Archive for the 'Health and Fitness' Category

The Truth about Creatine

There are many myths and rumors circulating about supplements on the market, and one of the most targeted is Micronized Creatine. People tend to assume that creatine is analogous to a steroid, which is absolutely not the case. Creatine is a naturally occurring substance in our bodies, which we eat everyday in protein-rich foods.

In order to function, your muscles need to convert a chemical called ATP to ADP. This process is made possible through creatine. What a creatine supplement does is make more ATP available to muscles, giving you more energy so you get a better workout and can recover more quickly.


Posted by Shopping4Her  (October 29, 2009)    |    add comment    |    Comments (0)

Improving Emotions at a Molecular Level

It’s a bit strange to break down human emotions and feelings into dry, scientific terms, but it’s really the only way to approach the treatment of depression. Amino acids play a large role in producing neurotransmitters, which in turn regulate emotions. When certain of these neurotransmitters are found to be deficient within the body, the person in question can experience feelings of sadness, anxiety and even irritability.

The main amino acid that regulates these emotions is known as l-tyrosine, and it has been made available in various supplements. L-tyrosine also has positive side-effects on other parts of the body such as the thyroid. During particularly stressful times, this amino acid calms the body, provides an energy boost and even enhances sex drive.


Posted by Shopping4Her  (October 1, 2009)    |    add comment    |    Comments (0)

Keys to Putting on Major Muscle Mass

In today’s society, it seems that looks and body image are valued more than ever before. If you look at movies and magazines from the ’70s, you might notice that men with ridiculous mustaches and scrawny physiques managed to attract their fair share of women. For better or worse, those days appear to be over. Nowadays, it’s all about who has the biggest biceps and the flattest stomach.

It goes without saying that the best way to bulk up is to do strength-training exercises. Start with relatively light free weights and work your way up from there. Bench presses, squats and dead lifts are surefire exercises that help boost muscle mass. Once you get into a steady workout routine, you’ll need to consume more protein – whether through meat, fish or other means. Muscle Milk and other supplements rich in l-carnitine can only improve your odds of becoming a muscle-bound chick magnet.


Posted by Shopping4Her  (September 17, 2009)    |    add comment    |    Comments (0)

Stop Tripping – Tryptophan Is Beneficial

Most people are familiar with the stupor that sets in moments after finishing a Thanksgiving feast. Grandpa loosens his belt and takes a nap while the rest of the family gathers around the TV to watch some football. For years, people have chalked this up to the consumption of tryptophan-rich turkey meat. It’s more likely that the combination of massive carbs – those heaping portions of mashed potatoes – and alcoholic beverages contributes to the post-meal snoozefest.

In fact, a metabolite form of tryptophan known as 5 htp is widely touted for its antidepressant effects. Counter intuitively, the substance works as an appetite suppressant. In other words, you would have ingested far less turkey at dinner if you had taken a 5 htp supplement beforehand. Next time you hear someone giving tryptophan a bad rap, remind them of some of its considerable health benefits.


Posted by Shopping4Her  (August 31, 2009)    |    add comment    |    Comments (0)

A Substantial Difference

Creatine occurs in nature as an organic acid stored by the body in skeletal muscle. Most of the substance is naturally derived from protein-rich foods. Many athletes and weightlifters swear by creatine supplements, which are touted for building muscle mass.

Micronized creatine is different from the normal substance in that it’s ground into even finer particles. These particles dissolve easily in liquid, and they are also digested quicker than traditional creatine. This means that the effects of micronized creatine are more potent and fast-acting.


Posted by Shopping4Her  (July 28, 2009)    |    add comment    |    Comments (0)