Garlic Goodness

Garlic provides numerous health and physique benefits. Not only does it enhance heart health, but research shows that it aids fat burning, can help to lower the catabolic hormone cortisol, and concomitantly raise testosterone levels. Recent research suggests that garlic can actually boost nitric oxide levels (NO).

Researchers from the university of Adelaide (Australia) gave 50 patients with treated but uncontrolled high blood pressure wither a garlic supplement containing 960 milligrams of aged garlic or a placebo everyday for 12 weeks. They measured the subjects’ blood pressure at the start and every four weeks thereafter. The researchers reported in a 2010 issue of the journal Maturitas that the group supplementing with the garlic had a drop in pressure which was on average 10mm hg (pressure units) lower than in the placebo group. The scientists concluded that this was likely to be due to garlic’s ability to boost NO levels, which relaxes blood vessels and causes a reduction in blood pressure. This relaxation in the blood vessels also increases blood flow to the muscles, which is critical for energy and for producing a muscle pump during workouts, as well as aiding recovery and muscle growth.

The researchers suggested that cooked garlic would not be as effective as a garlic supplement because heat destroys the active ingredient, allicin. So go with garlic supplements and take about 200-1000mg with your pre-workout shake. To maintain higher NO levels throughout the day, also consider taking a dose in the morning and late at night.

Role of Genetics and Heredity Obesity

I have some friends who tell me that their obesity is simply due to their genetics. Is this true?

Because each person is born with a unique genetic composition, losing bodyfat and keeping it off can be more challenging for some people than others.

Your genes can influence how quickly you feel full when eating, how physically active you are prone to be, and your metabolic rate, for example. As a result, some people may be genetically more vulnerable to gaining weight and certain environmental triggers can make these people more susceptible to becoming obese.

So what percentage of the population is obese because of genetics? Some scientists claim that most obesity cases are influenced by genetics, some claim that the influence is negligible, and many believe that the right explanation rests between the two views.

Some scientists believe that certain inherited genes don’t necessarily make individuals obese, they merely give them a predisposition for becoming obese, but it is the learned or acquired behaviours of overeating and inactivity that cause the weight gain.

While science shows that heredity is linked to obesity, it is impossible to pinpoint the degree of correlation. There is little debate, however, over the genetic determination of body shape. Some people are more likely to put weight on their hips and thighs, and this is harder to lose than belly fat.

‘Obesity runs in my family, and it is impossible for me to lose weight’ is a classic excuse for not trying to lose weight, and it can be a convenient way of blaming others for an individual’s state.

Obesity tends to run in some families, suggesting a genetic link. But families also share diet and lifestyle habits that contribute to obesity. There seems to be a greater chance that people are heavy because of conditioned behaviours they learned from their family, than because of genetics.

People can still succeed with fat loss despite a genetic predisposition to gain weight, although it may take more work and patience, and perhaps medical intervention.

Vitamin D and Calcium

This vitamin and mineral stack not only boosts bone health, but also testosterone levels.

Vitamin D
This fat-soluble vitamin is important for bone health and mental well-being, also benefits muscle strength and fat loss, and it may be critical for maintaining high testosterone levels. searchers at the Medical University of Graz (Austria) reported that subjects with sufficient vitamin D levels had significantly higher testosterone levels than those with less vitamin D.

Calcium
In addition to its bone-boosting effects, calcium is also important for muscle contractions and it even aids fat loss. But calcium may boost testosterone, too. One study from Selcuk University (Turkey) found that subjects taking about 16 milligrams of calcium per pound of bodyweight (about 3300 mg for a 200 pound guy) had higher testosterone levels during workouts than subjects not taking supplemental calcium.

Take It Like This:
To increase your testosterone levels, take 1000-2000 interation units of vitamin D two or three times daily with meals and 500-600mg of calcium two to five times a day.

Eat Apples to Lose Body Fat?

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According to recent studies, ursolic acid which is a waxy compound found in apple peel has serious muscle-building properties. Mice suffering from atrophy were given ursolic acid and this halted muscle degradation. When ursolic acid was administered to healthy mice, it actually sparked muscle growth and even reduced body fat.

Apples are low in calories and fat, low in sodium, and contain vitamins and minerals as well as fiber. These can all help you to lose weight in different ways. The fiber helps you feel full longer because it expands in your stomach so it takes less food to satisfy your hunger.

The slow digesting carbohydrates in apples also make them ideal pre-workout fuel.

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Should I Still Have Carbs Before My Workouts If I’m Trying To Get Lean?

It is better to have the energy to get through the workout with a high level of intensity than have a bad workout because you are carb depleted. If getting lean is your main concern, try going without and see how you do. If your body continues to change, then great – you are one of the lucky ones. However, if you find you are not getting leaner, your body’s likely suffering an energy deficit during workouts so that you cannot train hard enough. The general recommendation is to eat 20-40 grams of slow digesting carbs 30-60 minutes pre-workout. You can start there and see how that plan goes. Just don’t be too rigid one way or the other.