Homeostasis vs. Hormone Boosting Supplements

 

Homeostasis, in less words, simply means balance.  Today, we are mostly talking about hormonal homeostasis via the endocrine system along with hormone boosting supplements and how they often have an uphill battle within your own body when it comes to doing what they claim. 

Well, your body at least tries to achieve homeostasis under most conditions.  When it fails and an imbalance is created, poor health usually follows - whether it is major diseases, mental issues, reproductive problems, adrenal fatigue, and so on. 

For example, people who inject synthetic testosterone and/or anabolic steroids into their body will find that their testicles will quit producing its own natural testosterone in an effort to create homeostasis to combat the excessive amounts of testosterone. However, most people who do that will defy their body and inject even more synthetic hormones into their bloodstream. Which is why professional bodybuilders that use steroids have a complicated cycle. They have to go through a post cycle therapy to stimulate the body to produce its own hormones again. Many often fail in the long term and are left with shrunken testicles, excess estrogen, female-like breast tissue, and a total loss of sexual function along with other health problems.

  We live in a time where the market is flooded with supplements claiming everything from preventing cancer to boosting hormones. Many people are under the impression that there is a pill or supplement for everything. Some guys also evidently think they will live to be at least 120 years old and still maintain raging erections throughout the day if they keep taking the right supplements, as well. But without all the exaggerations, let's get on with this post.

The main reason I thought of this subject was because the other day I wrote a blog post about a supplement that claims to have a hormone boosting effect. If interested, you can find that post here: DAA - D-Aspartic Acid

When researching DAA, I came across the usual stuff.  You know, this is an agonist of this, antagonist of that; it increases this hormone until another hormone is produced to cancel it back out until you are at the point you have less testosterone circulating than you did before you took it. To save myself time rambling about it, I'll just give you an example. Below, I will provide an excerpt from a website along with a link to its source:

"DAA accumulates in neuroendocrine tissue such as the pituitary gland, pineal gland and gonads where it works as an excitatory compound to stimulate the release of hormones.  As the levels of DAA build up in these tissues it increases the production and release of hormones; of particular interest are luteinizing hormone and testosterone. Luteinizing hormone is released from the pituitary gland, and it signals the release of testosterone from the testes and progesterone from the ovaries. Once the testosterone has been released in excess, the body works to maintain homeostasis by balancing the hormonal ratios. Negative feedback mechanisms in the pituitary gland switch off further testosterone release to drop testosterone levels and the body starts converting testosterone to estrogen via the enzyme aromatase; DAA also supports this by increasing the aromatization of testosterone to estrogen and testosterone levels drop while estrogen increases to normalize the ratios and maintain equilibrium." Source Link [Link is no longer active.]

As you can see, those particular "hormone boosting" supplements sound like a waste of time and just goes around in a circle until you are at a point of simply wasting money while maintaining hormonal homeostasis. Ha!  I'm not just singling out DAA, either. This goes for most "boosters" out there. To make it easier to understand, your body tries to have what we will call a hormone thermostat. Things can get a little high or a little low, but it tries to keep it within a normal parameter. Getting a slight boost in testosterone is good, but when one tries to overly boost their levels with supplements, it usually doesn't last long due to that homeostasis thingy. 

When concerning these hormone boosting supplements, for them to work extremely well they have to pretty much cause an imbalance in your hormonal system. I'm not talking about a slight bump in testosterone that helps you get through your day-to-day activities or perform one more extra rep at the gym, I'm talking about "really boosting" your levels. 

I must say, though, most of the time hormonal imbalances are not in your favor. For example, the stress hormone cortisol often wreaks havoc on your sex hormones. Too much cortisol along with excessive adrenaline release can cause an imbalance of testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen. A report from the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism stated: “Stress can lead to changes in the serum level of many hormones including growth hormone, prolactin, glucocorticoids and catecholamines.” Stress is not created equal, either. A quote from this page (Stress and hormones - PMC) states, "The growth hormone (GH) level is increased during acute physical stress. The level can increase up to two- to tenfold. Because of its insulin-antagonistic effect, GH may enhance metabolic activity. In psychological stress, however, GH responses are rarely seen. Rather there is GH secretory defect with prolonged psychosocial stress."

However, I must say, a lot of these bodily reactions are totally healthy and are just a normal response to the "fight or flight" reaction.  It is long-term and/or chronic stress that causes the body to lose its hormonal homeostasis. Instead of looking for "boosters," it might be a better idea to look for balance so you can maintain "optimal" levels without searching for outrageous levels of certain hormones. Does that make sense now?

Anyway, that's why adaptogenic herbs seems to be the best at this, as they help create balance along with aiding your body into adapting to various types of stress, etc. There are loads of adaptogens out there in the herbal market (too many to get into on this particular post), but one of my favorite ones is the good ol' reliable ginseng. I've took that stuff for years and it has never let me down. I wrote about that a few years ago on this blog, here: "Hot or Warm Korean/Panax Ginseng vs. Cold or Cooler American Ginseng" Also, I recently updated (at the bottom of the page I'm about to link to) the post that was talking about "natural testosterone boosters" and included a couple additional supplements that somewhat work for such things, that is, if a person doesn't mind paying the extra money. 

Well, hopefully this post clears up any confusion you may have had. I also tried to make it easier to understand this subject in layman terms because I know many readers out there just want to cut the crap and get to the bottom line.  However, if you are still unsure about the role of hormones in homeostasis, I found an in-depth article, here: The Role of Hormones in Homeostasis (yale.edu)

---End of Post "Homeostasis vs. Hormone Boosting Supplements"

Why is Trans Fat in Frozen Burger Patties?

 

This will be a quick post concerning a somewhat common question from people that are consciously aware of all the dangerous Trans Fat that surrounds them when selecting healthier food options.

I must say, though, that I used to ponder over this very same query before I realized the difference between man-made trans fat versus naturally occurring trans fatty acids.  Obviously, neither of these 2 variations of infamous lipids are good for you in large amounts, but I would put my money on the man-made version (along with the mutated version from overused cooking oil) for being by far the worst for you - even in small quantities.

This is how the frozen burgers (or fresh, for that matter) came into the question: Most people that are somewhat familiar with this subject realize that the artificial trans fat normally comes from a process that adds hydrogen to oil, which converts the liquid into a solid fat at room temperature, which is called hydrogenation.  This is a cheaper alternative for the food manufacturers that also enhances the taste, texture and shelf life of their products.  As you can see, before they realized it was killing people quicker, it was a good business move.  The other common unnatural way trans fatty acids come about is by overcooking and/or overusing the same oil over and over.  Sort of like at some fast-food joints and restaurants or somebody that rarely changes the oil in their deep fryer, etc. Certain oils are more stable than others, but some types mutate a lot quicker to say the least. For example, don't put olive oil in a deep fryer!

Anyway, back to the frozen burger patties...

I'm just using this particular food as an example. But for a lot of folks that wasn't aware of the naturally occurring bad fats, they simply thought that cooking your own meals at home by using whole foods and ingredients that they could identify would solve this problem.  Which, it mostly does. So instead of ordering burgers at a fast-food place, they just cook their own. I almost always buy fresh ground beef for burgers and I never really notice the nutritional labels on fresh meat listing this type of fat, but I see trans fat listed all the time on the packs of frozen burger patties.  I used to think, "what in the hell are they doing different to these frozen patties?" Ha!  Then I became aware that Trans Fat also occurs naturally in food products from ruminant animals (pork, beef, lamb, etc.).

The good news is that there has already been some studies showing how the naturally occurring variant is not that much different than regular lipids when consumed in somewhat moderate amounts. Of course, the leaner the meat, the less fat, so go figure.  So, to end this post, when you see trans fat listed on a pack of frozen burger patties it is not usually something added and it's naturally occurring. However, if you see artificial char marks on cooked patties, it probably adds extra artificial trans to the mix. I read about that a few years ago on a website that was explaining what they do to create an artificial charbroiled taste.  Dang, this all sounds like we just need to keep things natural, eh?

I'm not exactly sure why, but this post reminds me of one that I wrote a few years ago, here: The Reason Pork Rinds / Skins are Not a Significant Source of Protein

---End of Post "Why is Trans Fat in Frozen Burger Patties?"

Does D-Aspartic Acid (DAA) really cause permanent Brain Damage?

 

Wow! Such a nefarious blog title for a seemingly innocent health supplement!  I felt the need to post this today after I found myself yesterday typing into the search engine different search phrases, such as: 1) Does DAA really damage NMDA receptors in the brain? 2) Is D-Aspartic Acid really safe?  3) Is DAA an exotoxin?  4) What are the side effects of D-Aspartic Acid? And so on and so forth...

At any rate, what started as a monthly visit to Amazon to buy random stuff, supplements, the usual, ended up in me doing something I rarely do. Which is, going back the next day and cancelling certain items from my order. When it comes to pills, I usually order the same tried-and-true supplements that I have been using for many years, but every so often I will gingerly try a new supplement that supports athletic performance, energy, stamina, testosterone, etc.   I say "gingerly" because I'm really cautious when it comes to new pills - especially ones that could affect hormone levels, etc.  Hormone balance is a good thing considering there are so many different types in the human body, and too much of this, not enough of that, agonist of this versus an antagonist of that and whatnot can often turn into an undesirable imbalance. Whether it is stress hormones, sex hormones, you name it, I've heard too many stories over the years in health forums to say the least. Some people mix and match so many supplements or take too much of certain hormones that they end up being depressed with poor cognitive and sexual function.  Some side effects are transitory albeit some may be permanent. 

Anyway, D-Aspartic Acid is not a hormone, so let's get that out of the way. It's a non-essential amino acid. By what I've read, the D form of this is pretty much metabolized into a substance that stimulates the NMDA receptors of the brain. Over excitement in this part of your grey matter can supposedly cause cellular death and/or brain damage in those particular receptors if too much is taken. See, that's the part that gets me right there. How do we know what is too much? Unlike a lot of other supplements out there, this one doesn't seem to be as thoroughly tested. Even the anecdotal evidence is not extremely abundant by what I can tell, and that is uncommon for hyped-up supplements. However, I have read that D-Aspartic Acid has similar negative effects on the brain as MSG and an artificial sweetener known as "aspartame." Well, that almost made me change my mind and put the DAA back into my Amazon shopping cart because MSG is in tons of stuff! Plus, I like Chinese food, and they love using MSG on their food at the buffet! Ha! You'd think millions of people in America would already have permanent brain damage if it could be caused by MSG as well. Oh, wait a minute... Ha-ha! Never mind...

I must say, though, that the benefits and customer reviews (what few I read) do sound appealing for D-Aspartic Acid.  It stimulates testosterone production, growth hormone, GABA, increases luteinizing hormone (wakes your balls up, so to speak), boosts libido along with several other things. But doesn't a lot of other pills on the market claim those very same things? 

Either way, before I end this post, I'll provide an excerpt from another website that had a lot of good information about this subject along with a link to visit the website, if interested: "DAA along with its analogs are considered to be exotoxins (like MSG & aspartame) because they overstimulate the brain’s NMDA receptors. If overstimulation occurs, cell death can be the result. Thus, if you have a hereditary or genetic predisposition to any neuro-degenerative conditions, we advise that you steer clear of exotoxins. Because of this, DAA is much more dangerous in comparison to the other T boosting products that have already been tested clinically and on humans." You can read more, here: D-Aspartic Acid: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly - Supplements Engine [Link is no longer active.]

My final thoughts about this DAA supplement:

Do I think it would really cause permanent brain damage? I doubt it would under normal circumstances. However, it might cause damage if you take an enormous amount or perhaps half the bottle at once? Plus, if you have certain brain/neurological/nervous system disorders in your family tree, I would definitely shy away from this and lean toward the side of caution.

Do I think there are safer alternatives to try when it comes to testosterone boosters? Yes. Absolutely.

Would I try D-Aspartic Acid since there is a good chance it might work? I'm not sure and still undecided. If I did, I would probably just take it one or two days a week and at the minimum dose until I felt more comfortable about it.

Well, to wrap this up, if you'd still like to check this product out on Amazon, I will provide a link below.  Then, after that, I will provide a link to a product on Amazon that I tried a few months ago that actually seemed decent.  Please note, if you click through and buy any of these supplements through this blog, I will get a miniscule commission at no extra cost to you, of course. I'll take all the pennies, nickels and dimes I can get. LOL!

* 'Click Here' to review the product page for D-Aspartic Acid on Amazon *

Below, you will find a fine product known for boosting testosterone and lowering stress hormones while not having a reputation for causing permanent brain damage. This product goes by the name "Tongkat Ali Complex." I've tried this myself and was actually pleased with this supplement.  A lot of people think it is best to cycle this supplement, 5 days on and 2 days off, but use your own discretion. It is well known that stress hormones like cortisol lower testosterone and this particular supplement definitely seems to lower the effect that stress has on your body.

* 'Click Here' to review the product page for Tongkat Ali Extract on Amazon *

--- End of Post "Does D-Aspartic Acid (DAA) really cause permanent Brain Damage?"

Human-shaped Dummy - Punching Bag for Training

I elected to deviate from the normal title for this nifty, human-shaped dummy and/or training tool, since not everybody is aware of a physical fitness mannequin that goes by the name BOB (Body Opponent Bag), and you may be online searching for such things while using different terms, etc. At any rate, this particular punching bag is not limited to punches, by any means. In fact, the one I ordered came from a martial art supply store. Whether you are a mixed martial artist or have a certain style of karate or kung-fu to practice, a boxer, an athlete looking to build up endurance, strength, flexibility, or a person who just wants to vent by beating the crap out of something, and so on, the body opponent heavy bag dummy may be just what you're looking for.

Personally, I recommend the Century BOB XL for serious workouts and training. It is adjustable so it can be used at various heights, and you can fill the base with 270 pounds of sand or water. If you combine the weight of the human-shaped punching bag with the anchor weight, the whole dummy is well over 300 pounds (plus, you can also add a weighted vest to it). I must remind you, however, that these things are somewhat expensive. After the pricey shipping charges and tax, the one I ordered was about 350 dollars. Of course, there are cheaper human-like training bags out there, but after looking at several, BOB seemed like the best quality.

In my opinion, outside of the use for ventilation and anger and/or to relieve pent-up frustrations, this type of punching bag is best when used like a sparring partner. Sure, it can be effective for martial art training - especially for upper body strikes - but I wouldn't recommend it for power kicks nor would I use it for most close-quarter blows like wildly thrown elbows and powerful knee strikes. If you are training for Muay Thai and/or kickboxing, you can't beat a big, hanging heavy bag. I've owned a speed bag and a (WAVE) water-filled heavy bag before, and it was loads of fun, as well. I must say, though, that if you lack a sparring partner, love boxing, and you are looking for a more realistic training experience, the human-shaped dummy / Body Opponent Bags are an excellent option. Plus, not everybody has room or a strong enough ceiling to hang massive heavy bags in their home, and BOB doesn't take up much room.

Another option for the ones who like all that light tapping, fast punching, jittery jabbing junk, is to buy one of those Aerobic Wave Master punching bags. It is lighter weight, bounces back fast upon impact, doesn't look like a human, costs way less money, and should be perfect for your weak assault of punches and light kicks. If all you plan on doing is jumping around and flickering quick little movements towards a target, why waste your money on a big, body opponent heavy bag that is shaped like a human? I'm just throwing that little tidbit in there, in case somebody that is seeking a kicking/punching bag for aerobic-style workouts, will know that they sell special floor-bound, impact-responsive bags just for these things.

Anyway, back to BOB... Is it for Indoor or Outdoor use? Well, per the instructions, they say indoor use only. The main reason why, is that the XL Century BOB doesn't need to be subjected to freezing temperatures. Now, I can only assume that it is because most people fill it with water instead of sand, and we all know that water expands when froze, so you can imagine what can happen from there. Regardless, I have mine outside in the carport/garage at the moment, and I'm just going to worry about what to do with it when winter comes. It will take prolonged temperatures that are well below freezing to freeze 270 lbs. of water, but we'll see.

I was originally going to provide several YouTube videos of random people demonstrating various types of training methods while using this lovely human-shaped punching bag. However, YouTube was packed with cheesy videos that would turn most people off from even giving this body bag a chance. I seen one guy who used it to solely try to kick it down. He would take off running and kick it until it fell over, then acted like he accomplished some miraculous feat. Ha! Then there was some guy who punched at it in such a fashion that it looked more like how a person would use a flyswatter, and I think even the lifeless BOB was laughing at him. Then, yet another ridiculous video showed some person that looked like he was so out of shape, that it made the body opponent bag appear that it gives you the couch potato look after extensive use. Finally, I seen some bar-room guy swipe at it like some crazed drunk, only to last a few seconds and walk off - most likely heading to the fridge for another beer. So, I decided to just post a video that showed some guy talking about street fighting techniques while using the BOB dummy as a tool for his demonstration, as it was the most decent video I could find at the time when concerning the subject of punching bags that are shaped like a human torso.

Update: Human-shaped Dummy - Punching Bag for Training

Up above, within this article, I mentioned about how the storage area for BOB was debatable, albeit the manufacturer instructions recommends that you keep it indoors. I'm assuming they are mainly talking about the ones who use water to fill up the anchor part of this body opponent bag, as it could freeze and burst if subjected to freezing temperatures.
Anyway, I left mine outside in the garage regardless of the warning and it froze! However, I didn't use it during the frigid time frame and when BOB thawed out, my human-shaped punching bag survived! Yep, this is one tough dummy; ha!

Shopping (Affiliate) Link:

"Click Here for a fine Selection of Body Opponent Bags"

---End of Post "Human-shaped Dummy - Punching Bag for Training"

Alternative Options for Speed Bag Workout

Introduction to the Speed Bag

This fun little training device known as the speed bag, is something that many boxers, martial artists, physical fitness fanatics, etc., enjoy using. I've owned one in the past and although I enjoyed using it from time to time, I couldn't help but think how overrated this thing was. I mean, in a thumbnail, the speed bag is often promoted for increasing your punching speed and stamina while also enhancing your eye-to-hand coordination. Some advertisers often tout that this type of workout somehow builds up your upper body strength, which is a miraculous joke, by the way.

I hope, for the ones that are interested in boxing or martial arts, that many of you are seeking alternative options for speed bag training. If so, I'll provide a couple quick options for you in a moment. But first, let's analyze the uselessness of the speed bag, before we go any further. Okay, first up is the common strikes that are used to create that beloved tap-dancing sound you get when everything is in sync and are really looking like a Pro while using it. Yes, I've been there and have impressed a few friends that witnessed me banging this little speed bag thingy into submission, all while tap, tap, tapping my way into a fictitious appearance of a voracious fighter on the loose.

Let's get real, for starters: The common motion for a successful speed bag tap dance, is not even related to the punches that you'd use in a real fight. The most common strike applied, is a downward, sideways hammer fist, if you will, which would make you look retarded in a real-life event. If you are unsure of what I'm speaking about, I'll provide a video below. Before watching that video, please note, that this guy does acknowledge some of the common screw-ups that are involved during a typical speed bag workout, but yet, even though he tries to give validity to this particular training device, it still looks totally useless, in my opinion. This sucks for me, by the way, because I was always really good at using the speed bag in a speedy fashion. I also totally look like an expert when I use a pair of nunchucks, too, but so far it hasn't paid any of my bills; ha!

After viewing the speed bag in action...

After watching that quick video, you should be able to notice that, even when used correctly, it really doesn't involve any realistic value for a fighter, although it has been used for many, many years - especially by professional boxers. If anything, the average user will develop terrible form and many bad habits upon extensive speed bag training. Now, if you are somebody that just uses one for the fun of it, hey, why not? However, there are several alternative options, many of which will actually enhance your skill, speed and strength. The first example is shadow boxing, but not just with your hands. By using weighted gloves while shadow boxing (punching in the air, more or less), you will accustom yourself to going through the motion of realistic punches like hooks, uppercuts, jabs, and so on, all while having added weight on your hands. This, in turn, will increase your speed and power. Plus, it does somewhat give your deltoids and "lats" (latissimus dorsi) a nice workout after you have punched for several minutes with weighted gloves. It also acts as a nice supplement to your main workout, for example.

Next up on the alternative options for speed bag training, is a body opponent heavy bag. If you are interested in that, visit my post entitled "Human-shaped Dummy - Punching Bag for Training," to get a better idea of why that particular heavy bag alternative is good for technique, power, etc. Now, there is another product that has been on the market for a long while that is called a "Double End Striking Bag." Just to save time, if it's really eye-to-hand coordination that you are seeking, you'd be better off hanging a tennis ball on a string and try to follow it as it sways all over the place, but even then, you are merely trailing a tiny ball with little baby jabs - which is extremely far from a real-life event, to say the least.

Update: As the years went by, I now think that, overall, the best alternative for this type of speed bag workout is something called the "Reflex Bag." There are two variations of this type of bag, with one that is really fast and swivels higher up on the stand, then the one that has the spring at the bottom of the pole, but they are both really effective. Like a lot of products, there are the cheaply made ones you should probably steer clear of, medium priced ones, and the more expensive and overrated versions, etc. Personally, I find the ones in the medium price range to be the best bang for your money. You can read more about the Reflex Bag at the bottom of this post: "Speed Bag Training is Useless"

Alternative Options for Speed Bag Workout: Conclusion

Bottom Line: Anybody that knows anything about boxing and/or mixed martial arts training, will tell you that a speed bag is more or less used as a cool down exercise after you have finished your primary workout. Sure, it looks cool and all that, but the speed bag is actually fairly worthless, in my opinion. Once again, if you are seeking the best alternative options for this overrated training device, I'd go with a pair of weighted gloves while shadow boxing, any day of the week. If you are doing this for the sport: train hard, think smart, and don't waste time on anything that doesn't help you progress, such as a silly speed bag. Then again, I could just be mad because I can't have a speed bag/heavy bag stand anymore, since I moved to a location that doesn't have the room for such things; ha!

Shopping (Affiliate) Link:

* Click Here for a fine Selection of Weighted Gloves * 

---End of Post "Alternative Options for Speed Bag Workout"

Bogus Study? Citrus Fruits increase risk of Melanoma Skin Cancer

Original Post Date: 7/05/2015

Well, folks, it looks like we've got us another one of those interestingly bogus studies to sort through. Who would have thought the day would come when certain groups of scientists try to link a deadly skin cancer, known as melanoma, to something healthy like the regular consumption of citrus fruits? You've got to be kidding me, right?
Okay, I'm not saying this study is absolutely bogus (like the fish oil study was), but it does make a person wonder. Actually, this subject sort of reminds me of when I wrote the blog post entitled "Bogus Study says Omega-3 & Fish Oil Supplements increases risk of Prostate Cancer."
At any acidic rate, there could possibly be a link of some sorts, but isn't everything connected within this grand universe? Without all the superfluous verbiage, lets get down to the heart of this beloved study. When speaking of citrus fruits, the targeted fruity villains in this study were mainly whole grapefruit and orange juice. I love orange juice, but grapefruit is one of the few foods (besides exotic organ meat) on this planet that I will not consume. Not only does it taste awful to me, it seems almost poisonous. If you'd rather read about the bad stuff concerning grapefruit, go here: Grapefruit is not good for Detox or certain Medications
Okay, now back to the topic at hand... A large study looked at the dietary patterns of more than 100,000 Americans. Within this potentially bogus study, they discovered an unexpected link between high consumption of citrus (specifically whole grapefruit and orange juice) and a risk of melanoma (dangerous form of skin cancer). "Researchers found that 1,840 of the study participants developed melanoma and that those who had a serving of citrus fruit or juice 1.6 times daily had a 36 percent higher risk of the cancer than those who consumed it less than two times a week. A serving was defined as half a grapefruit, one orange or a 6-ounce glass of juice." Read more about this crazy stuff, here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/06/29/citrus-consumption-and-melanoma-how-real-is-the-link/

The justification for the link between citrus fruits & skin cancer...

They theorize that the citrus fruit link to melanoma might be due to high levels of something called furocoumarins found in citrus fruit. These substances are produced by plants as a defense mechanism and are photoactive, meaning that their toxicity is enhanced by ultraviolet radiation. They have been known to cause skin to be more sensitive to sunlight.
While this may be true, I find it odd that citrus fruits grow best in the sunniest areas closest to the equator. Is this nature's version of sinister sun block? "Bask in the provided sun garden and drink from my tree, then die," says the nefarious orange tree. Wait, no, uh, never mind...

Why the study could be bogus...

The findings of this study were independent of age along with other factors including cigarette smoking, alcohol intake and other lifestyle factors linked to cancer. However, the study consisted of 63,810 female nurses and 41,622 men in the health profession. Uh, yeah, like that is a good representation of the common public. Plus, that could also raise the skin cancer rates since people in those type of professions would come more getting every little skin mark or lesion investigated by a doctor as opposed to the general public.
Other factors, like what areas in the U.S. they lived in, the amount of sun exposure they received on a regular basis, etc., were not mentioned in this study. Here is a comment from one of the actual participants of the study, from another website:

"I wish the reporters would include references when appropriate. http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/early/2015/06/24/J... They could have controlled for the geographic location for residents. All dietary amounts are estimated and self-reported every year or two. (I am one of the 100,000 study participants). At any rate, causation not proven but the overall risk is low. Next!"

Plus, people who consume more juice and citrus fruits may also be outside more while trying to live a more active, healthier lifestyle. Some of them may also be the ones who take too many synthetic vitamins, mega-antioxidants, and so on, which have been known to have adverse reactions and so forth. In a thumbnail, there are way too many variables involved here to just lump skin cancer / melanoma all together with freakin' oranges and grapefruits, in my opinion.
Speaking of opinions, I found this comment to be rather funny but somewhat true, which was found on another website: "OMG, first it was bacon, then butter, now it's orange juice for crying out loud. And Viagra, too!!!! What's next.... mom, apple pie and ice cream?? Might as well just go ahead and just shoot me now!!!"

---End of Post "Bogus Study? Citrus Fruits increase risk of Melanoma Skin Cancer"

Bogus Study says Omega-3 & Fish Oil Supplements increases risk of Prostate Cancer

 Original Post Date: 7/16/2013

Just when you think you've went a couple days without hearing some asinine statement from some bogus study that wasted loads of money just to make the drug companies look better, you get bombed with one of the most ridiculous statements of the year that concerns health supplements and the poor, polluted life known as seafood.
I don't even know where to start, really, other than I'm wondering what fueled these bogus studies. We are either dealing with some major promotion of this anti-fish oil movement in hopes more people will buy cholesterol-lowering drugs or other prescription drugs for blood pressure, heart health, whatever, or we are dealing with utter stupidity - or both!

Many of you have heard of the recent proclamations made on the News, online, etc., about how certain "folks" are trying to link the Omega-3 fatty acids that are found in fish, seafood, etc., and from Fish Oil supplements and all the ones that look like 'em, Krill Oil, and so on, to an increased risk of prostate cancer in men.

As soon as I heard this, I couldn't even believe it was allowed to hit the media. I mean, even people who are not very health-conscious are aware of the fact that constantly eating fatty foods, fast foods, fried foods, trans fat, burnt meat, sodium nitrite, charcoal-grilled foods on a regular basis, and whatnot, definitely isn't good for your digestive system, colon or, for males, your prostate. But, and I mean a big ol' butt of a but, eating lean meat, white meat, and fish or seafood is normally a good thing (outside of the ones with vegetarian beliefs, of course). Omega-3 fatty acids are very well known for their anti-inflammatory properties and for being good for your heart along with many other things. There are way too many articles written out there speaking of such Omega-3 health benefits and, since I don't feel like rewinding back to primitive times, there is no need to discuss those particular aspects here.

However, I must say, the first thing I thought of when I heard about this dimwitted study, is the Mediterranean Diet. It has been long established that people, not that I do, who follow a Mediterranean Diet (which is high in Omega-3, by the way) often leads to lower cancer rates and healthier hearts, just to mention a couple benefits.

Before anybody comments on this post, you might need to visit the following links, for a refreshment. First up, is an article about the baloney study entitled "Omega-3 fatty acids may raise prostate cancer risk," and you can find it here: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57593293/omega-3-fatty-acids-may-raise-prostate-cancer-risk/ (link is no longer active - how convenient)
I like one of the comments on that page from a guy that didn't fall for this bogus study, that said: "This study is both ridiculous and reckless! There is no correlation from this study with increased intake of omega-3 supplements and prostate cancer. How can anyone conclude that a .02 difference in omega-3 in plasma between a diseased population and a healthy population correlates with increased risk of prostate cancer? Patients that have prostate cancer have been told by their urologist, oncologist, cardiologist, GP and Optometrist to take omega-3 fish oil. This is the obvious reason why the omega-3 was higher in their blood than the healthy control group. Hopefully people don't stop taking their fish oil because of this. Many good studies show the protective nature of EPA and DHA for all aspects of health including prostate health. I am sure the media will have another spin to talk about very soon."
Another comment that I liked on that page, was: "Big Pharma is losing millions of dollars due to supplements and alternative medicine. This year they made up their mind to attack supplements and this is just the beginning. Their plan started with the book "Do you believe in Magic?" which tries to persuade everyone that supplements and alternative medicine is fake and a pure placebo effect. Stay awake people, "Sick Care" is looking to keep you sick..."
Hey, read the cool link that guy dropped off, here: http://www.naturalnews.com/041154_fish_oils_scientific_study_science_fraud.html

Next up, read what I dug up within seconds after going straight for the throat of the matter by searching about the Mediterranean Diet online. A couple links, just to get you started: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19051189 (link is no longer active) and another small page, here: http://www.prostate-report.org/mediterranean.php (link is no longer active)
Of course, there are many more, some more credible than others, but the point is, the bogus study that hit the news and online media a few days ago, left many people shaking their heads. The main reason why I even started this post, was because I was curious as to how many people fell for it, what they thought about it, and/or whatever else the readers wanted to share about this subject.

To me, it is blatantly obvious why these types of studies even get attention. Now, I will say this, in the event that the BS study has any merit, is that outside of people with existing prostate cancer that are already taking omega-3 supplements, people who use canola oil (which contains omega-3, also) for example, may be frying foods left & right - which is well known for not being a good thing. Yes, I'm guilty of it too, especially during garden season when I seem to be frying okra, squash and green tomatoes on a regular basis. Also, many folks that eat fish, often deep fry those suckers at will. Many of you know what else comes with a fish fry, right? Yes, greasy, deliciously fried hush puppies, fries, and so on. In a thumbnail, I'm saying the study is totally bogus and there is no way, in my opinion, that eating healthy foods or taking Omega-3 supplements endangers your health. The only risk I see with Omega-3, whether it be from seafood or supplements, is the heavy metals and polluted waters. At least with the supplements, if you choose to buy a certain type, you can get a cleaner version that is supposedly filtered and mercury free - if you can believe the label, that is.

Side Note: When it comes to prostate cancer, many studies have shown that a diet low in animal fat, processed meats, charbroiled and/or over-cooked meats, helps lower your risk for this type of cancer. Taking aspirin (preferably low-dose aspirin) on a regular basis is also thought to lower your risk for this particular cancer along with many other types.

---End of Post "Bogus Study says Omega-3 & Fish Oil Supplements increases risk of Prostate Cancer"

Update [9/25/2015]:

As we should all know by now, the whole idea that the omega-3 in fish oil supplements are linked to prostate cancer is completely bogus. However, what the original study didn't study, was a possible link from rancid oil found in certain poor-quality supplements and the effects it may have on prostate health. I checked on this after realizing a few weeks ago that many of the fish oil products found on the market are rancid. Would you regularly consume rotten fish? How about rotten fish oil hidden within a coated pill?
It would probably take another page for me to go into further detail about this, along with how you could easily check your fish oil for spoilage, ways to delay the oxidation of omega-3 oil (refrigerate your fish oil), etc., but I'll leave it up to you to perform the additional research. For starters, maybe you could start your search by using the keywords "rancid fish oil and prostate health," or something along those lines. Either way, omega-3 is not to blame, and that previous bogus study was obviously flawed. Cheers!

Supplies: Make your own Herbal Capsules

If you're like me and have purchased many different types of supplements over the last several years, you might want to start thinking about more efficient ways to deliver those herbal remedies with a fraction of the cost.  Actually, it's not just about monetary reasons, but more about the quality and the absence of those hidden and unwanted ingredients, binders, etc. Think about it...  Do you really know what all is in those supplements that you commonly buy online or at your local health store?

I'm dividing this subject into two parts.  The first subject, from a previous post, is entitled "Supplies: Make your own Herbal Tinctures."  The second subject, on this post, will involve the supplies that you will need to make your own herbal capsules - which is the method I prefer.

Not only is it fun to start making your own herbal supplements, but it also gives you a sense of independence and a peace of mind from knowing exactly what is put into those capsules.  My last project involved milk thistle seeds.  I made a fine powder from the healthy organic seeds that I use to mix into juice and to fill my empty capsules.  I plan on making my own ginseng supplements, turmeric, powdered hot pepper capsules, etc., in the future.  There's a broad range of herbal substances you can dry out and create a powder from, so if you have a decent knowledge about herb-related health benefits, your options and combinations are seemingly endless.

Okay, well, let's get down to the small amount of supplies that you will need to do this.  First of all, to make a powder out of dried herbs, some people use different things.  Take a mortar & pestle, for example.  Some folks like to chop 'em up in a traditional blender, as well.  But to me, the instrument that works the best for creating a very fine powder that allows for easy absorption within the body and that pulverizes the herbs within the shortest amount of time, is the coffee/herb grinder.  These little gadgets can turn hard seeds into powder in hardly any time at all.  Plus, they don't take up hardly any room at all.  The one shown below, is the coffee grinder that I recently purchased online, and I am more than satisfied with it.

* To browse through a selection of coffee grinders from Amazon, click the image (affiliate link) below:

Next up on the list of supplies that you will need, is the empty gelatin capsules. I like the '00' size because it allows me to put about 1000 mg. of whole crushed herb into each pill.  Since it will be completely natural and not the "extract" version of one particular chemical compound of an herb, you will generally need to consume more of it.  Personally, I think it is much more bio-available and, overall, better for the body to consume herbal supplements in their natural state, but that's another subject entirely.

* To browse through a selection of empty gelatin capsules from Amazon, click the image (affiliate link) below:

Even though it hasn't been a problem for me, as of yet, filling the empty capsules by hand may be a bit too tedious and time-consuming for some folks.  If that's the case, you may need additional supplies, such as the capsule filling machine.  It is a simple device that allows you to place the big part of the empty capsules in a "machine" (not really a machine by my standards) and the smaller part into the cover.  From there, you dump your herbal ingredients into the holding plate or whatever and put the cover on.  Then, you lift up on it and the capsules will all be assembled just like that.  I'm not promoting this overrated and overpriced (for what it is) product, but if you're interested just do a search for "capsule filling machine" or something similar. Cheers!

---End of Post "Supplies: Make your own Herbal Capsules"

Supplies: Make your own Herbal Tinctures

If you're like me and have bought various types of supplements online over the last several years, you might want to start thinking about more efficient ways to deliver those herbal remedies with a fraction of the cost.  Actually, it's not just about the money, but more about the quality and the absence of hidden, mysterious, unwanted ingredients, binders, etc. Think about it...  Do you really know what all is in those supplements that you commonly buy online or at your local health store?

I'm dividing this subject into two parts.  The first subject, on this post, is entitled "Supplies: Make your own Herbal Tinctures."  The second subject, which I'll write next on another post, will involve the supplies you will need to make your own herbal capsules - which is the method I prefer.

Personally, I never use tinctures since I don't mind taking numerous amounts of herbal capsules daily. However, when the tinctures are made with alcohol, the potency of the herbs will last a long time, to say the least.  Oh, that reminds me, some of the folks that are against alcohol often choose to use vinegar as the tincture base instead, although it will not be as potent nor will it last as long, but whatever floats your boat.  Alcohol is well-known for its ability to extract those beneficial compounds from the whole herbs at a more effective rate, but that is another subject entirely.  But for those worried about alcohol extracts, fear not.  You would only be consuming a few drops of the diluted stuff and it wouldn't even register on the scale of drinking.

Now that we have gotten the intro out of the way, let's move on to the supplies that you will need.  You will need mason jars (or something similar with a lid) to store the initial tincture mixture.  You will need 100 proof alcohol (vodka) or for a weaker tincture you will need vinegar or water to add to the vodka (why would you do that?).  Most people mix about 1 to 2 cups of whole crushed herb for every 1 to 2 cups of 100 proof vodka for most herbal tincture recipes.  You will mix this in a mason jar and let it set for about 6 weeks or thereabouts.  Every day or two (at least once or twice a week), make sure to shake it around a bit to help with the extraction process.

When your mixture is ready, you will now need a strainer, a tiny funnel, and some little tincture bottles with the dropper thingy.  You first pour the mixture through a strainer and into another jar, which will be your pure, filtered tincture that you will be using.  Now, you just need to funnel it into the dropper bottles.  Depending on what type of herb it actually is, you use the tincture daily or whenever needed by simply adding several drops of the extract into water or whatever beverage you like to add it to. [Edit: Some people prefer to place a few drops under the tongue for faster absorption.] Yep, simple as that.  

As you can see, it really doesn't call for a lot of supplies.  It just takes several weeks to extract the herb into the solution, but that's not a big deal.  Tinctures are mainly for convenience anyway, but, like I said before, I'd much rather supplement my diet by taking the whole herb in capsule form. Cheers!

* If you're in need of some of those cool-looking tincture bottles with the dropper tops, Amazon has a decent selection.  If you'd like to browse through a few, click the image (affiliate link) below:

---End of Post "Supplies: Make your own Herbal Tinctures"

How many days of rest should you allow for building muscle?

This particular query can't be answered with a universally numerical conclusion.  Many variables factor into how many days of rest one should have for optimal muscle building results.  However, I will go over a few scenarios in hopes that it helps paint a clearer picture.

First of all, no matter what type of Health & Fitness Guru Blog you are reading from, the best knowledge comes from personal experience.  Yeah, the stuff you have personally tried, tested and adjusted to your own genetic makeup.

While browsing through the Internet, I was surprised to see many of the health blogs saying the exact same answer, which was 24 to 48 hours of rest between workouts.  Personally, I disagree. For one, what type of workout?  How intense is it?  Are you concentrating on certain muscle groups per each workout or are you taking the shotgun approach?  How old are you?  Are you a beginner just starting to work out or are you a professional bodybuilder building massive muscles?  All of these things and many more factor into how many days of rest your muscles need for optimal growth and/or safe methods of building lean body mass.

The small groups of muscles like what are found in your forearms, for example, could be worked thoroughly almost daily while larger muscles like what are found in your chest, shoulders, hamstrings, etc., will most likely need more time to fully recover from a hard workout.  Your genetic makeup, hormone levels, overall health, age, hours of daily sleep, and so on, all affect how quickly your body recovers.

I have heard of many professional bodybuilders training 6 days a week, with only 1 off day.  But guess what?  They only train certain groups of muscles once a week.  Yep, so that means that they allow 7 days of rest per muscle group for building mass quantities of muscle.  However, you can rest assured that they totally tear down each muscle group during those days of pumping iron/working out.

The other thing you need to do is simply listen to your own body.  If you go back to the bench press and you still feel weak from a workout you did a couple days ago, wait a few more days before trying again.  I try to wait an extra day or two after I feel ready for another intense weightlifting session.  Always try to keep in mind, your muscles grow when you are resting, not when working 'em to the point of exhaustion.

With that being said, aerobic-style workouts don't really need "days of rest" in between, but it never hurts to have a couple off days during the week, right?  As for building muscle, lifting weights, intense training, etc., I like to take 6 to 7 days off between working that same muscle again.  For optimal gains, even if I was in a big rush, I still wouldn't want to take any less than 4 or 5 days off, but that's just my opinion; cheers!

Image Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:African_Lion_Resting_at_the_Entebbe_Zoo_in_Uganda.jpg

---End of Post "How many days of rest should you allow for building muscle?"

Related Post:
http://health-fitness-guru.blogspot.com/2010/12/gain-mass-dont-overtrain-your-muscles.html

Recent Post:
http://health-fitness-guru.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-reason-pork-rinds-skins-are-not.html

Does Vitamin C help with Muscle Soreness?

Now here is another debatable subject in the health & fitness genre...  Does the antioxidant properties of the beloved Vitamin C really have much impact when concerning muscle soreness?  I suppose the best answer may be:  "It couldn't hurt."

Before we go any further, there are now major debates and issues with what causes muscle soreness.  Yeah, can you believe that?  Ha!  But seriously, now that many trending scientific articles say that lactic acid isn't to blame for that delayed soreness you feel after an intense workout the next day or even the day after the next, things have gotten a bit complicated and, uh, stupid.

Of course lactic acid buildup would actually cause soreness, but since the lactic acid is said to leave the area quickly after your moments of exertion, they are blaming it mostly on microscopic muscle tears.  This sounds cute and all, but why can you simply get sore from an odd movement, prolonged flexing, or even cramps, for example?  Does that involve microscopic tissue tears?  LOL! Muscular acidosis can occur any time your oxygen is depleted in a certain area of your muscles, but that's another subject.

Before anybody gets their panties in a wad, of course a lot of the soreness comes from muscle tears and strains, whether it is micro or macro in size.  However, to sweep lactic acid under the rug while ignoring all of the other metabolic byproducts that occur at the scene of stress during strenuous exercise, is a bit ignorant to say the least.  At any rate, let's just drop the whole "what causes muscle soreness?" debate, and quickly move right through this Vitamin C craze.

In a thumbnail, Vitamin C can help pull out some of the acid buildup and byproducts that puddle around the strained muscles in question.  It is no miracle cure or anything, but there is some evidence that shows it could help.  The inflammation and tissue damage that occurs is a good thing, though, if you plan on building bigger muscles.  As you should all know, your muscles grow while resting, not when getting worked and/or stripped down during intense exercise. I've read some scientific evidence before that states that taking too many anti-inflammatory substances to combat muscle soreness may actually hinder the recovery process.  Hey, what's that old adage again: "No pain; no gain!"  Anyway...

Vitamin C can also help build collagen, which is very important for the repair of connective tissues, muscles, etc.  In fact, if you don't believe me, perform a quick web search with the keywords "collagen helps build muscles" or "how exercising produces collagen" or "vitamin c helps build collagen," and so on.

I may have slightly gotten off topic here, but the point is, Vitamin C definitely doesn't hurt anything when concerning muscle soreness and the recovery process. 

Image Credit/Source:
http://health-fitness-guru.blogspot.com/2014/12/grapefruit-is-not-good-for-detox-or.html

End of Post "Does Vitamin C help with Muscle Soreness?"

Random Health & Fitness Posts:

* http://health-fitness-guru.blogspot.com/2010/11/creatine-is-waste-of-money-for-most.html
* http://health-fitness-guru.blogspot.com/2010/11/methods-for-building-powerful-forearms.html
* http://health-fitness-guru.blogspot.com/2010/11/mystery-of-muscle-memory.html

Eating every 3 hours is not required for Bodybuilding

This particular 'frequent eating for bodybuilding' subject has really gained momentum over the last few years.  I'm not exactly sure why, but, like most things, it has probably propagated online more than anywhere else.

At any gluttonous rate, there are some pros to eating smaller, more frequent meals for some folks. Will it ultimately lead to enhanced muscle growth?  Not normally.  I'm yet to see any conclusive evidence that proves that eating protein (or whatever) every 3 hours is required for enhanced muscle growth, when compared to the traditional 3 meals a day - with or without a few snacks.

Two primary food-related things to factor in outside of your exercise regimen for the semi-normal person that isn't taking steroids and/or growth hormones:  1) Total caloric intake 2) Quality protein intake

3 meals of the same caloric value as 6, 7, or 8 meals shouldn't make a difference when concerning muscle growth and/or bodybuilding.  Since protein is overrated, it shouldn't be hard for a human being living in the 21st century to find enough quality protein with 3 fairly balanced meals per day.  However, since the body can only process so much protein at once, it would be a good idea to somewhat spread it out as opposed to consuming 90% of your protein in one meal.  You know, common sense can go a long way; ha!

Perhaps where this "eating every 3 hours is required for building massive muscles" thing gets more credit, is from the steroid-abusing bodybuilding freaks that inject "juice," workout constantly and eat all day to achieve monster status.  If that is your goal, then please ignore this common sense post.  I'm not about to type out a long post about the dangers of PEDs (performance enhancing drugs) or steroids, etc.  It is your body and it is up to you to decide on how you want to tax it.  And no, I'm not talking about natural supplements like Force Factor - Natural Testosterone Boosters. On the other hand, I did once write a post about alcohol abuse and how to combat the withdrawal symptoms.

In conclusion, this post was merely written in an opinion-style and didn't really provide scientific evidence for or against frequent eating for enhanced muscle gains. However, I have read numerous scientific pages and claims from both sides in the past, and my opinion still stands.  On the other hand, if you think that you have a valid point in favor for eating every three hours and really believe that it's required for ultimate bodybuilding, feel free to share your comments below; cheers!

If not, here is another debatable subject:
http://health-fitness-guru.blogspot.com/2012/10/working-out-your-lower-body-to-build.html

Image Credit: Public Domain - Wikimedia Commons

---End of Post "Eating every 3 hours is not required for Bodybuilding"

Random Post:
http://health-fitness-guru.blogspot.com/2011/05/peaked-stuck-leveled-out-in-progress.html

Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs) - Do they really have any negative impact on human health?

A long while back I was reading an article about perfluorinated compounds. Within that health-related post, they mentioned that researchers from Denmark think that chemicals used (PFCs) to keep stuff grease-free and stain-free could be predisposing children to metabolic disorders later in life.
PFCs are everywhere, evidently, and are not limited to food packaging like you find with microwave popcorn bags, etc. Here is a quote from the page that I was recently reading: "...they keep your upholstered furniture and carpets stain-repellant and water-repellant and your drapes wrinkle-free. The chemicals serve the same function on permanent-press clothing and any outerwear, backpacks or other accessories that are advertised as water-repellent. While you'll wind up eating PFCs that are used in food packaging, you'll most likely inhale PFCs in all the other applications listed, since the chemicals bind to dust floating around your home." Source = healthyliving.msn.com/pregnancy-parenting/kids-health/harmful-food-packaging-putting-kids-at-risk [link is no longer active]

On the other hand, after reading more about the recent study they mentioned, it made me less sure if the perfluorinated compounds really have any negative impact on human health. I mean, they were basically using overweight kids to prove their point. Yet, within that study, they plainly said that normal-weight kids that had high levels of PFCs in their body didn't show any ill effects. WTF? In conclusion, they assume that people who are already overweight would be more sensitive to these supposedly dangerous PFCs. Once again, WTF?

Now, what does seem to suck, is that it takes humans much longer to rid their self of the PFCs than it would for animals out in the wild, lab rats, etc. In fact, it takes several years for a typical humanoid to flush their current PFCs out of their biological system that they often refer to as a body. If you'd like to read more about that subject, go here: www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/half-life-of-perfluorooctanesulfonate-perfluorohexanesulfonate-and-perfluorooctanoate-in-retired-fluorochemical-workers-olsen-et-al/ (link is no longer active)

If you'd like to read another negative article about perfluorinated compounds, go here: pollutioninpeople.org/toxics/pfcs (Hmm, this link is also no longer active, as well. Really? Did those websites succumb to PFCs??? I thought perfluorinated compounds possibly had a negative health impact on humans, not websites! Ha!)

Now, here is where the "do they really have any negative impact on human health?" part of this post begins. What about the retired workers from places that manufacture stuff that is loaded with PFCs? You'd think they would have never lived to retirement age and/or would have all dropped dead by now or had severe problems if these particular chemical compounds were highly hazardous to human health, wouldn't ya say? Well, apparently not, since many of them are totally healthy. Could this latest PFC scare tactic all be a lie or simply some hyped-up hulajula mawktooey hoopla and ballyhoo? Either way, feel free to go visit an article about another study concerning this subject, except this one says that PFCs have no negative impact on human health: solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/PFOS/PFOA/Information/Health-Environment/ [link is no longer valid - who would have thought?]

At any rate, I'm getting tired of these studies that are constantly picking on my damn microwave popcorn! LOL!

---End of Post "Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs) - Do they really have any negative impact on human health?"

Semi-related Post: Worried about Popcorn Lung?

Will chocolate pills (Cocoa Extract) be the next health craze in the future?

Side Note:  This post is about 10 months old, as I recently moved it to this Health & Fitness Blog from another location/website.  Anyway...

In today's 'health supplement' market, you never know which supplement will really hit the floor running until after the commercial hype turns into a trending craze. In the past, one of the biggest pills to take the market by storm was the fish oil supplements. Like fish oil, these chocolate pills are also going to be aimed at cardiovascular and heart health. Numerous studies are underway, of course, so expect to see these cocoa extracts and/or chocolate pills explode in the coming years.

"The study will be the first large test of cocoa flavanols, which in previous smaller studies improved blood pressure, cholesterol, the body's use of insulin, artery health and other heart-related factors." Read more about the potential use of chocolate pills, here: news.msn.com/science-technology/study-to-test-chocolate-pills-for-heart-health [URL is no longer valid]

Personally, I'm not that impressed that they found a way to extract the goodness of chocolate into a mega dose and/or high-concentration pill form. Like most of y'all, I also already knew that chocolate was good for you; duh! Dark chocolate has the most health benefits, of course, but I'd much rather have it in the candy bar/brownie format; ha!

What I'm leery about is this "mega-dose" craze. Many studies of the past have shown that basically mega anything either has no additional benefits or, in some cases, causes more harm than good. For example, a lot of people now think that extremely high doses of antioxidants that you'd find in certain supplements actually raises your risk for cancer and/or causes it. As always, moderation wins again. The bottom line is, unless they find chocolate (cocoa extract) pills to be a good drug-replacement therapy for heart patients (or something along those lines), it will be nothing more than marketing hype. Simply eating dark chocolate on a regular basis should provide all the health benefits from this substance your body needs without expensive chocolate pills.

Update (3/27/2022): Well, it has been nearly 7 years since I posted this, and today I stumbled upon yet another article about this potential chocolate supplement craze. Just to give a quick quote from a post on msn.com: "In the study, published earlier this month in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers examined more than 20,000 U.S. adults ages 60 and up, following up after several years, supplementing some participants' diets with cocoa extract. Those who received the supplement were significantly less likely to die of cardiovascular disease. "We found that cocoa flavanol supplementation may reduce clinical cardiovascular events, including a statistically significant 27% reduction in cardiovascular disease death," study author Howard D. Sesso, ScD, MPH, says." https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nutrition/the-surprising-effect-of-eating-chocolate-new-study-suggests/ [link is no longer active]

Anyway, the point of this update is to show that after all of these years, it is STILL in the works and/or being studied, talked about, etc. I originally spoke about the potential for chocolate pills becoming the next health craze in the future, albeit the concepts never made very much sense to me. I mean, why not just eat it, instead? Nearly everybody likes chocolate! Okay, the sugar... Yeah, but no! Ha! Yeah, milk chocolate isn't as healthy, but most people think it tastes way better than dark chocolate. However, since dark chocolate is mainly recognized for having the most health benefits as opposed to the more commonly consumed milk chocolate, I suppose they will eventually meet in the middle and start promoting a Cocoa Extract via supplements (pills). In my opinion, though, that is a waste of chocolate. Plus, isn't chocolate rumored to possibly go extinct in a few decades? I hope not! Either way, some things are just better consumed the natural way as opposed to extracts, supplements, etc. 

---End of Update

Update #2 (12-7-2024): Wow! I just checked Amazon.com, and they currently have this stuff. The product description is as follows: "CocoaVia - Cardio Health Supplement, 30 Day, 500mg Cocoa Flavanols, Support Heart Health, Boost Nitric Oxide, Blood Circulation, Energy, Vegan, Dark Chocolate, 60 Capsules" - all for $44.99 (plus tax) which would equal about 50 bucks! Holy crap! I could buy a lot of chocolate for 50 dollars and enjoy eating it, too. I wondered when these products would start popping up. Anyway... ---End of Update #2

---End of Post "Will chocolate pills (Cocoa Extract) be the next health craze in the future?"

Drinking Alcohol helps combat Food Poisoning

Instead of the usual negative posts you read about alcohol from the Internet, I thought I'd change it up a bit and actually write something good about alcohol. I've known about this for a long while, which is the fact that drinking booze just before a meal actually helps combat food poisoning. Now, don't go out and try to get food poisoning just to test this theory; ha! I'm not sure what the current research says about why this is true, but in the past, it had something to do with alcohol breaking down the cellular membranes of certain types of bacteria and whatnot, that would then allow your stomach acid to kill the rest of it. Research has also demonstrated the ability of alcohol to kill salmonella, shigella and E-coli in the laboratory. One would have to drink a few drinks, though, and just sipping on a couple of light beers would most likely not be enough.

The research for the effects of alcohol being able to combat food poisoning most likely spawned from large crowds of people at restaurants that had an outbreak of food poisoning. People began to notice that the ones drinking alcohol prior to the poisoned food, were less likely to become ill. This is easily witnessed when everybody at the table is eating the same food, with the only variable being alcohol. You can check online for more resources, if you like. I didn't check for additional sources because this is a well-established fact. The first page I read the other day that was related to this subject, is located here: www2.potsdam.edu/alcohol/HealthIssues/1110384069.html [link is no longer active]

If you'd rather read about the health benefits of beer & alcohol, go here:
perpendicularity.org/blog/2010/05/04/health-benefits-of-beer-alcohol-cheers/ [Link is no longer active, but you can now find that post, here: "Health Benefits of Beer & Alcohol"]

---End of Post "Drinking Alcohol helps combat Food Poisoning"

Semi-related Post:  Natural ways to combat symptoms of alcohol withdrawal

Bench Shirts and Excessive Gear has ruined the concept of Bench Pressing

Over the last few years, I have witnessed the glorious bench press competitions turn into a freakish event that looks more like a clip from a movie that features a cyborg version of an armored Frankenstein trying to pump iron. I mean, for the ones that don't know, the bench shirts are strapped on so tight and act as a spring of some sorts, that if you master the technique, they can actually add a few hundred pounds to your bench press. Is that fair? Does it boil down to who has the best bench shirt wins?

The rules obviously don't apply in most of these competitions or claims or displays via YouTube, and I've seen people with their back arched so high that their butt doesn't even touch the bench. The last time I checked, bench pressing was about lifting weights, not about how close you can get your ass to your shoulder blades! Many of these people are so jacked up with equipment/excessive gear and upper body apparatuses (bench shirts), that they look like a freakish padded warrior that can't even put their arms down (due to the advantageous bench shirt) while walking to the damn bench. I just seen a person lift an enormous amount of weight without even bending his elbows. How does that count? The spotters lifted the weight down for him, then he lowered it a couple inches and rolled/squirmed it back to the spotters and they called that a bench press even though he never pressed anything!

At any feign rate of lifting, I just think this sport/competition has turned into a complete joke. Unless it is raw/natural with no equipment involved whatsoever and no spotters that help you lift it off the bench for you, it shouldn't count, period! If you need excessive gear, pads, supports, braces, tightly strapped upper body apparatuses and additional people just to perform YOUR bench press, you need to find another hobby or at the very least, quit claiming to lift several hundreds of pounds more than you can actually lift yourself!

Besides, the short-armed wide gripped tactic that involves the arched spring method is basically 80% technique and 20% strength. At one time, the bench press was one of the standard measures of strength, but now, going by what I've seen during the last few years, it means absolutely nothing!

Related Links to further your reading:
* The 1,000-pound bench press. (slate.com)
* forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=146545& [Link is no longer active]
* health-fitness-guru.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-to-estimate-your-max-bench-press.html

---End of Post "Bench Shirts and Excessive Gear has ruined the concept of Bench Pressing"


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The Reason Pork Rinds / Skins are Not a Significant Source of Protein

I'm sure most of you that has ever consumed store-bought pork rinds have seen the following under the nutritional label: "Not a Significant Source of Protein." Even though they may list 6 or 8 grams of protein or whatever, they will say that it is not a significant source. A long while back, possibly before the Internet, I remember reading about the source of protein in these pig skins. If I recall correctly, the protein actually comes from the structure of each hair follicle within the skin, hence its insignificance. It is not a protein that the body uses very effectively nor is it a balanced full chain of amino acids nor does it have enough value to even be called a partial source of amino acids.

It is somewhat trivial, though. I mean, who in the hell is going to try to live off of freakin' pork rinds? It is like, "Hey, my new diet consists of pork skins and water. Here's another pig skin to good health; cheers!" LOL! But anyway, the Internet is full of preposterous ideas when concerning this subject. In fact, some idiots, oops, I mean folks, actually think that the label is wrong and that pork rinds are actually a fair source of protein.

Out of all the pages I looked at online, I only found two statements on two separate forums that was halfway accurate. One of them said that pork rinds are not used by the human body, albeit even that isn't correct! They have a lot of selenium, trace elements, etc., and they are a source of energy/calories. One of the best comments was on a bodybuilding forum, in which this was stated: "The type of protein in pork skins is called collagen, the same substance found in hair, fingernails, and hooves. Its bioavailability is almost non-existent, hence the statement on the package." You can read more from that forum, here: forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=848935&page=1

But just calling it collagen doesn't really answer the question for most people. Collagen is very important to the human body and the protein structures therein. Collagen is also essential to the function of connective tissues. However, your body supposed to make this. In fact, Vitamin C plays an important role in the production of collagen, but that's another subject entirely. On the other hand, if you can understand that eating hair and fingernails would not be a significant source of protein, you will start getting a better idea of what's going on here.

After skimming through the World Wide Web, I like the more succinct answer that I've known for many years (the one stated in the first paragraph) much better than all the senseless chatter I had to endure while perusing random websites. At any swine-filled rate, I like store-bought pork skins on occasions, but I've never had the chance to eat the rinds that were fresh from the farm; cheers!

---End of Post "The Reason Pork Rinds / Skins are Not a Significant Source of Protein"

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