Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Carbs And Bodybuilding: Everything You Need To Know | Straight Facts With Jerry Brainum


Published on Dec 6, 2016
Bodybuilding training vs carbs.

Funny thing about carbs, the human body actually does not need carbohydrates in its diet. But it can be a useful tool for certain athletes - particularly runners and endurance athletes. But where does it fit in for bodybuilders? Jerry Brainum gives you the straight facts with everything you need to know about carbs' place in a bodybuilding diet


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©,2016 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited

Have you been ripped off  by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.

 

The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.

 

See Jerry's book at  http://www.jerrybrainum.com

 

Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com

 

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Thursday, November 10, 2016

DNP : Avoid This Dangerous Bodybuilding Drug At All Costs | Straight Facts


Forget steroids. This dangerous bodybuilding drug can actually kill. Could it be the most dangerous drug in the bodybuilding industry? Jerry Brainum gives the full and straight facts regarding this weight loss drug, often called DNP. Get the full info in our episode above.


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©,2016 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited

Have you been ripped off  by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.

 

The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.

 

See Jerry's book at  http://www.jerrybrainum.com

 

Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com

 

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Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Protein : Can Too Much Protein Destroy Your Kidney? | Straight Facts With Jerry Brainum


Published on Oct 4, 2016
Bodybuilders need protein in order to build massive muscle. So what happens if it's true that too much protein can destroy your kidney? Are bodybuilders at risk? Jerry Brainum gets to the bottom of this with the Straight Facts.


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©,2016 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited

Have you been ripped off  by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.

 

The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.

 

See Jerry's book at  http://www.jerrybrainum.com

 

Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com

 

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Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Olympia 2016 Breakdown: The Real Reason Kevin Levrone's Legs Were Small | Straight Facts by Jerry Brainum



Published on Sep 20, 2016
Our Post Olympia 2016 coverage continues! In our latest episode Jerry takes a break from the question/answer formula to talk about the 2016 Mr. Olympia competition in detail. Most specifically... the real reason why Kevin Levrone's legs were so small and lacking. Watch it in the latest episode of Straight Facts above.

Jerry also breaks down the entire top ten line up from Phil Heath, Dexter Jackson, and Shawn Rhoden... all the way down to Justin Compton and Dallas McCarver.



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©,2016 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited

Have you been ripped off  by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.

 

The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.

 

See Jerry's book at  http://www.jerrybrainum.com

 

Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com

 

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Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Do You Lose Muscle When You Get Off Steroids? | Straight Facts With Jerry Brainum



Published on Sep 13, 2016
In many ways steroids are par for course in bodybuilding. It doesn't magically give you muscle but it does make your hard work and intense fitness training go a lot farther. But once you earn all that muscle... do you lose it if you stop taking steroids? Jerry Brainum busts another myth in our latest episode of Straight Facts. Watch it above!

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©,2016 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited

Have you been ripped off  by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.

 

The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.

 

See Jerry's book at  http://www.jerrybrainum.com

 

Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com

 

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Monday, August 29, 2016

Steroids Should Be Legal by Jerry Brainum


Jerry Brainum makes a strong case as to why steroids should be legal and also comments on how bodybuilding is perceived as a sport by the mainstream media



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©,2016 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited

Have you been ripped off  by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.

 

The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.

 

See Jerry's book at  http://www.jerrybrainum.com

 

Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com

 

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Sunday, August 14, 2016

Supplements For Strength Gains ( THE BEST)| Straight Facts With Jerry Brainum


Published on Jul 19, 2016
What are the best supplements for strength gains? Jerry Brainum answers in our latest episode!

When it comes to lifting the hardest and heaviest weight possible, it seems obvious that any supplement that can aid in increasing your strength in the short term would be helpful. This goes double true if you are a competitive lifter. Any edge you can get (legally) would be very beneficial for that short period you are in the gym and slamming down the iron. That's why this week Jerry Brainum is answering the question - what are the best supplements to aid in short term strength gains? And more specifically, Jerry debunks the hype behind an experimental drug known as Laxogenin. A product that claims to have benefits that almost match that of anabolic steroids. Get the straight facts in our latest episode above.

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©,2016 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited

Have you been ripped off  by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.

 

The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.

 

  See Jerry's book at  http://www.jerrybrainum.com

 

  Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com

 

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Sunday, July 24, 2016

COENZYME Q10 : The Cellular Spark Plug by Jerry Brainum

Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring chemical which is also known as "ubiquinone". It derives the latter designation because of the fact that it is literally found in every form of life.

Because of it's ubiquitous nature, and the fact that it is found in such common foods as beef, sardines,spinach and peanuts, it has in the past been virtually ignored by most medical professionals.

However,recent research indicates that this essential biochemical is not as easily obtained from the diet as previously thought. A 75% deficiency of this substance in the body will lead to death, but disease states are thought to occur with as little as a 25% deficiency.

The importance of Coq10 lies in the fact that it plays an essential role in the processing of oxygen in the body. This process eventually, through a series of complicated steps, leads to the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the immediate energy source of every process in the body. Very simply,without ATP there is no energy and it doesn't take a great scientist to realize that no energy equals no life.

The pivotal role that Coq10 plays in cellular energy production takes place in the " cellular powerplant "-the mitochondria. Fully 95% of all energy production occurs in the numerous cigar-shaped mitochondria located in every cell in the area known as the cytoplasm.

This exact process is known to physiologists as the " electron transport-system." In a series of enzymatically-catalyzed steps, electrons are passed along from chemical to chemical, a sort of cellular " bucket-brigade" ultimately resulting in the production of precious ATP.

Coenzyme Q's essential role in cellular energy production has far reaching effects on numerous body systems, and recent research indicates it could be used as a treatment for diseases ranging from heart disease to immune system dysfunction.

To illustrate just how vital this recent research is, the Russian government actually established a research facility solely to research CoQ10. It's called the Quinone Research Institute and it's located in the city of Kiev.

The Russians obviously are impressed with the considerable biological-potential associated with Coq10.

It's not just the Russians either. There have been thus far four international symposiums conducted on Coq10, the last one being held in Martinsfried, West Germany in 1983.

The information which was presented at these symposiums has exciting implications for everyone interested in maintaining optimal health and energy levels. Exactly what this new information is forms the crux of this article.

MEET THE QUINONE FAMILY 


No, the quinone family is not a tough looking group who speak with Brooklyn accents. Rather, it consists of several brightly colored organic compounds.

Vitamin k, best known for it's essential role in the blood-clotting process, is also a Quinone. Interestingly enough, in plants Vitamin K performs the exact same function as Coenzyme Q does in higher forms of life

The famous Vitamin E also has a chemical structure quite similar to the Quinone, although it is technically not a quinone but rather an organic alcohol.

Like Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10 is a potent antioxidant, and as such it has been said to possess life extension properties. Bliznakov Et al reported in 1978 that when CoQ is given to female mice it extended their normal lifespans by 56% . This would be the equivalent of a human living to the age of 140! Equally important was the fact that these particular mice showed none of the usual signs of advanced aging.

Although there are several forms of CoQ such as CoQ7, CoQ8, CoQ9 Etc , only CoQ10 has any biological activity in human beings. As a person consumes the various forms of CoQ in food, the liver reassembles them into CoQ10. If the liver is unable to perform this vital function, and new evidence indicates it gradually becomes less efficient at this function with increasing age, a gradual slowdown in the bodies production of CoQ10 can result, with a concomitant decrease in cellular energy production.

The organs most affected by this "energy slowdown" are those that have high energy requirements such as the heart and liver. Considering this fact, it's no surprise that the heart and liver contain the highest quantities of CoQ10 in the body.

CoQ10 was actually discovered back in 1957 in beef heart mitochondria.


YOU GOTTA HAVE HEART - AND HEARTS GOTTA HAVE COENZYME Q10



As was noted previously, the heart tissues contain by far the greatest quantities of CoQ10 in the human body. This is attributed to the heart's huge expenditure of energy.

Statistics indicate that the prevalence of heart disease increases with age. At the same time , the ability of the body to absorb CoQ10 from food declines.

The chief cause of death due to heart disease is actually atherosclerosis, with accounts for 76% of morality due to heart disease. fully 56% of all deaths in the United States are the result of some from of heart disease.

Much of the research on Coq10 has focused on it's role in the treatment of a specific type of heart disease known as congestive heart failure (CHF).

In actual fact,the heart does not really fail, for if it did the person so afflicted would die in about 6 minutes. Heart failure is really a weakening of the heart  "pumping power". It is very often the result of long standing untreated high blood pressure. The constant stress placed on the heart by such a condition eventually causes the heart muscle to "wear out ".

Dr. Karl Folkers, a respected biochemical researcher at the University of Texas Medical School reasoned that if Coq10 is so intimately involved in energy production in the cell (bioenergetics) and since cardiac tissue seems to be loaded with the stuff-could it be that people with weak hearts were somehow deficient in this chemical?

To get the answer, Dr. Folkers obtained 32 heart tissue samples taken from biopsies performed by famed Texas heart surgeon, Dr. Denton Cooley. Sure enough, fully 75% of these heart patients showed varying degrees of coq10 deficiency in their heart tissues.

Dr. Folkers then reviewed medical studies performed in Japan; 25 papers that involved reports from 110 physicians in 41 medical institutions done over a period of 9 years all pointed to an extremely gratifying response following the administration of CoQ10 to people suffering from congestive heart failure. These therapeutic benefits occurred in over 70% of these patients, leading Dr. Folkers to note " I believe it is quite possible that cardiovascular disease may be very significantly caused by a deficiency of CoQ10."

In a clinical experiment comparing CoQ with conventional treatment for CHF (i.e, Digitalis, Diuretics, vasodilators) a 75% survival rate after a period of 36 months was noted in the group receiving CoQ with conventional therapy. Those receiving ONLY conventional therapy had a 25% survival rate.

 A more recent study published in the American Journal of Cardiology indicated that CoQ10 brought considerable relief to patients suffering from the pain in the chest associated with advanced atherosclerosis known as Angina.

What all the research points to is the fact that weak hearts seem to have a deficiency of CoQ10, and because of this the heart muscle cannot function with optimal power, resulting in a congestive type of heart failure.

In Japan, Coq10 is clearly recognized as an effective treatment for heart failure. Fully 12 million Japanese take an average amount of 30 milligrams of CoQ10 daily.

As if all this isn't enough, CoQ10 is believed to protect the heart under ischemic condition. Ischemic is just a fancy medical term referring to a lack of blood flow. No blood means no oxygen, and no oxygen leads to death of tissue. This is exactly what happens during a myocardial infraction, better known as a  "heart attack". Most of the damage that occurs in cardiac tissue results from the lack of oxygen normally supplied to that tissue. On a cellular level, this lack of oxygen prevents the production of ATP, with the end result of death to individual cells because of a lack of energy. COQ10 , because of it's pronounced stimulation of ATP production is hypothesized to somehow maintain the vital ATP stores, and thus prevent the death of individual cells. This of course has obvious implications in people who might be prone to heart attacks.

All well and good, COQ10 helps people with " sick" hearts-but what can it do for people with normal, well functioning hearts?

While it's true that only people with diseased hearts show deficiencies of COQ10, recent research indicates that increased intake of COQ10 will increase mitochondrial density in anyone's heart, and since we now know that these mitochondria are the cells power plants, this would translate into increased heart power. By increasing heart power, it is conceivable that many possible heart illnesses can be avoided.

In order to test this hypothesis, researchers in Belgium gave sedentary volunteers with no indication of heart disease 60 milligrams of supplemental COQ10 daily. The experiment was carried out for 8 weeks, and at the end of the trial all subjects were noted to have a greater cardiac oxygen utilization and their maximal exercise loads increased dramatically-all without any added exercise.1

Preliminary evidence indicates that COQ might prevent the main cause of congestive heart failure--high blood pressure. Two major theories have been put forward to explain COQ10's effectiveness as an anti-hypertensive medication. One group of researchers believe that COQ10 reduces blood vessel sensitivity to the vasoconstrictive (blood pressure inducing ) chemical Norepinephrine. This makes sense because several of the most prescribed blood pressure medications also work this way. Unfortunately, the drugs come with a plethora of side effects, whereas the  COQ10 treament is free of any side effects.

The Japanese researchers believe that by causing a favorable balance in the bioenergetic functions of the arterial muscle (optimal ATP) blood pressure problems can be somewhat relieved.

Dr. Philip Richardson of the University of Texas Medical school believes that COQ10 has the potential to be an effective alternative to the many blood pressure medications currently flooding the market.

 COENZYME Q10 AS AN IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOSTER


 The current publicity associated with the medical syndrome known as AIDS has made many people more aware of the critical importance of the Immune system in maintaining health.

 What is generally not realized is that a proper functioning immune system is probably the key to living a longer life, barring degenerative illness such as heart disease. When an individual is said to have "died of old age", in reality SOMETHING  had to kill him, some uncontrolled infection etc.

The immune system itself is a complex consisting of specialized cells and the organs these cells are produced or stored in. Most people no doubt usually associate the immune system with white blood cells, and this is essentially correct. However, these " white blood cells " consist of several specific types of cells whose commonality of function is the defense of the human body against any type of  invasion by a foreign entity (i.e., bacteria,virus,fungi, Etc).

If all this sounds like some sort of War, the analogy is correct. We are literally floating in an invisible sea of germs that are constantly seeking to enter our bodies and ultimately wreak some sort of havoc.

One of the main defenses against this invasion is a process performed by some special white blood cells known as phagocytosis. In this process, scavenger cells known as macrophages constantly patrol the blood seeking out foreign invaders. Once they encounter these " aliens" the macrophages engulf and digest them. At the same time, they alert other specialized cells called antibodies who rush to the area and finish off any of the enemy that can't be handled by the macrophages themselves.

Of course all of this "fighting " requires a great deal of energy, and that energy is supplied by-- you guessed it--ATP.

Concurrent research conducted by The Yale University School of Medicine in cooperation with the Sandoz Institute in Vienna, Austria in 1978 showed that mice injected with the type of COQ found in their bodies (COQ8) increased the process of phagocytosis 4 times over normal when compared to a control group who were not given the Coenzyme.

One of the current methods of treating immune deficiency states such as AIDS is to attempt to beef up the immune cells by supplying immune system stimulants. The problem with this type of therapy is that you often get an overkill type of situation resulting in an overproduction of some component cells of the immune system and a subsequent increase in the size of those organs which store some of the cells, notably the Spleen. An enlarged spleen is much more susceptible to rupture and attendant hemorrhage which could be life-threatening. It would seem that the administration of COQ10 would be a prudent alternative to this problem. By increasing the activity of Immune system "soldiers" such as the macrophages without increasing their numbers, you wind up with a greatly improved immune  potency with virtually no side effects.

Theoretically , COQ10 might be a useful adjunctive treatment for conditions such as AIDS because by increasing the effectiveness of the immune system, lesser amounts of toxic immune stimulant drugs would have to be administered. In this sense, COQ10 might actually be a lifesaver. This scenario must await further research before it can be accepted as fact however

CAN COQ10 CURE THE FAT OF THE LAND? 

 

 It is a common observation that some people seem to be able to eat whatever type and quantity of food they desire, without an attendant gain in adipose tissue (fat). How can these lucky individuals accomplish this metabolic feat? Are these people really breaking the first law of thermodynamics ("energy and neither be created nor destroyed")?

In the past, this mysterious disappearance of calories was attributed to a " higher metabolism " . Since the metabolic rate is controlled by the thyroid gland, it was naturally assumed that an overactive thyroid gland accounted for the loss of calories.

Over the years, refinement in laboratory testing techniques poked holes in the " thyroid theory" when it was found that thyroid activity was not the crucial factory in determining  body shape except in  pathological states.

Subsequent research turned up a new hypothesis to account for the disappearance of excess calories in some people. They discovered that there was really two basic types of fatty tissue. One type, the kind usually found in generous abundance in obese people, was pale yellow in color and relatively inactive from a metabolic point of view. It was a simple and effective storage conduit for excessive caloric intake.

The other kind of fat was far more active metabolically, and in fact had the ability to turn excess calories into HEAT energy. Viola! At last some answer had emerged to explain some people's apparent immunity to fat.

The new type of fat was called Thermogenic " meaning it had the ability to turn calories into heat. The feature which characterized this unique tissue was it's reddish hue, due to the presence of a preponderance of blood vessels andmitochondria.Ah yes, those ubiquitous cellular powerplants had again emerged to explain the high energy activity of this brown adipose tissue (BAT) as it came to be known.

It was determined that obese humans had only half the thermogenic activity after a meal when compared to their thinner peers. 

Since the active component of BAT  is their abundant mitochondria, and since COQ10  is the " sparkplug" of the mitochondrial engines, could it be that a deficiency of  COQ10  plays a significant role in the etiology of obesity?

Dr. Luc Van Gall of the University of Antwerp (Belgium) decided to explore this question. Dr. Van gall and his colleagues studied 27 obese individuals. He divided these subjects into various groups and administered 100 milligrams of COQ10 along with a balanced diet. All the groups lost considerable amounts of weight as compared to other groups following a similar diet, but without supplementary COQ10.

Dr. Van Gaal concluded  that " obese individuals display an approximate 50% COQ10 deficiency. It is possible that correcting significant deficiencies of Q10 in obese patients might improve lipid metabolism and contribute to the metabolic or cellular control of body weight."

Those people who do not put on fat easily were found to have optimal levels of COQ10 in their cellular environments.

While this preliminary research doesn't point to COQ10 as a  cure for obesity, it does indicate that  COQ10 might be a useful disjunctive aid to a well balanced diet along with plenty of healthy exercise in exerting a level of control over obesity.

COQ10 will serve to upgrade the cellular machinery via it's stimulation of energy at the cellular level. By providing this service, it will optimize activity such as exercise in burning up excess calories. In this sense it will raise the metabolism, at least at the cellular level.


THE ATHLETIC EDGE-COENZYME Q1) 0?

One of the main limiting factors in any type of athletic activity is the ability of the cell to produce ATP. In high intensity work lasting a few seconds, ATP and it's helper creatine phosphate ( CP) are the SOLE sources of energy.If an athlete had the ability to more effectively synthesize ATP production in his muscle cells, his performance would improve dramatically. Such a scenario could spell the difference between a lackluster performance and a world record. 

Several methods have been advanced in an attempt to increase cellular ATP production to supernormal levels. One way would be to engage in various forms of aerobic exercise, supplemented with aerobic (shorter more intense activity ) exercise, The high oxygen intake associated with aerobic exercise (and which accounts for it's name ) stimulates cellular production of new mitochondria, and since the mitochondria are the site of ATP production, increased  ATP should be a logical result. 

Another possible method of increasing ATP  production is to provide nutritional materials that are  substrates or starter materials for  ATP production. Some of these " ergogenic" meaning increasing work capacity) aids include Inosine, L-Carnitine,Pantothenic acid and COQ10.

Increased intake of these nutrients coupled with a proper training program could optimize cellular  ATP production, although hard evidence to back this up has not really been done.

A supplementary dose of COQ10 as an ergogenic aid would be in the neighborhood of 30-60 milligrams daily according o present evidence from animal studies.Since  COQ10  is not a drug, the likelihood of it's being banned from athletic competitive use is unlikely.

CAN 2 MILLION JAPANESE BE WRONG?

 

Ongoing research on  COQ10  is currently being pursued in regards to COQ10'S role in the treatment of such widely diversifying disorders as periodontal (gum) disease, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, gastric ulcers, allergies,and asthma as well as a multitude of others. It would be tempting to label  COQ10  as a new "cure-all" but to do so would only denigrate it's true value in potentiating cellular energy production which effects a myriad of systems in the human body relating to the maintenance of health and the prevention of disease.
Further research will no doubt clarify and elucidate the important role played by this previously little known chemical. What is clear at the present time is the fact that  COQ10 is truly the " cellular sparkplug". With so many people today lamenting about their  lack of energy, one can only speculate on how many people can use a cellular tune up.


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©,2016 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited

Have you been ripped off  by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.

 

The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.

 

See Jerry's book at  http://www.jerrybrainum.com

 

Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com

 

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Sunday, March 27, 2016

Jerry Brainum's January 2016 Applied Metabolics Newsletter!



Subscribe to Applied Metabolics at www.appliedmetabolics.com to access the latest in nutrition and exercise research. Jerry is a voracious reader who takes the time the average person doesn't have to search through the scientific literature for the latest and greatest information.

REMEMBER...APPLIED METABOLICS AND THIS BLOG, APPLIED ERGOGENICS, ARE TWO TOTALY SEPERATE SITES WITH DIFFERENT INFORMATION.THIS SITE APPLIED ERGOGENICS IS FROM OLD SCHOOL ARTICLES. 


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©,2016 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited


Have you been ripped off  by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.

 

The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.

 

See Jerry's book at  http://www.jerrybrainum.com

 

Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com

 

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Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Insulin Myths and Truths Part 2 by Jerry Brainum

 

Jerry Brainum continues his discussion of the use of insulin, including possible advantages and perils. For the most in-depth, evidence-based information about nutrition, exercise science, ergogenic aids, hormonal therapy, fat-loss techniques, anti-aging research and more, subscribe today to Jerry's Applied Metabolic Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com. NOTE: in the video, I stated that the proper dose of carbs to ingest with insulin is 10 grams. This was a slip on my part. The correct dose of carbs is 10 grams per unit of insulin. Thus, injecting 10 units of insulin would require ingesting 100 grams of simple carbs within 15 minutes of the insulin injection.

 

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©,2016 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited

Have you been ripped off  by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.

 

The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.

 

See Jerry's book at  http://www.jerrybrainum.com

 

Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com

 

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Thursday, January 28, 2016

Insulin: Myths and Truth, PART 1 by Jerry Brainum



Jerry Brainum discusses some of the myths and misinformation related to how insulin affects diet and body composition. For the best in-depth information available about nutrition, exercise science, ergogenic aids, fat-loss techniques, supplements, anti-aging research, hormonal therapy, disease prevention, and more, subscribe today to Jerry's Applied Metabolics newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com.


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©,2016 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited

Have you been ripped off  by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.

 

The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.

 

See Jerry's book at  http://www.jerrybrainum.com

 

Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com

 

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Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Growth Hormone, Steroids and Diabetes by Jerry Brainum

If you check the medical literature for side effects of growth hormone use, you’ll note that diabetes often makes the list. A common effect of GH use is insulin resistance, which is considered a harbinger of full-blown diabetes. In fact, insulin resistance is often called “pre-diabetes.” Estimates are that as many as 50 million Americans fit the criteria for insulin resistance.


GH enters the picture because it triggers the release of large amounts of free fatty acids into the blood. The free fatty acids, in turn, interfere with the uptake of glucose, or blood sugar, into cells, and the body attempts to compensate by producing more insulin. Insulin aides glucose uptake into cells, but as the body continues to release large amounts of insulin, the cells become resistant to it. Hence the insulin resistance.

Bodybuilders and other athletes are aware of this GH side effect. They often counter it by adding insulin injections to their drug stacks, which serves two purposes: 1) It counters the hyperglycemia, or elevated blood glucose, brought on by GH-induced insulin resistance; 2) it has anticatabolic effects in muscle, and when used with GH and anabolic steroids, it appears to add a layer of anabolic efficiency. Insulin also favors amino acid uptake into muscle and triggers the enzyme that produces muscle glycogen, an effect that creates a fuller-appearing muscle.

Of course, using insulin is not without its dangers. Injecting it without taking in carbohydrate can lead to a disastrous drop in blood glucose. That, in turn, can cause a person to pass out suddenly or, depending on the dose used, lapse  into a coma. The coma effect has actually happened to several well-known professional bodybuilders. Luckily, they all survived.

Then there are the aesthetic side effects of using insulin, particularly when combined with GH. Insulinlike growth factor 1 is a product of GH and, as the name implies, has a structure similar to insulin. At times IGF-1 may interact with the insulin cell receptor, although with far less affinity than insulin itself. There are many insulin cell receptors in the gut, however, and when insulin and/or IGF-1 interact with those receptors, organ growth results. It’s visible as a bloated abdomen and is particularly noticeable when viewed from the side. So you have the ironic appearance of a bodybuilder with low bodyfat, ripped abdominals and, when standing relaxed, a bloated gut.


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While these various effects of insulin and GH are annoying, unless you overdo the insulin or use it incorrectly, your health isn’t at risk. The GH and diabetes connection is far more insidious and dangerous to long-term health. The notion that GH can bring on diabetes comes from observation of people afflicted with acromegaly, which is caused by a small tumor on the pituitary gland in the brain. The tumor causes huge amounts of GH to be secreted. If it happens prior to adulthood, giantism often results. These are people who stand well over 7’. They also often have serious health problems. Forty percent of people with acromegaly have diabetes related to the insulin resistance induced by excessive GH production. One notable example was pro wrestler André the Giant. His real name was André René Roussimoff, and he suffered from diabetes related to his acromegalic condition. He died of congestive heart failure at 46.

If large amounts of GH can cause diabetes, why don’t we hear about more bodybuilders being diagnosed with the disease? For one thing, most rational bodybuilders who use GH don’t stay on the drug year-round. As for older people who use GH as a form of aging therapy or to treat GH deficiency, their doses are a fraction of the amounts routinely used by athletes. Even so, a large percentage of older people using GH show insulin resistance at first. In most cases it subsides in a month or two.

A case report published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2007 discussed a young bodybuilder who showed up at a local emergency room complaining of severe abdominal pain. His blood glucose level was 543.6 (normal is 100 or less). He told the attending physicians that he had used anabolic steroids for years and had recently added GH and insulin to his drug stack. He had stopped injecting the insulin after experiencing a few hypoglycemic episodes, but still he was diagnosed with diabetes. He received treatment for the diabetes, which, luckily for him, resolved after six weeks.

The most recent report linking diabetes to a bodybuilder on anabolic drugs involved a 33-year-old man who showed up at a local emergency room complaining of a variety of symptoms that included excessive thirst, excessive urination, nausea, headaches, blurry vision and just feeling like crap.1 A test of his blood glucose showed it to be 1082, which later rose to 1166. Again, normal is 100. He had started to feel sick four days prior to showing up at the ER. Further questioning revealed that he had been on a self-prescribed drug regimen for the past 3 1/2 months but had discontinued injections three weeks earlier. He denied use of any other drugs or alcohol, which was confirmed by a toxicology test. He had no family history of diabetes, a significant fact since diabetes usually has a genetic component.
Treatment began with intravenous fluids and a bolus of 10 units of regular insulin, plus an insulin drip. He was also given potassium, which helps speed glucose uptake into cells. Within six hours his blood glucose had returned to normal. He stabilized over the next 24 hours and was diagnosed with new onset diabetes. After two days he was discharged from the hospital.

The drug regimen that he had been on consisted of Sustanon 250, a blend of four testosterone esters that provide a time-released style of testosterone release; another type of testosterone that he wasn’t able to identify; and trenbolone acetate, or Finaplix, a veterinary anabolic steroid never approved for human use. It was described by the doctors as a “bovine growth hormone” because that’s precisely what it’s used for—to beef up cattle, in the form of pellets shot under the skin.

Trenbolone was formerly available in injectable form called Parabolan. Another form was called Finaject. It was a popular steroid among bodybuilders because it allegedly provided a hard appearance to the body, didn’t convert into estrogen and was very androgenic. The company that manufactured the injectable form of the drug, however,  ceased production in 1987—although cattle implants continued to be sold. Two forms currently exist: Finaplix-H (for heifers) and Finaplix-S (for steers).The drug is not indicated for use in humans, but “kits” and instructions on how to crush the implants and use them as injections are available over the Internet. Problems include uncertainty about the purity of the dissolving substance, as well as concerns about possible contamination with toxins and bacteria, since the home brew drugs are not made under sterile conditions.

As for the bodybuilder, three months after showing up at the ER, he still had diabetes, but he was keeping it under control so that his blood glucose was at normal levels. He did that with a once daily dose of 35 units of long-acting insulin. He also stated that he would never again use any home brew cattle implant injections.

Hormones and Stretch Marks

Stretch marks, known medically as striae distensae, are commonly seen in those who lift weights. They can appear throughout the body, including on the abdomen, buttocks, lower back and thighs. In those who use anabolic steroids, stretch marks are often seen around the shoulders and upper arms. They initially appear as red or purple longitudinal marks along the skin, gradually fading to white.
Stretch marks are so common in steroid users that some doctors suggest that the combination of large muscles and excess stretch marks points to steroid use. On the other hand, anyone who is experiencing rapid muscle growth is going to get some stretch marks. Indeed, stretch marks are seen on the abdomens of 75 percent of pregnant women. With bodybuilders the immediate cause of stretch marks is often thought to be “the muscle growing too fast for the skin to adapt.”

From a medical standpoint, stretch marks occur when the dermis, or middle layer of the skin, is excessively stretched. They can develop under various disease conditions that affect the skin resiliency and also with any rapid gain or loss of weight. Using topical corticosteroid drugs interferes with the full development of skin proteins and could also cause stretch marks. When you add it all up, there are many possible ways to get them.

Some scientists suggest that hormonal causes are of paramount importance. The usual villain in this scenario is excess levels of cortisol, which interferes with the activity of the skin’s protein building blocks, leading  to breaks in the dermis, visible as stretch marks.

A recent study also shows that other hormones are involved in the onset of stretch marks.2 For example, while normal levels of estrogen in the skin promote increased skin thickness and elasticity, too much has a reverse effect, interfering with wound repair and skin protein. Estrogens, however, tend to accelerate skin healing, while androgens, such as testosterone, blunt it. You don’t have to be a scientist to figure out that using high-dose steroid regimens predisposes you to acquiring stretch marks.

The new study examined recent stretch marks and found that they had a higher density of hormone receptors than normal skin, and estrogen appeared to be the most concentrated. Since estrogen is involved in skin healing, that could represent the body’s attempt to heal the injured skin tissue. From the standpoint of steroid users, the greater number of estrogen receptors in stretch marks could also represent a defense against the high level of androgens, which interfere with skin healing. That latter part, however, is strictly speculation. What is known is that stretch marks have a higher density of hormone receptors than normal skin.


1 Geraci, M., et al. (2011). New onset diabetes associated with bovine growth hormone and testosterone abuse in a young bodybuilder. Hum Exp Toxicol. In press.
2 Cordeiro, R.C.T., et al. (2010). Expression of estrogen, androgen, and glucocorticocoid receptors in recent striae distensae. Int J Dermatol. 49:30-32.


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©,2016 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited

Have you been ripped off  by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.

 

The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.

 

See Jerry's book at  http://www.jerrybrainum.com

 

Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com

 

                

Friday, January 8, 2016

SARMs. video by Jerry Brainum: The truth about Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator drugs (SARMs)


In this video, Jerry Brainum discusses the experimental drugs known as SARMs, and reveals the truth about how they work and how effective they are. For more information about nutrition, exercise science, supplements, hormonal therapy, anti-aging, fat-loss techniques, ergogenic aids and other topics, subscribe today to Jerry's Applied Metabolics Newsletter (www.appliedmetabolics.com)



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©,2016 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited

Have you been ripped off  by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.

 

The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.

 

See Jerry's book at  http://www.jerrybrainum.com

 

Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com

 

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