Health, Fitness, and Supplement Blog

Benefits of Whey Proteins

Whey protein is an excellent protein choice for individuals of all ages who value the role of a healthy diet in helping to maintain and improve their health. Whey protein isolate, the purest form available, is unsurpassed as a source of the essential amino acids required in the daily diet. Essential amino acids are the building blocks for healthy muscles, skin, nails and other body tissue. To learn more about whey protein and how it contributes to good health please select your specific area of interest.

Physical Performance
Optimum Nutrition Whey protein has long been considered the “Gold Standard” of protein for serious athletes who work hard to develop and sustain a lean, strong and well-defined physique. Research studies support this belief. Athletes need more protein in their diet, often as much as twice the recommended daily allowance. The protein they choose makes a difference and here are several reasons why whey protein is a preferred choice for athletes of all types.

* Whey protein is a naturally complete protein, meaning that it contains all of the essential amino acids required in the daily diet. It has the ideal combination of amino acids to help improve body composition and enhance athletic performance.
* Whey protein is a rich source of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs), containing the highest known levels of any natural food source. BCAAs are important for athletes since unlike the other essential amino acids, they are metabolized directly into muscle tissue and are the first ones used during periods of exercise and resistance training. Whey protein provides the body with BCAAs to replenish depleted levels and start repairing and rebuilding lean muscle tissue.
* Whey protein is an excellent source of the essential amino acid, leucine. Leucine is important for athletes as it plays a key role in promoting muscle protein synthesis and muscle growth. Research has shown that individuals who exercise benefit from diets high in leucine and have more lean muscle tissue and less body fat compared to individuals whose diet contains lower levels of leucine. Whey protein isolate has approximately 50% more leucine than soy protein isolate.
* Whey protein is a soluble, easy to digest protein and is efficiently absorbed into the body. It is often referred to as a “fast” protein for its ability to quickly provide nourishment to muscles.
* Whey protein helps athletes maintain a healthy immune system by increasing the levels of glutathione in the body. Glutathione is an anti-oxidant required for a healthy immune system and exercise and resistance training may reduce glutathione levels. Whey protein helps keep athletes healthy and strong to perform their best.

Weight Management
weight loss Studies show that achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can add years to your life and help prevent weight related complications, including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Diet plays a key role in any weight management program and adding whey protein often helps make a positive difference. Here are some of the reasons why.

* The body requires more energy to digest protein than other foods (thermic effect) and as a result you burn more calories after a protein meal.
* Whey protein isolate is pure protein with little to no fat or carbohydrates. It is a perfect complement to any low carbohydrate or low glycemic index diet plan.
* Recent studies by Dr. Donald Layman, a professor at the University of Illinois, have highlighted the role of the essential amino acid leucine in improving body composition. High quality whey protein is rich in leucine to help preserve lean muscle tissue while promoting fat loss. Whey protein contains more leucine than milk protein, egg protein and soy protein.
* Protein helps to stabilize blood glucose levels by slowing the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream. This in turn reduces hunger by lowering insulin levels and making it easier for the body to burn fat.
* Whey protein contains bioactive components that help stimulate the release of two appetite-suppressing hormones: cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). In support of this, a new study found that whey protein had a greater impact on satiety than casein, the other protein in milk. Adding whey protein to a mid-day snack or beverage provides healthy energy and may help control food intake at the next meal.

Cardiovascular Health
Heart Health In 2001 heart disease was the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. With the average life expectancy rising each year, it becomes increasingly important to adopt a nutritious diet and regular exercise program to help maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. Whey protein should be part of that nutritious diet.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is one of the leading causes of heart disease and stroke. Exciting new research has shown that whey protein may help in the battle against hypertension. Both human clinical and animal studies found that a hydrolyzed whey protein isolate assisted in reducing the blood pressure of borderline hypertensive individuals.

Elevated cholesterol is another factor associated with heart disease and whey protein has been shown to reduce cholesterol in a number of animal and clinical studies. Certain bioactive components in whey protein may be responsible for the cholesterol reduction however additional research is needed in this area.

Cancer
Cancer patients undergoing radiation or chemotherapy often have difficulty in meeting their daily nutritional requirements due to nausea and lack of appetite. This may lead to weight loss, muscle loss and protein calorie malnutrition. Whey protein is an excellent protein choice for cancer patients as it is very easy to digest and very gentle to the system. Whey protein may be added to a wide variety of foods and beverages to increase the protein content without affecting taste.

As with serious athletes, cancer patients often have reduced glutathione levels and a weakened immune system. Numerous studies have shown that whey protein, rich in the amino acid cysteine, provides an extra boost to the immune system by raising glutathione levels. This may help reduce the risk of infection and improve the responsiveness of the immune system. In support of this, at the 2003 Annual Meeting of the American Cancer Society, research was presented showing that women with the highest levels of plasma cysteine had a 56% reduction in the risk of breast cancer compared to individuals with the lowest levels of plasma cysteine.

Whey protein has been shown through animal and in vitro studies to inhibit the growth of several types of cancer tumors. Dr. Thomas Badger, head of the Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center in Little Rock, found that feeding rats whey protein resulted in their developing 50% fewer tumors than rats fed casein. The rats fed whey protein also developed fewer tumors than rats fed soy protein and the tumors took longer to develop.

Diabetes
Smoothies Type 2 diabetes is a growing health problem, largely in part to the continued rise in obesity. It is not unique to adults and is becoming more of a concern for children and teenagers. The good news is that healthy nutrition practices have been shown to play a role in helping to manage, and possibly prevent, the onset of type-2 diabetes. Whey protein, a high quality, high biological value protein, is a good choice for diabetics who need to carefully manage food intake. Whey protein provides more value than equal amounts of lower quality proteins that are often higher in fat and cholesterol. In addition, whey protein helps control blood glucose levels and has been shown to be beneficial for weight management, both of which are often a concern for type-2 diabetics.

Infant Nutrition
Baby Formulas Whey protein contains many of the same components found in human breast milk and for this reason, is a key ingredient in a wide variety of infant formulas, including those for premature infants. Certain types of whey protein based infant formulas have also been shown to help reduce crying in colicky infants. While breast-feeding is preferred, infant formulas containing whey protein are the next best thing when breast-feeding is not an option. In addition, whey protein is an excellent protein choice for the expectant mother who needs increased amounts of protein. Pregnancy can increase the body’s protein needs by up to 33%. Before making any changes to their diet, it is recommended that expectant mothers consult with a physician to determine their unique protein needs.

Healthy Aging
Healthy Aging The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that by the year 2020 approximately one out of every six Americans will be in the in the 65 and older age group. As we age, muscle loss and its negative health implications is a growing concern, both in terms of volume and medical costs. Good nutrition and adequate amounts of high quality whey protein may help maintain strong muscles during aging, especially when combined with an exercise and resistance training program. A recent study in Europe compared whey protein to casein, the primary protein in milk. They found that older men who consumed whey protein showed greater protein synthesis, or growth, which helped limit muscle loss over time.

Another benefit of whey protein for seniors is the ability to help prevent bone loss. A recent study conducted at Boston University showed that elderly individuals who consumed low levels of protein had a significant loss of bone density four years after the start of the study, especially in the hip and spine areas. A nutritious diet including whey protein may help keep bones and muscles healthy and strong.

Wound Healing
When the body is working to heal wounds and surgical incisions it requires increased amounts of protein. Protein and its amino acids are the building blocks that initiate the growth of new skin during the healing process. Inadequate amounts of protein or diets high in poor quality proteins, such as gelatin, may delay the healing process. Whey protein is a very high quality protein and is often the preferred choice for high protein products recommended by physicians following surgery or burn therapy.

Whey protein also contains components with protective anti-microbial properties, such as lactoferrin. In recent years companies have introduced mouthwashes and oral care products containing these protective whey protein components. The companies are taking advantage of the unique features of whey protein to create new products for diabetics and others sensitive to oral irritations. This area is expected to evolve in the future.

A nice article about colostrum. Not sure how much relevance it is though.

Why do you need colostrum?

Research has shown that once we pass puberty, our bodies gradually produce less of the immune and growth factors that help our bodies fight off disease and heal damaged body tissue. In losing these vital components, we age and die.

In addition, the body is in constant battle with the toxins of society today. Between the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the environment that we live in, vital nutrients are always being lost.

Colostrum is the only source of these life-giving components (immune factors and growth factors). Unlike other supplements that isolate and sometimes overdose the body in unbalanced ways, colostrum is always a perfect combination. Research shows that colostrum has the demonstrated ability to kill bacteria and viral invaders, stimulate tissue repair (particularly the bowel lining), stimulate fat utilization for fuel and optimize cellular reproduction (anti-aging). There is no other substance on the planet, no single herb or plant, that can provide all of these marvelous benefits.

History of colostrum as a dietary supplement.

Bovine colostrum is not new. It has been used n India for thousands of years. Ayurvedic physicians and spiritual leaders have documented the physical and spiritual health benefits from colostrum. It is dried and delivered by the milkman and is known for its healing and therapeutic
ability. In Scandinavian countries, for hundreds of years they have been making a delicious colostrum pudding and dessert topped with honey to celebrate the birth of calves and good health.

Colostrum was also used in the United States as an early antibiotic that was in much favor until the discovery of penicillin and other antibiotics. In the late 18th Century, Western scientists began to study colostrum and document its benefits for survival, growth and development for the newborn. Today, there are thousands of published scientific and clinical studies of major health benefits associated with colostrum.

Bovine colostrum is not new. In India, for thousands of years, Ayurvedic physicians and the spiritual leaders have documented the physical and spiritual health benefits from colostrum. It is dried and delivered by the milkman and is known for its healing and therapeutic ability. Scandinavian countries have been making a delicious colostrum pudding and dessert topped with honey, for hundreds of years, to celebrate the birth of calves and good health. It was used in the US as an early antibiotic that was in much favor until the discovery of penicillin and other antibiotics.

In the late 18th Century, Western scientists began to study colostrum and document its benefits for survival, growth and development for the newborn. Today, there are thousands of published scientific and clinical studies of major health benefits associated with colostrum.

Why is colostrum beneficial?

Colostrum is highly beneficial in the unique manner in which it provides the body with its numerous immune factors. Most infectious disease-causing organisms enter the body through the mucous membranes of the intestinal tract. In order to remain healthy, it is critical that we are able to fight
off these disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, viruses, pollutants, contaminants and allergens where they attack us.

Clinical research by Dr. David Tyrell, in England, in 1980, revealed that a high percentage of the antibodies and immunoglobulins present in colostrum are believed not to be absorbed, but remain in the intestinal tract where they attack disease-causing organisms before they penetrate the body and cause disease.

The remainder are believed to be absorbed and distributed to assist in our internal defense processes. It is this combination of action that is believed to make colostrum so unique and effective as an oral supplement.

Here is a collection of reviews about Formadrol:

Formadrol

“I have to say legal gear hasn’t let me down. I am currently using formadrol as a pct. and the size that I gained from my methyl 1 - D cycle is still there if not better. this is one of the best test boosters I’ve used. awesome strength and some increase in size , I will be back on methyl 1 - D after my two weeks on formadrol. My cyle consist of methyl 1 - D four weeks on two weeks off. These are great products and I have to say I will continue to use them.”

“I used this as directed by Legal Gear following a 3 week cycle of Masterdrol. With all the recommendations for proper pct, I thought I would go out on a limb and try something on my own. After some awesome success with Masterdrol, I figured what the hell. Legal Gear didn’t let me down there, so I would try their pct recommendation. After doing a 4 week taper of this product ONLY, 3 caps per day, 2/ day, 1/ day, 1/day my pct was successful and I maintained a very good share of my gains. I personally give this product an A+

I did have some Tamoxifin on hand in case I ran into some issues, but luckily I did not even need it. This will be my same exact approach next time I do a cycle.

Keep in mind everyone is different, but I truly think this is a decent way to go without buying a million different products for pct. I know pct is very important, however I think some people get carried away. Just my opinion.”

“great product used it after a phera-plex cycle where i gained 13kg ( 28 lbs) of mass in 4 weeks (of course not the leanest weight gain) and i used formadrol as a pct for 4 weeks as directed and managed to keep most of the muscle weight gained but lost a considerable amount of fat, but of course as soon as i finished this product my weight went down very fast, which shows it works to keep your muscle gains. not to sure how safe it is though cause it is methylated”

Acetyl L-Carnitine -ALCAR Health Benefits
Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) a natural remedy super antioxidant, occurring form of L-carnitine that specifically benefits the brain. ALCAR helps supply the brain with energy by improving energetics in the mitochondrion, the cell’s energy generator. ALCAR promotes biosynthesis of acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter for brain and nerve function. Acetyl-L-Carnitine has been shown in clinical studies to benefit cognitive ability, memory and mood.

ALCAR Overview
• Introduction
• Sources
• Therapeutic Dosages
• Therapeutic Uses
• What Is the Scientific Evidence for Carnitine?
• Safety Issues
• Interactions You Should Know About
ALCAR Introduction
Acetyl-l-Carnitine is an amino acid the body uses to turn fat into energy. It is not normally considered an essential nutrient because the body can manufacture all it needs. However, supplemental carnitine may improve the ability of certain tissues to produce energy. This effect has led to the use of carnitine in various muscle diseases as well as heart conditions.

ALCAR Sources
There is no dietary requirement for carnitine. However, a few individuals have a genetic defect that hinders the body’s ability to make carnitine. In addition, diseases of the liver, kidneys, or brain may inhibit carnitine production. Certain medications, especially the antiseizure drugs valproic acid (Depakene) and phenytoin (Dilantin), may reduce carnitine levels; however, whether taking extra carnitine would be helpful has not been determined. Heart muscle tissue, because of its high energy requirements, is particularly vulnerable to carnitine deficiency.

The principal food dietary sources of carnitine are meat and dairy products, but to obtain therapeutic dosages a supplement is necessary.

ALCAR Therapeutic Dosages
Typical dosages for the diseases described here range from 500 to 1,000 mg 3 times daily. Carnitine is taken in three forms: L-carnitine (for heart and other conditions), propionyl-L-carnitine (for heart conditions), and acetyl-L-carnitine (for Alzheimer’s disease). The dosage is the same for all three forms.

ALCAR Therapeutic Uses
Carnitine is primarily used for heart-related conditions. Some evidence suggests that it can be used along with conventional treatment for angina, to improve symptoms and reduce medication needs. When combined with conventional therapy, it may also reduce mortality rates after a heart attack.

Lesser evidence suggests that it may be helpful for a condition called intermittent claudication (pain in the legs after walking due to narrowing of the arteries), as well as congestive heart failure. In addition, a few studies suggest that carnitine may be useful for cardiomyopathy.

Carnitine may also be helpful for improving exercise tolerance in people with chronic pulmonary obstruction disease (COPD), more commonly known as emphysema.

Warning: You should not attempt to self-treat any of these serious medical conditions, nor should you use carnitine as a substitute for standard drugs.

One study found evidence that acetyl-L-carnitine is helpful for Peyronie’s disease, a condition affecting the penis.

Some studies have found evidence that one particular form of carnitine, acetyl-l-carnitine, might be helpful in Alzheimer’s disease, but the two most recent and largest studies found no benefit. This form of carnitine has also been investigated for treatment of depression in the elderly.

A genetic condition called fragile X syndrome can cause behavioral disturbances such as hyperactivity, along with mental retardation, autism, and alterations in appearance. A preliminary study of 17 boys found that acetyl-L-carnitine might help to reduce hyperactive behavior associated with this condition.

Additionally, a preliminary study suggests that carnitine may be useful for improving blood sugar control in individuals with type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes. It also might help prevent diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy (injury to the nerves of the heart caused by diabetes). Weak evidence suggests that carnitine may be able to improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and also help individuals with degeneration of the cerebellum (the structure of the brain responsible for voluntary muscular movement). One very small study suggests carnitine may be helpful for reducing symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. One study suggests that carnitine may be of value for treating hyperthyroidism.

Uncontrolled studies suggest that L-carnitine or acetyl-L-carnitine may be helpful for improving sperm function. Weak evidence also suggests that carnitine may be helpful for decreasing the toxicity of AZT (a drug used to treat AIDS).

Carnitine is widely touted as a physical performance enhancer, but there is no real evidence that it is effective and some research indicates that it does not work. Little to no evidence supports other claimed benefits such as treating irregular heartbeat, Down’s syndrome, muscular dystrophy, and alcoholic fatty liver disease.

What are the Scientific Evidence and Facts for ALCAR?
ALCAR Angina
Carnitine might be a good addition to standard therapy for angina. In one controlled study, 200 individuals with angina (the exercise-induced variety) took either 2 g daily of L-carnitine or were left untreated. All the study participants continued to take their usual medication for angina. Those taking carnitine showed improvement in several measures of heart function, including a significantly greater ability to exercise without chest pain.70 They were also able to reduce the dosage of some of their heart medications (under medical supervision) as their symptoms decreased.

Another trial that did use a double-blind, placebo-controlled design tested L-carnitine in 52 individuals with angina, and found evidence of benefit. In addition, several small studies (some of them double-blind) tested propionyl-L-carnitine for the treatment of angina, and also found evidence of benefit.

ALCAR and Hardening of The Arteries
People with advanced hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, often have difficulty walking due to lack of blood flow to the legs. Pain may develop after walking less than half a block. Although carnitine does not increase blood flow, it appears to improve the muscle’s ability to function under difficult circumstances.

A 12-month double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 485 patients with intermittent claudication evaluated the potential benefits of propionyl-L-carnitine. Participants with relatively severe disease showed a 44% improvement in walking distance as compared to placebo. However, no improvement was seen in those with mild disease. Another double-blind study followed 245 people and also found benefit.

Similar results have been seen in most but not all other studies of L-carnitine or propionyl-L-carnitine. Propionyl-L-carnitine may be more effective for intermittent claudication than plain carnitine.

ALCAR Congestive Heart Failure
Several small studies have found that carnitine, often in the form of propionyl-L-carnitine, can improve symptoms of congestive heart failure. In one trial, benefits were maintained for 60 days after treatment with carnitine was stopped.

ALCAR After a Heart Attack
Carnitine may help reduce death rate after a heart attack. In a 12-month placebo-controlled study, 160 individuals who had experienced a heart attack received 4 g of L-carnitine daily or placebo, in addition to other conventional medication. The mortality rate in the treated group was significantly lower than in the placebo group, 1.2% versus 12.5%, respectively. There were also improvements in heart rate, blood pressure, angina (chest pain), and blood lipids. A larger double-blind study of 472 people found that carnitine may improve the chances of survival if given within 24 hours after a heart attack. Note: Carnitine is used along with conventional treatment, not as a substitute for it.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Evidence from three double-blind placebo-controlled studies enrolling a total of 49 individuals suggests that L-carnitine can improve exercise tolerance in COPD, presumably by improving muscular efficiency in the lungs and other muscles.
ALCAR and Alzheimer’s Disease
Numerous double- or single-blind studies involving a total of more than 1,400 people have evaluated the potential benefits of acetyl-L-carnitine in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Early studies found some evidence of benefit, although it was generally quite modest. However, the two most recent and best-designed studies found no benefit.

A double-blind placebo-controlled trial that enrolled 431 participants for 1 year found no significant improvement at all in the group treated with acetyl-L-carnitine. A close look at the results appeared to suggest some benefit in individuals who developed Alzheimer’s disease at a particularly young age. However, when this possibility was tested in a 1-year double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 229 patients with early-onset Alzheimer’s, no benefits were seen.

ALCAR and Mild Depression
A double-blind study of 60 seniors with mild depression found that treatment with 3 g of carnitine daily over a 2-month period significantly improved symptoms as compared to placebo. Positive results were seen in another study as well.

Alcar and Hyperthyroidism
Enlargement of the thyroid (goiter) can be due to many causes, including cancer and iodine deficiency. In some cases, thyroid enlargement occurs without any known cause, so-called benign goiter.

Treatment of benign goiter generally consists of taking thyroid hormone pills. This causes the thyroid gland to become less active, and the goiter shrinks. However, there may be undesirable effects as well. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) can develop, including heart palpitations, nervousness, weight loss, and bone breakdown.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found evidence that use of L-carnitine could alleviate many of these symptoms. This 6-month study evaluated the effects of L-carnitine in 50 women who were taking thyroid hormone for benign goiter. The results showed that a dose of 2 or 4 g of carnitine daily protected participants’ bones and reduced other symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

Carnitine is thought to affect thyroid hormone by blocking its action in cells. This suggests a potential concern: Carnitine might be harmful for people who have low or borderline thyroid levels to begin with. This possibility has not been well explored as yet.

ALCAR and Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s disease is an inflammatory condition of the penis that develops in stages. In the first stage, penile pain occurs with erection; next, the penis becomes curved; finally, erectile dysfunction may occur. Many medications have been tried for Peyronie’s disease, with some success. One such drug is tamoxifen (better known as a treatment to prevent breast cancer recurrence.) A 3 month, double-blind study compared the effectiveness of acetyl-L-carnitine (1 gram twice daily) against tamoxifen; the study enrolled 15 men in the first stage of Peyronie’s disease and 33 men in the second stage. The result indicated that acetyl-L-carnitine reduced penile curvature while tamoxifen did not; the supplement also reduced pain and slowed disease progression to a greater extent than the drug. Furthermore, while the drug caused various side effectsa and the supplement caused none.

ALCAR and Athletic Performance Enhancement
A 1996 review of clinical studies concluded that no scientific basis exists for the belief that carnitine supplements enhance athletic performance. A few studies have found some benefit, but most have not.

ALCAR Safety Issues
L-carnitine in its three forms appears to be quite safe. However, individuals with low or borderline-low thyroid levels should avoid carnitine because it might impair the action of thyroid hormone.

Individuals on dialysis should not receive this (or any other supplement) without a physician’s supervision. The maximum safe dosages for young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease have not been established.

Interaction Drug Side Effects You Should Know About
If you are taking;
• Antiseizure medications, particularly valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene) but also phenytoin (Dilantin): You may need extra carnitine.
• Thyroid medication: Do not take carnitine except under a physician’s supervision

By LiftIsLige

““Gained 16 Pounds in 49 days”

X-Factor

Here are some of the gains I’ve made from X-Factor.
Current Weight: 163LB’s (In morning Pre-workout, no food) [up from 147]
Bench: At the beginning of X-Factor I could only do 205 like twice on a good day, now I do 225 around 3-5 times. (*My shoulders did start to flare up like last week but no longer a problem).
Incline: I used to work my way up to a struggling 155, now I do 185 with pretty decent effort.
Squats: Due to knee problems, I would get up a sloppy 225, but now i’m working towards getting a full set of 275 in (knee still flares up from time to time).
Bent Over Row: My school only goes up to 90LB DB’s, and they’re extremely easy, pre-stack I could only do 75’s (80 on a good day).
Lat Pull Down: I used to only do 180, with trouble. Now I do 240 (with trouble).
Bicep Curls: My conc. curls have gone up 15 pounds while my str. bar curls have gone up 30LB’s.
Triceps: Extensions have gone up around 2 plates (10 pound plates), but my headbangers (skull crushers) have stayed the same.
Push Press: I noticed real gains here, I used to only do 115 (around 8 reps, and 135 around 3 reps); Now I warm up with 135 and work my way up to 165 (for around 4 reps).

These are just some of the exercise gains i’ve seen. If you’d like to know about another workouts gain please look at my workout schedules and select the exercises you want me to comment on. X-Factor Impression: I’ll be purchasing 2 bottles every 100 days (50 days on, 50 days off). Great product, you’re joints can flare up at times but I didn’t really have a problem with it (I had a little bit of a shoulder problem earlier on).

I will be using the following stack for the rest of the year-
X-Factor (On and off)
PowerFULL
Symmetry
Clout (Mixed with Storm)
Real Gains
Animal Pak

I have one more day of X-Factor and it hasn’t let me down. The first few weeks you see minimal gains and start to wonder if you’ve been scammed, but by week 4 you see the effects. I have the same abdominal visibility that I did before the stack. Although Cardio hasn’t gotten any easier (X-Factor doesn’t help that, or pretend to help it either). “

It has been proven to lower your chance of getting cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, but most people don’t realize how accessible it is. I’m referring to Curcumin –the natural pigment that gives the spice turmeric its yellow color. Curcumin is a member of the ginger family and is used extensively in Asian and Indian cuisine to make curries, dhal, pilaf and chutney.

So how does it help ward off cancer and Alzheimer’s disease? In the 1990’s researchers discovered the risk of developing colon, breast, prostate and lung was 15 times lower in India than in America. Researchers also found Americans have four times the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease as the people in India. They attribute those statistics in large part to Curcumin.

In the past decade there has been an explosion of interest in the benefits associated with Curcumin, with more than 800 studies done in the last four years alone. What researchers know so far is that Curcumin contains polyphenols and curcuminoids that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-amyloid properties. It interferes with tumor development, prevents oxidative damage to cells, and reduces brain plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Other health benefits associated with a diet rich in Curcumin include the reduction of inflammatory bowel disease, improvement of liver function, it’s even known to lower cholesterol and act as a pain reliever.

So how much Curcumin do you need to consume to reap the benefits? According to researchers, there are currently no recommendations but most studies used 1200mg of 95% standardized Curcumin. But, before you head out to the store to stock up on turmeric you should know that pregnant women and anyone with gallstones should avoid Curcumin because it increases bile production.

You can obtain the benefits of Curcumin by cooking with turmeric. Researchers found people who ate curry once a day had a 49% reduced risk of cognitive impairment, while those who ate curry at least three times a week had a 38% reduced risk of mental decline. Basically, the more you eat the better the results.

by Michele Cheplic

The History of Fish Oil

You’ll be taking a lot of fish oil on the nutritional programs we devise in the office and a little education and history about its manufacturing is in order. The first recorded production of fish oil occurred in 1775 in England. When cod was bought back from America, the livers were slapped on the filthy streets of London, and the oil oozed out. The oil was collected–along with anything else on the streets–and sold as cod liver oil. Disgusting as it was, this crude cod liver oil was considered a miracle cure for arthritis. Obviously, we’ve come a long way from letting cod livers ooze their content in the gutters, but I still consider the cod liver oil sold in today’s drugstores pretty vile.

In the 1980s, fish oil manufacturing took a technological leap. Manufacturers began extracting the oil from the body, instead of the liver of the fish, which solved the problem of Vitamin A toxicity (since the liver contains all the Vitamin A). To extract fish oil, the fish are boiled until the oil rises to the top of the vat, a process known as rendering. Unfortunately, this crude fish oil represents the sewer of the sea, since anything eaten by the fish that is water-insoluble will become part of that rendered oil. This includes toxins like PCBs, DDT, and organic mercury compounds.

In addition, these fish body oils tasted just as bad as cod liver oil, so consumers were loath to try them. Manufacturers solved this problem by encapsulating the oil in soft gelatin capsules, which could be swallowed whole.

But that created another problem. To get the same amount of long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids provided by a tablespoon of cod liver oil required eight 1-gram capsules of fish body oil per day. None of us wants to spend our day popping capsules. But the one or two capsules a day that most of us are willing to take acts essentially like a placebo because the amount of long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids in this dose is extremely small.

For these reasons, the fish oil mania that swept our nation in the mid-1980s burned out quickly. People did not experience any perceptible health benefits because the amount of fish oil they were taking was too low to have any positive effect. Furthermore, any small benefits that might have occurred would have been canceled out by the changing dietary habits. Remember, we were in the midst of a passionate love affair with carbohydrates during that decade, and these carbs would have caused a surge in our insulin levels, which in turn, increased the formation of arachidonic acid.

The formation of arachidonic acid was exactly the opposite of what fish oil was expected to do. Adding insult to injury, once the capsule dissolved in the stomach, many people were bothered by a fishy taste in their mouths and fishy breath for hours. If that wasn?t enough, other contaminants (usually weird fatty acids made by algae) present in the fish oil often caused bloating and diarrhea.

Although the vitamin A was removed from the fish body oil capsules, there was still the lingering problem of PCBs. To deal with this problem, some manufacturers employed a technology called molecular distillation, which removed some (but not all) of the PCBs.

The next innovation in fish oil development was the removal of some of the saturated fats by distillation to give fractionated fish oils slightly increased levels of long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids. However, the purity of these products is still not up to what I define as pharmaceutical standards.

The final breakthrough in fish oils was the development of what I consider to be Ultra Refined EPA and DHA concentrate Omega 3 product. This requires advanced chemical engineering that begins with the removal of most of the saturated fat by fractional distillation and the removal of virtually all the PCBs (measured in parts per billion) by more sophisticated molecular distillation.

With these innovations, a new type of fish oil was created, one that could deliver a concentrated amount of long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids without unwanted byproducts like chemical contaminants or harmful fatty acids. It is only with the use of pharmaceutical-grade fish oil that you can deliver high enough levels of long-chain Omega-3 fats to your brain and body. Once you do, remarkable things begin to happen within 30 days.

The Benefits of High Dose Fish Oil

What can you expect when you begin taking high-dose fish oil if you’re relatively healthy and have no chronic illnesses like heart disease or Alzheimer’s disease? You will notice that your mental abilities are enhanced and that your emotions are on a more even keel. Taking significant doses of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids increases your body’s production of the two neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. Dopamine spurs you to action, enhancing your brain’s ability to concentrate on the task at hand and allowing you to organize yourself more efficiently. Serotonin is your morality or “feel good” hormone. It gives you a sense of well-being and allows you to handle stress more easily. When you’ve depleted these neurotransmitters, you’re at greater risk of developing attention deficit disorder (low dopamine levels) or depression (low serotonin levels).

Patients with neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s, attention deficit disorder (ADD), depression, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease (to name a few) appear to require higher levels of these fatty acids on the order of 10 to 25 grams per day. There’s been an apparent improvement in symptoms in patients who take these higher doses; It’s also been found that when they drop their dose to below 10 grams of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids per day, their neurological symptoms invariably re appear.

Patients who take such high doses would find it inconvenient to swallow 10 or more fish oil capsules a day. They need to take fish oil straight from the bottle, delivered by the tablespoon (just as your grandmother did). The purity of pharmaceutical-grade fish oil makes that a realistic possibility, especially if the fish oil is kept in the freezer (remember, it won’t freeze).

Here’s a promise that is presented by supplementing fish oil. Within thirty days of taking 1 to 2 teaspoons (or 4 to 8 capsules) of Ultra Refined EPA and DHA Concentrate - fish oil* you can expect to find yourself thinking more clearly with a greater sense of concentration, owing to increased dopamine production. In addition, your ability to handle stress will be greatly increased, owing to increased serotonin production. Finally, you will see an improvement in your physical capacity for exercise, especially in terms of greater endurance, owing to better blood flow. Most important, however, you are keeping yourself in the Zone, ensuring a longer and better life.