By Janet Angel, PhD-Nutritional Biochemist

You might be surprised to discover that athletes are often nutritionally deficient or nutritionally imbalanced. Recent scientific studies are proving that even the most conditioned athletes; those that boast top nutritional status, high energy output may be overworking their organs and systems and creating greater free radical damage along with inadequate nutrient absorption.

It doesn’t matter what type of exhaustive athletic training a person participates in, what matters most is that protein pathways may be disturbed and therefore amino acid breakdown and transmission suffer…muscles suffer. When micro nutrients become unavailable metabolism is inadequate and therefore the body is stressed making the immune system less than vibrant.

As we age the human body does not manufacture as many enzymes and often by the time a person is in their thirties digestive upsets occur and later more dramatic insufficiencies and symptoms appear.  Amino acids are the building blocks to life yet even those athletes consuming huge amounts of protein in any form will be less likely to fully metabolize protein without the appropriate enzymes available to assist. You may not know that your body is lacking enzymes…most likely it is.

Once food is heated above 119 degrees all of the enzymes are destroyed; the average American diet contains mainly of cooked foods and processed foods which are enzyme exhausted. Other issues play a role as well; for example, a person may consume several different types of foods at one sitting making the call for multiple enzymes critical to absorption.  Only raw foods contain enzymes and only enough to break down that specific food. Human beings will always be dependent upon exogenous enzymes, those existing outside the human body. Professional athletes, including professional body builders around the world, understand the importance of adding a quality multi-dimensional enzyme formula to their health regime. Athletes around the globe are choosing AbsorbAid Platinum® to help get lean, stay lean, build muscle and be stronger longer!!

AbsorbAid® is a 100% vegetarian complex enzyme formula to help turn more of what you eat into energy! AbsorbAid® has been clinically tested and scientifically proven by Roche and Mayo Clinic laboratories to increase the absorption of vital nutrients by up to 71%!! AbsorbAid® Platinum helps the body safely and effectively digest and absorb proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vegetables, beans, and dairy and reduces them to valuable micro-nutrient form.

AbsorbAid® Platinum is so unique because it is not destroyed by stomach acids and therefore reaches the small intestine where nutrients are distributed into the blood.  Enzymes catalyze all metabolic processes and we cannot live without them! AbsorbAid® has been the leader in enzymes since 1995 and hundreds of thousands of people have used it with great success in improving digestion and ultimately their health. When your body gets the benefit of having more vital nutrients available for metabolism every system works better!

Many athletes put an unnatural demand upon the human body whether it be lifting hundreds of pounds, doing more repetitions, running a marathon, or getting lean using less than healthful methods.  AbsorbAid® Platinum is a comprehensive digestive blend of 12 proprietary enzymes and 2 heat stable probiotics to help support digestion and your immune system!

AbsorbAid® is highly recommended by physicians and trainers all over the world. AbsorbAid® will improve the absorption of nutrients from other supplements too – so  it is a wonderful complement to your entire health program.

Don’t miss out on what the competition is doing to get the edge. Even Olympic Teams are incorporating enzymes into their nutrient regime. Whether you are an Olympic Athlete, a professional sports player, or someone that just wants to perform and look like one—-you will want to add AbsorbAid® Platinum to your diet.

If you are suffering with aches and pains, muscle fatigue, recuperating from an illness or injury…your body needs more enzymes. PROTECT yourself and give your body what it needs to get the job done faster and more completely.  Order AbsorbAid® Platinum today!!! (800)827-7656  www.Naturessources.com 

Say goodbye to that mudbath the others call a shake and hello to Isoloid. 27 grams of protein per serving, and that’s one scoop. These guys don’t try and pull a fast one on you by making it seems like a lot only to have the small print say ‘per two servings.’

Check out some of these details:

*Cold filtered whey isolate

*Rapid amino acid delivery

*Most biologically available whey

*Fat and lactose free

*27,000 mg of amino acids per serving

Isoloid is also 99 percent Bio-Available. What? In  layman’s terms, that means that your body will digest, absorb and benefit fro  virtually every gram. Many of those others on the vitamin store shelf contain inferior low protein concentrates, synthetic ingredients or artificial flavoring which can inhibit digestion and utilization.

You can’t go wrong with either flavor. Wonka Chocolate and Vicious Vanilla both taste fantastic and mix well. The best part? A two-pound can is only $49.95. Get yours today at www.golaithlabs.com.

Choose from one of three flavors: punch, mint or coffee. Don’t like spraying it directly in your mouth? Then just add to water or your favorite beverage to energize day and night.

Another great trait in D-MIX is that the dosage can be customized for each user. Man or woman, heavy or light, it tells you right on the canister how many pumps will work for you. Start with a few pumps and add more during your workout if necessary. Precision dosing like this will avoid the crash, nervousness and jitters commonly associated with other brands.

Each bottle of D-MIX contains 15 10-pump servings and 700mg of highly concentrated and pure caffeine. The cost? A mere $5.99, my friend. In case you need any more convincing, 5-Hour Energy drink (which requires you to drink the entire bottle in one serving) will give you only 100mg of caffeine for each bottle, which will run anywhere from $2.99 to $3.49. That means will have to break the piggy bank for the $21 it will cost you in 5-Hour Energy that will serve the same as a single bottle of D-MIX.

Besides all of that caffeine, D-MIX is also loaded with:

*21 Amino Acids

*7 Antioxidants

*12 Multi-Vitamins

*66,667 % Vitamin B-12

Take advantage of their great deal – try all three flavors for just $19.97 and also receive a free t-shirt and free shipping. You cannot beat that, no matter how far and wide you look. Order today at www.getind-mix.com.

Seeing the scale go down is a nice feeling when you’re “dieting” but if the weight you are losing is lean muscle it will only pose huge problems for you in the future! Muscle weighs twice as much as fat, so if you are dropping weight quite rapidly and not consuming enough protein in your daily diet you are losing valuable muscle! I have been saying this for years – do not just do cardio exercise, but lift weights too! Stimulating and “tearing” your muscle fibers down during resistance training is only part of the equation. You must ingest amino acids (which are in your proteins) to rebuild and recover from those intense workouts!

Lots of cardio exercise without proper protein intake will only result in one thing – weight loss. That weight loss will be some fat of course, some water weight as well but most importantly lean muscle loss. The goal is to lose as much body fat as possible while retaining lean tissue (muscle). I don’t care who you are, nobody wants to purposely lose muscle from their body. The more muscle you have, the more fat you lose. Having more muscle on your frame allows us to eat more food as well because it takes more energy to sustain that muscle.

I’m sure you’ve heard of the “yo-yo dieting” phenomenon? Losing a lot of weight (muscle included) and then finishing your diet only to start eating like you did before your diet will lead to a rebound of rapid weight gain! The difference is this time it will be ALL fat gain and lots more where that came from. Remember I said losing muscle will only pose huge problems in the future? Losing the muscle during your “weight loss” catches up to you because now you have less muscle to combat the fat you had. Fat cells merely shrink when you “lose” so when they begin to get bigger from eating more, you are not packing around the muscle mass you once had to burn more calories. This in turn will make you even fatter than before you started to lose your weight!

How can you stop this from happening? First thing is to change your thinking. Concentrate on losing “fat” NOT just “weight.” Muscle weight is the most important thing you can try and maintain while dropping down on the scale. Psychologically this will be harder because when you do look at the scale it may not go down much. This is why taking measurements is more important than a weigh scale.

Along with taking measurements and using your mirror image to chart your progress it is crucial to maintain a high protein diet everyday to hold on to muscle. Even if the majority of your exercise is of the cardio type, you must remember to not let your body go too long without protein. You want to stay in what is called an “Anabolic state.” (muscle building/muscle sparing). This will enhance your chances of success. Allowing your body to go into a “Catabolic state” (muscle wasting) is a huge mistake that many make.

This is a rather easy thing to avoid. Simply make sure you are ingesting a protein source every 3-4 hours max throughout the day – everyday. Do not forget about the night time either!  You want to remain in that same anabolic state while you sleep as that is when you recover and/or grow. Drinking a slow release protein containing Casein before bed helps this state to be in effect for up to 8 hours. High protein and very low to no carbohydrates is the key. Breakfast needs a high protein source a well. The word Breakfast means to “break the fast” which makes sense, but what I am saying is DO NOT fast over night!

Any questions regarding this or anything else fitness related please email Darren at askgymjunky@gmail.com Good luck with your training!

About my writing: My writing style is my own and to let my reader’s know ahead of time – I say it like it is! My intention is not to offend, but inform. I welcome any questions or even comments YOU the reader has. If for some reason, I do not know the answer, I will find it for you! Please email your questions to:

askgymjunky@gmail.com

I look forward to working with MuscleSport Online Magazine as it is the best online magazine! – Darren Sorensen

My personalized training programs are: $45 US. Personalized eating plans are: $250 US (for 3 months support, included).

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Relocating to New York in the late 1990s she focused her writing attention to crystal healing techniques and metaphysics – however, she still maintained a five day workout schedule during this time and gained her personal training certificate.

Having also studied pharmacology in relation to sports performance, her writing began taking her in that direction until the present day which sees her embarking on a return to the magazine world, as well as extending her web-related work in the bodybuilding and fitness field.

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’

She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com.

The liver is the most complex organ in the body and it is responsible for carrying out over 500 functions that are essential to your health. Some of the tasks the liver executes include:

•       The production of bile, albumin, blood clotting factors, cholesterol, vitamin E.
•       Converting amino acids and lipids into glucose.
•       Maintaining normal blood sugar levels.
•       Metabolizing alcohol, caffeine, over-the-counter and prescribed drugs.
•       Assisting in the digestion of food and elimination of toxins.

In fact the liver treats about 1 300ml of blood per minute making it a very effective internal garbage disposal system. Athletes who consume oral steroids are well aware that, due to the fact that most of them are c-17-alpha alkylated, a significant strain is placed on the liver when using these drugs. Over the years many have turned to liver protecting herbs such as Milk Thistle (Silymarin) in order to protect their liver when using a cycle of oral anabolics. However, there is one product that has consistently proven to be the most effective liver protector available and that is Liv-52. In fact it is probably the most sought after compound on the market for those who value the health of their liver (and why wouldn’t you?).

So let’s take a look at this powerful supplement beginning with a little…

HISTORY

Himalaya Herbal Healthcare introduced Liv-52 in 1955, since then more than 300 clinical studies (double-blind and placebo-controlled) have been performed to prove its effectiveness. It has become one of the most widely sold medications in the world and has received the enthusiastic endorsement of over 200 000 healthcare professionals. Liv-52 is an all-natural multi- ingredient formula that is proven to restore optimum function to the liver by protecting the hepatic parenchyma and promoting hepatocellular regeneration. It neutralizes toxins and poisons from food, water, air and various medications. Those who use alcohol and/or prescription drugs would be well advised to add Liv-52 to their supplement regime.

LIV-52…THE INGREDIENTS

Liv-52 contains a specific blend of ingredients that unite to produce a synergistic action that leads to a significant improvement in liver function.

In Liv-52 you will find the following key ingredients:

•       Capers (Capparis spinosa). This is a known hepatic stimulant that also exerts a positive effect on liver glycogen and serum proteins.
•       Chicory (Cichorium intybus). Chicory promotes digestion and increases the production of bile. It also enhances the effect of the Capers. It also seems to have a positive effect in terms of liver glycogen uptake and may protect against free radical induced DNA damage.
•       Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum). Black Nightshade may reduce oxidative degradation of DNA. Its inclusion here is due to the fact that it is known to support a healthy liver, skin, kidneys and bladder.
•       Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna). In addition to its cardio-protective effects, Arjuna also has favorable effects when it comes to maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
•       Negro Coffee (Cassia Occidentalis). This is a cousin of Senna. It is unrelated to coffee – despite its name – it is included here due to its powerful detoxifying properties.
•       Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Yarrow has proven effective in the regulation of gastric and bile secretions. It is also known to provide support to the urinary and digestive functions and is a useful diuretic and tonic for the venous system.
•       Tamarisk (Tamarix gallica). Tamarisk contains an alkaloid, Tamarixin, which has tonic and diuretic qualities. It has also been utilized in the treatment of conditions caused by hepatic insufficiency.

IN SUMMARY:

Given the fact that Liv-52 has so much proven research behind its effectiveness, I would say it should definitely be a part of your daily supplement regime. The fact that most of us consume caffeine, alcohol and over the counter medications at some time or other is enough to create a stress on the liver. Even something as ‘harmless’ as Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) can be toxic to the liver (and this toxicity can be accelerated in the presence of alcohol). For those using oral anabolics…well, I should not need to repeat its importance.

If you are suffering from fatigue, aches and pains, frequent headaches, stress and appetite fluctuations there is a strong likelihood that your liver is being over-worked. By adding Liv-52 to your supplement regime you are definitely taking out a valuable insurance policy on your greatest asset…your health!

N.B. Liv-52 can be purchased by visiting www.napsgear.net

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Relocating to New York in the late 1990s she focused her writing attention to crystal healing techniques and metaphysics – however, she still maintained a five day workout schedule during this time and gained her personal training certificate.

Having also studied pharmacology in relation to sports performance, her writing began taking her in that direction until the present day which sees her embarking on a return to the magazine world, as well as extending her web-related work in the bodybuilding and fitness field.

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’

She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com.

This is part of a continuing series provided exclusively by MuscleSport Mag giving information on a variety of performance-enhancing drugs for educational purposes. While it is apparent that people are going to use these substances regardless of the health and legal risks involved, quality information is necessary and learning as much about them as possible can only assist an adult making a decision either way.

In recent years, the use of growth hormone has become increasingly popular both inside the athletic community and outside (where it is frequently referred to as a ‘quality of life’ drug). Produced in the human body by the pituitary gland, normal levels are at their highest during adolescence when it promotes tissue growth, protein synthesis and the breakdown of subcutaneous fat stores. Given these physiological functions, its ‘growing’ popularity becomes less of a mystery!

Add to this the fact that it is not liver toxic, does not produce water retention, is ‘skin friendly’ (i.e. does not cause acne), does not aromatize (convert to estrogen) and is highly anabolic with no androgenic side effects, and you have a pretty impressive therapeutic/performance enhancing package. Indeed, it has been hailed as the best drug for muscle gains and probably the only drug that can compensate for bad genetics.

On the technical side, GH is a polypeptide hormone consisting of 191 amino acids which has two main effects in the body:

1) Indirect – once metabolized in the liver GH liberates the hormone IGF-1 (insulin like growth factor) which then proceeds to trigger growth in muscle cells.

2) Direct – GH mobilizes stored body fat for use as energy.

Delving more deeply into its effects, we discover that Growth Hormone exerts its muscle building influence due to its ability to increase cell numbers rather than just actual size. Its influence is observed in all body organs with the exception of the eyes and brain with transport of amino acids increasing along with protein synthesis.
Another thing that makes GH so attractive to users is its pronounced ability to stimulate triglyceride hydrolysis in adipose tissue, which in turn leads to significant fat loss. It is also involved in the process of increasing glucose output in the liver, inducing insulin resistance and blocking the activity of this hormone in target cells. With growth hormone use, a definite shift occurs where fats become the preferred energy source for the body thus leading to greater fat loss overall.

In addition, GH also appears to strengthen connective tissues, cartilage and tendons, reducing the risk of injury often caused by the use of increasingly heavy weights.
Of course, it would be negligent to omit the fact that, as far as drug testing is concerned, GH is a very ‘safe’ drug for an athlete to use since there is currently no reliable detection method in existence to reveal its use.

WOMEN AND GROWTH HORMONE

The use of Growth hormone by female athletes is still a relatively gray area in terms of documented results and effects. This may be due to the fact that women are still reluctant to step forward and admit to its use. However, it has been claimed by some Ms Olympia insiders that more than a handful of top competitors are using GH to attain a ripped muscular look without sacrificing their femininity (something that goes hand in hand with testosterone and heavy steroid use).

It is also true that GH has obtained a somewhat glamorous allure due to its use in Hollywood circles and the upper echelons of Californian society. The selling point in this case being instant fat loss, youthful skin and a general sense of physical and emotional rebirth.

Growth Hormone itself is considered to be safer than testosterone and that is why it is becoming increasingly popular with female athletes. However, it is strictly out of bounds for women with a history of hormonal dependant cancers such as breast or ovarian cancer.

Short term therapy is favored over long term use even in women with no prior cancer history and, whilst fat loss is definitely observed the results of GH use in women is often less dramatic than those observed in men – this could be due to the hormone estrogen blocking some of its effects.

GROWTH HORMONE DOSAGES AND ANCILLIARY DRUG USE

The average dosage for GH currently in use is in the range of 4 to 6 i.u’s per day for elite athletes and 1 to 2i.u’s/day for more cautious individuals. Some prefer to take larger amounts spread over say three shots a week but the general consensus is that daily dosing is more effective due to the fact that GH has a very short life span in the body. Blood levels peak at around 2 – 6 hours after injection and the hormone is quickly cleared from the body. The effects of GH use are also more pronounced when used for longer periods of time (with the exception being use by women which is always recommended to be shorter due to the aforementioned health risks). However, for general fat loss a cycle of four weeks is usually enough to deliver results.

It is also important to mention that, when using Growth Hormone, your body seems to need an increased amount of thyroid hormones and insulin (since GH therapy is shown to lower levels of these hormones). Taking either Cytomel or Synthroid (T-3 and T-4) is recommended – with Cyctomel being preferred. Insulin is also recommended since it can increase receptor sensitivity to IGF-1 which adds to the anabolic effect of GH.
For even greater muscle cell anabolism the use of an androgen such as Testosterone or Trenbolone (if estrogen is a concern) is also suggested. This combination works synergistically to amplify results, but it is important to note that both thyroid and insulin are very powerful drugs and their use does increase the risk of side effects.

RISKS VERSUS RESULTS

Growth Hormone is not entirely free of negative side effects, the most reported of those being acromegaly – a noticeable thickening of the bones. This applies in particular to the bones of the feet, hands, elbows, jaw and forehead. It can also enlarge the vital organs and has been linked to hypoglycemia and diabetes. Abuse of this substance can certainly trigger a number of serious conditions so anyone seeking to use GH must arm him or herself with as much information as possible and, if available, seek medical supervision.

Having said that, such adverse reactions are rare with very few documented cases of problems arising from athletes choosing to use Growth Hormone periodically and at moderate dosages.

To sum it up, GH is a valuable performance enhancing substance and as long as you use it with respect and monitor yourself carefully, it can contribute greatly to not only your physique but also your quality of life in general.

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’
She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com or you can also check her out at New York’s favorite metaphysical store www.stickstoneandbone.com.