Supplements that help you STAY AWAKE!

September 15th, 2008

When people begin to feel tired, the most common response is to drink coffee which contains the stimulate caffeine. But for many people too much caffeine can interfere with the ability to sleep soundly. Tiredness in the body is a signal that you need to replenish the nutrients that give the body energy. There are many supplements that help you stay awake and feel revitalized instead of over-stimulated.

Physical and mental activity is constantly going on in the body, even when you are at rest. If your work is highly intensive in either category, for instance computer programming or construction work, you will use energy at a higher rate. Proper nutrition and rest are vital to the body’s functioning but when that is not enough, you may need to boost your ATP (Adenosine-5-triphosphate), it role is “transporter” of energy within the cellular structure of in the body.

Coenzyme 1 (NADH) and Coenzyme Q10 are both vital components used by the body to produce ATP have been found effective to rejuvenate the body energy supply. Coenzyme 1 (NADH) boosts brain transmitters dopamine and norepinephrine are both vital in helping the body to fight fatigue. Coenzyme Q10 converts food into 95% of the body’s energy requirements for ATP.

Royal Jelly, is very complex supplement that is a very rich source of protein, eight essential amino acids, important fatty acids, sugars, sterols and phosphorous compounds as well as acetylcholine, which the body uses to transmit nerve messages from cell to cell. It contains gamma globulin, which supports the immune system and helps the body fight off infections. Royal Jelly contains vitamins A, C, D, E. Plus it is particularly useful for its B-complex contents; B1, B2, B6, B12, biotin, folic acid, inositol and pantothenic acid the B vitamin recognized for its ability to reduce stress levels and increase energy. Royal Jelly is rich in minerals such as; calcium, copper, iron, phosphorous, potassium, silicon and sulfur.

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is produced in the brain from the amino acid glutamate with the aid of vitamin B6 and the most important and widespread inhibitory neurotransmitter. Several neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, sleep disorders, and Parkinson’s disease are affected by this neurotransmitter. Stimulation of the brain must be balanced with inhibition. Too much stimulation leads to restlessness and low energy levels.

Eleuthero Root is more commonly known as Siberian Ginseng, has been proven to be highly effective raising energy levels. This supplement is individuals who need stamina and endurance such as athletes, deep sea divers, long-distance drivers and mountain rescue workers. It also helps the body to resist viral infections, environmental toxins and radiation which drain the body’s energy.
Whatever your objective, it is very important to consider the state of your overall health: some of the supplements on this list that you find in energy formulas may not be appropriate for individuals with cardiovascular ailments, diabetes or high blood pressure. Be sure to consult your health care provider before taking any of these supplements to help you stay awake.

What is HGH?

September 3rd, 2008

The natural growth of your body takes place because of the human growth hormone (HGH) produced by your pituitary gland located at the base of your brain. From birth to maturity, this hormone impacts the cells of the body more than any other: it is THE cell generator. This “master hormone” controls many of the body organs functions, influencing cell development and repair. Doctors have been administering human growth hormone by injection to aid in children’s physical development for several decades. Now the important role of HGH in adult metabolism is drawing attention and it’s being mass-marketed as one of the supplement that will make you grow.
The Human Growth Hormone is a very complex molecule and production is most active from birth to the age of 21, then it begins to decrease. This is one of the essential factors in the aging process. At the age of 21, the body regenerates a new cell for each one that dies, but at age 50, the body regenerates one new cell for every TWO that die. The level of cell regeneration drops dramatically by age 70 when only one cell is regenerated for four cells that die.
The amount of human growth hormone in the body can be measured by levels of Insulin Growth Factor (IGF-1). At age 21, there is approximately 10 milligrams of human growth hormone circulating in each deciliter of blood. By the age of 61 this amount decreases by 80% to only 2 milligrams. Because of its vital role in growing the cells, bones, muscles, and organs, the decreasing level of human growth hormone after age 30 is one of the factors that contributes to our loss of youth. The human body “shrinks”  because the one to two million cells per day that are being lost are not being regenerated.
Today it is possible to increase HGH levels by taking dietary supplements. By increasing Human Growth Hormone supplements in your diet, your body can have the substance it needs to regenerate the daily loss of cells. The first supplements were extracted from cows, but because of mad-cow disease, most supplements are now synthetically produced.  There are four types of human growth hormone supplements currently available; injectables, amino acid stacks pills and powders, oral spays and a pill supplement that that increases your natural production of Growth Hormone.
HGH injections work, but they are expensive and require a doctor’s approval and monitoring. The trace amount of HGH found in the oral sprays isn’t sufficient to be effective. The “amino acid stack” supplements have been tested, but have not shown any proven increase in HGH.
The most effective and inexpensive of all these supplements that will make you grow to date combines Glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC) with the two hormones produced in the hypothalamus: Somatostatin and growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH). For individuals over the age of 30, increasing your body’s level of HGH can; build muscles, increase the skin’s elasticity, lower blood pressure, thicken hair, sharpen vision, help ensure restful sleep and heighten sexual potency.

Great Sources of Bodybuilding Foods

August 26th, 2008

Protein is the key ingredient to building muscle and exercise is vital to maintain their tone and strength. But the body needs more than protein to function at its best and look great. Here are few sources of bodybuilding foods that can help you stay in shape with a high level of energy:

Cruciferous Vegetables: This low calorie food group includes watercress, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage are high in fiber and rich in vitamin C. These veggies satisfy your appetite and help burn calories because the body must work hard to digest them, especially when eaten raw. Three servings of these a week and your body will receive the healthful phyto-nutrients that are vital in the process of keeping a low body fat level.

Allium Vegetables: You may not realize that garlic, chives, onions, scallions, and leeks which are allium vegetables can play an important role in your bodybuilding diet. They provide several benefits to the body from their abundant quantity of flavonoids, such as quercetin.

Fortified Eggs: The high level of protein that eggs contain has been known for a long time. Now fortified eggs are even better for the body. Egg producers have started feeding hens flaxseed with Vitamin E to boost the level of omega-3 essential fatty acids over 6 times the amount found in regular eggs. Some egg producers are adding flaxseed to the feed of hens. Eating two fortified eggs may provide an adequate amount of omega-3 fatty acids.

Legumes: Legumes are high in protein and provide soluble fiber to help your blood sugar and energy levels stable because they are slow releasing complex carbohydrates. Adding pinto beans, kidney beans, navy beans, lima beans, black beans, chickpeas, lentils, and black-eyed peas to your diet and increase your workout energy.

Mollusks: The three most popular mollusks; mussels, clams and oysters are high in essential minerals, low in fat and a great source of protein. Mollusks are an excellent source of the Vitamin B12, zinc selenium and copper: minerals that are vital to the cellular functions. Clams have the highest level of “heme” iron content which is a form of the mineral that is more easily absorbed by the body than free iron.

Nuts: Adding two ounces of Almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, cashews or pistachios to your daily diet will support your bodybuilding with healthy polyunsaturated fatty acids and vegetable proteins. They also contain potassium, folate, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, phosphorous, phytosterols, antioxidants, Vitamin E and arginine.

Salmon: This fish is a great way to add more muscle building protein to your diet and one of the best sources of the cell membrane builder omega-3 fatty acid.

Whole Grains: Oatmeal, barley and brown rice are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and essential fatty acids that are helpful in providing steady energy for hard training.
These sources of bodybuilding foods along with nutritional supplement can support your weight maintenance, strength building and endurance regiment providing you with the energy to enjoy an active lifestyle.

Top 10 Weightloss Supplements

July 24th, 2008

“What weight loss supplements really work?” This is a valid question with so many different products claiming to be the best. Although there are many plants that contain properties that can assist in the weight loss process, when these are used in combination their effectiveness is increased.

Proper nutrition, exercise and rest are vital to maintaining optimum health and essential when the goal is to obtain the weight that is best for your body type and lifestyle. Nutritional supplements provide the missing elements from food, physical activity is important for restoring muscle tone as you lose body fat and a proper amount of rest is required for the body to repair itself. Here are some of the best weight loss supplements:

  1. Coleus Forskohlii is an Ayurvedic plant that derives its ability to contribute to weight loss from the active ingredient forskolin, which supports cellular functions and stimulates fat burning enzymes.
  2. Green Tea is an antioxidant rich in catechins polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). It is effective in weight loss because of its thermal properties that promote fat oxidation.
  3. Guarana is a mild diuretic due to its caffeine content with the ability to break down and mobilize fat and use it for energy. It reduces fatigue and aids digestion.
  4. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is one of the fatty acids found in dairy products and meat that aids in fat loss and weight control while enhancing lean muscle growth. It influences the thyroid gland which controls the rate of metabolism in the body. In addition it also helps to correct adrenal imbalances and decrease abdominal fat due that result from this condition.
  5. Garcinia Cambogia is rich in a substance called Hydroxycitric Acid Calcium Salt or HCA, which has been found effective for bridging the “diet plateau” the point where many people have difficulty losing the stubborn last pounds.
  6. Guggul comes in many different varieties and used widely in Ayurveda. The Guggul resin contains “Guggulsterones” which stimulates the thyroid and increases the metabolic rate.
  7. Ginseng is a traditional Chinese botanical contains “ginsenosides” which play a key role in supplying blood to the brain and increases energy
  8. Cayenne contains capsaicin which increases the body’s production of heat, helps regulate blood sugar levels by affecting the breakdown of carbohydrates and increases blood circulation.
  9. Chromium Polynicotinate is an effective blood sugar stabilizer and fat burner with the ability to assist in carbohydrate metabolism and keep blood sugar levels stable.
  10. Hoodia Gordonii comes from the cactus like plant that grows exclusively in South Africa. It is a natural appetite suppressant due to a high content of P57 which is 10,000 times as active as glucose.

It is also important to consider your overall health condition: some of the supplements on this list that you find in weight loss formulas may not be appropriate for individuals with cardiovascular ailments, diabetes or high blood pressure. Before taking any of these ten top weight loss supplements it’s always wise to consult your health care provider.

Top five bodybuilding suppliements

July 2nd, 2008

strong pipe cleaner bodybuilder1. Protein

Protein is your basic building block for muscle.  You can not build muscle without a source of protein!  We recommend you take between 1-2 grams of protein per pound of body weight a day if you are trying to build muscle.

The quickest digesting protein is whey.  Because why digests so slowly whey protein is recommended for times when you need the protein quickly such as post workout.

Another important protein is casein. Casein protein is digested slowly.  Casein protein is recommended for times where you will not be able to get protein for a long time, such as going to bed.

2. Creatine

Creatine is a natural product found in your body and meat products. The reason creatine is great for building muscle is because it increases the main energy source for your muscles, ATP.  Creatine will allow you to perform more reps, sets, lift more weight and recover more quickly!

Another large bonus for creatine is its very cheap.  There are many types of creatine to choose from, the two main types we recommend are monohydrate and CEE.

3. Multivitamin

A good multivitamin is a staple; it will provide any minerals or gaps in your diet. Especially with a high protein diet you might be missing important vitamins or minerals that are necessary for your health and optimum muscle growth.

Athletic people such as bodybuilders need more vitamins that the average person, so make sure that you get a well rounded multi.

4. Nitric Oxide or NO

Nitric oxide is a gas that is produced by the body to communicate with other cells. The part that is of interest to bodybuilders is that nitric oxide increases blood flow to the muscles, which causes the muscles become larger while lifting. You will love the muscle pump you get with these products.

5. Glutamine

L-Glutamine is a flavorless non-essential ammo acid found in muscle tissue. Its main propose should be used for maintaining muscle mass. It also allows for a better and quicker recovery, which in turn allows you to go to the gym more frequently.

Glutamine can also reduce cravings for sweets which is great to help keep the carbs down.

Same as creatine Glutamine is a cheap supplement and easy to add to your daily supplementation. Glutamine should be taken pre-workout and not at the same time as creatine.


All About Weight Loss Supplements

June 24th, 2008

alli weight loss pillsIt seems that the entire world is hunting for a way to lose weight. One of the recent fads that has actually stayed its ground well past it’s due is the idea of using weight loss supplements to help someone lose weight. Weight loss supplements are starting to lose the “fad” stigma, as people realize that there are supplements out there that can help people to lose weight. While none of these are the famed “super pill” that can make the weight simply fall off, they are all great ways to add to diet and exercise to help someone lose weight in a quicker fashion.

What Do Weight Loss Supplements Do

Weight loss supplements do different things, all with the hopes of helping and aiding someone who is working out and dieting to lose weight. Different weight loss supplements work in different ways, however. There are weight loss supplements that exist to help suppress the appetite of the person who is taking it. The idea of the appetite suppressant is to make the person hungry less often, helping them to lose weight along the way. There are other supplements that claim to help block the absorption of certain fats, and there are also supplements that claim to increase the metabolism, which helps to tackle fat.

How Can You Get Them?

Weight loss supplements come in many different shapes and sizes. One of the ways that the fat blocking type of weight loss supplements are given is through bars. Similar to protein bars, these bars are specially designed to not ruin any diets, while helping them to lose weight. If you are looking for appetite suppressants, those are almost always found in shakes and meal replacement drinks. Meal replacement drinks aim to get people what they need while cutting calories.

What Is In Some Weight Loss Supplements?

While there are a seemingly endless amount of weight loss supplements that exist on the market today, there are a few that are incredibly popular, and are used for other situations as well. If you are looking to increase your metabolism and your metabolic rate, caffeine is what you are looking for. Caffeine is known to raise these things and has the ability to be a weight loss supplement. Another supplement that is used is fish oil. Fish oil contains Omega 3 fatty acids, which are a “good” type of fat. These are the types of fats that are necessary and healthy.

While these weight loss supplements are great ways to help someone to lose weight, they must be seen with a grain of salt; without diet and exercise, many of these weight loss supplement ideas will fail, as they cannot simply make someone lose a large amount of weight on their own. Done in conjunction with diet and exercise, however, can be incredibly beneficial to anyone who is attempting to lose weight.

All About Energy Supplements

June 17th, 2008

Energy Drinks

Energy supplements come in different shapes and sizes, and often aim to do multiple things. When people think about energy supplements, they are often unsure as to what to think. Some people see energy supplements as things that help people who are exercising get more out of their workout. Others see energy supplements as ways to simply help someone stay awake. These are both valid reasons for energy supplements; many people fail to realize, however, that these supplements often do both. How do people get these supplements, and more importantly, what do these supplements do?

What Do Energy Supplements Do?

Energy supplements basically do exactly what they sound like they do: give energy. People are looking for different kinds of energy, however. Some people are looking for a hyper type of energy that helps someone to stay awake. Others are longer for a longer, sustained source of energy to help give them energy past what they normally have. Either way, the supplements aim to give someone the energy that they are looking for.

Reasons to Use Energy Supplements

While people can come up with multiple major reasons to use energy supplements, there are really two main reasons that people want to take supplements for energy. One of the main reasons people look for supplements is simply to stay awake. Whether it be college students who need to pull an all-nighter for an exam, or adults who simply stayed out too late the night before, people are looking for ways to stay up. Supplements can give people the energy they need to stay awake. Other people look for energy supplements to have extra energy for their exercise and work out. Some people need extra energy, while others simple want to make sure they have enough to get through the day with an extra workout thrown in.

Ways to Get Energy Supplements

The only thing more impressive than the reasons people use energy supplements are the different ways that energy supplements can be taken. Energy gels are somewhat new on the scene; these gels, packed with caffeine and other energy supplements usually come in small, easy to carry packets. Energy bars and shakes are easy ways to get your energy and have a meal and meal supplement at the same time. Sports drinks are also a more famous and well known way to get energy and keep the energy that you need during an intense workout.

Energy supplements can be found in many different ways. If food is your thing, you can simply eat. If you are more into shakes and drinks, you can also get your energy supplements in a way you enjoy. If you simply want to get it out of the way, there are quick ways to help you get your energy supplements. Energy supplements are easy to get and take, and can help you in multiple ways.

All About Vitamins

June 14th, 2008

As a society, we begin to push vitamins from a young age. Thanks to science, we realize that vitamins are a vital part of every day life that people need to operate. While a small lack of vitamins on a day may not hurt, a prolonged void of vitamins can cause serious issues. While some people understand that vitamins are important, they still fail to make sure that they are getting the vitamins and minerals that they need. Others do not take vitamins, but also fail to see why they are so important. Vitamins are often more important than many people realize.

Why are Vitamins Important?

Vitamins are important for many reasons, but there is one simple way to explain the seriousness of the situation; as humans, we need them. We need vitamins to be as healthy as possible, and to make sure that we are safe; not getting enough of certain kinds of vitamins can cause issues with the human body. While some issues are small, others can be incredibly serious. Taking vitamins is important to make sure that someone is getting all of the vitamins that they need.

How to Get Vitamins

There are many different ways to get the vitamins that you need. While some people look to track their food to make sure that they are getting the vitamins they need, this can be too difficult and time consuming for most people. If you are aware of a particular vitamin that you are not getting enough of, you can find vitamin (pills) that have that single vitamins; these supplements help to target one specific need. If you do not know which ones you are missing, or if you know that you are missing multiple vitamins, you can take a daily multivitamin. Multivitamins feature all of the major vitamins that people need and often miss.

Overdoses and Deficiencies

Overdoses are actually something serious that can affect your body in a negative way. While it is harder to do, it is possible to overdose on all different types of vitamins. Overdosing on vitamins can cause your body to react in different ways, depending on the type; some can cause nerve damage, and others can cause issues with various parts of the body. Deficiencies can do the same things to your body as overdoses can; not getting enough of a certain vitamin can cause problems with your body. Eye sight, nerves, and vital functions can be affected by a lack of the correct vitamins.

Vitamins may seem simple, but trying to understand them all, and make sure that you are getting them all, can be a tough task. To get as close to getting all of your important vitamins as possible, you should consider taking a multivitamin. Taking a multivitamin can help you to be sure that you are getting everything you need, and streamline it into one simple vitamin. Getting your vitamins is key, and a multivitamin can help you get them easily.

All About Creatine

June 3rd, 2008

Advanced Creatine Bottle

Creatine is a nitrogenous organic acid which is used naturally in the human body to provide energy to muscles. Skeletal muscles, the kind of muscles that are used for heavy lifting and which bodybuilders spend their time developing to get larger mass and better definition, are filled with creatine which helps to keep them energized.

For nearly one hundred years now, it has been known that by ingesting creatine one can increase the amount of creatine in one’s muscles. This gives the skeletal muscles of the body more energy and makes it easier for people to lift a lot of weight, or to use the muscle over a longer period of time before it becomes tired.

Bodybuilders benefit from these effects of creatine because by adding creatine to their dietary supplements they are able to lift heavier weights and work out longer, getting better results in a shorter period of time. That is why in practically any gym all around the world energy drinks are available which contain creatine – these drinks give bodybuilders a rush of energy which lets them lift to an extent that they couldn’t before.

Creatine monohydrate is the most common form of creatine – this is creatine which has combined with a single water molecule, making it very water soluble. This is the kind of creatine which is most often found in energy drinks used by bodybuilders, and these drinks are generally taken directly before and during a work out.

The other popular form of creatine is called Creatine Ethyl Ester, or CEE for short. This form of creatine may be seen as a powder, a pill or one of the other forms of supplements which are available to bodybuilders. Of course, creatine is also available through meat, as meat consists of muscle and creatine is a chemical found in muscles of all kinds of vertebrates (i.e. any animal which has a backbone also has creatine in its muscles).

Whichever way that you get your creatine, it is important that you supply your body with sufficient creatine if you are planning for any kind of weight lifting or body building routine. With meat in your diet you can take care of your creatine needs and protein needs at the same time, while supplements containing creatine are best timed for just before a workout.

Energy drinks which contain creatine make it easy for you to get a consistent supply throughout a workout by letting you refresh your muscles between exercises as you rehydrate, which makes them one of the best and most common ways that body builders can improve their sets and get better results.

If you have been following an exercise program at the gym and want to spark your performance to another level, or if you are planning a great new exercise routine to get into better shape, creatine is an easy and safe way to be able to lift more and lift longer while getting the kind of results that you want from your workouts!

Choosing the Right Protein For Bodybuilding

June 3rd, 2008

Protein – it is a large part of what your muscles are made of, and if you want to get the best kind of results from your bodybuilding you have to know how much protein you need, what kind of protein you need and when you need it.

There are three primary sources that bodybuilders go to for protein – one is foods rich in protein such as meat, eggs and cheese. Another popular source of protein is the protein shake – a kind of drink which generally contains whey protein (a rich kind of protein which is extracted from milk and easily absorbed into the body, especially when dissolved in liquid!). Finally, many bodybuilders choose to purchase protein supplements in powder form and mix their own protein shakes and drinks.

The amount of protein that you should consume varies depending on your goals. Many athletes take about 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight over the course of a day to build muscle, but some bodybuilders take as much as 2 grams per pound of their bodyweight in one day. Depending on your bodybuilding schedule and the amount of exertion you are undergoing, it is likely that you are going to want to take less than that.

To get the benefit, use common sense and focus on getting the majority of your protein from natural food sources, with the possible addition of whey protein sources and supplements at specific times when you want a protein boost. For example, when you have just finished a work-out at the gym and your body is shifting between the modes of breaking down materials for energy and building muscles, increasing protein uptake helps ensure that you have all of the protein ready in your body for immediate muscle growth.

A protein shake after a work out, combined with the common bodybuilding strategy of spreading out your protein uptake over the course of the day with six small meals instead of three large ones, gives your body the best access to protein and helps you get the kind of bodybuilding results that you are looking for.

Timing is as much an important part of protein consumption as it is with your exercises themselves. Protein which is consumed at a time when your body is not actively engaged in the uptake of protein for muscle is more likely to simply pass through your system without you getting the benefit. Similarly, protein taken before an exercise session instead of after may have some benefit, but it is mostly from whatever protein is left over and not yet broken down by the time that you finish your exercise and your body’s real work of muscle building begins.

By combining a good diet and a healthy level of overall activity, both weightlifting and aerobic exercise, with eating at the right time and getting the right amount of protein (as well as all other vitamins and minerals that your body needs), you can ensure that you are doing everything that you have to in order to get in better shape now.