Soy foods, such as tofu, soy meat substitutes, soymilk, soybeans and soy ice cream contain chemicals called isoflavones that bind weakly with estrogen receptors on the male reproductive system. Most studies showing negative effects on the male reproductive function used animals. A study found that men who ate two servings or more a week of soy foods had lower sperm counts than men who ate less soy. The soy had no effect on ejaculate volume, sperm structure or sperm activity. The most effected were obese men. The effects of soy protein on male reproductive function and testosterone levels are highly controversial.

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.

There are several exercises you can do for abs. Many of the people I work with don’t realize that most abdominal exercises are either ineffective or not needed. To set the record straight on which work and which don’t, I have listed five noteworthy abdominal exercises.

Crunches

Most already know how to perform this upper abdominal target exercise. It’s basic, yet highly effective. Perform crunches by lying on a flat surface with your hands either across your chest or behind your head. Contract your abs. Hold for 2 seconds, then return to the starting position. Crunches should be performed in a continuous and controlled fashion.

Side Crunches

Side Crunches are basically the same as regular crunches, except the main focus is on the oblique muscles (love handles). The same technique applies, only your crunching to either side of your abs. You should feel the burn of the sides of your abs.

Lying Leg Lifts

This exercise targets the lower abs. Use the same position as crunches. Lying flat on your back, lift your legs 6 - 12 inches off of the ground. Perform repeatedly until you feel the burn in your lower abs.

Tip: Place your hand under your buttocks when performing lying leg lifts. It adds leverage and helps you get your feet elevated. It works!

Hanging Leg Raises

This exercise is another good lower ab target. It’s a little more of an advanced exercise because it requires a strong back, shoulders, and chest (secondary muscles) to prevent swinging on the bar. Start hanging from a bar with your feet dangling freely. Pull them toward your chest in a slow and controlled manner. Repeat until you feel the burn. This exercise may be hard at first, but if you can master the technique, you can get awesome results!

V-Crunches

The V-crunch is best when performed on a flat bench. It’s another lower ab target. It’s almost like lying leg lifts except your chest is at a 45 degree angle starting out. Sit at the edge of a bench and reach back just enough to support yourself from completely lying on the bench. Once you’re stabilized, bring your knees toward your chest. You basically want to create a V motion when you perform them. For example, one end of the V is your head, the other is your knee. The base of the V would be your abs.

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.”

When reformulating TNT we built off the strengths of the original formula to make ANS TNT 2 one of the most potent natural testosterone boosters on the market.  With new research and better standardization processes available we decided to update the original formula. 

The new formula (TNT 2) has an increased dose of Acetyl L-Carnitine; in fact the dose has more than tripled for this single ingredient.  Although many people are familiar with L-Carnitine for its ability to help the body utilize fat stores the Acetylated version is also a potent test booster.  It has two main mechanisms of action.  First it directly influences LH (luteinizing hormone) which controls the amount of testosterone produced by the testicles.  It is in a sense maximizing the signal going from the brain to the testicles telling your body how much testosterone should be produced.  Acetyl L-Carnitine also influences the sensitivity of androgen receptors in muscle tissue by making them more sensitive/receptive to circulating testosterone.  The receptors in the body desensitize with age.  The more sensitive your testosterone receptors are the more productive the testosterone circulating in your body will be.

Nettle extract is a new addition to the TNT 2 formula.  Most of the body’s testosterone is bound up by SHBG which prevents testosterone from having an effect in the body.  Total testosterone levels are important but free circulating levels are probably more important as this is the testosterone that can actually have an impact on performance and physique.  Nettle has been shown to have an affinity for SHBG which keeps SHBG from binding to testosterone resulting in greater levels of free circulating testosterone.

ANS TNT 2 also includes a healthy dose of tribulus but what makes it different from many other formulas is the standardization process this tribulus has undergone.  With any plant there are active components which are responsible for the pharmacological effect of the plant.  Having a high dose of tribulus means nothing if it is not standardized to the right ingredients.  The two most potent components of tribulus are protodioscin and saponins which is why TNT 2 is standardized for these compounds.

Iccarin is also a new compound to this formula.  Recent research on this ingredient has found that it not only boosts libido but that it also acts like testosterone in the body.  It is considered a testosterone mimicker.  What this means is that it can bind to the testosterone receptor and provide a result similar to what you would see from testosterone.  Namely increases in protein synthesis which leads to muscle recovery and muscle growth.

The estrogen blocking complex was enhanced with white button mushroom extract.  White button mushrooms suppress aromatase activity and estrogen biosynthesis.  White button mushroom helps keep your testosterone from being converted to estrogen via aromatase enzymes.

DIM and Resveratrol help your body rid itself of bad estrogens.  Some estrogen is needed to remain healthy however bad estrogens can cause negative reactions when they are allowed to build up in the body.  DIM and resveratrol bind with these bad estrogens allowing the body to clear them out more efficiently.

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. 

With all of the press on “red” super foods like acai the green super foods sometimes get over looked.  Spirulina is a specific type of algae that is nutritionally dense, concentrated with protein, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, healthy fat, chlorophyll and enzymes.  Spirulina has been used to ward off disease, provide energy, and help you stay fit.  It is available in both pills and powders.  Look for it in Healthy Greens by Optimum Health Nutrition.

The body’s aging process can be compared to rusting, which in this case happens from the inside out.  Rusting is a result of cumulative free radical damage.  Free radicals are compounds that are unstable and can damage the body’s cells if left unchecked.  Free radicals come from our normal metabolism and our environment – for example exposure to sun, x-rays, cigarette smoke, saturated fats, alcohol, ozone, automobile exhaust, heavy metals and many other sources.  If we don’t do something about neutralizing free radicals the aging process can be accelerated as these compounds do damage to the bodies cells.  Conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and many of the health issues of aging are all linked back to free radical damage.  In order to help neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals we need to take antioxidants.  Antioxidant combination formulas are a great source of antioxidants as well as greens foods and super fruits such as acai and pomegranate.  We recommend using a whole food based multi like ANS Vita Greens as well.

10 million Americans are estimated to have osteoporosis.  Women are four times more likely to develop this condition than men.  1 out of every 2 women and 1 in 8 men will suffer from an osteoporosis-related break in their lifetime.  It takes much more than calcium to have healthy bones.  Using just a calcium and vitamin D supplement won’t do the trick.  We now know that other nutrients such as magnesium, vitamin k2, silica, vanadium, strontium and trace minerals play a huge roll in bone health and strength.  Combine this with proper diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes and you should see improvements in your bone health.