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Like a Bridge over Troubled Waters
By Brian Cunningham, M.S.
Bodybuilders have varying degrees of insanity. At one end of the spectrum, some are comfortable doing multi-year cycles of anabolics, insulin, GH, etc. The other extreme is blindly opposed to using any supplementation of any kind to retain their misinformed title of “natural”. Much of what modern day man experiences, eats, and breathes is anything but ‘natural’. Indeed some so-called naturalists are often alive thanks to “unnatural” medications and/or vaccines! Somewhere in between these extremes is where most of us are. We don’t wish to risk our long-term health to get huge, but we are willing to take various levels of supplements. For some, this means illicit drugs; for others, it could mean prohormones and other dietary supplements (creatine, BCAA’s, etc.).
For the athlete using performance enhancement drugs or supplements like prohormones or the new wave of methylated pheromones and other legal anabolics (I’ll call them all ‘drugs’ for the purpose of this article), health concerns would dictate cycling these substances with periods of non-drug use. In the April, 2005 issue of The Core, we covered Post-Cycle Recovery, which explained more of this in detail. (You may review this article at http://readthecore.com/200504/cunningham-soup.htm ).
Bridging is another concept often used in bodybuilding and by other athletes. A ‘bridge’ is any form of drug or supplement used in between heavier cycles of drug or supplement use. A ‘cycle’ does not just have to be drug use. Even someone doing a cycle of prohormones and eating 6-7 meals a day has placed an enormous amount of stress on his body and should plan a bridge/post-cycle recovery phase. We all know that our muscles are connected to our endocrine system (hormones), but we also need to be aware that they are also connected to all our organ systems. More critical for long-term health are the Gastro-Intestinal and Detoxification Systems (skin, liver, intestines & kidneys). Full recovery should include these systems as well. I want to expand the concept of a ‘bridge’ to involve health, recovery, and restoration of the entire body, and not just for purely cosmetic (muscle mass) reasons. Think of it as long-term (health) and short-term (cosmetic/appearance) recovery. It’s like putting gas in your car daily; but, also, changing the oil every 3,000 miles to keep it running into the future.
Lov‘er or Liver:
A true mass building cycle would consist of eating at least 300-600 grams of protein per day. This entails 5-8 meals a day, often including one before bed, and sometimes, waking up in the middle of the night for a shake/meal. This is the type of mindset needed to force the body to grow. However, eating before bed inhibits Phase II detoxification in the liver. Phase I liver detoxification includes filtering and the Cytochrome P450 enzymes. Phase II involves conjugation. Conjugation is where various enzymes in the liver attach protective compounds to toxins. This either neutralizes the toxin or makes the toxin more easily excreted. Phase I and II work together so that both need to be working properly. Proper liver detoxification is especially critical for the prevention of cancers. 1,2
This is even more dangerous to bodybuilders as steroids and high-protein diets activate Phase I detox, and eating before bed inhibits Phase II thus leaving dangerous carcinogens (cancer causing agents) lingering in the body longer. Some foods that inhibit Phase I also include Grape Fruit (via naringenin), and red chili peppers (via capsaicin). Grape fruit naringenin can decrease Phase I detox by up to 30 percent!
Curcumin is a miracle nutrient due to its many benefits. Curcumin stimulates Phase II detoxification (the critical phase often suppressed in bodybuilders). Curcumin is also a powerful anti-cancer agent.4 Amazingly, it is also a great natural anti-inflammatory. Hard training athletes who get injured often resort to NSAIDS (e.g. Motrin) or COX II inhibitors (e.g. Celebrex) to reduce inflammation and pain. Curcumin is a natural COX II inhibitor, similar to the action of Celebrex and Vioxx. Cox II inhibitors like Celebrex and Vioxx, touted as being safer and more effective than NSAIDS, are now linked to increased heart disease and possible kidney failure. 3 This is critical because NSAIDS also inhibit Phase II detox (and deplete Vitamin D). Once again, this illustrates that natural agents are almost always preferable to drugs where they are shown to be effective.
Post cycle, and even during a hard cycle, we want to use curcumin, glycine and taurine (on an empty stomach), to stimulate Phase II liver detoxification. There are other agents as well such as I3C (Indole-3-Carbinole), but I mention glycine and taurine because they also serve our agenda of muscle recovery and fullness. (Try 4-8 grams of taurine before and after a workout. You will really feel it!).
Do you use a cell phone? You should be very worried. New studies show that they lead to brain tumors and cancers. They do this by allowing more toxins into the brain--toxins that should have been removed by – you guessed it – the liver. 5
Play Ball!
First off let’s dispel the common notion that low-dose anabolic steroids constitute a bridge. They do not. Low dose anabolics may help maintain muscle gains, but they do nothing to restore normal hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis (HPTA) function. The longer you stay on, even on lose dose, the more you risk complications, poor recovery, and adverse health consequences.
Bridging programs may be categorized into the following (or combination of the following):
1) Do nothing.
2) Take non-steroidal anabolics (GH, IGF, insulin)
3) Low does oral anabolic, the famous “Dbol bridge”
4) Natural/supplement based bridge.
Do nothing: Some users feel the best route is to come off, and go natural, allowing the body to recover by itself. This could entail nothing or, at least, a post-cycle recovery program of HCG, Arimidex, Clomid, reduction in training intensity, and ingestion of regular supplements like creatine, BCAA’s, and whey protein. This often produces the biggest crash and loss of muscle mass and sex drive.
Low Dose non-anabolics: With or without a post cycle recovery phase (HCG, Clomid, Arimidex, etc), some athletes resort to other non-steroid-based anabolics such as GH, and insulin. This can work to retain muscle mass, but does little to assist normalizing HPTA function. Also, this is expensive and prolongs exposure to potentially dangerous and unhealthy drugs. Contrary to what you are told, the long term health effects of GH are still debatable. Factor in the high amounts of GH bodybuilders use to get results (4 iu and higher/day), and these dubious benefits are even less clear. Insulin is well known as being dangerous if used improperly, but it is also (along with sugar) the main theorized culprit in the aging process.
Dianabol/Arimidex Bridge: This theory has been around for quite some time. Recently this protocol has undergone some underground revisions based on new clinical evidence and gained more credence as a viable bridge. Dianabol supposedly is the only oral that can be used here as it has very low binding to the androgen receptor. This allows the body to enter into restoring natural HPTA function sooner. Contrary to popular belief, Anavar cannot be used successfully here as it binds well to the androgen receptor thus inhibiting recovery. Remember HPTA recovery is based on not just lowering estrogen, but also restoring androgen receptivity, as the neurons in the pituitary gland need to unbind this receptor before they release their suppressed signaling hormones, LH and FSH, which affect testosterone recovery in the testicles.
The D’bol bridge can only be used at 10 mg/day. It is best incorporated into a good post-cycle recovery program. Anything higher than 10 mg/day will linger in the body too long and hinder daily recovery time. This is due to the half-life of Dianabol-- about 4 hrs. (every 4 hours the amount is reduced by ½). So 10 mg. will go to less than 1 mg. in 3.4 half-lives, or about 13.3 hours. This leaves over 10 hours for the body to read low levels of hormone via the androgen receptor and stimulate recovery. Arimidex has to be used to curtain the aromatization of the D’bol to estrogen, which will inhibit recovery.
The timing of D’bol must be consistent and should be taken at the same time every morning in one 10 mg dose. This resembles the natural circadian rhythm where natural testosterone levels are high in the early morning. This would be done for 3-4 weeks as you also built up LH and FSH with a post-cycle recovery program.
Natural bridge – the advances in supplement science recently are truly amazing. Supplements can have drug like effects and yet be non-toxic. This is because they are almost always substances found in our diet naturally. Since our bodies have evolved for hundreds of thousands of years with these compounds, the body has also created the proper metabolic pathways for their use, metabolism, and excretion. Drugs are often derived from natural substances. The difference is that, to make money off them, companies have to alter them, so they can patent them, yet still enable them to affect the body in a desired manner. Altering a natural compound into a drug makes the compound foreign to the body. The body has not evolved to deal with this new form of the drug, so this creates extra work for the body. Often, this leads to toxicity and many other side-effects that drugs are known for.
For example, new Tribulus products are now being standardized for protodiocin, which has been shown to increase LH levels.6 Fenugreek is also a powerful natural testosterone booster. Nettle root extract lowers sex hormone binding globulin-7 (SHBG) allowing more free testosterone. It also lowers DHT and prolactin. Avena sativa extract also lowers SHBG, so these two herbs could be used both on and off a cycle. Phosphatidylserine is a powerful anti-catabolic, but must be taken in high doses orally to be effective.
Xanthoparmelia scabrosa is another herb that could be part of a bridge. It is a natural source of the same active ingredient in Viagra. It inhibits the PDE-5 enzyme that binds to and breaks down cGMP, the smooth muscle relaxer produced by nitric oxide (NO). Taken together with L-Citrulline and Cnidium, you will have a powerful natural Viagra. Of course you can always throw in some Yohimbe extract and L-Arginine for good measure! To minimize estrogen, formestane, 3,17-dioxo-etiochol-1,4,6 triene or 3;6;17-androstenetrione can be used as potent natural alternatives to Arimidex.
To maintain muscle mass, besides the usual suspects (creatine, BCAA’s, Glutamine), the amino acid L-Taurine in high doses (5-15 grams per day pre and post-workout) can have a powerful cell volumizing effect. High doses of BCAA’s and L-Glutamine can flood the blood stream with free fatty-acids(FFAs), and trick the hormonal system into believing that too much muscle has been broken down by accident! This causes the hormonal system to undergo “nutrition partitioning”, whereby muscle growth and repair are prioritized. Recommended doses for this are 5-10 grams BCAA plus 5 grams L-Glutamine pre-workout, 10-20 grams BCAA plus 5-10 grams L-Glutamine immediately after your work-out (with a carb drink of 15-20 grams of simple sugar), followed by your regular whey protein/carb shake 20-25 minutes later.
Prohormones are best avoided in post-cycle recovery and bridging, since they also down-regulate the HTPA. The only exception to this may be the 4-Hydroxy Testosterone (4-OHT) which converts to formestane in the body and can upregulate HPTA function. Formestane by itself is anabolic as in 500mg per week IGF is elevated significantly.
Name
Dose
Target/Effect
ProTrib (Tribulus , 20% Protodiocin)
500-1500 mg/day
Increases LH-Testosterone
Fenugreek
2000-3000 mg/day
Increase Test & muscle glycogen deposits
Phosphatidylserine
800-1200 mg/day, orally, 25-50 mg/day IM
Potent anti-catabolic
Formestane
500-1000 mg/week
Elevates IGF, Boosts HPTA function, blocks estrogen
Nettle Root Extract
1,000-3,000mg/day
Lowers SHBG/increase free testosterone
Avena sativa
300-900 mg/day
Lowers SHBG/increase free testosterone
Xanthoparmelia
100-300 mg. prior to sexual activity
PDE-5 inhibitor/ sexual function
L-Citrulline
2000-5000 mg prior to sexual activity
Nitric oxide (NO) stimulator/ sexual function
Cnidium
50-150 mg. prior to sexual activity
NO stimulator/ sexual function
3;6;17-androstenetrione
900-1800mg/day
Aromatase inhibitor(lowers estrogen)
L-Taurine
4000-15000 mg/day
Muscle volumizing
4-HydroxyTestosterone
400-800mg/day
Anabolic hormone, upregulates HPTA
Think Outside the Bun!
Another area that can use an “oil change” is the GI tract. Many of us feel bloated or have extended guts and part of this may be due to excessive eating and poor digestion. Over 40% of our immune system is centered around the digestive tract. Why? A lot of our body’s exposure to toxins and bacteria comes from what we eat! Progressive doctors now recognize that a lot of allergies and other immune problems are from dysfunctional GI tracts. Poor diet and nutrition allow undigested food particles to enter directly into the blood stream(via micro-perforations), thus triggering hyper-immune stimulation leading to a weaker immune system.
What can we do? In a word; enzymes! Enzymes are what digest food. Bodybuilders consume a lot of food and many of us would benefit from extra enzymes. Enzymes taken on an empty stomach enter the blood stream and help to detoxify those food particles wreaking havoc on our immune system. Enzymes taken on an empty stomach also help to heal injuries, a benefit for hard training athletes. L-Glutamine is also important for normal functioning of the GI tract.
Another idea to consider is fasting. Fasting is a great way to stimulate enzymatic systems of repair in the body. This allows for accelerated healing of injuries and of the micro-perforations in the GI tract. Several day fasts are much more advanced, so just start out with a one-day fast. It’s very easy. You can do it one day a week for a month (that’s a total of 4 times), and take extra BCAA’s and Glutamine to prevent muscle loss. You’ll end up losing fat, detoxifying the body, and healing your organs.
Like most people, bodybuilders focus on goals that bring them rewards. No one really considers making health a goal because the rewards are often unnoticed or taken for granted unless we get sick, or look sick. Indeed, most individuals stay healthy for cosmetic reasons – to look better. It takes education and an intelligent mindset to realize all the hidden benefits of being healthy such as improved mental well-being (less depression.), improved physical and sexual performance, less risk of death and disease, and looking better. When you make health a main goal, and work toward it every day, it becomes easy.
Brian has a Free Newsletter: Anabolic Research Secrets - available at www.RxBody.com
References:
1. Genetically based n-Acetyltransferase metabolic polymorphism and low level environmental exposure to carcinogens. G. Talska et al., Nature 369 (1994): 154-156.
2. Detoxification. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. P108-110.
3. Safety of Arthritis Drugs in Question, Steve Mitchell, WebMD Medical News Archive. (http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/33/1728_83308)
4. Curcumin as an inhibitor of cancer. M. Nagabhushan et al. J. American College Nutr 11 (1992) 192-198.
5. Differentiation, 2002 May; 70(2-3); 120-129.
6. Gyulemetova, R., M. Tomova, M. Simova, P. Pangarova, S. Peeva. On Tribestan standardization. Die Pharmatie, 1982, 37,4
7. Hryb DJ, Khan MS, Romas NA, et al. The effect of extracts of the roots of the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) on the interaction of SHBG with its receptor on human prostatic membranes. Planta Med. 1995;61:31–32.
8. Eat For Muscle! Timing Is Everything. Serrano E., M.D., Stout J. Planet Muscle (Volume 5, Number 1, 2002)
Brian Cunningham runs www.RxBody.com and has a MS in Epidemiology and has been employed in the pharmaceutical research field and now currently in the Sports Supplement Industry.
By Brian Cunningham, M.S.
Bodybuilders have varying degrees of insanity. At one end of the spectrum, some are comfortable doing multi-year cycles of anabolics, insulin, GH, etc. The other extreme is blindly opposed to using any supplementation of any kind to retain their misinformed title of “natural”. Much of what modern day man experiences, eats, and breathes is anything but ‘natural’. Indeed some so-called naturalists are often alive thanks to “unnatural” medications and/or vaccines! Somewhere in between these extremes is where most of us are. We don’t wish to risk our long-term health to get huge, but we are willing to take various levels of supplements. For some, this means illicit drugs; for others, it could mean prohormones and other dietary supplements (creatine, BCAA’s, etc.).
For the athlete using performance enhancement drugs or supplements like prohormones or the new wave of methylated pheromones and other legal anabolics (I’ll call them all ‘drugs’ for the purpose of this article), health concerns would dictate cycling these substances with periods of non-drug use. In the April, 2005 issue of The Core, we covered Post-Cycle Recovery, which explained more of this in detail. (You may review this article at http://readthecore.com/200504/cunningham-soup.htm ).
Bridging is another concept often used in bodybuilding and by other athletes. A ‘bridge’ is any form of drug or supplement used in between heavier cycles of drug or supplement use. A ‘cycle’ does not just have to be drug use. Even someone doing a cycle of prohormones and eating 6-7 meals a day has placed an enormous amount of stress on his body and should plan a bridge/post-cycle recovery phase. We all know that our muscles are connected to our endocrine system (hormones), but we also need to be aware that they are also connected to all our organ systems. More critical for long-term health are the Gastro-Intestinal and Detoxification Systems (skin, liver, intestines & kidneys). Full recovery should include these systems as well. I want to expand the concept of a ‘bridge’ to involve health, recovery, and restoration of the entire body, and not just for purely cosmetic (muscle mass) reasons. Think of it as long-term (health) and short-term (cosmetic/appearance) recovery. It’s like putting gas in your car daily; but, also, changing the oil every 3,000 miles to keep it running into the future.
Lov‘er or Liver:
A true mass building cycle would consist of eating at least 300-600 grams of protein per day. This entails 5-8 meals a day, often including one before bed, and sometimes, waking up in the middle of the night for a shake/meal. This is the type of mindset needed to force the body to grow. However, eating before bed inhibits Phase II detoxification in the liver. Phase I liver detoxification includes filtering and the Cytochrome P450 enzymes. Phase II involves conjugation. Conjugation is where various enzymes in the liver attach protective compounds to toxins. This either neutralizes the toxin or makes the toxin more easily excreted. Phase I and II work together so that both need to be working properly. Proper liver detoxification is especially critical for the prevention of cancers. 1,2
This is even more dangerous to bodybuilders as steroids and high-protein diets activate Phase I detox, and eating before bed inhibits Phase II thus leaving dangerous carcinogens (cancer causing agents) lingering in the body longer. Some foods that inhibit Phase I also include Grape Fruit (via naringenin), and red chili peppers (via capsaicin). Grape fruit naringenin can decrease Phase I detox by up to 30 percent!
Curcumin is a miracle nutrient due to its many benefits. Curcumin stimulates Phase II detoxification (the critical phase often suppressed in bodybuilders). Curcumin is also a powerful anti-cancer agent.4 Amazingly, it is also a great natural anti-inflammatory. Hard training athletes who get injured often resort to NSAIDS (e.g. Motrin) or COX II inhibitors (e.g. Celebrex) to reduce inflammation and pain. Curcumin is a natural COX II inhibitor, similar to the action of Celebrex and Vioxx. Cox II inhibitors like Celebrex and Vioxx, touted as being safer and more effective than NSAIDS, are now linked to increased heart disease and possible kidney failure. 3 This is critical because NSAIDS also inhibit Phase II detox (and deplete Vitamin D). Once again, this illustrates that natural agents are almost always preferable to drugs where they are shown to be effective.
Post cycle, and even during a hard cycle, we want to use curcumin, glycine and taurine (on an empty stomach), to stimulate Phase II liver detoxification. There are other agents as well such as I3C (Indole-3-Carbinole), but I mention glycine and taurine because they also serve our agenda of muscle recovery and fullness. (Try 4-8 grams of taurine before and after a workout. You will really feel it!).
Do you use a cell phone? You should be very worried. New studies show that they lead to brain tumors and cancers. They do this by allowing more toxins into the brain--toxins that should have been removed by – you guessed it – the liver. 5
Play Ball!
First off let’s dispel the common notion that low-dose anabolic steroids constitute a bridge. They do not. Low dose anabolics may help maintain muscle gains, but they do nothing to restore normal hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis (HPTA) function. The longer you stay on, even on lose dose, the more you risk complications, poor recovery, and adverse health consequences.
Bridging programs may be categorized into the following (or combination of the following):
1) Do nothing.
2) Take non-steroidal anabolics (GH, IGF, insulin)
3) Low does oral anabolic, the famous “Dbol bridge”
4) Natural/supplement based bridge.
Do nothing: Some users feel the best route is to come off, and go natural, allowing the body to recover by itself. This could entail nothing or, at least, a post-cycle recovery program of HCG, Arimidex, Clomid, reduction in training intensity, and ingestion of regular supplements like creatine, BCAA’s, and whey protein. This often produces the biggest crash and loss of muscle mass and sex drive.
Low Dose non-anabolics: With or without a post cycle recovery phase (HCG, Clomid, Arimidex, etc), some athletes resort to other non-steroid-based anabolics such as GH, and insulin. This can work to retain muscle mass, but does little to assist normalizing HPTA function. Also, this is expensive and prolongs exposure to potentially dangerous and unhealthy drugs. Contrary to what you are told, the long term health effects of GH are still debatable. Factor in the high amounts of GH bodybuilders use to get results (4 iu and higher/day), and these dubious benefits are even less clear. Insulin is well known as being dangerous if used improperly, but it is also (along with sugar) the main theorized culprit in the aging process.
Dianabol/Arimidex Bridge: This theory has been around for quite some time. Recently this protocol has undergone some underground revisions based on new clinical evidence and gained more credence as a viable bridge. Dianabol supposedly is the only oral that can be used here as it has very low binding to the androgen receptor. This allows the body to enter into restoring natural HPTA function sooner. Contrary to popular belief, Anavar cannot be used successfully here as it binds well to the androgen receptor thus inhibiting recovery. Remember HPTA recovery is based on not just lowering estrogen, but also restoring androgen receptivity, as the neurons in the pituitary gland need to unbind this receptor before they release their suppressed signaling hormones, LH and FSH, which affect testosterone recovery in the testicles.
The D’bol bridge can only be used at 10 mg/day. It is best incorporated into a good post-cycle recovery program. Anything higher than 10 mg/day will linger in the body too long and hinder daily recovery time. This is due to the half-life of Dianabol-- about 4 hrs. (every 4 hours the amount is reduced by ½). So 10 mg. will go to less than 1 mg. in 3.4 half-lives, or about 13.3 hours. This leaves over 10 hours for the body to read low levels of hormone via the androgen receptor and stimulate recovery. Arimidex has to be used to curtain the aromatization of the D’bol to estrogen, which will inhibit recovery.
The timing of D’bol must be consistent and should be taken at the same time every morning in one 10 mg dose. This resembles the natural circadian rhythm where natural testosterone levels are high in the early morning. This would be done for 3-4 weeks as you also built up LH and FSH with a post-cycle recovery program.
Natural bridge – the advances in supplement science recently are truly amazing. Supplements can have drug like effects and yet be non-toxic. This is because they are almost always substances found in our diet naturally. Since our bodies have evolved for hundreds of thousands of years with these compounds, the body has also created the proper metabolic pathways for their use, metabolism, and excretion. Drugs are often derived from natural substances. The difference is that, to make money off them, companies have to alter them, so they can patent them, yet still enable them to affect the body in a desired manner. Altering a natural compound into a drug makes the compound foreign to the body. The body has not evolved to deal with this new form of the drug, so this creates extra work for the body. Often, this leads to toxicity and many other side-effects that drugs are known for.
For example, new Tribulus products are now being standardized for protodiocin, which has been shown to increase LH levels.6 Fenugreek is also a powerful natural testosterone booster. Nettle root extract lowers sex hormone binding globulin-7 (SHBG) allowing more free testosterone. It also lowers DHT and prolactin. Avena sativa extract also lowers SHBG, so these two herbs could be used both on and off a cycle. Phosphatidylserine is a powerful anti-catabolic, but must be taken in high doses orally to be effective.
Xanthoparmelia scabrosa is another herb that could be part of a bridge. It is a natural source of the same active ingredient in Viagra. It inhibits the PDE-5 enzyme that binds to and breaks down cGMP, the smooth muscle relaxer produced by nitric oxide (NO). Taken together with L-Citrulline and Cnidium, you will have a powerful natural Viagra. Of course you can always throw in some Yohimbe extract and L-Arginine for good measure! To minimize estrogen, formestane, 3,17-dioxo-etiochol-1,4,6 triene or 3;6;17-androstenetrione can be used as potent natural alternatives to Arimidex.
To maintain muscle mass, besides the usual suspects (creatine, BCAA’s, Glutamine), the amino acid L-Taurine in high doses (5-15 grams per day pre and post-workout) can have a powerful cell volumizing effect. High doses of BCAA’s and L-Glutamine can flood the blood stream with free fatty-acids(FFAs), and trick the hormonal system into believing that too much muscle has been broken down by accident! This causes the hormonal system to undergo “nutrition partitioning”, whereby muscle growth and repair are prioritized. Recommended doses for this are 5-10 grams BCAA plus 5 grams L-Glutamine pre-workout, 10-20 grams BCAA plus 5-10 grams L-Glutamine immediately after your work-out (with a carb drink of 15-20 grams of simple sugar), followed by your regular whey protein/carb shake 20-25 minutes later.
Prohormones are best avoided in post-cycle recovery and bridging, since they also down-regulate the HTPA. The only exception to this may be the 4-Hydroxy Testosterone (4-OHT) which converts to formestane in the body and can upregulate HPTA function. Formestane by itself is anabolic as in 500mg per week IGF is elevated significantly.
Name
Dose
Target/Effect
ProTrib (Tribulus , 20% Protodiocin)
500-1500 mg/day
Increases LH-Testosterone
Fenugreek
2000-3000 mg/day
Increase Test & muscle glycogen deposits
Phosphatidylserine
800-1200 mg/day, orally, 25-50 mg/day IM
Potent anti-catabolic
Formestane
500-1000 mg/week
Elevates IGF, Boosts HPTA function, blocks estrogen
Nettle Root Extract
1,000-3,000mg/day
Lowers SHBG/increase free testosterone
Avena sativa
300-900 mg/day
Lowers SHBG/increase free testosterone
Xanthoparmelia
100-300 mg. prior to sexual activity
PDE-5 inhibitor/ sexual function
L-Citrulline
2000-5000 mg prior to sexual activity
Nitric oxide (NO) stimulator/ sexual function
Cnidium
50-150 mg. prior to sexual activity
NO stimulator/ sexual function
3;6;17-androstenetrione
900-1800mg/day
Aromatase inhibitor(lowers estrogen)
L-Taurine
4000-15000 mg/day
Muscle volumizing
4-HydroxyTestosterone
400-800mg/day
Anabolic hormone, upregulates HPTA
Think Outside the Bun!
Another area that can use an “oil change” is the GI tract. Many of us feel bloated or have extended guts and part of this may be due to excessive eating and poor digestion. Over 40% of our immune system is centered around the digestive tract. Why? A lot of our body’s exposure to toxins and bacteria comes from what we eat! Progressive doctors now recognize that a lot of allergies and other immune problems are from dysfunctional GI tracts. Poor diet and nutrition allow undigested food particles to enter directly into the blood stream(via micro-perforations), thus triggering hyper-immune stimulation leading to a weaker immune system.
What can we do? In a word; enzymes! Enzymes are what digest food. Bodybuilders consume a lot of food and many of us would benefit from extra enzymes. Enzymes taken on an empty stomach enter the blood stream and help to detoxify those food particles wreaking havoc on our immune system. Enzymes taken on an empty stomach also help to heal injuries, a benefit for hard training athletes. L-Glutamine is also important for normal functioning of the GI tract.
Another idea to consider is fasting. Fasting is a great way to stimulate enzymatic systems of repair in the body. This allows for accelerated healing of injuries and of the micro-perforations in the GI tract. Several day fasts are much more advanced, so just start out with a one-day fast. It’s very easy. You can do it one day a week for a month (that’s a total of 4 times), and take extra BCAA’s and Glutamine to prevent muscle loss. You’ll end up losing fat, detoxifying the body, and healing your organs.
Like most people, bodybuilders focus on goals that bring them rewards. No one really considers making health a goal because the rewards are often unnoticed or taken for granted unless we get sick, or look sick. Indeed, most individuals stay healthy for cosmetic reasons – to look better. It takes education and an intelligent mindset to realize all the hidden benefits of being healthy such as improved mental well-being (less depression.), improved physical and sexual performance, less risk of death and disease, and looking better. When you make health a main goal, and work toward it every day, it becomes easy.
Brian has a Free Newsletter: Anabolic Research Secrets - available at www.RxBody.com
References:
1. Genetically based n-Acetyltransferase metabolic polymorphism and low level environmental exposure to carcinogens. G. Talska et al., Nature 369 (1994): 154-156.
2. Detoxification. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. P108-110.
3. Safety of Arthritis Drugs in Question, Steve Mitchell, WebMD Medical News Archive. (http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/33/1728_83308)
4. Curcumin as an inhibitor of cancer. M. Nagabhushan et al. J. American College Nutr 11 (1992) 192-198.
5. Differentiation, 2002 May; 70(2-3); 120-129.
6. Gyulemetova, R., M. Tomova, M. Simova, P. Pangarova, S. Peeva. On Tribestan standardization. Die Pharmatie, 1982, 37,4
7. Hryb DJ, Khan MS, Romas NA, et al. The effect of extracts of the roots of the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) on the interaction of SHBG with its receptor on human prostatic membranes. Planta Med. 1995;61:31–32.
8. Eat For Muscle! Timing Is Everything. Serrano E., M.D., Stout J. Planet Muscle (Volume 5, Number 1, 2002)
Brian Cunningham runs www.RxBody.com and has a MS in Epidemiology and has been employed in the pharmaceutical research field and now currently in the Sports Supplement Industry.
