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Written by Dave Palumbo
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Tuesday, 03 February 2004 |
I have a problem. I want to compete, but I am not willing to go to the
extremes that are sometimes needed to be competitive in a non-tested
bodybuilding competition. I wanted to compete in some of the "natural"
shows, but they ban everything (even over-the-counter supplements) and some have a 10-year or lifetime drug-free policy (the shows are polygraph tested). How can I compete in these natural shows and beat that polygraph test?My gut response to your question is: I think you are suffering from an extreme case of insecurity. On one hand, you won’t do a “regular” bodybuilding contest because you “believe” everyone in the show is taking astronomical amounts of drugs. However, on the other hand, you won’t do a “natural” competition, either, because you still want to use some kind of training “aid.” I suggest using whatever supplements you are comfortable taking, and competing in a regular, local level bodybuilding competition where you are essentially competing against “yourself” (and you do not have to worry about anyone “testing” you). However, if you do decide to compete in a polygraph-tested bodybuilding competition, the easiest way to pass the “test” is to take five to 10 milligrams of valium 60 minutes prior to the test. The muscle-relaxing effects of the valium will enable you to say just about anything you want and not set off the machine.
I know the average person can have up to one gram of protein pass through their urine in a 24-hour period. What is an acceptable amount for a 250-pound bodybuilder?
Exercise-induced proteinuria is a condition whereby protein molecules "leak" through the kidney's filtration apparatus in response to intense exercise. Under normal conditions, most protein molecules that are filtered through the kidney tubules are reabsorbed back into the bloodstream; therefore, upon testing, no protein should be present in the urine. In highly trained athletes (in addition to hard-training individuals) it has been observed that a high protein diet, combined with intense training, can result in protein losses in the urine. This medically documented phenomenon (exercise-induced proteinuria) is considered completely “normal” unless, of course, other symptoms of poor health arise (which could indicate that some other medical abnormality may be present).
I was wondering what your take on milk is? I noticed that a gallon of skim milk contains about 120 grams of protein and, as we all know, milk is cheap. Are there any side effects of excessive calcium intake? Arnold Schwarzenegger said it best in the movie “Pumping Iron” when asked whether or not he drinks milk: "Milk is for babies!" Because of the high lactose content in milk (this includes low-fat and skim milk, as well), it is virtually impossible to digest large quantities of it. As humans grow older, we seem to lose the ability to synthesize the enzyme, lactase, which is ultimately responsible for digesting lactose (or milk sugar). If the body cannot digest the lactose, it winds up fermenting it (using the naturally occurring bacteria Flora in the intestinal tract). The ultimate result of lactose fermentation is abdominal cramping and “smelly” gas production (not something I, personally, look forward to on a regular basis). My advice to you is to take advantage of all the technological breakthroughs that have occurred in the last several years and go out and buy yourself a good quality whey protein. My recommendations are to purchase whey proteins that combine high-quality whey concentrates with whey isolates. Also, make sure these whey proteins are prepared under cold (not acid-washed) filtration conditions.
Dave, what is the deal with IGF-1? Can you provide me with acomprehensive understanding of what it does and how much to take?IGF-1, as the name implies, is an extremely anabolic hormone that has insulin-like actions (i.e., it shuttles nutrients, specifically Amino Acids and glucose, into the muscle cells where they can then be synthesized into new muscle tissue). When bodybuilders take growth hormone injections, they are not injecting a pure growth stimulus— they are taking a stimulating or releasing factor. It is for this very reason that high dosing of GH is not necessarily going to result in more growth. Growth is limited by the amount of IGF-1 the liver can produce in response to any given dosage of GH.IGF-1 has been synthetically synthesized (using similar technology to that used to make GH) to circumvent the shortcomings that are associated with GH-mediated IGF-1 production in the liver. If we try to maximize the output of IGF-1 in order to further increase muscle mass, it becomes much easier to just administer IGF-1 directly. In pursuit of this goal, scientists began to study the physiology and pharmacology of the hormone IGF-1. What they found was that IGF-1 circulates in the bloodstream (99 percent) bound to specific binding proteins. It is the remaining unbound or free (one percent) of the IGF-1 that actually causes the anticipated muscle cell hyperplasia. (The bound 99 percent is essentially wasted). In order to combat this phenomenon of the binding proteins “stealing” our precious IGF-1, scientists have chemically altered the original IGF-1 molecule and have added chemically bound side chains, thus creating a new hormone known as LONG R3 IGF-1. (The LONG R3 refers to the three long side chains that have been added to the original molecule). These large, space-occupying, side chains are attached to the IGF-1 molecule prevent these blood-borne binding proteins (BP’s) from “snatching” up and inactivating the IGF-1For the last several years, most bodybuilders were privy enough to get their hands on synthetically produced IGF-1 have been using the Long R3 IGF-1 variety thinking it will last longer in the body (12 hours as opposed to 20 minutes). Also, that more of it will be available (unbound) to help build and repair muscle. The theory is essentially correct, however, what bodybuilders started noticing after extended usage of Long R3 IGF-1 was that it stopped working as effectively after about four weeks. I began to keep notes and I worked out a system by which bodybuilders would inject Long R3 IGF-1 [about 10-20mcg (micrograms)] within 15 minutes following a workout so the IGF-1 could circulate and locate these newly produced IGF-1 receptors on the damaged muscle cell membranes. (These new receptors appear as a direct result of damage induced by intense weight training and muscular trauma). It is at these damaged cells that the body increases the number of IGF-1 receptors so it can “signal” where the muscle repairs must be performed. (This is why muscle cells grow, preferentially, and not bone tissue or internal organs, as rumored). However, as the dosage of IGF-1 increases above the suggested 10-20mcg per day, the IGF-1 muscle cell receptors become saturated and now all this excess IGF-1 goes straight to the highest naturally occurring concentration of IGF-1 receptors— the extremities (i.e., feet, hands and facial bones). Thereby, side effects such as shoe and hand size increases and facial bone thickening can occur. Additionally, high Long R3 IGF-1 dosing will lead to decreases in muscle cell IGF-1 receptors, thus diminishing the results seen with Long R3 IGF-1 usage over time. In summation, empirical evidence has shown that 10-20mcg per day of Long R3 IGF-1 causes significant muscle cell hyperplasia and will continue to do so extremely effectively for approximately 30 days. Even with conservative amounts of Long R3 IGF-1, the hormone still stops functioning after a period of time. Therefore, I usually suggest that bodybuilders take a two- to four-week “holiday” off the Long R3 IGF-1 after every 30-day course of administration.
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