L-Arginine and L-Citrulline tests and medical studies

A growing body of research confirms that if you have high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol or atherosclerosis L-Arginine (generated by L-Citrulline) can help by increasing the body's production of nitric oxide. This is accomplished through restoring the endothelium in the blood vessels and increase production of nitric oxide improves overall cardiovascular health. A number of scientific experiments done with subject who had varying levels of cholesterol have shown that supplementing one's diet with certain nitric oxide-boosting substances (i.e. L-Arginine, L-Citrulline, and antioxidants), can eliminate the state of oxidative stress on the arteries and reverse the progression of atherosclerosis (clogging or congestion of the arteries). L-Arginine, L-Citrulline and antioxidants clearly have benefits that specifically contribute to the heart and overall health.

Intravenous testing in medical studies has been done in an attempt to bypass the issues of L-Arginine absorption by the digestive system that arise. In these studies the theory that intravenous distribution would allow for better bodily distribution was tested and the results were dramatic. Less of the supplement was needed to achieve the same beneficial results as oral doses. The patients in these studies benefited from a lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure reading. Now, intravenous testing may yield incredible results, but most of us are unwilling to poke ourselves with a needle every night because that is the best way to get out L-Arginine. Therefore, the studies done on real people are the ones that most people are interested in hearing about.

Dozens of different studies looking into the effectiveness of L-Arginine and L-Citrulline have been done first on animals and then, when safe, tested with humans. In dozens of studies involving varying levels of L-Arginine and L-Citrulline and placebo medication, time and time again patients have benefited from improved blood pressure readings in as little as two weeks. In addition to the positive benefits to cardiovascular health, very few and in some cases absolutely no side effects were felt and no blood pressure medication or other medication was needed to achieve dramatic results. This is not to say that medication is no longer necessary or that those currently on blood pressure medication should abandon their medical regimen in exchange for taking an L-Arginine supplement, these results do however show that there are significant advantages to those who are not currently on blood pressure medication but can see their heart health deteriorating and who wish to take steps now to prevent the progression of heart disease in al its forms.

L-Arginine and L-Citrulline effectiveness has also been studied in combination with antioxidant supplements and the results from these studies is even more dramatic. The introduction of antioxidants to the already powerful effect of L-Arginine and L-Citrulline allows for these two supplements to better do their jobs because the antioxidants deactivate or neutralize the effects of the free radicals in the body, allowing for the easier production of nitric oxide. And nitric oxide production is the catalyst for improved blood flow and lower blood pressure. Furthermore, studies have shown that when the body has done a good job getting rid of a significant amount of free radicals, antioxidants can then restore the health of the cells that produce nitric oxide (the endothelial cells) and can create a better defense against future attacks on the system.
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Eric Glenn is the successful owner of several global health businesses and regularly advises clients and customers on health, nutrition and creating their own global business. Eric strongly recommends the use of supplements with Synergy Worldwide to improve your health. To learn more about supplements that can help to improve your health visit http://www.ericglenn.com or his health supplements website http://www.synergyteamglobal.com.

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Free Weights vs. Exercise Machines

Anyone who has ever been in a gym before is familiar with the gleaming banks of shiny exercise machines. Coming in all shapes and sizes, they are usually cause for the newcomer to the gym to pause and ask, “What IS all of that stuff?”

Well, according to the price that the gym paid for any one piece of that equipment, I certainly hope that it not only stimulates your muscles, but also cooks your breakfast, washes your car, and brings the kids home from soccer practice! Now the question becomes whether or not those machines were worth the price, or if you’d be better off doing a home aerobics video with a can of soup in each handÂ….

Personally, I would advise you to get the low-sodium version of the soup, serve it up alongside a tomato sandwich, and then go buy yourself some free weights. Yes, that is just my opinion, but it does come with some scientific reasoning behind it.

Natural movement vs. Controlled movement

One of the things that you need to remember is that when you are exercising, you are training for LIFE. You may spend an hour a day at the gym, but that still leaves 23 other hours for your muscles to function without the aid of that fancy equipment.

Whenever you do any given exercise, the movement of your body during that exercise is called the Range of Motion. The greater and more difficult the Range of Motion, the more effective the exercise is, because your body has to work harder to perform that movement.

Let’s take a classic dumbbell bicep curl for our case study. If you aren’t familiar with the movement, it is basically performed by standing up straight with your palms facing forward, and a pair of dumbbells held down at your sides. You concentrically contract your biceps (also known as flexing your elbow) to bring the dumbbells up to approximately shoulder level, and then repeat the movement for a prescribed number of repetitions.

Let’s take that same muscle movement and do it using a bicep curl machine. You sit down, brace your upper arms on a pad, grasp 2 handles that are in front of you, and do that same fancy elbow flexing movement to move the handles in an upward motion. Pretty easy stuff so far, right?

Now let’s examine the muscles that are used in this motion. Wait – I thought we were concentrically contracting the biceps? That is correct, and if you are using the bicep curl machine, that is pretty much ALL you are doing. For one, you are sitting down. You know, like you did all day at work, and then in your car on the way to the gym. Then, your upper arms are braced on a nice soft pad to keep your upper body stable while you pull the handles upwards. The machine has effectively limited the muscles used in this exercise to the biceps, as well as the muscles in your forearms and fingers as you grip the handles.

Let us now sidestep over to the weight room where the dumbbells are kept, and once again get in the start position for a standing bicep curl with the dumbbells. Notice the term “standing”. You know, like you DIDN’T do all day at work, and hopefully also did not do in your car on the way to the gym. So before we even start the exercise, we are using more muscles than we did on the machine – namely the leg muscles.

Now let’s pick up a 10 lb dumbbell in each hand. We’ve just added 20 lbs to our body weight. What is keeping us from losing our center of balance and falling clean over? The abdominal muscles and the muscles of the lower back and spine. Now we are using our legs, our abs, and our back. Flex those elbows and start to raise the dumbbells. Now our center of gravity has become a fluid state, and our legs, back, and abs all have to constantly compensate to maintain posture. Oh, and the biceps are also in on the action by this point, as are the forearms, the fingers, and the shoulder girdle.

We now have the dumbbells all the way up and it’s time to start lowering them again, via an eccentric contraction of the biceps (also know as extending the elbow). What muscle group controls the extension of the elbow? The triceps on the back of the arm.

Did you lose track yet? It’s okay if you did because you have illustrated the point:

Machine Bicep Curl: Uses the biceps, forearms, and fingers

Cost: Thousands of dollars

Standing Dumbbell Bicep Curl: Uses the biceps, forearms, fingers, legs, abs, back, triceps, and shoulders.

Cost: $40 for a good set of dumbbells that can be used for dozens of other exercises

In a nutshell, free weight exercises simply USE MORE MUSCLES than machines do, which make them more effective. Does that mean that the machines are a complete waste? Absolutely not! In some circumstances it is BETTER to stabilize the muscles being used in any given movement. However, those circumstances are the exception, rather than the rule.

So what do you do? Change up your routine, and incorporate free weights as well as machine exercises. However, keep the machine work to a minimum – say 20% of your total time spent working with weights. Spend the other 80% developing your stabilizer muscles, your sense of balance and coordination, and if nothing else – just standing up!

After all, you can go home and sit down on the couch to enjoy your post-workout snack. The bicep machine already brought the kids home from soccer practice, remember?

You can find additional info at the following links:

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Exercises to Build Chest Muscle Fast

Every woman wants them to hold her tight whereas every man wants a set of their own -- chest muscles are in demand nowadays, and here are some exercises to build them up quickly.



You see them on TV, at the beach or just walking about -- men with well-defined pectoral muscles; you're envious. They have the definition, they have the look, and they have the broad shoulders that carry their build and put your less-than-well-defined chest muscles to shame. If you're getting ready to hit the beach, planning a stay at a resort with a pool, or just want to add some definition under your shirt, here are a few exercises to build your chest muscles fast.



Dips



Often overlooked by individuals, dips are an effective way of building chest muscle, as well as adding definition to your chest, and working your triceps in one simple action. Traditionally, dips take place on parallel bars, but you can also perform these exercises from the comfort of your home if you have two sturdy surfaces that are at an even height and can hold your weight.



For the biggest impact on your chest muscles, you should lean forward during your reps and be sure to lower, and raise, yourself as much as possible.



Pushups



While pushups may seem plain-Jane and boring, there are ways to spice up your pushup routine that will help you add definition while working different areas of your chest to build up muscle. Most people know about standard, military-style pushups where your hands are placed shoulder-width apart, and those work, but there are several variations of pushups:



1. Incline pushups

2. Decline pushups

3. Wide push ups

4. Diamond pushups



Try mixing and matching different push up routines -- this will help you to work different parts of your upper body and different chest muscles as well.



Weightless resistance training



It may seem silly, but you can tighten, tone, and even build chest muscle fast without heading to the gym. There are many types of 'weightless' resistance training that you can incorporate -- from dips to butterfly-like presses.



Here are two types of resistance training that will help you to build chest muscle up quickly:



* Interlock your hands directly in front of your chest and try to pull them apart.

* Replicate a butterfly press without a weight-training machine. While you can certainly use free weights and work to build muscle mass, you can also create your own resistance while performing these butterfly-like presses and add definition to your chest muscles.



The exercises that we have outlined here not only will help you to build chest muscle quickly, they are all easy enough to be performed from your own home. Weight training and muscle building does not have to be difficult, and with a little bit of effort, you can have the well-defined chest muscles that you have been looking for in no time flat.





Build Muscle Up answers common muscle-building questions and shows individuals how to build muscles quickly. Learn about muscle weight gain and read reviews on the top muscle-building systems on our website.

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Fitness Center Marketing: Branding

This is the first article in a five-part series that details exactly what you need to market your fitness center and make it a success.



Some people think fitness center marketing is as simple as placing a classifieds or yellow page ad, and for some, it can be. But if you have competition (and you probably do), you can earn a majority local market share by successfully branding your fitness center or gym. Pump up your marketing efforts and go the distance to establish your gym as the go-to place to get strong, healthy and fit.



Importance of a branded image



Branding is important because people purchase on emotion. When it comes to gym marketing, they're seeking accessibility and results. It's important to identify and promote your branded identity so you can connect with your target audience at a glance. If your fitness center is not branded, then you're just another fitness center. There's nothing that separates you from the competition



This reduces your potential customer pool to make choices based on factors such as price, convenience and preconceived notions. Without a branded identity, you have no control over preconceptions and therefore you're forced to either compete on pricing and location alone. This is not a way to grow your fitness center. Cheap does not outsell quality.



How to identify your branded image



Instead, you should compete based on public perception, which you can control with a branded image. To identify your branded image, you have to consider how you're different from your competitors. What do you offer that they don't (or that they don't promote)? Perhaps you have an Olympic-sized pool, more aerobic machines or free weights, or guaranteed accessibility ("Never wait for a treadmill!"). Maybe you offer tournaments, leagues, classes, personal training, a spa, or another major advantage over the competition. Are you the "Gym for Weightlifters," "Fitness Center for All Family Members," or the "Instructional Gym"? Don't hide it - promote it!



To help you define what type of fitness center you are, consider the features and benefits you offer your members. Understand the distinction between the two. For example, having more elliptical machines is a feature - guaranteeing that members will never have to wait to get on one is a benefit. List all of your features and benefits, and pick the most important that also differentiate you from the competition to base your brand on. Try to come up with a single word or short phrase that captures this concept. In the elliptical machine scenario, this word might be "freedom" or "accessibility."



You also have to consider your members' motivations. Why would they want to choose your gym instead of a competitors'? Once you've identified your differences, strengths, clientèle, benefits and motivators, wrap them all together into a singular branded image that expresses who you are, what you do and how you do it.



Branding through design



Skilled graphic design can transform your fitness center's branded identity from a concept to a visual motivator. This image is what the world will see, and your members will perceive the ideal and emotions that your image expresses. The power of design is limitless, especially when you incorporate sound brand identity design principles for your fitness center.



Your fitness center colors, logo, corporate identity package, website and other marketing materials are all a reflection of your brand; so familiar, cohesive design must be applied to all mediums. The goal is for your prospects to be able to glance at your material and instantly recognize who it's from and what you stand for. When you achieve this, you've developed a powerful fitness center brand identity.



Learn about how your business can take your exposure to the next level of branding through PsPrint's custom poster printing and custom sticker printing. Capitalize upon the variety of printing services that PsPrint offers to maximize your company's branding efforts and marketing presence.

Eat to Lose Weight

Are you one of the millions of people suffering from being overweight? Is your kitchen counter is filled with protein shakes and diet pills that didn't work, and your basement crammed full of exercise equipment that eventually just sits there? Have you starved and exercised yourself into what felt like oblivion to see hardly even a dent of weight loss on your scale? Maybe you have tried every latest craze on the market, only to see very little, if any results! Is it any wonder so many of us eventually give up?

That's how it was for me until I stumbled across the most amazing plan to lose weight. It is the healthiest and safest way to lose weight I have found. But most importantly, it actually works! You don't have to starve yourself, exhaust yourself, or drain your bank account trying to lose those extra pounds. You can actually eat your way into getting thin! That's what I did!

By eating the right foods at the right time, you can lose weight quickly and effectively. It is so easy, anyone can do it! Eating food is much more effective than taking any dietary pill. By eating specific foods at the right times, your body will burn fat calories at a very fast pace. It will fuel fat loss and you will see the pounds start dropping off. I was amazed to see the body I once had as a teenager! I really thought that would never be possible for me again.

This weight loss plan is the easiest plan I have ever tried. The 11 day program is all laid out for you. You will never starve and you will enjoy eating delicious foods that will make the pounds melt right off your body. After 11 days, you will have 3 days to cheat and eat whatever you want. Have you ever heard of such an easy plan? You will be amazed to see the results! I was thrilled to be able to wear clothes I had not been able to fit in for years! And what fun it was to go buy myself a whole new wardrobe!

By losing weight you will greatly reduce your chances of getting Type2 Diabetes, heart and colon cancer, arthritis, high blood pressure and a number of other diseases related to being overweight. You will have much more energy and feel so much better about yourself. It is the best thing I have ever done. Losing weight doesn't have to be just a dream any more.

By using this method I have lost more weight than I ever thought possible. The nice thing is, it really does work! For more information you can go to http://www.articlelinkto.com/fatloss4idiots

California Fitness vs Fitness First

Ladies and Gentleman, Welcome, to tonight's Main Event. In the Top corner, we have a Heavyweight fitness Club based out of England, Boasting of international representation in at least 15 nations, spreading throughout Asia and Europe, and "One Million Members Worldwide, Fitneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeess Firrrsssttt.



And in the lower corner, a Heavyweight fitness Club based out of the United States, with representation in at least 6 nations, mostly throughout Asia, and a slew of celebrity autographs on the Wall, Caaaaaaaaliforniaaaaaaaaaaaa Fitneeeeeeeeeesssss.



This match is scheduled for 4 rounds....Let's get Ready to Ruuuummmbllllllllleeee.



Ding Ding....



Round 1 - Appearance/Location



Each fitness club looks modern and up to date. For the locations in Thailand, California Fitness is in downtown, highly populated locations. This helps to give California a better name as far as word of mouth travels. Fitness First is in locations which are more on the outskirts of downtown Bangkok. Not as "High Class" as California. This means two things really. Highly populated locations, means crowed facilities. Having to wait for weights, or benches, or machines is never fun. So really Round 1 is Socializing Crowd Vs. Comfort. For Me, that gives Round 1 to Fitness First, though the Socialites will score it differently. Fitness first also had a nice said of giveaways with membership; nice bag, water bottle, t-shirts.



Round 2 - Locker rooms



Each Fitness center has nice locker rooms. More or less, there are adequate amounts of lockers and showers available. Steam rooms and Saunas are also available at both Fitness Clubs, although steam rooms are not available at every California Fitness branch. At Fitness First, each locker has keys in them. If a locker is available, the key will be there in a similar fashion to pay lockers at bus terminals and theme parks, although they are free. At California you have to buy a lock and bring it with you. If you forget the lock, or the key to the lock, you have to either put you clothes in a locker with not lock, or buy a new lock at California Fitness prices. California Fitness however, does offer towels, both shower towel, and hand towels where as Fitness First does not. Not having to worry about towels is nice. Round 2 is a tie for me. Each has there advantages and disadvantages.



Round 3 - Memberships



Each fitness center can be considered expensive. There are first time membership fees, and then of course monthly payments with a 1 year contract. Depending on your ability to be sold, and/or haggle for a good price, the initial membership fees can be really high (US$300 THREE HUNDRED asked), to reasonable (US$25 TWENTY FIVE paid). That is simple though, and that is how Fitness First is. California was not as simple. California has a wide variety of membership colors; Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Of course each has different prices associated, but what all that means is, with a lower level of membership, you are limited to what days you can work out on. Certain number of days per week, and Fitness location limitations are put on each card. This is not to bad for those with a strict schedule, who will work out on the same time and same day and same location each time for that year, but for those who's schedule may vary, and for those who travel to other parts of town, let alone other countries, this can be a true limitation. Fitness first has two member ships, with only different payment schedules. And although their monthly payment is a bit higher (US$5 / month), there is complete freedom as to which day, time, location, and country you choose to work out in. Round 3 saw a strong Fitness First battling back.







Round 4 - Equipment



Really, this is what it all boils down to. How is they equipment at the gym. That is why you are there, to exercise. As far as machines and free weights go, I would say Fitness First and California both have adequate supplies and space, though this goes back to round one, and how crowded the gyms are. Each fitness center does have the extras though. Rooms for Aerobics, Yoga, Body Combat, Cycling, etc. Though California offers a slightly better selection of aerobic and body combat classes for free, California has the cycling and yoga classes for additional fees, where as each class is free at Fitness First. Round 4 goes to Fitness First.





Decision



In the battle between the 2 great Heavy Weight Fitness Centers, There is a split decision. Over all they are close, but at the Heavy Weight Fitness centers like these, you expect more than the light weights, and for that reason, all of the extras matter. And when taking all of the extras into consideration, California seems more about Face than Fitness. So for those looking to socialize, California would be your choice. But for the Fitness of it, the Winner of this hard fought Battle is Fitness First.







This article, along with other tips and motivation for living a healthy lifestyle can be found at the Sabaidi Health Blog

Muscle Building Stack - Food in Bicep Workout

The importance of food has always been stressed in bicep workout. Adequate nutrition is a complete ought to in order to develop good biceps. However, recently, scientists have also started stressing the ask for for fluid replacement in bicep workouts.

Fluids were not till now considered especially important, just vitamins and proteins got considered important. Bicep workout experts always ask to eat a lot of protein in order to build good muscles. Proteins is what builds up muscles so a larger number of protein would do you good. Before you start in on workouts make sure you speak with a bicep workout trainer and also a medical expert. However, recently it has also been heard found too fluids play an vital role in bicep workouts and muscle development and therefore one needs to add fluids in one's bicep workout regimen in order to augment good muscles.

Electrolytes are outstandingly fundamental and one needs to make sure there is a correct proportion in the person or else this could cause serious problems. In a normal bicep workout standard it is not unusual for the body to loose electrolytes so make sure it is replaced.

The need to replace fluids in the body is stressed because of the fact that bicep workouts make a lot of heat and thereby cause a lot of sweat in the body. So the more the person sweats ,the more the fluids and electrolytes are drained from his body. One needs to replace the fluid and also the salts to enhance the overall balance of the person and prevent any damage to the body. You can get FREE fitness and nutrition ebook Now @ http://tinyurl.com/awfgv4