In the last decade, it seems some people are not satisfied with all the available food in North America. While a great majority seek a pill for all their health problems, some of us have gone way over board. Today, there is an intense interest in drinking colostrum. And this fad is not limited to the weight watchers and athletes; it is being used by thousands of individuals who simply want good health.
Colostrum is produced by the breast during the later stages of pregnancy. This milk is usually produced during the early days of breast feeding. The milk is slightly orange to yellow in color and quite thick in texture. Even though the volume is low, it is very nutritious. Colostrum has been thoroughly analyzed and found to be low in fat and high in proteins, carbohydrates and a number of immunoglobulins. It contains more minerals and less fat and carbohydrate than normal milk.
The human colostrum contains up to 20 per cent protein, predominantly immunoglobulins, representing the antibodies present in maternal blood. These antibodies protect the fetus from infections and help the baby grow faster and healthy. Unlike formula milk products, colostrum is easy to digest and highly recommended for all babies.
The amount of colostrum produced by the breast is fairly small. Just the initial breast milk is colostrum. It only lasts a few days and then the breast will start to make normal breast milk. For the baby, colostrum plays a number of roles including building up immunity and improving digestion. Now it seems that everyone who missed out on breast-feeding wants to get their hands on colostrum.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Blood Doping part 4
Blood doping and sports
There is no doubt that blood doping can increase athletic performance. Today, the Olympic and sporting agencies discourage blood doping and consider it unfair. As of today, trying to detect blood doping has not been fruitful. There are no fool proof tests to check an athlete for blood doping.
A recent variation along the same lines of blood doping has been developed at the University of Colorado. Igor Gamow has developed a sleep chamber that mimics reduced air pressure seen at high altitude and thus, the body stimulates the production of red blood cells. This enables the athlete to train at sea level and have the same fitness advantage as an athlete that is living at high altitude. Work from Colorado indicates that if one sleeps in the chamber 6-8 hours a day for 2-3 weeks, the hemoglobin concentration can increase by more than 23%. This type of holistic Doping is considered legal safe and natural.
Conclusion
For the time being blood doping remains controversial in sports medicine. While illegal, blood doping still is not detectable by any tests that we have so far. While the procedure does provide benefit to the athletes, there are also some dangerous risks associated with the procedure. However, with the no win attitude and the lure of big money in sports, most athletes will go to any extreme to increase their performance.
There is no doubt that blood doping can increase athletic performance. Today, the Olympic and sporting agencies discourage blood doping and consider it unfair. As of today, trying to detect blood doping has not been fruitful. There are no fool proof tests to check an athlete for blood doping.
A recent variation along the same lines of blood doping has been developed at the University of Colorado. Igor Gamow has developed a sleep chamber that mimics reduced air pressure seen at high altitude and thus, the body stimulates the production of red blood cells. This enables the athlete to train at sea level and have the same fitness advantage as an athlete that is living at high altitude. Work from Colorado indicates that if one sleeps in the chamber 6-8 hours a day for 2-3 weeks, the hemoglobin concentration can increase by more than 23%. This type of holistic Doping is considered legal safe and natural.
Conclusion
For the time being blood doping remains controversial in sports medicine. While illegal, blood doping still is not detectable by any tests that we have so far. While the procedure does provide benefit to the athletes, there are also some dangerous risks associated with the procedure. However, with the no win attitude and the lure of big money in sports, most athletes will go to any extreme to increase their performance.
Blood Doping part 3
Problems with Blood Doping
The process of blood doping has to be carried out in a medical facility to maintain sterility. Blood transfusion can be done at home but the risks of infection are very high.
Many athletes believe that the more the red blood cells, the better it is. However, this is not how the body works. Definitely, more blood is better but only to a certain degree.
The majority of medical problems associated with blood doping are related to the increased viscosity due to the increased number of red blood cells. What the athletes forget is that during exercise, one dehydrates and thus the extra red blood cells now start to plug up all the blood vessels. This can be dangerous and there have been many reports of strokes.
The other medical problems include:
- Phlebitis
- blood clots
- heart attacks
- allergic reactions
- Infections like Hepatitis, AIDS and CMV have also been reported
Because of these side effects and complications, blood doping is not encouraged.
The process of blood doping has to be carried out in a medical facility to maintain sterility. Blood transfusion can be done at home but the risks of infection are very high.
Many athletes believe that the more the red blood cells, the better it is. However, this is not how the body works. Definitely, more blood is better but only to a certain degree.
The majority of medical problems associated with blood doping are related to the increased viscosity due to the increased number of red blood cells. What the athletes forget is that during exercise, one dehydrates and thus the extra red blood cells now start to plug up all the blood vessels. This can be dangerous and there have been many reports of strokes.
The other medical problems include:
- Phlebitis
- blood clots
- heart attacks
- allergic reactions
- Infections like Hepatitis, AIDS and CMV have also been reported
Because of these side effects and complications, blood doping is not encouraged.
Blood Doping part 2
How it is done
The process of blood boosting involves removing blood from the athlete. The blood is then stored for 6-8 weeks. The athlete continues to train with the decreased amount of blood in the body. Over the coming 2-3 weeks, the athlete then rebuilds the blood which was removed.
Just before a sports event, the removed blood is hyper oxygenated and given back to the athlete. The athlete is now hyper loaded with fresh red blood cells. This increased in red blood cells results in more oxygen and a greater ability to perform.
A variant of this procedure is to receive a blood transfusion from an unknown donor just before a sporting event. However, donated blood also possesses risk of infections and allergic reactions.
The amount of blood removed from the athlete varies from 1-3 units (each unit is about 450 cc). The blood is spun and the plasma is separated from the red blood cells. The red blood cells are stored in the cold and then reinfused back in the body just a few days before a sporting event.
When done in a proper way, this can increase the red cell count by another 20%.
The process of blood boosting involves removing blood from the athlete. The blood is then stored for 6-8 weeks. The athlete continues to train with the decreased amount of blood in the body. Over the coming 2-3 weeks, the athlete then rebuilds the blood which was removed.
Just before a sports event, the removed blood is hyper oxygenated and given back to the athlete. The athlete is now hyper loaded with fresh red blood cells. This increased in red blood cells results in more oxygen and a greater ability to perform.
A variant of this procedure is to receive a blood transfusion from an unknown donor just before a sporting event. However, donated blood also possesses risk of infections and allergic reactions.
The amount of blood removed from the athlete varies from 1-3 units (each unit is about 450 cc). The blood is spun and the plasma is separated from the red blood cells. The red blood cells are stored in the cold and then reinfused back in the body just a few days before a sporting event.
When done in a proper way, this can increase the red cell count by another 20%.
Blood Doping
One of the ways athletes can improve their performance is by blood boosting. Blood boosting has been around for about 40 years and has been widely abused by athletes. But because of the secrecy surrounding it, not many people are aware of it.
Unlike anabolic steroids which are eaten or injected, blood boosting entails a lot more. The technique of blood doping requires the help of health care professionals.
Blood boosting is essentially the administration of blood or blood products to an athlete to boost performance. Alternative names for blood boosting are blood doping or blood packing.
In the world of sports, blood boosting is illegal and is banned. Many athletes in the past have used this technique to boost their performance.
The technique is extremely hard to detect but the Sporting agencies are developing newer methods to screen for this practice.
Unlike anabolic steroids which are eaten or injected, blood boosting entails a lot more. The technique of blood doping requires the help of health care professionals.
Blood boosting is essentially the administration of blood or blood products to an athlete to boost performance. Alternative names for blood boosting are blood doping or blood packing.
In the world of sports, blood boosting is illegal and is banned. Many athletes in the past have used this technique to boost their performance.
The technique is extremely hard to detect but the Sporting agencies are developing newer methods to screen for this practice.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Women and Anabolic Steroids Part 5
Why women take anabolic steroids
Unlike men, women take anabolic steroids for several reasons. Some women have a body dysmorphic disorder- meaning they look at themselves in the mirror and are unhappy at what they see. Other women who take anabolic steroid to get bigger and stronger so that they can protect themselves. Others take the steroids to become competitive in sports.
Steroid abuse
The exact data on steroid abuse in women are unknown; every now and then a female athlete is caught with steroids in the body. Because of stringent screening criteria, the numbers of users are down but by no means eliminated. Many women take these steroids during the off season or while away on vacation.
Final point
Anabolic steroid use is common among women. Even though women are new to the body building scene they do know what it takes to build a body faster. There are some researchers who now indicate that women should abstain from use of anabolic steroids. Proper exercise and nutrition should be encouraged because the long term mental problems lead to disturbances in lifestyle.
Overall, most women who have taken steroids in the past now claim that the use of anabolic steroids never enhanced their competitive potential, but made a big difference in their sexuality.
Unlike men, women take anabolic steroids for several reasons. Some women have a body dysmorphic disorder- meaning they look at themselves in the mirror and are unhappy at what they see. Other women who take anabolic steroid to get bigger and stronger so that they can protect themselves. Others take the steroids to become competitive in sports.
Steroid abuse
The exact data on steroid abuse in women are unknown; every now and then a female athlete is caught with steroids in the body. Because of stringent screening criteria, the numbers of users are down but by no means eliminated. Many women take these steroids during the off season or while away on vacation.
Final point
Anabolic steroid use is common among women. Even though women are new to the body building scene they do know what it takes to build a body faster. There are some researchers who now indicate that women should abstain from use of anabolic steroids. Proper exercise and nutrition should be encouraged because the long term mental problems lead to disturbances in lifestyle.
Overall, most women who have taken steroids in the past now claim that the use of anabolic steroids never enhanced their competitive potential, but made a big difference in their sexuality.
Women and Anabolic Steroids Part 4
Dose
Unlike men, the amount of anabolic steroid required to build the body is significantly much less in women. Women also tend to build the body faster then men. The key for all women who take anabolic steroids is to start low. The low doses mean fewer chances of side effects and minimal complications.
Side effects
Like all drugs, side effects also occur with anabolic steroids. The most common side effects seen in women who take these drugs include the following:
- loss of body contour and outline
- diminished growth of breast
- male characteristics-virilization
- hoarseness
- excessive hair growth
- coarse dry skin
- acne
- enlarged clitoris
- Mental- depression, anxiety, anger, mood swings, psychotic episodes
- Apathy
- Loss of appetite
- Roid age
- Confusion
- Difficulty in relationships
- Increased LDL
- Hypertension
- Amenorrhea
- Water retention
- Liver and kidney disease
- Osteoporosis
These side effects do not occur in all women nor do they all occur at the same time. Estimates indicate that about 1-5% of women suffer from some type of side effect. However, with long term use, a high proportion of women do develop mental issues which often never reverse. When the drugs are discontinued, unfortunately, not all the side effects are reversible.
Unlike men, the amount of anabolic steroid required to build the body is significantly much less in women. Women also tend to build the body faster then men. The key for all women who take anabolic steroids is to start low. The low doses mean fewer chances of side effects and minimal complications.
Side effects
Like all drugs, side effects also occur with anabolic steroids. The most common side effects seen in women who take these drugs include the following:
- loss of body contour and outline
- diminished growth of breast
- male characteristics-virilization
- hoarseness
- excessive hair growth
- coarse dry skin
- acne
- enlarged clitoris
- Mental- depression, anxiety, anger, mood swings, psychotic episodes
- Apathy
- Loss of appetite
- Roid age
- Confusion
- Difficulty in relationships
- Increased LDL
- Hypertension
- Amenorrhea
- Water retention
- Liver and kidney disease
- Osteoporosis
These side effects do not occur in all women nor do they all occur at the same time. Estimates indicate that about 1-5% of women suffer from some type of side effect. However, with long term use, a high proportion of women do develop mental issues which often never reverse. When the drugs are discontinued, unfortunately, not all the side effects are reversible.
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