True Or False: You Can Cure A Hangover  

There is no scientific evidence in support of any method to rid the body of hangover symptoms. However, myths are still out there regarding surefire hangover remedies. Strong black coffee, for example, is a favorite among hangover sufferers who reason that a jolt of caffeine will restore some energy. However, caffeinated beverages, like alcohol, are diuretics and only worsen dehydration!

The modest benefits of acetaminophen (eg, Tylenol) may not be worth the increased risk of liver toxicity that can occur in the presence of alcohol. Ibuprofen and aspirin are safer for the liver, but may worsen any stomach irritation caused by the excesses of the night before.

According to another popular myth, called the “hair of the dog” theory, drinking first thing in the morning will help ease the effects of alcohol withdrawal. Although logical and possibly effective in the short-term, once your brain stops reacting to the new alcohol, the hangover will kick back in. Do not expect to recover by drinking more. The additional alcohol will be metabolized and the unavoidable hangover will return as your BAC drops.

Although there is no way to reliably reverse a hangover once it is hammering away at your head, you may be able to lessen its severity by planning ahead. Dr. Robert Swift and Dena Davidson’s article, “Alcohol Hangover–Mechanism and Mediators,” provides a comprehensive, scientific review of common hangover remedies.

One strategy for lessening the potential effects of intoxication is eating before you drink. Having food in your system will absorb some of the alcohol so that it doesn’t go directly into the bloodstream, and may protect your stomach from the irritation caused by alcohol. Fatty foods take the longest to digest, so if you are more concerned about the short-term health consequences (your potential hangover) than the long-term health effects (clogged arteries), go for that extra slice of greasy pizza!

Since your liver can only efficiently process one standard-sized alcoholic drink per hour, spreading your drinking out over the course of the night can be helpful. (In general, men can process more alcohol per hour than women.) Hydration is also a key factor because alcohol acts as a diuretic. Your body needs more and more fluids as the night goes on. Drinking a glass of water or juice between each alcoholic drink will help keep you hydrated and moderate the rate of your alcohol intake. Drinking a large glass of water before going to sleep will also help rehydrate you, and juice or Gatorade will restore some of the electrolytes you lost over the course of the night.

Finally, the type of alcohol you drink may affect the intensity of your hangover. Drinks that contain large amounts of compounds called congeners may increase hangover symptoms. Clear beverages like vodka, gin, and white wine contain less congeners than darker drinks like brandy, whisky, rum, and red wine.

Hangovers are nature’s way of telling you that you had too much to drink. To date, researchers haven’t figured out any way to “cure” a hangover, although research suggests that taking precautionary measures before and during the party may help reduce symptoms later. Until hangovers can be effectively treated (if ever), why not take the hint, and protect your body before symptoms arise by drinking responsibly!

The study followed mice that were bred to develop Alzheimer’s. After two months of drinking water with 500 mg of caffeine added — the equivalent of five 8 oz. cups of coffee or two venti hot coffees from Starbucks — the mice performed much better on memory and thinking tests compared to mice that were given only water.

In fact, the memories of the caffeinated mice were on par with mice that didn’t have dementia at all.

Plus, the mice taking caffeine had a 50% reduction of beta amyloid, a protein often found in Alzheimer’s patients.²

And it’s not just Alzheimer’s. At least six separate studies indicate that people who drink coffee on a regular basis are up to 80% less likely to develop Parkinson’s. In fact, the newest Parkinson’s drugs contain a derivative of caffeine.³

Here’s how you can take advantage of coffee’s health benefits:

Drink it fresh. Grind your coffee at the time you wish to drink it. This maximizes the flavor and prevents against oxidation. Coffee’s healing properties are best when brewed fresh.

Drink it black. The best benefits of coffee are delivered in its purest state. Adding dairy products and sweeteners may alter the taste, but it will also diminish the rewards.

Don’t drink coffee close to bedtime. The brain, and your body, both require rest. Caffeine stimulation could negatively affect your sleep patterns.

Steer clear of flavored coffee drinks. The flavors are most likely artificial (i.e., high fructose corn syrups) and are often laden with unwanted calories.

If you’re not fond of coffee, here are few natural caffeine sources to consider:

Black tea/Green tea –Black tea and green tea both contain caffeine. A cup of black tea has roughly 40 mg of caffeine. That’s about half as much caffeine as a regular cup of coffee. Green tea, a popular and healthy drink, contains approximately 20 mg per cup.

Guarana — A popular ingredient in many energy drinks, guarana provides solid, energy-boosting benefits without the coffee jitters. The berry that Guarana comes from is high in healthy fatty acids, which are absorbed slower than water-soluble caffeine. This gives guarana a slower release time than coffee.

Remember, non-organic coffee is heavily sprayed with pesticides. And most popular brands use chemicals in the manufacturing process. So whatever caffeinated beverage you drink should be from organic sources. And if you don’t want to get your caffeine from tea or coffee, I recommend an herbal source, rather than caffeine pills.

References

1. Arendash G.W. et al. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. July 2009
2. Chuanhai Cao et al. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. July 2009
3. Brunilda N. Coffee: the New Health Food? April 12, 2004 www.somalibantu.com.

[Ed. Note: Dr. Sears is Chairman of the Board of Total Health Breakthroughs. He has written over 500 articles and 7 books in the fields of alternative medicine, anti-aging, and nutritional supplementation.]

Outrageous Fitness Club Offenses 

Because any gym rat can tell you, grunting isn't the most irritating thing people do in fitness clubs. From making lunch in the sauna to sporting unsavory yoga attire, club managers report that some of their patrons are clueless when it comes to gym etiquette, or general decency. Here are nine of the most outrageous fitness club offenses.

1. The Sauna Stovetop A manager at a New York Sports Club was walking through the women's locker room a few years ago when she smelled cheese. Puzzled, she opened the door to the sauna, where a woman had placed bread and cheese on the hot rocks to make a postworkout grilled cheese sandwich. "Not only was it a health code violation, it was not really respectful to the other people in the sauna," says NYSC PR director Linda Hufcut. "She said, 'I do this all the time.' That was, obviously, the last time she ever did it.'"

2. Nude Fitness? A couple of visitors to a Gold's Gym in Paramus, N.J., decided to get naked and weigh themselves before they started working out. The two men didn't seem daunted by the fact that the scale was outside the locker room. They hung out by the scale, in full view of the other, clothed patrons, until a manager asked them to put some clothes on. They told Mike Epstein, the gym's owner, that they did that sort of thing all the time at their home gym. Perhaps they meant "home gym" as in the one in their basement.

3. Creative Blow-Drying A man in a California Crunch gym decided that the best way to dry out his sweaty shoes was to stick a hair dryer in each of them while he took his after-workout shower. He was shocked when managers asked him to cease and desist. "He said, 'I didn't even realize I shouldn't be doing this'," says Keith Worts, chief operating officer of Crunch, a national fitness chain.

4. Downward Dog? At another Crunch location a man had a habit of taking a yoga class while wearing shorts without underwear. He was more than happy to correct his faux pas as soon as managers made him aware that other members were uncomfortable with the view they were getting.

5. Work Out, Sleep In Some people get a little too relaxed at the gym. Gold's Gym managers have reported finding customers who fell asleep in the tanning facility and didn't wake up until the gym was closed, as well as customers who fell asleep on the bench press in between sets.

 6. Killer Karaoke It's common and profoundly annoying: gymgoers get carried away listening to their music players. Before they know it they've treated everyone in the room to an off-key rendition of "...Baby One More Time." "I call it karaoke gone bad, because there is no background music and they're singing at the top of their lungs," says Harry Reo, a regional vice president for 24 Hour Fitness.

7. Talking (Too Much of) the Talk Fed up with people gabbing on their cell phones as they used the elliptical, many gyms have banned cell phones around workout equipment and designated areas for patrons to make calls. Still, people forget. "There's nothing worse than running on the treadmill and having someone next to you conducting an extremely loud conversation," says Hufcut, who's seen some people use walkie-talkies while on the treadmill.

8. Sweat Sins It seems basic, but enough people forget to wipe down their equipment after using it that this was one of the four deadly gym sins included on an informational video NYSC taped a few years ago. During the segment a careless gymgoer didn't dry off his machine; when he stood up, the entire machine was covered in dripping goo.

9. Scrimmage to Scuffle It's only logical that testosterone can run high at the gym, and sometimes managers need to break up altercations on the basketball court, says Nancy Pattee Francini, co-founder and president of the Sports Club/LA, which has 10 locations around the country. "Those guys, when they're playing basketball, can get into fights," she says. "They're not terrible fights—we're a high-end club."

These are, of course, the worst offenses, not the norm. Obnoxious behavior can usually be curbed with a little etiquette education, say gym owners. "Most of the time it's really an awareness issue with members," says Worts of Crunch. "We have to remind them that they're in a shared public space." Nonetheless, it might not be a bad idea to look over the list and make sure you're not committing any gym sins.


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Water Fitness 

Water fitness can improve strength, flexibility and cardiovascular health; decrease body fat; facilitate rehabilitation; improve functionality for daily living; and even enhance sports skills. Consider these recommendations for making sure your pool time is spent wisely.

1. Check Out the Facility. Start with the basics. Look for a clean, safe, well-maintained pool. The water temperature should be comfortable: 82 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit (28-29E Celsius); and there should be a lifeguard on duty--your instructor shouldn't have to do it all! Check out the equipment, too. You want to see a variety--for example, buoyancy belts and dumbbells, gloves, noodles and paddles.

2. Look for Professionalism. Ask about the water fitness staff itself. Are instructors professionally trained in fitness, not just swimming or lifeguard skills? The staff should be certified in fitness and have additional training in water fitness.

3. Know Your Limitations. In general, water fitness is so versatile and safe it is the ideal choice for people with a variety of conditions, including pregnancy, orthopedic problems and arthritis. Before joining a class, however, always check with the instructor to make sure it will be appropriate for you. 

4. Try a Variety of Classes, and Practice Basic Skills. Remember that all classes are not alike; training in the water is muscle- and function-specific. 

5. Know Your Goals. This may be the most important key to having a satisfying water fitness experience.  Look for classes that focus on some or all of the following, depending on the results you'd like to achieve:

*Cardiovascular Health and Weight Management. To provide these benefits, a class should focus primarily on working the legs, using the arms (with webbed gloves on the hands) for balance. Interval training is the ideal.

*Muscular Endurance. To improve muscular endurance, a class should work isolated muscle groups along with the muscles that stabilize the joints and body. 

 *Functional Fitness. If your goal is functional fitness, look for exercises that target the activities of daily living. For example, aquatic step exercise can improve stair climbing, and a program that includes dynamic reaching and leaping can enhance range of motion and flexibility. 

 *Sports Skills. Do you want to hone your skills on the court or field? Check for sport-specific drills that will improve your ability to run, jump, change directions, etc.

 *Physical Therapy. If you need rehabilitation, you should seek a licensed therapist for your water fitness program. Post-rehabilitation can be conducted by a trained water fitness professional who is willing to work closely with your health care providers and can design progressions to help you regain function.

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Headaches 

Q. What is a headache? What is a migraine?

A. During a headache, several areas of the head can hurt, including a network of nerves which extends over the scalp and certain nerves in the face, mouth, and throat. Also sensitive to pain, because they contain delicate nerve fibers, are the muscles of the head and blood vessels found along the surface and at the base of the brain. The ends of these pain-sensitive nerves can be stimulated by stress, muscular tension, dilated blood vessels, and other triggers of headache.

There are many types of headaches, some more severe than others and requiring medical attention. Headaches are often symptoms of other diseases. One fairly common but vary painful headache is a migraine. This type of ache, part of the category of vascular headaches, is usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head, nausea/vomiting, and at times disturbed vision. There are two types of migraines:

The common migraine--a term that reflects the disorder's greater occurrence in the general population--is not preceded by an aura like the classic migraine. But some people experience a variety of vague symptoms beforehand, including mental fuzziness, mood changes, fatigue, and unusual retention of fluids. During the headache phase of a common migraine, a person may have diarrhea and increased urination, as well as nausea and vomiting. Common migraine pain can last 3 or 4 days.

Q. Who gets migraines? How do they differ from regular headaches?

A. Although boys and girls seem to be equally affected by migraine, the condition is more common in adult women than in men. Both sexes may develop migraine in infancy, but most often the disorder begins between the ages of 5 and 35.

The relationship between female hormones and migraine is still unclear. Women may have "menstrual migraine"--headaches around the time of their menstrual period--which may disappear during pregnancy. Other women develop migraine for the first time when they are pregnant. Some are first affected after menopause.

The effect of oral contraceptives on headaches is perplexing. Scientists report that some women with a history of migraine headaches who take birth control pills experience more frequent and severe attacks. However, a small percentage of women have fewer and less severe migraine headaches when they take birth control pills. And normal women who do not suffer from headaches may develop migraines as a side effect when they use oral contraceptives. Investigators around the world are studying hormonal changes in migrainous women in the hope of identifying the specific ways these naturally occurring chemicals cause headaches.

Q. What’s the best way to get rid of a headache?

A. Treating a headache varies with the type and frequency; a chronic headache may be treated for symptoms but should not be ignored because it may indicate other underlying causes. Drug therapy, biofeedback training, stress reduction, and elimination of certain foods from the diet are the most common methods of preventing and controlling migraine and other vascular headaches. Regular exercise, such as swimming or vigorous walking, can also reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. During a migraine headache, temporary relief can sometimes be obtained by using cold packs.

There are two ways to approach the treatment of migraine headache with drugs: prevent the attacks, or relieve symptoms after the headache occurs. For the frequent migraine, drugs can be taken at the first sign of a headache in order to stop it or to at least ease the pain. People who get occasional mild migraine may benefit by taking aspirin or acetaminophen at the start of an attack. Aspirin raises a person's tolerance to pain and also discourages clumping of blood platelets. Small amounts of caffeine may be useful if taken in the early stages of migraine. But for most migraine sufferers who get moderate to severe headaches, stronger drugs may be necessary to control the pain.

For More Information.....

You can find out more about headaches by contacting the following organizations:

American Chronic Pain Association, Inc.

P.O. Box 850
Rocklin, CA. 95677-0850
(916) 632-0922

American Council for Headache Education (ACHE)

National Chronic Pain Outreach Association, Inc.

7979 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 100
Bethesda, MD. 20814-2429
(301) 652-4948

National Headache Foundation

428 W. St. James Pl., 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL. 60614-2750
(312) 388-6399
(800) 843-2256

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Robert J. Fabian Memorial Foundation, Chronic Pain Letter

P.O. Box 1303
Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 1001

This information was abstracted from brochures developed by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.


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The Celebrity Macrobiotic Diet 

Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna are among the celebrities who have found success with the macrobiotic diet. The macrobiotic lifestyle is centered around whole grains and supplemented with vegetables and legumes. Macrobiotic dieters avoid foods that are highly processed or refined. They also concentrate while eating, avoiding fast food and chewing food carefully. The diet is based on the principle that a healthy diet will impact overall functioning and happiness.

Dieters should try to stick to a diet that is comprised of half whole grains (i.e., brown rice) and one-third veggies, supplemented by beans, legumes, and miso soup. Locally grown whole grains, natural seasonings, and fruit also are consumed along with the grains and vegetables.

10 Macrobiotic Staples
Seaweed
Whole cereal grains
Tofu
Tempeh
Miso
Brown rice
Seeds
Nuts
Buckwheat pasta (soba)
Fermented soy products

10 Foods to Avoid
Oils
Sauces
Alcohol
Sugar
Yogurt
Honey
Coffee
Chocolate
Avocado
Potatoes

Now understand that you cannot take what you read about the fitness and nutrition plans of the stars at face value, as what is not shared is that the majority (not all) stars take substances like cytomel (to manage thyroid levels on low calories diets), clenbuterol ( a beta 2 agonist) to stimulate the adrenal glands and stimulate fat loss, growth hormone, hCG and a host of other medically prescribed substances to achieve the type of results they claim to be achieving with diet and exercise alone.

While there is no doubt they may implement some ideas in these plans and do exercise I recommend that you trust in what you have learned by a fitness professional fitness rather than try to mimick plans whose sole merit is that a star is linked to it.


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Why Are We So Fat?   

* One out of three Americans is obese, twice as many as three decades ago
* The Center for Disease control and Prevention (CDC) has declared obesity an “epidemic”
* 15% of children and teens are overweight, three times as many since 1980
* Being overweight is now associated with over 400,000 deaths per year
* Obesity is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, stroke, and colon, breast and endometrial cancers
* Next year, obesity is expected to surpass smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in the United States
* One in four Americans gets ZERO exercise, one-third of Americans don’t get the minimum amount the government suggests we need just to avoid chronic disease
* The average child will watch 10,000 commercials per year relating to junk food or beverages

So what’s the answer to the question?  The reason we are so fat is because we eat too much and exercise too little. Surprise, surprise!  We’re fat because we eat a lot.  A whole lot more than we used to, and most of the increase comes from refined carbohydrates (sugar).

Come on folks, how about some common sense? It’s a simple matter of eating fewer calories. But nobody wants to talk about calories because doing so doesn’t sell books. No one wants to listen to that simple message, “Eat less, Exercise more,” because everyone’s too busy looking for the latest breakthrough or the “next big thing in fat loss.”  Permanent fat loss will always require sweat, discipline and effort, and will often be a greater challenge for some than for others. But, if we stop allowing ourselves to be so caught up by all the different weight loss methods, including drugs, and accept some common sense you will be pleasantly surprised.


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Coping With Arthritis  

The Physical Aspects:
In America, nearly 43 million of us have arthritis. Arthritis is now one of the most chronic health problems we face and is also the number one cause of limitation in movement, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Arthritis is prevalent in those over 65 with one-third in this age category suffering from it, although it does affect people of all ages.

Recognizing common symptoms of arthritis and learning to differentiate between myths and facts is essential for everyone because the chances of you developing it or someone you love being stricken are high. For those who already have arthritis, it is important to learn how to manage your symptoms.

Arthritis comes in more than 100 different forms. The specific causes for most forms are not yet known, making it difficult to know how one could prevent being afflicted with it. The most common symptoms include joint pain, inability to move joints normally and swelling.

Included in these more than 100 forms of arthritis are the three most common; osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that covers the ends of bones deteriorates, causing pain loss of movement as bones begins to rub against each other. Fibromylagia is widespread pain afflicting muscles and attachments to the bone. The exact cause of fibromylagia is unknown, but research now shows decreased blood flow and certain viruses may be the culprits that trigger the disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is when a joint's lining becomes inflamed, resulting in deterioration of the joint, pain and limited movement.

Some people believe that arthritis is a minor condition and only results in slight aches and pains. This is one of the myths. Arthritis can, indeed, start with minor aches and pains, but left undiagnosed and untreated, could become a major health problem. Not only does it affect the joints; arthritis can also affect muscles and connective tissues of the body including the skin and internal organs.

Daily activities often become limited. Driving, bathing, and working can all become difficult and painful to accomplish. This can lead to psychological problems due to the daily pain endured causing one to be tense, angry and tired. Oftentimes this leads into depression and can put a strain on family relationships and friendships. This disease can and does go far beyond simple aches and pains. It can be life altering.

Common belief also seems to be, among many, that nothing can be done about arthritis. This is another myth. There are a variety of medications that have been introduced to the market within the last year to treat various types of arthritis. It is critical that one gets an early and accurate diagnosis to minimize the affects of arthritis due to the fact that the majority of joint damage occurs within the first two years of disease onset.

As stated earlier, it is not known how one can prevent arthritis but those who do have the affliction can take part in a treatment plan tailored to meet their individual needs. The first step is to make sure you've gotten a proper and correct diagnosis. A doctor can diagnose arthritis based on the overall pattern of symptoms, medical history, physical exam, x-rays and lab tests.

Arthritis causes anxiety and weakness. For this there are a variety of techniques people can use to reduce the impact of. Relaxation exercises done on a regular basis are key elements, as is taking part in some exercise daily. One must find a balance of rest and activity. If you like swimming, water exercise is an extremely beneficial way to exercise the joints and muscles. The water supports the joints to encourage free movement while providing resistance to help build muscle strength. Water massage therapy is beneficial for many suffering from arthritis. Jet nozzles release warm water and air, massaging the body and helping to relax tight muscles.

In addition to balancing rest and activity, there are other techniques used to manage arthritis. These include planning ahead making work easier, maintaining proper body posture and practicing joint protection techniques.

The Nutritional Aspects:

Patients treated for heart disease have been found to have a reduction in the severity of pain and swelling in their arthritic joints due to the nutritional therapy given to them to treat their heart disease. This observation led to further review of nutrition and arthritis and how to use nutrition to reduce the symptoms. As a result, a nutrition plan was laid out with eating guidelines and nutritional supplementation designed specifically to ease the pain and inflammation of arthritic joints.

They are the exact same strategies designed to help reduce the risk of heart disease! You can "kill two birds with one stone", so to speak. Try the following tips for eight weeks to see if it helps reduce symptoms, or share it with some you know and love who is afflicted with arthritis.

Raise blood pH.
Lower blood pH promotes formation of crystals in joints, which leads to arthritis. Every day, have a glass of carrot, wheat grass or cherry juice. The alkalizing effect on the blood helps to raise your blood pH. Avoid orange juice, grapefruit juice and other citrus juices as well as tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant. These acidifying foods lower blood pH.

Eat chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll helps remove excess heavy metals from the joints. Heavy metal atoms cause accumulation of free radicals, highly reactive compounds that damage the joints. Be sure to drink a glass of green barley, chlorella or frozen wheat grass every day. Each is rich in green pigment.

Eat cayenne and garlic.
Garlic stimulates the immune system, which supports healing. Garlic also contains the antioxidant mineral selenium. It helps control free radical buildup. Both herbs have an anti-inflammatory effect, helping to reduce swelling and pain. You can take a daily cayenne capsule, but some people get an upset stomach from this. Try it with bread or crackers. If it still bothers you, or you fear it will, do not take it. But do try to use garlic!

Eat omega-3 oils.
Omega-3 is primarily in flaxseed and fish oil and inhibits the production of leukotrienes, natural compounds that stimulate inflammation.

Experts recommend 1,000-mg. flaxseed oil capsule after each meal. The capsules can be found in any health food store. Another way to boost your omega-3 intake is to eat at least one, preferably two, helpings of fresh fish per week, but not fried!

Drink ginger tea.
In addition to being soothing to the stomach, ginger is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. One cup of ginger tea a day is recommended.

Eat Certo.
Available in any supermarket, this pectin-containing gelatin powder is very effective at reducing swelling in joints. It is unclear, however, just why Certo relieves arthritis, but it is known to. Each day, try to consume on tablespoon (mix it with apple juice or another alkalizing fruit juice to form a soupy gelatin).

Take multivitamin supplements.
A combination of antioxidant nutrients is the best way to fight free radicals. Fresh fruit and vegetables are rich in antioxidants but to ensure you get enough, it is best to supplement your diet with multivitamins. Be sure to select an iron-free supplement. Too much iron has been linked to an elevated risk of heart disease. Chose a supplement with no more than 1 mg of copper (half the government's recommended daily allowance). Your supplement should also include folic acid, vitamin B-6, vitamin D, zinc and calcium as any deficiencies in any of these nutrients can worsen arthritis. Also, the supplement should contain selenium and vitamin E. Both nutrients are especially good for morning stiffness. 

Take coenzyme Q-10 and quercetin.
Both of these supplements are available in a health food store. Coenzyme Q-10 is a remarkable substance that works to stabilize the membrane of every cell in your body. That prevents cell breakdown in your joints. Quercetin blocks the release of histamines (inflammation-producing chemicals) into the bloodstream. 30mg of coenzyme Q-10 is recommended taken after each meal and 100mg to 500mg of quercetin once a day.

Avoid caffeinated beverages.
Caffeine acts as a diuretic in your body resulting in washing out nutrients, thereby undermining your efforts to eat a healthful, nutrient-rich diet. Coffee, tea and soda, as well as chocolate are to be avoided. Drink decaffeinated forms and avoid chocolate. 

Some of the above mentioned products may not appeal to you. Follow what you think you will be comfortable with. Anything you do to help yourself is something and who knows, as we are all uniquely created, one thing or another may give you some relief whereas others may not. Experiment, do what you can and follow your doctors orders at all times! In fact, it wouldn't be a bad idea to present this diet to him or her to be sure it is suitable and healthy for you. Make sure to discuss the supplements with your doctor, also. The best judge will be your body!

The diet was written and created by a highly respected and revered doctor in his field and is given as a guideline to help you work with your body and it's nutrition to reach optimum performance and relief of your arthritic symptoms. I am not qualified to endorse it or disapprove of it, only to share it in hopes you will find some relief.


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Breathing During Exercise 

Breathing during any form of exercise is often taken for granted. We breathe all the time and often underestimate how much the way we breathe helps during our exercise routines. Many people make the mistake of unconsciously holding their breath when doing a strenuous activity. This in turn causes unwanted tension in the muscles, making the activity that much harder. Stretching is no exception.

Why Breathe? Well besides continuing to live, breathing properly promotes blood flow and increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your muscles. Breathing slowly and easily also helps to relax your muscles, which makes stretching easier and more beneficial. When your body is relaxed, your stretching becomes easier. Stretching is then safe, and when you are stretching safely, you are gaining the most benefits from your stretching routine.

Learning to Breathe
If you have not been breathing properly during stretching or other physical activities, it might seem a little awkward at first. Once you learn how to breathe properly, the process becomes second nature. The whole trick to breathing properly, is knowing when to breathe in (inhale) and when to breathe out (exhale). Make sure you inhale through the diaphram!  Your stomach should move in and out, not your chest.

Exhaling occurs whenever you are moving weight. Sometimes it is away from your body (as with leg presses or push-ups) and sometimes it is towards your body (as with bicep curls or lateral pull-downs). This is the same during a stretch; your body is the weight that you are moving. When you move into the stretch, you are moving the weight of your body, so you should breathe out. As your muscles return to their original positions, you should breathe in.

The easiest way to remember how to breathe during a stretch is to exhale as you are moving into the stretch and inhale as you return to your original position. For example, try doing a simple leg stretch. Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you and try to reach towards your toes while inhaling. It’s not very easy, is it? Now, try the stretch again as you exhale. You will find that as you release the air from your lungs, you can stretch a lot farther.

If you get confused in the beginning, that is all right. The important thing to remember is to breathe no matter what. Holding your breath will not help you at all, and you will find yourself tiring faster. For your body to get the maximum results, you have to consciously make an effort to do everything you can to increase internal performance.


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Creatine: Liver Disease and Kidney Failure  
by: Dr. Jack Barnathan

Will taking Creatine lead to liver disease and kidney failure.  There are some disturbing findings from a study published by Baylor University Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation that we must pay close attention to. 

First, lets review what 'creatine' is and how it impacts our system.  Creatine is a naturally occurring compound that is synthesized in the liver and kidney and obtained in small quantities from the diet (primarily meat and fish).  Oral creatine monohydrate supplementation has been reported to increase muscle creatine and phosphocreatine (C-P) content by 15 - 40% (if supplemented in large dosages).  It can enhance the cellular bioenergetics of the phosphagen system, improve the movement of energy releasing phosphates between the mitochondria and cytosol via the C-P shuttle, and enhance the activity of various metabolic pathways. (Baylor University). 

Until recently the only serious 'side effect' of creatine reported in the literature was 'weight gain', but that is changing.  Concerns are being raised that when one takes too much creatine as a supplement, the body will essentially 'shut down' it's own production of creatine.  What good is that?  Why not let the body produce it's own?  Which do you think is better in quality, your body's creatine or something from a jar? 

Further concerns are over fluid and electrolyte imbalances, as well as kidney, liver and muscle tissue damage with long term use - or use of high dosages. We must be concerned over two recent studies where long term supplementation in mice resulted in damage, and contributed to kidney disease in rats with hypertension (high blood pressure). That shouldn't concern us unless we know any strength and power athletes who might be taking excessive amounts of creatine.  Taking creatine for long periods of time or taking it while experiencing high blood pressure. 

Actually, that sounds like every powerlifter I've ever lifted with... These studies were performed on rats and mice one might say - and therefore conclude that it could be different in humans.  True, but also consider that the medical researchers involved in these studies considered it too dangerous and unethical to perform such a study on humans, considering the potential for damage.  

The New York Strength and Centers for Strength Performance Cuisine protocols call for an intelligent approach to all supplementation.   First, create an environment where the body can produce the proper amount of the biochemical compound (in this case creatine) on it's own through progressive training technique combined with a carefully planned recovery program.  Overtraining leads to inefficiency and eventual breakdown and this is the number one cause of poor performance (and possible damage). 

Next, your first line of 'supplementation' should be through the choices you make with the food you eat.  We are involved in ongoing research into not only the type of meat, but also fish, cuts of meat and preparation that impacts nutritional effectiveness of the food you eat!  Meat and fish are still the best means of creatine 'supplementation' since is also contains all the essential components needed for growth and again, recovery. 

But the exciting future of 'nutrition' lies not in the bottle, but on the plate.  This is our firm stance.  We're not against all supplementation, but we know through our own clients that Gold Medal winning athletes take far less supplements (in some cases, none) compared to what the muscle media would have you believe. Third is traditional supplementation.  We are not against athletes supplementing their diets with vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and other intelligent products.  But we know what athletes and elite performers really do to attain greatness, and it rarely matches the hype you see in the media. 

Considering the new studies presented and the consequences possible with high or long term creatine supplementation, we continue to recommend a conservative approach to the supplements you take.   A teenager will be influenced by the muscle magazine ads proclaiming Creatine to be the only true path to strength and power (just like they'd also like you to believe the only way to lose body fat is through 'fat burner' supplements).  Both incredibly wrong and dangerous. 

Athletes must be understanding of how a proper training program with progressive components and clear recovery modes will lead to exceptional growth and peak performance. 

As for The Centers for Strength, we wish to focus on permitting the body to produce it's own creatine, and finding the best quality choices for your meals before considering any other steps.  This will give you the foundation to find your true strength at the studio or gym, and not in a bottle.


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Smith Machine  

The major fault of the Smith Machine is how it forces the athlete to follow the machine's straight line of motion (or in more 'advanced' versions a forced arc) rather than the natural arc developed by the lumbo-pelvic spine with the squatting motion.

Dr Tudor Bompa and Comacchia's article about the dangers of lifting on a Smith machine is excelling in emphasizing that the smith machine forces you to move the bar on a straight line while your body is planted in one spot. This is not a natural movement pattern. In a natural squat the bar moves in an arc, more pronounced when you squat on the whole surface of the soles of your feet. The straight up and down movement of the bar while your feet are planted in a smith machine squat produces excessive strain on the lower back and knees. (Bompa and Comacchia 1998).

And again: Bompa and Cornacchia weren’t the first researchers to find fault in movements that restrict the body’s natural motion and force the lifter to repeat those movements over and over. Stone, Johnson and Carter also wrote on this subject in 1979. They denounced squatting on a smith machine as, “an idea both hideous and destructive.”  They felt this way for several reasons, with the first one being that any athlete needs to learn balance, which is removed from any smith machine motion. Second, the “straight up and down” movement of the bar reduces the lifter’s use of his or her optimal strength curve. “The smith machine also requires that the lifter either squats with his torso much closer to vertical than would be done with a real squat, which mechanically decreases the involvement of both the spinal erectors and the hamstrings. While this would be fine if it was done by the lifter’s muscular control, when the Smith machine does this it is disadvantageous to the lifter by virtue of decreasing the ability of the hamstrings to protect the knee joint.” Stone, Johnson and Carter continue and explain just how harmful this limited motion can be on the knees. “Another mistake is allowing the knees to drift forward over the toes, the chance of which is increased by the Smith machine. As was previously mentioned, this greatly increases the shearing force on the knees. This, from a device touted by the ignorant as ‘safe.’”

For serious lifters, there is even more at stake when using a Smith machine. Scholz and McMillan wrote an article that appeared in Physical Therapy in 1995. “You have to especially watch the Smith machine, since it is used the most for compound exercises. You will injure yourself using heavy weights for compounds on a smith machine. A natural arc is a system that allows the muscle and bone to optimize a lifting assignment. By denying the arc, you are not only putting undue stress on the muscles and nerves, stunting growth, but also on the ligaments and bones and everything else involved in a lift, and that in turn can lead to some seriously unhealthy practices.” 

The amount of research describing the relationship between Smith machines and injury may come as a surprise to many lifters who use a Smith machine as part of their everyday workout regime. Rod Cole, Head Strength Coach at Kansas State University, was quick to react to these kinds of findings when word first came out. “I used to include a Smith machine in some workout programs I designed for my athletes. But after a few sore backs, knees and some other injuries, compounded with the research that was being published at the time, I stopped relying on Smith machines. I just don’t want to take a chance with my athletes.”

Coach Cole wasn’t alone. Other professionals in the industry reacted similarly to the latest news about the safety concerns involved with working out on a Smith machine. Corporate fitness center purchasers within the Ford Motor Company also didn’t want to take any more risks. Dee Smith, a corporate fitness center purchaser at UAW-Ford, explains, “The liabilities of running a corporate fitness center are already great, so we try to minimize the involved risks whenever possible. When I heard that Smith machines were increasing the possibility of injury, it was a simple decision to stop buying those units.” Aside from the insurance and liability aspects, fitness center managers, coaches, trainers and gym owners also feel that biomechanics often get overlooked and need to be addressed more often. “When research proved that these machines were forcing my lifters to move unnaturally, I immediately began to look for alternatives,” she added.

Like any piece of equipment, properly working, the use is often not proper or the user/trainer not properly familiar with the limitations of the equipment. Many people do use it with no problems, but, not for mass development. That was not its ordinal purpose to begin with.

Most trainers (and certainly clients) do not even know where the 'safety' catch system is on the Smith Machine.  A lawsuit recently settled for a gym member who was crushed under the bar when he slipped.  The safety was not engaged, and it fractured his spine. 

Consideration should also be made regarding the use of the Smith Machine for shoulder or chest training.  Again, the forced straight range of motion does not permit the normal 'arc' of the shoulder joint (both in shoulder and chest training).  Free weight training, when developed properly permits the stabilizing muscles and prime movers to grow properly with biomechanical integrity.


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Leg Extension  
                           
                              

It is good to know why leg extensions are inappropriate and why it may be appropriate as recommended by some physical therapist. As we know the problem has to do with shear forces. Shear in this case just refers to a horizontal force on the joint. Some therapists prefer squat-type movements to the typical leg-extension because it is a closed kinetic chain exercise. Put very simply exercises where both feet are in contact with the floor are considered to be closed chain while exercises like leg extensions are open chain.

First and foremost, most open chain exercises do not correlate with real-world movements. When was the last time you had to sit down and extend your knee (excepting your last leg workout). The squat, on the other hand, is performed daily anytime you bend your knees to lower your body followed by an extension (i.e. picking something up, assuming you are not using your back). Thus there is greater specificity when using closed chain movements in terms of applicability to the real world.

However, there are other differences. During a leg extension, only the quadriceps are contracting as opposed to squats where both quads and hamstring are active. This has one very major consequence. During a leg extension, there is not only rotation of the shin about the knee during extension but also some linear translation of the shin. This puts amazing stress on the cruciate ligaments of the knee, especially at the beginning of the movement. However, during a squat, both the quads and hams are firing. Since they are pulling from opposite sides of the shin, there tends to be a lot less demand put on the knee as there is not as much translation.

Motion x-ray analysis actually demonstrates a slight dislocation of the femur on the tibia during the linear translation.

However leg extensions do have their place, and are still used by many physical therapist and occupational therapist usually in rehabilitation and with clients in special populations. HOWEVER, if the leg extension machine is used, it is wise to use a smaller range of motion, perhaps the top third of the movement (from slightly bent to fully straight leg), and light weight to contend with the aforementioned limitations.

Also keep in mind that with the lunge or squat the tibia rotates slightly to accommodate for torsion.  The pad on the 'shin' of the leg extension does not permit this normal absorbing of stress, damage to the joint.


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