Tag Archives: fitness

Why Are Amino Acids and Protein Important?

Posted by on March 15, 2012 No comments

 

If you are a Dr. Oz fan you probably already know he recommends protein with each meal. This is for a variety of reasons/benefits. Protein plays a large role in your diet and metabolism to help you reach your fitness goals, here’s how…

Proteins are an essential part of every organism and are involved in every process with your body’s cells. Most organisms and plants can synthesize all 20 amino’s. Every animal (including us as humans) must obtain some of these proteins (as amino acids) through your diet. This is because we cannot synthesize every amino acid needed so certain ones we call your essential amino acids must come from food. Once eaten these amino acids through digestion can now be broken down to be utilized by your metabolism.

Some of these Amino Acids ingested are used towards protein biosynthesis and others are changed over to glucose for energy. On a low-carb diet this is where more of your protein will be used and eventually to support life, especially the amino acids found in muscle tissue. Amino’s are also a strong source of nitrogen.

This means that when your glycogen stores (carbohydrates stored for energy) are used up your body will start to use amino acids. When the protein (which breaks down into amino acids in your blood stream) is no longer available from your last meal your body will start to digest it’s own muscle (made of proteins/amino acids). This is known as becoming catabolic which is the breaking down of muscle. Here is why bodybuilders consume protein meals every 2-3 hours to keep a positive nitrogen balance and a steady flow of amino acids to supply your muscles. This is called staying anabolic, a state of growth and repair. Keeping this balance allows preservation of muscle and a promotion of fat-loss. The frequent digestion is burning calories keeping your metabolism ramped up! Meals containing protein with carbohydrates will also lower the glycemic index of these carbohydrates. These proteins in a meal act as a natural appetite suppressant too.

After reading this do you need to change your protein intake to reach your fitness goal?

 

XTEND/Intra-Workout Catalyst- by Scivation

Posted by on February 15, 2012 No comments

The NEW Xtend shows how far supplements have come over the last 10 years. From a day where the taste of most powders was far from enjoyed to today where delicious flavors are numerous.

Xtend is the most advanced carbohydrate and sugar free powder on the market claims Scivation. Xtend was formulated to help you with the most intense workouts, promote protein synthesis and help with recovery all while you workout. Xtend was proven effective in two university studies.

Xtend was recently updated to dramatically improve solubility and taste. Xtend has: 7,000mg of BCAA’s in a reserch proven ratio, 3,500mg of Leucine, 2,500mg of Glutamine,1,000mg of Citrulline malate, 1171mg of Electrolytes, 640mcg of Vitamin B6 and zero carbs and sugar. Now available in 6 delicious fruit flavors.

 

 

Muscletech’s NEW AlphaTest

Posted by on January 3, 2012 2 comments

Muscletech's NEW Alphatest

Muscletech has just launched it’s new Testosterone booster, AlphaTest. This is their new testosterone stimulant designed to increase production. This formula contains multiple ingredients shown to help increase testosterone production, enhance performance and maintain peak testosterone to cortisol levels.

Alphatest is made to be very anabolic through the ingredient Boron at 5mg which has been clinically proven to increase free testosterone levels after only 7 days. A patented combo then added containing saw palmetto and 800mg of mytosterone to increase testosterone to near maximum physiological levels in just 14 days.

Alphatest is also designed to be anti-catabolic and strength enhancing while being the first product with an effective dose combination of Rhodiola crenulata and Ginkgo biloba shown to maintain peak testosterone to cortisol ratio post training (389mg combination).

Alphatest is the only super-concentrated testosterone booster containing 4 clinically proven ingredients contained. Muscletech always bases their product effectiveness based upon clinically proven results with humans rather than less dependable testing on animals as some other companies may. Alphatest also lists the ingredients and amounts rather than hiding in a proprietary blend format as some other companies may.

Optimum Nutrition’s Platinum HydroWhey

Posted by on November 17, 2011 No comments

Platinum HydroWhey is a very high-quality, fast digesting protein powder designed to fuel your muscles. Liquid Whey contains fat, cholesterol and lactose. The Hydrowhey has been designed by top scientists by a purification process for isolating the most beneficial parts of whey so everything else is filtered out. This leaves the purest form available of whey known as whey isolate. This makes it expensive as a process but the ideal formula for your muscles!

It is very important to have a good quality protein and amino acids like your BCAA’s into your system immediately before and after your training. Out of the powdered proteins, nothing’s faster than Hydrolyzed whey protein isolates. Ultra-pure whey protein isolates are broken down or hydrolyzed, into smaller pieces to make this isolate. This process makes the hydrowhey the easiest to digest and assimilate. This is an expensive process but is the fastest way to get your whey working.

Platinum Hydrowhey enhances your performance as well. This is accomplished by micronizing the BCAA’s and boosting them to almost 9 total grams per serving. Digestive enzymes were added in addition to increase protein utilization.

Hydrowhey also removed all lactose, sugars and cholesterol. Each 140 calorie serving contains only 2 grams of carbs and less half a gram of fat. Now you can understand why Hydrowhey is one of the best protein powders and tasting the most delicious with every serving and flavor!