Best Muscle Building Supplements, Glutamine

By Ricardo d Argence

Chances are if you are into any type of work out program or you belong to a gym, then you have most likely heard about Glutamine.

You think just because you heard the name of this product before that you now know and what it does and all about it, but you don't. Look below to find out what Glutamine is all about and how it can be beneficial to you.

Glutamine is actually defined as an amino acid occuring in many plant and animal tissues, as well as being a building block for proteins. Manufactures produce this commercially for both biochemical research and medicinal purposes.

What people like the best of Glutamine is that is it an effective brain fuel. Some doctors have used it to treat alcoholism and depression. It is also used for nutrition therapy, as it is an amino acid.

Many people trying to drop a few pounds really like Glutamine as it helps to reduce cravings for sweets. It is also known that Glutamine is very important part in building up muscles and how your metabolism works.

Most body builders like to take around 8 to 17 milligrams of Glutamine per day to maintain their muscle mass. This should be divided up in approximately 3 doses. One of the great things about taking this supplement is that there really are no side effects. Some people have reported getting an upset stomach if they take too much but other than that, there really are no side effects.

There are a lot of people who use Glutamine, but bodybuilders are on the top of the list because it helps to reduce the amount of muscle deterioration, of all the people who use Glutamine.

When body builders work out the put their muscles under a great deal of stress and by taking Glutamine, they can help to replace the amount of Glutamine that they use that is stored up in their muscles. This will help to keep their muscles from breaking down. It really helps a great deal to supplement the Glutamine so that they do not use too much of the Glutamine that is stored in their muscles.

If you are into bodybuilding then supplementing with Glutamine may be something that you will want to look into. As with any type of supplement, you will want to check with your doctor before starting use of it. You want to be sure that you are doing what is right for your body. You want to be sure that this supplement will not affect any current medications that you are taking or any conditions that you may have.

If you decide to supplement with any type of body building nutrient, then Glutamine is the way you should go. It has little to no side effects and it can have great benefits for your body. - 17274

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Lose the Flab in 2009: Some Fitness Training Tips

By Paul Simons

Any physical trainer will tell you to perform some stretching exercises before you start any form of fitness training to prevent possible injury. However, there are a number of preventative practices that you should carry out as a matter of necessity if you are going to pursue any type of physical activity. To increase your flexibility and to avoid injuries, stretch before and after workout. Ok, so none of what I have said so far is a secret but you would be amazed how many people do not do it. Were you aware that you should also continue this stretching at the end of a workout as the muscles are warm and more flexible?

While holding a position for a mere twenty seconds is enough for a warm, to really get the benefit when you have completed your workout you need to hold that position for a good minute. Do not go into a stretching position then immediately return to the relaxed position; and, do it repeatedly which is more appropriately termed bouncing while in a position. The way to do this is to maintain the position of a few seconds and then return because it is possible to either strain or pull muscles or joints if you return to the starting position too quickly. If you work the exercises in stages it will be easier and build up to the hardest stretches as you warm-up, this will also ensure all your muscles receive equal attention.

A commonly forgotten area of the body to warm up, and one that is easy to injure, is the neck so make sure that the neck is warmed up by applying pressure to the head at the front, back and sides using pressure from the palm of your hand. Stretch regularly before fitness training to continually increase your range of movements and your level of flexibility and strength. Never try to compete with the abilities of others as this is a sure way to injure yourself; even if not at the time, you will almost certainly feel it later when you body has cooled down. There is no set standard you have to achieve each time you attend the gym, just work to your abilities each time, you will know when it does not feel right to continue so listen to your body as no-one is at their peak every time they workout.

Fitness training everyday can be punishing for the muscles and does not allow them to heal and grow so try to leave a day between workouts. Aerobic exercises are very good for the health of your heart and improve lung capacity and lower the heart rate; look to carry out rowing, running, skipping for example before you start attacking the weight machines. Many people find music good for exercise, especially something with a regular beat that can be worked to; of course mp3 players are ideal for this. Although you will need your headphones as not everyone will necessarily appreciate you taste in music. Stretching your body is a form of exercise in itself and a pleasant way to relax at the end of a hard day so it is worth doing regularly even if you do not want to workout. - 17274

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A Quick Look at Today's Essential Oil Distillation Techniques

By Teresa Lewis

With the new labels of CO2 and SCO2 next to the traditional steam and hydro-distillations, solvent-extracted absolutes, and cold-pressed, a little education for the aromatherapy enthusiast is in order. Does one produce a nicer smelling oil, or one with more therapeutic value? Is one process better than another? Essential oil production, similar to the making of fine wines, is an art form as well as a science. The value of each process depends greatly on the experience and care of the distiller. Each method is important, and has it's place in the making of aromatherapy-grade essential oils.

Steam and Hydro Distillation Production

Steam distillation, the most common method of essential oil production, involves the flow of steam into a chamber holding the raw plant material (Hydro-distillation uses boiling water directly). The steam causes small sacs containing essential oil to burst. The oil is then carried by the steam out of the chamber and into a chilled condenser, where the steam once again becomes water. The oil and water are then separated - the water, or'hydrosol', is often retained for it's own therapeutic properties.

A number of factors determine the final quality of a steam distilled essential oil. Aside from the plant material itself, most important are time, temperature and pressure, and the quality of the distillation equipment. Essential oils are very complex products; each is made up of many, sometimes hundreds, of distinct molecules which come together to form the oil's aroma and therapeutic properties. Some of these molecules are fairly delicate structures which can be altered or destroyed by adverse environmental conditions. So, much like a fine meal is more flavorful when made with patience, most oils benefit from a long, slow 'cooking' process.

The temperature of the extraction chamber should be maintained within a reasonable range, lest some components of the oil be altered or destroyed. This also applies to the chamber pressure. The essential oil of Lavender flowers, for example, should not be processed at over 245 degrees and three pounds per square inch. Tougher conditions will result in a harsh scent - more chemical than floral.

High temperatures and pressures are often used to produces large quantities of oil in a short period of time. The oils are often destined for use in cosmetic and food products, but can sold as essential oils for use in aromatherapy. These oils will be less expensive, though they are of limited therapeutic value.

What are Absolutes?

Some plants, and particularly flowers, do not lend themselves to steam distilling. They are too delicate, or their fragrance and therapeutic essences cannot be completely released by water alone. These oils will be produced as 'absolutes' - and while not technically considered essential oils they can still be of therapeutic value. Jasmine oil and Rose oil in particular are delicate flowers who's oils are often found in 'absolute' form. Jasmine oil, in fact, is only found as an absolute, whereas rose is available in both an 'otto' (an expensive steam distilled form) and an absolute.

Making an absolute is a two-step process - the first involves the hydrocarbon solvent extraction of a 'concrete' from the plant material, a semi-solid mixture of typically 50% wax and 50% volatile oil. This concrete is again processed using alcohol of the type found in beer, wine, etc., in which the wax does not dissolve. The volatile plant oil separates into the alcohol and this mixture is removed. The alcohol is then evaporated and the result is an almost pure plant extract - depending on the care taken in the evaporation process, only minute quatities of ethyl alcohol should remain. The use of solvents in the extraction process notwithstanding, absolutes can have incredibly deep and complex aromas.

CO2's and SCO2's - Using Carbon Dioxide as a Solvent

And now for the most modern methods, Carbon Dioxide and Supercritical Carbon Dioxide extraction. Both methods involve the use of carbon dioxide as the 'solvent' which carries the essential oil away from the raw plant material. The lower pressure CO2 extraction involves chilling carbon dioxide to between 35 and 55 degrees F, and pumping it through the plant material at about 1000 psi. The carbon dioxide in this condition is condensed to a liquid. Supercritical CO2 extraction (SCO2) involves carbon dioxide heated to 87 degrees F and pumped through the plant material at around 8,000 psi - under these conditions, the carbon dioxide is likened to a 'dense fog' or vapor. With release of the pressure in either process, the carbon dioxide escapes in its gaseous form, leaving the essential oil behind.

Carbon dioxide methods have significant advantages. There are no solvent residues left behind, and the resultant product is perfectly pure. There is no heat applied to the plant material or essential oil to alter it in any way. The oil produced is very accurate with respect to the original state of the plant. The CO2 methods also are the most efficient, producing the most oil per amount of plant (one of the reasons for the high cost of essential oils is the low yield of oil from most plants - one ton of Rose petals produces less than 1 pound of oil, for example). The efficiency of CO2 extraction is particularly important when rare species are involved, such as Indian Sandalwood - less of the plant is needed to produce an equivalent amount of oil.

The Simple Cold Press

Cold pressing from the rinds of citrus fruit proudces oils such as Bergamot, Sweet Orange, Lemon, Lime, and the like. This involves the simple pressing of the peels at about 120 degrees. Little, if any, alteration from the oil's original makup occurs - these oils retain their bright and uplifting aromas, like that of smelling a wonderfully ripe fruit.

Is there a Best Method?

CO2's, with some obvious advantages, are not always the best choice for a particular need. They still are the most expensive, despite their higher yields. The resultant product differs slightly compared to one produced another way - the oils produced by steam distillation of some plants may sometimes be found to have a more agreeable aroma. Patchouli oil, for example, seems to benefit from the steam distillation process by becoming a little warmer and richer. Many other essential oils are quite effectively produced via steam distillation, with little alteration from the original plant state. Oils from other plant species do seem more 'complete' with CO2 processing, with Frankincense oil and most of the 'spice' oils being good examples where a little something special is present in the aroma. This likely translates to greater therapeautic properties.

Producing essential oils of aromatherapeutic grade is skill requiring years of experience. It takes the work of a dedicated artesian at every step, from growing and harvesting to fine-tuning the distillation process, to produce a truly fine oil. The making of a fine essential oil relies far more on knowledge and experience than it does on the particular extraction method. There are, however, legitimate reasons to select one distillation method over another - some plants simply require a particular process to produce a fine oil, and the oil needed for a particular application may only be made by one process. In the end, as is often the case in aromatherapy, your own sense of smell can tell you which oil will work best for you. - 17274

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For more resources on how to use essential oils and aromatherapy, visit the Ananda Apothecary.