The MuscleTalker - Issue 35 (March 2005)

We are please to announce ToxicToffee's promotion to the moderator ranks. He has kindly agreed to help us moderate the Bodybuilding Supplements, Diet & Nutrition and Cardio & Fitness forums. As he's such a knowledgeable and popular member, it was only right that he joined the team. So, TT, welcome and thanks!

We've updated and improved the losing fat, gaining muscle article with some better explanations and information. It has also been renamed: Cutting V Bulking: Losing Body Fat Whilst Gaining Quality Muscle.

Have you read our other articles on a range of bodybuilding, strength and fitness areas at www.muscletalk.co.uk/articles.asp? And many informative topics are covered in past editions of The MuscleTalker

Our very own moderator Nikki has been given the task of organising the FAME Fitness UK show (www.fameworldevents.com/second.htm) on Saturday April 23rd 2005. This will be a great fitness event, and some MT members may be having a bash! MuscleTalk is proud to be linked to such an event and this is the first show of any kind we are sponsoring. Join in the discussion about it on MT at: www.muscletalk.co.uk/fb.asp?m=347876

The MT Powerlifting Competition (www.muscletalk.co.uk/fb.asp?m=173040) has been running for a couple of years now, and is a great bit of fun, so it's about time we included updates on it on The MuscleTalker! Every 2-3 months will update you on it - and thanks to SpongeBob for running the topic! There are some strong people there: RobT continues to lead with the current total of a whopping 1749lbs/795kg! Why not join in, I did! Surely you can beat my pitiful 1210lbs/550kg… there's a challenge for you!! See: www.muscletalk.co.uk/fb.asp?m=173040

Don't forget MuscleTalk T-shirt's are available.

*** Best Wishes from James and The MuscleTalk team! ***
See you at www.MuscleTalk.co.uk

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UK-Supplements.com - Information, shopping, news and reviews - A site dedicated to bringing you the latest retailer news and offers. There is also a massive database of supplements, providing product information, articles, reviews and shopping resources.
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** FAME fitness model search has hit the UK! The first show will be held in Birmingham on 23rd April at the Senisport Pain n' Glory combat competition. Sponsored by Muscle Talk there are great prizes and trophies as well as the opportunity for lucrative international modelling contracts. What's more, it will be featured by magazines such as Muscle & Fitness, Flex and Workout World. Please contact Nicole (aka Nikki) for an entry form at nicole@fitphysiques.co.uk.

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*** Tribulus Terrestris: Bulgarian v The Rest of the World ***
By Dean Farley of Tierra Supplements

The theory behind Tribulus Terrestris' effects is its ability to trigger the body into releasing luteinizing hormone (LH), which in turn stimulates development of the interstitial cells of the testes that secrete the hormone testosterone.

The active constituents of tribulus are steroidal saponins of two types; furostanols and spirostanols. Studies suggest the furostanol steroidal saponins are not bio-active and must be first converted to spirostanols to become so. The saponin content will vary depending upon the identity of the plant, the source of saponin within the plant (e.g. seed, fruit, and leaves) and the conditions under which the plant is grown. The method of extraction will also affect the concentration of saponins. Using a special method of harvesting and pharmaceutical preparation, Bulgarian Tribulus Terrestris has a very high concentration of steroidal saponins, hence it's higher cost. The phytochemistry of Chinese and Indian Tribulus is considerably different from that of the Bulgarian, also Chinese and Indian Tribulus is made from a different part of the plant.

There are three groups of active phytochemicals in Bulgarian Tribulus Terrestris:

1. Dioscin, protodioscin, diosgenin, etc. These have an effect on sexual performance and may treat various sexual disorders, sexual energy level and strength by increasing the percentage of free testosterone level for men, and affects pregnenolone, progesterone, oestrogen, etc.

2. Sterols - betasitosterols, stigma, etc, which protect the prostate from swelling and in combination with the X steroidal saponins (third group listed below), protects the prostate from cancer.

3. Proprietary steroidal saponins currently referred to as X steroidal saponins. These affect the immune system and have been demonstrated to possess anti-bacterial and anti-viral (particularly anti-herpes) effects.

Chinese and Indian Tribulus Terrestris does not have the same pharmacological and physiological functions as Bulgarian Tribulus Terrestris. Theirs is used primarily as a diuretic and to treat kidney stones. At best, Indian and Chinese Tribulus Terrestris have but a trace of group 1, and contain virtually no X steroidal saponins. This could go some way to explaining the radical difference some people experience in the effects of Tribulus Terrestris from different sources, borne out by many posts on MuscleTalk with people disappointed with the results of non-Bulgarian Tribulus.

** Source of the following information: Townsend Letter for doctors and patients; Dec.2004 Kerry Bone

Quality Issues
Two studies have highlighted that most Tribulus products on the market are quite different from the Bulgarian extract (TLSE). The first study, conducted in the US, found that the level of protodioscin varied substantially with the plant part (leaf, stem or fruit) and origin (Bulgaria, India or China) of the Tribulus. Only leaf from Bulgaria was high in protodioscin. Analysis of products selected from the US market found deficiencies of protodioscin in the majority. The second study from Australia produced similar results. An Eastern European variety of Tribulus (from Slovakia) contained high levels of protodioscin in the leaf but none in the fruit. Leaf from Australia and India did not contain protodioscin. The principle of phytoequivalence dictates that, if the benefits demonstrated in a clinical trial are claimed for a herbal product, then that product must closely match the one used in the clinical trial. The Bulgarian clinical trials which have shown that Tribulus boosts libido and fertility and alleviates menopausal symptoms, all used Tribulus leaf rich in protodioscin collected from Bulgaria. Therefore only similar products might reasonably be expected to have the same effects. If a Tribulus product is made from the root or fruit of the plant, or is sourced from anywhere else other than Eastern Europe, it will probably contain low levels of protodioscin and so will be quite different from the Bulgarian standardized extract. The quality of Tribulus products is best assessed by high performance liquid chromatography as used in the two studies cited above.

*** Stress - How to Overcome A Major Health Hazard ***
By Peter Sachford - www.fphealth.com

Everyone knows that stress isn't good - that it can get on top of us and affect our wellbeing. What most people don't realise is that stress can affect much more than just our mood or mental state. Stress has been shown to have a detrimental effect on many parts of our body and indeed people's health in general. Most people are so used to stress and tension in their lives that they do little or nothing about it until it begins to have major negative effects on them. Everyone suffers from stress - but it is important to sit up and take notice when that stress begins to affect you.

Stress has a negative effect on your mental processes; it can make you moody, anxious and unable to calmly cope with life. However stress affects all of your body, causing many afflictions such as high heart rate and blood pressure difficulties. These are two key indicators of stress being a problem so if you suffer from them then it is time to try to reduce the stress in your life. By acting early you can dramatically reduce your stress level and your health should return to normal.

If you're wondering about whether or not you should reduce stress in your daily life, the answer is probably yes. Even if you do not feel overly stressed out all that often, stress reduction will still improve your life. Since being too stressed can have major long term effects on your health, this is one case where you're probably better safe than sorry. Reducing your stress is not difficult, a little time spent planning how to change your life can make a huge difference. A small effort will go a long way to making you feel better about yourself and others.

The first thing that you should do is to sit down and make a list of all the things that are causing you to be stressed out. It doesn't matter whether or not you think something should be stressful - write down anything that genuinely is stressful to you. Then, go through the list again and see which things you can eliminate from your life. Obviously you won't be able to eliminate everything on your list from your life; there are some things like work that are simply necessary. But there will be lots of things on your list that you genuinely can address. Doing this, even with only a few of the things on your list, can make all the difference in your stress level.

There are few things that reduce your overall stress level like a good time spent relaxing. Therefore, you should set aside a period everyday to relax - and make sure that it's actually scheduled; after all, you're doing it for your health.

Exercise is another excellent way to combat stress; it will make you feel better and more confident. It is particularly good because it will also make you fitter, so your health will benefit doubly.

If you start working on stress reduction, you should start seeing improvements in your health right away. Also, even if you are not noticing that your health is improving right away, you should still feel confident that it is - the more relaxed you are, the better you should feel. Start working on stress reduction today, and have a healthier life tomorrow!

Peter Sachford is the webmaster of FP Health which is a popular and extensive resource for health information.

For more information, go to: www.fphealth.com

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*** Recipe - Thai Chicken Salad ***
By Nicole Bremner aka Nikki - MuscleTalk Moderator
Taken from Muscle Menus 2

** Ingredients
100g rice noodles
350g minced chicken breast
250g can chestnuts, drained
2 tbsp lemon juice
3 spring onions, finely chopped
3 tbsp fresh basil
3 tbsp fresh mint

** Method
Cook the noodles according to the instructions on the packet. Place the mince, chestnuts lemon juice, and ¼ cup of water in a pan and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. When cool, add spring onion, basil, mint and noodles and serve.

** Information
Serves 4. Per serving: 333kcal, 28.5g protein, 44.5g carbs, 3.5g fat, 0.75g fibre.

More great bodybuilding recipes can be found in Nicole's other great eBooks 'Muscle Menus', 'Muscle Menus 2' and 'Muscle Menus Vegetarian' eBooks:

*** DVD Review - Mr Olympia 2004 ***
Review by AP - MuscleTalk member

Get Mr Olympia 2004 here: www.musclefinesse.com/videos-dvd-olympia-2004.asp

If you are looking for something that differs from the usual bodybuilder training video then this is the one for you. Dodgy co-presenting from Levrone and his camp cohort aside (and trust me, Levrone is awful - how he intends to make it in Hollywood I don't know!), the DVD is great.

Darrem Charles' 'pop and lock' posing routine to the massive Terror Squad hit 'Lean Back' is awesome, and he well and truly tears the house down. And Markus Ruhl - one word - 'massive'. Watch as his head literally disappears into mounds of thick mass as he hits his side chest pose. Ronnie is also huge, but what's surprising there?! Also, if you want a laugh, then there is Pavol Jablonicky's cringe-worthy posing - it is truly awful; watch as he moves across the stage with the grace of a freshwater buffalo.

However, the best part of the DVD comes with the newly introduced 'Challenge Round'; whether you agree with the concept or not, it is hugely entertaining. From the athletes' trash talking each other, to the controversial calls, the suspense and crowd participation is awesome. To be watching this live without knowing the outcome would have been great, especially as the whole competition hinged on the last posedown between Ronnie and Jay.

So, if you are looking for something that shows the pros in a different light, then I highly recommend this DVD.

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Muscle Building Nutrition by Will Brink - Get the FACTS on exactly how, what & when to eat to achieve maximum lean muscle gains with minimum bodyfat in record time, & discover precisely which bodybuilding supplements you need!

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