Get Your Personalized Supplement StackSupplement Stack Quiz

Resistance Support Proprietary Blend

Q: Is the blend effective alone or only with exercise?

The blend was tested exclusively in combination with resistance exercise training. Its effects without concurrent exercise are currently unknown and require further research.

Q: Is it safe for long-term use?

Long-term safety data are currently lacking. The available evidence covers an 8-week intervention period, and further studies are needed to assess safety beyond this duration.

Q: How soon can benefits be expected?

Strength improvements were measured at 14, 28, and 56 days, with statistically significant gains observed by the end of the 8-week (56-day) study period.

Q: Does it affect hormone levels?

Yes, the blend was observed to increase total and free testosterone levels while simultaneously decreasing cortisol levels, suggesting a favorable hormonal environment for muscle adaptation.

Q: Is protein supplementation part of the blend?

No, the Resistance Support Proprietary Blend itself is a botanical extract. Protein supplementation is a separate intervention, though it is commonly co-administered with resistance training and has strong evidence for its benefits.

Also known as: Resistance Support Proprietary Blend, SMI botanical blend, East Indian globe thistle, Mango extract, Sphaeranthus indicus and Mangifera indica botanical blend

Overview

The Resistance Support Proprietary Blend is a botanical extract formulation combining extracts from *Sphaeranthus indicus* (East Indian globe thistle) and *Mangifera indica* (mango). These plants have a history of traditional use and are now being investigated for their role in enhancing muscle strength and adaptation during resistance exercise training (RET). The blend is specifically designed to augment muscular strength gains and improve repetitions to failure when used in conjunction with RET, positioning it as a supplement to optimize resistance training outcomes. It has been studied at daily dosages of 425 mg or 850 mg, showing effects on bench press and leg extension strength, endurance, and serum hormone levels like testosterone and cortisol. Current research is in its early stages, with one published randomized controlled trial.

Benefits

The botanical blend has demonstrated significant benefits in enhancing resistance training outcomes. A key study showed that supplementing with the blend alongside RET significantly increased 1-RM strength in both bench press and leg extension compared to placebo after 8 weeks. For instance, bench press 1-RM improved to 71.5 ± 17.5 kg in the supplemented group versus 62.0 ± 15.3 kg in the placebo group (p < 0.05). Repetitions to failure also improved more substantially in the supplemented groups. Furthermore, the blend led to increased serum total and free testosterone levels and decreased cortisol levels, indicating a favorable anabolic hormonal environment conducive to muscle growth and recovery. The observed increase in 1-RM strength, approximately 15% relative improvement over placebo, is considered clinically meaningful in resistance training. These benefits were observed in healthy young men over an 8-week intervention period. While the botanical blend's direct evidence is from a single RCT, its potential role in resistance support aligns with broader evidence for protein supplementation, which consistently shows significant enhancements in muscle strength and size gains in healthy adults undergoing RET, with moderate effect sizes (Hedges’ g ~0.3-0.5) in meta-analyses.

How it works

The Resistance Support Proprietary Blend is believed to enhance muscular adaptation primarily by modulating the endocrine system. It appears to increase anabolic hormone levels, specifically total and free testosterone, while simultaneously reducing catabolic hormones like cortisol. This hormonal shift creates a more favorable environment for muscle protein synthesis, recovery, and overall muscle growth in response to resistance exercise. The exact molecular targets are not fully elucidated but likely involve phytochemicals present in *Mangifera indica* and *Sphaeranthus indicus* that influence steroidogenesis pathways and potentially inflammatory responses within muscle tissue. The blend's interaction with body systems is focused on supporting the body's natural adaptive processes to overload resistance exercise.

Side effects

Based on the available research, the Resistance Support Proprietary Blend appears to have a favorable safety profile. The primary 8-week randomized controlled trial reported no adverse events or safety concerns among participants. At the studied dosages of 425 mg and 850 mg daily, the botanical extracts were generally considered safe. There are no reported common, uncommon, or rare side effects identified in the research. However, specific drug interactions are unknown, and caution is advised for individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions or those taking medications that could interact with hormonal pathways. Contraindications are not explicitly specified, but general caution for botanical supplements applies. Safety in special populations, such as older adults, women, or individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, has not been established, as the study population consisted of healthy young men.

Dosage

The minimum effective dose identified in research is 425 mg daily of the botanical blend. An optimal dosage range of 425–850 mg daily has been tested, with both dosages demonstrating significant effects on strength and hormonal parameters; however, no clear dose-response superiority was reported between these two levels. The maximum safe dose has not been established beyond the 850 mg used in the study. For optimal results, the supplement should be taken daily in conjunction with a resistance exercise training program, typically 3 times per week, over an 8-week period. The specific form tested was a botanical extract. Details regarding absorption factors or required cofactors for efficacy are not currently reported in the available research.

FAQs

Is the blend effective alone or only with exercise?

The blend was tested exclusively in combination with resistance exercise training. Its effects without concurrent exercise are currently unknown and require further research.

Is it safe for long-term use?

Long-term safety data are currently lacking. The available evidence covers an 8-week intervention period, and further studies are needed to assess safety beyond this duration.

How soon can benefits be expected?

Strength improvements were measured at 14, 28, and 56 days, with statistically significant gains observed by the end of the 8-week (56-day) study period.

Does it affect hormone levels?

Yes, the blend was observed to increase total and free testosterone levels while simultaneously decreasing cortisol levels, suggesting a favorable hormonal environment for muscle adaptation.

Is protein supplementation part of the blend?

No, the Resistance Support Proprietary Blend itself is a botanical extract. Protein supplementation is a separate intervention, though it is commonly co-administered with resistance training and has strong evidence for its benefits.

Research Sources

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1393917/full – This randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effects of a *Sphaeranthus indicus* and *Mangifera indica* botanical blend on muscle strength, endurance, and hormonal profiles in healthy young men undergoing 8 weeks of resistance training. The study found that supplementation significantly increased 1-RM strength in bench press and leg extension, improved repetitions to failure, and favorably altered testosterone and cortisol levels compared to placebo.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10393778/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized findings from 29 studies to evaluate the impact of protein supplementation on recovery from resistance exercise-induced muscle damage. It concluded that protein supplementation can improve various markers of recovery, although heterogeneity existed across studies regarding protein types and doses.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28698222/ – This comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis, encompassing 49 randomized controlled trials, assessed the effects of protein supplementation on muscle mass and strength gains in healthy adults engaged in resistance exercise training. The findings indicated that protein supplementation significantly enhances both muscle mass and strength, providing robust evidence for its efficacy in this context.
https://www.e-epih.org/journal/view.php?doi=10.4178%2Fepih.e2024030 – This systematic review and meta-analysis focused on the effectiveness of protein supplementation combined with resistance exercise training for enhancing muscle strength. It affirmed that this combination is an effective strategy for improving muscle strength, though it noted some heterogeneity in study designs and populations.