Buying ZMA?

I've read a number of posts suggesting that it's a pretty important supplement to have when training seriously, and as I get more serious with my training, I'm looking to purchase some.

I'm working on a budget here, but wonder if anyone, particularly in the UK, can offer some advice on what to buy?

Here's a few I found with a quick Google search, if anyone's familiar with any/can rate them, it'd be appreciated.

MET-Rx ZMA Capsules

XMP ZMA Anabolic Formula Capsules

ZMA Anabolic Support Formula

Body Fortress ZMA Support Formula

MyProtein Trademarked ZMA®

Bulk Supplements Direct ZMA® Extra Strength 750mg

Reflex Nutrition ZMA Zinc Matrix 90 Caps

ISS Research ZMA 90 Capsules

Sci MX ZMA+ Hardcore 120 Caps

Sci Mentor ZMA 60 Caps

Pro Lab Prozma - 90 Caps

Optimum Nutrition Zma 90-Caps

Boditronics ZMA 60 tabs

Bio Test Zma - 90 Capsules

As always, any thoughts, even loosely related or entirely opinion are welcomed and accepted.

If this isn't spam: ZMA is junk. I have had the exact same success (subjective, based on sleep quality) from generic drug store magnesium pills. You can get 100 for $3 and take 2 before bed.

Be careful though, magnesium is a laxative.

TO add to this, I don't know if anyone else has done this but I actually BUY the magnesium citrate laxative suspension from kroger. You have to take like 5-10g of magnesium at one time to get the laxative effect, so I just take 500-600mg a few times a day and it definitely helps without doing the whole laxative thing. It's one dollar for a bottle, and each bottle has something like 20g of magnesium. I do not know if this is cheaper than the other magnesium mentioned, though I believe that the citrate is more absorb-able. Keep that in mind: magnesium oxide is not very well absorbed, use something else if you can. If you can't, oxide it is.

It's actually interesting that Scotty Hagnas, Ido and Poliquin all recommend chelated magnesium while Robb Wolf in his book recommended magnesium citrate due to the best absorption. What does people here think?

No not spam. All the links are just to items in my price range, I just wanted opinions.

phrak, you say that, but then I was taking generic drug store magnesium (Note to self: Stop buying from Holland & Barret) back during term time, and didn't find it did that much. Obviously I'd need to, like you, take both to compare, so right now I'm still not deterred.

slizzardman, umm.. Thanks? Hahah I have to admit I've no idea why you mention the laxative thing, perhaps I need to read up more and it's just my ignorance showing?

Just my experience but I tried ZMA at one point and didn't notice any benefit from it.

Slizz mentions it because Mg Citrate is the active ingredient in laxatives! Its dependent on dose, if you take enough its a laxative.

That's why if you take allot of Mg Citrate you get the runs!

Man Razz i wish i had the answer to your question i've heard too many conflicting reports to know. I did attempt to order some of Poliquin's special Uber Mag, but the 24€ shipping for a bottle put me off!

Sorry! Mr. Brady covered me on the explanation!

Razz, that's a good question. My understanding is that TRUE chelates are the best absorbed by quite a bit, but every mineral is different. The citrate form of magnesium is kind of neat because citric acid is a direct energy system intermediate, meaning it will provide energy for the body. I don't know if Robb's preference has anything to do with finding something of a happy medium where you have affordability with good absorption or if there is another reason for his preference there.

Hmm I will scan Robbs book for sources and report back.

Danny boy, from the websites I'm assuming that you're in the UK. I'd go to natures best(web) for some reasonably priced zinc and magnesium citrate (separately).

Edit: of course you're in the UK, you said so! :roll: