The Four Myths To Creatine Monohydrate

Creatine monohydrate is the most widely researched supplement out there. A simple Google of "creatine monohydrate" pulls up 1,690,0000 results, and numerous published peer reviewed papers. Creatine monohydrate is a supplement that simply works.

If you're thinking of supplementing with creatine monohydrate you may see benefits in your strength and speed and power. You may also be able to complete more repeated short bursts exercises. Sprinters, mixed martial artists and bodybuilders are just three of the types of athletes that can benefit from creatine supplementation.

However the problem with creatine monohydrate and its popularity is that there also comes with it several myths that have spread over the years. Below we discuss the three most common ones and refute them with the truth.

Myth #1: "the more creatine monohydrate you supplement with the better your results will be".

Studies carried out from the Human Performance Lab at Ball State University showed that supplementing with just 5g of creatine monohydrate daily is enough to reach saturation in the muscle and for you to see the strength and muscle endurance benefits from creatine supplementation. There is no need to be taking 20-40g of creatine daily and less is more in this case. By supplementing with 3-5g of creatine daily you will still see all of the benefits of this great sports supplement.

Myth #2: "you can get enough creatine from your diet".

Yes creatine is a natural compound found in food such as salmon, tuna, and beef; however, it is very hard to get the sufficient amount required to see performance benefits through food. For example, in order to get just 2g of creatine from your diet you would need to consume around a pound of lean red meat and for most individuals this is simply not possible.

Myth #3: "creatine is suitable for all athletes". Creatine provides great performance benefits, however not every athlete can benefit from its use. Athletes that require a sharp, sudden burst of explosive energy such as MMA fighters, sprinters, powerlifters and bodybuilders will benefit the most from supplementing with creatine. Athletes that require a steady aerobic output such as marathoner runners will not see the desired benefits of creatine supplementation. If you are active in a sport that requires explosive energy then creatine is most suitable for you.

Myth #4: "creatine is a steroid"

Creatine is not a steroid and should never been seen as a steroid. Creatine has no scientific structural relationship with a steroid. Creatine is a natural compound found in foods such as salmon, beef and tuna.

Like previously discussed, creatine monohydrate is one of the best affordable supplements available that can be purchased either online or in most high street health food stores. If creatine were a steroid then it would not be allowed to be sold over the counter to the general public.

For premium yet affordable supplements visit www.iconnutrition.co.uk where you can pick up pharmaceutical grade creatine monohydrate with free UK delivery.

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Effective Ways to Get the Best From Bee Propolis

Propolis is a sticky substance that honeybees gather from saps, buds, and barks of trees and shrubs. They blend it with bee wax to produce a resinous material that bees use to seal gaps in their hives to prevent the entry of intruders. This substance, which is also known as bee glue, is highly regarded for its anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. People in earlier times use it to treat a lot of diseases including fever, sore throat, burns, wounds, and gum disorders.

According to studies, propolis contains substances that we need for nutrition and health. These include flavanoids, lots of minerals that include potassium, calcium, and magnesium, beta carotene, vitamins B1 and B2 as well as bioflavanoids. These substances help to improve health by:

• Improving the body's ability to absorb vitamin C
• Strengthening capillary walls
• Strengthening the immune system
• Protecting the body from organisms that cause respiratory infections
• Preventing bleeding of the gums

Bee Propolis is available in many forms. You can actually buy them as capsules, tinctures, or chunks.

Propolis Tincture

Propolis tincture is available in two types. These are the alcohol-based and water-based tinctures. Among the two, the alcohol-based is the stronger type because of its alcohol and high propolis content. The water-based type, on the other hand, contains water and only 20 percent propolis. It is not as potent as its alcohol-based counter part, but it is more bearable when taken orally.

Tincture is applicable both as topical or oral medication. People who know the product use it to treat wounds, vaginal infections, rheumatoid arthritis, eye infections, and gum issues.

Propolis Chunks

Propolis chunks are pieces of pure, unprocessed bee propolis. You need to chew or swallow it to take advantage of its health benefits.

Propolis Capsules

These are propolis that are processed and compacted in capsule form to facilitate easy storage, transportation, and ingestion. You can bring them anywhere, even when you travel. This is an easy way to maintain the daily benefits the product can provide to your health.

These are the types of bee propolis and the best ways to use them effectively. Like other bee products, it is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that work to nourish you and fortify your resistance to infection.

But as a word of caution, you should know that this product can trigger allergic reactions on some individuals. If you experience sore throat, irritation, or swelling of your mouth after taking bee propolis, you should discontinue using it at once.

If you want to learn more about propolis and other organic health products, you may make a query about propolis at LifeTime Health.

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3 Tribulus Terrestris Facts You Should Know

A spiky plant also known as puncture vine, Tribulus Terrestris is being used for medicinal and supplementary purposes. In India, for example, it has long been used for treating kidney and liver diseases. In the health and wellness community, moreover, it is available as a dietary supplement that helps improve stamina and sexual drive. You might have read or heard of discussions on whether the supplement works or whether it has side effects, leaving you confused whether you should consider using it or not. To help you decide, here are some facts about the supplement that you may not have known.

1. It does not make women develop masculine features.

The main benefit of Tribulus Terrestris is that it increases the testosterone levels in the body. Increased levels of testosterone in the body helps boost stamina, enhance sex drive, and build lean muscles. So what about the women? Will they develop masculine features such as deep voice and muscular body? The answer is no. Both men and women have testosterone but in different levels. Apparently, men have higher testosterone levels than women. And, while the supplement increases the levels of hormone among women, they are not high enough to make women develop masculine features. Thus, women can take the supplement to improve their stamina and sex drive without having to worry about physically turning into a "man."

2. It does not have the side effects caused by synthetic anabolic steroids.

What should be understood about the supplement is that it naturally increases the testosterone levels in the body, as opposed to synthetic anabolic steroids. Synthetic anabolic steroids are taken to artificially mimic the main effects of testosterone, which are muscle building and development of male characteristics. Because these steroids do not work naturally, they have side effects, including kidney damage, increased blood pressure, weakened immune system, mood swings, and depression. On the other hand, Tribulus Terrestris is a natural supplement, so you can benefit from it without having to worry about these side effects.

3. It helps prevent depression.

The benefits of the supplement that you may be familiar with are increased muscle mass and enhanced sex drive. But, another thing you should know is that it helps prevent depression. The lower your testosterone levels become, the more likely you are to develop depression. And, you can prevent this from happening by taking the supplement in appropriate dosages. Generally, its recommended dosage is 1000 mg every day, but before taking the supplement, consult with your health care provider if you are diagnosed of a medical condition.

Take charge of your health, and get the high quality health supplements you need at Choice Nutrition Supplements.

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Is Modern Medicine The Only Positive Cure?

Modern medicine over the last decade has become a highly advanced technology. Doctors are able to treat diseases with the most modern equipment and technology. They seem so complex that many of us can't even begin to understand.

What is remarkable with all this high technology and most advanced equipment in most cases it only treats the symptom and not the root of many today's most severe health problems with the only result of a band-aid solution. The question remains: Would there be a better and more positive result if combined with natural solutions to improve many health conditions and boost overall health? Because despite the medical advances the incidences of cancers and diseases are still rising.

What holds the future?

Do we blame the genes, environmental factors, lifestyle or diet? Which one do you think is the culprit? The answer to this question is more than one, or all of them. Ongoing major research around the world for decades at a cost of billions of dollars with little to show except the destructive traditional forms of chemotherapy and radiation. Inheritance of genes can play some role but it is often used as an excuse, and an easy way out in blaming the genes. Not unlike when the doctors ask the question: Do you smoke? If the answer is yes, at this moment the doctor's decision been made. Whatever illness you may have comes from smoking. Lung cancer has for many years been linked to smoking and yet, there are more people diagnosed with lung cancer who never smoked in their live.

Despite of all medical advances the incidents of breast cancer in women are raising dramatically. Most cancers develop in middle age or later in life; the main reason for this points to environmental factors and lifestyle that cause diseases.

The effectiveness of treating cancer by modern advanced medicine is far from being considered as great or successful. However, there is lots of evidence of alternative natural solutions that people have used to improve overall health and cured serious illness.

Nature versus modern medicine!

If modern medicine would have all the answers there would be no need for more hospitals and no endless waiting cues to get in. We also know prevention is better, less harmful and cheaper than curing the illness. Our modern lifestyle has become our illness, the easy way of pre-made meals - take away, processed food, preservatives, chemicals, and artificial sweeteners; nothing natural any more of what we eat. Having a little pain of some sort where one or two glasses of water or other natural remedies could solve it, the easy and lazy way is to get over the counter pain killers or prescription drugs which will temporarily relive the pain, but at what cost?

Women been advised to have regular breast screen tests. This is often far from being faultless. At many occasions it has been wrongly diagnosed as positive, which causes severe stress and anxiety, this also could be a trigger point for cancer. Every screen test creates about 2 percent of radiation; ten screen tests make this 20 percent of radiation into your body. Could this be another risk of getting cancer?

What is important is to put the work in learning and gaining knowledge about the benefits of nutrition, how our body works and what it needs. This can prevent yourself from having to use modern medicine, or only as your last option.

Use more of the natural ingredients!

Vitamin D is one of the most important natural ways to minimise cancer risk. The biggest percentage of vitamin D is made by the skin in respect to sunlight. This vitamin D is known for prevention of many illnesses; with improved diet and some lifestyle changes this can cut the risk of breast cancer by almost half.

There are countless of foods and supplements that can benefit in many ways.

To call them super foods is not an overstatement: They are the earth's natural remedies to keep our body healthy.

To balance your hormones with natural food, some vegetables contain natural substances that can remarkably boost your immune system and protect you from disease. Research from these foods shows, that they can lower the risk of illness and balance your body's hormones.

Learn how to take advantage of natural foods and supplements that have the power to improve your health. All you have to do is eat them.

The most important step to a healthier life is the change to a healthy diet. Get more information from the FREE copy of my e-book report. The power of knowledge will give you the health you deserve!

Josef Bichler has a passion for wellness and showing others how to live healthy lives. He has helped countless others to achieve their health objectives, improving the body's immune system through understanding the benefits of a healthy diet menu and supplementation. For more free information as well as his free e-book report to help making better choices, visit: http://josefbichler.com/free

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The New MusclePharm Assault - Is There A Difference?

MusclePharm has finally released a new version of the incredibly popular pre-workout supplement Assault. While trying to read more about the new formula, I began to notice that there is a lot of speculation about how the "new" the formula actually is without much for actual information. So I took it upon myself to do a bit of research on it and share my findings with you.

Firstly, the amount of caffeine per serving has been increased to 200mg compared to the original 150mg. This can be a bit confusing, so let me clarify it for you now. The new version has a total of 200 mg per 1 full scoop, and the old one had 150mg per 1/2 scoop (which was 1 full serving). The new Assault also includes a new form of caffeine called PurEnergy which has been shown to prolong the effects of caffeine in our bodies - and because it is absorbed more slowly by the body it helps to reduce or eliminate any after-crash effects. While this does sound very appealing to anyone who has experienced the caffeine crash from other pre-workouts, you may want to be wary how late into the day you drink it.

Second is the increase in nitrates from a variety of sources. Nitrates have been shown to be one of the most effective ingredients at producing more Nitric Oxide in the blood stream and increasing vasodilation, which in turn improves blood flow and nutrient delivery to the muscles. Though the research on this is still a bit debatable, nitrates have been shown on multiple occasions to produce this effect. Where the old formula didn't have any Nitrates to offer, the new one contains Red Beet Extract, CreNitrate, ArgNitrate, and BCAANitrate.

One of the more debatable changes to the formula is the amount of Creatine. I have been told by MusclePharm reps that the new Assault contains approximately 1 gram of Creatine (CreNitrate) compared to the old Assault's 5 grams of Creatine. The reps are saying that they have to determined the 1 gram pre-workout combined with the high levels of nitrates creates the most effective balance for your workout. One of them also stated that you're welcome to follow-up your workout with a regular dose of Creatine mono. So for those who depended on Assault as their sole source of Creatine, may have to spend an extra dollar for Creatine separately.

They also increased the amount of Beta Alanine by 500mg per serving. Beta Alanine is the ingredient responsible for creating the tingling sensation on your skin as well as improving your muscular endurance by delaying lactic acid build up (which makes your muscle feel sore). The rest of the changes are not as significant, but includes the addition of Vitamin C, a slight increase in B Vitamin quantities and so on. All around, the new Assault formula is certainly more scientifically advanced and one of the better pre-workout supplement options available today. Though some people may not be pleased with the new amount of Creatine, Assault will surely stay among the most popular and most effective pre-workout supplements for some time.

Thanks for reading! Mark has been a long time fan of pre-workout supplements, and over time began to develop a deeper interest into which ingredients make a difference in them. To read more about which supplement could most help you before your workout, check out Mark's site. To find a good price on the new Assault click here.

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Importance Of Taking Natural Supplements While Working Out

Many people do not believe in taking supplements while working out and exercising. Most of these supplements are synthetic and do more harm than good. However, natural oils are some of the best sources of energy and nutrition for repairing body muscle. Some of the best fish oil supplements are sources of omega 3. Oils from salmon, cod and anchovies are rich in omega 3 oils. Omega 3 is known to control inflammation in arthritis and asthma patients and reduce the risk or cancer and cardiovascular diseases. It consists primarily of EPA and DHA ratio as well as ALA also commonly found in most plants. Like many minerals, EPA and DHA are essential acids for our body. You can take a minimal dose to start off with and slowly increase it according to your instructor's advice.

Dosage for Omega 3 Fish Oil

You might be wondering how much omega 3 per day is good for your body. An adult will need at least one gram of omega 3 per day. This can be in the form of fish or supplements like oil or soft gel capsules. These are available online at stores or at your local chemist. However, you can save the constant trip to the drug store for a quick online order of your supplement which will be delivered to your doorstep. Analytically tested omega 3 oil is usually endorsed by athletes. Regular intake of omega 3 oil lubricates joints, slows down the process of ageing, protects your vision, increases blood supply and clears cholesterol.

Combination of Supplements and Exercise

You should get in your dose of omega 3 after a good workout. If you do not enjoy fish, use a supplement like cod oil. The best omega 3 products can be found at online stores that specialize in supplements. Combining these products and exercise reduces body fat faster. It also improves body composition. Obesity is a very common problem and can be tackled with the help of omega 3 which increases your metabolism.

Weight Loss With Omega 3

Recent studies support the claim that omega 3 helps with weight loss. It stimulates enzymes which allows fat to go to areas in your body so that it can be used up as energy. This changes the body composition with regular exercising. The best omega 3 products promote original nutrition of omega 3. If you are not confident, try the supplement in small doses and note the changes to your body. The immediate change will be an increase in energy and visible signs of weight loss. Of course you must couple this with a regular exercise regime as instructed by a trainer.

Astin Hoper, The author of this article want to share information about best product omega 3 which help to gain body fitness by taking best fish oil supplements.

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Green Coffee Bean Extract For Busy People

Generally, if you are over eighteen years old, not a pregnant or nursing mother, and do not have any known medical condition, you can gain benefits from green coffee bean extract. But, if you intend to lose weight, but you do not have enough time for to exercise regularly, then you will see how you can really benefit from it.

But, how is green coffee bean extract different from the conventional coffee? If you want to lose weight, why not just drink a lot of coffee every day? To produce the conventional coffee, coffee beans are roasted, which is the reason why conventional coffee tastes good. Roasting the beans makes coffee less bitter. On the other hand, to produce green coffee bean extract, the beans are left unroasted. Instead, they are soaked and concentrated to make the extract. And, this roasting of the beans makes all the difference. When the beans are roasted, they lose a significant amount of chlorogenic acid, a substance known for its weight loss and antioxidant properties.

Now you may ask how can a person like you - a person who wants to lose weight but just cannot do so because you do not have time to do regular exercise - benefit from green coffee bean extract? The thing with the extract is that it contains a significant amount of chlorogenic acid, which has been proven by various studies to help burn fat naturally without changing your diet and without changing or adding exercise to your daily routine. In fact, in a 2012 study published in The Diabetes Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity journal, 16 adults who took green coffee bean extract for 12 weeks lost an average of 10.5 percent of overall body weight and 16 percent of overall body fat. The results were significant even if the participants did not undergo any dietary changes and exercise programs.

What chlorogenic acid does is that it delays the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream, and this prevents unused or stored sugar from being converted into fat. Thus, by taking green coffee bean extract, your body naturally burns fat without you doing anything. Of course, if you maintain a low-fat diet and exercise regularly, the results would be far more significant. But, even if you do not have the means to do some changes in your diet and exercise routine, the extract can still help you lose weight naturally.

Get more tips on how to lose weight fast naturally, enhance your overall health, and improve your quality of life at Choice Nutrition Supplements.

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Garcinia Cambogia, Serotonin, and Depression: How Are They Interrelated?

Depression is a condition that affects millions of people in the world. It has been found that more than a quarter of adults experience depression at some points in their lives. And, according to the World Health Organization's prediction, depression will be the second leading cause of disability by 2020. This is alarming as the condition has also been found to be the main cause for suicide. Studies suggest that low level of serotonin in the body is one of the causes of the condition. Thus, people who suffer from the condition are usually prescribed with antidepressant medications that work on serotonin levels, such as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin and nonrepinephrine reuptake inhibitors). Reducing the symptoms of depression is not solely dependent on these medications, however. There are natural supplements that help reduce the symptoms of depression, and one of them is Garcinia Cambogia.

First, what is serotonin? Serotonin is a hormone that sends signals from one area of the brain to another. Among the brain cells that serotonin influences are the brain cells related to mood and appetite. The hormone is also known as the happiness or feel-good hormone because it gives feelings of cheerfulness and contentment. Thus, high levels of the hormone in the body help keep a person away from depression. But what does Garcinia Cambogia have to do with serotonin and depression?

Garcinia Cambogia is a fruit that contains high concentrations of hydroxycitric acid or HCA, which has been found to help increase the levels of serotonin in the brain. And, the higher the levels of the serotonin in the brain are, the less likely a person is going to develop depression.

Because of the ability of the fruit to increase serotonin levels in the body, it has been made available as a natural supplement. Intake of the supplement has been found to boost a person's energy level, and this has important implications. One of these is that a person does not have to resort to bingeing on foods rich in sugar and carbohydrates to supply his or her body's need for an energy boost - foods that contain high levels of sugar and carbohydrates help increase the levels of serotonin in the body. And, needless to say, excessive consumption of these foods causes obesity and heart-related diseases.

Depression has various health implications, and it should not be taken for granted. One way of fighting it is by taking a Garcinia Cambogia supplement, which is considered natural and free of side effects.

Get high quality Garcinia Cambogia and other health supplements at Choice Nutrition Supplements.

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