Inflammation promotes blood vessel disease, heart attack and stroke. Researches found that a low-carbohydrate diet reduced markers or inflammation and blood fats better than a low-fat diet in people with MS. MS is a group of symptoms linked to poor metabolic health that include insulin resistance, abdominal fat deposition, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, low HDL (the good cholesterol), inflammation, type 2 diabetes and blood-clotting abnormalities. Low-carb diets reduced inflammation and improved blood-clotting regulation better than low-fat diets in people with MS.

Overfeeding gradually leads to increased fat mass. Arginine supplements prevented fat accumulation in rats fed high-calorie diets. In a study genetically obese rats were fed diets high or low in fat. Fat pad weights were 74 percent higher in rats fed a high-fat diet. Supplementing their diet with arginine reduced fat increase by 50 percent. Arginine treatments resulted in lower blood levels of leptin (weight controlling hormone), glucose, triglycerides, urea, glutamine and branched-chain amino acids. The arginine-fed rats also had higher levels of nitric oxide, an important marker of metabolic health. If these results apply to humans, taking arginine supplements might be useful in athletes trying to gain quality weight.

Ever hear “affordable” and “high quality” in the same sentence when referring to protein?  How about “great tasting” and “inexpensive?”  These are all words that describe Intek’s Protein Evolution.  This protein powder blend consists of whey isolate, egg and casein proteins.  This allows for an immediate and extended release of aminos for an anabolic and anti-catabolic effect.  What’s cool about this protein is that its not loaded with fillers like alot of other brands.  Each 40 gram serving size contains a whopping 34 grams of protein!  I don’t know about you but when I buy protein I want protein and not all that other junk some companies throw in there to water down their product.  With 34 grams of protein per 40 gram serving there is no room for fat, cholesterol, sodium or sugar so this is a protein perfect for dieters or people looking to gain lean muscle.  The story doesn’t end there with Intek’s Protein Evolution though.  Intek also adds fiber and a blend of digestive enzymes to further enhance absorbtion.  That means more protein will actually enter your system and less is wasted; more bang for your buck.  A unique feature of this particular protein is the addition of colostrum.  Colostrum is found in mother’s milk and helps to enhance immune function and increase IGF-1 levels which can lead to increased nitrogen retention.  Increased nitrogen retention equals more lean muscle accumulation.  The icing on the cake is that you get all this in a 5lb jug for $47.99!  If you haven’t tried Intek’s Protein Evolution yet I strongly suggest that you do, you will not be sorry.

Sleep disturbances cause daytime sleepiness, accidents, constant fatigue, depression, heart rhythm disturbances and irritability. Studies show that older men with low testosterone levels had lower sleep efficiency, woke up more often at night, spent less time in deep sleep and had lower blood oxygen levels at night than men with normal testosterone levels. Many physicians are reluctant to prescribe testosterone to aging men because they fear it will lead to sleep disturbances and other side effects. There is no correlation to testosterone treatment and sleep apnea. Millions of men have had testosterone therapy and had no increased incidence of sleep apnea. Low testosterone levels can lead to poor sleep quality, but the problem might be remedied with testosterone supplements.

Vasopro Alternatives

As the cost of Mega Pro Vasopro ephedrine has increased we have had numerous customers ask us about potential alternatives.  Below is a list of some of our recommendations broken out by the most common uses for Vasopro.

Energy:

If you are using the vasopro ephedrine for energy we recommend trying one of the following.  BioRhythm’s Adrenalean or Intek’s Fat Burner Evolution if you are looking for moderate energy.  If you are looking for something that is more intense take a look at Intek’s Thermogenic or Hyper Genetic Labs Killer Bee’s.

Metabolism:

If you’re looking for a boost in metabolism or help with weight loss try Intek’s Fat Burner Evolution or Intek’s Thermogenic.  Both will provide good energy as well as a boost in metabolism while keeping appetite in check.

Pre-workout Intensity:

If you are using vasopro before a workout for intensity and energy you may be better off with one of the products specifically designed for this purpose.  Our favorites in this category are BioRhythm Arnge Krush, SSL Rush, Nutrex Hemo Rage, and Champion Adrenol 8.

For Breathing Relief or Asthma:

Try using NOW Foods Respir All or Irwin Naturals Aller-Pure.  There products are designed to open up the nasal passages and help clear the sinuses to support clearer breathing.

Give us a call for more information or to purchase any of these products. 

Depending on how hard and often you train your body needs to recover on several different levels.  A full book could be devoted to cover all the tissues and systems that need to recuperate after intense exercise so we will stick to the main ones for the purpose of this article.

Metabolic Recovery:

Metabolic recovery involves replenishing muscle fuels such as glycogen, ATP and creatine.  ATP promotes muscle contractions and is stored in the muscles.  Creatine forms creatine phosphate in muscle cells which is then used during weight training to create more ATP.  Training at high intensity causes ATP to be broken down faster than your body can replace it.  This is why supplementing is important.  The greater stores of energy substrates in your body the better your workout will be.  More glycogen and more ATP will eventually translate into more reps and an ability to push more weight.  Metabolic recovery is all about supplying your body with the substrates to fuel your workout.

Products that will promote metabolic recovery include:

ANS Diesel Fuel

Gaspari Size On

Universal Storm

Structural Recovery:

Structural recovery involves rebuilding muscle-fiber proteins that get damaged during intense workouts.  Since muscle cells are comprised mostly of water they will also need adequate hydration to maintain fullness and size.  The key components to structural recovery are protein and amino acids.  Proteins are the building blocks for muscle tissue and must be consumed through diet as the body is not able to synthesize proteins on its own.  You should be consuming around .7 to 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight.  Pre and post-workout nutrition is also critical.  You should be consuming 20 grams of protein post workout with BCAA’s and glutamine.  Consider taking a pre-workout product or branched chain aminos before you workout as well.  Strength training involves damaging muscle fibers; structural recovery is all about giving the body the building blocks to rebuild the muscle so it becomes stronger.

Products effective for structural recovery include:

BioRhythm AfterGlow

Optimum 2:1:1 Recovery

Intek Isolate Evolution

Intek BCAA Evolution

Nervous System Recovery:

There are two Central Nervous System (CNS) processes that relate to athletic performance - ‘excitation’ and ‘inhibition’. The speed at which signals are sent from the receptors to effectors, and back again, results in levels of excitation or inhibition. For example, to move the body as fast as possible when sprinting, the speed of signal transference through the CNS needs to also to be as fast as possible. An athlete’s receptors and effectors therefore need to be optimally excited and uninhibited in order to result in the optimum recruitment of fast-twitch muscle fiber.  CNS fatigue will slow the speed of excitation, particularly within fast-twitch fibers, which fatigue much more rapidly than slow-twitch fibers.  Once the CNS is fatigued you will quickly lose the ability to do explosive high intensity work.

The key to CNS recovery is sleep.  Deep REM sleep is necessary for full recovery and allowing the CNS to recharge itself. 

For faster CNS recovery try supplementing with:

ZMA as well as a good sleep product like the ones listed below

Somatomax

Regenerate

GABA

L-Theanine

Optimizing hormones (Hormone Recovery):

Intense exercise can increase muscle building hormone output up to a certain threshold after which hormones will decrease as an individual becomes “over trained”.  Maximizing natural hormone output can speed recovery time, increase strength, build muscle and help reduce body fat.  As in Central Nervous System Recovery sleep is also important for maximizing hormone production.  It is a good idea to get at least eight hours of sleep per night during intense periods of training.  In terms of supplements we have listed several below which have sound research to back up their ability to produce results.  Typically we recommend taking one of the formulas which combine several of these ingredients for best results.  Try ANS TNT 2 or MSI Test Revolution for two of the more potent products that combine multiple compounds which are helpful for boosting testosterone levels.  These ingredients work in basically two different ways.  The first is to amplify the signal going from the brain to the testicles telling your body how much testosterone should be produced.  The second is to free up testosterone that is bound up and therefore unusable to the body.

Supplements for optimizing hormone production:

Nettle Extract

Tribulus

ZMA

Humanofort

Acetyl L-Carnitine

White Button Mushroom

Icarrin

Fadogia Agrestis

Maca

Fenugreek

Cortisol and Recovery:

Cortisol is a stress hormone that builds up as a result of physical and or mental stress.  If left unchecked cortisol can break down muscle tissue eliminating gains you make in the gym.  Reducing your daily stress can help control cortisol and nutritionally you can supplement with phosphatidyl serine.  Typically 800mg immediately after a workout is the best way to consume phosphatidyl serine.

As the nation copes with a shortage of vaccines for H1N1 influenza, a team of Alabama researchers has raised hopes that they have found an Achilles’ heel for all strains of the flu — antioxidants.

In an article appearing in the November 2009 print issue of the FASEB Journal, they show that antioxidants — the same substances found in plant-based foods — might hold the key in preventing the flu virus from wreaking havoc on our lungs.

“The recent outbreak of H1N1 influenza and the rapid spread of this strain across the world highlights the need to better understand how this virus damages the lungs and to find new treatments,” said Sadis Matalon, co-author of the study.

“Additionally, our research shows that antioxidants may prove beneficial in the treatment of flu.”

Dairy based protein has been shown to be more anabolic than plant proteins.  Of the two main dairy proteins whey elicits a faster rise in plasma amino acids than casein does.  Recent studies have also shown that you should combine whey and casein to build muscle and reduce body fat more quickly. 

This week I’ll be reviewing a well known supplement, BSN’s NO Xplode.  If you haven’t heard of this product then you probably don’t get out from under the rock you live under too often.  BSN has done an excellent job marketing this and all their products, I mean, who hasn’t tried NO Xplode?  At first glance this pre-workout powder contains all the ingredients that makes up most strength building, pump enhancing, energy producing powders.  BSN uses a couple different kinds of creatine with creatine ethyl ester being the main source.  Ethyl ester creatines are supposed to reduce water retention with an increased absorbability and work well with some people but in my experience its kind of been hit and miss.  In addition to a healthy dose of caffeine, NO Xplode uses various amino acids such as L-tyrosine and taurine to enhance energy levels.  This is what the user “feels” when he takes this product.  Although caffeine and other various stimulants are great for a kick in the ass before the gym it doesn’t necesserily translate to size or strength gains.  In fact studies show that high doses of stimulants can actually release cortisol into the bloodstream.  Cortisol is a stress hormone and is catabolic in nature which can hault muscle growth.  The nitric oxide component of NO Xplode is quite interesting.  In addition to a few oddball, unstudied compounds, BSN uses L-arginine AKG and two types of citrulline to increase the pump effect of working out.  Nitric oxide is sythesized from these compounds.  This combination works well if dosed correctly.  Thats where this formula gets a little hazey.  The extensive list of ingredients is labeled as a total of about 18 grams in a proprietary blend.  There are about 30 ingredients in NO Xplode which begs the question “Is anything in the right dosing?” and “Are these exotic compounds even proven?”  It’s tough to tell.  I do believe that this product will give you energy due to the stimulant content and it will pump you up but I think its more from the massive amounts of sodium they add to the powder (bloat pump).  NO Xplode wouldn’t be my first choice for a pre-workout powder but it definately deserves a fair chance.

In a study published in the Public Library of Science Medicine Journal, Harvard researchers concluded that a deficiency in Omega-3 fats is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.  On a positive note, fish oil supplements, a convenient source of omega-3’s, were found to dramatically reduce allergies among infants when mothers began taking the supplements during the 25th week of pregnancy and continued while breastfeeding.  For people of every age, benefits of fish oil include heart and brain health, improved blood sugar control, and reduced pain and inflammation.