Echinacea is marketed as a remedy to help cold suffers get over their colds quicker and ease cold symptoms. However, a new study shows that echinacea is not likely to ease one's cold.
Americans spend billions on cold remedies, including Echinacea. Research shows that people who took Echinacea may have lessened the cold by a half a day and had only slightly milder symptoms. The researchers opine that this limited relief may be a chance occurrence.
My suggestion, instead of echinacea, take in more fluids and get more rest when a cold arrives.
GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law
Sunday, February 27, 2011
GREGORY CHANDLER, ATTORNEY AT LAW, ON TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS
Most bodybuilders look for a safe, healthy, and legal way to boost testosterone. One substance used to increase testosterone is tribulus terrestris. Tribulus terrestris, also known as the puncture vine plant, contains a powerful element that may help the body increase its own ability to produce testosterone naturally.
Studies indicate that tribulus terrestris can increase the body's production of luteinizing hormone (LH) by as much as 70%. LH, in turn, stimulates the Leydig cells of the male testicles to release testosterone. This process may elevate testosterone production by as much as 40%.
Tribulus terrestris may be found in stores that sell bodybuilding supplements.
GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law
Studies indicate that tribulus terrestris can increase the body's production of luteinizing hormone (LH) by as much as 70%. LH, in turn, stimulates the Leydig cells of the male testicles to release testosterone. This process may elevate testosterone production by as much as 40%.
Tribulus terrestris may be found in stores that sell bodybuilding supplements.
GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law
Attorney Gregory Chandler on Nitric Oxide Boosters
Many health enthusiasts know about the role of nitric oxide in maintaining a healthy body. Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous substance that has a critical role in the body as a vasodilator of blood vessels. It is well known that increasing the bioavailability of NO improves vasodilation and blood pressure. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that nutritional manipulation of NO can improve other aspects of oxygen kinetics and even exercise performance.
The key ingredient in NO boosters is L-arginine. L-arginine is the rate-limiting amino acid required for NO synthesis. Studies have shown that when large doses of L-arginine are ingested or infused directly into a blood vessel, there is a positive effect on increasing vascular function. Building on this information, researches hypothesized that L-arginine supplementation would improve exercise efficiency and enhance performance. Healthy men performed an exercise test on a cycle on two occasions. During one trial, the men consumed 6 grams of L-arginine. During the second trial, the men consumed a placebo.
One hour after taking the L-arginine and the placebo, subjects performed an incremental exercise test to exhaustion. The primary finding was that L-arginine supplementation reduced the amount of oxygen required to perform exercise. This means that individuals accomplished the same exercise load, but with less energy expended. In other words they were more efficient after supplementing with L-arginine. L-arginine supplementation also increased time to exhaustion by 26% during high intensity cycling.
These findings provide evidence that L-arginine supplementation (6 grams in a single dose) improves exercise efficiency and tolerance.
GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law
The key ingredient in NO boosters is L-arginine. L-arginine is the rate-limiting amino acid required for NO synthesis. Studies have shown that when large doses of L-arginine are ingested or infused directly into a blood vessel, there is a positive effect on increasing vascular function. Building on this information, researches hypothesized that L-arginine supplementation would improve exercise efficiency and enhance performance. Healthy men performed an exercise test on a cycle on two occasions. During one trial, the men consumed 6 grams of L-arginine. During the second trial, the men consumed a placebo.
One hour after taking the L-arginine and the placebo, subjects performed an incremental exercise test to exhaustion. The primary finding was that L-arginine supplementation reduced the amount of oxygen required to perform exercise. This means that individuals accomplished the same exercise load, but with less energy expended. In other words they were more efficient after supplementing with L-arginine. L-arginine supplementation also increased time to exhaustion by 26% during high intensity cycling.
These findings provide evidence that L-arginine supplementation (6 grams in a single dose) improves exercise efficiency and tolerance.
GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law
Monday, February 21, 2011
Attorney Gregory Chandler on Alcohol and Congeners
Yesterday, I wrote about alcohol and fitness. Perhaps I am in an alcohol mood because I write about alcohol again today.
When drinking alcohol remember the darker the alcohol; the more intense is the hangover.
Brownish liquors, such as whiskeys or dark rum, contain greater amounts of congeners. Congeners are substances that occur naturally or are added to liquor. Congeners, some of which are toxic, contribute to the liquor's taste, color, and odor. A problem is that congeners can also interfere with cell function. The cell function is what causes the headaches and upset stomach.
The bottom line is that lighter-colored types of alcohol tend to allow one to avoid what is called a hangover.
GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law
When drinking alcohol remember the darker the alcohol; the more intense is the hangover.
Brownish liquors, such as whiskeys or dark rum, contain greater amounts of congeners. Congeners are substances that occur naturally or are added to liquor. Congeners, some of which are toxic, contribute to the liquor's taste, color, and odor. A problem is that congeners can also interfere with cell function. The cell function is what causes the headaches and upset stomach.
The bottom line is that lighter-colored types of alcohol tend to allow one to avoid what is called a hangover.
GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law
Sunday, February 20, 2011
ATTORNEY GREGORY CHANDLER ON ALCOHOL AND FITNESS
I was lecturing a group of new Army recruits at Fort Jackson, South Carolina about the dangers of alcohol abuse. I had intended to limits my remarks to the legal ramifications of underage drinking in the military. Halfway through my lecture, I decided to raise the fact that the over consumption of alcohol impairs fitness.
It is a scientific fact that the heavy drinking of alcohol limits ones ability to stay in good physical condition. Researchers recently published a study to determine the effects of chronic alcohol ingestion on androgen-receptor content during resistance training. (The androgen-receptor is thought to control amino acid uptake and muscle protein synthesis.) Although the studies were performed on rats, it clearly showed that ingesting approximately one-third of daily calories as alcohol reduced the androgen-receptor content of fast-twitch muscle fibers (despite resistance training) and prevented the training-induced increase in androgen-receptor content of slow-twitch fibers. The conclusion is, like the alcohol-laden rodents, if you drink too much alcohol, no matter how much you lift, you will not reach your fitness goals.
While there are certain health benefits to consumption of alcohol (especially certain types of red wine), moderation is the key. If fitness is your goal, keep the intake of alcoholic drinks to no more than two regular sized servings of alcohol per day.
GREGORY CHANDLER
Colonel, US Army Reserve
It is a scientific fact that the heavy drinking of alcohol limits ones ability to stay in good physical condition. Researchers recently published a study to determine the effects of chronic alcohol ingestion on androgen-receptor content during resistance training. (The androgen-receptor is thought to control amino acid uptake and muscle protein synthesis.) Although the studies were performed on rats, it clearly showed that ingesting approximately one-third of daily calories as alcohol reduced the androgen-receptor content of fast-twitch muscle fibers (despite resistance training) and prevented the training-induced increase in androgen-receptor content of slow-twitch fibers. The conclusion is, like the alcohol-laden rodents, if you drink too much alcohol, no matter how much you lift, you will not reach your fitness goals.
While there are certain health benefits to consumption of alcohol (especially certain types of red wine), moderation is the key. If fitness is your goal, keep the intake of alcoholic drinks to no more than two regular sized servings of alcohol per day.
GREGORY CHANDLER
Colonel, US Army Reserve
ATTORNEY GREGORY CHANDLER - EYE HEALTH
Eye health should be a concern to all. An individual may or may not want a body builder's physique, but all persons with sight should work towards eye health.
Several new studies reveal that lutein, vitamin A, and omega-3s promote eye health. In a lutein study, 225 nonsmokers with a progressive blindness disease (retinitis pigmentosa), aged 18 to 60, took 12 mg of lutein per day or a placebo, along with 15,000 IU of vitamin A palmitate. After four years, those in the lutein group had less loss of mid-peripheral vision compared to the placebo group. Lutein, a natural plant-based yellow carotenoid, increased pigment levels in the macula of the eye. Those with the greatest increase in pigment had the slowest decline in vision.
In an eye disease study, researchers measured fats in the diets of 6,734 older adults. those who consumed the most trans fats (hydrogenated oils) were 76 % more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD) than those who consumed the least. For omega-3s, chances were 15 % lower, and for olive oil, 52% lower.
In another AMD study, doctors measured the diets and signs of early stage AMD in 2,454 older adults, and followed up for 10 years. Those who ate one serving of fish per week, took omega-3 fatty acid supplements or ate one to two servings of nuts per week were up to 35 % less likely to develop early AMD compared to those who did not. In general, those who consumed lower than average levels of the omega-6 linoleic acid, were non-smokers, had a higher ratio of HDL (the "good" cholesterol) to total cholesterol, or who consumed more beta-carotene than average, were least likely to develop early AMD. Doctors have opined that balancing nutrients promotes eye health.
GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law
Several new studies reveal that lutein, vitamin A, and omega-3s promote eye health. In a lutein study, 225 nonsmokers with a progressive blindness disease (retinitis pigmentosa), aged 18 to 60, took 12 mg of lutein per day or a placebo, along with 15,000 IU of vitamin A palmitate. After four years, those in the lutein group had less loss of mid-peripheral vision compared to the placebo group. Lutein, a natural plant-based yellow carotenoid, increased pigment levels in the macula of the eye. Those with the greatest increase in pigment had the slowest decline in vision.
In an eye disease study, researchers measured fats in the diets of 6,734 older adults. those who consumed the most trans fats (hydrogenated oils) were 76 % more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD) than those who consumed the least. For omega-3s, chances were 15 % lower, and for olive oil, 52% lower.
In another AMD study, doctors measured the diets and signs of early stage AMD in 2,454 older adults, and followed up for 10 years. Those who ate one serving of fish per week, took omega-3 fatty acid supplements or ate one to two servings of nuts per week were up to 35 % less likely to develop early AMD compared to those who did not. In general, those who consumed lower than average levels of the omega-6 linoleic acid, were non-smokers, had a higher ratio of HDL (the "good" cholesterol) to total cholesterol, or who consumed more beta-carotene than average, were least likely to develop early AMD. Doctors have opined that balancing nutrients promotes eye health.
GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law
Saturday, February 19, 2011
ZMA BY GREGORY CHANDLER, ATTORNEY AT LAW
Besides training and dieting, boosting your body's anabolic hormone levels is the fastest way to increase muscle mass. Unfortunately, doing so by taking anabolic hormones as drugs increases the risk of cancer, heart disease and other ailments, so improving levels of anabolic hormones by correcting common mineral deficiencies is being explored by scientists as a healthier alternative.
By taking blood tests of top competitive athletes, Victor Conte of Balco Laboratories in Burlingame, California, found that a surprising number of athletes had below-optimal levels of magnesium and zinc--minerals that are essential for performance and anabolic hormone production. Some may remember Conte for his association with Barry Bonds, formerly of the San Francisco Giants.
As a result, Conte developed a rather superior zinc and magnesium supplement called ZMA. ZMA contains zinc monomethionine, magnesium aspartate, and vitamin B-6. ZMA was tested on football players at Western Washington University by Lora Brilla, Ph.D. ZMA increased both anabolic hormone levels (testosterone and IGF-1) and performance of bodybuilding exercises (leg curls and leg extensions). ZMA is almost certainly advisable for bodybuilders, male and female, owing to their active lifestyle and similar dietary requirements for these essential minerals.
I suggest taking three capsules of ZMA at bedtime with water. If you also take dairy products before bedtime, I would recommend that you separate the dairy products and the ZMA by at least 30 minutes. This is because the calcium in the dairy products tends to limit the effectiveness of the ZMA.
GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law
By taking blood tests of top competitive athletes, Victor Conte of Balco Laboratories in Burlingame, California, found that a surprising number of athletes had below-optimal levels of magnesium and zinc--minerals that are essential for performance and anabolic hormone production. Some may remember Conte for his association with Barry Bonds, formerly of the San Francisco Giants.
As a result, Conte developed a rather superior zinc and magnesium supplement called ZMA. ZMA contains zinc monomethionine, magnesium aspartate, and vitamin B-6. ZMA was tested on football players at Western Washington University by Lora Brilla, Ph.D. ZMA increased both anabolic hormone levels (testosterone and IGF-1) and performance of bodybuilding exercises (leg curls and leg extensions). ZMA is almost certainly advisable for bodybuilders, male and female, owing to their active lifestyle and similar dietary requirements for these essential minerals.
I suggest taking three capsules of ZMA at bedtime with water. If you also take dairy products before bedtime, I would recommend that you separate the dairy products and the ZMA by at least 30 minutes. This is because the calcium in the dairy products tends to limit the effectiveness of the ZMA.
GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law
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