Endurance Exercise helps increase Muscle Size

In a recent study (http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0149082 ) researchers looked at changes in muscle fiber sizes in response to training with and without endurance exercise.

The resistance training group performed leg presses only, whereas the endurance training group performed cardiovascular exercise and leg presses.     Prior to the beginning of the study muscle biopsies to measure muscle fiber types and sizes.  There are two primary types of muscle fibers:  Type 1 aka slow twitch endurance fibers and Type 2 fast twitch “power” fibers.   

 

After 7 weeks of training both groups increased their one repetition maximum leg press (showing both groups increased in strength).    However only the group doing endurance training increased their VO2 Max (cardiovascular exercise capacity) AND increased the size and area of both Type 1 AND Type 2 muscle fibers.     

The resistance only group only showed increases in Type II fibers.   The mean fiber area (total size) increased by 28% for the Endurance Group where there was no significant increase in the resistance only training group.

This means that the group doing BOTH resistance training and “cardio” gained more muscle mass than the resistance training only group.

When the researchers looked at chemical changes in the muscles they saw an increase in two key anabolic factors in the endurance and resistance training group with elevations in mTOR and Akt which correlated directly with the increase in muscle fiber sizes.  This shows that the increased results obtained by adding endurance training to resistance training are the result of increased anabolic signaling not from decrease muscle breakdown.

So the take home message is that to increase muscle mass and strength – you should include some cardiovascular endurance training to your program!    

Nutritional Strategies for Allergy and Asthma

SeasSeason allergies to pollen and mold seem to getting more and more prevalent each year with progressively more severe symptoms in sufferers.    Treating allergies with nutrition and nutrition supplements can have big advantages over using medications.   

Allergy medication most commonly comes in the form of Antihistamines, and there are some big problems with long-term use of these medications.     It is now known that prolonged use of antihistamines decreases levels of acetylcholine which is a key neurotransmitter involved in memory and other important functions.   In fact, antihistamine use increases the risk of senility, dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

What are Allergies Anyway?

Allergies are abnormal immune reactions to specific agents (proteins) known as antigens/allergens, which include many substances such as foods, drugs, pollens, dust mites, animal danders, feathers, along with many others. 

Allergies may also develop when an otherwise innocent substance has significant contact with an already inflamed surface (known as sensitization).  For example, when sick with a respiratory illness, respiratory surfaces are already inflamed and substances present at this time may be “remembered” as being foreign.  This can also occur with chemical substances known as “haptons” which are combinations of self and non-self which can lead the immune system to attack the self. 

Since there are multiple pro-inflammatory substances involved with allergies it is rare to obtain adequate control with single products/medications.  The most potent chemical mediators in allergies and asthma are leukotrienes.  Some leukotrines are one thousand times more potent than histamine as stimulators of bronchial constriction and allergy. 

Interestingly, many medications that reduce one inflammatory pathway actually boost leukotrienes.    For example, Aspirin and other NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs like Ibuprofen) result in the production of excessive levels of leukotrines in sensitive individuals although they decrease prostaglandins associated with inflammation and thereby relive pain.  So long term they can create a much more severe problem.

Asthma is linked to allergies and can be a severe and life threatening condition.   Do NOT try to self-treat Asthma – see a physician!

Strategies for Allergies

Try to avoid allergens by using air filters, regularly cleaning all surfaces and vacuuming and keeping your air-conditioning system on while regularly changing filters to filter out as many allergens as possible.   Remember your car cabin filter as well, and take showers and wash clothes after being outside for long periods of time.

Change your diet to reduce inflammation.    Dramatically reduce your intake of refined carbohydrate – sugar and starch which drive insulin which drives inflammation.  At the same time increase your intake of low glycemic, organic fruits and vegetables such as berries, broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, etc.   These plant foods contain polyphenols which are potent anti-oxidants and help to reduce inflammation and allergies without side effects.

Boos

Increase your intake of Omega 3 Fatty Acids from cold water fish such as Alaskan Wild Salmon and/or take an Omega 3 Supplement such as Krill Oil.    Omega 3 fatty acids will always reduce inflammation if taken in sufficient dosages so this should be a primary strategy for allergy sufferers because they produce many side benefits.   The only exception is people taking any type of medication to thin blood and reduce clotting like Coumadin.   In this case the combination can be dangerous!

Nutritional Supplements for Allergies

There are several highly effective nutrition supplements for allergies including some key herbs.

Local Raw Honey – it MUST be local and must be raw because it will contain small amounts of local pollen and works by getting the body used to pollen much like an allergy shot.     A Tablespoon a day is as much as you need.   Many people swear by this simple and safe remedy!

Stinging Nettle Extract – this herb has a long history of effective use for allergies and freeze dried preparations seem to work the best and are best taken BEFORE allergy season even begins to put a damper on symptoms before they start – this is true of all nutritional approaches to allergy by the way!

Euphrasia Officianalis – aka “Eyebright” is an herb which name says it all – it is highly effective for eye allergy symptoms.

Quercetin – is a flavonoid contained in high amounts in apples, peppers, red wine, dark cherries and berries, tomatoes, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and sprouts, and raw red onions.   To treat allergies taking supplemental quercetin is the way to go, and the best form of quercetin is contained in a product called “AllQlear” by Integrative Therapeutics and can be purchased on Amazon.     It also contains “ovomucoids” from quail eggs that act as tryptase inhibitor and prevent release of histamine.

Boswellia Extract – Boswellia aka Frankincense (yes the herb mentioned in the bible!) can be highly effective for allergies and other forms of inflammation including arthritis because it blocks the formation of leukotrienes!    To get the benefits you must take 5-loxin which is a specific extract.   Note that in some individuals 5-loxin can cause or excacerbate heart burn so it is not for everyone, but when it works it can be highly effective!

Butterbur Extract – this plant extract can be highly effective for inhibiting leukotrienes and allergy symptoms or side effects.   You need to take a standardized extract with standardized levels of Petasin and Isopetasin) and free of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids aka PA.  High quality brands include Life Extension, Swanson, and Enzymatic Therapy to name a few.   This product can also help many migraine sufferers and is a well-researched, proven treatment.

NAC – N-Acetyl Cysteine - helps thin mucus naturally and boost levels of the body’s most important antioxidant Glutathione – every allergy sufferer should be taking 600 – 1,200mg per day!

You will also find combination of these ingredients in particular products, and it is worth experimenting a bit because if you find the right product or combination of natural products you can find relief without sedation and without the side effects associated with antihistamines and more potent drugs like steroid nasal sprays or oral steroids.

Marathon Training Tips

As the saying goes “those who fail to plan – plan to fail.”   This is true in business and it is also true in preparing for rigorous athletic events like running a marathon.     Successful completion of a marathon is all about creating a plan based upon the goal of completing a marathon on a specific date in a specific location.

Determining Starting Point

The length of your plan will depend on your current fitness level relative to running.  So the first step is determining your current fitness level which can be done in several different ways:

If you are currently running you can get an idea of your current fitness level based on how often you run, how far you run, and your average pace when running.

If you are not currently running, then do a 12 minute run test – see here for a how to guide to perform this simple test:  https://www.brianmac.co.uk/gentest.htm

Once you know your starting point you can determine how long it will take you to prepare adequately to complete a marathon. The key is slow and steady progression of average distance per run and total weekly training miles – go too fast and you WILL get hurt!    The body needs time to adapt to the stresses of running.    A good rule of thumb is to increase your weekly mileage (and mileage per run) by no more than 10% per week.

So if you are currently running 15 miles per week you would only increase total mileage to 16.5 miles per week and if your long run was 5 miles you would increase it by half a mile.

In order to successfully complete a marathon, you need to be running somewhere between 30 and 50 miles per week with individual runs of 16 – 23 miles.  The advantage of gradually building up to a 20 – 23-mile run is that you have mental experience with running over 20 which can be very challenging the first time you do it.   That being said, placing too much emphasis on distance can result in over-training if not done carefully.

Training Mix

Assuming you have a base of running 15 or more miles per week on a consistent basis you should begin to mix up your training by including shorter, harder runs with longer slow runs and at least one interval training session per week.      

It is critical that you have a training base of steady mileage prior to increasing training intensity and beginning interval training where you will perform higher intensity intervals of quarter mile to half mile mixed with recovery periods.   

There is an entire science behind interval training and the best athletes train with a heart rate monitor all the time to precisely determine the intensity of their work intervals and how long they recover during rest intervals of slow running/jogging or walking.     This is one of the many reasons that, in an ideal world, you work with a running coach/trainer who has experience designing and working with runners to prepare for marathons and other runs.   A good coach will help plan and adjust your training based on how you progress from week to week which is essential for the best results!

Strength and Mobility Training

Running requires a lot more than just cardiovascular and muscular endurance – it requires specific strength and mobility to avoid injury and allow for optimum running technique.  Integrating a run specific strength and mobility program into your training can be a game changer and the program should include:

            A specific dynamic warm-up and foam rolling for areas of tightness and pain

Dynamic Warm-up:  http://www.active.com/running/articles/before-you-run-the-dynamic-warm-up

Foam Rolling:  http://www.runnersworld.com/foam-roller/how-to-use-a-foam-roller

Cool-down with run specific stretches - http://www.runnersworld.com/injury-prevention-recovery/5-post-race-standing-stretches-every-runner-should-do/slide/1

Strength Training Exercises for Running

It is essential to have great core and glute strength to properly stabilize the body during the impact of running to prevent injury.

It is also critical to strengthen all the muscles of the lower body including the hamstrings, calves, and intrinsic muscles of the feet.

Sample Strength Training Program for Runners:  http://www.runnersworld.com/strength-training/10-essential-strength-exercises-for-runners/slide/2

Putting it all together

If preparing for a marathon seems like a lot of work and complicated that is because IT IS!    Like running successful business assessing your starting point and setting a realistic goal with a specific plan of action is key.     Also having a coach is HIGHLY recommended to not only help you create a realistic plan and schedule but to monitor your progress and adjust your workouts and plan accordingly.  

The Incredible Avocado

Avocado are actually a large berry that grows on a tree that can reach 6 feet tall. Just like a banana, the avocado ripens 1-2 weeks after being picked.

Avocados are often referred to as the healthiest food due to their impressive nutritional content.

An avocado contains these vitamins and minerals:

Vitamin B1
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B9
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Calcium
Iron
Magnesium
Manganese
Phosphorus
Sodium
Zinc

•An avocado contains more potassium than a banana. Avocados have 14% and a banana contains 10% potassium.

•Avocados have high levels of folic acid which lowers incidences of heart disease. Folate is also essential in the prevention of birth defects such as spina bifida and neural tube defect.

*They also contain high levels Vitamin E and glutathione which are potent antioxidants.

•Eating avocados greatly increase absorption of carotenoids (lycopene and beta carotene) which are anti-oxidants that promote healthy eyes and heart.

•Avocados contain significant amounts of the carotenoid lutein which is strongly protective against macular degeneration and cataracts.

•Avocados can lower (LDL) bad cholesterol by up to 22% while increasing (HDL) good cholesterol by 11% and also can lower triglycerides by up to 20%.

•Avocados contain high oleic acid which helps prevent breast cancer, inhibits tumor growth in prostate cancer and seeks out precancerous and oral cancer cells and destroys them.

•Avocados are high in fiber.  Fiber helps improve digestive health, improves glycemic control, and increase satiety (feeling full!).

•Avocado extract paired with a carrier oil can reduce the symptoms of arthritis.

•Avocados can help clean the intestines, and thereby helps eliminate bad breath.

Avocado Baked Egg Recipe

Prep time:   25 minutes 355 calories

Ingredients:

                1 Avocado, halved and pitted

                2 Eggs

                ¼ cup crumbled bacon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

Place each avocado half in small oven safe container like this https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/Two_ramekins.jpg or similar

Crack 1 egg into each avocado half, season with salt and black pepper and place containers on baking sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven until entire egg is cooked through – about 15 minutes.  Spring each acocade with Bacon and Chives.

The Benefits of Resistance Band Training

Almost every gym goer has seen a rubber resistance training band and done at least one exercise using a band, but few people realize the many benefits of resistance band training done on its own or combined with other forms of resistance training such as weight lifting.

There are many unique benefits to Resistance Band Training (RBT) including:

RBT strengthens the neuromuscular system where its weakest, which is at the end of the range of motion.

Allows exercise in true horizontal vectors (parallel to the ground/floor) where free weights can only create a vertical gravity resistance vector.    We move in three planes of motion and many different vectors, and bands allow us to train in all planes and vectors with load.

Provides ascending resistance (gets harder the further a band is stretched) which teaches users how to accelerate concentrically (when projecting force) and decelerate eccentrically (when absorbing force).

Deceleration (aka eccentric loading) always precedes acceleration (concentric unloading) in movement.  Bands elastic properties speed up the loading (eccentric) phase of every exercise, which, in turn, creates a greater need for eccentric control.    Eccentric strength is the key to an explosive acceleration or concentric contraction.

Muscles are reactive by nature and obtain feedback from sensors that constantly measure muscle lengthening or tension development.   Free weight can definitely create vertical loading and feedback, but muscles need to be strong and reactive in all vectors not just up and down.

Bands can be used to safely load movements such as running, jumping, swinging, hopping and kicking WITHOUT altering the mechanics of those movements.    It is difficult and sometimes dangerous to run, jump or hop correctly with any type of free weight on the body.

Unlike free weight training, RBT requires you to train through the full range of motion which, in turn, requires a great workout load.   Free weights take significant effort to accelerate but momentum will be created unless moving the weight very slowly.    With properly done RBT exercise there is no momentum even with high speed movement!

To learn more about bands and how to use them go to https://resistancebandtraining.com/

New Treatment Guidelines for Low Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common health complaints, and it is also the most common source of physical disability.    Sadly many people find themselves on opioid pain-killers for low back pain which are highly addictive and kill over 16,000 Americans each year from over-doses.

The great news is in the majority of cases there are better ways to manage and prevent low back pain.     One of the most important facts to understand about low back pain is that 75 – 80% of low-back pain will resolve themselves within 2 – 4 weeks without any treatment – particularly if the low back pain was caused by strain, overlifting, twisting, car collision, etc!

Another common cause is too much sitting which is why standing more is part of the solution to many people’s low back pain.    While seated, we tend to allow the low back to go into flexion (round) which places stress on the discs between the vertebra for prolonged periods of time.    In addition, the hip flexor muscles which extend from the low back to the femur (upper leg bone) get chronically shortened and pull on the low back!

Moving is a key part of the solution

The new guidelines stress that movement is very important for almost all forms of low pain along with controlling inflammation, and improving muscle strength, endurance, and mobility.

It is very important to move when you are experiencing low back pain as well – this is not intuitive because initially movement may increase pain.   However using gentle, controlled movements like yoga are very important to resolving low back pain.  

Exercise is also very important for the prevention of low back pain.    For people who have a history of low back pain, exercise is the most effective way to prevent a recurrence according to a recent research review of 21 studies.

Strength training, cardiovascular exercise along with stability and mobility training are all effective in lowing the risk of low back pain.

New Treatment Guidelines Stress Non-Drug Interventions for Back Pain

Early this year, the American College of Physicians issued updated treatment guidelines for low back pain eliminating medication as the first-line treatment and recommending non-drug therapies first.

The new guidelines include three primary recommendations all of which focus on alternative treatments and physical activity.  This includes discouraging the use of Steroid injections and acetaminophen (Tylenol) because research shows that neither is beneficial.

Treatments such as massage, acupuncture, heat, spinal manipulation, tai chi, lower level laser treatments are all first line recommended options.   Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are also recommended such as Ibuprofen.

Scans and Surgery Are Useless for Most Cases of Back Pain

According to the American College of Physicians, scans like MRIs are also to be avoided, as they're "worse than useless" for diagnosing back pain. Exceptions include cases where pain is from trauma or there are warning signs of another condition.

In the vast majority, disc degeneration does not cause back pain. In many cases, this can lead to a diagnosis of disc degeneration and result in an unnecessary surgery, which fails to resolve pain in many cases and creates its own set of issues.

Spinal fusions for back pain have a success rate of about 20 to 25 percent. For 75 to 80 percent of these patients, the surgery simply results in lifelong pain and suffering.

Exercise and Non-Exercise Activity is Key in Treating and Preventing Low Back Pain

This includes avoiding sitting and being aware of posture when you are seated.   Take frequent standing breaks from sitting.     Stretches for the hip flexors and hamstrings along with core strengthening exercise like Pilates and Yoga can work wonders in preventing and treating low back pain.

✓

Intermittent Fasting for Health and Fat Loss

Done properly fasting can be very beneficial for improving health and accelerating fat loss.   There are many different types of fasts, but the most popular and practical is called intermittent fasting.

Intermittent fasting gives your body more time to effectively digest what you are eating and eliminate waste. 

You can get most of, if not all, the same benefits of fasting, with intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting involves reducing your food intake in whole or in part, either a few days a week, every other day or daily.  The most popular way to do intermittent fasting is to restrict your daily food intake to a specific window of time - typically a six to eight-hour timeframe each day.

For example, if you skip breakfast and make lunch the first meal of your day, you might restrict your food intake to the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. If you are a breakfast lover, your window could be between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.  The key is to eat only two meals, and to ensure you eat the last meal at least three hours before bedtime. When you eat three or more meals a day, you rarely, if ever, empty your glycogen stores (storage form of glucose – mostly in your liver), mainly because it takes about eight to 12 hours to burn the sugar stored in your body as glycogen.

By fasting about 14 to 16 hours a day, you give your body enough time to drain your glycogen stores and shift into fat-burning mode. This pushes your body to use fat as a fuel.  Because fat is a slow-burning fuel, you will not only have a more balanced energy supply, but you will also avoid the typical sugar "highs" and "lows" that come with typical diets.

While you will undoubtedly feel hungry on occasion, that is perfectly normal. Once your body adjusts, you may be surprised to discover how much less food you will consume to feel completely satisfied. In many cases your food cravings literally disappear once you have regained your ability to burn fat for fuel.

Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting provides a number of health benefits including:

• Forces the body to become efficient at burning fat as the primary fuel which helps eliminate sugar cravings
• Increases growth hormone to help build muscle and promote overall health and wellness
• Enhances brain health and helps prevent neurological disorders like Alzheimer's
• Reduces oxidative stress and fights aging and diseases like cancer
• Lowers triglycerides and reduces inflammation
• Dramatically boosts brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which activates brain stem cells to convert into new neurons.
• Dramatically increases the process of Autophagy

Benefits of Autophagy

Autophagy means “self-eating” and refers to processes that your body uses to clean out various debris and detoxify while also recycling damaged cell components.   It is quite literally like your body’s recycling program.   It improves metabolic efficiency, gets rid of faulty parts, and stops cancerous growths.   It also helps to dramatically decrease inflammation throughout the body.

During the bio-energetic challenge of exercising or fasting, autophagy is increased.   This stimulates stem-cells including muscle stem cells which can help prevent sarcopenia (muscle loss with aging).     So, intermittent fasting can help maintain the regenerative capacity of muscle stem cells.

There are three ways to boost autophagy:   exercise, fasting, and nutritional ketosis. 


Who Can Benefit from Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting can benefit just about everyone, but athletes may benefit even more. A 2016 study that tracked the effects of intermittent fasting on 34 resistance-trained men found that restricting their eating to an eight-hour window positively affected several health-related biomarkers, while decreasing fat mass and maintaining muscle mass.

While additional studies need to be completed to further investigate the effects of intermittent fasting on athletes, it seems that intermittent fasting could be used during maintenance phases of training when the goal is to maintain muscle mass while reducing fat mass.

The Importance of Proper Food Choices during Intermittent Fasting

During intermittent fasting and reduced food intake, your food choices are very important. Since you'll be eating less, it's vitally important that you get proper nutrition from your food. Healthy fats are essential because intermittent fasting pushes your body to switch over to fat-burning. Particularly if you begin to feel tired and sluggish, it may be a sign that you need to increase the amount of healthy fat in your diet.

Cutting net carbs (total carbs minus fiber) is equally important. Focus on:

• High quality fat intake in the form of avocados, coconut oil, organic grass-fed butter, organic egg yolks and nuts.
• Moderate amounts of high-quality protein from organically raised, grass-fed or pastured animals, which translates to no more than 40 to 80 grams of protein per day

• High amounts of fresh, low-net-carb vegetables, ideally organic

Contraindications for Fasting

Although most people can safely benefit from intermittent fasting, it's important to take caution if you have certain health challenges. Do NOT use fasting unless approved by your physician if any of the following are true:

• You are underweight with a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 or less
• You are malnourished
• Children should NOT fast! They need nutrients for continued growth; if your child is obese, consider cutting him or her back on refined grains and sugar to promote weight loss
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women should NOT fast because a consistent flow of nutrients must be shared continually with the baby to ensure its well-being
• If you take medications that should be taken with food you will need to be very cautious about fasting and consult with your physician first.   This is especially true for diabetics and those with gout.

Nuts – Ideal Health Food compatible with any Dietary Approach

While there are many areas of nutrition and diet rife with controversy there are certain foods that just about any dietary approach agrees are highly beneficial.   One of these foods is nuts!

Nuts come in many varieties and if properly prepared are a good fit for any dietary approach regardless if it is low carb, high carb, or any other variation.    Of course nuts are NOT a good idea for those with food allergies to nuts!

In a review of 29 published studies, scientists recently revealed that, in comparison with people who don’t eat many nuts, those who eat just 20 grams — as little as a handful a day — lower their risk of several serious conditions by astounding percentages:

Heart Disease – 29%

Cardiovascular Disease – 21%

Cancer – 15%

Respiratory Disease – 52%

Diabetes – 39%

Infectious Disease – 75%

The ideal amount to eat is an average of about two dozen almonds or 15 pecan halves per day; and there was not any increased benefit from eating more than that.

What is a nut anyway?

As per Spice Inc.:

“A true nut, botanically speaking, is a hard-shelled pod that contains both the fruit and seed of the plant, where the fruit does not open to release the seed to the world. Some examples of botanical nuts are chestnuts, hazelnuts and acorns.”

Peanuts are actually a legume. Drupes are a type of fruit with an outer part and a single seed inside, like a peach or cherry, but almonds, pecans and walnuts also drupes. The difference is, the seed is eaten rather than the outside.

Culinary nuts can be fruits, seeds or actual botanical nuts, used as a stand-alone snack or in a recipe. 

Gymnosperm and angiosperm seeds are also nuts.  Gymnosperm seeds are unprotected by an outer shell — such as ginkgo and pine nuts. Examples of an angiosperm are Brazil and Macadamia nuts.

The Research is Clear:  Nut Consumption can Increase Lifespan

In a study looking at 819,000 participants from different regions, sexes and backgrounds, and with different risk factors, nut consumption proved to reduce their disease risk in most cases.   The researchers concluded:

“In 2013, an estimated 4.4 million deaths may be attributable to a nut intake below 20 grams per day in North and South America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific. These findings support dietary recommendations to increase nut consumption to reduce chronic disease risk and mortality.”

Nuts – High in Beneficial Fats and Fiber

Although there is still disagreement about whether certain fats are “good” or “bad” there is a high consensus that the fats is nuts may improve overall health.  

The exact nutrients in nuts vary considerably. An ounce of almonds contains 3.4 grams of fiber, while cashews have only 0.9 grams. Almonds have the most protein with 6 grams, while macadamias have 2.2 grams.

Cashews contain 157 calories and 8.6 grams of carbohydrates, while the same amount of macadamia nuts have 204 calories and 3.9 grams of carbs; Brazil nuts have the least number of carbs at 3.5 grams.

Most of the fat in nuts is monounsaturated fat, including omega-6s and omega-3s. Macadamia nuts have the highest amount of monounsaturated fats — 16.7 grams — compared to 2.5 grams in walnuts, and Brazil nuts contain the most saturated fat with 4.3 grams.

For the record the myth that eating saturated fats is bad for you and will cause heart problems, as so many health professionals keep saying, is not true and has been soundly disproven.

More Benefits of Nut Consumption

People who eat a lot of nuts don’t tend to experience significant weight gain, or weight loss, either, according to another meta-analysis of 33 studies done in 2013.

Other studies show that eating more nuts may decrease your risk of other chronic conditions and diseases including high blood sugar, colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer and pancreatic cancer.

Micronutrient Content of Nuts

• Almonds are an excellent source of vitamin E as well as riboflavin, magnesium and manganese, and are high in fiber.

Eating a handful a day may help to improve your health; help people who are overweight achieve their weight loss goals and lower blood pressure; and can help people with Diabetes.

• Pistachios also contain high amounts of fiber (3 grams per ounce), and they are also a good source of vitamin E and magnesium. Besides helping to optimize your cholesterol, they can help improve several aspects of heart health.

• Brazil nuts are a fantastic source of selenium which is critical for the production of key anti-oxidants and supports detoxification and is directly linked with 24% reduction in cancers of all types with even more potent protection for certain cancers including breast, colon, prostate, and thyroid cancer.  In addition, as many as 1 billion people worldwide may be deficient.

•  Walnuts are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, making them beneficial for the prevention of coronary heart disease. They help improve blood flow, and are also linked to increased deductive reasoning.

• Peanuts, being a legume, may come with large amounts of extra oils that are not good for you. This is particularly true in peanut butter, with the unnecessary addition of sugar or worse, so always make sure your nuts and nut butters are free of these.

How to Prepare and Eat Nuts

While nuts can help improve your health the key is not to overeat them – you only need a small amount — say one-third cup per day.    Also, it is important to see what is added to nuts and how they are prepared.   

Try to avoid added oils which is often the case with nuts – in most cases these decrease the benefits of the naturally occurring fats in nuts.   Added sugars such as honey (honey roasted) also decrease the benefits. 

If you like roasted vs raw the best option is to roast them yourself, but if that is out of the question stick with “dry-roasted” to avoid those extra added fats.   To roast your own pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees and place the nuts on a sheet and bake for 5 – 10 minutes then allow them to cool.

As with ALL foods organic is always the best choice to minimize your exposure to pesticides, chemicals and other toxins.

Branched Chain Amino Acids for Improved Performance and Health

Branched Chain Amino Acids aka BCAAs  are made up of three essential amino acids:  leucine, isoleucine, and valine.    Amino Acids are what all proteins are made of, and essential amino acids cannot be produced by the body – they must be consumed in your diet.     Branched Chain Amino Acids BCAA’s make up 40 percent of the daily requirements for all nine amino acids.   

As the name implies BCAAs have a branched chain that simplifies the job of converting each amino avid into energy during intense exercise.   The make up about 35 percent of all muscle, and the more BCAA’s a muscle contains the more they will be used for energy which slows the breakdown of muscle.

BCAA’s are contained in many proteins including meat, fish, chicken, eggs, and in very high quantities in whey protein.    They can also be taken in supplement form which has the advantage because free form BCAAs bypass the liver and gut and go directly into the blood stream quickly upon ingestion.

Is BCAA Supplementation helpful or necessary?

The greatest benefits for muscle building and maintenance seem to come from maintaining a high enough overall protein intake (1.5 grams per kilogram of bodyweight) AND having a high BCAA content along with effective resistance training.

That being said there are some very real benefits to BCAA supplementation:

BCAA’s increase muscle protein synthesis – Taking BCAA’s with resistance exercise results in maximal protein synthesis because they both trigger the MTOR signaling pathway which is essential for building muscle.  Supplemental BCAA’s also minimize muscle loss during times of inactivity, injury or illness.   Now an even better supplement for this purpose is HMB which is an amino acid derivative of the BCAA Leucine.    In fact, it is so powerful in this respect that is often given to cancer patients to minimize loss of lean tissue.

Leucine in particular can increase protein synthesis by as much as 145 percent when taken after strength training, but taking it as part of a complete BCAA supplement will provide even more benefits.  A ratio of 2 – 4 to 1 parts leucine to the other BCAA’s provides optimal benefits.

For aging adults BCAA’s are very important because muscle loss known as sarcopenia occurs with aging and it becomes increasing hard to maintain an anabolic, muscle preserving environment in the body.  This combined with lower levels of activity and a tendency towards reduced overall protein intake can create the perfect storm for significant losses of muscle mass.

Specifically, BCAAs with 40% leucine have been sown to elevate protein synthesis in seniors in a dose depending fashion.

BCAA’s support fat loss – in particular taking BCAA’s during dieting or fasting can help increase fat loss while helping to maintain muscle mass.   For those on a low carb or ketogenic diet BCAA’s mixed with MCT (medium chain triglycerides) provide an ideal pre-workout shake that will not raise blood sugar or insulin but provide quick and sustained energy during workouts while minimizing muscle breakdown.

BCAAs can help maintain proper hormone balance during intense training.   A study showed that taking 6 grams of BCAAs daily resulted in higher testosterone to cortisol ratio.    The BCAA group also showed lower levels of inflammation.       This means they help to maintain an anabolic, muscle building environment while attenuating the negative effects of stress from working out.

BCAAs can also increase endurance and decrease fatigue – This is where BCAA’s really shine!  Research has shown that BCAAs can be burned for energy and enhance the ability to burn fat – both of which directly improve endurance and decrease fatigue.  BCAAs also minimize fatigue by inhibiting the uptake of tryptophan into the brain which lowers serotonin temporarily.    Fatigue is a mental phenomenon caused by the brain.    In one trial people who took BCAAs for three days and then did an exhaustive exercise test had 17.2 percent greater resistance to fatigue.

BCAA’s Decrease Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness - Studies have shown that BCAAs reduce DOMS allowing people to train intensely more frequently.

BCAAs are used medically to treat liver disease; prevent muscle loss with aging, illness and injury; and reduce mortality with cancer.  They also help increase the formation of mitochondria (the energy producing organelles of cells!).

There are many effective BCAA supplements but one stands out among the rest:   Scivation Xtend BCAAs are research proven and available from Amazon and Vitamin Shoppe.  

Reciprocal Inhibition and Why It is Important!

Reciprocal Inhibition is the process where one muscle inhibits the action of another muscle.   There are many examples but one of the most important examples is the Hip Flexors and the Gluteus Maximus (aka “Glutes”).      These two muscle groups work in tandem in human movement:  one flexes the high and the other extends the hip.     So they function as a team and they are always “talking” to one another through the nervous system.

When one gets turned on it turns the other one off!    This is REALLY important or we would not be able to move and this is happening all over your body as you move all the time.   Another great example is the bicep and tricep – the bicep flexes the arm and the tricep extends it and to get movement ONE must turn on and the OTHER must turn off!

Now that we understand Reciprocal Inhibition lets learn how to use it to our advantage to create more mobility and stronger muscle activation!  

Most of us spend a lot of time sitting with our hips flexed while at work, while driving and flying, and while relaxing watching TV or eating.     When our hips are flexed our hip flexors are shortened, and they get used to being in this position.     This can create a challenge in several ways including causing low back pain (since they connect to the low back and the upper thigh), and this can prevent the glutes from being activated properly because if they hip flexors are shortened the glutes get deactivated!

So it is very important to stretch the hip flexors every day in order to return them to a proper length which prevents low back pain AND allows the glutes to activate maximally.  Here is a great article showing 4 hip flexor stretches with video that are easy to incorporate into your routine:  http://www.stack.com/a/4-hip-flexor-stretches-to-relieve-tight-hips

Ideally you should do them at least once and preferably 2 – 3 times per day but DEFINETELY before workouts since maximizing glute activation is key for getting the glutes stronger, preventing injury, and toning the glutes!  

Reciprical inhibition also works the other way meaning that the harder you contract one muscle in a pair (say the glutes) the more the other muscle relaxes!    So some of the best dynamic stretches involve deliberately contracting one muscle (like the glutes) during a stretch of its opposite – like the hip flexors.

Try it – it really works!