Gregory Chandler - Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack. Bodybuilders, although generally healthy, are often at risk for high cholesterol because such individuals often consume a diet that is high in red meat. High cholesterol is not a disease itself, although it is often treated that way.

If you have high cholesterol, it is important to address it. However, do not think you can prevent the condition just by lowering you numbers. Although high cholesterol is considered to be a total cholesterol reading above 240 mg/dL, anyone who has a total cholesterol of over 200 mg/dL or HDL (good) cholesterol less than 40 should consult a medical doctor to work towards lowering these number to reduce the risk of heart disease.

According to the National Cholesterol Education Program, everyone age 20 and older should have his or her cholesterol levels checked at least once every five years. If an individual notices that his or her total cholesterol or cholesterol ratios are elevated or that they have shifted for the worse, you should be more aggressive in bringing your cholesterol down.

There are methods to improve your cholesterol levels. One should consume a low-fat diet that has less than 30% daily calories from saturated fat. Also helpful is the consumption of adequate amounts of fiber and especially soluble fiber. Food sources of fiber include oatmeal, kidneys beans and apples.

Studies have shown that eating a serving of oatmeal on a regular basis is one of the simplest and most effective ways of lowering LDL, the bad form of cholesterol.


GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law

GREGORY CHANDLER, ATTORNEY AT LAW, SPEAKS ON KRILL OIL

Fish oil supplements are a staple for the health conscious. Fish oil supplements that contain moderate amounts of docasahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentenoic acid (EPA) are extremely helpful for promoting healthy heart, joint and brain function. Fish oil has also been shown to improve cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure.

I use fish oil for joint lubrication. Just think of the function of motor oil in an automobile. The motor oil is used to lubricate the engine parts.

Until recently, the usual source for the omega-3 fats of DHA and EPA were fatty fish, fish oils or cod liver oil. Over the past few years, natural krill oil (NKO) has attracted attention as an alternative to fish oil. NKO contains long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that appear to positively influence the endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are a unique signaling system that controls appetite, pain sensation, mood and memory. NKO is also thought to reduce body fat levels more so than regular fish oil.

A recommended dose is a 300-mg dose of NKO either once or twice per day.

GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law

e-mail attatlawgc@gmail.com

Gregory Chandler - Pumpkins for Iron Pumpers

This is the month of October. Pumpkins are big in October because of the association with Halloween and the Autumn harvest.

Bodybuilders should know that pumpkins are not just for Halloween decoration. Pumpkins are also a healthy vegetable with only 50 calories a cup and high levels of vitamin A (especially pumpkins with dark orange pulp), plus they contain vitamin C, folate, fiber, potassium, and other minerals.

Though all pumpkins are edible, the smallest round varieties--both orange and white--tend to be the sweetest and have the smoothest texture. Of course, those sold as "cooking" or "pie pumpkins" are good for their intended use. The typical jack-o-lantern pumpkin is safe to eat, but it might be tough and stringy, with little flavor.

Many people also cook pumpkin seeds in the fall. Pumpkin pie is a perennial favorite, but the gourd-like squash can also be stuffed, mashed, stewed, pickled, or even substituted for french fries.

GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law

e-mail attatlawgc@gmail.com

GREGORY CHANDLER Estate Planning With Heirs In Mind

A problem with estate planning is the unintentional omission of heirs. For example, a man dies before revising his will. The result is that his assets go to his ex-wife instead of to his current spouse as he intended. While none of us would allow this to happen, we could have other potential horror stories lurking in our own outdated retirement plans.

Retirement plan beneficiary designations should be reviewed annually and updated when there is a significant life event such as a birth, a death, or a divorce. That single designation is more powerful than you might think because it can override the instructions in your will or trust. Your plan administrator is responsible for maintaining these instructions, but paperwork can get lost and what counts is the physical document itself--not an electronic entry on a computer screen. Keep an updated copy with the other important papers your executor will need.

Naming your beneficiary is another important estate-planning consideration. Naming your estate or trust as beneficiary might not be the best choice, because it can force heirs to take taxable distributions they might otherwise defer. Naming a contingent beneficiary can be another important tool. These issues are best discussed with an attorney.

Though updating legal documents and checking your beneficiary designations can be inconvenient, it is not a large amount of work. In addition, it is one more way to provide for
your intended heirs.

GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law

e-mail attatlawgc@gmail.com

Gregory Chandler - SOY PROTEIN IS OKAY FOR MALES

Many male bodybuilders avoid soy protein. Soy protein has been lauded as the only complete plant protein. Many male bodybuilders do not use soy protein because of rumors that it decreases testosterone and consequently inhibits muscle gains.

However, a study in the July 2007 Journal of he International Society of Sports Nutrition shows that soy protein does not decrease testosterone and, in fact, leads to significant increases in lean mass when combined with resistance training. Results of the study showed no differences in sex-hormone levels, percentage of body fat, body-mass index or body weight among men taking 50 grams per day of soy concentrate, soy isolate, soy isolate plus whey, or whey only.

My recommendation is that male bodybuilders should use some soy protein for protein variety.

GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law

e-mail attatlawgc@gmail.com

GREGORY CHANDLER - RETROACTIVE STOP LOSS SPECIAL PAY

The 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act established Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP), providing $500.00 for each month/partial month served in stop loss status. Service members, former service members, and beneficiaries of service members whose service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009 are eligible for RSLSP.

To receive this benefit, those who served under stop loss must submit a claim for the special pay. Throughout the year the armed services have been reaching out to service members, former service members, and their families through direct mail and the media. However, there is still money left to be claimed. The average benefit is $3,700.00.

The DOD web site of http://www.defense.gov/stoploss gives more information and allows one to begin the RSLSP claim process.

THOSE ELIGIBLE MUST SUBMIT A CLAIM BY OCTOBER 21, 2010.

GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law
Colonel, United States Army Reserve

e-mail attatlawgc@gmail.com