The Adventures of Judo Josh

JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
This is not going to be a typical log. It wil not be updated often except with notes on dietary, training and supplement changes. Basically I love to experiment and try new things out. One of my favorite quotes is :

Life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better you become - Ralph Waldo Emerson
I don't like to blindy follow advice or suggestions I like to try and figure out why something works and then try it on myself to see how my body handles it. So that is going to be the purpose of the log. My views on diet, supplementation and training are forever evolving and changing. The more I experiment with various theories the more I learn about myself and change or tweak the way I view things. So the goal of this journal is to detail all those various ideologies. There are no universal diets or training techniques, one must experiment to find what works for them and thats what this journal will be about.
 
Rosie Chee

Rosie Chee

The Female Terminator
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
I don't like to blindy follow advice or suggestions I like to try and figure out why something works and then try it on myself to see how my body handles it. So that is going to be the purpose of the log. My views on diet, supplementation and training are forever evolving and changing. The more I experiment with various theories the more I learn about myself and change or tweak the way I view things. So the goal of this journal is to detail all those various ideologies. There are no universal diets or training techniques, one must experiment to find what works for them and thats what this journal will be about.
Exactly as it should be, Josh! Nice to see someone else be unconventional, experimenting to find and do what's right and works for them.

~Rosie~
 
JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
I am taking the week to deload and get some rest. During this time I am going to figure out what I am going to do for the next 12 weeks. The overall goal and focus is going to be fat loss. Currently I am at 188lbs and want to reach 170lbs with as little strength loss as possible.

Sometime today I am going to post up why i believe in fasted training for weight loss and how I plan on furthering that fat loss with supplementation. Then later on in the week I will put up my training and my diet.

As always I am appreciative of feedback. Let me know what you guys think. If I am wrong or off base about something then please correct me and explain how and why I am wrong.
 
JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
yeah brother lets do this!!
Exactly as it should be, Josh! Nice to see someone else be unconventional, experimenting to find and do what's right and works for them.

~Rosie~
From one guinea pig to another,
Go for it!!
Thanks for following along!!

I am going to take a second to highlight what i just posted...

As always I am appreciative of feedback. Let me know what you guys think. If I am wrong or off base about something then please correct me and explain how and why I am wrong.
If you have a different view or theory or studies then please share them. I want this to be a learning environment more than just a training log for myself. I will be using myself as Mrodz put it "a guinea pig" to test my theories but the overall goal is to see if these ideas make sense and ultimately work.

So please don't hesitate to join in and offer your input. Everything is open for discussion.
 
Rosie Chee

Rosie Chee

The Female Terminator
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
Sometime today I am going to post up why i believe in fasted training for weight loss and how I plan on furthering that fat loss with supplementation. Then later on in the week I will put up my training and my diet.
Recent literature has shown that fasted training is no better for fat loss than non-fasted training. However, take into account that we are all different and there will be anomalies to anything; plus we all have our preferences, and I certainly prefer to do my training fasted and have ever since I stopped cycling.

~Rosie~
 
bluehealer

bluehealer

Active member
Awards
1
  • Established
This is not going to be a typical log. It wil not be updated often except with notes on dietary, training and supplement changes. Basically I love to experiment and try new things out. One of my favorite quotes is :



I don't like to blindy follow advice or suggestions I like to try and figure out why something works and then try it on myself to see how my body handles it. So that is going to be the purpose of the log. My views on diet, supplementation and training are forever evolving and changing. The more I experiment with various theories the more I learn about myself and change or tweak the way I view things. So the goal of this journal is to detail all those various ideologies. There are no universal diets or training techniques, one must experiment to find what works for them and thats what this journal will be about.
Sounds like fun, Sub'd.
 
JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
First up..

I have always been a fan of fasted training. What first introduced me to this was a couple post by Mulletsolider on the topic of fasted training along with anabolic pump and the possible fat loss benfits.

I tried this and had great results with it but wanted to figure out more of why it worked and see if I could duplicate it with another cheaper product and in comes Berberine.*

One of the reason why Anabolic Pump was successful for weightloss when combined with fasted training was Anbolic Pumps ability to activate AMPk.

Anabolic Pump is often conceptualized as merely a supplement of glucose homeostasis. While that's true in part, its true identity is one of energy metabolism as a whole; specifically, modulating energy expenditure and transfer in both fat and muscle cells, via the modulation of energy storage and production mechanisms.

During a long bout of exercise (i.e., an hour long resistance training session) your body's energy homeostasis mechanisms need to take on a more oxidative (the B-oxidation of fatty acids) as opposed to glycolytic (GLUT4 translocation and glucose storage) role. This is due in part to the inability of the body to produce the fuel (glucose) for anabolic processes at the rates needed for anaerobic exercise. In response, your body has in place several mechanisms which prevent the accumulation and synthesis of triglycerides and lipids, and release them into the bloodstream to be oxidized.*

These lipolytic processes actually contribute to the majority of energy transaction in a bout of anaerobic exercise - the oxidation of fatty acids and plasma triglycerides, primarily, provide the energy for resistance training.

The reason I mention all this is Anabolic Pump's fascinating ability to regulate one of the vanguards of oxidative and glycolytic energy consumption - AMPk. AMPk works as an essential gate-keeper of energy production, reacting to extracellular fluctuations of various downstream energy messengers (AMP:ATP ratio included). Its activation is responsible for various roles, including all of the above mentioned.

Using such a product in conjunction with fasted cardio simply utilizes energy which would have been stored anyway. The mere presence of AMPk ensures that the liberated fatty acids and triglycerides will be oxidized as it plays a primary role in not only lipolysis, but the inhibition of lipid, triglyceride, and cholesterol synthesis.*

In terms of blood glucose, you should have circulating plasma levels which are enough to stave off hypoglycaemia, even with the use of Anabolic Pump. As carbohydrates have not been ingested, the presence of Insulin (the main inducer of hypoglycemia) is not necessarily present. Anabolic Pump works through Insulin-reactive, though not dependent, pathways of energy metabolism. The lipolytic role is also enough to provide ample energy.
So again, the reason Anabolic Pump was successful for weight loss when combined with fasted training was because it activated AMPk.

Now, how does AMPk help with fat loss?

The role of AMPK, both in energy regulation and fat loss, should be highlighted more often. In particular, AMPK activation (either due to insulin sensitizers, insulin-independent glucose-disposal agents, PPAR-gamma activators, adipokines such as leptin and adiponectin, stress, or exercise), has short term and long(er) term effects. Short-term, AMPK activation stimulates cells to switch from active ATP consumption (synthesis of fatty acids and glycerol) to active ATP production (oxidation of fatty acids and glucose). Longer-term, AMPK activation impacts protein and insulin syntheses, gene expression, and appetite regulation. These longer-term effects not only have significance for metabolic processes in muscle cells and adipose tissue, but also in liver, heart, and pancreatic cells. The fat loss effects can be traced to the impact of AMPK activation on insulin metabolism and oxidation of fatty acids. In particular, by stimulating the translocation the GLUT-1 and GLUT-4 proteins, AMPK activation enhances glucose uptake, leading to enhanced glycolysis and elevated ATP production. Furthermore, by inhibiting the action of the enzyme, hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), AMPK activation ensures that the HSL-induced rate of release of fatty acids from triglycerides (that would normally induce higher ATP levels due to oxidized fatty acids) does not exceed the rate of fatty acid oxidation. This serves to hinder fat accumulation. Along these lines, the impact of AMPK activation on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma), a receptor with primarily adipocyte domicile and activity, leads to increased insulin sensitivity and fatty-acid oxidation in hepatic and skeletal muscle cells. This occurs mainly via the action of the adipokine, adiponectin, that triggers glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle cells, while promoting fatty acid oxidation and inhibiting gluconeogenesis in hepatic cells. In summary, AMPK activation can produce beneficial effects on fat loss via some of the mechanisms addressed earlier.*
So what does have to do with Berberine?

Berberine Increases Glucose Uptake Independent of Insulin and also activates AMPk

Berberine stimulates glucose transport through a mechanism distinct from insulin.

Berberine exerts a hypoglycemic effect, but the mechanism remains unknown. In the present study, the effect of berberine on glucose uptake was characterized in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. It was revealed that berberine stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner with the maximal effect at 12 hours. Glucose uptake was increased by berberine in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes as well. Berberine-stimulated glucose uptake was additive to that of insulin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, even at the maximal effective concentrations of both components. Unlike insulin, the effect of berberine on glucose uptake was insensitive to wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Berberine activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, but PD98059, an ERK kinase inhibitor, only decreased berberine-stimulated glucose uptake by 32%. Berberine did not induce Ser473 phosphorylation of Akt nor enhance insulin-induced phosphorylation of Akt. Meanwhile, the expression and cellular localization of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) were not altered by berberine. Berberine did not increase GLUT1 gene expression. However, genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, completely blocked berberine-stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and preadipocytes, suggesting that berberine may induce glucose transport via increasing GLUT1 activity. In addition, berberine increased adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase phosphorylation. These findings suggest that berberine increases glucose uptake through a mechanism distinct from insulin, and activated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase seems to be involved in the metabolic effect of berberine.”
Berberine, a Natural Plant Product, Activates AMP-Activated Protein Kinase With Beneficial Metabolic Effects in Diabetic and Insulin-Resistant States*

Yun S. Lee1,2, Woo S. Kim1,2, Kang H. Kim1,2, Myung J. Yoon1, Hye J. Cho1, Yun Shen3,4, Ji-Ming Ye3, Chul H. Lee5, Won K. Oh5, Chul T. Kim5, Cordula Hohnen-Behrens3, Alison Gosby3, Edward W. Kraegen3, David E. James3, and Jae B. Kim1,2*

Berberine has been shown to have antidiabetic properties, although its mode of action is not known. Here, we have investigated the metabolic effects of berberine in two animal models of insulin resistance and in insulin-responsive cell lines. Berberine reduced body weight and caused a significant improvement in glucose tolerance without altering food intake in db/db mice. Similarly, berberine reduced body weight and plasma triglycerides and improved insulin action in high-fat?fed Wistar rats. Berberine downregulated the expression of genes involved in lipogenesis and upregulated those involved in energy expenditure in adipose tissue and muscle. Berberine treatment resulted in increased AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and L6 myotubes, increased GLUT4 translocation in L6 cells in a phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase?independent manner, and reduced lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These findings suggest that berberine displays beneficial effects in the treatment of diabetes and obesity at least in part via stimulation of AMPK activity.*

Obesity poses a serious health risk contributing to the increased prevalence of a host of other diseases including type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension (1,2). Peripheral insulin resistance, which is often associated with obesity, is one of the earliest detectable defects identified in individuals at risk of type 2 diabetes. For this reason, pharmacologic agents that overcome insulin resistance, so-called insulin-sensitizing agents, have received considerable attention. In recent years, several major insulin-sensitizing agents have been developed, including the thiazolidinediones (TZDs) (3) and metformin (4). Both of these agents are thought to have beneficial effects, at least in part, by activating the stress-activated kinase AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) (5,6). AMPK is activated under a variety of conditions that signify cellular stress, usually in response to a change in the intracellular ATP-to-AMP ratio. Active AMPK orchestrates a variety of metabolic processes, most of which lead to reduced energy storage and increased energy production. TZDs and metformin are thought to activate AMPK via discrete mechanisms; TZDs stimulate the proliferation of small adipocytes that secrete adipokines such as adiponectin, which have been shown to stimulate AMPK activity in muscle and liver cells (7). Conversely, it appears that metformin activates AMPK directly via an ill-defined mechanism (8). These studies emphasize the potential utility of targeting the AMPK pathway in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity.*

The use of natural products for the treatment of metabolic diseases has not been explored in depth despite the fact that a number of modern oral hypoglycemic agents such as metformin are derivatives of natural plant products (9,10). Although several traditional medicines have been reported to have antidiabetic effects (10), the molecular targets of such compounds have not been revealed, and a careful analysis of their mode of action in animal models has not been undertaken. In the present study, we have focused on berberine because this natural product has been reported in the Chinese literature and several recent studies (11?14) to have beneficial effects in human type 2 diabetes, although its mechanism of action is not known. Here, we show that in vivo administration of berberine has insulin sensitizing as well as weight- and lipid-lowering properties in both db/db mice and in high-fat?fed rats. Strikingly, berberine acutely stimulated AMPK activity in both myotubes and adipocytes in vitro, contributing to enhanced GLUT4 translocation in myotubes and reduced lipid mass in adipocytes. Based on these studies, we propose that berberine may have a major application as a new treatment for obesity and/or insulin resistance in humans.”
Berberine is a plant alkaloid used in traditional Chinese medicine and has been reported to have antihyperglycemic activity in NIDDM patients. However, the molecular basis for this action is yet to be elucidated. Here we investigate the effects and signaling pathways of berberine on L6 rat skeletal muscles. Our study demonstrates that berberine stimulates glucose uptake in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Intriguingly, berberine-stimulated glucose uptake does not vary as insulin concentration increases, and could not be blocked by the PI 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin. Berberine only weakly stimulates the phosphorylation of Akt/PKB, a key molecule in the insulin signaling pathway, but strongly promotes the phosphorylation of AMPK and p38 MAPK. The effects of berberine are not a result of pro-oxidant action, but a consequence of an increased cellular AMP:ATP ratio. Moreover, berberine-stimulated glucose uptake is inhibited by the AMPK inhibitor Compound C and the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB202190. Inhibition of AMPK reduces p38 MAPK phosphorylation, suggesting that AMPK lies upstream of p38 MAPK. These results suggest that berberine circumvents insulin signaling pathways and stimulates glucose uptake through the AMP-AMPK-p38 MAPK pathway, which may account for the antihyperglycemic effects of this drug.
Berberine has been shown to have antidiabetic properties, although its mode of action is not known. Here, we have investigated the metabolic effects of berberine in two animal models of insulin resistance and in insulin-responsive cell lines. Berberine reduced body weight and caused a significant improvement in glucose tolerance without altering food intake in db/db mice. Similarly, berberine reduced body weight and plasma triglycerides and improved insulin action in high-fat-fed Wistar rats. Berberine downregulated the expression of genes involved in lipogenesis and upregulated those involved in energy expenditure in adipose tissue and muscle. Berberine treatment resulted in increased AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and L6 myotubes, increased GLUT4 translocation in L6 cells in a phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase-independent manner, and reduced lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These findings suggest that berberine displays beneficial effects in the treatment of diabetes and obesity at least in part via stimulation of AMPK activity.
So the plan is fasted training combined with barberine should help with my fat loss goal.
 
JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
Recent literature has shown that fasted training is no better for fat loss than non-fasted training. However, take into account that we are all different and there will be anomalies to anything; plus we all have our preferences, and I certainly prefer to do my training fasted and have ever since I stopped cycling.

~Rosie~
The text quoted below is what I am baseing my fasted training off of. If you have links or text of that literature I would be interested in reading it however, I have been doing my workouts in a fasted state for so long now I don't know if I even want to go back :D I too prefer to do my training fasted. If training fasted is helping with the fat loss or not I thought so but now since you posted that... :dunno:

Either way I still want to continue you my plan of fasted training + barberine and see what kind of results I get.

As for my references on fasted training..

Exercise in the fasted state facilitates fibre type-specific intramyocellular lipid breakdown and stimulates glycogen resynthesis in humans.

De Bock K, Richter EA, Russell AP, Eijnde BO, Derave W, Ramaekers M, Koninckx E, Léger B, Verhaeghe J, Hespel P.
Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, K.U.Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, B-3001 Leuven (Heverlee), Belgium.

The effects were compared of exercise in the fasted state and exercise with a high rate of carbohydrate intake on intramyocellular triglyceride (IMTG) and glycogen content of human muscle. Using a randomized crossover study design, nine young healthy volunteers participated in two experimental sessions with an interval of 3 weeks. In each session subjects performed 2 h of constant-load bicycle exercise (approximately 75% ), followed by 4 h of controlled recovery. On one occasion they exercised after an overnight fast (F), and on the other (CHO) they received carbohydrates before ( approximately 150 g) and during (1 g (kg bw)(-1) h(-1)) exercise. In both conditions, subjects ingested 5 g carbohydrates per kg body weight during recovery. Fibre type-specific relative IMTG content was determined by Oil red O staining in needle biopsies from m. vastus lateralis before, immediately after and 4 h after exercise. During F but not during CHO, the exercise bout decreased IMTG content in type I fibres from 18 +/- 2% to 6 +/- 2% (P = 0.007) area lipid staining. Conversely, during recovery, IMTG in type I fibres decreased from 15 +/- 2% to 10 +/- 2% in CHO, but did not change in F. Neither exercise nor recovery changed IMTG in type IIa fibres in any experimental condition. Exercise-induced net glycogen breakdown was similar in F and CHO. However, compared with CHO (11.0 +/- 7.8 mmol kg(-1) h(-1)), mean rate of postexercise muscle glycogen resynthesis was 3-fold greater in F (32.9 +/- 2.7 mmol kg(-1) h(-1), P = 0.01). Furthermore, oral glucose loading during recovery increased plasma insulin markedly more in F (+46.80 microU ml(-1)) than in CHO (+14.63 microU ml(-1), P = 0.02). We conclude that IMTG breakdown during prolonged submaximal exercise in the fasted state takes place predominantly in type I fibres and that this breakdown is prevented in the CHO-fed state. Furthermore, facilitated glucose-induced insulin secretion may contribute to enhanced muscle glycogen resynthesis following exercise in the fasted state.
Intramyocellular lipids form an important substrate source during moderate intensity exercise in endurance-trained males in a fasted state.

van Loon LJ, Koopman R, Stegen JH, Wagenmakers AJ, Keizer HA, Saris WH.
Nutrition Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. [email protected]
Both stable isotope methodology and fluorescence microscopy were applied to define the use of intramuscular triglyceride (IMTG) stores as a substrate source during exercise on a whole-body as well as on a fibre type-specific intramyocellular level in trained male cyclists. Following an overnight fast, eight subjects were studied at rest, during 120 min of moderate intensity exercise (60 % maximal oxygen uptake capacity (VO2,max)) and 120 min of post-exercise recovery. Continuous infusions of [U-13C]palmitate and [6,6-2H2]glucose were administered at rest and during subsequent exercise to quantify whole-body plasma free fatty acid (FFA) and glucose oxidation rates and the contribution of other fat sources (sum of muscle- plus lipoprotein-derived TG) and muscle glycogen to total energy expenditure. Fibre type-specific intramyocellular lipid content was determined in muscle biopsy samples collected before, immediately after and 2 h after exercise. At rest, fat oxidation provided 66 +/- 5 % of total energy expenditure, with FFA and other fat sources contributing 48 +/- 6 and 17 +/- 3 %, respectively. FFA oxidation rates increased during exercise, and correlated well with the change in plasma FFA concentrations. Both the use of other fat sources and muscle glycogen declined with the duration of exercise, whereas plasma glucose production and utilisation increased (P < 0.001). On average, FFA, other fat sources, plasma glucose and muscle glycogen contributed 28 +/- 3, 15 +/- 2, 12 +/- 1 and 45 +/- 4 % to total energy expenditure during exercise, respectively. Fluorescence microscopy revealed a 62 +/- 7 % net decline in muscle lipid content following exercise in the type I fibres only, with no subsequent change during recovery. We conclude that IMTG stores form an important substrate source during moderate intensity exercise in endurance-trained male athletes following an overnight fast, with the oxidation rate of muscle- plus lipoprotein-derived TG being decreased with the duration of exercise.
PMID: 14514877 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
The fact that there is new research saying there is no difference in fat loss between fasted training and regular training is interesting. I feel I have always experienced a better body compostion when training fasted compared to when i was training mid-day. Although, there could have been many factors that could be contributed to the results.

I see science as something that is always changing. What is thought to be true one day can easily be disproven another day. This is why it really baffles my mind when members of the forum get so crazy over what a study says or doesn't say. While yes a study could help reason if a product will work for you or have a desired effect on you, it isn't 100% conclusive. Meaning it doesn't always work the way it is soupposed to. The human body is an insanely complicated thing and we are still discovering new things about ourselves every day. This is the main reason why I like to try new things out. To say "thats not going to work" or to say "this will DEFINETELY work" based off studies is ludacris. One has to try it out and see if the desired results are obtained in order to say if it worked or not for them.

The way I see it at least

Anyway please if you have that information I would like to give it a read
 
JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
Also to note on barberine it shows to have anti-inflammatory activity along with potential antiproliferative effect on cancer cells.

Laboratory studies of berberine used alone and in combination with 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea to treat malignant brain tumors.

Zhang RX, Dougherty DV, Rosenblum ML.

Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Hebei Medical College, Shijiazhuang.
Abstract

Berberine was evaluated for antitumor activity against malignant brain tumors. In addition, studies on combination of berberine with 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) were done. Several experimental approaches were used. In vitro studies were performed on a series of 6 human malignant brain tumor cell lines and rat 9L brain tumor cells (gliosarcoma) by using a colony forming efficiency (CFE) assay. 9L was also evaluated by a sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assay. In addition, in vivo treatment of intracerebral 9L solid brain tumors was analyzed by CFE assay. Berberine used alone at a dose of 150 micrograms/ml showed an average of 91% cell kill (1.08 log kill) for the 6 malignant brain tumor cell lines. On the average, BCNU alone at a dose of 23 microM gave a 43% cell kill (0.24 log kill). Treatment with a combination of berberine and BCNU at 23 microM showed additive effects with an average of 97% cell kill (1.55 log kill). The relative number of SCEs for 9L cells was increased 2.7 times over background following in vitro treatment with 150 micrograms/ml berberine. Following in vivo treatment of animals harboring solid 9L brain tumors with 10 mg/kg of berberine, an 80.9% cell kill (0.69 log kill) was noted. This activity is equivalent to treatment with 1/3 LD10 dose of BCNU (4.44 mg/kg). In vivo combination treatment with berberine and BCNU showed additive cytotoxicity. Using a BCNU-resistant 9L subline (9L-2), treatment with berberine in combination with BCNU also demonstrated additive cytotoxicity. In conclusion, our results indicate that berberine has potent antitumor activity against human and rat malignant brain tumors.
The anti-inflammatory potential of berberine in vitro and in vivo.

Kuo CL, Chi CW, Liu TY.

Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Abstract

Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, has a wide range of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammation, yet the exact mechanism is unknown. Because cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays a key role in prostaglandins (PGs) synthesis, which is elevated in inflammation, we examined whether the anti-inflammatory mechanism of berberine is mediated through COX-2 regulation. In oral cancer cell line OC2 and KB cells, a 12 h berberine treatment (1, 10, and 100 microM) reduced prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production dose-dependently with or without 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA, 10 nM) induction. This berberine induced effect occurred rapidly (3 h) as a result of reduced COX-2 protein, but not enzyme activity. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed that activator protein 1 (AP-1) binding was decreased in oral cancer cells treated with berberine for 2 h. Further analysis showed that berberine inhibited AP-1 binding directly. These anti-inflammatory effects paralleled to the in vivo results where berberine pretreatment of Wistar rat inhibited the production of exudates and PGE2 in carrageenan induced air pouch.
So worst case if the barberine doesn't help with the fat loss there are still other general health benefits achieved by supplementing with it.

But with everything good comes a bad side..

With the potential fat loss effects from AMPk comes the idea that AMPk activation will lead to a decrease in protein synthesis.

In a rat model, AMPk activation has been shown to suppress protein synthesis by down regulating another molecular target called the mammalian target of rapomyacin, or mTOR4 which is heavily involved in protein synthesis.

Although this hasn't been shown in humans to my knowledge, the general picture is that AMPk activation turns off energetically costly processes (such as protein synthesis) and turns on energy producing processes (such as glucose and fat oxidation).

So an AMPk inhibition of skeletal muscle protein synthesis would be consistent in humans. I'll note that years ago, Dan Duchaine commented how insulin sensitizers (of which metformin was one of the ones in use) caused muscle loss and I have to wonder if this isn't part of the mechanism.
What is speculated is that supplementing with leucine this problem can be circumvented. Can leucine's activation of mTOR override the AMPk suppression of mTOR?? :dunno:

Currently I supplement with XTEND intra-workout so hopefully this will help, maybe some extra leucine will help a little more. My concern currently is fat loss overall so I am not too concerned with this issue but for those looking to bulk this theory might not be the best route for growth.
 
JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
Oh I forgot to add in addition to the barberine I plan on starting to take Relora from NOW foods.

Relora is a prop blend of Magnolia and Phellodendron extract and is marketed by NOW food as a product to help reduce cortisol.

I plan on taking the Relora with all glucose uptake products. Increased glucose uptake combined with cortisol control might lead to increased glycogen storage and less muscle protein breakdown I think.

Effect of a proprietary Magnolia and Phellodendron extract on weight management: a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Garrison R, Chambliss WG.
Next Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Irvine, CA, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of a dietary supplement ingredient containing proprietary extracts of Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense in helping overweight, otherwise healthy, premenopausal female adults, who typically eat more in stressful situations manage their body weight. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Setting Miami Research Associates, a clinical research organization consisting of 32 board-certified physicians, Miami, Fla. SUBJECTS: Healthy, overweight (BMI 25 to 34.9), premenopausal female adults, between the ages of 20 and 50 years, who typically eat more in response to stressful situations and scored above the national mean for women on self-reported anxiety. INTERVENTIONS: Two-hundred-fifty-mg capsules or identical placebo capsules 3 times a day for 6 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Salivary cortisol levels, weight change, psychological measures of stress and anxiety. RESULTS: Twenty-eight subjects completed the study. Extracts of M officinalis and P amurense were well tolerated. There was a significant weight gain during the study for the placebo group (P < ,01), but no significant weight gain for the group receiving extracts of M officinalis and P amurense (P < .89). Paired t-tests comparing baseline to post-treatment weight showed an average gain of 1.5 kg in the placebo group and no change in the treatment group (P = .89). When groups were divided into gainers (ie, participants who gained at least 1 kg or more) and maintainers or losers, 75% of the control group were gainers versus 37% of the treatment group (P < .04). There was a nonsignificant trend for lowered average cortisol in the treatment group at the end of the study (group X time interaction, F = 1.1, P < .15). This difference was due to a treatment effect on evening cortisol. There was a marginally significant group X time interaction (P = .06), showing the treatment group tended to have lower levels of cortisol in the evening, whereas the control group tended to have higher levels of cortisol in the evening. Bedtime cortisol levels decreased in the treatment group and increased in the placebo group. Participants in both the treatment and placebo groups had improved scores on a number of psychological measures during the study. There was a correlation between perceived stress and weight change. CONCLUSION: The results of this pilot clinical study indicate that obese subjects who eat in response to stress may benefit from taking a dietary supplement ingredient containing proprietary extracts of M officinalis and P amurense. The mechanism of action appears to be through reduction of cortisol levels and possibly perceived stress, thereby helping participants maintain body weight. The sample size was small, however, and there was higher attrition in the control group than in the treatment group.”
So this will also be thrown along in the mix of supplements :thumbsup:
 

Outstanding

Well-known member
Awards
1
  • Established
From one guinea pig to another,
Go for it!!
I'm in too!

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/F6udym1FXRw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Rosie Chee

Rosie Chee

The Female Terminator
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
The text quoted below is what I am baseing my fasted training off of. If you have links or text of that literature I would be interested in reading it however, I have been doing my workouts in a fasted state for so long now I don't know if I even want to go back :D I too prefer to do my training fasted. If training fasted is helping with the fat loss or not I thought so but now since you posted that... :dunno:

. . .

The fact that there is new research saying there is no difference in fat loss between fasted training and regular training is interesting. I feel I have always experienced a better body compostion when training fasted compared to when i was training mid-day. Although, there could have been many factors that could be contributed to the results.

I see science as something that is always changing. What is thought to be true one day can easily be disproven another day. This is why it really baffles my mind when members of the forum get so crazy over what a study says or doesn't say. While yes a study could help reason if a product will work for you or have a desired effect on you, it isn't 100% conclusive. Meaning it doesn't always work the way it is soupposed to. The human body is an insanely complicated thing and we are still discovering new things about ourselves every day. This is the main reason why I like to try new things out. To say "thats not going to work" or to say "this will DEFINETELY work" based off studies is ludacris. One has to try it out and see if the desired results are obtained in order to say if it worked or not for them.

The way I see it at least

Anyway please if you have that information I would like to give it a read
Check out the Feb/March of the Strength and Conditioning Journal, Volume 33, Number 1. Abstract - Does Cardio After an Overnight Fast Maximize Fat Loss?

Doctor Layne Norton's thoughts on the topic: New Research on Fasted Cardio

As far as research, it doesn't mean that it's true for everyone. Like I said before, there are always going to be anomalies that do not fit what should be.

I personally prefer to train fasted like you, but I HAVE done the unfasted training (i.e. when I was cycling and if I do 2-a-day training sessions), and I honestly don't notice a difference re fat loss or body composition with training fasted than unfasted.

~Rosie~
 
JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
Check out the Feb/March of the Strength and Conditioning Journal, Volume 33, Number 1. Abstract - Does Cardio After an Overnight Fast Maximize Fat Loss?

Doctor Layne Norton's thoughts on the topic: New Research on Fasted Cardio

As far as research, it doesn't mean that it's true for everyone. Like I said before, there are always going to be anomalies that do not fit what should be.

I personally prefer to train fasted like you, but I HAVE done the unfasted training (i.e. when I was cycling and if I do 2-a-day training sessions), and I honestly don't notice a difference re fat loss or body composition with training fasted than unfasted.

~Rosie~
Thanks for the links and info Rosie :thumbsup:

I really appreciate it.. gonna give them a read later on :type:
 
Rosie Chee

Rosie Chee

The Female Terminator
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
Thanks for the links and info Rosie :thumbsup:

I really appreciate it.. gonna give them a read later on :type:
No worries, Josh :) Some light pre-bed reading :D Interesting stuff.

~Rosie~
 
JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
No worries, Josh :) Some light pre-bed reading :D Interesting stuff.

~Rosie~
LOL... no I dont think of reading studies as pre-bed reading but more like tedious homework!! :frustrate

I just picked up these 2 books and will be reading them before bed




Also will be listening to this CD



I feel asleep to the Delta CD and havent ever experienced sleep that deep before! I also used the Alpha CD during a soak in the tub with some Epsom salt and lavender oil and got so zoned out in a day dream i forgot where i was. I dont know if it is the CDs are THAT effective or I am just that susceptible to it.

Gonna start reading from the two books and listening to the CD as part of my nightly ritual, will probably be stealing you style and posting up quotes from them :D

I will definitely be giving those two links you posted a read. Interested to see their reasoning behind it. I am a fan of Layne Norton as I base a lot of by diet around things he has said.
 
AntonG42O

AntonG42O

Well-known member
Awards
1
  • Established
the delta CD's are cool, i bought my gf both of them. some of it gets really weird though so you gotta find the part you like to fall asleep to
 
MrKleen73

MrKleen73

Legend
Awards
5
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
  • Best Answer
  • First Up Vote
So far everything is right on and as far as fasted training burning more fat, not so much. The only reason why it could have this effect is due to it typically being first thing in the morning and lifting weights that early will raise your metabolism longer then at night due to natural sleep patterns slowing it down a bit.

I do think that berberine in and of itself will help with fat loss for sure. Also not only leucine but L-Glutamine will increase protein synthesis. The other factor would be how severe, and over what period of time does the berberine slow the protein synthesis down? Could it be possible that the other anabolic effects of the berberine outweigh this when eating in order to gain weight. Obviously more protein will reach the muscle so is the synthesis actually blunted enough that the increased nutrient shuttling effect does not still over power the decrease in protein synthesis? Kind of like with Steady state low intensity cardio, it burns a slightly higher percent of calories from fat than does interval training but only slightly, however if you burn 300 cals from SS cardio and an extra 150 calories doing HIIT, that minimal percent higher fat burn during low intensity aerobics wont add up to how much fat was burned during the HIIT, nor the larger rise in metabolism brought on by the intense activity. So the big picture is actually more important than the individual pieces.
 
MrKleen73

MrKleen73

Legend
Awards
5
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
  • Best Answer
  • First Up Vote
I was going to mention the delta cd's and there use of classical as being a fallacy as well but i see that it has some type of Brain pulse added into the mix. Otherwise there is not truth to the addage that Classical music (specifically) increases inteligence or brain activity this theory was disproved and then broadened out to any type or style of music. So heavy metal stimulates your brain just as much, rap, folk, whatever your flavor is you will get the same benefit. It is simply the auditory stimulation and the feeling/stimulation you personally get from the music. Curious about the "pulse" thing mentioned and will have to look into that.
 
JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
I know the information can be a little overwhelming at times. I get confused all the freaking time when trying to make sense of something. If at anytime I post something and it doesn't make sense or you don't understand it just let me know and I will try my best to try and interrupt it for you. Questioning is a good thing, it can cause me to go back and re-read something and then I may realize I misread or misinturpted some data or something.

In turn I will occisonally post up information myself and will ask you guys to give me your thoughts on it.

As for the biology book, google works wonders! I only had about 2-3 formal classes in bio at college. Mist of my information I get from online and when I don't understand something I just try and break it down into pieces and figure them out and hopefully the big picture will come together.
 
JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
the delta CD's are cool, i bought my gf both of them. some of it gets really weird though so you gotta find the part you like to fall asleep to
Are they by the same doctor? Mine is from Dr Jeffrey Thompson and are legit!!

I was completely shocked when I felt how powerful they were. I was a huge skeptic of it actually doing anything and thought it was a bunch of hoopla! But after it was suggested to me from a member here I figured hey I will give it a shot.

I didn't get the sounds one, the CD set I bought is classical symphony type music and the sounds are supposed to be in the background.

I want to try the Beta CD. I was thinking maybe hooking up the CD to my alarm clock and playing it while I get ready in the morning and see if it helps me be more productive in the morning and not drag my feet like I usually do in the morning. I have tried the Alpha and Delta CDs and they are awesome!
 
JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
I was going to mention the delta cd's and there use of classical as being a fallacy as well but i see that it has some type of Brain pulse added into the mix. Otherwise there is not truth to the addage that Classical music (specifically) increases inteligence or brain activity this theory was disproved and then broadened out to any type or style of music. So heavy metal stimulates your brain just as much, rap, folk, whatever your flavor is you will get the same benefit. It is simply the auditory stimulation and the feeling/stimulation you personally get from the music. Curious about the "pulse" thing mentioned and will have to look into that.
The CDs work somehow by various waves of sounds and they activate specific parts of your brain to induce a desired effect. How I think they work at least :think:

I am not too sure on how they work exactly I never really looked too much into it. As I said to Anton I didn't even think that were going to work at all. Since using them I might be more interested to see exactly how they work.

The website for more information is http://www.neuroacoustic.com/
And here is a link for their articles on it http://www.neuroacoustic.com/articles.html

If you look around the site and find any info please share with us
 
JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
So far everything is right on and as far as fasted training burning more fat, not so much. The only reason why it could have this effect is due to it typically being first thing in the morning and lifting weights that early will raise your metabolism longer then at night due to natural sleep patterns slowing it down a bit.

I do think that berberine in and of itself will help with fat loss for sure. Also not only leucine but L-Glutamine will increase protein synthesis. The other factor would be how severe, and over what period of time does the berberine slow the protein synthesis down? Could it be possible that the other anabolic effects of the berberine outweigh this when eating in order to gain weight. Obviously more protein will reach the muscle so is the synthesis actually blunted enough that the increased nutrient shuttling effect does not still over power the decrease in protein synthesis? Kind of like with Steady state low intensity cardio, it burns a slightly higher percent of calories from fat than does interval training but only slightly, however if you burn 300 cals from SS cardio and an extra 150 calories doing HIIT, that minimal percent higher fat burn during low intensity aerobics wont add up to how much fat was burned during the HIIT, nor the larger rise in metabolism brought on by the intense activity. So the big picture is actually more important than the individual pieces.
Thats an interesting thought in regards to the fasted state workouts, I didn't even think about. If this were true than that would apply to all workouts in the morning not just fasted state one correct? So a workout after breakfeast should raise ones metabolism for the rest of the day also. So this benefit isn't necessarily a fasted state one but a early workout one.

The reason I thought fasted training burned fat more was due to the lack of energy (food) available to the body which would switch your muscles from from glucose to triglycerides as its primary energy source. This would mean your body would be literately burning fat stores for its energy. The studies I posted above support this claim HOWEVER both studies were done on endurance athletes. In both of them I believe the individuals were cycling as there workout. Now the question I could have is would cycling be anaerobic or aerobic? And what effect would this have on fuel used? Would it even matter?

I still havent read the articles Rosie posted earlier but I plan on reading them on my next day off (thursday) and will be commenting on them then.

As for the Barberine, its isnt the barberine itself it is that barberine is said to activate AMPk. Its the AMPk that is believed to effect protein synthesis, to what extent I dont know. Furthermore I dont think there were any human studies that support this, only animal ones (not 100% sure though) Would Leucine help combat it? Don't know? The excerpt I posted on AMPk was from Lyle McDonald and he suggested to supplement with Leucine to combat the AMPk effect of protein synthesis.

Thanks for the advice of the glutamine! I didnt know glutamine had the same effect leucine had on protein synthesis. Do you think I would need more than what is in 4 scoops of Xtend? I have some bulk glut and might just toss a couple extra grams into my amino drink
 
Rosie Chee

Rosie Chee

The Female Terminator
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
T...Now the question I could have is would cycling be anaerobic or aerobic? And what effect would this have on fuel used? Would it even matter?
Since I am a former competitive cyclist, I can say that cycling is both anaerobic AND aerobic. Even during road cycling, which is your longer events and primarily aerobic, sprints and hill climbs etc. are going to work the anaerobic system. Track events less than the pursuit distance are more aerobic, but group races with sprints involved require anaerobic energy as well. Even on rollers or ergs (which those in studies most probably are), the exercise, depending on what is required in the test will be both anaerobic and aerobic. You're going to use both glycogen and fat as fuel for the tests - if doing sprints on the track, glycogen only, but any other event or discipline, both fuels will be utilized.

~Rosie~
 
JudgementDay

JudgementDay

Legend
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
Subbed of course, always love reading your logs :)
 
AntonG42O

AntonG42O

Well-known member
Awards
1
  • Established
im personally on the fence about the whole glycogen usage. i eat paleo and eat complex carbs (potatoes) maybe once a week at most. i train BJJ and wrestling 6-7 days a week and im not feeling any lack of energy. last night we trained and rolled from 6:30 until 9 something and I was still ready to go afterwards. i havent had a complex carb in days. i feel like carbs besides vegetables arent really that important. i mean yes im not riding a bicycle for 80 miles but our training is super intense and burns up to 1000 cals an hour.

just yesterday i saw an Oxygen magazine at the gym and in there some doctor was recommending women to take 60-80 grams of carbs with their protein shake if they lifted weights for an hour. i feel like thats excessive, especially for a 120 lb woman. my girlfriend gains weight with that many carbs PWO and we got her at her best body composition with just vegetables for carbs. those carbs pwo jack the insulin too much which isnt good for fat loss which is what most of women that read Oxygen are concerned with. another "expert" in there suggested eating complex carbs with EVERY meal.

sure there are exceptions to the rule like Rosie who eats 400g of carbs a day and stays super ripped but for general population this glycogen refilling is overrated. i can get just as much of an insulin release from beef/eggs/fish if im bodybuilding without all the blood sugar issues.
 
Rodja

Rodja

Board Sponsor
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
A couple of things I'd like to add to the log:
1. The NSCA's journal is crap. Respected for some reason, but, just like their tests and stances, they're pretty much crap.
2. Beware on taking berberine for an extended period of time. It can mess with the bacteria in your gut and subsequent digestion. I would assume that probiotics would help, but I can't say for sure.
3. Substrate usage during exercise is dependent on the subject. Depending on your Respiratory Exchange Rate (RER), your substrate usage will vary.
 
MrKleen73

MrKleen73

Legend
Awards
5
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
  • Best Answer
  • First Up Vote
Thats an interesting thought in regards to the fasted state workouts, I didn't even think about. If this were true than that would apply to all workouts in the morning not just fasted state one correct? So a workout after breakfeast should raise ones metabolism for the rest of the day also. So this benefit isn't necessarily a fasted state one but a early workout one.

The reason I thought fasted training burned fat more was due to the lack of energy (food) available to the body which would switch your muscles from from glucose to triglycerides as its primary energy source. This would mean your body would be literately burning fat stores for its energy. The studies I posted above support this claim HOWEVER both studies were done on endurance athletes. In both of them I believe the individuals were cycling as there workout. Now the question I could have is would cycling be anaerobic or aerobic? And what effect would this have on fuel used? Would it even matter?

I still havent read the articles Rosie posted earlier but I plan on reading them on my next day off (thursday) and will be commenting on them then.

As for the Barberine, its isnt the barberine itself it is that barberine is said to activate AMPk. Its the AMPk that is believed to effect protein synthesis, to what extent I dont know. Furthermore I dont think there were any human studies that support this, only animal ones (not 100% sure though) Would Leucine help combat it? Don't know? The excerpt I posted on AMPk was from Lyle McDonald and he suggested to supplement with Leucine to combat the AMPk effect of protein synthesis.

Thanks for the advice of the glutamine! I didnt know glutamine had the same effect leucine had on protein synthesis. Do you think I would need more than what is in 4 scoops of Xtend? I have some bulk glut and might just toss a couple extra grams into my amino drink
I would assume that for the average person who has around 100 grams of stored glycogen in the muscles and glucagen in the liver to be released if needed that there is no shortage of ATP production.

Same for the gentlemen above, who said the carbs were not needed for performance. Once the body is efficient at burning fats for energy you should not feel a dip in energy from lack of carbs if anything more sustainable energy can probably be achieved. Never saw a Lioness carb up after a kill. Moving 300+ lbs around at high speeds then wrestling the prey down would definitely be considered explosive activity. I am just now learning that beef causes a higher insulin release than many carbs adds to that assertion that the nutrients are still getting shuttled into the muscle for speedy recovery without starchy carbs.
 
HereToStudy

HereToStudy

Primordial Performance Rep
Awards
2
  • RockStar
  • Established
Man, I am just going to have to promise myself I catch up on all this over the weekend, lots of good minds in this thread.
 
EasyEJL

EasyEJL

Never enough
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
well, as far as fasted training helping with fat loss, I wasn't ever quite sure of that, but what I do know is that the studies that people refer to about protein + carbs postworkout being better for building muscle were actually done with fasted training. So that seems to make sense to me at the very least.

as far as the music goes, look at idosing.

 
JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
Since I am a former competitive cyclist, I can say that cycling is both anaerobic AND aerobic. Even during road cycling, which is your longer events and primarily aerobic, sprints and hill climbs etc. are going to work the anaerobic system. Track events less than the pursuit distance are more aerobic, but group races with sprints involved require anaerobic energy as well. Even on rollers or ergs (which those in studies most probably are), the exercise, depending on what is required in the test will be both anaerobic and aerobic. You're going to use both glycogen and fat as fuel for the tests - if doing sprints on the track, glycogen only, but any other event or discipline, both fuels will be utilized.

~Rosie~
Thank Rosie, my main question was if those studies were going to be applicable to a weight lifter or not. I just assumed since they were performed on people cycling for an extended period of time it may have been primarily aerobic and weight lifting is primarily anaerobic BUT than again would it even matter? Fat can be utilized as energy in both energy systems right??

As far as the links you posted, I am not a member of the NSCA and couldn't read that one and I am downloading the SHR episode now and will listen to it on my drive to and from work tomorrow. I did do a little more searching on it and found some postings of Layne Norton on another forum in regards to fasted training. In one of his postings he references this study

1: J Appl Physiol. 2008 Apr;104(4):1045-55. Epub 2008 Feb 14.
Effect of training in the fasted state on metabolic responses during exercise with carbohydrate intake.
De Bock K, Derave W, Eijnde BO, Hesselink MK, Koninckx E, Rose AJ, Schrauwen P, Bonen A, Richter EA, Hespel P.

Research Center for Exercise and Health, F.A.B.E.R. - K.U.Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, B-3001 Leuven Heverlee, Belgium.

Skeletal muscle gene response to exercise depends on nutritional status during and after exercise, but it is unknown whether muscle adaptations to endurance training are affected by nutritional status during training sessions. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of an endurance training program (6 wk, 3 day/wk, 1-2 h, 75% of peak Vo(2)) in moderately active males. They trained in the fasted (F; n = 10) or carbohydrate-fed state (CHO; n = 10) while receiving a standardized diet [65 percent of total energy intake (En) from carbohydrates, 20%En fat, 15%En protein]. Before and after the training period, substrate use during a 2-h exercise bout was determined. During these experimental sessions, all subjects were in a fed condition and received extra carbohydrates (1 g.kg body wt(-1) .h(-1)). Peak Vo(2) (+7%), succinate dehydrogenase activity, GLUT4, and hexokinase II content were similarly increased between F and CHO. Fatty acid binding protein (FABPm) content increased significantly in F (P = 0.007). Intramyocellular triglyceride content (IMCL) remained unchanged in both groups. After training, pre-exercise glycogen content was higher in CHO (545 +/- 19 mmol/kg dry wt; P = 0.02), but not in F (434 +/- 32 mmol/kg dry wt; P = 0.23). For a given initial glycogen content, F blunted exercise-induced glycogen breakdown when compared with CHO (P = 0.04). Neither IMCL breakdown (P = 0.23) nor fat oxidation rates during exercise were altered by training. Thus short-term training elicits similar adaptations in peak Vo(2) whether carried out in the fasted or carbohydrate-fed state. Although there was a decrease in exercise-induced glycogen breakdown and an increase in proteins involved in fat handling after fasting training, fat oxidation during exercise with carbohydrate intake was not changed.
The bold part confuses me. The way I am reading it is the subjects were given a carb drink during the exercise regardless if they were fasted prior or not. Also would the fact that all of their diets were 65% carbs, 20% fat, & 15% protein effect the results at all? Your typical weightlifter would probably have a way different macro ratio and I am not sure how that would effect the results. For a low carb person wouldn't their body be more efficient at burning stored body fat for energy, so when put in a postion of needing energy the body would be able to turn to fat for fuel more efficiently than a person whose body is used to having carbs as their primary source of energy?

I also found this quote by Layne
"Our lab has shown an overnight fast will depress protein synthesis and that exercise will depress protein synthesis further from baseline."
So if his concern is that the fasted state workout would suppress protein synthesis wouldn't supplementing with a BCAA mix either before, during, or both counteract that?

I think I will use this to start branching into my next plan which is my intra-workout nutrition.

Previously I have always used Xtend during all training sessions. I love xtend and believe that while I am in a calorie deficit the extra aminos taken during and immediately after my workouts help me retain muscle and it prevents catabolism. I have noticed a lot of peoples fear with fasted workout is the body will start to break down muscle for its glucose needs. I think by taking in the aminos you prevent this from happening..

But here raises a couple more questions:

Does taking in aminos then provide fuel for your workout and prevent the fat loss? If so to what extent?
If the aminos are being used strictly for energy during a workout then is its function no different than say Gatorade?
 
JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
Also to add to the questions..

Recently I was tried a different approach to my intraworkout nutrition. I was taking SLINshot about 35 mins prior to training and then during training had a drink of 4 scoops Xtend and 1 scoop of WMS. I honestly think I responded better to the extra carbs during my workouts and my muscles felt fuller afterward.

I came across this study -> http://www.ajcn.org/content/72/2/573S.full.pdf+html?ck=nck If someone cares to read through it and translat eit. It looks to cover the supplementation of BCAAs, Carbs, and BCAA+Carbs during exercise. The focus seems to be more on fatigue though. I usually get lost in the wordings of studies and have to read and re-read several times before being able to walk away with the information presented in the study. I just came across this one so haven't really read though it that much yet so I am not sure how helpful it actually is.

Continuing on, would the fact I am going to be working out while drinking a BCAA mix then discount the 2 previous studies I posted in support of increased fat loss during fasted exercise? So technically since I am not in a fasted-state anymore since I am drinking the BCAAs, would I be in a substrate-optimized state, have lowered insulin levels and a higher reliance on fat stores?

So in other words would it make a difference?

Also to add some fun facts on BCAAs and why I love them :)

Since my goal is to loose fat I am going to be eating at around a little below maintenance. The way I see it is in a below maintenance calorie state my body has more of a chance of becoming catabolic and breaking down muscle in order to obtain amino acids to use for fuel. On top of this the amount of protein synthesis will also probably be decreasing due to the reduced calorie intake. The equation for muscle mass = (rate of protein synthesis - rate of protein breakdown).

This is where BCAAs will shine!! The aminos I believed used during my exercise will be used somewhat for energy via gluconeogenesis, they will also have an effect on protein metabolism by increasing the rate of protein synthesis and decreasing the rate of protein degradation. BCAAs (specifically leucine) stimulates protein synthesis and also increase the synthesis of the cellular machinery responsible for carrying out the process of protein synthesis. So here we get a double bang for our buck with BCAAs.. not only will you increase the rate of protein synthesis but also increase your cells capacity for protein synthesis.

While I am going to be eating below my maintenance level I want to try and preserve as much muscle as possible. I believe BCAAs will help reduce the rate of protein breakdown, by decreasing the activity of the components of the protein breakdown pathway and also by decreasing the expression of several complexes involved in protein breakdown. So in a nut shell I will be increasing protein synthesis while decreasing breakdown!!! or in other words WIN - WIN :bigok:.

Also worth mentioning, there is some information that hints towards increased VAT fat loss while on a slightly calorie deficit diet and supplementing with aminos. (The combination of moderate energy restriction and BCAA supplementation induced significant and preferential losses of VAT, and allowed maintenance of a high level of performance.) There also is another study done by Weider where they divided people (39 people to be exact) into 3 groups (whey, BCAAs, and carbs) and tracked their progress over 9 weeks. Each group was given the same diet and workouts program. People in the BCAA group experienced 9lbs of lean muscle growth and lost about 4lbs of body fat (2% BF drop). The BCAA group out performed the two other groups. The whey group dropped their percent body fat by 1% (around 2lbs of BF) and gained 5 pounds of lean body weight and the carb (gatorade) group dropped their percent body fat by less than 1% (only 1lb of body fat) and only gained 3 pounds of lean body weight. It didn't stop their either all three groups also experienced differences in their strength gains. The BCAA guys increased their bench press by about 15 pounds and squat by 25 pounds, the whey group increased their bench press by about 5 pounds and squat by about 10 pounds and the carb group increased their bench press by almost 5 pounds (4 pounds) and squat by almost 10 pounds (8 pounds). The link to the study is below along with some other studies where I got some of the above information from.

Now again I stand by my belief that you CANT put all your faith or trust into these science studies. In fact the weider one was partly ran by scivation who makes xtend so they have an interest in proving BCAAs to be effective. The other studies I listed below show the VAT fat loss and the anabolic effects of leucine and the effects of BCAAs and protein synthesis during physical exercise.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9059905?dopt=ExternalLink
http://jn.nutrition.org/content/136/1/269S.full
http://www.muscleandstrength.com/store/files/xtendstudy1.jpg
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10418071?dopt=ExternalLink
 
JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
Subbed of course, always love reading your logs :)
Welcome Sir :fing02:

A couple of things I'd like to add to the log:
1. The NSCA's journal is crap. Respected for some reason, but, just like their tests and stances, they're pretty much crap.
2. Beware on taking berberine for an extended period of time. It can mess with the bacteria in your gut and subsequent digestion. I would assume that probiotics would help, but I can't say for sure.
3. Substrate usage during exercise is dependent on the subject. Depending on your Respiratory Exchange Rate (RER), your substrate usage will vary.
:welcome: Rodja, nice to see you involved here.

I was always under the impression that the NSCA set the standards in the industry. I mean their accreditation to a personal trainer is damn near needed to be respected. I am not involved in the field as much so can't really comment on the origination but I do know that Mark Rippetoe, a highly respected strength coach and was in the first group ever to test for the CSCS, and he relinquished his CSCS cert due to the direction the NSCA was heading

while failing, in my opinion, to address the actual processes by which athletes are made more strong and conditioned,and further, in my opinion, failing to meet the minimum standards for a quality scientific publication.
I know to some that may not mean much but for me Mark Rippetoe is one of the Godfathers of stregth training and those are strong words for what is sopposed to be the body of authority on strength and conditioning

Anyway back to topic, thanks for the warning on the barberine. I don't remember reading that in my search. I occioscianal supplement with a probiotic here and there.

Looking forawrd to hearing the rest of your thoughts on everything else

I would assume that for the average person who has around 100 grams of stored glycogen in the muscles and glucagen in the liver to be released if needed that there is no shortage of ATP production.

Same for the gentlemen above, who said the carbs were not needed for performance. Once the body is efficient at burning fats for energy you should not feel a dip in energy from lack of carbs if anything more sustainable energy can probably be achieved. Never saw a Lioness carb up after a kill. Moving 300+ lbs around at high speeds then wrestling the prey down would definitely be considered explosive activity. I am just now learning that beef causes a higher insulin release than many carbs adds to that assertion that the nutrients are still getting shuttled into the muscle for speedy recovery without starchy carbs.
The line "Never saw a Lioness carb up after a kill" made me laugh. Ever see the movie "zombieland"



"Ever see a lion limber up before it takes down a gazelle?"

As to the beef causing the insulin response, I am in that same thread. I was shocked to say the least about the claim that a steak would cause a higher insulin response than a bowl of oatmeal. The study that supports that idea isn't that strong in my opinion and while protein produce an insulin response (it needs to for use to store the aminos) I don't think it is as high as a bowl of oatmeal. I have been looking into it more and am going to be posting a response in that thread this afternoon.

Yup thats the insulin index study

See my responses to that study here
http://anabolicminds.com/forum/nutrition-health/171595-12-good-reasons-4.html#post2810943
http://anabolicminds.com/forum/nutrition-health/171595-12-good-reasons-5.html#post2815318

and here is Mark Sissons response to it
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/insulin-index/

I dont think it is as black and white as it seems. If anything the study help validate the claim of carbs just simply arent needed
 
AntonG42O

AntonG42O

Well-known member
Awards
1
  • Established
tell you what is needed though, sleep. i got another nasty case of adrenal fatigue from training every day and not sleeping enough. im such an idiot because its not the first time i did this to myself. just not enough time in the day to work train cook and sleep. taking a few days off now to sleep... :(
 
Rodja

Rodja

Board Sponsor
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
tell you what is needed though, sleep. i got another nasty case of adrenal fatigue from training every day and not sleeping enough. im such an idiot because its not the first time i did this to myself. just not enough time in the day to work train cook and sleep. taking a few days off now to sleep... :(
Time for a BJJ deload?
 
AntonG42O

AntonG42O

Well-known member
Awards
1
  • Established
Time for a BJJ deload?
yea man, time for sleep. tuesdays and thursdays i dont even get home until 10pm because of wrestling. i keep sacrificing sleep to get everything else done. getting super irritated at tiny little things. im gonna hibernate until i feel 100% again.

PS. ive been taking rhodiola and ashwaganda to try to relax my CNS. also ordered Isocort just in case i need some adrenals.
 
JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
tell you what is needed though, sleep. i got another nasty case of adrenal fatigue from training every day and not sleeping enough. im such an idiot because its not the first time i did this to myself. just not enough time in the day to work train cook and sleep. taking a few days off now to sleep... :(
Time for a BJJ deload?
Definitely sounds like some deloading time is needed here.

Anton I am looking into some ART places around our way. Looks like there are a couple by sicklerville and cherry hill. I might go try them out and see how it is. Gotta call and see if they take my health insurance.

Rodja, you ever get any ART done? I read it is supposed to be fantastic, especially for athletes.

yea man, time for sleep. tuesdays and thursdays i dont even get home until 10pm because of wrestling. i keep sacrificing sleep to get everything else done. getting super irritated at tiny little things. im gonna hibernate until i feel 100% again.

PS. ive been taking rhodiola and ashwaganda to try to relax my CNS. also ordered Isocort just in case i need some adrenals.
How are those? I never really looked into the benefits from them before but this has sparked an interest.
 
JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
So these are looking like my possible options in regards to preworkout and intraworkout nutrition and supplementation.

• Wake up, take 1 cap barberine & 1 cap Relora - workout fasted and take xtend immediately after workout
• Wake up, take 1 cap barberine & 1 cap Relora - take 5-10g BCAAs (Xtend) 20mins prior to workout, nothing for intra workout and take xtend immediately after workout
• Wake up, take 1 cap barberine & 1 cap Relora - nothing pre workout, xtend intraworkout and take xtend immediately after workout
• Wake up, take 1 cap barberine & 1 cap Relora - nothing preworkout, Xtend mixed with WMS intra workout and take xtend immediately after workout

I am thinking I will give each scenario a two week trial and see how I respond. I am going to be looking at performance more than weight loss. I have NEVER had a workout completely fasted without my aminos so I don't know how that would go and not really looking forward to those two weeks. I am hesitant about the WMS used intraworkout, as I said in a earlier post I just finished doing this for a month and had success with it as far as muscle retention and weight loss but that was with the slinshot and not sure if I will get the same effect with the barberine.

In all situations I will be taking xtend immediately post workout.

Now here comes the next question, I have a mix of Na-Rala/ barberine/ cassia cinnamon all mixed up and capped. I plan on using this for my carb meals. The original plan was to the ALA mix caps about the time of my last exercise of my workout and then have my xtend and WMS afterward but I am second guessing this approach now

My current overall goal here is weight loss. The xtend during the workout and afterward should help to reduce muscle tissue catabolism and provide energy. The purpose of carbs post workout, at least to my understanding of why, is to replenish glycogen stores and get the body recovered for the next days training. So since my goal is fat loss I don't really see a point in carbs post workout.

Here is what I am thinking are 2 options for post workout

• On last set take Na-Rala cap and immediately after workout take xtend mixed with WMS
• Immediately after workout take Xtend then thake Na-Rala caps and have carb meal 30-45 mins later​

Everything starts tomorrow (Sunday) I just weighed myself and I was 198!!!! I don't know how the hell that happened. (Well I kinda do :food:) I was 188 towards the end of last week and was around 190 all week. I did just finish going out with the wife to a all you can eat sushi place for dinner though.

Hopefully a majority of this weight is from the increased carb consumption I had this week. I think I had read before that for every gram carb you eat your body will hold 3 grams of water. Not sure how true this is but I got my fingers crossed that a majority of this is water and it will come off quickly :fingersx:

Well there are my workout nutrition and supplementation options so far. Not too sure which one I am going to start off with. I would like to give each combination a fair shot and see what works best for me. I have a nice little stash of additional supplements that I plan on adding into the mix but am going to add them in one by one after I decide on the above options. So far lined up is DCP and HEAT stack and I should have some 7KE coming too me soon. I have a bunch of PES products and will probably add in slowly as well.

Later on in the week I will post up info on my workout and diet.

Basically I will be utililizing a undulating periodization along with Escalated Density Training model. I will explain these all in a future post and layout the workouts. I have tried this before and quit about a month into it. I sissyed out of it, they are super intense workouts and I feel I am more focused and determined enough to suck it up and do them. It is your job and your responsibility to change your life and my body. It is going to require hard work and no one else is going to be able to do it for me, I have to step up and put in the work myself.

As for the diet I will be maintaining what I have been done. It is nothing extreme just a basic way of eating and it has been working for me for the past 4 months. I have tried a couple different diets in the past and this one is by far my favorite yet. The outline and principles of this will be posted later on in the week as well.
 
JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
A little bit more on NA-Rala

First I like to look at Na-Rala as a great anti-oxidant to take. It can be taken for other than aesthetic purposes but as a staple supplement for overall health.

Na-rala is marketed as a glucose disposing agent, and a glucose uptake within muscles. Typically you use post workout to shuttle nutrients to your muscles better/faster.

There has been some concern with Na-Rala supplementation. The concern is over the possibility that na-rala will increase glucose uptake to both fat and muscle cells. I believe this to be completely possible if you don't limit the amount of carbs you are taking in with ALA. Anything that forces glucose uptake into muscle, such as insulin, will also push it into adipose (fat), and vice versa. Both muscle tissue and fat have GLUT4 (glucose transporter 4) on the surface, which allows for diffusion of glucose through the membrane. However I personally believe that our body prioritizes what it takes in.
I would imagine the brain would get first pickings (hence the high concentration of GLUT1 receptors of the BBB), and after that the organs and muscles will get their turn, and anything else is left over is taken in by the fat cells. This is why I said you want to take in "just enough" carbs to keep muscle glycogen levels up with nothing left to go to fat.

ALA works as a insulin mimicker almost, ALA does not spike your insulin. It clears blood sugar and enhances glycogen synthesis. You can say ALA in a sense amplifies what insulin does, it allows your muslces to soak up more of the nutrients that are in your bloodstream.

I don't think ALA is dependent of insulin and will work without it.

Actually now that I think about this more, ALA should drive the blood glucose+AA's into the cells completely independent of insulin. One of the reasons why I am considering in omitting the WMS post workout is fear over the insulin spike would slow down or stop lipolysis and possible lead to fat gain. So in the scenario above without the WMS I didn't plan on taking my Na-Rala mix. But now that I am thinking about this, with Na-Rala I can be anabolic and lipolytic at the same time. Meaning I can still take the ALA mix and drink my xtend without the WMS and drive the aminos into the cells independent of insulin but at the same time I can still take the WMS and the ALA will still work its magic and drive those nutrients into my muscle while at the same time reducing insulogenic output so I wouldn't have to worry about fat gain that much.

Hmmm at the same time I can be completely wrong with the above statements. I have not read that much into ALA to fully understand it. I have a few studies that I have saved to read though. The above is just what I have taken as information from various post on the boards and sales pitches from companies ( not the most reliable source of information I know :hammer:)
 

Outstanding

Well-known member
Awards
1
  • Established
1. I love, love... LOVE GDAs/Mimetics
2. WMS post-workout? I had hundreds of Maxx Xxplosion packets, but just can't find anything I like nearly as much as Karbo-LYN or Vitargo.

Keep up the nice detailed posts :)

Actually now that I think about this more, ALA should drive the blood glucose+AA's into the cells completely independent of insulin.
Yes, I believe this is true.

However, I have not come to a total decision whether or not r-ala is better than na-r-ala... sure, more stable and soluble, but has it ever been proven in a head-to-head study against r-ala to be more potent and efficient at glucose/insulin modulation?
 
JudoJosh

JudoJosh

Pro Virili Parte
Awards
3
  • RockStar
  • Legend!
  • Established
1. I love, love... LOVE GDAs/Mimetics
2. WMS post-workout? I had hundreds of Maxx Xxplosion packets, but just can't find anything I like nearly as much as Karbo-LYN or Vitargo.

Keep up the nice detailed posts :)



Yes, I believe this is true.

However, I have not come to a total decision whether or not r-ala is better than na-r-ala... sure, more stable and soluble, but has it ever been proven in a head-to-head study against r-ala to be more potent and efficient at glucose/insulin modulation?
1. Me too!!! :love: It is almost to the point I am feeling like I have become too dependent on them. I take some kind of nutrient partioneer with all carb meals. Even when I am just eating a piece of fruit, most of the times I pop a cap of barberine 15mins prior. I was actually thikning about taking time off from all GDAs so I can make an actual objective thought about their effects. Right now they are my best friend. I never leave home with a couple caps :D

Currently I have a bottle of recompadrol sitting in my NP cart that I am about to order. You and stakedcop and been raving about it so I figured I would give it a try next.

2. WMS = Waxy Maize Starch. Was the ? because you weren't familiar with the accroynom or questioning why I would take WMS post workout? I am not familiar with Maxx Xxplosion, Karbo-LYN or Vitargo. I will have to look into those products. I have WMS on hand (a big ol tube of it) I also have a tub og Golden Gains but to me that stuff taste like :booty:, which reminds me I have to mail a scoop of it to a rep. Apparently I may have a bunk batch of it, I know people swear its delicious but to me its barely tolarable. I am hoiping it is just a bunk batch.

As for the comparrioson study, I have Na-Rala on hand, got a tub from nutraplanet and made my caps with them already. I don't know if I ever came across a study that compares the various forms of ALA, but I thought there was a general consensus that Na-rala was better :dunno: I never really questioned it and just accepted it. Maybe I should look into it more?
 

Similar threads


Top