Most people stock their medicine cabinets with vitamin C and B-complex, but minerals like calcium and magnesium deserve equal attention—especially since three-quarters of Americans fail to meet minimum magnesium requirements. The shortfall matters: magnesium deficiency drives … [Read more...]
The Truth about Omega-6 Fatty Acids by Jerry Brainum 4/25
Fat is the most demonized of all nutrients. Most dieticians and other "experts" will tell you that fat is responsible for most cases of obesity and many other health problems, including cardiovascular disease and cancer, the two greatest killers. This makes … [Read more...]
Vegan vs. Omnivore Whole Food Meals: Which is Best for Building Muscle? by Jerry Brainum 4/25
An omnivore is a person or an animal that consumes both plant and animal-based foods. A vegan or vegetarian consumes only plant foods, although several vegetarian nutrition types exist. For example, a strict vegan will only consume plant-based foods without animal food … [Read more...]
Diet and Supplement Secrets of Female Bodybuilders by Jerry Brainum 12/24
Although muscular physiques are usually more associated with men, women can build extensive muscle mass. In my experience of interviewing and writing about countless competitive bodybuilders during my tenure as a magazine writer and editor for major bodybuilding … [Read more...]
Can Vitamins and Minerals Increase Exercise and Sports Performance? by Jerry Brainum 11/24
Most people are reluctant to ingest various food supplements. The common excuse is, "I don't like swallowing pills." Such an attitude is less common among bodybuilders and athletes, who are aware of the importance of optimal nutrition in increasing sports performance … [Read more...]
Another Look at Bodybuilding Peaking Techniques by Jerry Brainum 7/24
Long-time subscribers of Applied Metabolics know that I've written about bodybuilding peaking techniques a few times. This has involved various bodybuilding competitions ranging from elite professional bodybuilding competitors to the newer categories, such as Men's physique … [Read more...]
Bulking and Cutting: Vegans vs.Omnivores by Jerry Brainum 6/24
In the past, vegetarianism was considered a type of fad style of eating, relegated to those who were considered "weirdos." But more recently, vegan diets have come into vogue because of various health benefits attributed to vegan eating styles. This notion is bolstered by … [Read more...]
Why Do Some Supplements Work While Others Don’t? by Jerry Brainum 3/24
If you were to ask most doctors about food supplements, they would suggest avoiding them. Instead, they say you should only obtain all essential nutrients from food sources. And the best way to do that is by consuming what's known as a "balanced diet." The major … [Read more...]
Metabolic Flexibility: Why It’s Important by Jerry Brainum 8/23
Metabolic Flexibility in simple terms refers to an ability to switch to different fuel sources as needed. Having a high degree of metabolic flexibility (MF) provides the advantage of being able to maintain maximal energy during either caloric restriction or excess and also … [Read more...]
The King Of Poisons Is in Your Chicken and Rice by Jerry Brainum 5/23
Many people assume because something is "natural" that is must be safe and beneficial for you. But the truth is that countless natural substances are anything but safe and beneficial. A good example of this is arsenic, a well-known poison that has played a significant role in … [Read more...]