Hoodia or P57AS3 (P57) as its more readily know in the scientific world is and extract from the cactus like plant (Hoodia gordonii). Back in 2004 a study showing an appetite suppressive effect shot the natural weight loss product into the headlines across the world. The UK owners of the license since 1997 “Phytopharm” entered into a $25million dollar deal with global food giants Unilever makers of $500mn brand “Slimfast”. The idea was to launch a slimfast drink with P57 at its core.

Hi guys and thanks for logging into my first post as part of the BrinkZone. It’s an honor to be involved in such an active and voraciously inquisitive online community dedicated to the real application of nutrition science.

As many of you know I have been deeply involved in research of carnosine and its functions in skeletal muscle. However, recently I was contacted by a write from the Times newspaper (UK) who were conducting research into the medical nutrition, or Mediceuticals as some are defining it. My current work involves patients with genetic conditions leading them to develop extremely high lactate levels inside muscle tissue and associated acidosis (low pH) (Muscle myopathies and cytopathies). Acidosis is related to the fatigue you feel at the end of very high intensity exercise, or at the end of high rep calf rises. However, in the patients I look at the level of acidosis is at levels found during high intensity exercise when they at rest. In real terms this can mean just lifting a tin of beans up can be a real effort.

It’s GOOD to have a philosophy, right? Here’s Mine:

1) We’re all athletes. Maybe we’re not all great athletes, or even good ones, but we’re all athletes. Or, well, at least we all wanna be athletes. Which is the same thing really. The point is, we’re goal-seeking creatures, trying to improve our physical ability to interact with the World, and with life, whether that means being more successful in a tennis match, or having more energy at work, fighting cancer, or just trying to look, feel, and perform better. We all need bodies that can get us through the day, at a high level of success. And a big part of our mission is to help people do just that.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About CrossFit

Gang. CrossFit is a popular method of exercising these days and has generated many questions for yours truly. CrossFit is both popular and controversial. Chris Shugart - a well respected coach in his own right - who has done an extensive report on CrossFit, the good and the bad and the ugly.

This is an extensive report, and goes into an amazing level of detail about CrossFit. He also interviews other respected coaches regarding CrossFit, as well as additional info, background, vids, etc. I was very impressed with this report from Chris and if you want to total picture of CrossFit, this THE report to read:

In order to experience further progress, do you need to know more, or do you need to make better use of what you already know? Don’t answer yet, just absorb that question…just let that question penetrate your brain for a moment…

Incidentally, I grew up in the martial arts tradition of Bushido, and we were always taught that knowledge doesn’t exist without action – in other words, knowledge that isn’t acted upon isn’t really knowledge at all.

Owner of “Male Enhancement” Pill Gets 25 Years

I’m sure you all have seen those moronic commercials with “Bob” and his happy wife. The wheels of justice grind slowly, but grind they do. Will this stop all the other manufacturers of “male enhancement” supplements which don’t work? Don’t count on it. Bob won’t be smilin’ from jail:

Enzyte Manufacturer Sentenced To 25 Years in Prison
Don’t expect to see much of Smilin’ Bob in the near future.

Folks, a quick note let members know a well-known site that reviews and tracks all kinds of LE/mil related topics, equipment, weapons, etc., called SoldierSystems did a nice review on my Optimal SWAT program/site and put up one of the training vids I did. Can see been here:

http://soldiersystems.net/blog1/2008/10/28/optimal-swat/

Enjoy!

Pop Quiz: What’s the main difference between you and an Olympic athlete?

Genetics? Drugs? Coaching? Facilities? Motivation?

Certainly all of these and more factor into the equation, but I’m convinced that the most significant point of difference is consistency.

Highlights from the 2008 Expo East

Everyone knows about shows such as the Arnold Classic or the Olympia and others, but unless you are “in the biz” many people have not heard of industry shows such as the Expo West and East, Supply Side, and many others. These industry shows are where the supplement industry does its business, and where wise guy consultant types like me, along with buyers, sellers, and everyone in-between in “the biz” can be found. I like to attend these shows to see what the latest and greatest is for products, but also to see what the trends are, and perhaps network into another consulting gig as well as say hello to old friends I may not have seen in a while.

An industry show I just attended was the NNFA Expo East which was held in Boston MA this year. One major trend is the explosion of “functional foods” vs. supplements. Functional Foods are now the major driver in the industry.