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...]
A Comparison of Natural and Drug-Users in Bodybuilding by Jerry Brainum 8/23
Bodybuilding can be divided into two distinct camps: So-called "natural," and drug-using bodybuilders (DUB). The term "natural" refers to those who choose to eschew the use of any pharmacological substance for the purposes of building muscle mass or losing excess body … [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...]
This Spuds for You: The Maligned Potato by Jerry Brainum 2/23
In the 2015 film The Martian, Matt Damon portrays an astronaut who is alone on Mars and runs out of food. Every type of food that he attempts to grow or cultivate fails in the hostile environment of Mars due to a lack of water and fertile ground. Damon is about to give … [Read more...]
Food Versus Supplements by Jerry Brainum 12/22
Food supplements are a big business. Billions are made every year on the sale of various food supplements. Yet many health authorities downplay the value of food supplements, saying that they are either not necessary or can be dangerous due to possible toxic effects. That, of … [Read more...]
The Biochemical Benefits of Vegan Diets by Jerry Brainum 10/22
In a previous article in this issue of Applied Metabolics, I discussed whether a person over age 40 can develop muscle while consuming a vegan diet. But that raises the question of why anyone would even consider embarking on a vegan diet. Numerous websites and YouTube … [Read more...]
Whatever Happened to Medium-Chain Triglycerides? by Jerry Brainum 7/22
Back in the 1980s, one of the more popular bodybuilding supplements was medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). I got my introduction to MCT supplements when a well-known trainer in Cincinnati sent me a bottle. Although he sent me a bottle of MCT, he didn't provide precise … [Read more...]
Testosterone and Nutrition by Jerry Brainum 5/22
Testosterone is without a doubt one of the most anabolic hormones in the body. Anabolic steroids, which are known to greatly promote increased muscle mass, are just synthetic analogs of testosterone that have been structurally manipulated to resist premature breakdown … [Read more...]
How Does Nutrition and Exercise Affect Sleep? by Jerry Brainum 1/22
How does a lack of sleep affect exercise and sports performance? And what is the role of diet and nutrition in promoting sleep? The effect of sleep on exercise and sports is paradoxical in that most studies that have examined the effects of sleep deprivation on exercise … [Read more...]
Anti-Nutrients: Are the Concerns Real? by Jerry Brainum 10/21
In 2017, former cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Steven Gundry published a book titled The Plant Paradox: The hidden dangers in "healthy" foods that cause disease and weight gain." The book quickly rose to the top of the best-seller list and convinced many that foods thought to be … [Read more...]