Trace Minerals

What Are Trace Minerals?

You may collect silver coins, wear a platinum ring, or have a gold filling. You’ve likely sipped tea poured from a copper kettle, eaten a cookie from a fancy tin container, or traveled on an airplane made of titanium. But did you know that these elements and many others—in very small, balanced trace amounts—are critical to your health? Although trace minerals are no longer as plentiful in the foods you eat, they exist plentifully in their proper proportions in the mineral-rich waters of the earth’s oceans and seas.


Colloidal vs Ionic Minerals

Colloidal minerals are probably the most common on the market. These are derived from clay deposits ground and then suspended in solution or put into tablets. This requires the body to breakdown the "clumps" of minerals into an absorbable form.
Ionic minerals on the other hand are already broken down to the molecular level making them easier and faster for the body to absorb completely. In addition, they are already in the form the body will utilize them. Although chelated minerals are much more easily broken down to the ionic form compared to colloidal minerals, this is still one more step required before absorption can occur.


Why Do We Need Trace Minerals?

From vitamin and nutrient utilization to a healthy immune system and body, trace minerals are essential in small amounts to help the body operate optimally. Every second of every day your body relies on ionic minerals and trace minerals to conduct and generate billions of tiny electrical impulses. Without these impulses, not a single muscle, including your heart, would be able to function. Your brain would not function and the cells would not be able to use osmosis to balance your water pressure and absorb nutrients. To ensure you are getting the ionic minerals and electrolytes your body needs, only choose ionic mineral supplements or supplements that contain ionic minerals.
“Experts estimate 90 percent of Americans suffer from mineral imbalance and deficiency.”



Where Have All the Minerals Gone?

Traditionally, eating fresh grains, fruits, and vegetables grown in nutrient-rich soil has been the primary supply for a full spectrum of ionic minerals.
Unfortunately in today’s world, naturally occurring, nutrient-rich soil is becoming increasingly rare. Eons of vegetation growth and aggressive modern farming techniques have brought many of the earth’s minerals to the surface where they have been washed away.
Synthesized fertilizers are routinely applied to farms and fields where minerals have been depleted. But man-made fertilizers provide only enough mineral substance to support basic plant life. Numerous trace minerals essential to human life don’t get replenished.

Many of the trace elements once abundant in soil have been washed into the oceans. In the oceans they are found in their proper proportions—the same basic proportions that are found in healthy human bodies.
In a few surviving inland seas such as the Great Salt Lake of western North America, these essential elements exist in highly concentrated, salubrious proportions. This healthy, intricately balanced proportion of minerals and trace elements found in sea water is beneficial to the human body.
Today, these life-sustaining sea waters contain all of the minerals and elements necessary to support human life. Most importantly, these minerals and elements are ionic and in perfect balance—prime for being absorbed into the cells of your body.


Larry Scott Products and Trace Minerals

Most of the Larry Scott products we carry at Warriors Warehouse contain all 72 trace minerals in ionic formulation. Revive (the multivitamin mineral supplement), Ultrapro (weight loss protein) and Hypergrowth (gainer protein) all contain these trace minerals. Before starting on any supplement plan you should have a good vitamin and mineral foundation to build upon. Without this you will never be able to achieve your highest performance or quality of life with your body.

    
 

TOP TEN PERFORMANCE SUPPLEMENTS

 

1. Bioactive Peptides (BIO-GRO ISatori)
•  Recommended dose: 3 - 4.5 grams twice daily
•  Results: Increased lean mass, increased strength, and improved recovery via increased signaling and receptor activation for protein synthesis.
2. HMB free acid form (Clear Muscle MuscleTech)/Leucine/BCAAs
• Recommended HMB dose: 3 grams daily (One dose directly before workout)
• Recommended Leucine/BCAA dose: 15 grams daily (One dose during workout)
• Results: Increased muscle mass and improved recovery via increased initiation of protein synthesis via mTOR and inhibition of catabolic pathways. Increases strength and training adaptation. Gain of up to 12 lbs of lean mass and strength gains of up to 170 lbs (combination of bench, squat, and deadlift) at 12 weeks (HMB).
3. Beta-alanine (Carnosine)
• Recommended dose: 3-6 grams daily
• Take 30 minutes before workout
• Results: Improved muscle function and endurance via increased synthesis of carnosine which buffers lactic acid build up and increases threshold to muscle fatigue. Muscle carnosine levels increase by 59% at 4 weeks and 80% at 10 weeks.
4. Creatine (Monohydrate of Kre-alkalyn)
• Recommended dose: 5-10 grams daily
• Take post workout
• Results: Increased strength, power, muscle torque, and 1 rep max via improved ATP recycling in the muscle tissue. May combine with ATP (Peak ATP) products for greater results.
5. Whey Protein
• Recommended dose: 1-2 grams/lb of body weight daily
• Take one dose post workout
• Results: Increased lean mass, improved recovery and performance via increased supply of amino acids for protein synthesis.
6. DAA (D-aspartic Acid)
• Recommended dose: 3 grams daily
• Take before workout
• Cycle 2 weeks on 2 weeks off to reduce enzymatic breakdown of DAA via d-aspartic oxidase.
• Combine with aromatase inhibitors and other testosterone boosters such as Tongkat Ali and Acacetin for greater effect.
7. L-Glutamine (Sustanine or TAG)
• Recommended dose: 15 grams daily
• Take one dose post workout
• Use Sustanine (L-alanine-L-glutamine) or TAG (trans-alanyl-glutamine) for improved delivery to muscle tissue.
• Results: Improved recovery, increased protein synthesis and glycogen recovery. Also improves immune function and intestinal health
8. Fish Oil (DHA and EPA)
• Recommended dose: 1 gram per 50 lbs of body weight
• Take in 2 divided doses
• Results: Improved joint health and lubrication, decreased inflammation through out the body, decreased triglycerides, improved fatty acid and omega balance in the body, liver cleansing effects.
9. Vitamins/Minerals/Antioxidants
• Recommended Antioxidants: NAC (n-acetyl cysteine), Alpha Lipoic Acid, Acai, Astaxanthin, CoQ10, Quercetin, Resveratrol, Lutein, Lycopene, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E.
• Recommended Minerals: Look for supplements containing all trace minerals and chelated formulation for improved absorption.
• Recommended Vitamins: Fat soluble vitamins A,D,E,K and high levels of B vitamins.  
• Try to consume via diet (berries and greens have higher levels) and supplement for greater effects.
• Results: Improved energy levels, immune function, liver cleansing, free radical elimination, and overall bodily functions and health. Minerals with help to decrease cramping and improve overall electrolyte balance and hydration.
10. Water
• Recommended intake: 0.5 oz per lb of body weight
• Hydration is essential for electrolyte balance, nutrient delivery, metabolic reactions, and fat metabolism. It also helps improve cleansing effects in the body and improve clearance of waste via the kidneys.

HMB: What is it and how can it benefit me in my fitness goals?

HMB

What is it and how can it benefit me in my fitness goals?

HMB (beta-hydroxyl-beta-methylbutyrate) is a metabolite of the branched chain amino acid (BCAA) leucine. BCAAs have been studied for three decades in regards to their ability to increase and maintain lean body mass, improve strength, and decrease body fat and skeletal muscle soreness. The effects of leucine on preventing muscle breakdown are greatest at 10-20 times to concentration required to stimulate protein synthesis. Thus these effects are mostly if not entirely due to HMB.

 

 

Why do you need to supplement with HMB?

 

Only about 2-5% of leucine is converted to HMB as it is a less favored metabolic pathway. In addition, quality protein sources only consist of approximately 10% leucine content. The effective dose of HMB used in most studies is 3 grams daily (divided in 3 equal doses). This would require one to consume 60 grams of leucine daily or 600 grams of quality protein. Even if this was possible to do on a consistent basis, conversion of protein to leucine and leucine to HMB may not remain steady with increased protein consumption.

 

 

What results can I expect?  

• Faster recovery time
• Decreased muscle breakdown
• Particularly with calorie restricted diets
• Decreased markers of muscle breakdown
• Increased strength
• 15-20% average increase
• 9 lb and 6 lb greater increases on bench and squat with HMB supplementation   
• Enhanced aerobic performance
• Increases time to reach peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) by 8%
• Improved fat loss in experienced athletes
• Theorized to increase lipid oxidation
• Studies have shown up to 8% decreased in fat mass
• Strength loss of 5% vs 11% with HMB supplementation 
• Increased muscle hypertrophy via stimulation of mTOR and/or GH/IGF-1 axis      

 

What is the effective dose for HMB?

• 3 grams daily (usually divided in 2-3 equivalent doses)
• Studies show it may take up to 2-3 weeks until maximal effects are achieved
• Dose timing is shown to be most effective with one dose taken 60 minutes prior to exercise. 

 

For more information about the ISSN official stand on HMB click here:

http://www.jissn.com/content/pdf/1550-2783-10-6.pdf

Creatine: What does it do and is it right for me

Creatine

How does it work and is it right for me?

 

Creatine has been studied for decades in its regard to improving physical performance in athletes. It is undoubtedly the most well-studied sports nutrition supplement available on the market today and is used as a main ingredient in many sports supplements. The media has created some hype in the past which has confused many consumers as to the effectiveness and safety of supplementation with creatine.

 

Myths about creatine:

• Creatine supplementation causes renal distress
• This claim followed a report of a 25 year old male that presented with kidney dysfunction. However, this condition was pre-existing before he had supplemented with creatine.
• There is no evidence to date to support the idea that normal creatine intakes (< 25g daily) in otherwise healthy adults causes kidney dysfunction.
• Creatine supplementation causes cramping, dehydration, and/or altered electrolyte status
• There is no evidence to date to support that creatine supplementation alone contributes to any of these.
• All weight gain during creatine supplementation is due to water retention
•  Studies have shown that subjects that supplement with creatine typically gain about twice as much lean body mass (2-4 pounds) during a 4-12 week period. 
• Long-term effects of creatine are completely unknown
• Long-term creatine supplementation 4-8 grams daily for up to 3 years has been studied in children with creatine synthesis deficiencies and neuromuscular disorders.

 

What does creatine do in the body?

 

First of all, lets talk about what creatine is and what it does in the body. Approximately 95% of creatine in the body in found in skeletal muscle tissue. The human body synthesizes 1 to 2 grams of creatine a day, primarily in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. We also obtain creatine from dietary sources, such as fish and meats. For example, one pound of fresh uncooked steak contains about 2 grams of creatine. Intestinal absorption of creatine is nearly 100%. Creatine in skeletal muscles exists in dynamic equilibrium with phosphocreatine. About 2/3rds of the creatine found in skeletal muscle is stored as phosphocreatine while the remainder is stored as free creatine. The total pool of creatine for the average person is approximately 120 grams. The body breaks down about 1-2 grams of creatine daily into creatinine which is excreted by the kidneys. Creatine stores are then replaced via dietary sources and synthesis from glycine, arginine, and methionine.

 

Body stores of phosphocreatine in skeletal muscle serve as a precursor to the energy molecule of the body, adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Higher levels of creatine are enhance the ability to renew ATP for short 10-20 second energy bursts and improve resynthesis of phosphocreatine during recovery from intense exercise. More phosphocreatine = faster/greater potential for ATP regeneration.

 

 

 

What is the right dose to take?

 

Persons with low muscle stores or who eat very little or no meat will likely experience and increase of 20-40% in muscle creatine stores. Where as those with relatively large muscle stores will experience and increase of 10-20%. This can be achieved in two different ways:

• Loading with 0.3 grams/kg of body weight (max of 25 grams daily) for 5-7 days followed by 5 grams daily thereafter
• Supplementing with 5-10 grams daily for 28 days
• Studies have also shown that co-supplementing with 3-6 grams of beta-alanine can produce greater effects then with creatine alone.
• The addition of 40-90 grams of carbohydrate can also enhance muscle retention of creatine.

 

 

What results can I expect?

 

Creatine supplementation has been clinically shown to produce significant improvements in the following areas:

• Maximal power/strength by 5-15%
• Work performed during sets of maximal effort muscle contractions 5-15%
• Single effort sprint performance 1-5%
• Work performed during repetitive sprint performance 5-15%
• Increase body mass by 1-2 kg in first week of loading due to and increase in muscle water

Are some formulations of creatine better than others?

Creatine monohydrate (Creapure) is by far the most studied form of creatine on the market today. There is not much evidence to day supporting other forms of creatine as superior in any way other than stability in solution. Creatine monohydrate is known to rapidly begin breaking down to creatinine once it is in solution. So formulations that have made changes to stabilize creatine in solution without affecting absorption would potentially provide better delivery to the muscle tissue with lower dosages.

 

Popular creatine formulations on the market:

• Creatine monohydrate (Creapure)
• Creatine PH buffered (Kre-alkalyn and Crea-trona)
• Creatine-glycerol-phosphate (CGP)
• Creatine magnesium chelate (Creatine Magnapower)
• Creatine HCL
• Creatine ethyl ester
• Creatine anhydrous
• Creatine alpha-ketoglutarate
• Tri creatine citrate

Which formulation to should you choose? Creatine monohydrate is the most well-studied and often cheapest available. Look for micronized, pharmaceutical grade products that have been HPLC tested for purity. If you want to expand you horizon look to products that have stabilized creatine in solution such as CGP and Kre-alkalyn or combo products like Blonyx creatine + HMB.

 

 

For more information on the official ISSN stand click here:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2048496/pdf/1550-2783-4-6.pdf

 

Why RAW Honey?

 

 

Honey is much more than just a sweetener. It has been used for centuries for healing and rejuvenation. Most of the honey sold in stores has been heated and pasturized. This processing destroys many of the enzymes and beneficial compounds that make raw honey so nutritious. Regular honey often looks clear and syrupy. Raw honey has not been treated with heat; it is often more buttery, solid and opaque than pasteurized honey and often contains "cappings," or small pieces of beeswax. It is completely left in its natural state and therefore contains pollen, enzymes, antioxidants and many other beneficial compounds that researchers are just beginning to learn about. Be sure not to give any honey, either raw or treated, to a child under the age of 12 months. As they do not yet have fully developed stomach acid defense to neutralize bacterial spores that can be present in all types of honey.

  

Allergy Protection

Some research supports the theory that local honey-- obtained as close as possible to where you live--may help build an immunity to some seasonal allergies. There is not much research to support this idea, yet many people claim that using honey in this way provides allergy relief. Allergies are triggered by continuous exposure to the same allergen over time. Even if a particular plant is not allergenic initally, it can potentially become very allergenic if you spend much time in the same environment as the plant. Honey made by bees in the vicinity of the allergenic plant will contain tiny amounts of pollen from that plant. This honey will act as a sort of vaccine if taken in small amounts--a few teaspoons per day--for several months, and can provide relief from seasonal pollen allergies.
 

Antioxidants and Phytonutrients

Honey is also rich in powerful antioxidants and cancer-fighting phytonutrients, which can be found in the propolis, or "honey glue" that the bees use to sterilize the beehive. Raw honey contains some of these compounds while pasteurized honey does not.
 

Digestive Aid

In its natural, raw state, honey contains many enzymes that can help some people digest food more easily so it may also help treat ulcers and diarrhea.
 

Vitamins and Minerals

The nutrient content of raw honey varies, but a 1-ounce serving contains very small amounts of folate as well as vitamins B2, C, B6, B5 and B3. Minerals including calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc can also be found in raw honey in small amounts.
 

Topical Salve

Honey can be used as medicine. It has anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antiseptic properties. For this reason it can be applied topically to treat burns, as researchers at the University of Auckland in New Zealand describe in a 2008 study. Honey from the Manuka or Tea Tree has been best studied for topical use. Hydrogen peroxide is a component of honey. It gives most honey its antibiotic quality. But some types of honey, like Manuka honey, also have other components with antibacterial qualities. The major antibacterial component in manuka honey is methylglyoxal (MG). MG is a compound found in most types of honey, but usually only in small quantities. In manuka honey, MG comes from the conversion of another compound -- dihydroxyacetone -- that is found in high concentration in the nectar of manuka flowers. Manuka honey is rated for it's potency by UMF (unique manuka factor). For therapeutic use a minimum rating of 10 is required.

 

Cough Suppressant

Honey has also been found to be especially useful in treating upper respiratory infections. A study at Penn State College of Medicine in 2007 found that a small dose of buckwheat honey was more effective than an over-the-counter cough treatment for children.
 

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