The Infonian

Nitric Oxide (NO) is a gas that that is important to a broad range of bodily functions including controlling blood circulation and helping to regulate activities of the brain, lungs, kidneys, stomach and plenty more. For the most part it facilitates communications among cells. For bodybuilders, the most interesting process in which NO is involved is the dilation of blood vessels. This is known as vasodilation and that is exactly why you should be interested in NO and what it can do to improve your performance. Vasodilation refers to an increase in the flow of blood through the body, which means faster and more efficient delivery of nutrients like amino acids, creatine, glucose, and oxygen to the muscle fibers. This helps your muscles to grow bigger and recover faster while facilitating the removal of waste products like lactic acid and CO2 that can decrease performance. Greater blood flow also enhances the delivery of anabolic hormones like testosterone, growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I, all of which are important for muscle growth. Other benefits of increased blood flow include reduced inflammation and a bigger and longer-lasting “pump,” too.

In our bodies NO is synthesized by L-arginine by an enzyme called nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). This catalyzes the conversion of L-arginine to nitric oxide and citrulline. Under normal conditions our bodies produce it only in very small amounts-enough to do what needs to be done and that’s it. Production of NO is increased during exercise but not necessarily to the degree that we’d like to see. Some of the numerous benefits of boosting our bodies’ output of nitric oxide include:

Increased vasodilation, which increases blood flow to the skeletal muscles, which improves the transportation of oxygen and the delivery of nutrients to the cells;

Increased strength and improved stamina;

Gains in lean mass;

Enhanced, more rapid muscle recovery;

Improved endurance; and

Extended muscle pump.

Numerous studies such as one conducted at the University of Texas, have shown that supplements can boost the body’s production of nitric oxide more than just exercise alone. Another study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology showed that a pre-workout stack of L-arginine combined with citrulline can boost measurably boost nitric oxide levels. Their research showed that the combination of the two supplements increased nitric oxide levels more than either supplement taken alone.

There are a lot of different NO-boosting supplements on the market. Knowing what was discovered in the British study though, in looking for supplements to boost your NO output, you might want to look for one that contains not only L-arginine but citrulline as well. There are other ways to up your body’s NO production as well including:

Don’t eat fatty foods within four hours of working out: A study conducted at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore showed that high-feat meals hamper the ability of NO to dilate the blood vessels for up to four hours;

Eat watermelon: Several studies such as one conducted at Texas A&M University indicate that watermelon contains NO-boosting molecules;

Eat cocoa: A study conducted at the University of California, Davis showed that cocoa boosts nitric oxide levels. Chocolate contains flavanols that are similar to those found in fruit, red wine and teas. One flavanol in particular though-epicatechin-is directly linked to increases in NO output. A teaspoon or two of cocoa extract is enough to stimulate NO production.

You should also know about a possible side effect. Specific dosing guidelines have not been established so don’t go too overboard supplementing with L-arginine because you might just wind up with a case of diarrhea. It’s not very common but it does happen. If you’re supplementing with L-arginine you should start with a low dosage to understand your body’s tolerances and see if you have any side effects. Increase your dosage until you achieve the optimal balance of maximum benefits/no side effects. Also, remember to consider other supplements that your might be taking because many of them are fortified with amino acids including arginine.

Most of the heavy duty research into the science of muscle growth is relatively new with the majority of the really interesting stuff just happening in the last 10-15 years. The point being that research into the benefits of NO is just really starting to gain ground. I have no doubt that in the next few years we’ll be hearing a lot more about what this amazing molecule can do-not just for the muscles but for the entire body.

Author: Mike Westerdal

People believe that diet pills are just one more source of losing weight. But these are not just one more way of losing weight but way extra than that. Diet pills are considered to a safe way of losing weight as they are not conducted by the Food & Drug Administration. So there is not definite source that information’s that how protected or how unsafe is a diet pill. Moreover, no scientist has done study on these pills yet, so they aren’t considered to be that unsafe by the people. Diet pills aren’t a solution for losing mass. Lots of people also think that if they take diet pills & don’t work out then they would drop weight. But the fact is that the person will not lose mass but instead gain mass because of the lack of proper nutrition & work out. Diet pills aren’t the complete weight loss treatment but a piece of it. Diet pills must be used along with proper nutrition & workout. Pills are not the answer for losing weight but can be used along with the usual solution to increase the weight loss procedure in our body. But the over usage or long term practice of these tablets can result in various negative effects which include heart & liver problems. Some people suggest that tablets are not a good way to lose mass while others say that a person can lose weight extra effectively by using fat burning diet pills. Several diet drugs have been associated with quite harsh side effects in the last era. These negative effects included cancer & heart attacks which effected in thousands of deaths all over the earth. It is always preferable to do a good study over the internet about a particular diet pill, before opting it.

Mass loss researchers have been trying to give proper & up to date data to the people regarding the diet pills & their negative effects. Keeping in mind the negative effects of the viable diet pills, scientists from all over the globe have come up with a extra effective product which is called herbal diet pills. These pills are made from herbs & no chemical is involved in their manufacture. So these pills are liberated from any side effects & people don’t have to fear them before using them for keeping their body fit & healthy.

Author: Francis Adam

OK folks I got this from an EMT(ambulance guy) that had been in the field for 33 years. He was a really cool guy. He said the best thing for cuts, scrapes, burns is Baby Shampoo. It doesn’t sting and washes clean. He had all kinds of cool info.
Without proper electrolyte levels the water you take will not hydrate you but actually pass right through. So it is VERY important for US to keep all in balance.

Electrolyte replacement

1 Liter of water
1/2 teaspoon of salt
4-10 teaspoons of sugar (adjust to taste)
1/4 teaspoon of Calcium Chloride (no salt)
1/4 teaspoon of baking soda[/COLOR]

Drink at least 1 per day if possible

As important as a fitness routine is to your physical health, it’s just as vital to have a “well-being routine” that focuses on your mental health. Being well-rounded physically and mentally can foster balance between your work and personal lives, and help reduce everyday stress.

Stress is a major and growing health concern in America, according to the American Psychological Association (APA). In fact, a third of all Americans say they are extremely stressed, and 77 percent report experiencing physical symptoms associated with stress, according to an APA study.

“Stress is a normal part of life, and small amounts can actually make you stronger physically and mentally,” says Martica Heaner, a health, fitness and wellness expert. “But when stress builds up and becomes overwhelming, it’s time to take action to manage its impact on your life. Looking after yourself by focusing on your wellness is one of the very best ways to take care of what’s on the inside as well as the outside.”

Americans are more focused on overall wellness than ever before, a fact that has not escaped the notice of companies like The Body Shop, Heaner notes. The Body Shop, long recognized as leaders in the naturally inspired beauty industry, recently launched a line of wellbeing products that fit into four key aspects of a wellness regimen – Divine Calm, Total Energy, Deep Sleep and Pure Detox.

Your well-being routine should help you create calm, get adequate rest, re-energize and purify your body, Heiner says.

Creating Calm

* Manage small stressors. Try not to over schedule yourself or constantly react to every demand on your time. For example, rather than constantly checking e-mail throughout the day, schedule a few regular times to do so.

* Give yourself time to do nothing at all. Turn off the TV. Don’t answer the phone. Or soak in a hot bath seasoned with a calm-inspiring bath product. Look for products, like The Body Shop’s Divine Calm line, that incorporate naturally calming ingredients such as French lavender essential oil, camomile and soya milk.

Reaping the Rewards of Rest

* Sleep deprivation can leave you feeling “hung over,” impair you as much as several alcoholic drinks, shorten your attention span, make you feel sluggish and even cause you to overeat.

* Follow a calming routine prior to bedtime. Incorporate some pampering in your routine, such as a relaxing shower, soothing moisturizer and a spritz of calming scent in the room, on your pillow or bed sheets. The Body Shop’s new Wellbeing line includes five products designed to enhance rest, like the Deep Sleep Dreamy Pillow and Body Mist.

* Get extra sleep whenever possible. Set the alarm to go off at the last possible minute, instead of setting it earlier and hitting the snooze button a few times. Your body will benefit more from those extra 20 minutes if they’re uninterrupted.

Re-energize Your Body

From improper nutrition, to lack of sleep or exercise and dehydration, there are many reasons why you might feel fatigued.

* Never skip breakfast. Even a small bowl of cereal or a piece of fruit can help you energize for the day ahead. Eat more if you exercise in the morning and will be expending energy.

* Put nutrition first, and worry less about calories, carbs or fat. Add some colourful vegetable or fruit to every meal – spinach or red peppers on your sandwich or pizza, beans in your salad or pasta.

Purify Your Body

You can minimize your exposure to environmental toxins with a few simple steps:

* Choosing organic foods can help you reduce the amount of toxins you ingest.

* Eat more walnuts and walnut oil, which are high in Omega-3 fatty acids that help quench free radicals in our bodies.

* Drink more water. To function at their best, every cell in your body needs to be properly hydrated. Getting enough water can help you feel less tired and flush toxins from your body.

Choose all-natural products in every aspect of your life, from the cleaning products you use in your home to your beauty products. The Body Shop’s Wellbeing products are made from all-natural ingredients like guarana, wasabi, lavender, camomile, eucalyptus and jujube date. Plus, every product contains ingredients sourced through the company’s Community Trade program, so while you’re taking care of your own well-being, you’re also helping communities around the world in places like Ghana, Brazil, Zambia, Namibia and Nicaragua.

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, there are around 20 amino acids found within proteins. The names are Alanine, Arganine, Asparagine, Aspartic acid, Cysteine, Glutamic acid, Glutamine, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenelalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Tyrosine and Valine. We as humans can produce around 10 of the 20 amino acids needed, the rest have to be ingested from our food or by using supplementation. Failure to do so can be detrimental, especially to the bodybuilder as all are needed to help build muscle, that’s why protein shakes are always a good idea.

The ten amino acids our bodies can produce are alanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine and tyrosine. There are also amino acids that are classed as essential these are arganine, histidine, isoleucine leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine, you must make sure especially if bodybuilding, that these are part of your main staple diet.

Now that we know that protein (amino acids) are the main foundation of any diet especially athletes, remember an inadequate amount of protein usually equals inadequate muscle growth, so if you want top end results from all your hard work in gym make sure that you are getting and using a top quality protein supplement.

Usually it is a good idea to have a word with your doctor before starting an increased protein supplementation diet as there are many different types on the market which get there protein from different sources so you have to be careful you aren’t allergic to any of the contents.

Another good tip that seems to be coming to light these days is that protein consumed 30 mins or so before your workout is the best, the theory is that your body will utilize the protein more efficiently, certainly something to try out or at least think about, just make sure you don’t make it to heavy and thick.

When making your protein drinks why not add some fruit like yogurt or strawberries, just make sure you use a blender to get the mixture full liquidised, also in my opinion it makes it taste much nicer.

If you tend not to like protein shakes or drinks why not look into protein bars, most use just taste like any other chocolate bar but are usually packed with much more goodness, just do a little research to find out which is best, obviously you want one with a high protein content, so don’t just choose on price alone.

Author: James Davis