Olympus Labs Ar1macare Pro: The On-Cycle Protection You’re Missing

Olympus Labs has been on an absolute tear in 2018, hitting us with a ton of new stuff, including a pre-workout (I Am Suprem3 Black Magic), two fat burners (BloodShr3d Black Magic and IGNIT3), and two versions of a cereal-filled protein powder (Superior Protein).

Don’t forget the on cycle support! The Olympus Labs Ar1macare Pro new formula brings overall organ health to our hardcore friends

But now it’s time to talk about more “hardcore” matters. They didn’t stop at the above supplements, as they released Luteolin-based Elim1nate estrogen controller, and took that ingredient to upgrade the Sup3r PCT post cycle therapy support supplement.

So we’ve got many bases covered, but what about on cycle therapy? While Olympus Labs has improved the other “aggressively-minded” products above, there was still room for improvement in Ar1macare Pro, their all-encompassing on-cycle therapy support supplement.

Not just about PCT — Take care of yourself when on cycle too

While “on-cycle,” you’re feeding your body exogenous hormones and (should be) packing on more mass. These excess hormones shock the body, which is used to a given level of testosterone and hormones unique for each person. It throws the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis or HTPA axis) out of whack, and also puts additional stress on the liver, kidneys, and cardiovascular system. Is there anything natural you can do to keep your body running as smoothly as possible?

We all know that post-cycle therapy is needed for guys coming off an anabolic cycle (hence Sup3r PCT discussed above, alongside your prescription options). So while you probably have a plan for post-cycle, it’s important not to forget about on-cycle support! You need to make sure your body is as prepared as possible for the pain and gains you bring, and Olympus Labs has got you taken care of. They’ve reformulated Ar1macare Pro to give you the protection you need.

Before getting into just how the newest formulation will help keep your health in check, be sure to sign up for all Olympus Labs alerts and check out PricePlow’s price comparison for the best deals:

Note: The blog post below discusses the new formula released in November of 2018. Look for the 240 capsule product containing the ingredient Luteolin.

Ar1macare Pro Ingredients (New Formula)

The following ingredients come in all eight capsules, but per the instructions below, should be split into two four-capsule doses taken twice per day.

• N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine – 750mg

  

  Unsurprisingly, the new formula of Olympus Labs’ Ar1macare Pro includes luteolin, which they’ve been using a lot recently!

  Coming in at the highest dosage on the label, we’re not surprised to see a hefty dose of N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine here. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a precursor of the amino acid cysteine,^[1] and is known to promote healthy cellular environments.^[2] It’s incredibly influential in maintaining healthy liver function,^[1] something that can be an issue while “on-cycle.”

  NAC is all about helping you generate more glutathione, which is the powerhouse antioxidant in your body. Too much abuse on the liver depletes glutathione stores, and in order to generate more, you need cysteine, hence the NAC. (You can’t supplement glutathione itself because it’s not bioavailable, so NAC is the “backdoor” way to get more.)

  In 2018, Egyptian researchers studied the relationship between n-acetylcysteine and liver damage in rats. They first found that acetaminophen (Tylenol) can induce liver damage at therapeutic doses. They then saw that NAC was influential in reducing the damage done on toxin-induced livers.^[1] These scientists suggest the same effect would occur in humans, due to the similarities at the biochemical and histological levels.^[1] Therefore, n-acetylcysteine could be used to treat/avoid liver damage, defending the liver from any toxins from common drugs.

  There’s another bonus too, as research published in 2004 stated that NAC might help increase endurance in trained athletes.^[3] We’ll take a little bump in endurance with our liver support, please!

  Dosage depends on concentration, but since we’re getting pure N-acetyl-L-cysteine here, 750mg is what we like to see and way more than average in cycle support supplements!

• Milk Thistle Extract (Silybum marianum) [Seed] – 600mg

  

  The general process of the HPTA (Hypothalamic Pituitary Testicular Axis). This connection between endocrine glands controls testosterone production. We need to protect it, and then some. Image Courtesy Sterodal

  Milk thistle extract has a long history of being one of nature’s true medicinal powerhouses. Silymarin, the extract of milk thistle seeds, is where most of the magic lies.^[4] It’s been historically used to treat liver issues, and due to relevant research, its popularity has only grown in recent memory.

  Milk thistle has been shown in research to be effective in treating alcohol-induced liver damage.^[5] In addition, it may even enhance protein and DNA synthesis within the organ, effectively helping it self-heal.^[5]

  According to the University of Michigan, a daily dose of 420mg to 600mg of milk thistle should be sufficient for liver support.^[6] Ar1macare Pro gives you a dose at the top of this range, giving you even more liver support! With the NAC / milk thistle combination, we have a fantastic start to supporting liver health – and one more powerhouse ingredient on the way. But next, it’s time to get the cardiovascular system situated:

• Beet (Beta vulgaris) [Root] Extract – 600mg

  We love seeing beet root extract on this label, as the ingredient brings some great benefits to the table. Scientists have found that the concentration of nitrates and secondary metabolites within beta vulgaris are what’s beneficial, and in conducting research, they’ve found many different uses.

  Primarily, beetroot extract is used to treat hypertension.^[7] Research has validated its use controlling blood pressure in healthy individuals with high-blood pressure time and time again. A study published in 2012 demonstratively stated that the nitrates in beetroot will lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases in healthy adults.^[8] To make a bold statement like that, you better make sure you’re right. As the research has shown, they are!

  

  Beetroot brings a slew of benefits, most related to its vasodilation properties that lead to increased blood flow and lower blood pressure^[7]

  While being on this label primarily for its blood-pressure reducing ability, beetroot extract doesn’t just stop there! It also has been shown to increase endurance performance in both low-intensity and high-intensity exercise!^[9]

  While on-cycle, you’re pumping yourself full of testosterone (or other potential hormones), which can indirectly raise your blood pressure. Ar1macare Pro is strategically sending out beetroot extract as the first line of defense, and at 600mg of pure extract, they’re not holding back!

• Grape (Vitis vinifera) [Seed] (Standardized to 95% Proanthocyanidins) – 600mg

  Grape seeds are often neglected, commonly seen as the unwanted residue left after making wine or jelly. Well, not in this industry — these seeds are packed with nutrition that shouldn’t go unused!

  The magic’s in the proanthocyanidins

  Within these seeds, and the seeds of most plants, lie valuable phenolic compounds. A specific group of them, called proanthocyanidins, have been cited to have various beneficial uses. Research has found high antioxidant content,^[10] and you can never have too many of those! Those same scientists also saw some anti-disease potential, as well as anti-inflammatory properties.^[10]

  

  Not only is grape seed extract extremely effective for increasing nitric oxide, it’s also beneficial for combatting reactive oxygen species (ROS).

  While those benefits are all great, there’s one real reason this stuff’s in this formula – estrogen control. As the body produces a ton of testosterone, it tries to balance itself out by turning some of it into estrogen. While “on-cycle,” that’s the last thing you want! Thus, Olympus Labs is using these proanthocyanidins to keep that from happening. These phenolic compounds have been shown to be “potent inhibitors of aromatase,”^[11] which is the enzyme that turns androgen into estrogen.

  The proanthocyanidins from grape seeds fit perfectly with what this product is meant to do. Ar1macare Pro is supposed to keep you anabolic while also keeping the rest of your body in check. That’s precisely what these do – and more estrogen control ingredients are still to follow.

• Aged Garlic (Allium sativum) [Bulb] Extract – 500mg

  Getting back to our cardiovascular health, garlic has been a spice used in cooking across the world for centuries. It’s somewhat divisive, as those who don’t like garlic usually say its smell is too overwhelming. Unfortunately for them, they’re missing out on the massive number of health benefits it offers. And luckily, with aged garlic extract in Ar1macare Pro, you get all of the benefits with none of the smell – a win-win!

  

  Olympus Labs Ar1macare Pro New Formula Benefits

  Multiple studies have shown that aged garlic extract is effective in fighting atherosclerosis, which is (arguably) the blockage of arteries due to a buildup of inflammation and possibly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.^[12] One particular study saw a significant reduction in inflammation, in addition to suppression of atherosclerosis, in mice.^[12] But, garlic extract still has more to offer.

  Another study saw that aged garlic extract significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure,^[13] showing potential in hypertension treatment. And yet another study identified key antioxidant properties within garlic.^[14]

  Staying in the theme of this product, aged garlic extract continues the trend of antioxidant/blood pressure treatment. If nothing else, those of you who don’t eat garlic on a daily basis may want to start supplementing!

• Mucuna pruriens [Seed] (Standardized to Minimum 98% L-Dopa) – 300mg

  At the same dosage Olympus Labs uses in their Sup3r PCT supplement, Mucuna pruriens is a crucial ingredient here. It yields levodopa, which helps lower prolactin levels in the body.^[15] Prolactin suppresses testosterone levels, which is counterproductive for someone on-cycle. Keeping testosterone high is the primary goal here, and L-dopa helps you do just that.

  Another study, albeit conducted on individuals with a neurological disorder, showed that L-dopa reduced cortisol levels.^[16] The researchers used this result as a basis to suggest similar results in all subjects, which is encouraging.

  We’d like to see more than 300mg here, as the ideal dose is a bit higher, but we have to be reasonable with the space constraints and are more preferential to the above and below ingredients anyway. Either way, we’re confident you’ll see some benefit from this dosage.

• TUDCA (Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid) – 200mg

  NAC and Milk Thistle have one more liver-supporting companion, and it’s likely the most powerful one of the bunch!

  

  TUDCA isn’t just for your liver, it also combats apoptosis, a.k.a. cell death.

  Tauroursodeoxycholic acid is composed of taurine with ursodeoxycholic acid, and it has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. Don’t be scared, but the UDCA actual comes from liver bile, and this is why it works so well! TUDCA has actually been certified by the FDA for treatment of liver diseases.^[17] It’s also been demonstrated to be a strong inhibitor of apoptosis and can help fight different neurodegenerative diseases.^[17]

  Particularly, it’s widely known as an inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. This property is important because ER stress is commonly caused by hyperandrogenism. In other words, high levels of androgen, like those you get while on cycle, stress out your cells. Using TUDCA can help offer relief to your cells, in turn helping prevent apoptosis.^[18]

• Celery (Apium graveolens) [Seed] 10:1 Extract – 200mg

  Apium graveolens extract, similarly to the other plant extracts in this formula, has many different uses. Primarily, it’s a fantastic source of antioxidants.^[19] On top of ridding the body of free radicals, it shows anti-inflammatory activity as well.^[20] Research has also shown potential in treating atherosclerosis, hepatosis, and infertility.^[21-23]

• Pine Bark Extract – 200mg & Pine (Pinus massoniana) [Bark] (Standardized to 95% Proanthocyanidins) – 100mg

  Olympus Labs actually lists pine bark on this label twice. While we’re not entirely sure why, we assume that it has to do with the specific standardizations used in each listing. While one ingredient is pure pine bark extract, the other explicitly states its proanthocyanidins concentration. This wasn’t done by accident, as the differentiating terms highlight the different perks.

  Pine bark – the blood-flow enhancer

  Pine bark extract is most commonly used to increase blood flow.^[24] By acting as a nitric oxide booster, it helps open blood vessels and shuttle blood cells throughout the body.^[24] Because of this effect, it’s known as a vasodilator, and like the beetroot extract, it then helps lower blood pressure in individuals with hypertension.^[24] With increased blood flow comes more efficient nutrient delivery. This means that blood cells will carry other essential nutrients, such as the rest of Ar1macare Pro’s label, throughout the body faster!

  Thanks to the “nitric oxide pump” from this, grape seed extract, and beetroot extract, you’ll probably have better workouts with Ar1macare Pro too!

  Pine bark – the antioxidant

  

  This image is referenced by a study showing the competition of prolactin release and dopamine. More dopamine = less prolactin, so let’s use levodopa (above) to keep it higher

  Like the aforementioned grape seed, the proanthocyanidins in pine bark extract may help inhibit aromatase.^[25] These proanthocyanidins work exactly the same as those from grape seeds, effectively double-teaming aromatase enzymes. It also acts as an exceptional antioxidant and shows promise in preventing metabolic disease.^[26]

  While the multiple listing of pine bark is at first peculiar, we understand why Olympus Labs did it. They used two different specific derivatives of pine bark for two different reasons and used the label to highlight it. Smart move!

• Elimistane (Luteolin) [from orange extract {fruit}] – 150mg

  First introduced to us in Olympus Labs’ Elim1nate, Elimistane is a concentration of luteolin, a flavonoid found in many different fruits and vegetables. Research has found that luteolin may help inhibit aromatase in the body, minimizing the production of estrogen in the body.^[27] Working in tandem with proanthocyanidins, luteolin will keep you anabolic… but that’s not all it can do!

  Controls cholesterol

  Researchers have also seen potential in the use of luteolin to help treat atherosclerosis. In treating mice with hardened arteries, they found that the luteolin decreased LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.^[28] Another ingredient that aids heart health… no complaints there!

  Helps with weight loss?

  

  We also recently covered the estrogen-controlling Elim1nate, which has only two ingredients and may stack very well for dieters to keep cortisol even lower!

  On top of that, other research has found that luteolin may be useful in treating obesity.^[29] Through decreasing lipogenesis (the creation of fat), while simultaneously increasing fat oxidation, luteolin noticeably fought weight gain in diet-induced mice.^[29] These researchers also see potential in preventing other health risks that come with obesity, such as hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, and inflammation.^[29] All of this essentially says that luteolin may be a valuable tool in weight loss.

  If we’ve learned nothing else from Olympus Labs the past few months, it’s that luteolin flew way under the radar and that anyone curious about fighting estrogen needs to look into it!

• Picrorhiza kurroa [Root] Extract – 150mg

  Kutaki root, known as picrorhiza kurroa, is a herb abundant in the Himalayas. Its reputation in herbal medicine has brought it over to the U.S., where scientists have studied its abilities.

  While anecdotal auxiliary benefits have been noted, there’s really only one claim that science has been able to verify. Picrorhiza kurroa is mostly used to treat hepatitis and in hepatoprotection.^[30] Specifically, it has shown promise in protection against fatty liver disease, as one study on mice stated.^[31] This protection may extend to other organs, such as the intestines or kidneys, but more human research is needed.

  At 150mg, Olympus Labs is packing their product with the standard for the average 180lb guy. With such a long history of uses, some of which that science has demonstrated, we’re happy to get such a high dose of this stuff!

  Important to note that fatty liver disease doesn’t just happen to alcoholics. This is something worth looking into for even overweight individuals.

• Oryza sativa [Bran] (Standardized to Policosanol 98%) – 20mg

  Bran… in an on-cycle supplement? You’re absolutely right! While a seemingly odd inclusion, Oryza sativa is used here for its high concentration of policosanols. These mainly serve as another combatant of atherosclerosis.^[32]

  

  What’s your story? It looks like Olympus Labs is going to be refreshing their message, focusing on you.

  Although higher doses, such as 40mg, have shown better results, even just 20mg has produced benefit. Plus, don’t forget that you’re attacking high cholesterol with so many other ingredients in this formula, effectively teaming up with these policosanols!

• BioPerineⓇ Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) [Fruit] (Standardized to 95% Piperine) – 5mg

  BioPerineⓇ is a trademarked concentration of black pepper extract. We love seeing this stuff in almost any supplement, as 5mg of piperine has shown to enhance absorption of certain ingredients. If you’re hoping to maximize everything else in Ar1macare Pro, this seemingly small inclusion is a “why not?” kind of ingredient that could help with the uptake on some of the herbal ingredients.

Dosage Instructions

Take four capsules twice daily (generally on opposite ends of the day 12 hours apart, if possible).

Due to all of the heart-healthy nitric oxide boosters inside, it makes sense to try to take one of these doses pre workout, although the label doesn’t specify that.

Don’t forget the On Cycle Therapy, remember the Ar1macare Pro

The full Olympus Labs Ar1macare Pro New Formula Label

On-cycle support mostly goes unnoticed. Most guys, whether using testosterone boosters or the “more aggressive” stuff, know that they’ll need some post-cycle therapy once coming off-cycle. But, most guys don’t pay attention to what could potentially happen while on cycle, and that’s a big mistake! Why wait until afterwards to start fighting some of the negative hepatic and cardiovascular effects?!

With your on cycle support now covered, next you’ll need to check into some PCT support with Sup3r PCT.

Ar1macare Pro is a supplement ready to maintain your general health while on-cycle, and dare we say anytime. When you raise androgen levels in the body, your body’s organs are thrown into overdrive. They may assume something’s “wrong” as the axis gets out of tilt, and may deplete the important antioxidants in an effort to reach homeostasis. A serious cycle can cause your body to do things like raise cortisol levels, convert testosterone into estrogen, and incubate free radicals. It may even put your organs at risk!

In order to avoid this as much as possible, Olympus Labs has got your back with a kitchen sink. They’ve created an incredible formula that keeps your fine-tuned machine running smoothly, even when you’re chock full of testosterone. Sure, this stuff will help maximize the results. But, more importantly, it’ll help maintain your health!

Note: The blog post above discusses the new formula released in November of 2018. Look for the 240 capsule product containing the ingredient Luteolin.