recommended for use in sports and bodybuilding; a dose of 5-6 grams per day is considered safe; It is not recommended to take it for a long time
What is Riboxin?
Riboxin (or inosine) is a chemical belonging to the purine class that acts as a precursor to adenosine, an important molecule for energy production.
It is found in large quantities in yeast and in the internal organs of animals (liver, kidneys), and is sold in purified form in tablet form in pharmacies.
In the 1970s, Riboxin was actively used by Soviet athletes as a doping drug to increase athletic performance. However, subsequent clinical tests showed it to be completely ineffective for this purpose, including increasing muscle strength.
The reality is that it seems that the driving force behind the spread of Riboxin in sports today is solely the “reviews” of athletes , especially from Russia and Eastern Europe, about its benefits and effectiveness (the effect of a kind of sports “word of mouth”), as well as marketing statements from manufacturers and sellers.
Riboxin is promoted in the world of bodybuilding almost exclusively thanks to the work of sports “word of mouth” radio
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How to increase testosterone levels in men
Of course, if you exercise in a gym, you know very well that basic exercises (bench press, squat with a barbell on your shoulders, deadlift) help increase the male hormone. And in general, men need to move, and don’t lie stupidly on the sofa. Although it is possible to perform a number of exercises on it.
To fuel the athlete, additional resources are required. I will not describe the expensive drugs produced by the sports industry; not everyone can afford them. But the ones described below are quite possible to purchase at the nearest pharmacy in the city.
High levels of testosterone not only improve athletic performance, increase muscle mass and burn subcutaneous fat, but also have a significant effect on libido. Your sex life will return to the same, and maybe even better, level.
Why is Riboxin needed in bodybuilding?
In bodybuilding and sports in general, Riboxin is promoted as a sports supplement that:
- increases energy levels and physical endurance;
- good for the heart;
- prevents the accumulation of lactic acid in muscles during intense training.
It actually performs several important functions in the body, which one way or another could, theoretically, improve some athletic performance:
- Riboxin (inosine) restores communication between damaged nerve cells and healthy ones in the brain and spinal cord 1;
- Riboxin penetrates into muscle and heart cells, where it stimulates the creation of energy molecules ATP, which are needed for muscle contraction 2,3. Increased ATP production should improve respiration and oxygen transport to cells and therefore have a positive effect on performance in all sports (both aerobic and anaerobic, including bodybuilding).
- Riboxin improves the function of red blood cells to transport oxygen from the lungs to the cells. This happens by increasing the concentration of a certain compound (diphosphoglycerate) in red blood cells, which facilitates the release of oxygen from them into the tissue, which should increase energy levels, prevent the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles and generally improve athletic performance.
- Riboxin acts as a vasodilator ; taking it increases blood flow to the heart and muscles, which also improves their supply of oxygen and nutrients 4.5
But this is a theory. But what really?
There is NO indisputable and convincing scientific evidence of the positive effect of Riboxin on athletic performance .
The situation is very similar to that observed when taking a closer look at some other popular sports supplements, in particular the fat burner L-carnitine: the theoretical basis for its effectiveness in losing weight is very strong, but in practice, taking it as a supplement is absolutely useless for weight loss.
Riboxin performs many important functions in the body, which, theoretically, should have a positive effect on athletic performance when supplemented with it.
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Effect on the body
The medicine belongs to cardiac drugs. Its properties:
- antiarrhythmic;
- antihypoxic;
- anabolic effect.
The drug stimulates metabolism under hypoxic conditions, normalizes the processes of cellular and tissue respiration, thereby ensuring the transport of oxygen to the myocardium. The properties of the drug also include increasing the energy balance of cells. The medication reduces the manifestations of arrhythmia and normalizes heart rate, protects against the effects of hypoxia against the background of pathologies of the cardiovascular system. In addition, the active substance binds calcium ions, thereby ensuring relaxation of the heart muscle and lowering blood pressure in diastole, promoting better regeneration of myocardial tissue. Beneficial properties also include stimulating the restoration of the gastrointestinal mucosa.
Release form and composition
Riboxin is the commercial name of a drug whose active ingredient is inosine. Available in tablets containing 200 mg of active ingredient. The tablets can be purchased at any pharmacy at an affordable price; a prescription is not required for purchase.
In addition to pharmacy chains, inosine is often presented in sports nutrition and sports pharmacology stores. It is produced by many companies that produce dietary supplements for athletes. The most popular dietary supplements:
- Ultimate Nutrition Inosine;
- Nutrend Inosine 500;
- Vansiton Inosine Plus (with glucose).
The difference between sports supplements and pharmaceutical medications lies in the dosage. All presented drugs are available in capsules containing 500 mg of inosine each. However, domestically produced pharmaceutical medicine is on average 3 times cheaper than specialized sports dietary supplements.
Official indications for use
Official medicine uses Riboxin as part of complex therapy for the following diseases:
- angina pectoris;
- recovery period after a heart attack;
- cardiac ischemia;
- arrhythmias;
- cardiomyopathy;
- myocarditis;
- hepatitis;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- fatty liver;
- glaucoma.
The drug is used as part of a comprehensive treatment for these conditions, and as maintenance therapy after recovery.
In bodybuilding
The main indication for taking the medicine by athletes is to improve oxygen transport to the myocardium and muscle tissue during the training process. This allows you to increase overall endurance, reduce the load on the heart and blood vessels, and accelerate metabolic processes occurring in the myocardium and the entire body. Inosine stimulates blood flow, thereby ensuring the supply of oxygen to the muscles, and increases the overall energy potential of the body.
The medicine is recommended for athletes with myocardial dysfunction, but you must first consult a doctor.
Indications for use in bodybuilding:
- heart problems (only as prescribed by a doctor);
- period of intense training;
- drying period;
- normalization of pressure.
The medicine improves regenerative processes and promotes rapid recovery.
Scientific evidence of the uselessness of Riboxin in bodybuilding and sports
The effectiveness of riboxin (inosine) has been studied in several experiments, but none have shown any benefits .
One demonstration study involved 9 highly trained runners; scientists studied how riboxin affects the time to cover a distance of 3 km and oxygen consumption (VO2). Some runners took 6 g of Riboxin throughout the day (3 doses of 2 g), others took a placebo. Result: no significant differences in distance completion time or maximum oxygen consumption VO2max 6.
A similar result was obtained in another experiment involving cyclists, in which the daily dose of riboxin was 10 g. The scientists' conclusion: no ergogenic effect , riboxin does not affect performance in any way, but more importantly, it can be harmful to health if taken for long time 7.
Same here 8: long-term use of Riboxin has no effect on athletic performance or short-term power during cycling.
And here's 9: Taking Riboxin (along with some other drugs) in 11 highly trained triathletes had no effect on the time to exhaustion on a bicycle after 90 minutes of running on a treadmill.
In fact, some scientific studies show that riboxin (inosine) may even impair athletic performance 8,10.
One possible reason for this is the accumulation of inosine monophosphate in the muscles, a high concentration of which is a sign of fatigue. Another possible reason is an increase in the concentration of uric acid, one of the byproducts of riboxin metabolism.
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The general conclusion is this: the statements made by sports nutrition manufacturers and individual athletes and bodybuilders (apparently for self-conviction), proving the benefits of Riboxin in bodybuilding and sports, have little to do with reality.
Scientific research clearly refutes the effectiveness of Riboxin in sports
But that's not all.
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Benefits of Riboxin for the Heart
Japanese scientists showed back in 1981 that riboxin is beneficial for heart health.
They examined its effect on the functioning of the heart muscle with certain diseases in 102 patients and found that Riboxin, both in the form of injections and tablets, improved the condition of the heart muscle after a heart attack 11.
Moreover, everything is not limited to heart attacks; Riboxin (inosine) is useful for treating a considerable number of other heart diseases 4.
Most likely, it is precisely this positive and scientifically proven effect of Riboxin on the heart that is the basis for its use by bodybuilding athletes on a course of steroids (see below).
Scientific studies indicate the benefits of Riboxin for the treatment of certain diseases of the heart muscle, which may be the basis for its use in bodybuilding during a course of anabolic steroids
Riboxin: indications for use
In clinical medicine, the drug is prescribed for the treatment of diseases of the liver, duodenum, stomach, and heart. It is often prescribed to patients with liver problems caused by prolonged alcohol consumption. The benefits of Riboxin are fully revealed after completing a course of anabolic steroids. It can also be taken in parallel with steroids.
Riboxin is recommended for people suffering from glaucoma. It improves the function of the optic nerve. For bodybuilders, this drug is a kind of prevention of complications associated with sprains. Some consider it the best among anabolic agents. Not everyone agrees with this opinion. However, comparisons are non-steroidal and non-hormonal drugs, Riboxin can be called “number one” for bodybuilders.
The peak of Riboxin's popularity occurred during the Soviet Union, when weightlifters actively used this drug. The effectiveness of the product has not been confirmed and interest in it has subsided. This is due to the fact that it can achieve truly significant results only when taken together with vitamins from group B, methyluracil, orotate, and glycerophosphate. This is relevant not only for those who use chemicals, but also for adherents of natural bodybuilding.
Having a lower cost, Riboxin can completely replace expensive creatine. The drug has only one side effect - individual intolerance, manifested as an allergic reaction. It is usually provoked by non-compliance with the recommended dosage.
Reviews from amateur athletes about Riboxin
Now let's look at the Internet noise that surrounds this pharmaceutical drug, which is quite widespread in bodybuilding.
Below are reviews from amateur athletes about Riboxin. We took them from one of the forums of a sports nutrition store to demonstrate the inconsistency. Grammatical and punctuation errors are deliberately retained to enhance the effect of disbelief in the authors' statements.
“I take Riboxin 2 tablets 3 times a day. Really working teacher.”
“I also take 2 rounds 3 times a day, after meals.
Z.Y. From my practice, I can say that it actually causes an increase in strength in dry skinned people. More powerful guys don’t have it or it’s less noticeable, but in any case it invigorates the heart.”
“Without Riboxin, after strength training, the heart ache. It’s not a fact that the heart is, but the fact is that it hurts regularly. After a week of taking Riboxin, the pain stops. That’s how it is for me.”
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YES!
“I spoke with a sports doctor (cardiologist). I was told that when taking a course (AS - anabolic steroids), it is not advisable to take Riboxin, but to start taking it after the end of the course.
Editorial: one of the side effects of anabolic steroids is damage to the heart muscle, or rather, its degeneration into connective tissue. Therefore, it is quite possible that Riboxin helps its recovery.
*The daily dose when taken orally for bodybuilding is 1.5 - 2.5 g. That’s 8-10 tablets.”
“Riboxin is a good product. In addition to the fact that it has an effect on positive processes in the heart, it also has an antitoxic effect on the liver, which is no less important when using oral juice.”
“Placebo is everything, guys! At one time I ate buckets of all these riboxin-asparkams and didn’t feel anything. The best riboxin is methane))”
“I take 5 tabs of reboxin before training. Significantly increases endurance. You work noticeably longer and get less tired. The effect is noticeable. You feel it especially during natural training.”
“Riboxin does not have an evidence base; there is such a thing as evidence-based medicine, which, unfortunately, is not officially acceptable in the CIS countries (such as Ukraine and Russia). Because it will cause damage to pharmaceutical companies producing holy water such as Riboxin, Mildronate, Essentiale, Mexidol and other bullshit. As our doctors say, where ryboksin helps, it will go away on its own, but if it doesn’t go away, ryboksin won’t help either))) Conduct an experiment with friends who take this crap. Give them some glucose or sodium chloride tablets instead of Ryboxin and look at the effect of them. Nothing works better than a placebo. In our veterinary medicine, many doctors have abandoned these pseudo-drugs, since placebos do not work with animals, only really effective drugs. There is nothing better than Omega 3 acids for the heart and the whole body. And it’s good for the heart to be supported by a sufficient load of carbohydrates and fluids during and after training.”
Explanations are unnecessary. There is a contradiction in the conclusions of scientists.
“Bratva” claims that with Riboxin “the heart hurts less” during a course of steroids, someone says that there is no effect or that it is purely individual.
The last statement of the community “expert” negates all the arguments of his colleagues, but does not stop trying to prove that he is right.
Reviews of amateur athletes about Riboxin contradict both each other and the opinion of scientists about the drug
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Analogs
Sports supplements occupy a fairly large niche in the pharmaceutical market. Many of them are quite expensive. Riboxin is the cheapest drug, which at the same time is almost perfectly tolerated. There are no analogues on the market in terms of structure and active substance; Riboxin itself is produced by many different manufacturing plants, ranging from Russian pharmaceutical companies to Belarusian ones.
Riboxin is available in sports supplement stores in powder form, which you can dose yourself, but it is impossible to purchase it in pharmacies in this form.
Riboxin or Mildronate
At some point, a person may wonder which is better - Riboxin or Mildronate. This is due to the fact that both drugs affect metabolism and have approximately similar indications for use and pharmacological effects. However, these two drugs differ significantly not only in price, but also in administration, both in frequency and duration.
It should be noted that the effectiveness of Mildronate is still slightly higher than that of Riboxin, however, it is most concentrated around supporting the heart and cardiac muscle. Whereas Riboxin has a more multidirectional effect, but requires a little more effort in following the correct dosage regimen.
It would also be worth noting the higher price of Mildronate, which is also important for many people.
Which of the two drugs to choose must be decided by each athlete individually, preferably by first visiting a doctor and finding out all the nuances of the condition of his body and the need for this or that support for it.
Riboxin or Panangin
These two drugs, unlike the previous pair, can be taken simultaneously, as they have different effects:
| Drug name | Action |
| Riboxin | Affects metabolic processes |
| Panangin | Has an effect on the heart muscle, saturating it with potassium ions |
Both drugs can be taken simultaneously, since both Riboxin and Panangin are taken three or four times a day, which makes the administration quite simple and does not require any special approach.
Prices for Riboxin analogues
Side effects of Riboxin (inosine)
In some people (primarily those who are hypersensitive to riboxin), taking it can lead to an increase in uric acid levels.
Uric acid is a byproduct of the metabolism of riboxin, and its increase can be accompanied by unpleasant pain symptoms such as gout, arthritis of the joints and fingers caused by the formation of uric acid crystals.
Long-term use of Riboxin can lead to side effects such as arthritis of the joints due to the formation of uric acid crystals in them
How to increase testosterone in men at home
Melatonin
The drug is one of the main male enhancement drugs. Every day we experience stress, frustration and conflict. Hence, the level of cortisol in the body increases. Cortisol is a stress hormone. The latter suppresses the development of the male hormone testosterone. Taking melatonin, a man will raise the testosterone level by up to 70%. And the best time to work out is at night, so you need to sleep soundly and fully. All athletes know that it is necessary to fully recover after heavy physical training. Sleep is one of the aspects of good rest. By taking melatonin, the body will recover faster, and testosterone levels will increase significantly. The average cost of the drug starts from 100 rubles, depending on the manufacturer and region.
Riboxin
Experienced athletes know that these pills were taken back in the USSR. This supplement is safe and perfectly promotes increased muscle fiber regeneration. Accelerates blood circulation through the vessels. How to increase testosterone - Riboxin will help you with this. The schedule for taking the drug is about 3 weeks, during which the amplitude of contractions of the main cardiac muscle increases. Blood rushes through the veins so quickly, delivering the beneficial components necessary for the body. Even into hard-to-reach corners of the human body. The consequences of taking Riboxin are a significant increase in libido, which will make you more attracted to the opposite sex. In cases of burning subcutaneous fat, it will help a man, by accelerating metabolism, to quickly break down food. The cost of the pharmaceutical drug for men seeking testosterone is about 80 rubles.
Eleutherococcus tincture
The tincture has established itself as an adaptogen, allowing the muscles of the body to adapt to physical activity. The drug strengthens the nervous system and reduces cortisol levels. Completely kills depression, stress improves performance in the gym during training programs. You can purchase the tincture at a pharmacy, spending no more than 100 rubles.
Rhodiola rosea (golden root)
Cost 140-150 rubles. Since ancient times, it was believed that golden root gives a person enormous strength and strengthens the spirit and body. Accordingly, it has an excellent effect on male potency and increases testosterone levels. During the times of the Union, dietary supplements were given to people engaged in heavy physical work. The golden root helped builders and miners recover quickly. Rhodiola rosea contains organic acids (flavonoids, gossypetin, phenol), which help the body quickly return to normal. How to increase testosterone in men, you just need to take the drug at home as recommended.
When exercising with a barbell and dumbbells, the muscles receive significant stress. Taking the tincture orally helps calm the nervous system and relax muscle fibers. For example, after a training day, muscle soreness appears, and pink pain helps relieve pain, which makes it possible to prepare muscle groups for new loads in the next workout without consequences in the form of injuries. And you can forget about the question of how to increase testosterone in men and continue to pump up your body. You can buy it for a small amount of 150 rubles.
How to take Riboxin: instructions for NOT use
Due to the fact that there is no evidence of the effectiveness of Riboxin in sports, and moreover, there is a possibility of its negative impact on sports performance when taken for a long time and the appearance of some negative side effects, scientists do not recommend taking Riboxin to athletes .
If you really want it, then a dose of 5-6 g per day for several weeks is considered safe.
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Riboxin is not recommended for use in sports and bodybuilding; a dose of 5-6 grams per day is considered safe; It is not recommended to take it for a long time
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Reviews
Most reviews from athletes about Riboxin are positive. It successfully performs all the functions assigned to it, and its low cost allows you to maintain the course without any problems.
- Igor, 32 years old. The effect of Riboxin quickly becomes noticeable, the effect is almost immediate after the first or second dose. I have been taking the drug regularly for 3 years with breaks between competitions.
- Anton, 23 years old. The effect is slightly less than expected. There are no side effects, but the effect is only present when I take it. 2 days after stopping, withdrawal is immediately noticeable.
- Renat, 35 years old. These pills are closer to a placebo and do not have any serious effect. And given the fact that they can negatively affect the overall health, especially after discontinuation of use, when recovery is necessary, I would not recommend the drug.
Doctors speak positively about Riboxin and recommend it as an additional drug in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases or any pathologies associated with increased stress on the body.
Should I accept it or not?
Riboxin, despite studies denying its effectiveness in sports, is still used by athletes in many countries. On sports forums, this drug is one of the most discussed among non-steroidal drugs. Moreover, a large number of people leave positive reviews about the effect of inosine on the body, especially on the heart muscle.
In any case, if you decide to take this drug, be sure to consult a specialist!
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Riboxin and lipoic acid for male infertility
Reproductive dysfunction in men is as common as in women. Thus, according to statistics, about 30-50% of cases of infertility in a married couple are the result of impaired spermatogenesis and low sperm quality.
For many years, this problem was solved with the help of hormonal agents (testosterone, gonadotropins, etc.). However, this practice caused negative consequences, the most severe of which were hormonal imbalance and hypertrophy, hyperplasia of the prostate, as well as the gonads.
Today, impaired fertility is eliminated in a completely different way. Riboxin and lipoic acid for male infertility give simply stunning results. As the results of the experiment showed, absolutely all men who tried the new treatment regimen experienced an improvement in sperm quality to a greater or lesser extent.
It is important to note that the medications used for therapy do not disrupt the functioning of internal organs and systems and do not have a toxic effect on the body.
Influence
The combination of Riboxin and lipoic acid is used to improve sperm quality in men (to increase the number of gametes in the ejaculate, enhance their activity, increase the percentage of normal forms of sperm in semen). This technique can be used as the main one or combined with other treatment methods. Quite often, this method is used before intrauterine insemination and the IVF procedure.
To achieve good results, a man is administered Riboxin in an amount of 0.6-1.2 g/day and lipoic acid in an amount of 0.05-1.50 g/day.
The advantage of this method of therapy is that it gives good results in a fairly short time. Thus, in most patients, gamete motility increases already 8-30 days from the start of treatment. At the same time, the maximum effect can be seen only after the complete completion of spermatogenesis. And this is approximately 70 days.
The high effectiveness of treatment is due to the beneficial properties of the drugs used.
Riboxin
Riboxin is a medicinal product that has a beneficial effect on metabolic processes and energy supply to body tissues. Its active ingredient is inosine. After consuming the product, oxygen starvation of tissues decreases, heart function normalizes, blood circulation increases and the energy balance of the myocardium increases.
Riboxin promotes blood thinning, participates in glucose metabolism and prevents the development of thrombosis, and has a vasodilating effect. It accelerates the process of restoration of damaged tissues and strengthens the body's defenses.
In its pure form, Riboxin looks like a white powder with a slight yellowish tint, which has no aroma and has a bitter taste. Riboxin is insoluble in water and poorly soluble in alcohol.
Lipoic acid
Lipoic acid is a therapeutic agent that belongs to the group of vitamin-like substances.
It is an endogenous antioxidant whose function is to bind reactive radicals formed during metabolism or during the breakdown of substances foreign to the body. In addition, lipoic acid acts as a coenzyme in the transformation of substances with pronounced antioxidant properties.
Lipoic acid helps accelerate cholesterol metabolism, normalizes the trophism of nerve cells, helps reduce the amount of sugar in the blood and eliminate insulin resistance. This substance also increases glycogen levels in the liver.
Lipoic acid helps reduce the amount of fat in the body, restores liver tissue and improves the functioning of this organ.
The drug is available in tablet form and as an injection. Experts recommend using the latter, as it is somewhat more effective and much less likely to cause side effects.
