Archive for the ‘Workouts’ Category
We All Need Protein

Proteins are needed to grow, nourish and repair body cells, muscles, tissues, and organs. They also assist other bodily functions like metabolism, digestion, and producing antibodies, that fight infection. And who hasn’t heard the shampoo commercials who tell us that protein gives us healthy shining hair?
Protein needs to be balanced for us to be at our healthiest. If you don’t get enough eventually your muscles start to weaken and break down. Our daily physical activity uses up protein and needs to be replenished.
Children need additional protein to grow and build strong muscles.Many foods which supply protein do contain certain other needed vitamins and minerals, which is one reason why protein bars have become so prevalent over the years.
Protein bars are a tasty and convenient way of ensuring your body gets the protein it needs. They are especially popular for those on the go, who do not have enough time to fix meals in advance, or simply want to avoid snacking on junk foods.
MesoTech Protein bars are ideal for a snack at work, during a long journey or simply if you get hungry. Along with being high in protein, these protein bars also have adequate carbohydrates to fuel the body with nutrition and energy. They even taste a lot better than other bars I have tried.
Caffeine Good or Bad?
Caffeine, just about everyone has an opinion on this heavily consumed chemical. Some see it as a useful tool in the fitness area (like me), and others consider it to be really bad stuff! As a friend of caffeine, I am going to point out a few items of interest and new research into this controversial supplement.
What the heck is caffeine?
Caffeine is a psychoactive drug, yep it affects your brain and your mood (you coffee drinkers will be well aware of this). Caffeine is a bitter (try chewing a caffeine tablet – yuck) white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that acts as a psychoactive stimulant drug and a mild diuretic (makes you pee more).
Caffeine was discovered by a German chemist, Friedrich Ferdinand Runge, in 1819 (and I bet he was up all night!) He coined the term “kaffein”, a chemical compound in coffee, which in English became caffeine. Caffeine is also called guaranine when found in guarana, mateine when found in mate, and theine when found in tea; all of these names are synonyms for the same chemical compound.
Caffeine is found in many plants and is used by most folks to increase alertness and focus, and sometimes, just o get through the rest of the workday. Break out the coffee and Red Bull. So, other than making me feel pretty good, what else can this chemical do?
1.It causes vasoconstriction – (constricts your blood vessels) this can help alleviate headaches.
2.It can widen the airways in your lungs, which can be helpful to asthmatics.
3.Causes fat cells to be released into the blood stream – allowing the body to use them as energy.
4.Boosts your metabolism – which assists in weight loss.
5.Reduces the perceived effort during weight lifting exercises – this can make your workout feel easier.
6.May reduce the possibility of developing Parkinson’s disease (you don’t want this illness).
7.Reduces muscle pain during intense exercise – allows you to go harder or longer.
8.Caffeine does make you pee more but in healthy people it does not lead to dehydration.
And guess what?
It can also significantly lower the risk of diabetes due to its insulin regulating ability.
Ok, so it has all these positive benefits, there’s got to be some bad stuff. Of course there is. Like anything, too much can be bad, and if you’re sensitive to the stuff, you should cut back or cut it out. Here’s a few of the negative items;
1.Caffeine can cause insomnia, nervousness, irritability and related disorders.
2.Excessive use can lead to over-acidity in your stomach leading to ulcers and other nasties.
3.While OK for us humans, this chemical is really bad for dogs, parrots and horses. (And really bad for spiders.)
4.Caffeine can exacerbate existing conditions of the heart – but no studies have shown that it adversely affects the healthy heart.
How should you take caffeine?
For day to day use, whatever beverage is your choice. Getting caffeine through tea or coffee (and chocolate) has the added benefit of a big dose of healthy antioxidants. For exercise purposes try taking a caffeine supplement (tablet or powder) in a dosage between 100 & 400 milligrams around 1 hour before working out. Experiment with the dosage to find what works for you. I tried 400mgs and it was far too much for me (shake,rattle and roll), but 200mgs was just right!
I believe that caffeine is a useful and moderately healthy supplement when used smartly. Remember to always consult your doctor if in doubt. If you have any serious medical conditions do your research before taking any chemicals. As a final note, the most recent studies have shown no links between caffeine intake and miscarriage. I would probably reduce the intake as a general health measure anyway!
Watch the Post Workout Snacks
In order to lose weight, you have to watch your calorie intake. Too many calories is bad but not enough can also be hazardous. Not enough calories will send your body into a starvation mode, forcing you to store fat. But some make the mistake of eating junk directly after their workout. Doing this will cancel and progress you made at the gym. You have to know what to take after a workout. Your boby will be like a sponge ready to take in whatever you put in your body… A-Z-Nutrition.com has you covered! Creatine is a good option, along with Muscle Provide. A-Z is offering Beverely Products at wholesale prices.
Antioxidant Supplements Are Important!
You’ve probably heard a lot about antioxidants in the newspaper, in magazines, and on T.V. While many supplements and nutrients have been talked about for as long as you can probably remember, antioxidant supplements are a more recent topic. Don’t let this fool you into thinking they’re any less important. Antioxidants are a vital part of staying young and healthy. But why are they so important?
First of all, we need to know what an antioxidant is. During normal processes, molecules called free radicals are produced in the body. These are basically unstable atoms or molecules that desperately want to become stable. They do this by stealing electrons from healthy cells, making them unstable and less healthy. Antioxidants reverse this reaction, helping to keep the cells of our body healthy and functioning properly.
One of the most talked about effects of antioxidants is their anti aging properties. As we age, we constantly copy our cells to replace them when they die. Errors in copying occur and build up to form the aging process. Free radicals can also interfere and have been shown to promote wrinkles, memory problems, weakness of the immune system, and reduced elasticity of tissue; all of which are associated with the aging process. We can’t completely stop aging, but proper amounts of antioxidants and/or antioxidant supplements can slow the process considerably.
Damage caused by these free radicals is also considered to be a cause of certain cancers. Getting more antioxidants can reduce our risk for certain types of cancer, including cancer of the: stomach, prostate, colon, breast, bladder esophagus, pancreas, and possibly many more. Besides cancer, antioxidants have been shown to help prevent other serious problems, such as: cardiovascular diseases, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and vision problems. It is likely that antioxidants can help prevent other diseases and disorders, but their full effects simply haven’t been studied yet.
Antioxidants prevent the oxidation of bad cholesterol. When this type of cholesterol oxidizes, it can attach to the walls of blood vessels causing heart disease. This increases the risk for heart attack and stroke. Oxidized cholesterol also contributes to the hardening of blood vessel walls increasing the risk of high blood pressure. Antioxidants can help keep your heart and the rest of your circulatory system healthy.
Another great benefit of antioxidants is that they help boost the immune system. If you get sufficient levels of antioxidants, you’re not only less likely to get sick; it’s also easier for you to fight off diseases you may get. Along these lines, antioxidants can also help you heal faster when you have an injury; large or small.
So what are you waiting for? Go to SupplementsToGo.Com today to get Antioxidant Supplements at a low price because they are the best way to start your day!
