L-Citrulline is an amino acid that has an important role in the Urea cycle. For those that may not know, the Urea cycle converts high levels of ammonia into urea, a byproduct that’s eliminated from the body. Your workout elevates ammonia which among other things increases muscular fatigue. It also blunts ATP production, which is the energy source used by your muscles when you train. L-citrulline supports muscular energy by helping the body get rid of excess ammonia.

But it does much more than that. Once in the body, citrulline converts into the amino acid l-arginine, which converts into nitric oxide. Once this happens, nitric oxide relaxes blood vessels, allowing greater blood flow to your muscles, and creating extreme muscle cell volume - in other words, the pump.

Why not just take arginine? Because arginine does not absorb as well as citrulline, which bypasses digestion and goes right to the bloodstream. That means that citrulline does a better job of increasing arginine levels in the body than arginine.⁽¹⁾

If that wasn’t enough, there’s more. It increases nutrient & oxygen delivery to your muscles. This improves exercise performance and between-set recovery.^(2,3)

Glycerol is a sugar alcohol that acts as an intermediate in fat and carbohydrate metabolism. It also increases the total water volume in the body. This does several things. First, it promotes extreme muscle cell volume, or what’s commonly called water-based pumps. It also hydrates your muscles and promotes greater training endurance. 

GlycerSize™ is a trademarked ingredient that was formerly known as GlycerPump™. It’s a branded type of glycerol powder that yields 65% glycerol and is more stable than regular glycerol. One thing that sets GlycerSize™ apart is the method of spray-drying which helps create this stability. It also does not clump when mixed with water like regular glycerol can.^(4,5)

Many people might think of energy drinks when they see this ingredient. So, what is taurine and what does it do for you? It’s a type of amino acid that’s found in high concentrations in the muscles. It’s also found in the heart, brain, and eyes. Taurine has several benefits, including supporting the central nervous system, promoting enhanced cognitive function, and regulating the actions of electrolyte minerals in the body. Similar to glycerol, it also pulls water into the muscles, making it important for hydration and increased muscle cell volume (or, water-based pumps).^(6,7)

Caffeine needs no introduction as it is easily the most popular energy compound on the planet. Of course, caffeine increases energy, alertness, focus, and concentration. It also supports fat metabolism and supports exercise performance. While there are synthetic versions, caffeine is a naturally occurring compound. You can be sure that we use only natural caffeine in Code Red Series PRE.^(8,9)

Also known as Alpha-Glyceryl Phosphoryl Choline, this ingredient is a type of fat that contains naturally high amounts of B vitamin choline. As part of the B-vitamin complex, choline helps maintain cell membranes. More importantly, it’s used to make the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, commonly called the “learning” neurotransmitter. Acetylcholine has a primary role in regulating brain function and muscle control.

What else does Alpha-GPC do? It helps enhance memory, acts as a neuroprotectant, and supports overall cognitive function. So why Alpha-GPC over standard choline? Simple, better absorption. Alpha GPC is water soluble and can cross the blood-brain barrier, absorbing quickly. The blood-brain barrier is a tightly controlled cellular barrier that protects the brain. Only some gasses, fat-soluble molecules, and small molecules can pass through.^(10,11)

Here’s an amino acid with an important role in the manufacture of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine plays a key role in the brain’s reward system. That’s a group of brain processes that control desire, motivation, and cravings. Also, it’s involved in the manufacture of the neurotransmitters epinephrine and norepinephrine. Both of these are considered both a hormone and a neurotransmitter. Norepinephrine helps the body and the brain prepare for action. This is the “fight or flight” response. Plus, norepinephrine increases alertness, elevates attention, and enhances memory.^(12,13)

This ingredient enhances focus and indirectly increases levels of acetylcholine. Huperzine A does this by blocking an enzyme known as acetylcholinesterase, which controls the breakdown of acetylcholine. By blocking this enzyme, more acetylcholine is available for focus enhancement.⁽¹⁴⁾