WE WANT YOU… To Limit Aspartame Consumption If Pregnant

 

What is Aspartame? More like what does not contain Aspartame? Aspartame is an added sugar that is distributed in many unsweetened or sugar-free products. Aspartame is comprised of phenylalanine, aspartic acid (aspartate), and methanol. Most diet beverages and food products currently in the market.

 

Why is Aspartame so dangerous for pregnant women? Many tests have been run on rats and mice, and so far, Aspartame has affected the brains and weight metabolism the most. Unfortunately, there is limited data of the effects of Aspartame in humans.

 

How does it affect pregnant women? Well, in mice and rats it affects some essential nutrient transport across the brain because of the excess of aspartame. The excess of aspartame is common in dietary foods and sugar-free products. Since our body already produces aspartame, the overload can cause nutrient waste because the excess phenylalanine (amino acid in aspartame) will compete with other essential nutrients that cross the brain, nutrients that a nursing baby depends on.

 

It is important for a pregnant woman to watch what she eats and make sure she is doing the best for her baby. That is why there are numerous ads that educate pregnant women on health benefits as well as health risks. It is important what a pregnant woman consumes because it directly affects her offspring and an over-consumption of anything, let alone aspartame, is never good.

 

Moreover, aspartame should be consumed at a moderate level in a regular diet and should be limited in pregnant woman’s diet. Overconsumption can cause nutrient waste because since the body already produces aspartame, an excessive amount will compete with other amino acids to cross the brain.

           

 

 

 

The Truth About Workout Supplements and Health Affects in Men

What is a Supplement?
A supplement is something added to complete a thing, make up for deficiency, or strengthen or extend the whole. The top three supplements that are used by men are whey protein, creatine, and glutamine. Whey is a high quality-complete protein with adequate amounts of all the essential amino acids. This supplement allows muscles to quickly repair, which whole foods would take longer to repair. Creatine is one of the most widely used supplement because researchers have found positive results from this. The more creatine that is the muscles, the faster and more explosive one's inital energy can be. Glutamine aids in muscle repair and growth, as well as energy production through gluconeogenesis. Glutimate is also the most prolific amino acid in our muscles, as it compromises 60% of a muscles amino acid content.

Why Do People Use Workout Supplements?
People use workout supplements because they believe that they will form them into living a healthy lifestyle. Also, the depletion of essential nutrients is a big factor because of the health choices that we make today. People believe that dietary supplements will make them lose weight, but not dieting or training properly will not show results of these supplements. In order for any of these supplements, not just dietary supplements, to have a major effect on the body then people need to train and diet properly. Athletes may use supplements in order to increase performance, but athletes need to be careful to what they are putting into their bodies so they do not break drug policy rules. There are also people who take supplements in order to increase levels in their body that they may be low in. For example, some people take steroids prescribed by a doctor based on diseases they have.

How Supplements Affect the Body
In over 300 studies that have investigated creatine for its ability to enhance athletic performance, about 70 percent have found statistically significant gains. As seen creatine makes muscles work harder for high intensity, but for a short period at a time. The only affects shown from creatine have been muscles cramps and stress injuries. This could be caused by dehydration and the lack of a warm-up, not necessarily due to the creatine. No long term health risks have been found during studies involving creatine, which is a positive for the people who take or want to take creatine. A supplement called L-Arginine increases the production of nitric oxide, which is thought to increase blood flow to muscles for a greater exchange of nutrients. There is only a tiny bit of supportive evidence that shows this supplement increases performance. A study done by a professor from the University of Oklahoma shows that this supplement can cause heart attacks in men with known and unknown heart disease. This product is not worth the risk of taking for anybody no matter the age. Testosterone boosters have been known to cause hair loss, prostate enlargement, gynecomastia, acne, testicular atrophy, and increased estrogen levels all in men. Pre-workout and fat burning supplements show side affects of nervousness, irritability, insomnia, addiction and dependency, heart palpitations and rhythm abnormalities, weight loss, tremors, mild hypertension, hallucinations, convulsions, and heart attacks. This is because these supplements have large doses of caffeine and other stimulants.

Conclusion
Overall, all workout supplements have their positives and negatives no matter what form of supplement they are. Each persons body reacts differently to supplements and show side affects or gains. From the research that I have done, if you are looking to take something I would suggest taking creatine because the gains are great and the side affects can most likely be prevented.


Bad Side Effects of Muscle Building Supplements. (2013, August 16). Retrieved April 11, 2015, from      http://www.livestrong.com/article/24679-bad-side-effects-muscle-building/

Muscles in a Bottle? (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2015, from      http://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/muscles-bottle

Bodybuilding.com - Supplement Guide For Dummies Super Feature. (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2015,  from http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/supplement_for_dummies.htm#2

The Effects of Mixing Alcohol & Adderall 

What is Adderall?

       Adderall is a stimulant drug that helps with the symptoms of ADHD and other attention deficit disorders. It is commonly known as the "study drug." People prescribed to ADHD use the drug adderall to help their concentration, reduce impulsivity, and lessen hyperactivity. People who do not need the medication for ADHD, use the drug to increase their performance in school, athletics, or even, in some cases, their social life. This drug is most commonly abused in college campuses to increase school performance and to abuse with other substances in a party scenery, such as alcohol. 

Why Mix Alcohol and Adderall?

When mixing alcohol with adderall, it is found that the depressive effects of alcohol are reduced, compared to drinking alcohol alone. Adderall is taken before or during drinking to reduce the "sleepy, drunk-like" feeling that happens when drinking too much alcohol. It helps people to continue to party instead of feeling sleepy or passing out.  Since adderall dulls the symptoms of being drunk, people become unaware of how much they actually had to drink. 

What are the Dangers?

Most people do not understand the risks that come with mixing alcohol and adderall. People have no idea how they can be harming themselves; most people think there are no risks at all. They look at it as just a fun way to party, not realizing what it can do to them in the long run. It is important for people to realize that abusing Adderall with alcohol to increase their alcohol consumption can result in unhealthy, dangerous amounts of alcohol. Adderall is a stimulant and alcohol is a depressant. Most people think that means they cancel each other out; that is a huge mistake. The stimulant and depressant actually compete with each other, which can be a serious risk. This can lead to over drinking, which can lead to bad behaviors and potential alcohol poisoning. 

Short and Long Term Effects

• Paranoia
•  Anxiety 
• Severe Depression

Physical Effects from Short Term Use

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Headaches 

Chronic Physical Effects from Long Term Use

• Convulsions
• Irregular Heart Beat
• Fevers
• Malnutrition/weight loss
• Tremors/muscle twitching 

Safety

When drinking, alcohol and adderall is never a safe option. You should always pace yourself when drinking, drink water in between alcoholic beverages, and eating before and during the night while drinking. Adderall should also only be taken when prescribed. Even if you have a prescription for adderall it should not be taken while drinking. Mixing alcohol and adderall is a combination full of effects that can effect you for the rest of your life. 

References 

Stocker, Steve. "Why Adderall and Alcohol Do Not Mix." Medication. National Institute of Drug Abuse, 28 Dec. 2009. Web. 5 Apr. 2015.

"I'm in love with the Coco...nut oil"

 

Coconut oil is edible oil that has been consumed in tropical places for thousands of years. Studies done on native diets high in coconut oil consumption show these populations are generally in good health, and don’t suffer as much from many of the modern diseases of western nations where coconut oil is not consumed anymore. 

WHY PEOPLE USE COCONUT OIL?

This traditional oil that has been consumed for thousands of years in tropical cultures and the extensive research on the health benefits of coconut oil has existed for a very long time. They found that Coconut Oil is nature’s richest source of Lauric Acid. Lauric Acid is found in high quantities in coconuts and is also consider a “healthier” saturated fat because it is a medium-chain triglyceride. As an MCT, lauric acid is more easily absorbed by the body and has a host of other associated health benefits. Lauric acid being more easily digested by the body, the body processes them as it would carbohydrates, and they are used as a source of direct energy. Also according to an article in “Nutrition Review”, MCT’s have fewer calories per serving. 

HEALTH BENEFITS OF COCONUT OIL: 

TYPES OF COCONUT OIL:

There are two categories of coconut oils, those that need to be refined (mass produced at an industr.ial level) and those that start with fresh coconut and have much less refining. Coconut oil is a refined product, because oil does not grow on a tree, coconuts do. All coconut oils have to be extracted from the whole coconut, therefore, the only truly “unrefined” coconut oil you can consume is the oil still inside the coconut meat from a fresh coconut just picked of the tree. Virgin Coconut Oil would be coconut oils produced without dried “copra” as its starting point.  There are two types then, Refined Coconut Oil and Virgin Coconut Oil. Here is a list of all the different kinds of refined coconut oils:

  1. Expelled-pressed Coconut Oil. (Physically Refined)
  2. Coconut Oil.
  3. Hydrogenated Coconut Oil.
  4. Liquid Coconut Oil.
  5. Virgin Coconut Oil. (Fresh, does not use copra as a starting point)
  6. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.

COCONUT OIL RECIPES:

There are hundreds of coconut recipes submitted by coconut users and are all kitchen testes. If you want to learn how to use coconut oil in different ways and your everyday cooking. Here I’ve attached a link for you to go and see most of the recipes: FreeCoconutRecipes.com

As an athlete myself, I try to take good care of my body. My body is my temple, and whatever I put into it, it will be reflected in my performance. I think this is an intriguing topic that can lead to nutritionist or researchers to look for a product that can help us give energy and at the same time not accumulate too much fat. If you are interested about all the wonderful things coconut oil has to offer here's a link that takes you straight to it: http://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil/

 

Lay Off The Sugar

Childhood Obesity has been a major problem in America we as a country have been trying to find out what is reason for this problem and how do we stop it. The main culprit that i here is the reason for this is all the sugar related products that are being marketed and sold to children. Sugar is good we all love sugar but i can become addictive just like anything else that is good and we like it. It can be especially addictive to children and young adults the people consume sugar the most with all the sugary drinks, cereals, and candy. People in that age range don't really have the self-control of older more mature adults. If left up to them young people would eat sugar for every meal of the day and companies know this so according the the Sugary Drinks and Obesity Fact Sheet manufacturers in 2006 spent a half a billion dollars marketing carbonated drinks to kids ages 2-17. For example in 2010 preschoolers viewed 213 ads for sugary drinks and energy drinks while children and teens viewed 277 and 406 ads respectively. Sugar filled products are being shoved in  the faces of our children who are the susceptible to falling into the trap of living a unhealthy lifestyle. We need to tackle this problem and save our children not for their own well being but for the survival of our country because America spends 190 billion dollars a year on obesity-related health conditions. I not saying that they cant have sugar at all but i believe that sugar consumption should be limited and should not become a main part of someone's diet because the health risk associated with large sugar consumption is dangerous. According to the Sugary Drinks and Obesity Fact Sheet a study was conducted that said people who regularly consume sugary drinks have a 26% greater risk of developing type-2 diabetes than those who don't. Also studies in children and adults found that reducing sugary drinks consumption can lead to better weight control among those who are initially overweight.  Risk are also greater in young adults and asians this proves that children and young adults need to lay off the sugar. The Children need our help.

References

Sugary Drinks and Obesity Fact Sheet. (n.d.). Retrieved April 3, 2015, from http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/sugary-drinks-fact-sheet/

Any type of food or drink that helps the immune system.

I want to explore the effects that supplements have on long term health disease in men.