I encountered the word before I heard the hype about it. A friend of mine told me that it is a skin-whitener. But what shall I do with it? I already have fair skin. The truth is I am pale because of the “anemia” I am suffering more than six months ago. Spending money for something that is not essential is seems absurd.
However, after months of hearing about it, my curiosity was raised especially when I am already seeing celebrities endorsing the substance on TV. What is glutathione really?
Glutathione “is a very powerful anti-oxidant that protects the body by targeting and destroying reactive oxygen molecules and free radicals. It is found in high concentration in the liver, where it binds to heavy metals such as mercury and lead, chemical pollutants, and carcinogens and transforms them into form that can easily flushed out of the body via enzymatic pathway. It enhances the body’s immune response. Studies have shown depleted levels of glutathione are associated with enhanced toxicity and weaken the immune system.”
I read further and realized that there is really so much about it than a skin whitener. In fact, skin whitening is just a side effect of glutathione. Would you believe that? But I am not really interested on it being a super anti-oxidant than a skin-whitener.
Another important thing I’ve read about it is that, oral intake of glutathione is not as effective as it is given intravenously or through an injection. It is easily damaged in the intestine before it reaches the cells. So the best thing to do is to take it with Vitamin C. This is no problem with me because I always dose 500mg of ascorbic acid a day.
The benefit that the body could get from glutathione changed my attitude towards it. Before I thought this is just another commercial gimmickry. But hey, if it could help boost my immune system considering my hyperactive lifestyle, why not give it a try. Anyway, before jumping into the bandwagon, why not try the natural means first.
Glutathione is present in fresh and frozen fruits, vegetables, meat and fish, and asparagus, avocado and walnuts are said to be rich with it. This sounds nice because these are very accessible except for the last one.
The problem is that, how would I know if there is a significant effect in my glutathione consumption through the natural means? My diet is almost as healthy as that which is recommended by health professionals. My body is in very good condition.
I guess the best way is to overdose myself so that I would see the side effects.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Whey Protein
Yesterday I was asked by a friend to help him decide what brand of whey protein he should buy. He was choosing between ON, MRM and Twinlab. I told him how could I compare or evaluate the three if I have only used or tasted one. I asked him to give me some information on the last two. He gladly complied.
The information my friend provided does not include protein content, so I asked him again about that information. I told him to go for the brand that provides the highest protein content. After that, he should consider other criteria such as price and taste.
I told him that he should consider the price because most brands have more or less similar protein content per serving. That would mean he should also consider how many scoops per serving because obviously, one can get more of his money’s worth if there are less scoops in one serving. Another criterion is taste. There are a variety of flavors in the whey market today. Other brands taste almost like an ice cream. My friend got stomach problems with chocolate so I told him to settle for vanilla.
In the end I finally told him to buy the ON brand, mainly because it has 24% protein per serving, which is one scoop per serving, cost less, and has a variety of flavors. In addition, I have tried the brand and I like it. The only thing is, I could not feel or see any significant improvement from my body.
From all the years of lifting weights, I have only tried taking whey protein twice. The first one was the Designer Whey that my sister gave me and the last one was the ON brand that I bought from the prodding of a gym mate. I always thought that developing my physique in the natural way is the best road to a real healthy lifestyle. So if I really have to give my advice to gym beginners, I would say, skip the commercial proteins. Instead, they should eat protein rich fishes (canned or fresh), vegetables and poultry. Nothing beats the natural way.
The information my friend provided does not include protein content, so I asked him again about that information. I told him to go for the brand that provides the highest protein content. After that, he should consider other criteria such as price and taste.
I told him that he should consider the price because most brands have more or less similar protein content per serving. That would mean he should also consider how many scoops per serving because obviously, one can get more of his money’s worth if there are less scoops in one serving. Another criterion is taste. There are a variety of flavors in the whey market today. Other brands taste almost like an ice cream. My friend got stomach problems with chocolate so I told him to settle for vanilla.
In the end I finally told him to buy the ON brand, mainly because it has 24% protein per serving, which is one scoop per serving, cost less, and has a variety of flavors. In addition, I have tried the brand and I like it. The only thing is, I could not feel or see any significant improvement from my body.
From all the years of lifting weights, I have only tried taking whey protein twice. The first one was the Designer Whey that my sister gave me and the last one was the ON brand that I bought from the prodding of a gym mate. I always thought that developing my physique in the natural way is the best road to a real healthy lifestyle. So if I really have to give my advice to gym beginners, I would say, skip the commercial proteins. Instead, they should eat protein rich fishes (canned or fresh), vegetables and poultry. Nothing beats the natural way.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Going Back to the Gym
After a two-week long vacation I am returning to the gym. This has been a routine for me these days because there are a lot of activities and work that I need to do over weight training, not counting my laziness. This could spell disaster to other guys who are hitting the gym because this would mean that they are not getting their membership worth or they would not get any significant result on their workouts. As for me, I am used to it because I am only maintaining my physique.
I am planning to have a 4-day workout routine, two body parts each day: chest and legs on Monday; and back and shoulders on Tuesday. I would repeat the routine after a day or two day rests. I am not putting much attention on my biceps and triceps because I believe that they are already working with the exercises I am doing with the major body parts. However, if I still have time from waiting for my gym buddy to finish his routine, I would insert a couple or three biceps or triceps exercises.
Here are the exercises I am doing.
MONDAY (Chest and Legs)
Incline Bench Press: 15-12-10
Incline DB Fly: 15-12-10
Flat Bench Press: 15-12-10
Flat DB Fly: 15-12-10
Dips with 10lbs. weight: 12-12-12
DB Pull-over: 12-12-12
Squat: 15-12-10
Lunges: 15-12-10
TUESDAY (Back and Shoulders)
Pull-ups: max reps in 3 sets
Lat-Pulldown: 15-12-10
Seated Cable Row: 15-12-10
Front Raise using single BB plate: 12-12-12
Lateral Raise: 15-12-10
Bent-over Lateral Raise: 15-12-10
Shoulder Shrug: 15-12-10
BICEPs and TRICEPS
Standing DB Curl: 15-12-10
Concentration Curl: 15-12-10
Tri-Pushdown: 15-12-10
I usually spend 1-1.5 hours in doing these exercises. Others would think that this is a little bit fast but I usually give 30-45 seconds rest between sets. I seldom entertain chatting with other gym goers because it destructs my momentum and focus which is very important in perfecting form and execution.
Two days ago, a friend sent me a text message saying that he wanted to go back to the gym after 3 months of being idle. I told him to proceed. He asked what exercises he would do and I replied that he needed to go back to the basics. “What basic?” He asked. I could not reply because I already ran out of text loads. The next message I got from him is that he could not get his foot out of their door. I just thought aloud, “OUT!”
It is indeed very difficult to return to the gym. You would need someone or something to push you out of the door. Lucky for me I always have someone to do that. ME.
I am planning to have a 4-day workout routine, two body parts each day: chest and legs on Monday; and back and shoulders on Tuesday. I would repeat the routine after a day or two day rests. I am not putting much attention on my biceps and triceps because I believe that they are already working with the exercises I am doing with the major body parts. However, if I still have time from waiting for my gym buddy to finish his routine, I would insert a couple or three biceps or triceps exercises.
Here are the exercises I am doing.
MONDAY (Chest and Legs)
Incline Bench Press: 15-12-10
Incline DB Fly: 15-12-10
Flat Bench Press: 15-12-10
Flat DB Fly: 15-12-10
Dips with 10lbs. weight: 12-12-12
DB Pull-over: 12-12-12
Squat: 15-12-10
Lunges: 15-12-10
TUESDAY (Back and Shoulders)
Pull-ups: max reps in 3 sets
Lat-Pulldown: 15-12-10
Seated Cable Row: 15-12-10
Front Raise using single BB plate: 12-12-12
Lateral Raise: 15-12-10
Bent-over Lateral Raise: 15-12-10
Shoulder Shrug: 15-12-10
BICEPs and TRICEPS
Standing DB Curl: 15-12-10
Concentration Curl: 15-12-10
Tri-Pushdown: 15-12-10
I usually spend 1-1.5 hours in doing these exercises. Others would think that this is a little bit fast but I usually give 30-45 seconds rest between sets. I seldom entertain chatting with other gym goers because it destructs my momentum and focus which is very important in perfecting form and execution.
Two days ago, a friend sent me a text message saying that he wanted to go back to the gym after 3 months of being idle. I told him to proceed. He asked what exercises he would do and I replied that he needed to go back to the basics. “What basic?” He asked. I could not reply because I already ran out of text loads. The next message I got from him is that he could not get his foot out of their door. I just thought aloud, “OUT!”
It is indeed very difficult to return to the gym. You would need someone or something to push you out of the door. Lucky for me I always have someone to do that. ME.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)