Gregory Chandler on Omega-9 Fatty Acids

I often blog about omega-3 fatty acids.  My amount of my discussions about omega-3 fatty acids are because omega-3 fatty acids are the most critical of the omega fatty acids.  I, however, do not blog as much about omega-9 fatty acids.

Omega-9 fatty acids help lower the risk of cancer and heart disease.  Omega-9 fatty acids also have anti-inflammatory properties that enhance joint healing.  Olive oil is a good source of omega-9 fatty acids.  If you prefer omega-9s in supplement form, one can purchase omega-9 at a health food store.  The supplement form will often have omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 as a combination. 

Gregory Chandler  

Gregory Chandler on Gamma Linolenic Acid

Most individuals are deficient in Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA).  This deficiency is because many food oils are hydrogenated.  Hydrogenation is a process that inhibits the conversion of linoleic acid to GLA.  Since GLA is the precursor for many beneficial prostaglandins, having an inadequate supply of GLA production results in inadequate prostaglandin production.  The result is that muscle growth is inhibited.

GLA supplementation can come from borage oil, black current seed oil, or evening primrose oil. 

GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law

Gregory Chandler-Chromium Picolinate

Insulin is a powerful anabolic.  In fact, some have been known to ingest insulin, without a medical need, for its anabolic benefits.

It is suggested that one stimulate insulin rather than taking insulin when there is no medical need for taking insulin. 

Chromium picolinate helps to regulate the actions of insulin.  Due to this stimulation of insulin, chromium supplements help maintain blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Gregory Chandler, Attorney at Law 

Gregory Chandler-Echinacea and Weight Gain

Some individuals seek an increased appetite for purposes of gaining weight.  Many researchers opine that echinacea is helpful to boost appetite.  Echinacea contains active compounds called alkylamides, which interact with receptors in the brain that are involved in appetite control.  When the compounds are bound to the receptors, they increase hunger.

It is advised that one take 800 to 1,200 mg of echinacea immediately before meals for up to 8 g per day. 

Gregory Chandler, Attorney at Law

Gregory Chandler--Sunscreens: The New Standards

Mid-Summer is here.  There is still a need to protect against sun damage.  

New FDA regulations require sunscreen manufactures to prove their products protect against both UVA and UVB radiation. 

Of the two, exposure to excessive amounts of UVA is more harmful to the skin. UVA rays can pass through clothing and penetrate more deeply into the skin.  The result is a greater
risk of skin cancer and sun-related aging.  UVB radiation is more responsible for sunburn. 

Prior to the new FDA regulations, some products had little UVA protections.  The result is that sunscreen uses were staying in the sun longer and risking UVA exposure because they were not
getting burned due to UVB protection. 

Sunscreen products that pass the new standards can claim
"broad spectrum status" and protection against skin cancer and
sun-related aging.  Sunscreens also may claim to be water-resistant, not waterproof, for 40 minutes to 80 minutes. 


GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law

Gregory Chandler on Vinegar

Vinegar has multiple uses, from food to use as a cleaner.  When you choose the right vinegar for your cooking, it can add a tangy flavor to a salad, tenderize meat, or pickle and preserve foods. 

The word vinegar comes from an old French word vinaigre, which means sour wine.  Vinegar is made by fermenting ethanol to acetic acid. 

Many recipes call for specific types of vinegar that are readily available.  The most common vinegars include apple cider, balsamic, champagne, malt, red wine, white, and white wine. 

Gregory Chandler, Attorney at Law 

GREGORY CHANDLER ON CHOLINE

Choline is the precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which carries messages to and from nerves and is important for memory.  In addition, choline plays a vital role in keeping cell membranes functioning properly.  Membranes must have a certain amount of flexibility to allow nutrients to flow in and the body's waste to flow out.  

Choline also plays a role in reducing inflammation.  Inflammation contributes to numerous diseases and disabilities.

Supplemental choline comes in the form of lecithin, phosphtidylcholine, glycerophosphocholine, and citicoline.  

Gregory Chandler, Attorney at Law

Gregory Chandler on Kinesiology Tape

Viewers of the London 2012 Olympic Games cannot help but notice the substantial amount of unusual tape on many athletes.  The tape is called kinesiology tape (KT).  After reviewing several scholarly articles, the conclusion is that KT provides no substantial benefit to an individual when it is simply placed on the body.  

Athletes have long used athletic tape for matters such as body compression, impact protection, and joint control.  This type of tape continues to have benefits.  I notice that many divers at the 2012 Olympic Games use athletic tape for protection from the impact of a dive.   

KT may, however, have a placebo benefit.  Nonetheless, there is little evidence that KT benefits an athlete other than a placebo benefit.  

Gregory Chandler

Gregory Chandler on Carnosine

Carnosine is a dipeptide composed of two amino acids, beta-alanine and L-histadine.  Studies have shown that with supplementation of beta-alanine and L-histadine, carnosine levels increase in as little as four weeks, and can increase by 80 percent after 10 weeks of supplementation.  Carnosine is a regulator of intracellular pH levels, keeping the body functioning well. 

Studies also show that carnosine is a strong antioxidant, slows the aging process, and reduces delayed onset muscle soreness. 

GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law

Gregory Chandler on D-Aspartic Acid

Many seek supplements that are thought to boost testosterone.  One supplement thought to increase
testosterone levels is D-aspartic acid.  D-aspartic acid is thought to promote testosterone by encouraging the Leydig cells in males to increase testosterone.

Gregory Chandler

Gregory Chandler-Capsaicin

Capsaicin is thought to be a fat burner.  For that reason, many thermogenics have been using capsaicin.  I, however, have not seen much research on the position that capsaicin is an effective
fat burner. 

Gregory Chandler, Attorney at Law