Hippocrates, the "Father of Medicine," once famously said that "Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food." Of course, in his time, there were no pharmaceutical drugs available, and those that were ill had no other recourse than to rely on food. But as … [Read more...]
A pro prepares: how one man got in the best shape ever to compete in the Mr.Olympia contest by Jerry Brainum
First, a disclaimer: I do not recommend nor advocate the use of any of the pharmaceutical preparations that are about to be discussed in this article. This information is being supplied for illustrative purposes only. They are part of a program used by one individual, and may not … [Read more...]
Estrogenic compounds in sports supplements: Are you at risk? by Jerry Brainum
Estrogens are often thought of as "female hormones," and in fact, they are responsible for common female physical characteristics, such as increased subcutaneous body fat (fat just under the skin), breasts, and the wider hips on women that provide the … [Read more...]
Kiss your dentist goodbye by Jerry Brainum
She called her program, "The complete mouth care system," since it not only covers teeth and gums but also other problems, such as dry mouth. Using her 4-step program also prevents halitosis, or bad breath, which is epidemic today mainly related to periodontitis, or gum … [Read more...]
How to use nutrition and diet to beat depression by Jerry Brainum
The recent death of comedian and actor, Robin Williams has brought new attention and focus to the problem of mental depression. Williams, who committed suicide at age 63, had suffered from deep mental depression for years, likely related to his history of drug and alcohol … [Read more...]
Digestive enzyme supplements: do you need them, and do they work? by Jerry Brainum
Besides the usual nutritional supplement superstars, such as creatine and whey protein, there are a host of other lesser-known supplements that are often touted for their alleged health benefits. One such supplement is digestive enzyme supplements. They have been around for … [Read more...]
Does creatine cause venous thrombosis?
There's an old saying to the effect that when you get to the top, plenty of people will try to bring you down. This certainly seems to be the case with creatine. Creatine is an amino acid-based compound that is synthesized in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas from the amino acids, … [Read more...]
Preparing for natural bodybuilding competition: A science-based approach
These days, it appears that the term "natural bodybuilding" is an oxymoron. The public concept of bodybuilders, which is most often based on the appearance of professional bodybuilders, is that all are "juiced up" monstrosities, none of whom have any compunction against shooting up … [Read more...]
(Not) fried green anabolic tomatoes and testosterone-boosting bugs
Scientists are constantly searching for substances that are capable of blocking lean mass loss. Loss of lean mass is a serious problem in several medical conditions, including cancer and HIV-wasting diseases. It is also a primary cause of the feebleness and loss of mobility in many … [Read more...]
Are hours of aerobics necessary to promote body fat loss?
Aerobics, you either love it or hate it. For some bodybuilders, aerobic training forms the core of their fat-loss program, especially when preparing for contests. Such training often varies, with some doing about 20 minutes, twice a week, while others do two aerobic sessions a day, … [Read more...]