admin, Author at - Page 3 of 11

December 9, 2013October 10, 2017

How does Resveratrol affect Testosterone and what other Benefits does Resveratrol Produce?

resveratrol can help fight the effects of aging

What is Resveratrol?

Resveratrol is a compound found in the skins of red grapes, berries, and other fruits. It is thought to act as a powerful antioxidant with a strong potential for fighting the effects of aging. These effects are largely due to the fact that this supplement helps to promote the increased production of something known as sirtuins. Sirtuins are enzymes involved in the aging process that are thought to increase the activity of the cells’ mitochondria. There are also additional research studies which indicate that resveratrol supplements may act as a neuroprotective substance by helping to protect against memory loss. There is even new research suggesting that resveratrol may help to increase testosterone levels.

How does Resveratrol affect Health?

Many people are interested in using a resveratrol supplement because it seems to be able to increase overall health. Because it functions as an antioxidant, resveratrol serves to make almost every major organ in the body run better. The elimination of free radicals is also quite important as the removal helps to reduce inflammation.

Another important benefit associated with resveratrol is its fighting of the effects of aging. Resveratrol covers just about everything from helping to protect the heart to making it easier to lose weight. One of the ways in which these benefits occur is by the activation of so-called anti-aging genes like the master gene, P53. There have been a number of experiments conducted on bacteria, fish, worms, and mice that have shown positive increases on lifespan based on activation of P53 by resveratrol. In some cases, this supplement has been able to extend lifespan up to twice the normal length. Of course, while there are huge differences between humans and mice or worms, in many cases we do have very similar genes. This similarity is giving research scientists hope that many of these health benefits can transfer over, especially in the area of longevity.

How does Resveratrol affect Testosterone?

There is some exciting new research into the effects of resveratrol on testosterone. Recent studies do seem to support that resveratrol affects testosterone, although more studies are needed. The researchers seem to think the reasons for this effect are two-fold. First, resveratrol inhibits aromatase, which is the main enzyme responsible for the production of estrogen. Second, resveratrol also seems to inhibit the body’s estrogen receptor.

As the body’s level of estrogen production is limited, resveratrol will help to balance out hormone levels and in the process increase testosterone. This increase is beneficial on a number of different levels. Not only will this hormone help sexual function, but it also helps to regulate red blood cell production, bone density, and even muscle mass. There may even be a role for this supplement to play in producing better emotional states, especially in those who are already experiencing lowered levels of testosterone.

What do Studies say about Resveratrol and Testosterone?

A 2008 Korean study examined the effects of Resveratrol supplementation on the New Zealand white rabbit, corpus cavernosum. The researchers were looking to measure ex-vivo penile erection and in-vivo sperm counts and quality. The in-vivo study measured the reproductive organ weights, blood testosterone levels, testicular histopathology, and sperm counts. It also examined and measured the epididymal sperm motility and deformity.

For the in-vivo study, mice were given a dose of resveratrol at 50 mg/kg for 28 days. The ultimate results were interesting, showing no increases in body weight, reproductive organ weight, or testicular microscopic findings. But, they did show increases in blood testosterone concentration of 51.6 percent, testicular sperm counts of 15.8 percent, and epididymal sperm motility by 23.3 percent. Incidentally, all of these effects were achieved without any significant influence on sperm deformity.

How does Resveratrol Work?

A 2012 National Institutes of Health study into the effects of resveratrol seems to have helped cast a bit of light into how this supplement might work. The supplement works not only as an anti-inflammatory compound (which testing had pretty much proven at this point anyway), but also as a genetic manipulator through both direct and indirect chemical pathways. It also helps to block the action of a muscle enzyme known as PDE4 that causes cell degradation. This supplement also appears to bind to many different types of proteins, which shows that there may be the potential for new help for heart disease, diabetes, memory loss, and more.

What is a Helpful Dose of Resveratrol?

In order to really have most of the desired effects, not only an increase in testosterone, you should be taking resveratrol every day. The recommended dosage level for resveratrol is 1000 mg per day or more depending on if there is a specific condition you are trying to find support for or protect against. Typical sources for your resveratrol supplements include Japanese knotwood or red grapes, with the Japanese blend being superiors (if you can find it).

Resveratrol supplement is also available in a powdered form, which can be taken with meals. The idea with your supplement schedule here is to use resveratrol every day with meals. It might take a little time before noticing results such as regulating and increasing testosterone levels and improving mood.

What else does Resveratrol do?

Resveratrol is also considered to help protect the heart against all types of damage. Part of this protection is immediately tied to resveratrol’s ability to work as an antioxidant supplement, helping to remove free radicals from the body and lowering the levels of inflammation. Inflammation can be stressful and detrimental to the overall cardiovascular system.

You will also note that a lot of the existing research into this supplement is still centered on the fight against cancer. There may actually be a role for some of these anti-cancer effects through the estrogen response systems, as discussed above.

November 26, 2013October 10, 2017

Rhodiola Increases Physical and Mental Endurance

Endurance athletes are always looking for an edge. Whether it’s a new training protocol or a new mindset, being able to push yourself to work just a little bit harder and longer can make the difference between first and second place. Proper implementation of the right pre-workout supplements is key in training endurance athletes and thanks to a study performed in Belgium, there’s another supplement to add to the mix. When taken before training, rhodiola rosea supplements were found to improve performance in endurance athletes, even with no previous use.

Belgian researchers studied 24 healthy endurance athlete students. First, a baseline for an endurance activity was established with each athlete. Then, a few days later, the students were either given rhodiola or a placebo an hour before performing the same endurance activity. After another week, they came back and performed the same training session, but the rhodiola group was given placebo and vice versa. The results proved to be significant. Rhodiola improved the work capacity of the athletes by an average of 3% and in one case, the student was able to extend the time by 9.7%. Another conclusion from the study, aside from the improvement in performance for doses one hour before training, is the finding that when the athletes consumed rhodiola consistently over a four week basis, there was no additional benefit like those found in other supplements that may require a “loading period.” This means there appears to be an acute effect when used for endurance training. It’s important to note that this fact doesn’t imply there are no outside benefits to taking rhodiola on a consistent basis, but that it’s just not effective at building up in your system.

What is Rhodiola Rosea?

Let’s look at the supplement as a whole. Rhodiola rosea is a plant found in the cooler climates of the world, particularly in the Arctic or other mountainous regions of the northern hemisphere. The plant and its roots have been used for hundreds of years by ancient civilizations such as the Vikings as a supplement to increase stamina and strength. Rhodiola use today is more widespread and is consumed via tea or, for those not living in areas where it grows naturally, in a convenient supplement form. Rhodiola contains many different polyphenols and antioxidants including rosavins, rosarin, rosin, and salidroside. These compounds, at the most simple level, help provide balance to stressors in the body and the environment. From a physiological perspective, rhodiola is said to reduce free radicals that can damage cells and cause inflammation. Psychologically, rhodiola helps reduce mental stress by optimizing the levels of “feel good” chemicals in the brain.

In general, rhodiola rosea benefits include:

Reduced physical fatigue
Improved mood
Lowered Stress

How Rhodiola Rosea Can Help Endurance Athletes

When the mechanisms of action in rhodiola are considered, it’s easy to see how it is an ideal supplement for endurance athletes. Preventing physical fatigue allows for more energy output in a race or during training. However, there may be a mental aspect to the supplementation as well. Improved mood and lower mental stress could help athletes overcome potential mental fatigue they may face, enabling them to crush previous records and crash through mental barriers that can hold perceived limitations of what the athlete’s abilities truly are.

Dosage

For improvements in endurance sports, a dosage the same as the dose mentioned above, a 200mg capsule one hour before training, is recommended. In fact, since the experiment was relatively basic, you can try to replicate it on your own to see the exact effects rhodiola has on you!

November 15, 2013October 10, 2017

Third-Party Dietary Supplement Testing: Why it Matters

third-party dietary supplement testing All dietary supplements are not created equal, even if they have the same name on the label. Do third parties test the supplements you are taking for purity and safety?

Maybe, or maybe not.

Unfortunately for consumers, third party testing is not mandated. However, companies interested in your health encourage third-party testing and provide this assurance to their consumers.

Why is Third Party Dietary Supplement Testing So Important to Your Health?

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers dietary supplements as a special type of food category. As such, dietary supplements are automatically deemed safe by the FDA and do not require approval prior to being sold to the general public.

Therefore, many supplements are being sold without consistent labeling, review of the actual ingredients being utilized within the product, review of the ingredients’ origins, or general product safety.

According to the FDA, the supplement brand is tasked with ensuring consistency of ingredients and general product safety. Some companies follow strict guidelines for ensuring consumer safety, while others cut corners.

Powder City’s Third Party Testing Review

Powder City is one company that I have come across that uses third-party testing. For each product, they engage a third-party testing company to conduct unbiased, quality reviews of the supplement’s ingredients as well as the effects on the body when ingested.

What is Third Party Testing?

You may be wondering: what goes into third party testing? Third-party dietary supplement testing must be conducted by an organization that is external to both the end-consumer and the underlying organization. The dietary supplement company pays the third-party tester to conduct reviews of its product’s ingredients and overall level of consumer safety. Products that pass certification can advertise as such to consumers.
While third-party testers cannot guarantee a dietary supplement’s ultimate safety, they certainly can provide an accurate assessment of the product’s ingredient purity.

What are Third-Party Testers Looking For?

Third party testers should review whether the manufacturer adheres to good manufacturing practices. It is impossible to test every bottle, capsule or package that is sold to a consumer. Therefore, auditing the company’s manufacturing practices can become important to ascertaining the product’s general purity and safety levels.

Consistent practices will ensure that the product being placed into a consumer’s hands is as it was designed to be. Currently, the only standard available to evaluate dietary supplements was established by the American National Standards Institute. These standards evaluate a product’s label accuracy, presence of microbes or contaminants, and advertising used to target consumers. Third-party testing companies can choose to utilize this standard when evaluating a supplement.

Dietary supplements can provide tremendous benefit to those consumers who include them as part of their health and fitness regimens. However, un-tested products sold direct to consumers may pose threats to their short-term and long-term health.

But What About Price?

Many companies with no third-party testing will offer what looks like a great deal on their products, but are you willing to sacrifice your health for a cheap price tag? Conversely, branded products from retail stores are almost always more expensive, but not for reasons that you might think.

Do not be fooled by the flamboyant packaging and advertising of retail supplements. Just because it has a fancy sounding name, does not make it any more effective or any safer. As is the case with many branded products, you are paying for the name and their marketing costs.

So why buy untested products or expensive retail supplements when you can pay a fraction of the cost and ensure product quality with bulk powders?

Visit the FAQ page for more information on Powder City’s third party testing and to find out how to receive a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for any supplement you wish to order.

November 12, 2013October 10, 2017

The Best Pre-Workout Supplements for Women

Step into any gym, especially the weight room, and you’re likely to see a scene dominated by men. Online resources are heavily geared toward men as well, with dozens of large sites, forums, and stores focused on providing men with what they need to succeed in the gym. What about the other half though? Should women be relegated to slow-paced elliptical workouts and measly salads to achieve fitness goals?

No, absolutely not! Women can benefit from weight training just as much as men. Sure, you may not want to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger when you walk out of the gym (and your natural biology would make sure this change doesn’t happen), but who doesn’t want to be stronger, leaner, and more toned?

So suppose you’re already lifting weights or ready to make the jump, you will want to make sure you are getting the most out of your time in the gym. Pre-workout supplements can do just that. While they’re often associated with muscle-bound guys screaming during squats, pre-workout supplements can offer many benefits to women.

Benefits of Pre-Workout Supplementation

For a long time, supplementation was viewed from a post-workout perspective. Empty the fuel tank, refill the fuel tank. Over recent years, however, it’s become increasingly obvious that by filling your tank with the right kind of fuel before you workout, you can make sure the right nutrients are ready to go right when you need them.

Pre-workout supplements can help you maximize:

*Strength – Any time you workout, you have to overload your muscles to get results. Pre-workout supplements can help you lift more weight and for a longer duration while training and ensure your muscles have the energy to perform.

*Recovery – DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) can be a thorn in the side of any athlete. The right supplements can reduce muscle soreness so you’ll be ready for the next session faster.

*Fat Loss – By taking supplements that help your body use its own fat as fuel, you can improve body composition by burning fat while you build muscle. Lean muscle is also referred to as “metabolic currency” meaning the more lean muscle you have, the better you are at burning fat!

Which Supplements Should I Take?

Now that you’re well aware of the benefits of pre-workout supplementation, you’re probably wondering which supplements you should be taking and you may be a little confused. This confusion is understandable as there are many effective pre-workout supplements on the market. Fear not! Below are the essentials of pre-workout supplements for women. These will help you achieve the benefits listed above and get the most out of your gym time.

Magnesium Creatine Chelate

Creatine is one of the most widely-used supplements and a staple in many athlete’s stacks. Creatine helps support performance while training and improved recovery post-workout. There is a downside to some forms of creatine, however. Some users report bloating when taking basic forms of creatine, mainly creatine monohydrate. So, what’s the best creatine for women that don’t want to walk around feeling bloated?

Magnesium creatine chelate is a relatively new form of creatine that helps you get performance and recovery benefits of creatine without feeling like you swallowed a balloon. One study even showed that magnesium creatine chelate was 6-8% more effective than creatine monohydrate alone. Higher performance with no bloating worries make this the best pre-workout creatine for women.

Whey Protein

As you exercise, muscle tissue is broken down and then repaired afterward by building blocks of protein called amino acids. Whey protein, another staple in the supplement world, helps repair muscles faster by delivering amino acids to muscles quickly. When you repair muscles quicker two main things happen. First, you experience less soreness so you’re ready to get back in the gym faster. Second, and perhaps the more important of the two, you build muscle and see results faster. Whey protein is normally sold in powdered form and in a variety of flavors so you can mix it with other supplements in a pre-workout shake.

Citrulline Malate

Citrulline malate is a complementary supplement to magnesium creatine chelate. By reducing muscle fatigue and improving strength, citrulline malate makes you more efficient in the gym and helps you work harder. Citrulline malate works in two main ways. First, it increases blood flow to the muscles, removing toxins, and delivering nutrients. Second, it increases ATP energy in muscles, giving you that extra boost to work harder. The icing on the cake with citrulline malate is the recovery benefit. Research shows that citrulline malate not only improves performance during a workout, but can reduce soreness by up to 50%!

Nitric Oxide

Nitric oxide (sometimes shown as the acronym NO) is a fantastic supplement with multiple benefits. First, it increases blood flow to the muscles during workout. It delivers more nutrients and oxygen to the muscles, enabling you to workout harder and longer in both strength and endurance exercises. The increased flow of nutrients to muscles also boosts recovery. Additionally, it helps the body use existing energy more efficiently and improve lypolysis. Meaning, glucose in your bloodstream and stored fat can be broken down and used even faster as fuel during a workout!

There you have it, four high-quality pre-workout supplements that come highly recommended for women! As you can tell, these all have incredibly synergistic effects. Whether it is whey protein providing amino acids or nitric oxide moving them to muscles while burning off fat for energy, these supplements are sure to help you get the results you want in the gym.

November 1, 2013October 10, 2017

Stress Got You Down? Try These Relaxation Supplements

If you or someone you know is suffering from too much stress, then you really need to take a look at some natural remedies. Stress is something that can have physical side effects on the body, so it is important to try to help yourself counteract these negative effects. Fortunately, there are a number of helpful relaxation supplements including Phenibut, 5-HTP, and Picamilon.

Phenibut Powder:

As a supplement, Phenibut is most commonly found in its powdered formulation. You will also find that it helps to promote relaxation and a generally better mood. It is used as an anxiolytic (ie. phenibut reduces anxiety), sleep aid, and mood-boosting supplement.

Phenibut is also used around the world to help alleviate a number of common stress problems. Another interesting thing about using Phenibut is that you may find it helps to increase memory and attention span.

In addition to just being a general relaxation aid, many people have also found this supplement to be effective in helping people to improve communication skills. Students who have test stress also often find relief with this supplement. Of course, a key element of relaxation is sleep and Phenibut is able to regulate proper sleep patterns, helping most people to fall asleep faster and wake up feeling rested. It also increases REM sleep.

5-HTP:

5-HTP is a chemical that your body produces from tryptophan, which is an essential amino acid. From here, the 5-HTP is then converted into a powerful neurotransmitter called Serotonin. This increase in Serotonin levels within the brain leads to positive effects on sleep, mood, stress, appetite, and even pain sensation.

There have been a number of studies on the benefits of 5-HTP supplementation regarding sleep. Most of these show that when you use this supplement, you will be able to better relax and fall asleep faster. Another big benefit is that you will tend to sleep deeper and wake up more relaxed and refreshed.

This increase in Serotonin levels also seems to have additional effects. People have been using it for help with dieting and weight loss, along with a reduction in the moodiness and even lowered stress levels. Using 5-HTP can also result in balancing out your moods and helping control anger, aggression, and overall mood.

Picamilon:

One of the most interesting things about Picamilon supplements is that they only contain two main ingredients, GABA and Niacin. GABA is known as your body’s main inhibitory neurotransmitter. This statement simply means that it will help to slow your brain activity and promote relaxation. This supplement helps to increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain and also helps to reduce stress.

Studies have shown that this supplement can act as a calming agent when taken in small doses. This calming action includes reducing or inhibiting the negative impacts of stressful conditions. In simpler terms, it helps to calm you down. You will be able to sleep better (falling asleep faster and sleeping more soundly), to notice a reduction in memory disorders, and to experience less dizziness and headaches.

Using These for Stress Relief:

Any of these three supplements should be helpful in terms of fighting off stress or promoting relaxation. Since all of them are very safe and well-tolerated, feel free to do some experimentation on your own. Of course, you should always respect the recommended dosages and may even want to start on the lower side of things until you determine exactly how each one affects you.

October 29, 2013October 10, 2017

Yohimbine vs Maca for Testosterone

maca or yohimbine for testosterone boost

Low testosterone is a problem experienced by men of all ages. Men may have trouble performing sexually, or feel tired and sluggish during the day. More often than not, it can be traced to genetics or to a person’s nutritional regimen. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find effective and legal ways to boost testosterone due to the overwhelming number of supplements that claim to help.

There has been a lot of talk recently regarding testosterone-enhancing supplements. You may have noticed some of this discussion and even started looking into a few of the commonly touted remedies or supplements. Two of the most interesting and popular are Maca and Yohimbine HCL Powder. When looking at Yohimbine supplements vs Maca supplements – both of them actually offer a number of benefits related to increased testosterone and enhanced sexual function and performance.

What is Maca?

The first question you might be asking is: what is Maca? Sounds like a rather strange name, right? Well, it is a root found most commonly in Peru. It is also commonly referred to as Peruvian ginseng, despite the fact that it is not a member of the ginseng family. It has been used throughout the centuries as a folk remedy for increasing stamina, energy, and sexual function. It has even been reported that ancient Incan warriors took Maca before going into battle since it was thought to make them physically strong. However, they were later prohibited from taking this substance in an effort to protect the conquered women from their excessive libidos.

Today, this supplement can be used in either pill or powdered form. You can sprinkle it on just about any type of food you like. Some users even report that it has a pick-up equal to or better than coffee. On occasion, it has also been reported to be more effective when used inconsistently, like two or three times a week as opposed to every day.

What is Yohimbine HCL?

Yohimbine is the principle alkaloid of the bark of the Yohimbe tree. This tree is found in western Africa, throughout Nigeria, Cameroon, the Congo, and Gabon. Yohibine extract is also widely reported and promoted as a natural aphrodisiac used to increase libido and improve erections.

This supplement is also thought to work by increasing the amount of testosterone produced by your body. As such, you may also see a number of other benefits related to increased testosterone production, especially related to fat loss and improved body composition.

Maca and Testosterone:

Maca is thought to play a serious role in improving sexual function. This improvement has been one of its long-reported traditional uses and benefits. The modern studies into these benefits, however, appear to be mixed, with some showing strong benefits and others not showing much at all

Maca has also been shown to increase fertility in men and improve mood in menopause. Studies have shown that supplementation improves semen volume, sperm count, and even sperm motility. Interestingly, serum levels of testosterone did not seem to be affected. It has also been noted that Maca may help to ease worry and sadness in post-menopausal women, as well as improve female sexual function.

Yohimbine HCL Benefits:

The major benefit of those who use Yohimbine HCL is that they normally see an increase in their natural testosterone production. Certainly, this improvement leads to improved overall male sexual function including improved erections. Many people suffering from erectile dysfunction have also found this supplement to be very helpful.

Another interesting benefit of Yohimbine HCL is that it aids in fat loss. It has been thought that this supplement works in your body by somehow blocking specific receptors that inhibit fat loss. This effect may also play a role in not only fat loss but the redistribution of fat and muscle throughout the body, giving you an overall leaner and more muscular appearance. When combined with actual weight resistance training, it can result in faster gains in muscle as well. Other studies have found that Yohimbine HCL increases lipolysis through the increased release of the powerful hormone norepinephrine.

Perhaps because of the excess norepinephrine in your system, Yohimbine HCL may also act as a natural mood booster. In higher doses (over 50mg per day) it may help to block an enzyme called monoamine oxidase that is thought to play a role in sadness.

Yohimbine vs Maca for Testosterone

Which supplement should you take probably depends on your specific goals. If you are simply looking to increase testosterone levels naturally, then probably Yohimbine HCL would work best. On the other hand, increased energy might be best accomplished by using Maca. So, it really depends on exactly what you are after. Both seem to be effective in their own ways.

October 14, 2013October 10, 2017

How to Survive on a College Student Budget while Still Buying Supplements

If you are a typical broke college student or recent graduate, then you certainly do not have any extra money to throw around. And for those of us concerned about working out and keeping healthy, there is one huge additional expense that eats into our food budget: supplements.

Come on, you are already paying through the nose for tuition, books, and room and board. You do not need to keep paying more than you should for these big name-brand supplements. Do not sacrifice your monthly or weekly food budget any more, forcing yourself to live on ramen noodles and that famous protein pill that you just have to have.

Did you know that most nationally-known big-brand supplements cost a lot more than they need to? A large portion of the product prices are based on the flashy packaging that you see in the stores and the magazine ads which are meant to catch your eye. Well, who do you think pays for all that? You do through higher prices.

Beating the System:

The first step to getting around the seeming monopoly of these big brands is to step back and consider what you really need. It might not be as easy to do as it seems, especially since the big supplement companies have been brainwashing you into thinking that you really NEED their stuff. A solid research tool is the site Examine.com. Spend a little bit of time here and you will have a much clearer idea of what you ultimately “need” in terms of supplementation. It will most likely be a lot less than you thought.

After doing this research, let’s say you have decided to buy beta-alanine, creatine monohydrate, and bulk caffeine powder. It should also be pointed out here that the powder versions tend to be the most economical. You not only end up spending less money on a cost per use basis, but you generally get a lot more product as well. Sure, it is a little less convenient to actually take an extra couple seconds and mix this up in a blender or by hand, but the significant savings are certainly worth it.

Your Supplement War Chest:

The first supplement you decided upon was Beta-Alanine. This is a non-essential amino acid which is a hybrid between powerful neurotransmitters L-glycine and GABA. When it is consumed as a dietary supplement, beta-alanine is transported into your skeletal muscles through the use of sodium and chloride. Once it enters into the muscle, it binds with the essential amino acid histidine and forms the dipeptide carnosine. Without getting overly technical, by increasing the muscular concentrations of carnosine, it helps to fight off muscular fatigue. This fight allows you to train harder and longer before getting tired.

The second supplement chosen was bulk creatine monohydrate powder. Creatine is one of most well-researched supplements around and it just plain works. Creatine helps to increase the body’s ability to produce energy. This energy is transported directly into the working muscle cells, which allows you to train harder, longer, and even more often. You will likely find yourself being able to lift an extra rep or two, or add 5 more pounds to the bar.

The third supplement you are using is bulk caffeine powder. Of course everyone knows that coffee and tea have naturally-occurring amounts of caffeine in them. But as a supplement, caffeine powder is actually quite useful and effective. This usefulness includes being able to increase the capacity of a workload someone can handle and building extra muscle fibers. These increases will allow you to have more energy, work out more intensely, have increased alertness and endurance, and improve your concentration. Many people will also see an increased uptake of oxygen and it can help to spare glycogen usage.

Give these a try and we think you will find out very quickly that you can still have some money left over for other things. Things like eating and paying for school!

September 30, 2013October 10, 2017

Boosting Testosterone on a Budget

Testosterone is a hormone that you could consider to be the essence of men. While the hormone is found in females as well, men’s elevated testosterone levels are a large portion of what makes them different from women.

From increased muscle and bone size to libido and energy levels, testosterone is one of the most important hormones for men to optimize, especially active or aging men.

There are a few ways to regulate and boost testosterone. Activity levels, diet, and sleep are all essential to proper testosterone levels, but supplementation can play a large role as well. Knowing this fact, many supplement companies have created testosterone-boosting supplements that sometimes cost a fortune.

Luckily, these expensive supplements aren’t the only option and there are some individual supplements that can help you boost your testosterone without breaking the bank.

Benefits and Importance of Optimal Testosterone Levels

Before we discuss the individual supplements that can boost testosterone, let’s lay some more detailed groundwork for why proper levels are so important. As mentioned above, testosterone is found in both men and women, but for men the impact is far greater. When men with low testosterone achieve optimal levels of testosterone, they describe it as if they were truly awake for the first time ever and are ready to conquer the world. Are you ready?

Testosterone is responsible for:

General Mood and Energy Levels. Low testosterone levels have been linked to sadness and feelings of sluggishness.
Libido. As a sex hormone, testosterone is in charge of driving libido. Low sex drive and sexual difficulty are often symptoms of low testosterone.
Muscle Growth. Testosterone increases protein synthesis, resulting in faster recovery and muscular gains.
Bone Strength. Testosterone increases bone density. Elderly men with low bone density have also been shown to have low testosterone levels.
Hearth Health. Doctors are finding evidence that cardiovascular disease can be prevented when testosterone levels are healthy.
Body Fat Regulation. Testosterone regulates many other hormones that impact body composition and there’s a correlation between bodyfat and testosterone.

Best Testosterone Boosters

Now that we’ve established that every man should optimize his testosterone levels, let’s look at some inexpensive supplements that can boost testosterone and libido.

DHEA

DHEA is a hormone naturally produced in a few places in the human body and is the most prominent steroid hormone in humans. It serves a number of functions, but the most important is its impact as a precursor to sex hormones including testosterone.

Natural production peaks around 25 years old and can decrease with age. There have been a few studies that show the impact and benefits of DHEA for men.

One study showed that DHEA raised free-testosterone levels following high-intensity exercise. Another study showed that daily treatment with 100mg resulted in positive body composition and strength gains in males only. With the former study in mind, recommended dosages can range from 25-100mg/day.

Arginine

While arginine isn’t linked specifically to testosterone, it has been shown to help boost libido and is a popular pre-workout supplement. Arginine creates NO (nitric oxide) within the body, which dilates blood vessels.

During a workout, this dilation helps to drive more nutrients to the muscle. It also helps to improve overall circulation, which is essential for proper sexual function. In one placebo-controlled study, men were given arginine for six weeks.

At the conclusion, the arginine group reported improved sexual performance. The measured results showed nitric oxide levels that began low and doubled within the six week period. For libido and exercise performance, recommended dosages start around 5-6g daily.

Tribulis Terrestris

While it has many regional nicknames, the herb known as tribulis terrestris is regarded by some as the holy grail of natural testosterone boosters.

Tribulis is used for erectile dysfunction, libido boosts, strength improvement, exercise performance, and overall testosterone boosts. For men, the potential upside of this supplement makes tribulis a must-try.

Like other super-herbs, it has other potential benefits as well, like improved mood and chronic fatigue relief. Dosage and cycling can vary since it may be considered adaptogenic, but starting dosages are around 85-250mg/day. Since it’s an herb that goes through a process, it’s also important to get a high quality source for maximum effectiveness.

The best thing about these supplements is that they shouldn’t counteract each other and would make a great stack. The mechanisms of action for each are so different that combining the three as a daily testosterone-boosting stack would make a fantastic way to improve your health, libido. and testosterone levels without spending a fortune.

September 20, 2013October 10, 2017

Colon Cleanse Benefits

The modern diet is low in fiber and high in protein, fat, and chemicals. This diet can lead to improper digestion, absorption, and elimination. Furthermore, this diet can lead to a buildup of hard plaque like material on the lining of the colon. As this buildup occurs, the plaque also begins accumulating toxins and other poisons that can lead to a whole host of other problems like fatigue, headaches, gas, menstrual problems, and many more. Sadly, the health of our colon is often taken for granted. Making sure to go through an occasional colon cleansetreatment can have a lot of positive benefits.

Colon Cleanse – Makes More Effective Digestion:

After the colon is cleansed, your bowels are clear and this clearing allows waste material to pass through your system, rather than being trapped by the already existing plaque. The entire digestive system becomes more effective. The cleanse also removes all of the toxins and poisons which had been accumulating on the walls of the colon.

Prevents Constipation:

Did you know that constipation can also lead to things like hemorrhoids and varicose veins? When you are not regular and constipation becomes more frequent, you can experience a sluggish digestive response and leave waste in the system longer. As waste is left to fester, the release of toxins into the bloodstream increases. Cleansing the colon can help to eliminate all of these issues.

Increases Energy:

The body is an amazing machine that adapts to almost anything. When there is plaque and waste buildup in the colon, the body devotes more energy to push additional waste products through and be eliminated. Once the colon is cleansed, however, this extra energy reserve is freed and can then be applied to other parts of the body. Very often, it is possible to see noticeable improvements in sleep quality as well as energy levels.

Improves Concentration:

When the colon contains dangerous build ups of plaque and other waste materials, it is very difficult to obtain the proper amount of vitamin and mineral absorption. This difficulty is true even if you are eating a healthy diet. Once a cleanse is completed, however, vitamin and mineral absorption improve, leading to a significant improvement in terms of feeling alert and focused.

Colon Cleansing for Weight Loss:

The colon contains a lot of weight. Completely empty it weighs about 4 pounds, but can hold up to 8 meals worth of food, and this weight is before digestion even begins. Removing all of this waste material from the colon can cause a weight loss of up to 20 pounds within a matter of days. Not to mention the fact that things will be more efficient now and moving through the colon at a faster pace.

September 6, 2013April 20, 2016

Are Probiotics a Necessary Addition to a Diet?

You have no doubt been hearing all about the virtues and benefits of ingredients called Probiotics. Probiotics are helpful forms of bacteria that are already present in your gut and bowels. These micro-organisms can actually help the body to maintain good health and possibly even help to fight off illness. But the main question is whether or not these ingredients, which can be obtained in supplement form, are a necessary addition to a diet.

What are Probiotics?

Starting at the beginning, Probiotics are micro-organisms that live in your gut and bowels as a type of “good” bacteria that are thought to help with digestion and even offer protection from more harmful bacteria. They are also found in foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi, as well as nutritional supplements. They are found in many different types of fermented foods, which in the past made up a much larger part of the typical diet than they do today.

Health Benefits of Probiotics:

Probiotics play a helpful role in the digestive tract. They act to maintain a good and healthy balance between both good and harmful bacteria. Of course, this action also means that sometimes they need to work harder due to our poor food choices, stress, lack of sleep, and use of toxins. When we have the proper amount of Probiotics in our system, they filter out and eliminate other harmful bacteria, toxins, chemicals, and waste products. Probiotics also help to absorb things we do need like vitamins and nutrients, along with delivering them where needed.

The correct amount of Probiotics and balance with the harmful bacteria is also important for our immune system health. When out of balance, problems occur. Adding Probiotics to our diet is certainly an easy way to help ensure this balance is maintained.

Conclusion—Are They Needed?

Whether or not Probiotics are a necessary addition to your diet really depends upon your current state of health. For most people, they would certainly be a help. If you are in doubt about whether or not they can help, it is better to give them a try than continue waiting and doing nothing.