Apr 26, 2008

Functions of Vitamin A

Vitamin A plays a role in a variety of functions throughout the body, such as:

* Vision
* Gene Transcription
* Immune Function
* Embryonic Development and Reproduction
* Bone Metabolism
* Hematopoiesis
* Skin Health
* Reducing Risk of Heart Disease and Cancer
* Antioxidant Activity

Apr 19, 2008

Types of Crunches

  • The reverse crunch or dragon flag (popularized by Bruce Lee and also Sylvester Stallone in his movie Rocky 4). Begin lying horizontal on a bench. The arms are used to hold the underside of the bench to anchor the shoulders to it to prevent rolling forward. The rest of the body inferior to the scapulae is then pulled from the bench. Beginning with legs flexed, the legs can be extended slowly to increase the difficulty of the movement (and tension on the core muscles) due to moving the weight further from the levers. Throughout the movement the legs and hips are meant to remain locked while movement occurs in the abdominal region.
  • The twisting crunch is performed by lifting one shoulder at a time. More emphasis is placed on the obliques.
  • The Thai Crunch is performed by hitting the stomach after full contraction. This variation is used by Muay Thai fighters to condition the core to take hits from punches or knees.
  • The cable crunch is performed while kneeling upright by curling the body to pull down on a cable machine. The hips are kept motionless, so the bodyweight does not assist the movement.
  • The bicycle crunch is performed by bringing together alternating elbows and knees, resulting in a leg motion similar to pedaling a bicycle.

Apr 14, 2008

Efficient Swimming


Six-Time Ironman Champion Dave Scott demonstrates several techniques to help ensure you're getting the most from your swim strokes. Active.com is the leading online community for people who want to discover, learn about, share, register for and ultimately participate in activities about which they are passionate. Check us out here at http://www.active.com/

Apr 13, 2008

Advanced Pilates & Calisthenics Workout

Calisthenics: jumping jacks

Carnitine

Carnitine, also known as L-carnitine, is a compound biosynthesized from the amino acids lysine and methionine.It helps in the consumption and disposal of fat in the body because it is responsible for the transport of fatty acids.

The highest concentrations of carnitine are found in red meat and dairy products. Other natural sources of carnitine include nuts and seeds (e.g. pumpkin, sunflower, sesame), legumes or pulses (beans, peas, lentils, peanuts), vegetables (artichokes, asparagus, beet greens, broccoli, brussels sprouts, collard greens, garlic, mustard greens, okra, parsley), fruits (apricots, bananas), cereals (buckwheat, corn, millet, oatmeal, rice bran, rye, whole wheat, wheat bran, wheat germ) and other 'health' foods (bee pollen, brewer's yeast, carob, and kale).


Wikipedia

Apr 10, 2008

Glutes of Steel



Here are 5 exercises that will get your legs not only stronger and more powerful but fit and toned for your favourite pair of shorts or skirt.

Whether you're an athlete, casual exerciser, or looking to shape and tone your legs then this workout will be your best friend.

For more great stuff be sure to see what everyone's talking about at:

http://www.YuriElkaim.com

Apr 9, 2008

Sharpen Your Shoulders


Shaping your shoulders and giving your upper body that subtle award winning detail takes more than just a pair of cannon ball delts. It takes a precise and comprehensive shoulder routine, one that stimulates the anterior, medial and posterior delts. This video demonstrates a great shoulder burn that can be included into your present routine that will help finish your shoulders off to perfection

Fly workout

Apr 7, 2008

Ab Workout


The perfect ab workout to strengthen your abdominals and your lower back in only three to five minutes a day. The single arm ab tightener is the ultimate exercise for shaping and scultping your mid section. The body-Wheels total body workout will tone sculpt and shape your entire body to give you that lean and chisled physical apperance. 3-5 mins a day is all you need to acheive that perfect body by Body-Wheels.

Apr 3, 2008

Whey Protein


Whey protein is the name for a collection of globular proteins that can be isolated from whey, a by-product of cheese manufactured from cow's milk. It is typically a mixture of beta-lactoglobulin (~65%), alpha-lactalbumin (~25%), and serum albumin (~8%), which are soluble in their native forms, independent of pH. Whey has the highest Biological Value (BV) of any known protein.

Whey protein typically comes in three major forms: concentrate, isolate and hydrolysate. Whey protein concentrates contain a low level of fat and cholesterol but generally have higher levels of bioactive compounds, and carbohydrates in the form of lactose — they are 29%-89% protein by weight. Isolates are processed to remove the fat, and lactose, but are usually lower in bioactive compounds as well — they are 90%+ protein by weight. Both of these types are mild to slightly milky in taste. Hydrolysates are predigested, partially hydrolyzed whey proteins which consequently are more easily absorbed, but their cost is generally higher.

Wikipedia

Apr 2, 2008

Fit Lad of the Day

Glutathione

Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide. It contains an unusual peptide linkage between the amine group of cysteine and the carboxyl group of the glutamate side chain. Glutathione, an antioxidant, protects cells from toxins such as free radicals.

Supplementing has been difficult, as research suggests that glutathione taken orally is not well absorbed across the GI tract. In a study of acute oral administration of a very large dose (3 grams) of oral glutathione, Witschi and coworkers found that "it is not possible to increase circulating glutathione to a clinically beneficial extent by the oral administration of a single dose of 3 g of glutathione."

However, tissue and serum glutathione concentrations can be raised by increased intake of the precursor cysteine. Glutathione precursors rich in cysteine include Acetylcysteine undenatured whey protein and N-acetyl-cysteine


Wikipedia