Showing posts with label low. Show all posts
Showing posts with label low. Show all posts
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Low BP Symptoms Causes and Treatment Home Remedies
Low BP

Low BP (Blood Pressure) is a condition in which pressure of blood on the walls of arteries is lower due to some reason. There may be several reason behind this condition. Here we will discuss the symptoms, causes and some home remedies (treatment) for Low BP. If you feel the symptoms of low BP then you should immediately get it checked and get its treatment.
How much BP is considered Low ?
There are two readings taken while measuring the BP. First is called Systolic, which means the pressure on arteries when heart pumps the blood. Second is Diastolic, which is pressure on arteries while heart relaxes. The normal BP is 120 / 80 for an average human being. Here 120 is Systolic and 80 is Diastolic. If it goes below 90 / 60 then its consider as Low BP. Even if any one of the reading goes below the mentioned limit then its considered as Low BP. For example if the BP is measured 115 / 50 then it is Low BP.
Low BP Symptoms
Low BP symptoms are usually easily visible but we take them as usual tiredness and need to rest. Low BP symptoms are listed below, and if you notice them then either get it checked or measure your BP using a electronic BP Monitor. Here are some Low BP Symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Lack of concentration
- Fainting (syncope)
- Cold, clammy, pale skin
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Rapid, shallow breathing
Low BP Causes
Low BP can be caused due to some medical conditions and some medications as well. We will mention both of these.
Here are some medical conditions that can cause Low BP:
- Pregnancy: The expansion of circulatory system of mother due to presence of baby causes the BP to drop. It becomes normal after giving birth.
- Heart problems: Heart Attack, heart valve problems and some other heart problems can lower the BP.
- Endocrine problems: Some Thyroid conditions, adrenal insufficiency (Addisons disease), low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and diabetes can cause Low BP.
- Dehydration: During Dehydration your body loses more water than it takes in. Even the water in the Blood is reduced leading to lower blood volume which leads to lower BP. It is called hypovolemic shock which can even cause death.
- Septic Shock: When an infection in body enters the blood stream (called Septicemia) then it can lower the BP to a life-threatening level called Septic Shock.
- Severe Allergic Reaction: Anaphylaxis ( a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction) can cause breathing problems, hives, itching, a swollen throat and a drop in blood pressure.
- Lack of nutrients in your diet: A lack of the vitamins B-12 and folate can cause decrease in umber of red blood cells resulting in anemia and causing Low BP.
Some medications can also cause Low BP, so its better to keep checking you blood pressure if you are using any of these types of medication:
- Diuretics (water pills)
- Alpha and Beta blockers
- Some Drugs for Parkinsons disease
- Some antidepressants
Type of Low BP
Low BP is also called Hypotension. There are various types of Low BP which are described below. These types may also help you understand Low BP.
- Orthostatic or Postural Hypotension: Low BP on standing up from a lying position. It causes dizziness and blurred vision. Its due to lack of blood supply to brain as more blood flows towards legs due to gravity.
- Postprandial Hypotension: It is Low BP after eating. Higher amount of blood flows towards digestive system after eating. Usually heart rate increases after eating, but it doesnt in people suffering from Postprandial Hypotension.
- Multiple System Atrophy with Orthostatic Hypotension: It is Low BP due to nervous system damage.
Low BP Home Remedies
These home remedies can work if you are not a severe patient of Low BP. You may try it, but if you facing Low BP problem again and again then its better to consult a doctor and get it diagnosed.
Here are a few home remedies for Low BP:
- Salt Water: Sodium in Salt increases the BP.
- Coffee: Its a temporary treatment of Low BP but dont become habitual of it as there are some side effects of caffeine.
- Raisins: Its an Ayurvedic treatment. Soak 30 to 40 Raisins in water overnight and take them in morning one by one. You may also drink the water in which raisins were soaked.
- Holy Basil: Holy Basil contain Vitamin C, Magnesium, Potassium, and Pantothenic Acid which are benefitial for Low BP patients. It also reduces stress and calms the mind.
- Licorice root: If your low BP is caused due to low level of Cortisol then Licorice Root can benefit you. You can prepare Licorice root tea by boiling one teaspoon of Licorice root (dried or powdered) in a cup water for five minutes.
- Almonds: Soak five almonds in water overnight, peel off them in morning. Make a paste of them and then boil it with a cup milk. Drink one-cup every day.
- Carrot Juice: Drinking one glass of carrot juice with two teaspoons of honey twice daily can improve your Low BP.
Friday, March 13, 2015
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25 Deliciously Healthy Low Carb Recipes from June 2014 Gluten Free South Beach Paleo Whole 30
Twenty-five deliciously healthy low-carb recipes from June 2014, from Kalyn's Kitchen and my favorite blogs.

It's the first day of a brand new month, and since March 2008 I've been starting each month with a round-up of South Beach Diet Phase One Recipes found on Kalyn's Kitchen or spotted on other blogs. It's been a fun way to feature healthy recipes from my favorite blogs, but six years later I now have readers who follow many different types of low-carb eating plans and the South-Beach only focus was feeling restrictive. That's why I announced last month that I'd decided to change it up a bit. So what has changed, and what's staying the same?
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Chile Rellenos Bake Recipe Low Carb Gluten Free Vegetarian
Chili Rellenos Bake is a healthier and easier-to-make version of Chili Rellenos. And just as delicious!

This recipe for Chili Rellenos Bake is a healthier and easier-to-make version of Chile Rellenos, a well-known Mexican dish of stuffed, battered and deep-fried green chiles filled with cheese. The recipe came from my former neighbor Brooke, who shared it with me after I tasted her version at a neighborhood block party. I changed the recipe slightly to make it a bit more South Beach Diet friendly, but essentially this idea of layered green chiles and cheese held together with a little egg came from Brooke's recipe. (Thanks Brooke!)
This vegetarian cheesy treat is my post this week for Meatless Monday, and if you're looking for something easy but knock-your-socks-off delicious for holiday visitors, this is sure to be a hit. I've enjoyed this many times for a breakfast dish, but you can also cut it into small squares and serve with toothpicks for a holiday appetizer.
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Artichoke Kale and Ricotta Pie with Eggs and Parmesan Low Carb Gluten Free
This delicious Artichoke, Kale, and Ricotta Pie would make an elegant dish for any time of day.

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(For Phase One Fridays I feature Phase One Recipes from the past that have been my personal favorites, and this Artichoke, Kale, and Ricotta Pie is a dish that would be perfect for Easter brunch. I'd love this with any variety of kale to start out the day with a healthy dose of greens.)
How do you feel about kale? Truthfully it's something I hadn't eaten much until a few years ago when I started growing Red Russian Kale in my garden. That sweeter and less bitter red kale turned me into a kale convert, and for years I grew both Red Russian Kale and regular dark curly kale. Growing kale is so much fun; I loved snipping a few leaves off the kale and cooking with them. I tried this recipe when I also had half a container of ricotta in the fridge left from something yummy, and when I searched for recipes to use ricotta and kale, I found this interesting recipe for Artichoke, Kale, and Ricotta Pie from The Kitchn.
How do you feel about kale? Truthfully it's something I hadn't eaten much until a few years ago when I started growing Red Russian Kale in my garden. That sweeter and less bitter red kale turned me into a kale convert, and for years I grew both Red Russian Kale and regular dark curly kale. Growing kale is so much fun; I loved snipping a few leaves off the kale and cooking with them. I tried this recipe when I also had half a container of ricotta in the fridge left from something yummy, and when I searched for recipes to use ricotta and kale, I found this interesting recipe for Artichoke, Kale, and Ricotta Pie from The Kitchn.
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Thursday, March 12, 2015
Green Chile Turkey Taco Salad with Peppers and Avocado Paleo Low Carb Gluten Free
This Green Chile Turkey Taco Salad with Peppers and Avocado has a dressing that's seasoned with green chile salsa.

I'm a big fan of taco salad, so recently when my niece and cooking assistant Kara was doing the Whole 30 challenge, I thought it would be fun to come up with a taco salad that's Whole 30 approved. I also wanted a taco salad that didn't have beef, and this delicious Green Chile Turkey Taco Salad with Peppers and Avocado is the combination we came up with. Simmering the meat with green chile salsa and other seasonings, using a little of the same salsa to add flavor to the dressing, plus adding green and red bell peppers and finely chopped fresh Poblano chiles to the salad greens gives this salad a lot of savory chile flavor with just a little heat. Kara and I both loved the flavor of this turkey taco meat mixture; if you have family members who don't want salad it would be delicious inside tortillas for regular tacos as well.
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Baked Mini Frittata Recipe with Mushrooms Cottage Cheese and Feta Phase One Low Carb Gluten Free
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| Baked Mini-Frittatas with Mushrooms, Cottage Cheese, and Feta are great for Meatless Monday. |
I often make Egg Muffins, but this recipe for Baked Mini-Frittatas with Mushrooms, Cottage Cheese, and Feta is different, something I'd eat with a fork, maybe with a dollop of light sour cream. For the mini-frittatas I used Jumbo Muffin Cups, and the recipe has lots of mushrooms and cheese, for a baked egg dish that's a fairly dense in texture. I love starting the week out with Meatless Monday for so many reasons, and one of them is how it encourages simple meals when you've had a weekend that was slightly indulgent, and I'd love this for a meatless breakfast, lunch of dinner.
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Worlds Easiest Grilled Zucchini and Sausage Kabobs Low Carb Gluten Free
It just doesn't get much easier than these Grilled Zucchini and Sausage Kabobs!

(For Phase One Fridays I feature Phase One Recipes from the past that have been my personal favorites, and this recipe for World's Easiest Grilled Zucchini and Sausage Kabobs is something I've made over and over with beef, chicken, or turkey sausage.)
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(For Phase One Fridays I feature Phase One Recipes from the past that have been my personal favorites, and this recipe for World's Easiest Grilled Zucchini and Sausage Kabobs is something I've made over and over with beef, chicken, or turkey sausage.)
It's time to be breaking out the grill, and unless you're brand new to my blog, it's probably pretty obvious that I love grilling. But some nights you just want an easy dinner, so I hope you enjoy this updated recipe for kabobs that I've used many times with different types of sausage, and truly, these have to be the easiest kabobs in the world. There are a few ways you can do the kabobs, depending on how much time you want to invest, but even if you just stick the sausage and veggies on skewers, brush with Italian salad dressing, and grill, this is a pretty good tasting easy dinner.
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Slow Cooker Southwestern Beef Stew Recipe with Tomatoes Olives and Chiles Low Carb Paleo
This Slow Cooker Southwestern Beef Stew with Tomatoes, Olives, and Chiles can be perfect for anyone who's eating Paleo; just skip the sour cream!

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I have a couple of friends who have embraced the Paleo Diet, so I've been learning more about it. Happily, there's a lot of overlap between my South Beach Diet way of eating and Paleo, so it's not that much of a stretch for me to try to feature recipes occasionally that will work for my Paleo friends. What *can* be challenging is that everyone who does Paleo seems to have their own rules about what they can or can't eat! That's why when I redesigned my blog and added the new row of tabs to categorize the recipes by more diet types, I made a tab that says Can be Paleo. Under that tab you'll find recipes that most Paleo eaters will be able to enjoy, like this Slow Cooker Southwestern Beef Stew with Tomatoes, Olives, and Chiles. And even if you're not eating Paleo, I bet you'll still like this a lot if you like Southwestern flavors!
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Twice Baked Spaghetti Squash with Kale Feta and Mozzarella Low Carb Gluten Free Meatless
Twice-Baked Spaghetti Squash with Kale, Feta, and Mozzarella is delicious for a side dish or a Meatless main dish.

I don't have any kind of clever creative story about how I came up with this Twice-Baked Spaghetti Squash with Kale, Feta, and Mozzarella except for the fact that my local store had organic kale on sale for $.99 a bunch (!), and I went a little crazy buying kale. So then I had to start thinking of ways to use it, and I had a big spaghetti squash on the counter staring me in the face. Most definitely this is a riff on the Twice-Baked Spaghetti Squash with Pesto and Parmesan that's been so popular on the blog, but the generous amount of kale makes this feel like a more substantial dish, to me at least. I'd love this for a low-carb side dish but it would also be great for a meatless main dish.
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Fish Taco Cabbage Bowl Low Carb Gluten Free Can Be Paleo
Jake and I loved everything about these Fish Taco Cabbage Bowls!

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I have high standards about what recipes actually end up making an appearance on Kalyn's Kitchen, so if you see a recipe here you know I really enjoyed the dish. And then in that growing collection of recipes I enjoyed, occasionally something pops up that's a complete wow! These Fish Taco Cabbage Bowls were so delicious that when my nephew Jake and I tested the recipe, we both kept saying over and over how good they were.
The Fish Taco Cabbage Bowls are definitely an offspring of the Sriracha Beef Cabbage Bowls I made last year, also a wow for me. Obviously I love cabbage, so if you're not a cabbage fan this may not be for you. However, if you like fish tacos with slaw and spicy mayo dressing give this a try and I bet you'll love it just like I did for a quick and healthy dinner!
The Fish Taco Cabbage Bowls are definitely an offspring of the Sriracha Beef Cabbage Bowls I made last year, also a wow for me. Obviously I love cabbage, so if you're not a cabbage fan this may not be for you. However, if you like fish tacos with slaw and spicy mayo dressing give this a try and I bet you'll love it just like I did for a quick and healthy dinner!
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Recipe for Low Carb Baked Swedish Meatballs
Low-Carb and Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs, and they're baked instead of fried.

(For Phase One Fridays I highlight Phase One recipes from the past that have been my personal favorites, and these Low-Carb Baked Swedish Meatballs that I first made in 2007 are delicious and easy to make. This recipe could certainly use a photo update, so I think I need to make them again soon.)
Way back in my recipe archives I have a recipe for Swedish Meatballs in Paprika Gravy. (I kind of cringe when I see some of those very earliest recipes now, although they did taste pretty good.) Then in January 2007 I spotted the Oven-Baked Swedish Meatballs from Anne's Food. When I saw Anne's recipe, I realized I'd never tasted authentic Swedish Meatballs with seasonings like ginger, cardamom, and allspice. Since Anne is blogging from Sweden, I trust her on this recipe. I decided I had to try them, and despite the fact that they weren't terribly photogenic, what a great flavor with all those lovely spices. I loved this recipe, and the fact that they're baked instead of fried was a nice bonus.
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(For Phase One Fridays I highlight Phase One recipes from the past that have been my personal favorites, and these Low-Carb Baked Swedish Meatballs that I first made in 2007 are delicious and easy to make. This recipe could certainly use a photo update, so I think I need to make them again soon.)
Way back in my recipe archives I have a recipe for Swedish Meatballs in Paprika Gravy. (I kind of cringe when I see some of those very earliest recipes now, although they did taste pretty good.) Then in January 2007 I spotted the Oven-Baked Swedish Meatballs from Anne's Food. When I saw Anne's recipe, I realized I'd never tasted authentic Swedish Meatballs with seasonings like ginger, cardamom, and allspice. Since Anne is blogging from Sweden, I trust her on this recipe. I decided I had to try them, and despite the fact that they weren't terribly photogenic, what a great flavor with all those lovely spices. I loved this recipe, and the fact that they're baked instead of fried was a nice bonus.
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Spaghetti Squash Low Carb Taco Bowl Gluten Free Can be Paleo
Spaghetti Squash Low-Carb Taco Bowl has all the flavors that make you love beef tacos in a spaghetti squash bowl!

I seem to be on a little spaghetti squash binge at my house and if you haven't discovered the deliciousness of spaghetti squash yet, maybe this Spaghetti Squash Low-Carb Taco Bowl is going to be the recipe that gets you to try it! I know some people think of spaghetti squash as mostly being a low-carb substitute for pasta, but personally I put it in a class all its own, and I've enjoyed it in casseroles, sauteed with vegetables, in a gratin with chard, and in a twice-baked casserole with pesto, to name just a few.
The only hard thing about this recipe is cutting the raw squash apart before you season it and roast it. Some people like to microwave the squash for a few minutes to make it softer, but I just hack away at it with a big knife. I prefer roasting the squash for spaghetti squash bowls like this, because you can season the squash and the roasting process dries it out a little, but if you prefer you can cook the spaghetti squash in a slow cooker, cook it in the microwave, or cook it in a pressure cooker.
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Low Carb Stuffed Peppers with Turkey Italian Sausage Ground Beef and Mozzarella Phase One Gluten Free
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| These Stuffed Peppers with Turkey Italian Sausage, Ground Beef, and Mozzarella are great for Phase One |
(For Phase One Fridays I highlight Phase One recipes from the past that have been my personal favorites, and this recipe for Low Carb Stuffed Peppers with Turkey Italian Sausage, Ground Beef, and Mozzarella is something I love to make and freeze individually for quick meals later. This recipe was featured in January 2012 for a Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, and it's been a big hit ever since.)
If you watch the left sidebar where it shows the most visited recipes, you might have noticed that Stuffed Green Peppers with Brown Rice, Italian Sausage, and Parmesan are almost always there as one of the most-visited recipes. Who knew stuffed peppers were so popular? That recipe contains rice, but I also love this version of Phase One Stuffed Peppers and I recently made it again with Jake to update the photos. We each enjoyed one, and then I had leftovers with my brother Mark, who also thought they were great. This recipe makes six peppers, and this is the type of thing I'd make ahead and keep in the freezer to take for lunch when I was teaching school, so even if you're only cooking for one or two people I recommend making the whole recipe and freezing some.
If you watch the left sidebar where it shows the most visited recipes, you might have noticed that Stuffed Green Peppers with Brown Rice, Italian Sausage, and Parmesan are almost always there as one of the most-visited recipes. Who knew stuffed peppers were so popular? That recipe contains rice, but I also love this version of Phase One Stuffed Peppers and I recently made it again with Jake to update the photos. We each enjoyed one, and then I had leftovers with my brother Mark, who also thought they were great. This recipe makes six peppers, and this is the type of thing I'd make ahead and keep in the freezer to take for lunch when I was teaching school, so even if you're only cooking for one or two people I recommend making the whole recipe and freezing some.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
South Beach Diet Phase One Recipes Round Up for October 2013 Low Glycemic Recipes
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| Kalyn's favorite Phase One Recipes for October 2013 were Greek Salad Spaghetti Squash Bowl, Slow Cooker Chickpea Stew, Chicken Paprikash, and Turkey and Black Bean Mexican Cabbage Bowl. |
It's time for the monthly Round-Up of South Beach Diet Phase One Recipes that I've posted during the previous month or spotted on other food blogs. You can tell it's Fall by scrolling through these recipes; I spotted lots more soups and not many salads, and cauliflower seems to be Veggie of the Month for October. I doubt many people start a diet in November, so I hope it doesn't seem cruel to draw attention to Phase One when everyone's thinking about Thanksgiving Recipes. But in January when you're looking for food that's a bit lighter and lower in carbs, you might enjoy looking back through my Low-Glycemic Recipe Round-Ups like this one! (And for those who try to stick to a low-glycemic eating plan even during the holidays, more power to you! I do my best, but it's hard this time of year.)
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Recipe for Low Sugar Gluten Free Cranberry Apple Crisp
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| This festive Cranberry Apple Crisp is made with low-calorie natural sweeteners and it's gluten-free! |
Today's my birthday (and if you check that post you can tell it's kind of a significant one), so I'm skipping Meatless Monday this week and going straight to dessert with this delicious recipe for Low-Sugar and Gluten-Free Cranberry Apple Crisp! The inspiration for the recipe was a huge bag of cranberries I bought to make my favorite Fresh Cranberry Salsa for Thanksgiving, and I was frankly surprised at how much I loved the combination of fresh cranberries and apples. I had to make this a couple of times to get it just right, and I might have even loved it a little too much (apple crisp for lunch, mmmm.) I've never been that much of a fresh cranberry fan, so even if you might think cranberries are not really your thing, be open minded about this one!
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Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pecans Recipe with or without Gorgonzola Cheese Low Carb Gluten Free
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pecans and Gorgonzola, wow! Or make them without the Gorgonzola if you prefer!

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The very best recipes of all are probably ones that people excitedly describe and urge their friends to try, and if that's true, then this recipe for Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pecans must be doubly good. First my friend Trudy told me about the roasted brussels sprouts with pecans that were such a hit when she made them. Pecan Brussels Sprouts from The Blackberry Farm Cookbook were the ones Trudy made, and I found that recipe online and adapted it a little for the Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pecans pictured above.
Then, when I mentioned on Twitter that I was making them, Sean from Hedonia shared that he makes roasted brussels sprouts with hazelnuts, and always tosses the hot sprouts with a little bit of crumbled blue cheese, like the photo above. I loved the idea, so I tossed half the batch with some Gorgonzola cheese as Sean had suggested. Whether or not you're opting for the addition of blue cheese or Gorgonzola, this recipe is a keeper!
(For Phase One Fridays I feature Phase One Recipes from the past that have been my personal favorites. Phase One Recipes are also Low-Carb and Gluten-Free. This recipe was first posted a few years back with my collection of Carb-Conscious Thanksgiving Recipes, and I think this would make a great side dish for the big Thanksgiving celebration.)
Click to continue reading(For Phase One Fridays I feature Phase One Recipes from the past that have been my personal favorites. Phase One Recipes are also Low-Carb and Gluten-Free. This recipe was first posted a few years back with my collection of Carb-Conscious Thanksgiving Recipes, and I think this would make a great side dish for the big Thanksgiving celebration.)
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Low Carb High Fat Diet Breakfast recipe
So I reached the part of my diet where I need to maximize the amount of fat Im eating, so I thought Id share what Ive been eating.
Im no masterchef but I realize Im not the only one, so this is for people looking for something simple.

So what we have here is:
- 3 egg omlette
- 68g salami
- 60g cheddar cheese
- 25g butter
- 12g Boursin cheese
- 2 tbl spoons Heavy Cream
Obviously you can use different cheese and meat, but it needs to be fatty. Butter tends to be at least 80% fat so is good to use in everything. I estimated this meal to be 754 calories.
To make this I first cooked the eggs then added the topping and placed in under the grill to melt the cheese.
I forgot to take a picture of the finished product so here is another one I made the next day with the salami diced.

Novel Perspectives on Protein Consumption 36 Decrease In Myostatin With Low Protein 0 1g kg BW Diet But
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| What happens to your muscle, when you train on a low protein diet? |
Protein "starvation" and growth potential
Much contrary to the average "window of opportunity study", Snijders et al. did not look at the benefits of post-workout protein supplementation, but at the detriments of not consuming any protein before and after a workout.
You can learn more about protein intake at the SuppVersity

Are You Protein Wheysting?
Cod protein for recovery

Protein requ. of athletes
High EAA protein for fat loss
Fast vs. slow protein

Too much ado about protein?
the normal protein group (NPD) feasted on 1.2g protein/kg ↳ 88/474/60g PRO/CHO/FAT
Table 1: Subject data (Snijders. 2013)
- the low protein group (LPD) received only 0.1g of protein/kg ↳ 11/502/56g PRO/CHO/FAT
- horizontal leg press machine - 6 sets x 10 reps @ 75% of the 1RM
- leg extesions - 6 sets x 10 reps @ 75% of the 1RM
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| Figure 1: Total number of myostatin(+) satellite cells per type II fiber - left; rel. change (% of baseline) in type I+II fiber SC number and size 72h after the workout - right; (Snijders. 2013) |
- A note on satellite cells: As Snijders et al. point out. Mere protein synthesis appears to be enough for short term growth, in the longer run, however, "SCs are required to provide additional myonuclei to allow muscle fiber hypertrophy". Thats old news. The thing the study at hand adds, though, is the fact that the exercise induced recruitement of satellite cells "does not affect the increase in muscle fiber SC". The study at hand is thus the first to show that "the SC response to exercise is essentially dissociated from dietary protein intake and is likely evolutionary conserve" (Snijders. 2013).No acute differences in the net reduction in myostatin(+) satellite cells (SCs) - The fast wont have any effects on the number of myostatin(+) satellite cells (SC), in general. In other words, the training will acutely losen the "protein synthesis brake" irrespective of whether you consume or dont consume enough protein.
- Persistent decreases in myostatin(+) satellite cells only in the LPD group - The restoration of the number of myostatin(+) SCs in the fast twitch type II muscle fibers of the vastus will however be blunted - or, put differently, the myostatin expression will remain suppressed for at least 72h.
- Overall increases in total satellite cell content and size around the muscle fibers - The crowding of satellite cells around type I and type II fibers (Figure 1, right) is a crucial step in postworkout recovery, because the SCs "are thought to be the sole source for providing new myonuclei, thereby supporting skeletal muscle reconditioning" (Snijders. 2013).
From the Intermittent Thoughts on Building Muscle you will probably remember that the increase in myostatin and the corresponding reduction in protein synthesis would be a perfectly normal - in fact, a very healthy response. A response that prevents the development of huge, but dysfunctional skeletal muscle (learn more). Consequently, we would have to interpret the myostatin reduction in the low protein group as a reaction to the loss, or at least constantly low skeletal muscle protein, a status the consequences of which are similar to those that occur, when you empty your glycogen stores: The muscle cells will do their best to replenish the said nutrient. In this case, this means that lower myostatin and generate an anabolic potential that cannot be fulfilled, though, as long as there is no protein to be "pumped" into the muscle.
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| Remember? Adelfo Cerame Jr. used low protein phases to "detox" and as an intermittent growth primer during his contest prep for the Wheelchair Nationals in 2012 | more |
- Aragon, A. A., & Schoenfeld, B. J. (2013). Nutrient timing revisited: is there a post-exercise anabolic window?. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 10(1), 5.
- Snijders, T., Verdijk, L. B., McKay, B. R., Smeets, J. S., van Kranenburg, J., Groen, B. B., ... & van Loon, L. J. (2014). Acute Dietary Protein Intake Restriction Is Associated with Changes in Myostatin Expression after a Single Bout of Resistance Exercise in Healthy Young Men. The Journal of nutrition, jn-113.
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Low Testosterone Low Life Expectancy Plus Chinese vs US Do the Same Reference Ranges Apply for Everyone
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| This is what Photoshop and creativity can tell us about aging men. |
Virile men live longer! Ca. 30% longer, to be precise.
If you take a look at the link between serum testosterone, free testosterone and DHT and the all-cause mortality risk of the 16,451 community-dwelling older men from Perth in Western Australia it should be obvious that the third quartile of all these serum values, is where you want your androgen levels to be, if you intend to live to see your 90th birthday.
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| Figure 1: Relative reduction in all-cause mortality with total and free testosterone levels, as well as dihydrotestosterone levels in quartile 2,3 & 4 vs. quartile 1 (Yeap. 2013) |
Symptoms of low testosterone:
And while your androgen levels shouldnt be significantly lower, you also dont want them in the fourth quartile, where the all-cause mortality risk begins to rise again. Unless you dont want to lose the ~30% all-cause mortality of being in the zone, you shouldnt let the rumors about a causal (not corollary) link between testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and the incidence of prostate cancer upset you. Why, well because ...Somatic: Gynecomastia, de- creased body hair, hot flashes, decreased lean muscle mass, decreased strength, anemia, frailty, osteoporosis, easy fatigue, sleep disturbances, increased body fat or body mass index
Psychological: Depressed mood, irritability, emotional lability, impaired cognition and memory, decreased energy
Sexual: Diminished libido, erectile dysfunction, decreased nocturnal and morning erections, difficulty achieving orgasm, decreased performance (Traish. 2011)."[...] to date, no study or review has definitively shown that androgen replacement therapy is an independent risk factor for development of prostate cancer." (Fisher. 2012)The thing you should ask yourself is thus whether you really want to give up on this 30% reduction in all-cause mortality, or the decrease in fatal cardiovascular events, Ramasay et al. list next to the reduction in body fat mass, and insulin resistance among the proven benefits of TRT in their 2012 review of the literature.
Its your decision and therefore you should make sure that its you and not your doctor who takes this decision. If you decide to help your low testosterone levels along, its your doctors job to help and assist you by ordering and interpreting regular hormone and, as Fisher et al. suggest, PSA tests.
Informed decisions, require information, lab values, and reference ranges!
Speaking about "interpreting" hormone panels. One of the problems youll be facing is that nobody can actually tell you what your normal testosterone level should look like. Of course, every med-school graduate will believe that he knew exactly whats good for you, but when its all said eand done, scientists (and doctors) tend to be a bit too egalitarian, when it comes to "normal ranges". So egalitarian, in fact that they simply assume that a lightweight Chinese pencil pusher must have the same testosterone levels as a 6.6 ft tall, 300lbs heavy Caucasian strongman.
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| Table 1: Normal ranges for total T. |
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| Figure 2: Total and bioavailable testosterone levels in US and Chinese young men (Xu. 2013) |
By this means, the researchers wanted to find out whether the potentially existing differences in androgen levels in Caucasian vs. Asian young men would warrant a revision / specification of the "normal" range for men from different ethnic backgrounds.
As you can see the results are not exactly easy to interpret (Figure 2) - is this a difference, or not?
If we take another look at the data in Figure 2 and compare the relative differences between the total testosterone levels of young US vs. Chinese men to those that made a significant difference, in the previously discussed study by Yeap et al. (see Figure 1), we will have to concede that the xisting differences can hardly be significant. They are after all a magnitude smaller than the quartiles in the Yeap study.
Free vs. total testosterone, measured vs. calculated: Direct measurement of free testosterone levels is different from using the total testosterone and SHBG levels (which were higher in US men, by the way; Xu. 2013) to calculate an estimated amount of free testosterone (cf. Vermeulen. 1999). Since its cheap and usually pretty accurate this is yet what most labs will do. You should however be aware that the values are accurate, only, if your SHBG and albumin values are "normal" as well. If those are out of range, its a good idea to get the free testosterone levels measured directly, to find out where you are standing.
That being said, there are at least three additional reason that speak against establishing specific testosterone cut-off values for different ethnic groups based on the Xu study:- The Xu study is not representative of "all" Chinese young men: The Xu study compares US citizens in the US to Chinese citizens in China. Who tells us that the values they obtained for young Hong Kongers are valid for 2nd generation Chinese immigrants to the US, as well? Environmental conditions, dietary factors, etc. all that could just as well be the reason for the measured differences as ethnicity-specific genetic differences.
- The Xu study, or rather the NHANES data is not representative of a specific ethnicity: By analogy to (1), the Xu study, which uses data from NHANES III to gauge the average testosterone levels of male US citizens, relies on data from Asian, African American, Native American, Hispanic and Caucasian US citizens. How on earth would you establish ethnicity specific normal values based on that?
- Using the Yeap study as a reference to determine "optimal levels" is unwarranted: With old men as study participants, the significance of the optimal total testosterone levels from the Yeap study (12.56 –15.75 mmol/L ≡ 362- 454ng/dL) is about as questionable as the assumption that older men are actually supposed to have significantly lower testosterone levels.
If you do that, i.e. compare free instead of total testosterone levels, you will find that the purported ethnic differences disappear. And this is true not solely for the comparison of the data from Chinese and US men Xu et al. analyzed, but also for the existing differences between Mexican-American, non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic white men in the NHANES study by Rohrmann et al. (2007). Specific reference ranges for Asian, Caucasian, African American, Hispanics, ... are thus probably unwarranted (not sure about Aliens, though ;-).
The age related decline in testosterone is rapid: Accoring to Morley, et al. the average rate of decrement in testosterone concen-tration for men aged 60+ is 110 ng/dL every decade. A "normal" Caucasian man, who would still have a testosterone level of 500ng/dl when hes sixty (Rohrmann. 2013) would thus end up at 280ng/dl, which is right in the "highest risk of all-cause mortality" quartile (Q1) of the Yep study.
Bottom line: Despite the fact that our insights into the non-existent, or at least insignificant ethnic differences in free and total testosterone levels confirm the validity of the currently propagated "normal" ranges for young men, we are still left with the implications of the Yeap study and the questionable usefulness of "age adjusted" testosterone levels.
If we take into account that the age-induced androgen decline correlates with the aforementioned increases in all cause and cardiovascular mortality (Yeap. 2013), as well as lower levels of handgrip, hip flexors, hip extensors and abductors strength (Perry III. 2000) and an increase risk of development metabolic syndrome (48% higher risk; cf. Rodriguez. 2007), it would certainly appear that any "age-adjustment" thats based on observations in the average aging male is bogus...but I guess thats a topic for another SuppVersity article ;-)
If we take into account that the age-induced androgen decline correlates with the aforementioned increases in all cause and cardiovascular mortality (Yeap. 2013), as well as lower levels of handgrip, hip flexors, hip extensors and abductors strength (Perry III. 2000) and an increase risk of development metabolic syndrome (48% higher risk; cf. Rodriguez. 2007), it would certainly appear that any "age-adjustment" thats based on observations in the average aging male is bogus...but I guess thats a topic for another SuppVersity article ;-)
- Ramasamy, R., Fisher, E. S., & Schlegel, P. N. (2012). Testosterone replacement and prostate cancer. Indian journal of urology: IJU: journal of the Urological Society of India, 28(2), 123.
- Yeap, B. B., Alfonso, H., Chubb, S. P., Handelsman, D. J., Hankey, G. J., Almeida, O. P., ... & Flicker, L. (2013). In Older Men an Optimal Plasma Testosterone Is Associated With Reduced All-Cause Mortality and Higher Dihydrotestosterone With Reduced Ischemic Heart Disease Mortality, While Estradiol Levels Do Not Predict Mortality.
- Perry III, H. M., Miller, D. K., Patrick, P., & Morley, J. E. (2000). Testosterone and leptin in older African-American men: relationship to age, strength, function, and season. Metabolism, 49(8), 1085-1091.
- Rodriguez, A., Muller, D. C., Metter, E. J., Maggio, M., Harman, S. M., Blackman, M. R., & Andres, R. (2007). Aging, androgens, and the metabolic syndrome in a longitudinal study of aging. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 92(9), 3568-3572.
- Rohrmann, S., Nelson, W. G., Rifai, N., Brown, T. R., Dobs, A., Kanarek, N., ... & Platz, E. A. (2007). Serum estrogen, but not testosterone, levels differ between black and white men in a nationally representative sample of Americans. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 92(7), 2519-2525.
- Traish, A. M., Miner, M. M., Morgentaler, A., & Zitzmann, M. (2011). Testosterone deficiency. The American journal of medicine, 124(7), 578-587.
- Vermeulen, A., Verdonck, L., & Kaufman, J. M. (1999). A critical evaluation of simple methods for the estimation of free testosterone in serum. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 84(10), 3666-3672.
- Xu, L., Au Yeung, S. L., Kavikondala, S., Leung, G. M., & Schooling, C. M. (2014). Testosterone concentrations in young healthy us versus Chinese men. American Journal of Human Biology, 26(1), 99-102.
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