Tag: Nutrition Tips

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Fat Loss Blockbusters: Elite Fat Loss Guide 2023

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OG Design: Michelle Gabata-Thibault
Edited: Ryan McTeigue

It’s that time of year where everyone seems to focus on getting their fitness and weight loss programs on track. With the Holiday season over, along with cheat days and ‘understandable’ lapses in training and dietary protocols, now is the best time to update your body goals and get your new re-composition routine cracking.

At Elite Sarms we have a few clever hacks and foolproof tips to support your fat loss journey in 2022.

Fast Burn Tip #1- Tweak your Habits to Facilitate Weight Loss

While you can’t wish your way to a trimmer waist or wave a wand to make extra body fat disappear, slowly tweaking your habits to work for you can be “the trick”. Swapping your light soda habit for lemon water may be just what you need to stop bloating and cleanse your organs to help your liver metabolise fat easier. Working on the 5th floor of your company building? Hit the stairs and burn more calories instead of using the elevator. And instead of surfing on your phone during commercials while you’re watching TV, you can have a quick HIIT workout for 4-5 minutes instead. Small consistent tweaks pay big dividends over time.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318662

Fast Burn Tip #2- Eat more seafood

Crustaceans such as crabs, shrimp, crayfish and lobsters are rich in the mineral zinc which ramps up leptin production, which reduces food intake and body weight.

Fish is a substantial source of minerals, such as iron, that sends oxygen to our muscles to burn a sufficient amount of fat for fuel; magnesium, also in seafood is essential for metabolism and energy production; and iodine, helps reverse a slow metabolism by producing more thyroid hormones.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17028377/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20846876/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322644/ 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18279014/ 

Fast Burn Tip #3- Give your Jaw a workout

If you want to boost your calorie burn, you need your jaw muscles to be working. There’s more to chewing your food than what your Mom told you so. Mastication increases ‘diet-induced thermogenesis’–energy expenditure- while improving blood-sugar control. What’s the goal? Aim for 40 chews per mouthful, instead of the typical 15. You’ll less likely to have second helpings due to increased oral stimuli including the duration of tasting food in the mouth for longer along with the extra duration of chewing your food.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-03109-x 

Fast Burn Tip #4- Applying Technology to your Fat Loss Routine

Technology is already a big part of everyday life. It makes sense that it can be just as helpful as a fat-shredding tool. There are so many cool products and free health apps out there to facilitate your journey. Fitness and activity devices track your steps, heart rate, weight and body fat%, sleep and so much more. If your like us, we will sit in front of the computer for long periods every day, you can set your phone alarm hourly as a reminder to stretch, or do those 5-minutes of burpees 🤮

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7407266/

Fast Burn Tip #5- Choose the Right Supplements to Maximize Fat Loss

SR9009, popularly known as Hyper Lean is a novel compound that will supercharge your metabolic capacity. SR9009 binds to your Rev-Erb proteins to activate fat and glucose metabolism. By increasing the production and function of your muscle tissue’s mitochondria, it facilitates nutrient uptake, leading to muscle fiber hypertrophy, and an increase in endurance and strength levels that definitely enhances exercise capacity.  

Recommended dose is 1ml daily which is equal to 20mg. Hyper Lean has a short half life of roughly 4 to 6 hours. To make the most of its fat-burning effects, the ideal dose is twice daily, which can be split into 0.5ml – 1ml each dose.

Check out Hyper Lean® in our ES – Lean Endurance Stack here  

https://www.elitesarms.com/products/hyper-lean-sr9009 

https://www.natap.org/2013/HIV/100213_01.htm 

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Elite Sarms Rejuvenation Biohacking Tech

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By: M.G. Thibault Edited by Ryan McTeigue

Aging leads to a series of changes in an organism as deep as the cellular level. Although, the mechanisms that underlie aging are poorly understood, innovations in science continue to identify factors that explain the decline in fitness and the rise of different health problems that go with advancing age.

While slowing the aging process remains to be a popular topic, what’s even more compelling is the subject of Age-reversal; this is referred to as Rejuvenation.

Rejuvenation is a process that not only defers aging, but literally reverts it- resulting in a younger cell, tissue, or body. Rejuvenation includes diminishing all the damages your body has accumulated throughout its lifespan, and erasing the hallmarks of a matured age. Come to think of it, successful rejuvenation not only leads to the extension of life but ultimately to eternal youth! Does it look like something you’d be interested in? Read on…

https://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/1873-3468.13483

Cell-regenerating Nutrition

Our body is an extraordinary machine and its primary fuel are the nutrients we get from the food we eat on a daily basis. By purposefully consuming foods that have ‘supercharging compounds’, a person can promote the rapid regeneration and restoration of some of the body’s most important tissues and organs.

Nerve-regenerative substances:
A 2010 study published in the journal Rejuvenation Research, for instance, found a combination of blueberry, green tea and carnosine have neuritogenic (i.e. promoting neuronal regeneration) and stem-cell regenerative effects in an animal model of neurodegenerative disease. Other researched neuritogenic substances include: curcumin, Lion’s Mane Mushroom, and apigenin, a plant flavonoid usually found in celery.

On the other hand, you can stimulate liver mass regeneration and function by ingesting via supplements that focus on liver renewal such as Korean Ginseng, Rooibos, Vitamin E, and Carvacrol, a compound found in oregano.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20586644/

http://www.thehealersjournal.com/2014/09/25/how-to-regenerate-your-bodys-cells-with-food-and-herbs/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24266378/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30949912/

Age-defying Exercises

According to a medical article, exercise improves muscle health by renewing the powerhouse of the cells: the mitochondria. Mitochondria are vital to the proper functioning of our bodies, and the improvement of our overall health and longevity.

Aerobic exercise, in particular, positively affects the mitochondria through a process called “mitophagy.” Mitophagy is a mechanism by which damaged or defective mitochondria are selected and removed, usually after a period of stress. This keeps skeletal muscle healthy and strong by improving the mitochondrial quality of the muscle fibers.

If you are a gym person- the treadmill, elliptical or rowing machine may be your go to equipment to achieve your fill of cardio exercises. Likewise, if you prefer the outdoors, you may try swimming, soccer, triathlons and cross country skiing as enjoyable alternatives to improve your aerobic capacity.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319532#Exercise-promotes-mitophagy-in-mice

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3630798/

Supplements for Age-Reversal

In the ever-evolving world of Cellular rejuvenation, supplements are constantly being discovered and re-formulated. So far, the following are considered to be on top of the food chain when it comes to reverting the aging process:

There are secretagogues, which stimulates the endocrine glands’ ability to secrete more Growth Hormone, which in turn affects the major metabolic pathways in the body, such as fat oxidation, glucose utilization, muscle synthesis, and collagen production just to name a few.

Rejuvenation procedures in private clinics almost always integrate bio-identical Somatropin injections as part of their hormone optimization courses, while others employ drips and infusions of high doses of Vitamin C to regenerate hormones that have degraded. A powerful electron donor, vitamin C has the capacity to provide electrons in order to resurrect the form and function of estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone.

https://www.elitesarms.com/collections/anti-aging/products/gh-pep-mk677

https://www.healthline.com/health/vitamin-c-injection

Current Modalities on Rejuvenation

Ablative laser resurfacing is generally considered to be the gold standard for the rejuvenation of facial photo-damage and scarring. The procedure is a wounding laser that gets rid of the thin outer layer of skin (epidermis) and heats the underlying skin (dermis), which then triggers the growth of new collagen fibers. As the epidermis heals and regrows, the treated area appears smoother and tighter.

Neck rejuvenation mainly targets skin laxity, that often increase with age due to progressive loss of bone mass, increased subcutaneous fat, and loosening of the connective tissue framework. Using unipolar and bipolar radiofrequency or Infra-red light, sagging skin in the neck area is targeted yielding a tighter, firmer, and younger looking skin just after a few sessions.

A new paradigm for human cell rejuvenation, cellular reprogramming proves to be a promising route when it comes to retracting the procession of aging, which is the basis of rejuvenation.

This is the most recent breakthrough in the anti-aging field, which involves a genetic or chemical method to reverse the epigenetic age of cells. This genetic code instructs mature, specialized cells to read the right genes at the right time, as though they were young again. The factors scientists are currently using to reprogram these mature cells are called Yamanaka factors, which can turn back an adult cell into a young, pluripotent stem cell. Literally!


https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/laser-resurfacing/about/pac-20385114

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225927112_Treatment_of_Neck_Laxity_with_Radiofrequency_and_Infrared_Light

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5960911/

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Muscle Building Program to Maximize your Muscle Mass with the Elite Sarms Builders

ES EDM BLOG 819580bd ef14 4d46 ba7f 18ab1de354c6

Written by: M.G. Thibault
Edited by: Ryan McTeigue

There are many advantages to building muscle that go beyond having the perfect body or an increase in physical strength. Whether your desire to consistently train and maintain a particular diet comes from health or aesthetic motivations, for either reason there are 3 main criteria that must be fulfilled to ensure maximum muscle gains occur:

1. Proper nutrition that will support muscle growth

2. An exercise routine that will challenge your muscles and cause stress and adaptation

3. Smart supplementation that will allow faster and full recovery to continue progressing forward

These are just some of the basic foundations for building more muscle than you have right now or at a minimum maintaining what muscle you have right now. To find out more key factors for increasing muscle mass and the factors behind that coveted goal for every male and a growing number of fitness females. For more info and details read on…..


Nutrition

While the topic of Nutrition can spur endless discussions that can go on for days, this article focuses on the importance of protein and some of the major issues that surround this macromolecule. Studies have clearly shown that protein requirements are considerably greater in those who train regularly or play sports.

According to researches published in recent year, in order for muscle protein synthesis (MPS) to take place, a maximum amount between 20 to 40 grams of protein should be ingested per meal. Now, this is a ballpark amount and your requirement may be in the lower or higher limit depending on the frequency and intensity of your physical training.

Another point I’d like to emphasize is Anabolic Resistance. This refers to the body’s decreased ability to absorb amino acids into muscle and is commonly observed in:

  • older adults
  • systemic inflammation
  • insulin resistance
  • disease states

If you belong to one of these groups, what this is implying is that if you are involved in weight-training exercise, you need to ingest a greater amount of protein, particularly essential amino acids, to overcome the Anabolic Resistance effect.

The most important essential amino acid where increased MPS is concerned is the branched-chain amino acid, leucine. Leucine is the trigger amino acid for elevated MPS because it activates the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR), kick-starting the entire protein synthesis process. Ideally, to overcome Anabolic Resistance, you need:

2.5 grams of leucine per meal if under 40 years of age, and

4 grams of leucine per meal if 40 years and above

https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-018-0215-1

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29389741/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8131552/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4848650/

Training

For efficient muscle building effects, you can combine compound exercises to recruit multiple muscle groups at once, with isolation exercises for better form and technique. Train with progressive overload, which means gradually challenge your muscles by increasing the weight or reps performed. This will guarantee bigger gains.

Examples of Compound Exercises (1-5 rep range)

Deadlift

Back Squat

Front Squat

Bench press

Barbell Shoulder press

Clean

Push Press


Examples of Isolation Exercises (10-20 rep range)

Dumbbell Flyes- decline and incline

Cable Crossovers

Bodyweight Flyes

Butterfly Machine

Cable Iron Cross

Cable Flyes- flat bench, incline & decline

Single-Arm Cable Crossover

Low Cable Crossover

Single-Arm Dumbbell Bench Press

Cable Chest Press- incline, decline

Superset 2-4 movements together per set with minimal rest and perform each exercise set twice a week. If you’re reaching the level of muscle fatigue, don’t let your ego get the better of you. If you need to scale back the weight, better listen to your body and avoid injury.


Supplementation:

Whether you are a professional competitor or someone who’s very motivated to refine your physique, you are the kind of in the zone of active muscle building that powerlifters or bodybuilders are working towards. If you are in the fitness scene long enough, you are also aware how supplementation can ramp up your lean muscle gains big time.

Creatine. Creatine is an amino acid found in the body’s muscles and brain. It donates phosphate groups that form Adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. ATP the molecule powering your muscle’s contractions during a workout. Aside from being a phosphate donor, Creatine also serves as a weak buffer preventing the pH within your muscle fibers to drop too low, hence suspending fatigue. In short, Creatine pushes your muscles to work harder and longer.

Recommended dose: To load, take 20 grams of Creatine per day for 5–7 days. For maintenance, take 3–5 grams per day. You can stick with this dosage for a long time.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2048496/

Physique 400® (LGD-4033) . Well-known as Ligandrol, it is one of the most researched SARMs because of its potent effects on augmenting muscle mass and volume. When it comes to bulking, Physique 400 is a big leaguer with clinical studies under its belt. It demonstrates powerful hypertrophic effects comparable to anabolic hormones. One major benefit of LGD 4033 is its ability to increase fat-free muscle tissue when bulking.

Recommended dose: 10mg or 1ml of LGD 4033 per day. Suggested cycle length is 6 – 8 weeks.

https://www.elitesarms.com/collections/individual-sarms/products/physique-400-lgd4033

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4111291/

Elite Sarms Tight® (RAD 140). More and more studies are comparing RAD 140 as being identical to the anabolic power of Testosterone. In addition to its propensity for muscle building, it amplifies the power and strength of muscle fibers. Seasoned gym goers even stack RAD 140 with Test or prohormones to amplify the effects of testosterone minus the side effects. Almost too good to be true, RAD 140 also shows neuroprotective and regenerative effects on brain neurons!

Recommended dose: 10mg or 1ml of RAD 140 per day. Suggested cycle length is 6 – 8 weeks.

https://www.elitesarms.com/collections/individual-sarms/products/tight-rad-140

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3959610/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4018048/

Elite Sarms Stanazine® (S4). What makes Stanazine (S4) unique on top of its lean muscle building effects, is its efficacy for increased fat loss and muscle protection during a cutting phase. Because S4 allows you to gain lean mass during intensive training with a limited calorie intake, it is also an ideal supplement for body re-composition.

Other studies compare S4 to the muscle-generating effects of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is 3x more anabolic than testosterone. Stanazine is also proven to boost muscle strength and increase bone mass.

Recommended dose: 25 mg or 1ml of S4 per day. Suggested cycle length is 6 – 8 weeks.

https://www.elitesarms.com/collections/individual-sarms/products/stanazine-s4

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2039881/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4083371/

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Is it Possible to Gain Muscle Even on a restricted Diet? Discover the Power of S4

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Original Design: Michelle G. Thibault
Re-design: Ryan McTeigue

An essential component of effective Body Re-comping is being in a caloric deficit. In reality, it comes down to calories in vs. calories out. You cannot argue against the first law of thermodynamics, your metabolism operates under this universal law. Fat storage will not decrease without the restriction of energy intake.

This has been verified by more than a century of research on nutrition and weight management. Your body burns so much calories in a day and when you provide it with less than the calories it needs, your body has no choice but to utilise fat stores in order to sustain itself.

One of the biggest challenges in a Re-comp protocol is not loosing muscle gains while under a caloric restriction.There has to be a strategy for how much calories are limited, and equally as important – is where those calories come from. It is imperative to eat enough protein so your body can have the raw materials needed to build muscle mass.


Is it possible to Gain muscle even on a restricted diet?

The Answer is YES and thankfully we have science studies to prove it. A 2011 research exhibited that trained athletes were able to gain muscle while losing fat over a 9-week period. This was achieved by performing a slow body fat cut which was equal to a loss of 0.7% of total bodyweight each week (over a 7 day period). Check out the study below for the full report:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21558571/

How Does Stanazine® (S4) achieve muscle building while on a Calorie Deficit?

S4, more popularly known in the Elite Sarms range as Stanazine® or in the wider sarms world as Andarine, is a selective androgen receptor, known to be among the best SARMs for cutting. In addition to improving muscle gains, S4 is well-established where fat loss is concerned. If you want to have that “dry and lean” physique, it requires developing muscle while having a significant reduction in body fat.

​Stanazine is well known for its muscle protecting abilities. It is ideal during a cutting cycle because you won’t lose hard-earned gains. S4 really is the perfect supplement for a Recomp program which both males and females can use (without vitalising for girls). Research studies showed its ability to strengthen bones and increase lean muscles, even when under a calorie-deficit.

Stanazine® Dosage

This dosage seems to have the best results with almost no side effects. Remember to split your dosing into two parts:

Take 25mg in the morning and 25mg in the evening (for males); that’s 1ml 2x/day.

Take 12.5mg in the morning and 12.5mg in the evening (for females); that’s 1/2 ml 2x/day

The Split dosage protocol is because S4 has a half-life of around 8 hours. Over 99% of a substance is eliminated when seven half-lives have passed. This means a single dose of Stanazine will be completely cleared from your body after 56 hours. Hence, we recommend taking it in small amounts divided over 2 doses, at a cycle length of 6 – 8 weeks.

This protocol will ensure the best results without side effects – the most common side-effect for high dosages of S4 comes from the compounding binding with the AR in the optical nerve of the eyes. This can cause a yellow haze, which is completely temporary and has no long-term negative effect, ceasing when the dose is lowered or completely stopped – but sticking to our dosage protocol will ensure this weird side effect does not occur.

For men who are concerned about Testosterone suppression, don’t worry. At such a low dosage, you will be fine. For women who are thinking of virilisation effects, with 12.5 mg twice a day, it won’t have androgenic effects – just fat shredding ones!

It is important to note that the metabolic rate differs for every person, so you can slowly increase the dose until you find your sweet spot.

Recommended Rep range

The optimal way to keep blood circulating around the body and raise whole-body lactate levels is to pair upper and lower-body exercises for 10-12 reps or in the 12-15 rep range per exercise, with short 30-60 second rest intervals. More lactate corresponds to a greater release of growth hormone, which tells your body to build muscle and burn more body fat.

This will prevent you from losing muscle proteins thereby maintaining the fullness of your gains, and even facilitate lean muscle growth. You can get S4, Stanazine® here


https://www.elitesarms.com/collections/individual-sarms/products/stanazine-s4

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17063395/

https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/304/3/1334 https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/elimination-half-life

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Body Re-comping Secrets You Need To Know (Part 2)

ES EDM BLOG f451e4a6 4835 421a 9d2e e1d8a95ecc3c

Original Design: Michelle G. Thibault
Re-design: Ryan McTeigue

In Part 1 of: Body Re-comping Secrets You Need To Know (August week 1 blog here) we discussed the importance of glycogen in muscle physiology, maintenance of function as well as increasing muscle density and volume. We also talked about the role of scientific based nutrition and supplementation for an effective Re-comp protocol that will guarantee you significant fat loss and muscle gains simultaneously.

One of the main challenges of Body Recomposition, as previously mentioned is being on a calorie-deficit diet to ensure fat loss while sustaining muscle growth. In this article, we will dive deeper into the discussion, assist you in staying consistent with intelligent training protocols, and give you tips on staying motivated throughout your Recomp journey. After all, once you have been given the scientific information, the hardest part is physically applying that information and staying on track with consistency. With that in mind – lets get it in part 2 of Body Recomping Secrets you need to know…

Carb Cycling

Carb cycling is a dietary strategy with alternating high carb and low carb days. It has built-in reward days when you can still eat your favorite foods on intervals. And you can use your cheat meals to burn fat and build muscle! Sounds absolutely perfect, right? You can eat healthy foods, enjoy foods you love, and still get in line with your fitness goals!


The Benefits of Carb Cycling

So why choose Carb Cycling? Here are the perks:

  • It is flexible and can fit any lifestyle.
  • You’ll effectively lose weight and body fat by learning how to make smart lifestyle choices through your Recomp Program. THIS PUTS YOU IN- CHARGE.
  • You will build lean, strong muscles.
  • You get to eat the foods you love.
  • You’ll feel empowered because you don’t have to constantly deprive yourself to achieve your goals.
  • It gives you more energy.
  • You’ll feel motivated because you see the results in just a few weeks


How to Work It


Remember that when you reduce your daily calorie intake below maintenance levels when high intensity training is ongoing, your glycogen stores become depleted. To prevent fatigue and muscle loss, you correctly time a cheat meal to reward yourself (hello dopamine!) and some well-deserved rest.

It is very important that your cheat meals are:
1. High in calories
2. High in simple and complex sugars

That’s easy enough! But let me explain why, in a glycogen depleted state, your muscles are so hungry that this allows them to take in the maximum amount of nutrients they can get to replenish stores. In addition, this increases insulin sensitivity therefore creating an anabolic (muscle building) environment. It doesn’t matter what level of training experience you have. Follow this equation:

↑↑ Intensity of the training = ↑↑ Carb depletion = ↑↑ Nutrients being reloaded into the muscles

Like any skill, it gets better with practice and every time you conduct a carb cycle, it conditions your body to be more efficient leading to better results each time you do one.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14594866/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/389023/


The Nitty-Gritty


1. If you look up Carb Cycling, you’ll discover there are various types. For the purpose of this article, let’s do the Low Carb day for a 3-day period. Adopt the 2-type carbohydrate protocol: 80% vegetables + 20% starchy carbs. With this Carb intake, it will ensure that you’ll have enough fuel to carry out full-body exercise sessions at a high intensity.

Here are some examples of vegetables and starchy carbs you can incorporate in your meals:

Veggies– broccoli, asparagus, green beans, bok choy, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower

Starchy Carbs– sweet potato, parsnips, yam, taro root, basmati rice, pot barley, oats, buckwheat

By focusing on eating complex, nutritious carbs, this will help sustain your energy, maintain endurance during training, and stabilize your blood sugar levels. And when I say good, complex carbohydrates, they should contain 3 components:

  • High in fiber content
  • Allows slow digestion
  • Unprocessed (meaning natural ingredients are not removed)

2. Over the next 3 days, train every muscle group in your entire body in each training session. The intensity and volume of your exercise should accomplish 2 things:

1. Keep the blood circulating throughout the whole body during the course of the workout.

2. Raise the levels of blood lactate to accelerate fat loss. More lactate corresponds to a greater release of growth hormone, which tells your body to build muscle and burn body fat- the very essence of body recomposition!

The Magic number: 8-12 Reps per set, 3 sets per exercise

Sample Exercises:

Back Squats
Front Squats
Box Jumps
Deadlifts
Pullups
Chinups
Bench Press
Barbell Shoulder Press
Dumbbell Biceps Curls
Triceps Pulldowns
Dips

3. On the evening of the 3rd day, reward yourself with…TADA! A cheat meal. This is your reward for working so hard, this a time to satisfy your appetite- but you don’t have to lose your head!

The cheat meal has a goal here – to replenish your glycogen stores and create favourable conditions for your muscles to grow. So, it has to be a high-calorie meal that contains some protein, fats and mostly carbohydrates. It can be a Quarter pound Burger, a cheesy Italian pasta, a deep-dish Pizza perhaps or Beef and rice Stir-fry. This is a gift to yourself to keep you motivated and a prize to look forward to every 3rd day of your Carb cycle.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12797841/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9694422/


Additional Key Points

  • Focus mostly on eliminating added sugar and other refined carbs, like muffins and pastries during your low-carb phase. Load up on fiber and nutrient-rich vegetables for satiety and maintenance of important vitamins and minerals.
  • For rapid recovery from prolonged exercise, it is important to replenish muscle glycogen stores and induce muscle tissue repair and adaptation.
  • Efficiency of muscle glycogen storage can be increased significantly with the addition of protein to your post-exercise meal.

Incorporating protein supplements to your Carb cycling protocol also has the added advantage of limiting post exercise muscle damage and promoting muscle protein accretion.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3905295/#sec1-2title

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Hacking Your Bioage With NAD+

WhatsApp Image 2021 06 23 at 15.13.16

By M.G. Thibault
Edited by Ryan McTeigue

Aging is a natural and organic process that everyone undergoes. Both our bodies and mind go through cycles of changes throughout our life. As we age, our cells have a lesser capacity to divide and multiply, some lose their function, and eventually deteriorate. This is the scientific meaning of ageing

The dilemmas that come with aging

As our age advances, wrinkles become more prominent in our skin, our hair thins and loses pigmentation, and our memory is not as retentive. More importantly, we feel a decrease in energy and strength; we become more susceptible to diseases, while abnormalities and dysfunction begin to show within our body.

So, when this article mentions about “hacking” your biological age, this means we are providing you with science-based information that leads to some adjustments in your lifestyle and diet, which can intervene with these signs and symptoms of aging.

The Role of “Nutrigenomics”

When we talk about Biohacking, we have to mention its close associate, “Nutrigenomics.” This term supports the idea that our body’s total genetic expression can be optimized by taking the right nutrients that influence our overall health over time.

The thing is, genes may be critical for determining inherent abilities, but Nutrition can modify the extent to which different genes are expressed and thus modifies whether an individual reaches the potential established by their genetic pre-disposition.

This emerging knowledge can transform nutrition and dietary practices to optimise health, promote longevity, and prevent or even treat certain diseases.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3121546/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2137135/

First off, we’ll identify the “poor-quality” foods that induce inflammation. Some studies consider aging as a chronic inflammatory state, so one of the best anti-aging hacks would be to stop eating junk food (such as fried foods) and start incorporating more anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory foods in your diet.

Avoid trans fats, that easily produce cancer-causing free radicals and literally slow the body down. It will also benefit you to refrain from eating too much sugar and processed carbohydrates (like pasta, bread, and pastries) as this may lead to chronically high insulin levels that positively correlate with age-related diseases including diabetes and heart diseases.

Treated meats like hot dogs, bacon, and pepperoni are usually high in nitrates, which also lead to inflammation. Moderate drinking (a 5-ounce glass of red wine per day, 5x a week) may be good for your heart, but heavy drinking will only speed up the aging process.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6457053/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4326908/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12070110


Boosting NAD+ levels

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide otherwise known as NAD+ is a chemical compound, which is found in essentially every cell of the body, and produced in abundance during adolescence all the way up to early adulthood. Its main function is to facilitate healthy brain function, regulate metabolism, repair damaged DNA, and strengthen our cell’s defences. Like most compounds secreted by the body, NAD+ levels start to decrease as we age.

Recent lab tests on animals have shown that raising NAD+ levels may help reverse signs of aging and reduce the incidence of many chronic diseases. You can boost your NAD+ levels by:

1. Exercise. Daily workouts require more NAD+ for energy, and your body responds to increased demand by producing it.

2. Raw foods that contain vitamin B, like avocados, steamed fish, whole grains, and nuts can boost NAD+ levels. Consider adding fermented foods and drinks to your diet like sauerkraut and kombucha. These are rich in NAD+ and also effective in easing persistent bloating and chronic joint pain.

3.Oral NAD+ supplements. One article shows that supplementation of Nicotinamide Riboside (NR, 500 mg, 2×/day), a NAD+ precursor, effectively stimulates NAD+ metabolism in healthy middle-aged and older adults.

4. NAD+ infusions. The Intravenous route promotes higher bioavailability, compared to oral supplements meaning a fuller dosage enters the body to help restore the mitochondria, and renew power at the cellular level. Specialised health and anti-aging clinics may have this available, shop around the internet to find one near you if you are interested.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-03421-7

5. Growth Hormone Mimetics. GH Pep® (MK-677) is a growth hormone secretagogue, which amplifies the body’s natural release of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like-growth-factor 1 (IGF-1). Among their many benefits such as lean muscle gains, accelerated fat loss, and tissue repair, the increase in GH and IGF-1 levels regulate mitochondrial mass and function and contribute significantly to mitochondrial biogenesis, respiration and ATP production.


How does this relate to boosting NAD+ levels?

A Study from the University of California demonstrates that the mitochondria in cells create NAD from the nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), one of its precursors. This explains why NAD+ levels decline with mitochondrial dysfunction aka slow metabolism and reduced NAD+/NADH ratio is implicated in mitochondrial disorders, as well as during aging.

As far as anti-aging goes, Elite Sarms product: GH Pep® (MK-677) is a remarkable anti-aging supplement since it not only boosts your growth hormone and IGF-1, sustaining your hormone profile in a state of perpetual youth, it also increases the production of your NAD+ which you now know is another Key Level Player in the quest for the fountain of youth.

https://www.elitesarms.com/products/gh-pep-mk677?_pos=1&_sid=0fa73c6c8&_ss=r

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2757071/

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/9/6/1384/htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6013257/

https://clintransmed.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40169-016-0104-7

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The Best Sarms Combo for Ultimate Muscle Growth

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The Best Sarms Combo for Ultimate Muscle Growth

Written by M.G Thibault
Edited by Ryan McTeigue

Many the gym lovers hit the Iron Temple (gym) with a vague goal in mind. We hear common targets through customer enquiries such as I want to “lose weight”, “build muscle”, “get ripped”, “bulk up” or “shred fat”. The typical roadblock occurs when these goals remain as dreams in your mind because There is no plan in place. In this article we aim to deliver some important information so you are hitting the gym with a fully formulated plan in combination with the perfect Elite Sarm product combinations for Ultimate Muscle Growth.

So first things first – 1. Set a defined and achievable goal. It doesn’t hurt to write it down and be looking at it morning and evening. This could be to gain 1- 2kgs of lean muscle per month. To know more about the basics of muscle building, you can refer to previous article here: our article here (How the body builds muscle 101).

Let’s continue with the example goal of muscle building, since this is a popular fitness target. YOUR goal needs should be clear, detailed, and have a deadline. The thing is if you don’t have a specific date in mind, more often than not, the goal will NEVER be accomplished. Assuming you read the above article or you have practised and researched quite a bit on gaining muscle mass, you should have an excellent training program in place and a dietary plan that supports muscle building. You should also strategize sufficient recovery periods to avoid muscle fatigue that can deter your muscle building momentum.

Let’s address something vital from a nutritional point of view. When building new muscle, you need a greater amount of protein compared to the average diet in order to meet your muscle requirements. This will be around 20-30% of your total nutritional intake, and you may want to supplement with protein powders to meet this requirement the most common form of protein powder is when protein and isolates.

Another option would be collagen sourced from fish (marine collagen) or grass-fed beef. Collagen protein is abundant in connective tissue as well as muscle and doesn’t cause an increase in insulin levels like whey protein. This makes collagen more compatible to you if you’re planning lean down while maintaining or building muscle. Collagen is also better on digestion so those sensitive to whey protein will benefit highly from collagen protein. Vegetarians and vegans can choose from an array of plant-based sources, such as pea protein, rice protein, soy protein, and hemp protein.

If you’re on a budget, the following are affordable protein sources:

– Canned fish, frozen fish, rice cakes with nut butters, eggs, soy protein (TVP)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25757896/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26353786/

After you have an executable nutrition structure in place, next the time duration needed to accomplish your goal needs to be set. The big question is, When is the Right Time to Bulk?

There are factors to consider for effective and efficient bulking. Remember, your body builds muscle most efficiently when you are at your leanest – not with high body fat (as the bro scientist might claim). The reason for this? – Insulin Sensitivity. You’re far more insulin sensitive when you carry less body fat which means your body can more efficiently use glucose (converted from the carbohydrates you consume) as an energy source driven into muscle, instead of being stored in fat cells.

Some protocols suggest that to efficiently gain more muscle and less fat during a bulking phase, the starting point should be within 9-12% of body fat for men, and somewhere between 20-24% body fat for women. If this is not the case, another route is to begin with a dieting phase first, then transition into a building phase once you lean out.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8666154/

Game Changing Supplements

The discovery of ‘Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators’ or SARMs has been without a doubt one of the greatest breakthroughs in the Health and Fitness industry. These innovative compounds, originally designed to treat muscle wasting in sick patients, has the anabolic properties of hormones but WITHOUT the side effects, thanks to their high selectivity. When attaching to androgen receptors, SARMs only specifies those receptors in muscles, bones and connective tissues to stimulate cellular growth and thus increase their mass and volume. This mechanism of action ensures NO toxic effects on other organs of the body like the heart, liver and prostate. Although all SARMs stimulate muscle hypertrophy while metabolizing fat for the body’s fuel, below are our TOP Favourites when it comes to Muscle Building:

https://www.elitesarms.com/collections/muscle-building

1. Physique 400’s (LGD-4033) – Popularly known as Ligandrol, it is one of the most studied SARMs which emphasises its potent action on bolstering muscle mass and volume. Ligandrol is a muscle building heavyweight with clinical studies under its belt demonstrating its powerful hypertrophic effects. The clear-cut primary benefit of LGD 4033 is its ability to increase lean muscle mass without increasing fat when bulking.

https://www.elitesarms.com/products/physique-400-lgd4033?_pos=1&_sid=2887e0e03&_ss=r

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4111291

2. Elite Sarms Tight (RAD 140)– There are studies that compare RAD 140 as being identical to the anabolic power of Testosterone. On top of its anabolic prowess, it amplifies the power and strength of muscle fibers. Other testosterone users stack RAD 140 with other compounds to reinforce the effects of testosterone without the side effects. An Icing to its impressive anabolic profile RAD 140 also demonstrates protective and generative factors on brain neurons! Ever heard of brain gains? Well now you have.

https://www.elitesarms.com/products/tight-rad-140?_pos=1&_sid=e1d64cd95&_ss=r

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3959610/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4018048/

3. Elite Sarms Decavar (MK-2866)– MK-2866 or Ostarine as other studies call it, got famous because of its regenerative effects on test subjects in studies with muscle wasting and bone density problems. Remember that recovery is one of the biggest Elements of your Bulking Protocol. Micro tears have to heal in order to generate bigger and stronger muscle fibers to continue training and moving forward. MK-2866 promptly became a favorite supplement for athletes and fitness enthusiast in need of speedy recovery from their muscle-bulking workouts.

https://www.elitesarms.com/products/decavar-mk2866?_pos=1&_sid=88a9171f5&_ss=r

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31531719/

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You Vs. THE-VID – How to bulletproof your immune system to athletically thrive in 2021 (Part II)

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You Vs. THE-VID
How to bulletproof your immune system to athletically thrive in 2021 (Part II)

By Ryan McTeigue

I am not going to go into what Covid-19 is and how we got to this point – there are already enough articles, videos, blogs and information online thats been forced down your throat on the subject and I’m sure by now your probably tired of reading, hearing, and experiencing the social effects of these trying times.

Instead, I am going to go straight into 6 Practical Steps you can take – right now – to bulletproof your immune system so you can keep moving towards your physique and athletic performance goals in 2021.

As always, these steps are fully backed by scientific studies and evidence which are sited throughout the blog and at the conclusion. I will only give you verified steps to ensure your immune system is so high that no virus in the world can come within 100 miles when you integrate these 6 steps into your weekly routine and consistently apply them each day whenever possible.

You could call this your all-natural vaccine from this thing. I am not a medical doctor, but I Am an intelligent human being that can read between the lines, know my own body, my own immune system and the power we all have within us to overcome sickness especially when we remove toxicities from our physical vehicles and lifestyle and allow the body to do what it was designed to do – thrive!!!

1. Exercise

The first one on the list is my favourite natural vaccine of all times and the most potent Immune booster in this list is – EXERCISE. As cited in the Journal of Sport and Health Science (Volume 8, Issue 3, May 2019, Pages 201-217) – exercise causes a change in antibodies and white blood cells which are the bodies immune system cells that fight ALL disease. These antibodies accumulate more rapidly with consistent exercise detecting illness and then destroying it before the sickness can take over the body.

Consistent exercise in the correct time frame and intensity lowers cortisol levels – the stress hormone that can either boost or lower the immune system. Cortisol is actually a necessary function in the body, however when it is kept high for prolonged periods of time, this can cause a decrease in the immune system. With financial and social stress at an all-time high in the world right now reducing elevated cortisol levels through physical exercise is more important than ever – especially for our mental and emotional state which prolonged elevated cortisol also readily effects.

Exercise also causes sweating and the heating of the body which leads to the release of toxins. There is also a vasodilation effect – where blood vessels expand improving circulation and improving further mobilisation of toxins from the body.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254618301005#!

2. Hydration


Drinking water can help improve the overall immunity of your body. Staying well hydrated helps the body naturally flush bacteria and toxins out that can cause infection or illness.

When we get an adequate amount of water daily, oxygen and nutrients are dispersed throughout the entire body, and waste material is flushed out from the body. Thus, it helps keep diseases at bay by increasing the bodies metabolism of cellular hydration and toxin removal.

As the immune system drives the health of the body and its capability to fight diseases and water hydration is scientifically proven to flush toxins thus improving the immune system then drinking enough water daily can be viewed as a preventative type of health maintenance.

Now we’ve covered how important it is to stay hydrated each day, next we’ll talk about the best types of water. One of the most hydrating and effective waters known today is called: Alkaline water. Alkaline refers to the pH scale of the water. This pH scale is from 0 – 14 and measures how acidic or basic a substance is. Alkaline water has a pH level between 8 and 10.

The difference between normal water and alkaline water is normal waters acidity level. Normal tap water contains more hydroxide than hydrogen ions.

Alkaline water also contains more minerals like; magnesium, potassium and calcium. It is known to neutralise toxic compounds present in the body. The body can also absorb more alkaline water – meaning more water that is consumed throughout the day can be used by the body to hydrate you.

Add some lemon to your water for an extra boost in vitamin C, B-vitamins, potassium, magnesium and iron. The vitamin C from the lemon juice helps prevent free radicals from causing cell damage which if allowed to build up – can lead to serious diseases like cancer.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12376390/
https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/nutrition/index.html

3. Sunlight (Vitamin D)

The UV rays in our sun help the body to make more Vitamin D – which is considered one of the most important pro-hormones (not technically a vitamin) for the body as it is responsible for the health of all the bodies; bones, blood cells and the immune cells. It also helps the body absorb minerals and nutrients effectively. Low Vitamin D levels are linked to the development of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Apart from vitamin D’s direct effect on the immune system, it also helps to regulate the circadian rhythm – helping those who get adequate sunlight during the day fall asleep easily at night, meaning better rest and better recovery for the body.

4. Sleep and rest

Making sure your body has a chance to rest and recover from the day is important for your immune system to function at its full strength and full capacity.

When we sleep, our bodies produce a protein called cytokines, which target infection and inflammation, creating an immune response during our sleeping hours. Our bodies also produce T-cells during sleep, which are white blood cells that play a critical role in our body’s immune response to an infectious disease such as Covid-19.

Studies have found that this inflammation response caused by the cytokines occurs even when a person isn’t actively hurt or sick. Research conducted on the type of cells and cytokines involved in this nighttime immune activity indicates that its primary role is to – strengthen adaptive immunity7. Meaning, when we are in deep rest our body is teaching our immune system to be more resilient to disease and infection.

Just like sleep can help the brain consolidate learning and memory8, research now suggests that sleep strengthens the immune memory. The immune memory is the interaction of the immune system components during sleep reinforcing the immune system’s ability to remember how to recognize and react to dangerous antigens.

https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/physrev.00010.2018

https://www.niaid.nih.gov/research/immune-system-overview


5. Nutrition


Does nutrition play a part in immunity and a strong or weak immune system? The answer is a loud – YES!

Eating enough nutrients as part of a varied diet is required for the health and function of all cells, including immune cells. Certain nutritional programs may better prepare the body for microbial attacks and excess inflammation, but it is unlikely that individual foods offer special protection. Each stage of the body’s immune response relies on the presence of many micronutrients. Examples of nutrients that have been identified as critical for the growth and function of immune cells include: vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, selenium, iron, and protein (including the amino acid glutamine). These micronutrients are all found in a variety of plant and animal foods.

Diets that are limited in variety and lower in nutrients, such as diets consisting of large amounts of ultra-processed foods and lacking in minimally processed foods, can negatively affect a healthy immune system. It is also believed that a Western diet high in refined sugar and red meat and low in fruits, vegetables and fibre can promote disturbances in healthy intestinal microorganisms, resulting in chronic inflammation of the gut, and associated suppressed immunity.

The microbiome is an internal galaxy of trillions of microorganisms that live in our body, mostly in the intestines. It is an area of intense and active research, as scientists are finding that the microbiome plays a key role in immune function. The gut is a major site of immune activity and the production of antimicrobial proteins. Diet plays a large role in determining what kinds of microbes live in our gut. A high-fiber plant-rich diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes appear to support the growth and maintenance of beneficial microbes.

Certain helpful microbes break down fibers into short chain fatty acids, which have been shown to activate immune cell activity. These fibers are called prebiotics because they feed microbes. Probiotic foods contain live helpful bacteria. Some examples of Probiotic foods are: Kefir, yogurt with live active cultures, fermented cheeses, fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut, tempeh, kombucha tea, kimchi and miso soup.

An example of some Prebiotic foods are: Garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes, dandelion, bananas, seaweed. A good daily dosage of fruits and vegetables will provide a healthy amount of dietary prebiotics.

6. Immune boosting herbs and supplements


Lemon, Ginger, Tumeric, Cayenne pepper tonic:

This is a favourite tonic of mine, which is my go-to whenever I can feel my immune system lowered and sickness coming on and also during the times of feeling unwell.

For the best version of this tonic you will need a cold-pressed juicer. However if that is unavailable to you a normal juicer will suffice. Cut 2 lemons in quarters and feed directly into the cold press juicer, then juice around 50 grams of fresh Tumeric and 50 grams of fresh ginger and finally add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the final juice. Mix this all up and take around 30mls for each dosage. This can be dosed 3 – 6 times in one day when your immune system is down. Or 1-3 times daily to keep your immune system high each day.

The lemon, ginger and turmeric work to clean the blood, destroy bad bacteria and pathogens while the cayenne pepper works to deliver all the nutrients of the mixture directly into the blood. This works wonders for the common flu and cold’s.

Multi-Minerals

A deficiency of minerals and nutrients have ben scientifically proven to alter the body’s immune response. Studies have found that deficiencies in zinc, selenium, iron, copper, folic acid, and vitamins A, B6, C, D, and E can alter immune responses. These important nutrients help the immune system in several ways: working as an antioxidant to protect healthy cells, supporting growth and activity of immune cells, and producing antibodies. Epidemiological studies find that those who are poorly nourished of these important minerals are at greater risk of bacterial, viral, and other infections.

In conclusion, instead of focusing on the outer news, this article aims to focus you on your bodies inner news. By listening to your body and implementing these immune boosting practical steps will help you to actively navigate through these times by taking control of and boosting your bodies own natural defence system.

It is time to take back the power that has been given to others and take control of our lives again in 2021. I hope you find the hope in this article the way it was intended to be given – and take from it the gold you need to athletically, physically, emotionally and mentally thrive in the new year.

Peace and hard training everyone,

Ryan.

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What are the best Supplements for Body Re-Composition?

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Written by: Michelle G. Thibault
Edited by: Ryan McTeigue

Body re-composition is the ability to burn fat and develop muscle simultaneously. You need to be in a calorie deficit to lose excess fat whilst also maintaining the right conditions for lean muscle development. This is a recent technique that is gaining popularity among fitness enthusiasts and gym goers and requires consistency and great attention for achieving results.

Nutrition and training are the most essential factors of a body re-composition protocol, with those foundations taken care of, supplements undoubtedly have a large role to play in your Body recomposition journey. By integrating certain supplements into your re-composition program, you also increase the chances of stripping stubborn body fat, and generating lean muscle growth.

Strategized supplementation can be a powerful tool to your fat loss journey in a variety of ways. Using the right supplements will give your body a push in the right direction during those final stages of fat loss for your body to shred as much as possible without losing muscle mass. This is the ultimate goal when it comes to re-composition.

Achieve a total body makeover with these tried and tested – body re-composition supplements to get lean and shredded at the same time.

Protein

A vital supplement to use during this process is protein. This is the most essential macronutrient to build muscle and strength. Pair your regular Strength training with an adequate consumption of protein to maximize muscle repair and development. It is important to stress that not having the right amount of protein in your diet will lead to muscle depletion and you won’t pull off the desired results despite your overall efforts to build muscle.

The best sources of protein for the body will always be from food. You cannot consume powders only to meet your protein requirements – even if you are vegetarian or vegan. Food will always be the most natural way for the body to process protein. When protein is eaten in the form of food the body has to get to work on breaking that food down and this creates a greater energy expenditure from the body – which results in an increased metabolism.

However if your body needs a bulk amount of protein daily to meet your muscle requirements then supplementing with protein powder is the second best option to food. There are lots of high-quality protein supplements in the market right now that will complement individual needs and preferences. The most common variation is whey protein sold in a variety of forms and flavours. If you are lactose intolerant or your body does not process lactose efficiently – which will be identified with bloating after each protein shake, there are certain formulas called isolates where more lactose is removed and the protein content is more concentrated.

One of the best sources of lactose-free protein powders is in the form of collagen. Collagen protein is abundant in connective tissue as well as muscle and won’t create a large spike in insulin. This makes collagen a great choice for those looking to lean down while preserving or building muscle.

For vegetarians and vegans looking for a plant-based source, you have now more options such as pea protein, rice protein, soy protein, hemp protein and if you look really hard you can even find plant-based collagen protein.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25757896/

Fat Burners and Appetite Suppressants

If protein is used to increase muscle mass, you also need to include a fat burner supplement into your regime to facilitate fat loss as a component of your total re-composition program. Most fat burners use key ingredients that increase the metabolism which increases your capacity to burn more calories at a quicker rate. It goes without saying that you should be using fat burners in combination with proper nutrition and high-intensity training.

Green Tea & Caffeine

One of the most popular ingredients in most body re-composition and fat burning supplements is caffeine. Green tea has traditionally been known to boost metabolism because of thermogenic-inducing catechins particularly EGCG, hence it is often found in fat burning products. On top of this, caffeine acts as a stimulant and therefore increases your energy and improves focus so that you can maximize your training efforts.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17201629/

Chromium Picolinate

This is a unique ingredient that is especially beneficial when you’re enduring a fat loss phase. During studies, Chromium Picolinate was demonstrated to fight hunger cravings, which in turn, effectively reduces calorie intake. This is because it enhances insulin’s effects in the body and also reduces blood sugar levels.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4169208/


Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil

CBD oil is an ideal supplement for gym regulars, bodybuilders and sports people alike looking to increase the potential of their physique and aid in their weight loss goals. The secret is in CBD’s ability to regulate the Endocannabinoid System by modulating the CB receptors. Cannabinoid receptors are also responsible for transforming white adipose tissue to brown adipose tissue. Brown adipocytes are involved in thermogenesis and caloric expenditure, therefore the modulation of the CB receptors are considered potential anti-obesity supplements.

A region of the brain called the hypothalamus controls appetite which then regulates the secretion of two different hormones: ghrelin and leptin. Ghrelin stimulates hunger and appetite.

Leptin creates the sensation of satiety or feeling full. Research shows that by blocking CB1 receptors, appetite suppression can be effected. And CBD oil, happens to be an incredibly effective CB1 blocker. Animal studies showed that rats given CBD ate much less food than the control, and CBD has been shown to increase leptin levels – making one feel full after receiving sufficient nutrient intake.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14770190/

https://www.blissformula.com/collections/home-page/products/ritual-cbd-oil?variant=16600982159426

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22543671/

https://www.blissformula.com/collections/home-page/products/sample-pack?variant=28501209481282

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6163475/

The Takeaway

Maintaining a diet with a calorie deficit combined with a consistent training regime are essential ingredients for Body Re-composition. That being said, it is the supplements that fine tune your body and optimize the potential to cut fat and gain lean muscle at the same time to create this coveted end goal of body re-composition.

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Body Re-composition CHALLENGES and how to OVERCOME them.

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Body Re-composition CHALLENGES and how to OVERCOME them.

By Michelle Gabata-Thibault and Ryan McTeigue

Recomposition. Incase you are new to the term Re-comp or body re-composition – this is one of the hardest feats to create in the human body – building muscle while simultaneously loosing body fat. The below article aims to point out the intense challenges that one will face when attempting this coveted goal and the potential solutions you can practically apply in order to overcome these challenges to WIN the body of your dreams.

Let’s dive in….


Challenge 1 – Mental Fatigue

So, you have a goal in mind and you’ve motivated yourself to hit the gym and push hard at every workout, but once mental fatigue sets in, it makes you feel that you need to work harder physically in order to achieve your Recomposition target, you feel a bit discouraged which decreases your performance in the gym and punches holes in your training consistency.

The mind and body are so interconnected that thinking or more precisely over-thinking can greatly impact the body’s physical performance including power, muscular endurance, speed and reaction time. The motivation to train is definitely governed by mental energy.

For instance, when the perception of fatigue sets in – muscles burning and the feeling like they’re about to cramp—is amplified, your brain tells you “STOP,” and exhaustion sets in. You‘re probably physiologically good and your body may be capable of performing much more, the problem is you are mentally incapable of going any further – which has a very physical effect on the body.

The Solution

It’s a no brainer to some, but many are still unaware that training intensity is king – not duration. Shorter, higher-intensity workouts do not require as much mental energy as longer workouts. Just like anything you want to get better at, start small and increase over time. In the gym this will translate to shorter, more intense workouts and with each training session you gradually increase your workout duration over time while keeping the intensity high.

You can prevent mental fatigue from setting in too early in your workouts by the type of training you do also. Integrating High-intensity interval training sessions (HIIT), which are high-intensity, low-duration workouts into your Body Recomp protocol is a highly effective way of cutting fat and building muscle.

Supplements like coffee and nootropics can also improve physical performance by giving you the extra push to fight mental fatigue and support your willpower. Another powerful supplement is CBD or Cannabidiol, which regulates the Endocannabinoid System to relieve mental exhaustion, provide focus, and enhance your concentration for longer periods of time. Elite Sarms Tight® (RAD 140) is another nootropic proven to not only boost your focus, but also help you gain lean muscle mass while shredding fat simultaneously.

For a mindset reprogramming towards peak performance, check out our article: OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE: 7 Ways To Build A Mindset Geared For Results.

Intel Sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29985969/

https://www.blissformula.com/collections/home-page/products/focus-cbd-oil?variant=16592054419522

https://www.elitesarms.com/products/tight-rad-140?_pos=1&_sid=d389ec49c&_ss=r

Challenge 2 – Underestimating the Importance of Sleep

Do you realize that lack of sleep will make you gain fat and even leads to muscle loss?

Yesssss sir and the culprit is – Cortisol.

Our body increases the secretion of cortisol when we lack sleep. If cortisol is chronically elevated it means this hormone will constantly increase blood sugar levels, which in turn will lead to more frequent releases of insulin. This will lead to body fat gain and can also lead to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance can impede your fat shredding goals because constantly elevated insulin levels make it harder to mobilize stored fat.

When it comes to cortisol’s effects on muscle mass, this bad boy directly increases muscle breakdown – the opposite of what we are going for. It does this by; firstly, decreasing nutrient uptake by the muscles, thereby making it more problematic to transport amino acids to the muscles to build new tissue and restore muscle glycogen stores. Secondly, cortisol stimulates myostatin – a protein that inhibits muscle cell growth and differentiation. By increasing myostatin through chronic cortisol elevation your potential for muscle development becomes limited.

The Solution

Take your sleep as serious as you take your training. Help the mind and body to relax at night by establishing a proper sleep routine and making sure your bedroom is quiet, dark and relaxing at bedtime. Also, make a habit of removing electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablets and computers from the bedroom and switch off the TV. These electronic devices interfere with the bodies natural energy patterns and most definitely effects sleep. Also when it’s dark, your body releases more melatonin which switches your circadian rhythm into sleep mode.

Studies show that supplements like ZMA and Melatonin facilitate relaxation at night and help improve the quality of sleep. CBD Oil works wonders to reset the Central Nervous System (CNS) into a deeper level of relaxation to allow maximum muscle recovery. CBD Oil’s multiple effects through the ECS (endocannabinoid system) also regulate pain and inflammation in the body while releasing stress to help you fall into deeper sleep and stay there.

Intel sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21226679/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31202198/

Challenge 3 – Tracking what you Eat

It’s easy to over or underestimate your calorie needs if you don’t take your Re-comp nutrition serious. One of the biggest hitches with dieters is they underestimate the significance of having portions and macros correctly dialled-in. How can you tell if you’re reaching the necessary amount of calories and nutrients ideal for cutting fat and gaining muscle if you are not measuring?

It’s useless to start a diet program if you’re not going to put the effort of weighing and measuring your food. Especially when your goal is to lose fat. Ie if you make the mistake of under-eating for days only to end up caving in and pigging out on fast absorbing sugars when you cave – then perhaps its best to re-group on your nutrition strategy.

The Solution

Teach yourself to track calories and macros and make it a habit. At the beginning of your Re-comp protocol, spend extra time weighing and measuring your food to see the proper portion size that will give you the right number of calories and macros. You’ll be amazed at the difference in how fast your body transforms once you start tracking your calorie and macro intake rather than – just winging it.

If you are feeling particularly challenged when it comes to suppressing your appetite, CBD oil can also help in controlling hunger pangs due to its ability to block CB1 receptors. Research demonstrates that by blocking CB1 receptors, appetite suppression is affected. One lab study even showed that rats given CBD ate much less food than the control, through increasing leptin sensitivity – a hormone that creates communication between the brain and stomach and signals to your brain when you are actually full.

Intel sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14770190/

https://www.blissformula.com/collections/home-page/products/ritual-cbd-oil?variant=16600982159426

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22543671/

Conclusion

So, there you have it. Body re-composition is not challenge free, but if it were easy everyone would have an amazing body. But the truth is, it has to be earn’t, over time and with discipline. By relating to these challenges you face on a daily basis and by taking our grounded approach in the solution to these challenges, you have a plan in place to create a body re-comp protocol that works for you.

With determination, willpower and time you can can achieve your most athletic and fulfilled physique. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or a Pro – be sure to take advantage of high quality supplementation – as exactly that – to supplement the strong foundations you are setting in your body re-composition journey, never forgetting the true foundations to your best physique are and always will be, through highly-focused nutrition, training and rest.

Peace and gains team,

– Elite Sarms