Archive for the 'Supplement Reviews' Category
With whey protein, creatine, nitric oxide, and BCAA’s your probably obsessed with building muscle, and you’ve probably taken each of these muscle building supplements. They are cost effective, and help you to train stronger, longer and to look better. But I want to ask you a question:
How often do you consider your overall health?
Sure, you eat right and train hard. You are healthy. No doubt about that. But are you as healthy as you could be? I know, I know. I am starting to sound confusing. Let me explain what I mean.
A Muscle Building Supplement Story
I have been training for over two decades. During this time I was obsessed with muscle building supplements. I wanted the best whey protein, and the latest research on creatine. I wanted to know what supplements would boost my testesterone and growth hormone levels.
But I never thought about the basics…supplements for overall health. Supplements that I should be taking, but wasn’t. Supplements like a quality multivitamin, a supplement for joint health and essential healthy fats (fish oil and flax seed oil). I was trying to build muscle, but wasn’t giving my body 100% of the necessary building blocks to function properly on all levels.
You see, nutrition and muscle building is easy. You need to start from the ground up. First, you begin with supplements for overall health. Supplements that provide ALL the necessary vitamins and minerals you need to pack on mass. Supplements like fish oil that assist with proper heart and brain functioning.
Then, once you have prepared a healthy foundation, it’s time to add the muscle building supplements. But I had this all wrong. More than that – I was ignoring the basics. I was trying to run a muscle car using the worst possible fuel.
Muscle building is an exciting and life changing process, but it is also hard on the body. Major changes are taking place. You are lifting heavy weights, tearing down muscles over and over again, rebuilding them stronger each time. If you don’t provide you body with the basics, as you age, you are opening the door for your body to break down.
This is exactly what I had been doing. Years passed by, and slowly – despite my training and diet – my age started to catch up with me. I wasn’t feeling like my old self. I had less energy, and more aches and pains. And I didn’t feel mentally alert and aware.
Supplements for General Health
Don’t be like me. Don’t ignore the small stuff. Make sure you focus on supplementing with the basics. Here are some supplement “basics” I strongly recommend you consider:
A Multivitamin:
Not just any multivitamin. A quality multivitamin. And along with this, I would also recommend supplementing with some addition Vitamin C. The vitamin requirements of anyone who partakes in intense training is higher than a sedentary person. Training depletes vitamin stores in the body. These stores need to be replaced to allow for optimum energy levels and recovery times.
A good multivitamin product will fill in all the "holes" in your diet. The multivitamins listed here are designed for athletes, bodybuilders and anyone who trains hard. A good multivitamin is often one of the supplements that’s overlooked, but is one of the most important. What’s the point of having a good diet and training program without backing it up with a solid multivitamin?
Fish Oil:
Fish oil, or healthy essential fatty acids, should be a staple for anyone that trains hard. Healthy oils and essential fatty acids are well known for improving overall health, vitality and brain function. But healthy oils also play an important role in muscle building and fat loss. A Danish study proved that supplementing with the correct ratio of essential fats can increase stamina, improve muscle development, speed recovery and improve cardiovascular function.
Joint Health Supplement:
Muscles aren’t the only thing in the body that takes a beating from hard, intense cardiovascular and weight training. Every time you train with weights, go for a run, or play sport you’re putting your joints under pressure. Weight training is especially hard on the joints! To get the most out of your training schedule and protect yourself from joint injuries you need to take care of your joints. Joint health supplements can help protect your joints from damage, and help you recover from a joint injury.
Thanks to Muscle & Strength for providing the article!
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Compare The Top 5 Diet Plans For 2010
According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s report obesity is responsible for 300,000 adult deaths in the United States each year and are attributable to unhealthy dietary habits and physical inactivity. Therefore you need a specific plan of attack to understand what your body needs to eat. Your eating habits and proper percentages of carbohydrates, proteins and fats are unique as having your own “thumbprint.” That’s why online dieting is becoming the most effective and efficient method of getting introduced to a diet that works for you. I’ve reviewed all the major dieting sites targeted for the U.S. population. I welcome you to read all the reviews on this site and make your own decision. A great dieting service will not only give you a very comfortable and enjoyable experience, it will also increase your success in finding the results you need.
Below are the 5 of the best, reliable, and affordable diet plans ranked according to the number of people who sign up, customer service reviews, online features, and maximum weight loss in the shortest amount of time. Follow our links to visit the sites we recommend and read a more in-depth review of each diet site. Are you ready to have your body back?
Duke Diet & Fitness
The website is easy to navigate and very attractive. Many people have seen weight loss on this diet. The Duke Diet and Fitness team really breakdown your behavioral habits and realize what you are more to prone too with eating habits and exercise. The program is extremely precise on breaking down every single component that is necessary for you to get towards your weight loss goal. The Duke Diet and Fitness team make it as specific solution as possible for your own body, goal, and daily habits. I highly recommend this diet for anyone who wants to lose weight, or perhaps start a solid workout routine that works for your own body! The Duke Diet online program comes at a low cost at $4 per week! Get your customized online program now, which is based on your goals and body. Learn More.
Read my complete review of the Duke Diet & Fitness program.
Current Promotion: Healthy Weight Loss: Customized online program based on your goals and body. Learn More.
Medifast Diet
Medifast teaches you to eat well. I believe in the body’s natural ability to heal itself with proper nutrition and I believe in you and your ability to achieve real results with Medifast. Medifast offers you a choice rich menu of nutritionally complete products, support services and new opportunities to create a life of health, hope and happiness. Medifast
is here to serve you, because you matter and the success of our clients truly inspires us to be your life-long and trusted partner in health. Medifast products are formulated with a High Fullness Index™ so you don’t get hungry. You lose weight quickly — up to 20 pounds a month — while learning how to eat healthier. Medifast Meals are formulated with low-fat protein and fiber, and fortified with vitamins and nutrients, so you lose pounds and inches without losing out on essential nutrition. The Meals’ low glycemic formula makes them perfect for people with type 2 diabetes. What’s included with the Medifast Diet: Message Boards – Order Form – Daily Success Tracker – Plateau Tips – BMI Calculator – Nutrition Details – Diabetic Guide.
Read my complete review of The Medifast Diet.
Current Promotion: Get 2 weeks of Medifast FREE! (Enter code GetTwo)
eDiets
The eDiets Weight Loss Meal Plan and The Low Glycemic Impact Diet
is our most popular meal plan because of its flexibility and convenience. It is a balanced approach to eating, providing 3 meals and 1 snack daily. Using familiar favorites, it never feels like a diet and is easy to follow. It helps teach lifelong eating habits based on portion sizes and moderation. Also, the Weight Loss Meal Plan is customized to your preferences. Based on the food pyramid, as well as recommendations from the American Heart Association, it provides 50-65% of your calories from carbohydrates, 20-25% of your calories from protein and less than 30% of your calories from fat. eDiets focuses on flexibility, convenience, and a healthy balance of your favorite foods. You will surely not get bored with this diet because your meals are adjusted weekly and designed with you in mind. The eDiets
program follows a low calorie diet. If you are looking for a more specific kind of diet, just re-submit your eDiet free profile analysis. All of the Diets at eDiets include: Customized menus – recipes and convenience food options – A personalized fitness plan designed by trainers – live phone support from registered dieticians – plus 24/7 online member support – online community – motivating member challenges – eDiets Weight Loss Guarantee – if a customer’s weight loss goal isn’t reached in 6 months or less, eDiets will give them the next 6 months FREE!
Read my complete review of The eDiets Program.
Current Promotion: Save 25% at eDiets!
The Zone Diet
The Zone Diet works by working the right ratio of carbohydrates to proteins and fats in order to control the insulin in the bloodstream. Too much of the hormone (insulin) can increase fat storage and inflammation in the body (conditions that are associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease). Dr. Sears asserts that by using the Zone Diet you are actually optimising the body’s metabolic function. Through the regulation of blood sugar, you allow your body to burn excess body fat. Also, The Zone Diet is precisely in line with the dietary guidelines developed by the Joslin Diabetes Center and The Harvard Medical School for overweight and obese adults with Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes or at high risk for developing diabetes. What’s included with The Zone Diet: Zone Block & Body Fat Calculator – 7-Day Meal Planner – Quick Start Guide – Healthy Recipes – Dr. Sears blog – Fitness and Motivation blog.
Read my complete review of The Zone Diet.
Current Promotion: “Don’t just take our word, Get a 2 Week FREE trial!”
South Beach Diet
The South Beach Diet is not low-carb or low-fat. Instead, the South Beach Diet teaches you to change the balance of food you eat to emphasize health and weight-loss! You’ll do away with bad carbohydrates and bad fats, and start eating good fats and good carbohydrates. Once you sign up and start losing weight, they will customize your success plan and guide you through each of their three phases of weight loss. The South Beach Diet itself has some scientific flaws and many nutritionists and fitness professionals like myself would argue that its promise of losing 8-12 pounds in 14 days is a bit aggressive and may not be able to stand up against the test of time. While cutting out white flour, sugar, and processed foods from your diet is a great idea, the South Beach Diet
is actually one of the most dangerous diets out there. I would use this diet for the protein rich healthy tasting recipes and as a crash diet! With the meals you should add in your own complex carbohydrates. By adding an additional 150-300 calories to each recommended meal, your are teaching yourself a healthy balanced way of eating. Whats included with The South Beach Diet: Meal Planner – Food preferences – Diet phase – Weight Tracker – Journal Tool.
Read my complete review of The South Beach Diet.
Current Promotion: Get South Beach Diet for Diabetes!
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SYNTHA-6 is an ultra-premium, sustained release protein powder that contains a unique, one-of-a-kind blend of 6 of the highest quality, nutritionally complete protein sources in the world. This multi-functional A.M. and P.M. protein blend not only provides your body with an immediate supply of protein, but also fosters a sustained release of amino acids and other important nutrients like MCT’s, EFA’s, glutamine and fiber for up to 7 hours after ingestion. At the end of the day though, a protein powder is only as good as it tastes, and that’s where SYNTHA-6 really delivers! Aspartame free, SYNTHA-6 produces what many have called ridiculously delicious protein drinks! Reach for one of the five amazing SYNTHA-6 flavors and experience the effects of an ultra-premium sustained release protein for yourself. SEE SYNTHA – 6
PRODUCT LABEL:
- An Ultra-Premium Sustained Release Protein Power
- Nutrition
- Lean Muscle
- Recovery
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- Weight Management
- Ultra-Premium Protein
- Ultra-Premium Taste(TM)
- Sustained Release Multi-Functional Micellar Protein Matrix
- Bioactive Protein Utilization Enzymes
- Aspartame Free
- BCCAs and other Essential and Non-Essential Amino Acids
- MCTs, EFAs, Glutamine Peptides, and Fiber
- BSN’S EXCLUSIVELY ENGINEERED PRECISION NUTRITION TECHNOLOGY!
DESCRIPTION:
The science of taking full advantage of the most critical “NUTRIENT TIMING WINDOWS” is a key factor in BSN’s pursuit of developing cutting-edge physique and performance-enhancing products. Engineered to activate a physiological chain reaction during the most beneficial and crucial “NUTRIENT TIMING WINDOWS,” BSN’s products are conditionally essential for accelerating optimal physique gains, performance, recovery and nutrient super-compensation. This provides individuals with the vital advantage needed to help take their physique and performance to the next level.
SEE SYNTHA – 6
WHY:
I highly recommend this protein because of Syntha-6 Extended Release Protein Blend is formulated with fast, medium and slow digesting proteins to sustain amino acid levels over a long interval, while increasing protein synthesis, and repairing damaged muscle tissue. I haven’t found anything else like it, and I’m generally against aggressive marketing when a relatively new product is launched.
SEE SYNTHA – 6
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The role and goal of this energy system is to maintain optimal stores before training/ intense training and help maximize resynthesis (rebuilding a damaged section) during exercise. This energy system is very important for athletes involved in strength training programs and intense sports because it helps to fuel “maximal physical effort” during the entire competitive exercise/ game – also it is near impossible to use food sources to load the phosphocreatine system, so supplementation is the best alternative. Phosphocreatine is also called creatine phosphate.
Creatine is a substance found in skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle. Creatine synthesis occurs in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas from the amino acids methionine, glycine, and arginine (Sorry had to get technical). The majority of the body’s creatine resides in the skeletal muscle, which is where about 1/3 of creatine exists. Typically, the body produces about a 1 gram of creatine, obtains 1 gram from food, and loses about 2 grams. The average concentration of total creatine in skeletal muscle varies between 100 and 150 mmol/kg in average weight humans like 160-175 lbs.
See the Phosphocreatine product that I recommend
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Vitamins are organic components in food that are needed in very small amounts for growth and for maintaining good health. The vitamins include vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin A, and vitamin K, or the fat-soluble vitamins, and folate (folic acid), vitamin B12, biotin, vitamin B6, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and vitamin C (ascorbic acid), or the water-soluble vitamins. The energy components of nutrition are sugars, starches, fats, and oils, and these occur in relatively large amounts in nutrition.
Here are the essential vitamins and their vitamin duties:
- Vitamin A (Beta Carotene): Promotes growth and repair of body tissues; reduces susceptibility to infections; aids in bone and teeth formation; maintains smooth skin.
- Vitamin B-1 (Thiamin): Promotes growth and muscle tone; aids in the proper functioning of the muscles, heart, and nervous system; assists in digestion.
- Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin): Maintains good vision and healthy skin, hair, and nails; assists in formation of antibodies and red blood cells; aids in carbohydrate.
- Vitamin B-3 (Niacinamide): Reduces cholesterol levels in the blood; maintains healthy skin, tongue, and digestive system; improves blood circulation.
- Vitamin B-5: Fortifies white blood cells; helps the body’s resistance to stress; builds cells.
- Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine): Aids in the synthesis and breakdown of amino acids and the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates; supports the central nervous system.
- Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamin): Promotes growth in children; prevents anemia by regenerating red blood cells; aids in the metabolism of carbohydrates, and fats.
- Biotin: Aids in the metabolism of proteins and fats; promotes healthy skin.
- Choline: Helps the liver eliminate toxins.
- Folic Acid (Folate, Folacin): Promotes the growth and reproduction of body cells; aids in the formation of red blood cells and bone marrow.
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): One of the major antioxidants; essential for healthy teeth, gums, and bones; helps to heal wounds, fractures, and scar tissue.
- Vitamin D: Improves the absorption of calcium and phosphorous (essential in the formation of healthy bones and teeth) maintains nervous system.
- Vitamin E: A major antioxidant; supplies oxygen to blood; provides nourishment to cells; prevents blood clots; slows cellular aging.
- Vitamin K (Menadione): Prevents internal bleeding; reduces heavy menstrual flow.
- Vitamin B12: deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia and, if severe enough, can result in irreversible nerve damage.
- Niacin: deficiency results in pellagra. Pellagra involves skin rashes and scabs, diarrhea, and mental depression.
- Thiamin: deficiency results in beriberi, a disease resulting in atrophy, weakness of the legs, nerve damage, and heart failure.
- Vitamin C: deficiency results in scurvy, a disease that involves bleeding.
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