Bodybuilding & Muscle Building Techniques
Friday, February 04, 2005
Molecular Liposuction
The technique called molecular liposuction so far works only in mice. A team at the University of Houston, Texas, report in Nature Medicine today that weeks of treatment by an experimental drug restored the normal weight of mice that had doubled their size on a high-fat cafeteria diet. If even a fraction of what we found in mice relates to human biology, then we are cautiously optimistic that there may be a new way to think about reversing obesity, said Renata Pasqualini, of the University of Texas at Houston. Obesity is now one of the biggest problems in world health. Almost one American in three is seriously overweight. One British male in four is clinically obese. Even in the developing world, obesity levels are rising rapidly. Obesity has been linked to adult-onset type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular hazards and increased risks of cancer. Health authorities have urged people to eat less, choose a diet richer in fruit and vegetables and exercise more. Cosmetic surgeons have promoted liposuction, the drastic removal of fat, and stomach surgery. Geneticists have been trying to make a hereditary connection, because some groups of people seem to be at greater risk of obesity, and research groups have been studying the hormonal cycles linked with eating in the search for appetite-suppressing pills. These fat cells are abnormally greedy for oxygen, and a pound of fat contains a mile of blood vessels, according to one estimate. Blood vessels differ according to the postal code addresses they serve. So the Houston scientists, based at the universitys M D Anderson cancer centre, searched for unique protein markers that would identify only those blood cells that served white adipose or fatty tissue. They found one called prohibitin, already known to regulate cell survival and growth. They attached to it a synthetic drug already known from cancer trial to cause a cell to self-destruct. Then they injected it into mice that had become grossly overweight on a high-fat, sugary diet. Within four weeks, the mice had reached their normal weight again. The fat had been reabsorbed and metabolised. Other collaborators looked for evidence of toxic or unpleasant side effects, such as fat accumulation in the liver and blood, and found none. But further trials are needed.
Scientists have found a new way to make the obese slim again, by cutting off the blood supply to the layers of fat that are a health hazard for hundreds of millions of people.
But the Texas team tried an approach already being investigated as a cancer treatment. In theory, life-threatening tumours would halt and dwindle if you could cut off the blood supply to the cancerous tissue. But fat tissue, too, depends on a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients delivered in the blood.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Whey Protein Important Facts
By Dan Phillips Whey and Cancer Additional studies have been done on animals regarding cancer-causing chemicals to see what effects whey protein concentrate would have on cancer prevention or treatment. Scientists fed rats various proteins and then subjected them to the powerful carcinogen dimethylhydrazine. As with the previous research, the rats fed whey protein concentrate showed fewer tumors and a reduced pooled area of tumors (tumor mass index). The researchers found whey protein offered considerable protection to the host over that of other proteins, including soy. Even more exciting, in vivo research on cancer and whey showed whey protein concentrate inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells at low concentrations (Baruchel S. and Vaiu G., Anti Cancer Research, 1996). Finally, and most importantly, a fairly recent clinical study with cancer patients showed a regression in some patients tumors when fed whey protein concentrate at 30 grams per day. Whey and Glutathione
Studies on whey demonstrate its an even better protein supplement than previously thought. Although whey proteins health benefits have only recently been elucidated, the use of whey protein for medicinal purposes has been prescribed since the time of Hippocrates. In fact, there are two ancient proverbs from the Italian city of Florence that say, If you want to live a healthy and active life, drink whey, and, If everyone were raised on whey, doctors would be bankrupt. In previous issues, we have chronicled the extensive research showing the many potential health benefits of whey protein concentrate. The majority of that research was done in the 1980s and early 1990s, and was extremely persuasive. Scientists have continued their research on whey proteins with even more impressive results. What follows is some of the more current, interesting and useful research on whey proteins.
As the researchers put it, Tumor cell GSH concentration may be among the determinants of the cytotoxicity [poisonous to cells] of many chemotherapeutic agents and of radiation, and an increase in GSH concentration appears to be at least one of the mechanisms of acquired drug resistance to chemotherapy. They further state, It is well-known that rapid GSH synthesis in tumor cells is associated with high rates of cellular proliferation. Depletion of tumor GSH in vivo decreases the rate of cellular proliferation and inhibits cancer growth. The problem is, it is difficult to reduce glutathione sufficiently in tumor cells without placing healthy tissue at risk and putting the cancer patient in a worse condition. What is needed is a compound that can selectively deplete the cancer cells of their glutathione, while increasing, or at least maintaining, the levels of glutathione in healthy cells.
This is exactly what whey protein appears to do. In this new research it was found that cancer cells subjected to whey proteins were depleted of their glutathione, and their growth was inhibited, while normal cells had an increase in GSH and increased cellular growth. These effects were not seen with other proteins. Not surprisingly, the researchers concluded, Selective depletion of tumor GSH may in fact render cancer cells more vulnerable to the action of chemotherapy and eventually protect normal tissue against the deleterious effects of chemotherapy. The exact mechanism by which whey protein achieves this is not fully understood, but it appears that it interferes with the normal feedback mechanism and regulation of glutathione in cancer cells. It is known that glutathione production is negatively inhibited by its own synthesis. Being that baseline glutathione levels in cancer cells are higher than that of normal cells, it is probably easier to reach the level of negative-feedback inhibition in the cancer cells glutathione levels than in the normal cells glutathione levels.
Whey and LDL Cholesterol
The positive health benefits of whey protein concentrate does not end with its effects on immunity and cancer prevention and treatment. Whey protein concentrate also was found to be a potent inhibitor of oxidized low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Current research suggests that the conversion of LDL to oxidized LDL is the trigger that leads to atherogenesis, the formation of the plaque and lesions associated with atherosclerosis. Therefore, any substance that prevents the oxidation of LDL is thought to be anti-atherogenic. Though animal-based proteins have traditionally been implicated as being pro-atherogenic, whey proteins appear to be an exception to the rule. whey protein is made up of several minor and major fractions, such as beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin, albumin, lactoferrin and immunoglobulin. It was discovered that the minor constituent responsible for the ability of whey protein concentrate to prevent the oxidation of LDL appears to be the lactoferrin fraction of the protein.
Lactoferrin In Whey
When the lactoferrin was removed from the protein, the ability of the whey-protein concentrate to prevent LDL oxidation was greatly reduced, leading the researchers to speculate, Our results suggest that LF (lactoferrin) is the main factor responsible for the inhibitory effect of whey protein (on LDL) and it may function synergistically together with other factors in the whey protein, for example, alpha-lactalbumin. Another study using rats examined the effects of whey protein concentrate and casein on cholesterol and the risk factors of heart disease. Though casein (another milk-based protein commonly used in research) is known to raise cholesterol in humans and animals, whey protein has the opposite effect, leading the researchers to note, At the high dietary protein level [300 gram per kilogram of feed] , whey protein significantly lowered plasma and liver cholesterol and also plasma triacylglycerols.
The cholesterol-lowering effects of whey protein concentrate in this study also was associated with a reduction in LDL cholesterol. Most interesting was the fact that this effect on cholesterol was not seen when the animals were fed amino acid mixtures that simulated whey protein, so it is clear that there are properties within the whey that have these effects beyond that of its amino acid profile.
Whey and Bone Growth
Finally, whey protein appears to play a direct role in bone growth. Researchers found that rats fed whey protein concentrate showed increased bone strength and bone protein such as collagen. This discovery led researches to test whether or not whey protein directly stimulated osteoblast (bone cell) growth in vitro. Whey protein was found to stimulate, dose dependently, total protein synthesis, DNA content, and increased hydroxyproline contents of bone cells.
It should be noted that not all whey protein concentrates are created equal. Processing whey protein to remove the lactose and fats without losing its biological activity takes special care by the manufacturer. The protein must be processed under low temperature and low acid conditions so as not to denature the protein. Maintaining the natural state of the protein is essential to its biological activity. These research findings, combined with the previous decade of study on whey protein, should convince anyone that whey protein concentrate is truly the life-extension protein.
Higher Glutathione Levels and Whey
A decade-and-a-half of findings on the benefits of whey protein are far-reaching.
Previous Studies Include The Following: Whey protein concentrate dramatically raises glutathione levels. Glutathione is an essential water-soluble antioxidant in the body that protects cells and serves as a primary detoxifier of harmful compounds such as peroxides, heavy metals, carcinogens and other toxins. Glutathione also is intimately tied to immunity, and reduced glutathione levels have been associated with disease such as AIDS, atherosclerosis, Alzheimers disease and Parkinsons disease, to name only a few. In fact, glutathione levels appear to be one way of modulating immunity.
Whey protein concentrate was found to consistently raise this extremely important immune stimulating antioxidant beyond that of any protein studied (including soy) to higher than normal levels in multiple animal studies. A small pilot study with HIV-positive men who were fed whey protein concentrate found dramatic increases in glutathione levels of all the study participants, with two out of three men reaching their ideal body weight.
In fact, there have been several U.S. and international patents granted for the treatment of AIDS and improving immunity with whey protein concentrates.Whey protein improves immune function and fights infections. Animals fed whey protein concentrate consistently showed dramatic enhancement of both the humoral and cellular immune response to a variety of immune challenges, such as salmonella, streptococcus pneumonia 9 and extreme cancer-causing chemicals. This effect on immunity was not seen with other proteins. So proof Whey protein concentrate fights cancer
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Growth Factor 1
Intense weiglifting training causes your muscular system to process anabolic hormones. To promote the optimum level of growth, you must learn how long to train before resting and allowing your body to replace the anabolic hormones that have been used up. If you over-train, all of the anabolic hormones will be used up and the catabolic hormones will start to dominate. If you under-train, you will waste some of the natural anabolic hormones that your body produces. In order to learn how to maximize your bodys natural supply of anabolic hormones, you will go through some ups and downs. The paradox is that even if you do everything right, you will eventually reach a plateau that you cannot break through. The level of growth at which the plateau is reached is predetermined by the amount of anabolic hormones that your body naturally produces. The only way to break through the plateau is to raise the level of anabolic hormones in your blood. Anabolic steroids artificially raise the amount of anabolic hormones in the blood and permit further growth. Unfortunately, anabolic steroids are illegal and can be dangerous if misused. You can see the following statement in many advertisements: Growth Factor-1 increases the level of anabolic hormones in your blood. This leads to faster recovery times, increased strength, and increased energy. Most importantly, it provides your muscles with the extra fuel they need to blast through plateaus and move on to the next level of growth. Increasing the level of anabolic hormones in your blood enables you to break through your bodys natural limitations. It is the key to serious growth and the only way to build a freaky, professional bodybuilder type physique. Growth Factor-1 has allowed me to experience a level of growth that I thought was only possible through the use of steroids.Growth Factor-1 is the only legal product on the market that will enable you to build the cartoon like muscle that professional bodybuilders display. Do you think the previous statements are right? I do NOT think so. But this product has helped me a lot building muscle on my bodyframe. Obviously it is not the same as anabolic steroids but, now that pro-steroids are banned, Growth Factor-1combined with quality protein and creatine can be a very useful. Growth Factor-1 is extremely difficult to obtain. There is a limited supply available. It will be sold on a first come first serve basis. Order now and try Growth Factor-1 risk free. If Growth Factor-1 does not allow you to build an impressive,muscular physique that commands attention, simply return the empty bottle or unused portion within 30 days for a full refund. More information about Growth Factor 1 Growth Factor 1 Ingredients and Side Effects Growth Factor-1 is a safe, effective, legal muscle builder. Growth Factor-1 contains Octacosanol, Magnesium Stearate, and Stearic Acid. Octacosanol, the active ingredient, is the most powerful sterol available without a prescription and is delivered in a potent 340 mg daily dosage. No other product comes close to delivering Octacosanol at this dosage, a dosage that is required for Octacosanol to be effective. In addition, the Octacosanol in Growth Factor-1 is extremely pure and is not available in any other product on the market. You can look up Octacosonal in our supplement glossary for more info. 3-4 Growth Factor-1 capsules are taken daily preferably with meals.
The only side effect that Growth Factor-1 can cause is trouble sleeping. This side effects occurs in less than 3% of those who use Growth Factor-1 and can be avoided by lowering the dosage used.
