After a 50+ episode hiatus, Maximus founder and CEO Dr. Cameron Sepah is back on the PricePlow Podcast for the first of two new episodes to give us the update on whatโs going on in the pharmaceutical world of performance enhancement.
Dr. Cameron Sepah of Maximus re-joins the PricePlow Podcast for Episode #124 to talk about their Blood Flow Protocol, a โprescription pre-workoutโ with Tadalafil and Vardenafil, two synergistic drugs to massively increase blood flow beyond what dietary supplements can ever do.
For Episode #124, we talk about the Maximus Blood Flow Protocol, which is a potent synergistic combination of Tadalafil and Vardenafil to boost blood flow in ways that dietary supplement formulators could only dream of.
Dr. Cam was previously on episode #062, where he introduced Maximus and talked all things testosterone, and episode #070, where he introduced us to the science behind tadalafil. The โMaximus Lover Protocolโ discussed in #070 has been upgraded to the Blood Flow Protocol thatโs discussed today, however, which is why heโs back to talk about the reformulation.
We joke that this is a โprescription pre-workoutโ, and while that phrase can be used, but the science is showing that thereโs a lot of data supporting cardiovascular improvements and potential longevity plays with the drugs used in this protocol.
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https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/dr-cameron-sepah-maximus-blood-flow-protocol-124
Video: Dr. Cameron Sepah Combines Two Drugs for a โPrescription Pre-Workoutโ
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The Maximus Blood Flow Protocol: Show Notes with Dr. Cameron Sepah
Note: These show notes are a work in progres. More references and images will be added today (Feb 9, 2024).
0:00 โ Re-Introductions
In Episode #124 of the PricePlow Podcast, Dr. Cameron Sepah returns to discuss the evolution of what was initially introduced as the โMaximus Lover Protocolโ in episode #070 into the worldโs first โprescription pre-workoutโ, now focused on blood flow and performance enhancement.
Dr. Sepah explains how bodybuilders have used PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra or Cialis off-label to enhance workouts, sexual, and cognitive functions.
The conversation highlights a shift from the previous use of Tadalafil and PT-141, the latter of which was aimed at boosting libido, to a new formulation that includes Tadalafil and Vardenafil (commonly sold as Levitra) for an improved synergistic effect on blood flow.
This reformulation is part of the companyโs R&D efforts to better satisfy client needs for enhanced gym performance, leading to its rebranding as the Maximus Blood Flow Protocol.
3:15 โ The Maximus Blood Flow Protocol
Dr. Sepah discusses the Blood Flow Protocol, detailing a sublingual tablet combining Vardenafil and Tadalafil for enhanced workout performance. This formulation offers the advantage of rapid onset, with Vardenafil peaking in plasma concentration within about 36 minutes, contrasting with Tadalafilโs slower peak but longer half-life, providing all-day benefits. This dual-action approach caters to both immediate workout enhancement and longer-term effects, such as improved sexual function.
Sepah emphasizes the scientific basis for using these PDE5 inhibitors, highlighting their vasodilatory effects that increase blood flow to muscles without the risk of unintended erections unless stimulated. The discussion also covers how these inhibitors can delay muscle fatigue, enhance muscular endurance, and potentially double muscle protein synthesis,[1] similar to the effects of injectable testosterone, but with fewer side effects due to the lower doses required, especially with Vardenafilโs potency. Thereโs even evidence of reduced cognitive decline.[2]
13:00 โ Enhancing overall circulation with Tadalafil and Vardenafil
Dr. Sepah addresses the misconception that increased blood flow to muscles might reduce flow elsewhere, clarifying that PDE-5 inhibitors enhance overall circulation, including to the brain, without detracting from other areas. Sepah discusses research indicating improved cognitive performance and a possible reduction in Alzheimerโs risk due to enhanced cerebral blood flow.
Additionally, he critiques the overuse of caffeine for its vasoconstrictive effects, contrasting it with the vasodilatory, non-stimulatory nature of PDE-5 inhibitors which offer advantages like reduced blood pressure and potential cardio protection. Sepah argues for the broader health benefits of PDE-5 inhibitors, including prostate health and enhanced sexual function, suggesting these could play a role in improving overall quality of life and health span without the side effects associated with stimulants like caffeine.
19:30 โ Performance benefits and consistency
Ben highlights the lifestyle and health benefits of using low doses of Tadalafil for prostate health and blood pressure management, complementing its efficacy as a pre-workout supplement for enhanced gym performance. Cam supports this view, emphasizing the importance of minimal effective dosing over high doses, which can have detrimental effects. He explains the combination of Tadalafil and Vardenafil in low doses not only boosts gym performance but also provides cognitive and sexual benefits.
Cam advises daily intake, regardless of workout frequency, to maintain steady serum levels for consistent benefits and enhance recovery, even on rest days. This approach is contrasted with traditional ED medication usage, which is typically on an as-needed basis, illustrating the broader health and recovery advantages of consistent, low-dose PDE-5 inhibitor use.
25:30 โ Aspirin Synergy
Cam clarifies that while baby aspirin is not part of their protocol due to its minimal risk reduction in heart attacks and its blood-thinning effects, it can synergize with PDE-5 inhibitors to potentially enhance erectile function. However, he doesnโt see it as a necessity for their regimen. Addressing the combination of their prescription pre-workout with over-the-counter supplements,
Cam notes the safety of amino acids like L-citrulline for mild pump effects but cautions against combining nitrates with PDE-5 inhibitors due to the risk of excessive blood pressure drop.[3]
He argues that the prescription blend offers sufficient potency without needing additional over-the-counter muscle pump enhancers. Cam advises against polypharmacy, recommending monitoring oneโs blood pressure when stacking supplements and drugs to avoid hypotensive side effects and suggesting a more conservative approach to supplement use to assess individual effects and maintain health.
32:00 โ PDE-5 inhibitors in bodybuilding
Ben and Cam discuss the use of Cialis among bodybuilders, particularly in untested federations, where itโs regularly included in their regimen not just for its blood pressure-lowering effects due to exogenous hormone use but also for the significant muscle pumps it provides. This practice has turned Cialis into a staple for many, allowing them to focus on other fitness aspects like hydration and nutrition without overemphasizing pump supplements.
Cam acknowledges the bodybuilding communityโs pioneering use of PDE-5 inhibitors for workout enhancement, crediting them for identifying the benefits long before scientific research caught up. He highlights the evolution of these drugs for better efficacy and fewer side effects, with bodybuilders now recognizing the synergistic effects of combining Tadalafil and Vardenafil for superior pumps and performance, emphasizing the importance of minimal effective dosing for optimal results.
36:00 โ Regulations, quality, and standards
Maximus is a consumer telemedicine company that offers online doctor consultations and FDA-inspected pharmacy services, available in 46 states, excluding a few like Alaska and Alabama. Cam discusses the rigorous regulation in the pharmaceutical industry, ensuring precise dosages and purity of medications, contrasting with the less regulated supplement industry where quality and ingredient accuracy can vary significantly. He emphasizes the benefits of prescription-grade medications and supplements, like their prescription strength multivitamin, for their guaranteed potency and safety, highlighted by the example of pharmaceutical-grade omega-3s, which avoid the rancidity issues common in over-the-counter versions.
The discussion touches on issues with supplement quality, citing specific examples where brands like Now Foods have pointed out inconsistencies in supplement ingredients (see our recent article on NOW Foods berberine testing). Cam advises careful selection of reputable brands to ensure product quality and safety, underlining the vast differences in regulatory standards and enforcement between pharmaceuticals and supplements.
Additionally, Cam addresses the use of medications for BPH and nocturia, discussing the roles and effects of PDE5 inhibitors and 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors like finasteride, while cautioning against over-reliance on PSA levels as an indicator of prostate health.
52:15 โ Prostate issues and health markers
The Blood Flow Protocol has shown anecdotal benefits in reducing nocturnal urination, a common issue related to prostate health. While the company doesnโt prescribe PDE5 inhibitors specifically for treating prostate or urinary issues, users have reported this as an ancillary benefit. Cam emphasizes the importance of consulting with a healthcare provider for significant prostate or urinary problems to rule out underlying causes.
Additionally, Maximus has begun incorporating PSA testing as a safety measure in their new testosterone protocol, not due to a direct need but as a precaution to monitor any significant changes post-treatment. Cam also introduces a revolutionary, virtually painless FDA-approved blood collection device for home use, enhancing the convenience and accuracy of testing for their protocols, contrasting sharply with less reliable methods like dried blood spot or saliva tests. This device allows for the accurate measurement of a variety of health markers essential for Maximusโs personalized health protocols, including those for testosterone enhancement and weight loss, without the need for traditional lab visits.
1:00:00 โ Vitamin D
Maximus is adding vitamin D to their testing panel, highlighting its critical role due to widespread deficiencies, even among those with significant sun exposure. Cam shares his own experience of becoming vitamin D deficient after ceasing supplementation, underscoring the necessity of vitamin D (alongside vitamin K2 for optimal absorption) for immune function and potentially aiding testosterone levels when deficient.
The podcast concludes with Cam inviting listeners to try the protocol for noticeable improvements in various health markers and introducing the Maximus community, emphasizing critical thinking and skepticism towards health information, even from credentialed professionals.
Where to Follow Dr. Cam:
Thanks for joining once again โ get ready for the second part of this two-part series!
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