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L-Alanine - Used as body fuel by tissues of the brain, nervous system and muscles. Important in converting energy to stored energy in the body's Kreb's energy cycle. Important nitrogen quality for post-injury states. Builds up the immune system producing immunoglobulins and antibodies. Metabolizes sugars and organic acids. L-Arginine - Indispensable of optimum growth. Stimulates the release of growth hormone, important to muscle metabolism; acts as a vehicle for transport, storage and excretion of nitrogen. Increases muscle mass while decreasing the amount of body fat. Plays an important role in post-injury problems such as weight changes, nitrogen balance and tissue healing. Increases collagen, the main supportive fibrous protein found in bone, cartilage and other connective tissue. Stimulates the immune system. Combats physical and mental fatigue. Increases spermatogenesis. Used in the treatment of hepatic (liver) disorders. Transforms to L-Ornithine and Urea. Promotes the detoxification of ammonia which is poisonous to living cells.L-Aspartic Acid - Increases resistance to fatigue. Involved in the formation of RNA and DNA, the chemical base of hereditary and carries of genetic information. Salts of Aspartic acid increase stamina and endurance. Protects the liver and promotes normal cell function. Builds up the immune system producing immunoglobulin and antiglobulin.
L-Citrulline - Helps recovery from fatigue. Stimulates the immune system, therefore, is beneficial in the presence of any illness, disease, traumatic injury or wound. Metabolizes to L-Arginine. Detoxifies ammonia which is poisonous to living cells.
L-Cysteine - Found to increase hair growth by as much as 100%, effective in preventing not only hangovers, but also brain and liver damage from alcohol. Helps prevent damage from the ill effects of cigarette smoke. Detoxifies many harmful chemicals. Helpful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Promotes healing and the immune system.
L-Cystine - Essential for the formation for skin and hair. Promotes recovery from surgical operations and burns. Used in the treatment of respiratory disorders such as chronic bronchitis. Stimulates white blood cell activity in the immune systems necessary for the resistance to disease.
L-Glutamic Acid - Especially important in brain metabolism. Function as a brain fuel, serving as an excitatory neurotransmitter. Transports potassium across the blood brain barrier. Combines to form L-Glutamine and in the process picks up ammonia radicals. This is the only method the brain has of detoxifying ammonia. Instrumental in the metabolism of other amino acids. Metabolizes sugars and fats. Increases the blood sugar level; used in the treatment of hypoglycemia.
L-Glutamine - Sustains mental ability involved with brain metabolism. Along with L-Glutamic acid is used as a brain fuel. Used in the treatment of alcoholism, can protect against alcohol poisoning. Has been used in the treatment of schizophrenia and senility.
L-Histidine - Used in the treatment of allergic diseases. Also used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Effective in the treatment of ulcers of the digestive organs. Important in the production of red and white blood cells; i.e. treatment of anemia.
L-Isoleucine - Primarily metabolized in muscle tissue. Essential to the formation of hemoglobin. Should always be in well balanced proportion with L-Leucine and L-Valine.
L-Leucine - Metabolized in muscle tissue. Promotes healing of skin and broken bones. Lowers elevated blood sugar levels. Should always be in well balanced proportion with L-Valine and Isoleucine.
L-Lysine - Inhibits the growth of viruses. Used in the treatment of Herpes Simplex virus. Produces L-Carnitine which improves stress tolerance and fat metabolism and has an antifatigue effect. Promotes bone growth by helping to form collagen, the fibrous protein which makes up bone, cartilage and other connective tissue.
L-Methionine - Lipotropic (preventing excessive fat buildup in the liver). Helps prevent premature hair loss. Interacts with other body substances to detoxify harmful compounds. Is included in nutritional supplementation as an antifatigue agent.
L-Ornithine - Stimulates the release of growth hormone which increases muscle mass while decreasing the amount of body fat. Helps build up the immune system. Promotes liver function and regeneration. Important in the formation of Urea, detoxifying ammonia which is poisonous to living cells. Promotes healing.
L-Phenylalanine - Produces and maintains an elevated and positive mood, alertness and ambition. Enhances learning and memory, produces neurotransmitters which control impulse transmission between nerve cells. Is involved in dopamine transmission. Used in the treatment of certain types of depression. Suppresses appetite.
L-Proline - Extremely important for the proper function of joints and tendons, as well as good heart muscles. Glycogenic (energy storage source of glucose by the liver and muscles) a major constituent of collagen, the main fibrous protein found in bone, cartilage and other tissues.
L-Serine - Glycogenic (energy storage source of glucose by the liver and muscles). Builds up the immune system, producing immunoglobulins and antibodies.
L-Threonine - Lipotropic (preventing fatty buildup in the liver). Glycogenic (energy storage source of glucose by the liver and muscles) essential to normal growth. Generally low in vegetarian diets. Builds up the immune system producing immunoglobulin and antibodies. Is an important constitute of collagen and elastin proteins.
L-Tryptophan - Used by the brain to produce the neurotransmitter Serotin which results in a calming effect. Used in the treatment of insomnia, stress, anxiety and depression. Stimulates the release of growth hormone which burns body fat and acts as an aid in weight control. Used in the treatment of migraines.
L-Tyrosine - Plays an important role in the function of the adrenal, pituitary and thyroid glands. Generates red and white blood cells. Elevates mood. Is used in the treatment of anxiety, depression and insomnia. Produces melanin, the skin and hair pigment. Produces Norepinephrine, an appetite inhibitory neurotransmitter that suppresses appetite. Stimulates the release of growth hormone which causes muscle growth and reduces body fat.
L-Valine - Glycogenic (energy storage source of glucose by the liver and the muscles) metabolized in muscle. Should always be in well balanced proportion with L-Leucine and L-Isoleucine.
Lactic Acid - The by-product of the anaerobic breakdown of glucose in the muscle.
Larry Scott - The first IFBB Mr. Olympia 1965 and 1966.
Lats - Abbreviation for latissimus dorsi, the large muscles of the back that move the arms downward, backward and in internal rotation.
Law Of Nature - Use it or lose it.
Layoff - Most intelligent bodybuilders take a one- or two- week layoff from bodybuilding training from time to time, during which they totally avoid the gym. A layoff after a period of intense precompetition preparation is particularly beneficial as a means of allowing the body fully heal any injuries that might have cropped up during the peaking cycle.
LDL - This stands for "low-density lipoprotein" and is a subcategory of choles-terol, typically thought of as the "bad" cholesterol. Levels of LDL cholesterol can be elevated by ingestion of saturated fats and a lack of exercise.
Lean Body Mass - Everything in the body except fat, including bone, organs, skin, nails and all body tissue including muscle. Approximately 50-60% of lean body mass is water.
Lee Haney - TotaLee Awesome bodybuilder 8 time Mr Olympia.
Lee Labrada - Bodybuilder and founder of Labrada Nutrition Supplements.
Lecithin - A phospholipid containing glycerol, fatty acids, phosphoric acid and choline. Serves as a structural material to every cell in the body. Important to the brain and nerves.
Lenda Murray - 8 time Ms Olympia.
Lift Off - Assistance in getting weight to proper starting position.
Ligament - Strong, fibrous band of connecting tissue connecting 2 or more bones or cartilages or supporting a muscle, fascia or organ.
Linoleic acid - An essential fatty acid and, more specifically, an omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid. Good sources of this fatty acid are safflower oil and soybean oil.
Linolenic acid - An essential fatty acid and, more precise an omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acid. It is found in high concentrations in flaxseed oil.
Lipotropic - Applies to substances essential for fat metabolism, promoting the physiologic utilization of fat.
Lisa Lyon - The first female bodybuilder.
Lock Out - Partial repetition of an exercise by pushing the weight through only last few inches of movement.
Lou Ferrigno - Bodybuilder and star of The Hulk TV show.
Lower Abs - Abbreviation for abdominal muscles below the navel. Max- Maximum effort for one repetition of an exercise.
Lycopene Carotenoid - A phytochemical found in natural fruits and vegetables.
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