Nutritional Ketosis vs Diabetic Ketoacidosis

There seems to still be confusion about Ketosis and I think the problem is the name. The automatic assumption, for some people, is that nutritional ketosis and ketoacidosis is the same thing. Where ketoacidosis can kill you, nutritional ketosis mobilizes fat cells so your liver can produce ketones. Your body then uses ketones as an energy source.

"Ketosis is a normal metabolic process, something your body does to keep working. When it doesn't have enough carbohydrates from food for your cells to burn for energy, it burns fat instead. As part of this process, it makes ketones." - WebMD 

"Ketoacidosis is what happens when ketosis goes too far. Ketones build up in your blood, and it becomes acidic. Ketoacidosis can cause a coma or death. People with diabetes can get ketoacidosis, or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), when they don't take enough insulin. They can also get DKA when they're sick or injured, or they don't get enough fluids and become dehydrated." - WebMD 

"Some people without diabetes can get ketoacidosis, too. It's caused by alcoholism, starvation, or an overactive thyroid. A healthy low-carb diet shouldn't cause a problem."  - WebMD

So who should probably avoid Ketogenic diets?:
Pregnant Women
Diabetics
People with Kidney issues

What is your experience with ketogenic diets? 

Also, let us know what great websites or videos that you know of that has more information about ketosis and ketoacidosis.

Blood flow restriction training

Ever since I started weight training again, I have been watching lots of Youtube videos about weight training (such as Arnold Schwarzenegger's blueprint training or the Hodge twins). Mostly to keep focused and maybe learn something new. Eventually, I came across the term: Blood flow restriction training.

Blood flow restriction training or BFR or Occlusion training or KAATSU Training is working out and using an elastic band to restrict blood flow. So if you are doing curls, you would tie the band above the biceps. It was originally used for physical therapy because it allows you to have muscle gains by using light weight.

30 rep set
15 rep set (2x's or 4x's)
with 30 seconds to a minute rest between sets

What is your experience with Blood flow restriction training? 

Also, let us know what great websites or videos that you know of that has more information about Blood flow restriction training.

Snake Oil - What supplements are worth it

One of my favorite websites for keeping up-to-date on supplement research is http://informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/snake-oil

It gives you a visual of trending supplement research.

Research: Stephanie Smith, Miriam Quick 
Sources: PubMed, Cochrane.org, Examine.com

RCTs and population studies. Metastudies & large trials used where possible.

NAC eye drops can help improve your eyesight

Summary: NAC eye drops can help improve your eyesight.

"During early experiments performed at the Moscow Helmholtz Research Institute for Eye Diseases, it was shown that NAC (1% concentration), was able to pass from the cornea to the aqueous humour after about 15 to 30 minutes.
It is believed that NAC is deacetylated (loses its acetyl group) and transforms into carnosine, which then acts as an antioxidant and against glycation. In another study NAC was reported as effective in improving vision in cataract patients and reduced the appearance of cataract. The authors called this ‘a snow melting effect’ referring to the slow reduction of the cataractous tissues in the lens following the use of NAC eye drops. Transparency of the lens improved after using NAC eye drops at a concentration of 1% twice a day for four months. These results were relevant to all forms of cataract, mild or severe, although other studies found the most beneficial effect was in relation to early forms of cataract. This was a landmark study which caused many commercial operators to manufacture their own brands of anti-cataract NAC eye drops." - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetylcarnosine

 

Additional:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12001824

March is Caffeine Awareness Month

"Tea and coffee are an essential part of life for many of us. In fact, the breakfast cup of coffee and mid-morning tea break are so deeply embedded in our daily routine, that they have become automatic and unquestioned cornerstones of the day. This means that it can be difficult to envisage alternatives or doing away with them altogether.

This is the context for Caffeine Awareness Month. With its roots in the campaigning work of the US not-for-profit sector, Caffeine Awareness Month presents an opportunity to be mindful of the amount of caffeine we are drinking and to be educated about the potential advantages of substitutes.

Use Caffeine Awareness Month to try swapping your morning espresso for a fruit smoothie or mint tea. Or perhaps instead experiment with the introduction of a morning run or workout to invigorate your day. It may be an opportunity to discover that a daily caffeine hit may not be as indispensable as you originally thought."

- https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/caffeine-awareness-month/

5 Minute Rule - for procrastinators

If you are having an issue with getting started on a task that may be overwhelming, you may be able to apply the 5 minute rule.

Simply put: Work on it for five minutes. lol.

For instance: If you have a sink full of dishes that would take forever to clean, will yourself to wash them for 5 minutes. Even if you don't complete the entire sink full, at least you make a dent.

Now, what usually happens though: Once you get started washing the dishes for 5 minutes, it becomes easier to continue (because your hands are already wet after-all). So, don't be surprised if you end up completing the job (even if it takes longer than the 5 minutes).

Serrapeptase - Silkworm enzyme

Serrapeptase is an enzyme that is used to breakdown scar tissue, blood clots, cysts.



According to the Serrapeptase Research Organization, "the great thing about Serrapeptase is that you can't overdose. The great thing about taking a strong product with a large dose is that you will get results and it's easier to work your way down as opposed to not taking enough and thinking that the product doesn't work."

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1115-serrapeptase.aspx?activeingredientid=1115