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L-Arginine and L-Citrulline: Can They Help Improve Nitric Oxide Levels for Better Heart Health? Darrell Miller 8/6/22
The 9 Essential Amino Acids To Lower Blood Sugar, Build Muscle &Reduce Stress Darrell Miller 3/21/19
eat eggs before workout to gain muscle Darrell Miller 3/29/17
Zinc monomethionine and aspartate Darrell Miller 1/25/14
Is D-Ribose Only Good For All Muscular Energy Or Just The Heart? Darrell Miller 1/22/14
Arginine and Ornithine Supplementation for Enhanced Athletic Performance Darrell Miller 1/19/14
Why Take An L-Arginine And L-Citrulline Amino Acid Complex? Darrell Miller 1/18/14
What Is The Difference Between flaxseed oil and fish oil Darrell Miller 1/1/14
Shark Cartilage and Its Benefit in Improving Joint Health Darrell Miller 10/29/13
What Is Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD)? Darrell Miller 12/29/12
Improve Immune System, Digestion, Muscle Recover, The Skin, And More with OptiZinc Darrell Miller 5/31/11
What is Potassium and Why Do We Need It? Darrell Miller 1/14/11
Gamma Oryzanol Darrell Miller 8/29/08
Garcinia Cambogia Darrell Miller 8/28/08
D-Ribose Darrell Miller 5/17/08
Colostrum Darrell Miller 5/12/08
Tongkat Ali: The Natural Viagra? Darrell Miller 10/22/07
D-Ribose Powder Benefits! Darrell Miller 4/10/07
Hypoallergenic Free Form Amino Acids Darrell Miller 9/7/06
Protein for optimal performance Darrell Miller 12/30/05
Essential electrolytes Darrell Miller 12/30/05
Now Foods Quality Sports Nutrition. Darrell Miller 12/30/05
Carnitine Creatinate Darrell Miller 12/8/05
Trace Minerals and Migraines Darrell Miller 11/16/05
Androgens and 4-Diol and 4-Dione conversion to Testosterone... Darrell Miller 5/17/05




L-Arginine and L-Citrulline: Can They Help Improve Nitric Oxide Levels for Better Heart Health?
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Date: August 06, 2022 10:37 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: L-Arginine and L-Citrulline: Can They Help Improve Nitric Oxide Levels for Better Heart Health?

Nitric oxide is an important molecule that is produced by the human body. It helps to regulate blood pressure and heart function, and it can also help improve circulation. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in supplements that can increase nitric oxide levels, such as L-arginine and L-citrulline. Lets explore the research on these two supplements and discuss how they may help improve heart health!

What is nitric oxide and what does it do for the body?

Nitric oxide is a gas that is produced by the body and is used in many different processes. One of the most important roles of nitric oxide is to help regulate blood pressure. It does this by relaxing the smooth muscles that line the blood vessels, which allows the vessels to dilate and the blood to flow more easily. Nitric oxide also plays a role in immunity, inflammation, and nerve function. In addition, it has been shown to have anti-cancer properties and to improve exercise performance. Although nitric oxide is produced naturally by the body, it can also be taken as a supplement. Nitric oxide supplements are often used by athletes and Bodybuilders to improve their performance and increase muscle mass. However, they can also be beneficial for people who suffer from conditions like high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction.

The benefits of increased nitric oxide levels?

In recent years, researchers have also begun to explore the potential health benefits of increasing nitric oxide levels through supplementation. Some studies have shown that nitric oxide supplements can improve exercise performance and reduce recovery time, as well as provide other cardiovascular benefits. Additionally, nitric oxide has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, which may contribute to its ability to improve exercise performance. While more research is needed to confirm the potential health benefits of increased nitric oxide levels, the current evidence suggests that there may be numerous benefits for active individuals.

The research on L-arginine and L-citrulline supplements?

L-arginine and L-citrulline are two amino acids that have attracted attention for their potential health benefits. L-arginine is involved in the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that helps to relax blood vessels and improve blood flow. L-citrulline, on the other hand, is converted into L-arginine in the body, making it a potentially more efficient way to increase levels of this important compound. Numerous studies have investigated the potential health effects of these supplements, and the results have been mixed. Some studies have found that L-arginine supplements can improve exercise performance and reduce recovery time after exercise, while others have found no benefits. Similarly, some studies have found that L-citrulline supplements can improve blood pressure and heart health.

How to take L-arginine and L-citrulline for best results?

When taking L-arginine and L-citrulline together, it is important to follow the correct dosage in order to achieve the best results. The recommended dosage is 6 grams per day, which can be taken in three doses of 2 grams each. It is best to take these supplements on an empty stomach, either first thing in the morning or about 30 minutes before working out.

Potential side effects of L-arginine and L-citrulline supplements?

No Side Effects

In Summary:

L-arginine and L-citrulline are two amino acids that have been shown to have potential health benefits. These supplements can improve exercise performance, reduce recovery time, and may also provide other cardiovascular benefits. While more research is needed to confirm the exact benefits of these supplements, the current evidence suggests that they could be beneficial for active individuals. It is important to follow the correct dosage when taking these supplements in order to achieve the best results. Additionally, it is recommended to take them on an empty stomach for maximum absorption. There are no known side effects associated with taking L-arginine and L-citrulline supplements.

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The 9 Essential Amino Acids To Lower Blood Sugar, Build Muscle &Reduce Stress
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Date: March 21, 2019 01:27 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: The 9 Essential Amino Acids To Lower Blood Sugar, Build Muscle &Reduce Stress





Lower blood sugar is beneficial to your good health but it is not always easy to achieve this feat. But, if you are using the right amino acids, it becomes much easier to lower blood sugar, but that it not all. With the right amino acids, it is also possible to increase muscle size and reduce stress. There are nine important essential amino acids that you should include in your daily routine for best results. What are those?

Key Takeaways:

  • Amino acids are considered one of the main foundations of proteins as it is a primary macronutrient.
  • Nonessential amino acids are those that are produced by our bodies naturally without any assistance.
  • Animal products such as beef, chicken, milk, eggs, and dairy are great sources of the nine main amino acids.

"If you've taken a high-school biology class or have friends who are bodybuilders, you've probably heard this fact: Amino acids are the building blocks of protein."

Read more: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/essential-amino-acids-benefits

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eat eggs before workout to gain muscle
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Date: March 29, 2017 10:14 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: eat eggs before workout to gain muscle





For those who are trying to build more muscle mass, this video is for you. Hitting the gym and working out are not the only things you should be doing to increase muscle. Diet is important too and eggs are a food that should not be overlooked before your workout. Eggs contain high-quality protein that is absolutely vital to a muscular physique. Watch this video for an in-depth look into eggs and how they will compliment your morning workout.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TRR0icvEZw&rel=0

Key Takeaways:

  • Protein is extremely important in muscle function , development, and the deposition of new muscle mass, particularly important for body-builders.
  • Eggs contain a significant amount of protein, vitamins, and essential amino acids, all essential for building muscle mass and function.
  • In addition to protein, minerals, and nutrients, eggs also contain fat, although only a small amount of bad fat, saturated fat (in the yolk) and do not raise cholesterol.

"It has a valuable role in providing a healthy diet for all and especially Bodybuilders."

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Zinc monomethionine and aspartate
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Date: January 25, 2014 09:24 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Zinc monomethionine and aspartate

What is ZMA?

ZMA food supplementZinc monomethionine and aspartate commonly known as ZMA and Magnesium Aspartate is a supplement mostly used by people involved in great excises such as the athletes, gymnasts, and Bodybuilders. Supplements help in maximum building of body muscles though some could think about creatine, weight gainers, testosterone boosters and protein powder. ZMA is one of the great supplements.

Importance of ZMA

ZMA is of great importance when it comes to immune boosting. Some of the body occurrence could damper somebody’s ability to train well. Zinc supplementation gives appositive effect as it decreases the levels of oxidative stress and it reduces inflammation in the body.  Also, the ZMA addition of this supplement to the daily diet since it happens to be one of the nutrients. These nutrients are frequently found in daily consumed foods like crab, oysters, pork shoulder and beef shanks. ZMA boosts the testosterone levels in the body since it is muscle building supplement that has been shown to boost testosterone levels. This substance contains zinc, magnesium together with vitamin B6.

The research has revealed that the usage of ZMA supplement increases the testosterone levels for about 30% and the strength could be increased by 250%. The ZMA testosterone boost makes a great progress in weight training. It also develops strength. The presence of this supplement is of great benefit to sleep as it boosts the testosterone hormone that helps in getting enough sleep. The sleep helps muscles by repairing them and giving enough rest.

The Magnesium presence could help in building of the lean muscles in from their ass. This gives the muscles enough oxygen as the function and recovering from their workouts and build new muscles. Still edge can be gotten by taking ZMA though zinc and magnesium contain high quantity of multivitamins, a condition called competing nutrients. This condition is by when one nutrient cancels the effect on another nutrient.

For the case of weight training, the presence of calcium in your body can cancel out or limit the effects of zinc and magnesium that you ingest through food or a multivitamin.

References:

  1. //www.bodybuilding.com
  2. //ezimearticles.com




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Is D-Ribose Only Good For All Muscular Energy Or Just The Heart?
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Date: January 22, 2014 10:32 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Is D-Ribose Only Good For All Muscular Energy Or Just The Heart?

What is D-Ribose

d-riboseRibose, better known as D-Ribose is a sugar that gets produced by the human body or rather say body cells. Unlike normal sucrose or any artificial sugar, Ribose is an especial sugar found in a variety of foods. Generally, doctors suggest external Ribose dosages to heart patients as it’s known to improve heart function and help people obviate hearth disease and congestive heart failure. Now, here’s the question arises, is D-Ribose only good for all muscular energy or just the heart?

Ribose, good for whom?

Before answering the above question, have a look at the science behind the fact that Ribose is helpful to heart patients. Well, in simple terms, heart of the people, suffering from congestive heart failure works much harder compared to the heart of normal people. To pump blood harder, heart requires more energy and if it doesn’t get the energy, it gets tired and also makes the body tired. This is where the external dosage of Ribose offsets the energy lost by the heart, and help it work properly.

Now, the answer to the question is, Ribose not only good for heart muscles, but also for other body muscles. D-Ribose health supplements or pills can be taken even by normal people as it can improve the body’s energy level significantly. More energy means less work for the heart, and less work for heart means more energetic and healthy life. Bodybuilders can consume D-Ribose to enhance their energy level and shorten their recovery period. People who want to prevent aging signs can also consume Ribose supplements to stay young for a longer period of time.

Where to purchase from?

D-Ribose is frequently found in energy drinks and health supplements. Actually natural foods don’t really contain free Ribose, hence health supplements or energy drinks become the best source of Ribose. Before purchasing any health supplement featuring Ribose, make sure you consult with an expert doctor. So, whether you are suffering from congestive heart failure or chronic fatigue or you just want to boost your energy before the gym workouts, consume a genuine D-Ribose health supplement daily to see the difference.

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Arginine and Ornithine Supplementation for Enhanced Athletic Performance
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Date: January 19, 2014 07:41 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Arginine and Ornithine Supplementation for Enhanced Athletic Performance

Arginine and ornithine

Arginine and ornithine are two amino acids that are incorporated in protein that is found in many dietary sources, such as meat, egg whites, soy or fish. Although these two amino acids can be supplied to your muscles from food sources, several research studies have examined the benefits of arginine and ornithine supplements. Fitness researchers found positive and promising results in terms of muscular growth, endurance and fatigue prevention. These supplements are especially known and popular among Bodybuilders and other types of strength athletes, as it has been clearly demonstrated that they improve athletic ability on a biochemical level.

Arginine Intake is Associated With a More Intense Production of Human Growth Hormone

Arginine is an amino acid that is able to exert a potent stimulation of the pituitary gland following intense workout routines. The pituitary gland is a small region in the human brain that is able to manufacture a hormone that is the most powerful accelerator of muscle and bone growth, which is the Human Growth Hormone (HGH). Several medical tests and research trials examined the effects of supplemental arginine intake on the HGH levels after bodybuilding or strength exercise aimed to increasing muscle size and strength. The results reveal that additional arginine intake through supplements results in a better HGH response to exercise, which stimulates muscle development through an accelerated protein synthesis in muscle fibers.

Ornithine Intake Results in Fatigue Prevention in Athletes

Ornithine is also a popular amino acid supplement among athletes because it allows for a more efficient energy production and utilization in muscle fibers. Moreover, arginine and ornithine taken together stimulate the faster elimination of toxic waste from the muscles, especially nitrogen removal. The combined benefits of arginine and ornithine supplementation for athletes and sports enthusiasts consists in their capacity to induce a better HGH response for muscle fiber growth and prevention of fatigue during strenuous physical exercise.

References:

  1. //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19083482
  2. hhtp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17143054

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Why Take An L-Arginine And L-Citrulline Amino Acid Complex?
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Date: January 18, 2014 11:52 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Why Take An L-Arginine And L-Citrulline Amino Acid Complex?

Arginine and citrulline

amino acid complex sourceAre popular amino acids among individuals who are enthusiastic about athletic performance and muscle development. L-Arginine and L-Citrulline are marketed as amino acid supplements that are especially useful for athletes who need an additional biochemical support for enhanced muscular energy and growth of muscle fibers. Bodybuilders and weightlifters are especially passionate about amino acid supplements because it helps them break through muscle development stagnation and reach more difficult goals in terms of muscle size or weight lifting potential.

L-Citrulline is Useful for Intense Energy Production in Physically Active Muscle Fibers

Citrulline is an amino acid that is incorporated into the energetic cycle of muscle fibers. It is closely related chemically to ornithine and arginine, although its function is slightly different. Several biochemical studies have assessed the impact of L-Citrulline administration in athletes and its connection to enhanced muscular performance, especially in physical conditions that would cause extensive fatigue. As it turns out, L-Citrulline is able to produce substantial benefits in terms of physical performance and muscular capacity in athletes. The energetic cycle that incorporates citrulline as one of the most critical components is able to produce more energy during exhausting physical exertion, which significantly delays fatigue and supports continuous muscle activation. Individuals who take L-Citrulline may be able to gain more from their workouts since their muscle are able to function longer without considerable signs of fatigue or overuse.

L-Arginine Promotes the Release of HGH From the Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland responds to a physical exercise stimulus by releasing the Human Growth Hormone, which contributes to the growth of muscle fibers through an increased protein production. When arginine is administered in sufficient amounts as a supplement, the HGH response is considerably enhanced, which results in a faster muscle rehabilitation after intense workouts and a better muscle fiber development. Taking arginine and citrulline supplements may result in substantial gains in terms of better muscular endurance and adequate muscle growth as a response to physical training.

References:

  1. //bjsm.bmj.com
  2. //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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What Is The Difference Between flaxseed oil and fish oil
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Date: January 01, 2014 07:03 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: What Is The Difference Between flaxseed oil and fish oil

fish oilBefore you can compare flaxseed oil and fish oil

It is first important to understand the differences between the two oils. Extracted from the dried seeds of the plant rips linen, flax seed oil is clean and almost yellow. The oil is obtained by a cold method or by solvent extraction. Flaxseed oil contains acid lineolic, a particular form of omega-3 fatty acids. Fish Oil is extracted from the tissues of fatty fish containing EPA, Docohsahexanoic acid (DHA) and eicosanoids.

Benefits of compare flaxseed oil and fish oil

Some of the health benefits are reducing inflammation. For comparison, it is essential to analyze the benefits of both oils. Two omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA in this oil and are a great help in creating hormone-like substance that reduces inflammation and blood pressure. They have also been shown to reduce triglycerides and the accumulation of plaque in the arteries.Omega-3 oils promote the secretion of serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical anti-depressant produced by the body and thus reduces or mitigates the effects of depression. Fish oil is often used in the treatment of patients with HIV / AIDS, and has proven to be helpful in lowering triglyceride levels in the body that build up after prolonged use of antiretroviral drugs. This is extremely useful because it can reduce the risk of a patient for coronary artery disease. In addition to providing relief from chronic inflammation, they is also useful for those suffering from joint pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The EPA has also found that fish oil helps protect the skin from photo damage. Photo damage is known to cause permanent skin wrinkles and skin damage. In addition, some studies have shown that they may prevent schizophrenia, with minimal side effects. Mothers who take fish oil during pregnancy often bear children with enhanced brain function as well as children with higher IQs. They are also less prone to cognitive problems. And the effects of postpartum depression seem to lessen with the regular intake of fish oil.The fish oil supplements have even more benefits, including lower risk of macular degeneration in the aging process. And studies have shown that with weight training significant reduced pain is present in the Bodybuilders who regularly consumed fish oil. Other benefits are providing relief for digestive diseases..

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Shark Cartilage and Its Benefit in Improving Joint Health
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Date: October 29, 2013 10:12 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Shark Cartilage and Its Benefit in Improving Joint Health

shark

Benefits of Shark

Shark cartilage is derived from the dried and powdered skeletons of sharks caught in the Pacific Ocean. The part of the skeleton that is used is known as cartilage, which is the tough but elastic part of the skeletal tissue that provides support to the body much like bones. This tissue is rich in calcium as well as other substances thought to have a variety of benefits in health and fitness.

Bodybuilders and fitness experts around the world are currently showing a lot of interest in this product because it has number of effects that can be of benefit to joint health. Depending on the manner in which shark cartilage is harvested and formulated, product can be used to treat cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis and skin disease (psoriasis).

How Does It Work?

As already been mentioned, shark cartilage is rich in calcium. It contains in its formulation other compounds including glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate and camphor. All these compounds are essential to joint health. When applied topically on the skin covering the joints, shark cartilage is absorbed into the synovial fluid where it produces its effects.

The glucosamine sulphate, the chondroitin sulfate and the camphor have anti-inflammatory properties and therefore helps with treatment of the common inflammatory disorders of the joints especially osteoarthritis and arthritis and repair of joint damages. When used orally as a dietary supplement, it has the effects of promoting calcification of the bones preventing osteoporosis.

The Uses of Shark Cartilage

Shark cartilage is not only used in joint health. It is also used in the treatment of a variety of cancers (prostate, colon, breast and lungs), psoriasis, eye complications and wound healing. However, there is only limited scientific evidence that shark cartilage can produce these effects.

Those who have used products derived from shark cartilage on the other attest to the efficacy of these supplements especially in improving joint health. Bodybuilders and the elderly who usually suffer from a variety on deteriorating joints can benefit from shark cartilage.

References:

  1. //www.bodybuilding.com/store/shark.html
  2. //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shark_cartilage
  3. //www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-909-SHARK%20CARTILAGE.aspx?activeIngredientId=909&activeIngredientName=SHARK%20CARTILAGE

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What Is Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD)?
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Date: December 29, 2012 12:06 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: What Is Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD)?

Super Oxide Dismutase is an important enzyme that plays an important role in protecting the cells from free radical damage. Enzymes are compounds that work by speeding up certain chemical processes in the body. Super oxide dismutase speed up the process of transforming superoxide into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, making SOD an important component in the processes of providing oxygen to the cells. Without oxygen, cells eventually stop functioning and die.

Benefits of Super Oxide Dismutase (S.O.D)

This enzyme is present in various living organisms even in some bacteria species that do not utilize oxygen. Because of its function in providing oxygen to the cells, super oxide dismutase is important in keeping cells healthy and ensuring the function of all organs in the body. Without it, cells rapidly age and die, and the body becomes exposed to various kinds of diseases and infections. This becomes more pronounced in individuals who are constantly exposed to pollution and other sources of free radicals. Fortunately, the enzyme is available as a supplement for those who want to ensure that they have the right amounts of super oxide dismutase in their systems. It is important to seek professional consultation before taking the enzyme, but it is often allowed for most people in varying degrees of health.

Top Uses of Super Oxide Dismutase

Super oxide dismutase is often used to treat various types of organ malfunctions like bladder infections as well as to prevent lung infections in newborns suffering from compromised respiratory systems. This is very important in premature newborns since giving oxygen to a newborn can damage his lungs. The enzyme is also used by Bodybuilders and those who want to stay fit and healthy since it enhances oxygen delivery and promotes longer endurance when working out. The antioxidant property of SOD also helps in keeping cells healthy and supports cell tissue repair after strenuous workouts.

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Improve Immune System, Digestion, Muscle Recover, The Skin, And More with OptiZinc
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Date: May 31, 2011 03:45 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Improve Immune System, Digestion, Muscle Recover, The Skin, And More with OptiZinc

Zinc And Your Health.

OptiZinc is a patented zinc supplement in which the trace element zinc is bound to the essential amino acid methionine. It is especially formulated to guarantee absorption of zinc at a rate far superior to other zinc supplements. Hence, it is commercially touted to be the form of zinc best suited for people diagnosed with zinc deficiency. Decades-long studies have recorded noticeable effects on health.

Increases Immune Function

Zinc has long been tied to the immune system. For one, all white blood cells that contain granules in their cytoplasm secrete zinc at certain immune responses. In addition, several other cells in the employ of the immune system utilize zinc signaling for cell-to-cell communication. OptiZinc increases availability of elemental zinc for use by immune cells and modulates immune function in the process.

Promotes Healthy Metabolism

Zinc is one of the trace elements that are pervasive at the cellular level. Proteins that belong to all enzyme classes necessitate the presence of zinc to activate their catalytic activities. The scientific community has long come to a conclusion that zinc is absolutely necessary for healthy metabolism, and thus the daily zinc needs of the body must be met to avoid impairment of physiological functions.

Aids Digestive Processes

OptiZinc is particularly good for the gastrointestinal tract. It contains up to 200 per cent of the recommended daily value for zinc to ensure absorption and aid digestion at the same time. Zinc ions are directly involved in the antimicrobial activities that take place in the intestines. Digestive enzymes that contain zinc are responsible for the breakdown of peptide bonds of proteins during digestion.

Accelerates Muscle Recovery

Supplementation of OptiZinc is likely to benefit people who engage in regular physical activities, especially athletes and Bodybuilders. This formulation of zinc contains an equal ration of zinc to methionine, an essential amino acid necessitated in the biosynthesis of many other amino acids. OptiZinc speeds up the recovery of skeletal muscles after subjected to intense exercise.

Improves Skin Conditions

It is well established fact that a deficiency in zinc leads to higher incidence to acne. Severe cases even result in progressive hair loss and skin ulcer formation. These skin conditions are in fact a symptom of a metabolic disorder affecting the uptake of zinc, whether congenital or acquired. OptiZinc have been reported to alleviate zinc deficiency-induced skin problems and promote healthy-looking skin.

Scavenges Free Radicals

OptiZinc is a noted free radical scavenger. Its efficacy in preventing oxidative stress has been associated to the prevention of a diverse variety of illnesses, which include eye problems, prostate inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases. This special formulation of zinc delivers the highest absorbable amounts of zinc into the systemic circulation to effectively prevent radical damage.

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What is Potassium and Why Do We Need It?
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Date: January 14, 2011 03:48 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: What is Potassium and Why Do We Need It?

Potassium has a number of roles to play on the stage of human life, not the least of which is to maintain a good balance of electrolytes, and particularly a good balance between sodium and potassium. Excess sodium in your body solutions can be damaging to your health causing, for example, dangerous heart conditions and loss of calcium from your bones leading to osteoporosis.

Other conditions believed to be either caused by or exacerbated by a deficiency in potassium include stroke, inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS) and high blood pressure. Potassium will not only reduce the possibility of these conditions occurring, but will also offer some unrelated benefits.

Bodybuilders need potassium to increase their muscle bulk, optimize nerve functions and enable the release of energy from carbohydrates, fat and protein to allow them to exercise and burn fat while feeding their muscles with energy and amino acids and also building new muscle tissue.

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Gamma Oryzanol
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Date: August 29, 2008 09:20 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Gamma Oryzanol

Gamma Oryzanol is extracted from rice bran oil, and is a mixture of substances that includes ferulic acid and sterols. It is not restricted to rice barn oil, and is also found in the bran of other grains, and some fruits and vegetables. It is commonly used as a sports supplement, although possesses other uses including treatment of menopausal symptoms and high cholesterol levels.

Athletes use gamma oryzanol to increase their muscle bulk through it increasing the levels of testosterone and other anabolic hormones. Although there is little scientific evidence for these effects, Bodybuilders claim excellent results and the other benefits that the substance offers make it worthwhile taking. The reported benefits are so common and widespread that they are difficult to ignore, and it can be assumed that, in the absence of scientific evidence through test results, the athletes and Bodybuilders are right until proven wrong.

Gamma oryzanol is reported to promote a number of metabolic effects on the body such stimulation of the Human Growth Hormone that is involved in increasing muscle bulk. It also induces increased release of endorphins, and improves recovery after exercise. Ferulic acid promotes increased strength, reduced fatigue and improved recovery.

The catabolic effect of cortisol is also reduced. Cortisol is produced during exercise and it is destructive to muscle tissue. What this does in practice is to increase your recovery time, and after a long run it can take two days to recover and allow your exercise effectively again. It is important that your body is conditioned to rapidly reduce its cortisol content after exercise, and ferulic acid helps you to do this.

Athletes have reported no side effects from doses of up to 900 mg of gamma oryzanol and 60 mg ferulic acid, which appears to be up to thirty times as bioavailable to the human body as gamma oryzanol. However, there are many more uses of the supplement than just metabolic ones.

Gamma oryzanol possesses strong antioxidant properties. Ferulic acid is a phenolic phytochemical, and a derivative of trans-cinnamic acid. As such, it is an antioxidant with strong reducing properties towards free radicals. Free radicals are implicated in cardiac problems cause by the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, leading to atherosclerosis that is responsible for strokes and blockages of the cardiac arteries.

Lipid peroxides can be formed by the oxidization of fats, and can damage nerve cells and muscle tissue. Antioxidants can also lead to premature aging through the destruction of human body cells, damage to DNA and also many forms of cancer. Although it is believed that components of gamma oryzanol can inhibit the initiation of some cancers, the evidence is still scanty and the research in its infancy.

Any substance that destroys free radicals is of benefit to your health, and Ferulic acid stands beside other strong antioxidants such as Vitamins A, D and E, and many of the high colored phytochemicals such as beta carotene. It is believed to have anti-cancer properties with some forms of cancer, such as breast and liver cancer, though, as referred to above, studies are continuing.

Paradoxically, intensive physical exercise can lead to the generation of more free radicals, since they are a by-product of the generation of energy in the mitochondria from blood glucose, and so, in addition to its beneficial metabolic and anti-catabolic properties, gamma oryzanol should be taken during exercise in order to reduce the effect of these dangerous molecules.

The effect of gamma oryzanol on cholesterol levels has been demonstrated, and complement the same effect offered by the fatty acid component of the bran oil. It appears to prevent the absorption of cholesterol by the digestive tract, and so allow it to be excreted naturally before doing any harm. It is believed that the phytosterols present in rice bran oil block the cholesterol absorption sites in the intestine, so is must continue down the intestinal canal until it is evacuated.

Cholesterol itself is essential to human metabolism and biochemistry, and without it we could not survive. Cholesterol is not soluble in water, and it has to be bound to low density lipids (LDL) to enable it to be transported round the blood to where it is needed: usually in the arteries to heal up arterial damage, a bit like a sticking plaster.

However, free radicals oxidize these LDLs and deposit them along with their cholesterol on the artery walls: that is the problem, not the cholesterol itself, and is why antioxidants such as gamma oryzanol are so important to us. Rice bran oil has been used by the Japanese for many years to treat elevated cholesterol levels and also to reduce high triglyceride levels.

It also acts as an anti-inflammatory, specifically in the stomach and can be used to treat gastritis, in that it reduces the inflammation of the stomach lining. There is some evidence from studies on animals that the substance could be effective in treating gastric ulcers, although the results with animals have not yet been tried on human subjects. Another mechanism, other than the anti-inflammatory route, is through the normalization of the secretion of the gastric juices.

Another use to which gamma oryzanol has been successful put is in the treatment of menopause symptoms. This is another of those situations where some trials have proved unsuccessful, but those that use it has found it be effective. Hot flashes and aging syndromes are two symptoms that have been effectively treated by use of the supplement, with one study reporting a 50% reduction in symptoms in 70% of patients.

The way this is theorized to work is through the inhibition of the secretion of leutinizing hormone by the pituitary gland, which promotes the hypothalamus to release endorphins. Endorphins help to overcome the effects of the menopause.

Gamma oryzanol, then, has found use by many athletes and Bodybuilders in its metabolic properties in helping to increase muscle bulk and reduce fat, and by shortening recovery times by reducing the catabolic effect of cortisol. However, apart from these sports-related benefits, it possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial to your general health.

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Garcinia Cambogia
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Date: August 28, 2008 09:33 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Garcinia Cambogia

Garcinia Cambogia is found naturally in India and parts of Asia, and also on the Pacific coast of South and Central America all the way from Peru up to Mexico, and likes a humid forested environment. Also known as Brindall berries, garcinia is believed to act as an appetite suppressant and allows you to lose weight by diminishing your desire for food.

The Malabar tamarind, as it is also known, is about the size of an orange resembling a small pumpkin, and an extract from the fruit and rind is used in several weight loss products. The health risks presented by synthetic diet pills render a natural product extremely attractive were it to be effective. So can Garcia curb your appetite? What is the scientific evidence for it, and what biochemical route would it take?

Although tests on animals have been very positive, human results have been inconsistent. In some double blind tests using a placebo, weight loss was up to three times that of the control, but in others there was no apparent difference between those taking garcinia, and those given a placebo. However, doubts have been raised of the validity of some of the negative tests, so what does science tell us?

The active ingredient in the cambogia extract is hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which is a powerful inhibitor of ATP citrate lyase, an enzyme that catalyzes the reaction between citrate and Coenzyme A to Acetyl CoA and oxaloacetate. Since the acetyl CoA is necessary in the synthesis of fatty acids and lipogenesis (the conversion of glucose to fatty acids), then anything that inhibits the biosynthesis of acetyl CoA must help to reduce the amount of fat stored in your body.

By inhibiting this reaction, that occurs outside the mitochondria so is not a direct part of the Citric Acid Cycle, HCA should theoretically suppress the formation of fats from carbohydrates, reduce food intake and thereby induce weight loss. But that is not the only mechanism.

A study at Georgetown University in Washington found that after 8 weeks of taking the garcinia extract, there was a 5.4% reduction in body weight and body mass index, and a significant reduction in low density lipoproteins (LDL) and triglycerides with an associated rise in high density lipoproteins (HDL). This is good news for those suffering from high cholesterol levels, since the LDL lipoproteins are those that carry cholesterol to the major blood vessels, and which when oxidized by free radicals deposit fatty plaques on the artery walls. These plaques constrict the arteries and the resultant atherosclerosis can lead to cardiac problems and strokes. HDL lipoproteins carry cholesterol back to the liver for destruction, and is known popularly as ‘good cholesterol’.

The studies also indicated modifications to certain indicators of the status of fat deposits in the body and of appetite modifiers in the brain. In this respect they found 38% decreases in serum leptin and increases in serotonin levels of 44%, and the excretion of fat metabolites in the urine increased from between 32% and 104%.

These are significant findings, and further research has indicated that HCA helps to suppress appetite. Serum leptin is an indicator of the level of fat stores in the body, and as the leptin levels in the blood reduces, the hypothalamus is given an instruction to increase the appetite so as to increase the fat levels again. However, it is believed that HCA possesses leptin-like properties, and this signal is either not generated or is modulated.

The increase in serotonin has the same effect. It is known that serotonin controls the appetite, although the exact mechanism has not yet been established. What is known is that serotonin activates certain neurons and melanocortin-4 receptors (MC4R) in the brain, that not only curb appetite but also block the effect of other neurons that would normally increase appetite by blocking the effect of MC4Rs.

This is how the banned anti-obesity and serotonin inciting drug Fen-Phen operated, and it appears that the hydroxycitric acid in garcinia cambogia extract acts in a similar, but safer, way. The problem with drugs such as Feb-Phen was that they created cardiac problems which could be dangerous to obese people whose hearts might have been weakened.

However, now that the biological pathway by which serotonin controls weight is believed to be known, if not fully understood, the way is becoming clearer as to how safer weight loss pills, acting through appetite suppression, might be developed. It also provides a valid scientific explanation for the effect of garcinia cambogia extract which might in itself prove to be that safer way.

The biochemistry supports the evidence of its effect on those wanting to lose weight, and also bolsters the claims that those tests and trials found to be negative were in some way flawed. Until the full chemical pathway is understood, the factors that can lead to flawed tests are unknown, although one could be the use of excessive fiber in some trials that could reduce the effect of the extract.

One of the effects of HCA is to limit the ability of your body to convert carbohydrates into fat (the Acetyl CoA inhibition mentioned above). That, combined with suppression of your appetite and a higher rate of thermogenesis, prevents the body from storing excess carbohydrates as fat. Instead you will have increased energy levels, so you should exercise to use this up while taking garcinia extract. For this reason it is popular with athletes and Bodybuilders seeking an energy source that has not yet been banned from sport.

Although diet pills based on the same principle had side-effects and could make the user feel on edge, there are none known with garcinia. However, it is possible to reduce the absorption of some essential nutrients due to appetite suppression, so do not exceed the recommended dose. An excessive amount can also led to gastric discomfort, but none of these effects have been noted when the recommended doses have been adhered to.

However, if you are diabetic, pregnant or a nursing mother, you should consult with your physician or health professional before taking the extract. Garcinia Cambogia presents no specific risk to such people, and this warning should be given for all non-prescriptive treatments that your physician might be unaware of you taking.

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D-Ribose
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Date: May 17, 2008 10:07 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: D-Ribose

Discovered by Phoebus Levene in 1905, D-ribose is a monosaccharide, and is a component of RNA that is needed for genetic transcription. It is a stereoisomer of ribose, and although not regarded as an essential nutrient since it is synthesized in the body, it is essential for life. It also takes part in human metabolism, helping to generate energy from food, and is a component of all living cells – animal or vegetable. It is contained in ATP and NADH and we could not live without it.

Because it is contained in all living organisms, D-ribose is a common component of the human diet, and required as a supplement only for specific needs. It for this reason that the human species developed and survived: the chemicals needed for life are either commonly found in nature or are manufactured by the body itself from other raw materials which themselves are common in our diet. The other stereoisomer is L-ribose, and this plays no part in human metabolism.

Energy is needed not only to enable us to walk and to run, but also to drive every part of human physiological activity, and all of the physical and chemical processes of life. Because of its nature energy cannot travel round the body in our bloodstream as if were a chemical entity, but must be released or generated where and when it is needed. For that reason every cell in our body contains an area called the mitochondria in which energy is generated. The molecule of energy, if there is such a thing, is called ATP, or adenosine triphosphate.

ATP controls the production of energy everywhere in the body, and allows muscles to contract and relax. This muscular activity is responsible for all movement, including the circulation of our blood through heart contractions, the diaphragm movement that creates the vacuum that allows us to breathe, and the operation of the digestive system by means of the peristaltic motion of the esophagus and the intestines. Each of the two ways in which ATP is generated involves D-ribose.

One is by means of D-ribose being used to produce new ATP, and the other is the recycling of used ATP. In the latter, D-ribose and ATP react to form ADP (adenosine diphosphate and D-ribose-5-phosphate with the release of energy. This diphosphate then reacts again with the ADP to produce new ATP and D-ribose. The reaction is catalyzed by an enzyme known as a ribokinase, a phosphotransferase that specifically catalyzes reactions involving phosphorus groups with an alcohol receptor group.

The heart muscle is operated by means of the calcium pump that depends upon both calcium and ATP for its operation. When ADP and phosphate are created by the effect of calcium and ATP coming together, then energy is provided to the muscle fibers of the heart. ADP then reacts with the phosphate and D-ribose in the presence of magnesium to reform the ATP. ATP is therefore essential for the continuation of the pumping action of the heart that maintains life in all mammals.

D-ribose is also part of the base of RNA and DNA, without which there could be no life. Because the cardiac muscle is easily depleted of ATP, the presence of D-ribose is of extreme importance and it has been proved that cardiac failure begins with the reduction in energy levels of the heart muscle that can be brought about by a lack of ATP in the muscle cells.

An important property of D-ribose is that it is unchanged by the liver, which is the chemical plant of your body in which a large part of the biochemistry needed for life takes place. This means that D-ribose can be taken in the diet and pass through the liver virtually unchanged, and then be transported in the bloodstream to where it is needed for the maintenance of ATP levels. That is why D-ribose is frequently given to treat heart attacks: because it can rapidly replace lost ATP and enable the calcium pump to get to work and keep the heart beating at its normal strength. Maintenance levels of this important sugar would not go amiss.

However, there are other uses to which the body can put this marvelous substance. Among these is the body’s ability to form Coenzyme A from it. This coenzyme is needed in the body for the breakdown of fatty acids, and many other chemical reactions, and also provides the raw material for many other necessary substances in human biochemistry.

Patients with low energy levels can frequently fail to be able to recover from illness. This is because that when illness stresses your body, your mitochondria become overwhelmed with work and begin to fail to produce sufficient ATP to keep the body going. Naturally, as your energy level drops, and your body cells are unable to respond to this, then the condition you are suffering from gets worse, and become stronger leading ultimately to possible death. Your immune system is put under a great deal of stress that uses up what little ATP you have left.

That is why when people start to get really ill, they tend to fade very rapidly: not because of the spread of the disease, but through a reduction in the ATP needed to provide the energy required for the body to fight the disease. Without an adequate supply of energy, your body would rapidly fade.

By taking a D-ribose supplement that passes unchanged right into your bloodstream and taken to where it is needed most, you body can rapidly generate sufficient ATP to keep up the fight against the agent that is making you ill. Your immune system is given a massive energy boost, and more importantly, your heart is kept beating. D-ribose is the answer to the prayer of many sick people, and also to athletes and Bodybuilders needing quick bursts of energy. But what did they use before D-ribose was discovered to have the properties that it has?

At one time, it was adenosine monophosphate (that’s right, not ATP or ADP, but AMP) that was administered intravenously to those suffering from chronic fatigue, this substance being synthesized to ATP in the body over a period of time. However, it take a lot of time to be effective, and the injections had to be made daily into the muscle tissue, so it fell out of favor.

Then came an ATP supplement that could be taken orally, but the side effects were unpleasant, and that too went out of favor. However, towards the end of the 1990’s D-ribose was found to overcome all of these disadvantages, and not only be able to be taken orally, but also to work almost immediately by providing the mitochondria with a direct source of the sugar they need to generate energy.

It is now one of the most popular energy providing supplements on the market, and also a remedy for chronic fatigue that helps the patient to overcome energy-sapping medical conditions both directly and by providing the immune system with the energy needed to keep it operating effectively against masses of invading bacteria and viruses. There is nothing better than D-ribose for providing you with the energy boost that you need, whenever you require it, either to provide energy for your sport or to help you overcome illness.

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Colostrum
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Date: May 12, 2008 11:10 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Colostrum

All female mammals, including humans, produce colostrum soon after giving birth, and before proper milk is produced. It is a milk-like substance that provides newly born infants with a boost to their immune system and gives immediate protection against the germs with which they are about to come into contact.

It also, incidentally, promotes the child’s first bowel movement to rid it of the large amount of dead blood cells created when it’s blood supply was drastically reduced after the severing of the umbilical supply.

It is now believed that colostrum will help not only newly born infants, but also grown adults. If your immune system is weak or you are suffering from a condition that could be helped by a boost to your immune system, colostrum might be what you need to help you fight off what is ailing you. This has become clear after the way that colostrum works has been established.

Transfer factors were discovered in 1949 by Dr. H. Sherwood Lawrence of the New York University School of Medicine. He found that when he injected an extract of the leukocytes of somebody that had previously been infected with tuberculosis, the natural immunity was transferred from the donor to the recipient. He called this extract the ‘transfer factor’, and a means of transferring immune response factors between people was born.

However, the sharing of transfer factors between people suffering from serious conditions such as the HIV virus or hepatitis is a high risk action, and fifty years later, in 1999, bovine colostrum was discussed at a transfer factor conference in Mexico. Bovine colostrum contains large quantities of transfer factors such as IgG type immunoglobulins and hydrogen peroxide. The latter is commonly produced by our body cells to fight off invading pathogens, and immunoglobulins are very effective in fighting some diseases that can be fatal to AIDs patients. Take Cryptosporidium parvum, for instance. This microorganism causes a form of diarrhea that AIDs patients have no defense against but that colostrum can be particularly effective against, and it is also effective against rotavirus that is the main cause of diarrhea in young children.

Before discussing this further, let’s go back a step and examine how bovine milk came to be included in the equation. At one time it was believed that a baby received its immunity from the mother while in the womb and that this was extended via the mother’s milk. However, it was discovered that the milk contained no antibodies as such, only the colostrum, and these antibodies had somehow been transferred to the baby.

This was explained by the concept of the transfer factor. It is not the antibodies that are being transferred from mother to child, but the transfer factor. This modulates the immune system of the recipient and teaches it how to create antibodies against the specific antigens that the donor’s antibodies protect against and to inform the recipient’s immune system when these antigens are present.

The next step was to test the theory that the transfer factor should be able to be passed between species, and the cow was the obvious initial choice since not only are cattle exposed to many of the same antigens as humans, but we already use cow’s milk as a food source – particularly for babies and children. It worked! It was found that when humans were fed cow’s colostrum the specific antibodies were later found in the blood of the person given the treatment.

The next step was to determine the form in which this substance could be used, and injections of various types were tried without success. It was established that the only means of administering colostrum was by drinking it, or supplying it in capsule form. It can be drunk fresh or freeze dried to kill of living organisms and then fats and sugars removed and the resultant dried product encapsulated. It is even possible to remove all large molecules, antibodies, proteins, etc, and still retain the transfer factor. It is absorbed by the gut, and the resultant message passed to the recipient.

It is important to understand that it is not the immunoglobulins from the cow that are passed on, because these are species specific, and are in fact the source of most cow’s milk allergies. There is no transfer of antibodies or any other specific parts of the immune system. What are passed on are the messengers, particularly the transfer factors that are not species specific. A cow’s transfer factors would work just as well in a cat as in humans, only cats don’t get the same diseases as cows and people.

The types of disease that colostrum can help to protect us from include viral and bacterial diseases, fungal diseases and parasites, and neurological and autoimmune diseases. If you have cancer, colostrum can help significantly since cancer and immune deficiency are related. Cancer cells are being formed all the time in your body, but your immune system generally disposes of them. However, if it fails to do this, then the cells can proliferate and lead to cancer as we know it. Colostrum can help your body to prevent cancer occurring, and if you have it, can help to reduce its spread.

Freelance journalist Sam Wainaina studied the effects of Ebola virus in Uganda after the 2002 outbreak, and concluded that had transfer factors been available during the outbreak to transfer immunity it might perhaps have been contained sooner than it was, and saved many, many lives. Although transfer factors have been known of for 60 years, there is still a lot to be done in their application and studies on colostrum could help to accelerate this. Transfer factors alert immune cells to danger, train the system to generate the right type of immunoglobulins and boost NK cell activity to defeat the invaders. They can also moderate an over-active immune system that can be as much a danger to the body as an invading pathogen.

Colostrum can also be used to burn fat and create muscle tissue, and is popular with Bodybuilders but it is for its healing and immunity-boosting properties that it is most used. Biotechnology companies are now boosting the colostrum’s transfer factors by injecting cows with vaccines that create pathogens. Known as Ultra Colostrum this is an advance on the natural material.

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Tongkat Ali: The Natural Viagra?
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Date: October 22, 2007 10:02 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Tongkat Ali: The Natural Viagra?

Tongkat Ali is also known as Longjack, and is a well known aphrodisiac in South East Asia, the root of which has been found effective both as an aphrodisiac and in treating certain sexual problems including failure to achieve an erection. What Viagra does in the west, Longjack does in the east, only cheaper.

The tree is also called Pasak Bumi, and had originally been used for many years as a treatment for malaria, the side effects being accepted but not understood as originating from the malaria medication. Some though that the malaria itself perhaps caused them, and was a long time before the effect of tongkat ali on the testosterone levels in the body was understood.

The name literally means Ali’s walking stick, and is named after the long roots from which it is extracted. The tree itself is about ten metres high, and grows beneath the canopy of the Indonesian rainforests. However, due to a heavy demand for the product, the older trees are increasingly more difficult to find, and most of the herbal preparation is extracted from younger trees. The tree itself is not easy to cultivate outside its natural environment, and is very slow growing.

Unlike many herbal remedies used in Asia, the effects of Tongkat Ali on the libido have been supported by scientific medical evidence, and it has been demonstrated to support the availability of unbound testosterone and to support hormonal balance in general. It had been used for many years to promote sexual desire and sexual ability before the medical evidence was obtained to provide scientific support to what was already known by the indigenous population: that it was effective in improving sexual ability, stamina, and endurance and to reduce mental fatigue in general.

Although it was originally used as a treatment for malaria, Longjack increases the natural production of testosterone in the body and hence improving the male sex drive and also that of women. It is a little known fact that women, too, need testosterone for their sexual impulses. However, it is probably more important from a physiological point of view that testosterone is essential to women in that it increases the metabolic rate and accelerates the burning and elimination of fats, and the production of red blood cells and the development of muscle tissue.

As the production of testosterone drops off with age, generally starting after about thirty years, Bodybuilders find it increasingly more difficult to maintain a good body shape and muscle shape. They are interested in anything that could feasible maintain or even increase the production of testosterone by the body, and Tongkat Ali does this. To them, the increase in their libido, or sex drive, is a bonus that they will not refuse to take advantage of!

Eurycoma longifolia, the scientific name for the tree, increases the amount of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the body. ATP, along with its cousin adenosine diphosphate (ADP), is responsible for the availability of energy for use by the body. It is normally created from ADP and glucose, and an increased availability in the blood can reduce the fatigue caused by its consumption through vigorous exercise. However, if too much ATP is available, the subject can suffer from insomnia and restlessness since there is too much ATP in the body.

The function of the ATP is to provide available energy that can be used by the muscles in exercise. When energy is used up the ATP is converted to ADP, which needs more glucose to reform the ATP. If there is excess ATP, it is like a charged battery within the body, and we become restless until the energy available is used up.

Another benefit of this amazing substance is that it helps the body to increase its own production of sex hormones, rather than simply provide them for it. People who suffer from sexual dysfunction conditions tend to be provided with HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) from their physicians or doctors which involve the introduction of testosterone intravenously. The result of this is that your body recognizes that it has a sufficient supply of testosterone and so stops making it for itself. Eventually your body just stops testosterone production, and relies on the artificial supply it has got used to receiving. Longjack treatment, however, does not provide a supply of testosterone, but stimulates your body to produce its own, which is better for it in the long run.

You should, however, be made aware of the possible side effects or testosterone administration which are insomnia, anxiety and a possible reduction in your immune functions. There are also other possible side effects if you suffer from diabetes, or heart liver or kidney disease, and you should always refer to your doctor before commencing its use. If you start off your treatment with small doses and check out the side effects at each stage, then you will be able to safely find out if these side effects relate to you. If not, then you are all set as long as you obey the advice of your physician.

Another natural product that is recommended as an aphrodisiac is Horny Goat Weed, but when used in combination with Tongkat Ali it appears to have a synergistic effect. Horny Goat Weed is also called Fairy Wings and a number of other alternatives names, and is not one but about 60 different flowering plants found in southern China. It works by increasing the nitric oxide concentration in the body that helps to relax the smooth muscles.

By itself Horny Goat Weed is an effective aphrodisiac, but the combination of its effect in relaxing the penile muscles and the increased testosterone levels promoted by Longjack is extremely powerful, and much more effective in resolve sexual problems in men that either of them alone.

For this reason tongkat ali is frequently sold in combination with horny goat weed. Although not unusual, it is not common to find natural herbs that have such a profound effect on the libido and whose effect is backed up by scientific evidence. Tongkat ali is one of those, and although it is still currently mainly used in Asia, demand for it in the west is rising.



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D-Ribose Powder Benefits!
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Date: April 10, 2007 11:57 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: D-Ribose Powder Benefits!

Benefits

Supports normal heart function*

A significant amount of in vitro, animal and human research suggests benefits of ribose on heart function.* Studies have shown that ribose supplementation can enhance cardiac energy levels and support cardiovascular metabolism.* Ribose has been shown in clinical trials to enhance the recovery of heart muscle ATP levels and improve myocardial function following exercise.

Studies suggest that ribose supplementation can increase the tolerability of the cardiovascular system to exercise-induced fatigue.1 In one study, twenty men underwent treadmill exercise tests on two consecutive days to confirm the onset of fatigue secondary to exercise. The participants were then randomized to the treatment group or a placebo group. The groups received either four doses of 15 grams of D-ribose (60 grams/day total) or the same amount of placebo each day. After three days of treatment, another treadmill test was performed. The time it took to reach the specified level of fatigue was significantly greater in the ribose group than in the placebo group.

Another study investigated the ability of ribose to support healthy heart function and quality of life.2 In a randomized, crossover design study, fifteen individuals were given 5 grams three times a day of either D-ribose or placebo. Each treatment period lasted three weeks. In patients receiving ribose, echocardiography demonstrated enhancement of heart function, reflecting a “more efficient relaxation phase of the heart”. Participants also had a significant improvement in their subjective quality of life scores compared to placebo.  

Scientists suggest that suboptimal heart function is a result of the heart requiring more energy to function properly. Ribose supports the heart’s enhanced energy requirements, promoting optimal heart function. It does so by enhancing the stores of high-energy phosphates in heart tissue. These intermediates are necessary for the production and resynthesis of ATP. A double-blind crossover study in which 12 individuals were randomized to receive either ribose or dextrose (both administered as 5 grams three times daily for three weeks, followed by a 1-week washout period and crossover of treatments for three additional weeks) suggested significant enhancements in normal cardiac function during the period of ribose supplementation.3

Perhaps one of the more useful illustrations of the potential for ribose to support heart function comes from a study in which 20 rats received a continuous infusion of ribose for 24 hours (control rats received an infusion of saline). The hearts were then explanted (as they would be for heart transplants) and placed in preservation solution that was enriched with ribose for 4 hours. ATP levels were measured from tissue biopsies and revealed that 10 of the ribose-treated hearts had ATP levels higher than 12.3 micromoles per gram whereas saline-treated hearts (controls) had lower ATP levels, with 20% showing levels below 10 micromoles per gram of tissue. This provides support for the hypothesis that ribose may enhance the preservation of ATP levels in cardiac tissue, promoting normal heart function.4

Further animal studies have shown that ribose significantly enhances heart function after experimentally induced cardiac depression. Rats were injected with isoproterenol (a drug that stimulates sympathetic nervous system function) and had their abdominal aorta constricted to induce depression of heart function and reduce cardiac ATP levels. The decrease in ATP was primarily responsible for the depression of heart function. Continuous infusion of ribose for 24 hours replenished ATP concentrations to normal levels and normalized heart function in these animals.5

Ribose may strengthen and support the body’s crucial antioxidant defenses*

Ribose may support the body’s innate antioxidant mechanisms while promoting an antioxidant effect of its own. Intense exercise and other strenuous activity can induce the production of free radicals. Preliminary studies suggest that ribose can attenuate some of the effects of oxidation seen after performance of intensive exercise.

One small human study indicated that ribose administered at a dose of seven grams before and after a bout of cycling exercise may reduce free radical production.6 Seven volunteers ingested either ribose or placebo both before and after intense exercise. Markers of lipid peroxidation, including malondialdehyde, significantly decreased in the ribose-supplemented group, while increasing in the control group. The results of this study indicate a possible effect of ribose in supporting antioxidant activity.

Supports healthy energy levels in heart and muscle tissue*

After bouts of intense exercise, ATP levels have been shown to decrease by an average of 15 to 20%.7 The amount of ATP stored in the muscle is limited and so the body must have the potential to rebuild ATP stores. ATP is the fuel necessary for the integrity and function of a cell. In addition, several studies have found correlations between ATP content and heart function.1 Research that was also alluded to above suggests that ribose stimulates ATP synthesis and supports heart and muscle function by enhancing ATP levels in cardiac and muscle tissue. D-ribose is an essential building block for the synthesis of ATP through the pentose phosphate pathway. 

The results of ribose supplementation enhancing ATP levels in muscle are evidenced by studies suggesting beneficial effects on anaerobic performance. In a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study assessing the effects of acute ribose supplementation, participants receiving the ribose supplement had increases in mean power (a measure of average overall muscular strength output during the sprint) and peak power (a measure of the highest muscular strength output during the sprint) when undergoing a series of cycle sprints.8 While this effect was not noted in all of the six short cycling sprints that the participants underwent, the study does illustrate the potential benefits of ribose on ATP production and, secondarily, on enhancing exercise performance.

A second placebo-controlled trial investigated the effects of four weeks of ribose-supplementation (10 grams /day) on male Bodybuilders. Of the 20 participants who were recruited, twelve completed the study. Each subject participated in a heavy-resistance training program designed to increase skeletal muscle mass. The effects of ribose on body composition (body weight, body fat, lean body mass, fat mass, and bone mineral content) were also assessed. The results suggested that ribose increased total work capacity and bench press strength compared to placebo, without altering body composition.9

Supports energy recovery after exercise*

Animal studies have suggested that the administration of ribose after exercise increases the rate of adenine salvage by five to seven-fold in muscle tissue7, supporting energy recovery after exercise. When ATP is utilized by muscle tissue, the degradation products include adenine nucleotides (Adenine is one of two purine bases that is a component of DNA). Adenine is recycled to synthesize DNA, and the salvage of adenine within the muscle tissue is crucial to energy recovery. Studies have shown that the presence of adequate ribose concentrations is the rate-limiting step in the purine salvage pathway. Therefore, increased adenine salvage could potentially help in the recovery and regeneration of ATP after intense bouts of activity.

A study investigated the effect of oral intake of ribose on the synthesis of AMP, a precursor to ATP.10 Participants performed intense cycle training for seven days. They then received either ribose (at a concentration of 200 mg/kg body weight, which is equivalent to 14 grams per day for an average 70 kilogram male) or placebo three times a day for the following three days. Exercise tests were performed again on day 4. Muscle biopsy samples were taken before the first training session, immediately after, and again five hours, 24 hours, and 72 hours after the last training session. No differences were seen in exercise performance between the groups. The intense exercise caused the ATP levels in muscle to decrease in both groups. However, at 72 hours post-exercise, the ribose group exhibited a much higher ATP level than the placebo group. The muscle levels of critical building blocks for ATP, including total adenine nucleotides (TAN) and inosine 5’-monophosphate (IMP), were also significantly higher in the ribose group compared to the placebo group at 24 hours after exercise. Ribose-supplementation was shown to enhance the resynthesis of ATP after intense exercise.

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Safety

Caution: Insulin-dependent diabetics and pregnant women should consult their physician before use.

Suggested Adult Use: Take 1 or 2 scoops mixed in water, juice or other beverage two times per day. May be taken with or without food.

Scientific References

1) Pliml, W., von Arnim, T., Stablein, A., Hofmann, H., Zimmer, H., Erdmann, E. Effects of ribose on exercise-induced ischaemia in stable coronary artery disease. The Lancet. 1992;340:507-510.

2) Omran, H., Illien, S., MacCarter, D., St. Cyr, J.A., Luderitz, B. D-Ribose improves diastolic function and quality of life in congestive heart failure patients: a prospective feasibility study. The European Journal of Heart Failure. 2003;5:615-619.

3) Illien, S., Omran, H., MacCarter, D., St. Cyr, J.A. Ribose improves myocardial function in congestive heart failure. FASEB Journal 2001;15(5): A1142

 

4) Muller C., Zimmer H., Gross M., Gresser U., Brotsack I., Wehling M., Pliml W. Effect of ribose on cardiac adenine nucleotides in a donor model for heart transplantation. Eur J Med Res. 1998 Dec 16;3(12):554-8.

5) Zimmer H.G. Normalization of depressed heart function in rats by ribose. Science. 1983 Apr 1;220(4592):81-2.

6) Seifert, J.G., Subudhi, A., Fu, M., Riska, J.J. The effects of ribose ingestion on indices of free radical production during hypoxic exercise. Free Rad Biol Med 2002; 33(Suppl 1) S269.

7) Zarzeczny, R., Brault, J.J., Abraham, K.A., Hancock, C.R., Terjung, R. Influence of ribose on adenine salvage after intense muscle contractions. J Applied Physiology. 2001;91:1775-1781. 

8) Berardi J.M., Ziegenfuss T.N. Effects of ribose supplementation on repeated sprint performance in men. J Strength Cond Res. 2003 Feb;17(1):47-52.

9) Van Gammeren, D.V., Falk, D., Antonio, J. The effects of four weeks of ribose supplementation on body composition and exercise performance in healthy, young, male recreational Bodybuilders: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Current Ther Research. 2002;63(8):486-495.

10) Hellsten, Y., Skadhauge, L., Bangsbo, J. Effect of ribose supplementation on resynthesis of adenine nucleotides after intense intermittent training in humans. American Journal of Physiology – Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. 2004;286:R182-R188.



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Hypoallergenic Free Form Amino Acids
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Date: September 07, 2006 01:29 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Hypoallergenic Free Form Amino Acids

Free form amino acids are hypoallergenic (extremely non-allergic). Many sources of animal and plant proteins cause allergic reactions. Amino acids are molecularly pure and appropriate for the lactose intolerant and those who suffer from a variety of food allergies. Protein toxicity is a common problem for athletes, especially Bodybuilders who create serious liver and kidney conditions due to over consumption and malabsorption of protein. To protect against protein toxicity, free form amino acids are used instead of protein, or as a digestive aid to improve assimilation of food protein.

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Protein for optimal performance
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Date: December 30, 2005 08:54 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Protein for optimal performance

Protein for optimal performance

Sending a frail, malnourished warrior into battle is the biological equivalent of trying to win the Daytona 500 on a set of roller-skates. Under no circumstances should this be attempted. Though popularized by Bodybuilders, protein supplementation is imperative for athletes at every stage and skill set. Its role in muscular development still accounts for its unceasing popularity, though many users don’t realize that protein has many other responsibilities.

As one of the body’s key structural building-blocks, the amino acids in protein are actively involved in the repair and development of muscle fi bers, hormone, antibodies and enzymes – each one vital to the success of any hard working athlete. Over the past 10 years or so, the science of isolating and manufacturing protein supplements has advanced far beyond what anyone could have possibly predicted. Today’s products are very pleasant tasting, highly bioavailable (easy to absorb), nutritionally optimized and available in a number of different flavors.

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Essential electrolytes
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Date: December 30, 2005 08:53 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Essential electrolytes

Essential electrolytes

Every human being is at the mercy of their diet to provide them with a solid foundation of nutrients. This is especially true in the case of endurance athletes, Bodybuilders and other adrenaline-seeking competitors. During intense physical training, the body calls upon its reserve of electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium to provide the spark needed for increased respiration, muscle contractions, nerve impulses and countless other functions.

A well-stocked cellular arsenal of these nutrients can ultimately lead to greater levels of sustained endurance, muscular strength and mental clarity. Deprivation, on the other hand, is an invitation for disaster. When the body is pushed to extremes, but unable to locate what it needs, it becomes prone to fatigue, cramping, nausea and headaches. Not to mention, last place. Products such as Carbo Gain and ZMA can provide a solid base of nutrients. (See reverse for detailed specifi cations).

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Now Foods Quality Sports Nutrition.
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Date: December 30, 2005 08:53 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Now Foods Quality Sports Nutrition.

“It is a flame which sinks for lack of fuel…” - Pierre Corneille

Athletes are one of the most unique breeds of life roaming the earth. On the surface, their traits are simple; sweat beaded foreheads, high-tech stop watches, chiseled physiques, running shoes, corporately endorsed attire, etc. But when you take just a moment to peer into what really makes an athlete an athlete, it’s becomes easy to see what sets them apart.

From bikers to Bodybuilders, sprinters to swimmers, athletes epitomize what it means to be alive. These modern day, physically motivated warriors thrive on personal achievement, lament the thought of failure and in the process, subject their bodies to immeasurable amounts of pain and exhaustion. But these aren’t just traits to an athlete – they’re prerequisites. When you consider the enormous nutritional needs of the average busy adult, then and only then, can you begin to appreciate what the most physically active individuals require in order to succeed. And while these needs vary from sport to sport and lifestyle to lifestyle, there’s simply no denying their never-ending need to fuel, refuel and repeat. So whether you’re just starting out, or make it your life’s work, here are a few ways to get the most out of your training.

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Carnitine Creatinate
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Date: December 08, 2005 03:33 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Carnitine Creatinate

Carnitine Creatinate

Neil E. Levin, CCN, DANLA 6/30/05

LIKELY USERS: Athletes, Bodybuilders, Dieters, People who consume a lot of fat, People needing cardiovascular support (energy for the heart), People who need quick energy, especially for fast muscle response, People with muscle wasting problems (including the elderly), Weightlifters

KEY INGREDIENTS: L-Carnitine and Creatine Monohydrate

MAIN PRODUCT FEATURES: Carnitine Creatinate Monohydrate is a specialized form of Creatine bonded to L-Carnitine. Creatine is a compound natural to the human body that aids in the regeneration of ATP, the chemical energy used by muscle tissue. During exercise, large quantities of creatine are irreversibly consumed. Clinical studies have shown that oral supplementation with Creatine can increase the amount of Creatine available in muscles for ATP production. L-Carnitine is an amino acid that is necessary for the transfer of fatty acids into the fat-burning parts of the cell, facilitating energy production from fat. The combination of these two compounds can produce a synergistic effect, making NOW® Carnitine Creatinate an ideal energy supplement.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCT USE INFORMATION & QUALITY ISSUES: Carnitine and Creatinate Monohydrate is a patented ingredient that has been the subject of research studies. It is supported by the scientific staff in the laboratories of both NOW Foods and the raw material supplier, both of which have a mutual interest in protecting the integrity and efficacy of this product. Protected by U.S. Patent No. 5,994,581 (L-Carnitine Creatinate Monohydrate).

Look at the price: this is a better way to buy both supplements than purchasing them separately.

This formula is suitable for vegetarians and is offered in both tablet and powder forms.

SERVING SIZE & HOW TO TAKE IT: As a dietary supplement, every two tablets provide 1,000 mg. (one gram) each of both L-Carnitine and Creatine Monohydrate. Or one teaspoon provides 1,150 mg.) each of both L-Carnitine and Creatine Monohydrate. Take one or more servings per day with a carbohydrate source, such as fruit juice or sports drinks.

COMPLEMENTARY PRODUCTS: CoQ10, carbohydrates, B-Complex vitamins, chromium, vanadium, Hawthorn leaf and flower extract, protein supplements. Adaptogenic herbs: ginsengs, Eleuthero, Rhodiola, Maca, Ashwaganda, licorice root

CAUTIONS: none.

PRODUCT SPECIFIC: This product is very sensitive to moisture. Please keep in the original packaging or in a moisture resistant container. Do not take more than 20 grams per day. Discontinue use if cramps of stomach upset occur, especially if taking large doses. Do not take if kidney disease is present. Do not use large doses of caffeine with creatine, as it may increase the possibility of muscle cramping.

GENERAL: Pregnant and lactating women and people using prescription drugs should consult their physician before taking any dietary supplement. When taking any new supplement, use common sense and cautiously increase to the full dose over time to avoid any potential problems.

Packages may contain moisture or oxygen controlling packets or canisters that are not intended for consumption. In order to maintain maximum freshness, please do not remove these from your bottle (until the bottle is empty). Please recycle your container.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

REFERENCES:

Fang S-M (1998) Carnitine Creatinate. U.S. Patent 5,994,581.

L-CARNITINE:

Beers MH, Berkow R (eds). The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 17th ed. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc, 1999, 881-3.

Broquist HP (1994) Carnitine, in Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, 8th ed., Shils ME, Olson JA, Shike M (eds.) Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, pp. 459-465. Casey A, Greenhoff PL (2000) Does dietary creatine supplementation play a role in skeletal muscle metabolism and performance? Am J Clin Nutr 72(suppl):607S-17S. Columbani P, Wenk C, Kunz I, et al. Effect of L-carnitine supplementation on physical performance and energy metabolism of endurance-trained athletes: a double blind crossover field study. Eur J Appl Physiol 1996;73:434-9.

Dal Negro R, Pomari G, Zoccatelli O, Turco P. L-carnitine and rehabilitative respiratory physiokinesitherapy: metabolic and ventilatory response in chronic respiratory insufficiency. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol 1986;24:453-6.

Dal Negro R, Turco P, Pomari C, De Conti F. Effects of L-carnitine on physical performance in chronic respiratory insufficiency. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol 1988;26:269-72.

Del Favero A. Carnitine and gangliosides. Lancet 1988;2:337 [letter].

Dipalma JR. Carnitine deficiency. Am Fam Physician 1988;38:243–51.

Digiesi V, Palchetti R, Cantini F. The benefits of L-carnitine in essential arterial hypertension. Minerva Med 1989;80:227-31.

Giamberardino MA, Dragani L, Valente R, et al. Effects of prolonged L-carnitine administration on delayed muscle pain and CK release after eccentric effort. Int J Sports Med 1996;17:320-4.

Green RE, Levine AM, Gunning MJ. The effect of L-carnitine supplementation on lean body mass in male amateur body builders. J Am Diet Assoc 1997;(suppl):A-72.

Harris RC, Soderlund K, Hultman E (1992) Elevation of creatine in resting and exercised muscle of normal subjects by creatine supplementation. Clin Sci 83(3):367-374.

Kendler BS. Carnitine: an overview of its role in preventive medicine. Prev Med 1986;15:373–90.

Kobayashi A, Masumura Y, Yamazaki N. L-carnitine treatment for congestive heart failure—experimental and clinical study. Jpn Circ J 1992;56:86–94.

Murray MT. The many benefits of carnitine. Am J Natural Med 1996;3:6-14 [review].

Tamamogullari N, Silig Y, Icagasioglu S, Atalay A. Carnitine deficiency in diabetes mellitus complications. J Diabetes Complications 1999;13:251–3.

Yesilipek MA, Hazar V, Yegin O. L-Carnitine treatment in beta thalassemia major. Acta Haematol 1998;100:162-3. CREATINE MONOHYDRATE: Almada A, Mitchell T, Earnest C. Impact of chronic creatine supplementation on serum enzyme concentrations. FASEB J 1996;10:4567.

Becque MD, Lochmann JD, Melrose DR. Effects of oral creatine supplementation on muscular strength and body composition. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2000;32:654-8.

Casey A, Constantin-Teodosiu D, Howell S, et al. Creatine supplementation favorably affects performance and muscle metabolism during maximal intensity exercise in humans. Am J Physiol 1996;271:E31-E7.

Earnest CP, Almada AL, Mitchell TL. High-performance capillary electrophoresis-pure creatine monohydrate reduces blood lipids in men and women. Clin Sci 1996;91:113-8.

Earnest C, Almada A, Mitchell T. Influence of chronic creatine supplementation on hepatorenal function. FASEB J 1996;10:4588.

Earnest CP, Snell PG, Rodriguez R, et al. The effect of creatine monohydrate ingestion on anaerobic power indices, muscular strength and body composition. Acta Physiol Scand 1995;153:207-9.

Felber S, Skladal D, Wyss M, et al. Oral creatine supplementation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a clinical and 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Neurol Res 2000;22:145-50.

Feldman EB. Creatine: a dietary supplement and ergogenic aid. Nutr Rev 1999;57:45–50.

Green AL, Hultman E, Macdonald IA, et al. Carbohydrate ingestion augments skeletal muscle creatine accumulation during creatine supplementation in man. Am J Physiol 1996;271:E821–6.

Green AL, Simpson EJ, Littlewood JJ, et al. Carbohydrate ingestion augments creatine retention during creatine feeding in humans. Acta Physiol Scand 1996;158:195-202.

Greenhaff PL. Creatine and its application as an ergogenic aid. Int J Sport Nutr 1995;5:94-101.

Greenhaff PL. The nutritional biochemistry of creatine. J Nutr Biochem 1997;8:610-8 [review].

Greenhaff PL, Bodin K, Soderlund K, et al. Effect of oral creatine supplementation on skeletal muscle phosphocreatine resynthesis. Am J Physiol 1994;266:E725-30.

Greenhaff PL, Casey A, Short AH, et al. Influence of oral creatine supplementation on muscle torque during repeated bouts of maximal voluntary exercise in man. Clin Sci 1993;84:565-71.

Harris RC, Soderlund K, Hultman E. Elevation of creatine in resting and exercised muscle of normal subjects by creatine supplementation. Clin Sci 1992;83:367-74.

Hultman E, Soderlund K, Timmons J, et al. Muscle creatine loading in man. J Appl Physiol 1996;81:232–7.

Juhn MS, O’Kane JW, Vinci DM. Oral creatine supplementation in male collegiate athletes: a survey of dosing habits and side effects. J Am Diet Assoc 1999;99:593–5.

Kreider RB, Ferreira M, Wilson M, et al. Effects of creatine supplementation on body composition, strength, and sprint performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1998;30:73-82.

Poortmans JR, Auquier H. Renaut V, et al. Effect of short-term creatine supplementation on renal responses in men. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1997;76:566–7.

Poortmans JR, Francaux M. Long-term oral creatine supplementation does not impair renal function in healthy athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1999;31:1108–10.

Pritchard NR, Kaira PA. Renal dysfunction accompanying oral creatine supplements. Lancet 1998;351:1252–3 [letter].

Sewell DA, Robinson TM, Casey A, et al. The effect of acute dietary creatine supplementation upon indices of renal, hepatic and haematological function in human subjects. Proc Nutr Soc 1998;57:17A.

Silber ML. Scientific facts behind creatine monohydrate as a sports nutrition supplement. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 1999;39:179–88 [review].

Sipila I, Rapola J, Simell O, et al. Supplementary creatine as a treatment for gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina. N Engl J Med 1981;304:867-70.

Stone MH, Sanborn K, Smith LL, et al. Effects of in-season (5-weeks) creatine and pyruvate supplementation on anaerobic performance and body composition in American football players. Int J Sport Nutr 1999;9:146-65.

Stout JR, Eckerson J, Noonan D, et al. The effects of a supplement designed to augment creatine uptake on exercise performance and fat-free mass in football players. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1997;29:S251.

Tarnopolsky MA. Potential benefits of creatine monohydrate supplementation in the elderly. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2000;3:497-502 [review].

Tarnopolsky M, Martin J. Creatine monohydrate increases strength in patients with neuromuscular disease. Neurology 1999;52:854-7.

Tarnopolsky MA, Roy BD, MacDonald JR. A randomized, controlled trial of creatine monohydrate in patients with mitochondrial cytopathies. Muscle Nerve 1997;20:1502-9.

Toler SM. Creatine is an ergogen for anaerobic exercise. Nutr Rev 1997;55:21-5 [review].

Vandenberghe K, Gills N, Van Leemputte M, et al. Caffeine counteracts the ergogenic action of muscle creatine loading. J Appl Physiol 1996;80:452–7.

Vandenberghe K, Goris M, Van Hecke P, et al. Long-term creatine intake is beneficial to muscle performance during resistance training. J Appl Physiol 1997;83:2055-63.

Walter MC, Lochmuller H, Reilich P, Klopstock T, Huber R, Hartard M, Hennig M, Pongratz D, Muller-Felber W. Creatine monohydrate in muscular dystrophies: A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Neurology. 2000 May 9;54(9):1848-50. PMID: 10802796

Walter MC, Reilich P, Lochmuller H, Kohnen R, Schlotter B, Hautmann H, Dunkl E, Pongratz D, Muller-Felber W. Creatine monohydrate in myotonic dystrophy: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. J Neurol. 2002 Dec;249(12):1717-22. PMID: 12529796



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Trace Minerals and Migraines
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Date: November 16, 2005 12:02 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Trace Minerals and Migraines

Trace Minerals and Migraines

An increasingly large amount of disease today may be attributable to deficiencies in the supply of trace minerals in our diets.1 How can this be the case when the availability of food in our country is unprecedented, with a supermarket on every corner? These deficiencies do not stem from a lack of quantity of food, rather they stem from the quality of food. Trace minerals can be found mainly in whole, unprocessed foods such as vegetables and fruits. Unfortunately, the large majority of fruits and vegetables found in supermarkets today are nutritionally devoid of these minerals, largely in part to the high-yield farming practices in this and other countries.

The mineral content of food is mainly dependent on the amount of minerals found in the soil in which it is grown. Current farming practices leave soils with less than optimal amounts of these minerals, especially the less common trace minerals. As a result of this, our food supplies leave us at risk for deficiencies of these very important substances. Because of this situation, it is essential that every person now supplement their diet with trace minerals in order to avoid the many diseases that are attributable to this scarcity. A lack of vital nutrients leaves the body unable to function fully, leaving it vulnerable to disease.

Trace minerals have numerous roles. Oftentimes, because these minerals are found in such small quantities in the body, scientists and physicians have paid little attention to their importance in health and disease prevention. However, with the advent of improved science and the recognition of the efficacy of natural medicine, we are beginning to understand how vital these elements are to our health. Trace minerals, in a sense, are akin to the numerous tiny nails, nuts, and bolts that hold a house together. At first glance, a home is made of much more than these items. However, if they are slowly removed and never replaced, the house will continue to sag and finally fall apart. So it is the same with the smallest building blocks of our bodies. Trace minerals are important in the proper functioning of enzyme systems, nerve conduction and muscle function, assisting with transfer of nourishment into cells, providing the framework for tissues, and regulation of organ functions. These ‘behind the scenes’ functions are not possible without a constant, adequate supply of minerals. Even with the many multivitamin and mineral supplements available, most of these products fall short because they do not contain large enough amounts of the trace minerals that are so important to health.

Physicians that specialize in natural medicine are some of the biggest proponents of trace mineral supplementation. This type of physician is attuned to the many subtleties of the functions of the human body, and oftentimes addresses health issues with nutritional therapeutics in an attempt to bring the body’s health back into balance. This process of balance, also known as homeostasis, occurs quite wonderfully all by itself, as long as the body has the proper fuel and building materials. Unfortunately, physicians are seeing more and more diseases, which can be attributed to the body’s inability to achieve this balance. This trend towards ill health is directly related to the dearth of nutritional value in our diets today.

However, practitioners of natural medicine are very excited with the many dramatic turn-arounds toward health that many of their patients have experienced with the use of mineral supplementation. A common example of this is the treatment of migraine headaches with magnesium. Recent statistics suggest that 18 percent of women and six percent of men suffer from migraine and those numbers are increasing.2 The Centers for Disease Control reported a 60-percent increase in the disease from 1980 to 1989.3 Migraine headaches occur when the blood vessels in the brain spasm and constrict. Soon after this constriction occurs, the blood vessels then reflexively open, or dilate. When the vessels become dilated, they occupy more space in the brain, activating nearby pain receptors. It is speculated that an imbalance of mineral stores in the body can lead to this spasm of the blood vessels. Many researchers have suggested magnesium plays an important role in migraine attacks. The activities of magnesium in the body include preventing blood vessel spasm, inhibiting blood clotting, and stabilizing cell membranes, all of which are involved in migraine develoment4. Magnesium concentration exerts an effect on neurotransmitter production and receptors, pro-inflammatory molecules, and other migraine-related chemicals in the brain.5 Recent evidence suggests up to 50 percent of migraine patients have lowered levels of tissue magnesium during an acute migraine attack.6 Another study discovered brain magnesium concentrations were 19 percent lower in patients during migraine attack compared to healthy controls.7 Because recent research strongly indicates a magnesium deficiency in migraine headaches, natural medicine practitioners prescribe magnesium along with other trace minerals as a primary treatment for this condition with great success.

Because of their widespread distribution throughout the metabolic workings of the human body, trace minerals are integral to the functioning of one of the body’s largest organ systems, the muscles. Mainly, magnesium plays a large role in the relaxation of muscles following their contraction. Without this vital nutrient, it would be impossible for the muscles of the human body to function. Muscle cramps are prevalent in western society due to lack of intake of an appropriate amount of minerals. One easy, straightforward cure for muscle cramping is supplementation with magnesium and other trace minerals, as they allow the muscles to function smoothly and correctly. The role of magnesium in relieving cramped muscles also makes it a highly appropriate therapy for the muscle pain associated with fibromyalgia, a condition that is often treated successfully by practitioners of natural medicine. These practitioners often use high doses of magnesium and other trace mineral combinations to reduce the painful and tender muscles that are so common in fibromyalgia patients.

Another condition that is successfully treated with magnesium and trace minerals is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. People with this condition often experience profound muscle aches and weakness. It has been shown that in order for proper muscle contraction and relaxation to occur, magnesium and calcium need to be present in proper amounts in the body, which can be difficult to achieve even on a standard healthy diet. Additionally, magnesium and mineral supplementation may decrease the pain involved with sports-related injuries and excessive physical activity. As we use our muscular system, it is slowly depleted of these minerals, making replacement a top priority. Others signs of magnesium deficiency include disorientation, depression, tingling, numbness, seizures, abnormal heart rhythms in addition to muscle spasms and cramps.8,9

A minimum of at least 60 trace minerals has been demonstrated to be vital to health and well-being.10 This article has covered only a small fraction of the multitudes of health benefits of trace minerals. As science and natural medicine continues to uncover the many roles for all of these trace minerals, doctors are finding exciting solutions to several maladies that may be successfully treated by replacing these nutrients in the body. Unless we begin replacing these minerals early on in life, we put ourselves at risk for the many diseases of mineral deficiency that are becoming more and more prevalent in society today.

References:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 Medical Nutrition from Marz, 2nd Edition. Omni-Press, 1997. Pps. 103-107

2 Stewart WF, Lipton RB, Celentano DD, et al. Prevalence of migraine headache in the United States: relation to age, income, race, and other sociodemographic factors. JAMA 1992;267:64-69.

3 Rappaport AM, Scheftell FD. Headache Disorders: A Management Guide for Practitioners. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Co.;1996:4.

4 McCarty MF. Magnesium taurate and fish oil for prevention of migraine. Med Hypotheses 1996;47:461-466.

5Sinclair, S. Migraine Headaches: Nutritional, Botanical And Other Alternative Approaches. Alternative Medicine Review - Volume 4, Number 2, April 1999.

6 Mauskop A, Altura BM. Role of magnesium in the pathogenesis and treatment of migraine. Clin Neurosci 1998;5:24-27.

7 Ramadan NM, Halvorson H, Vande-Linde A, et al. Low brain magnesium in migraine. Headache 1989;29:590-593. 8 Rude RK. Magnesium deficiency: A cause of heterogeneous disease in humans. J Bone Miner Res 1998;13:749-58.

9 Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D and Fluoride. National Academy Press. Washington, DC, 1999.

10 Kelly, GS. Sports Nutrition: A Review of Selected Nutritional Supplements For Bodybuilders and Strength Athletes-Alternative Medicine Review - Volume 2, Number 3, May 1997
Dr. Chris Meletis N. D.




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Androgens and 4-Diol and 4-Dione conversion to Testosterone...
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Date: May 17, 2005 04:47 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Androgens and 4-Diol and 4-Dione conversion to Testosterone...

The androgens 4-androstenediol and 4-androstenedione are natural testosterone precursors. The biosynthesis of testosterone takes place within the testicular Leydig cells in two metabolic pathways. During the progesterone-pathway (.delta.-4 pathway), pregnenolone is metabolized to progesterone by the 3-.beta.-hydroxy-steroid deydrogenase and an isomerase. Progesterone is then changed to 17-.alpha.-hydroxyprogesterone by the 17-.alpha.-hydroxylase and C.sub.17C.sub.21-lyase to androstenedione, then to testosterone by reduction of the 17-keto-group by 17-.beta.-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase. The DHEA-pathway (.delta.-5 pathway) leads from pregenolone to 17-.alpha.-hydroxypregnenolone to dehyroepiandrosterone (C.sub.17C.sub.21-lyase), to 5-.delta.-androstenediol. See FIG. 4; Wichmann et al., 83(3) EXP. CLIN. ENDOCRINOL. 283-290 (1984).

As a testosterone pro-hormone and metabolite, 4-androstenedione may be used by athletes and Bodybuilders to improve muscle mass. Levels of .delta. 4-androstenedione increase significantly with moderate exercise in healthy men. Velardo et al., 97(1) EXP. & CLIN. ENDOCRINOL. 99-101 (1991). Additionally, supplementation with 4-androstenedione has been known to produced elevations in serum testosterone. Mahesh et al., 41(3-8) J. STEROID BIOCHEM. MOL. BIOL. 495-513 (1992).

4-androstenediol is also metabolized into testosterone and is produced by conversion of dehyroepiandrosterone. Inaba et al., 13(2) ENDOCRINOLOGIA JAPONICA 160-72 (1966). It was first shown to produce elevations in human serum testosterone levels in 1965, and this was also demonstrated in in vitro studies in animals (Kundu, 6(5) STEROIDS 543-51 (1965) and human fibroblast cultures. Faredin et al. 32(2) ACTA MEDICA ACADEMIAE SCIENTIARUM HUNGARICAE 139-52 (1975). Supplementation with 4-androstenedione, 4-androstenediol, and 19-nor-4-androstenedione has been studied to determine whether a rise in testosterone is produced. Uralets et al., 23 ANAL. TOXICOL. 357-366 (1999). Testosterone is excreted in the urine unchanged and is metablized through 5.alpha.- and .beta.-DHT as 5.alpha.- and .beta.-androstanediol, while androstenedione is similarly excreted as androsterone and etiocholanolone. Both the final excreted steroid and the intermediaries stanediones and DHT intraconvert so that androsterone, 5.alpha.- and .beta.-androstanediol and etiocholanolone are seen in urine. Supplementation with 4-androstenediol produced a 10-fold greater urine testosterone concentration than 4androstenedione. (Uralets, 1999)



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