CELEBRITY PROFILE

If you're a 26-year-old in the TV business, you're probably a production assistant, which means you better not let the coffee get cold.  But if you're 26-year-old John Basedow, your crammed business card identifies you as host, producer, researcher, business manager and advertising salesman.  And by the way, John likes his coffee steaming hot.

John and his partner, Paquita Jean-Charles, co-created and now co-host Images, an internationally syndicated, half-hour TV magazine series that focuses on a variety of health, science, fitness and nature topics.  The duo, who both have degrees in communications, met while interning at WLIW-TV, a regional channel in Long Island, N.Y., where they decided, hey, we can do this ourselves.

Images, which now boasts a staff of 20, tackles a wide range of subjects, such as efforts to save endangered animals, stress reduction, hypnosis, steroid abuse, how monkeys are helping quadriplegics, the fight against infertility, proper weight lifting techniques and environmental awareness.  This diversity has given Images its multinational appeal it reaches 40 countries, including those health nuts in Zimbabwe but, according to John and Paquita, the foundation for their success starts with their own determination.

"When you're young and have no financial resources or contacts in the
competitive TV industry," Basedow says, "the odds are dramatically stacked against you.  To succeed you need a thick skin, an unwavering belief in yourself and your idea, along with a superhuman type of persistence." Spending long hours in the studio isn't the only ingredient to their success.  "We practice what we preach," says Paquita, who works out regularly and takes Toe Kwon Do classes three times a week.  "But I'm not as fanatical as John," she laughs.

Basedow's obsession with fitness and weight training is remarkable.  Although he was a competitive tennis player as a teen, he didn't embrace weight lifting until age 24.  His obsession started after learning of the staggering health benefits of fitness.  Yet there was another reason.  John began pumping up, he says, "so I could achieve the look I see in EMO." His initial efforts, however, did not deliver the quick results he anticipated.

I didn't know much about diet," he admits about his early training days, "and because of that, I didn't see the definition or cuts.  Once I started carefully monitoring my nutrition, it was amazing how fast the results came."
At 6'3", John's pre-iron physique held a sparse 167 lbs.; now he's broken the 200 mark, yet maintains a 31-inch waist and five-percent body fat.  But just as important to him as adding inches to his biceps is devouring information to feed his insatiable curiosity.  "John is very knowledgeable, intuitive and meticulous about fitness," says 28-year-old Paquita.  "He talks to doctors, everyone he can, to stay up to date."

Never one to become complacent, John has tackled a new project, a home video called Fitness Made Simple from Manta Communications, the same company that distributes Images.  It is a comprehensive fitness video that details how to achieve your own ideal, natural physique by following the "fitness triangle": scientifically sound nutrition, intelligent supplementation and time-conserving workouts.  And John is involved in every step, from investigating the claims of supplement companies, to cooking in the kitchen, to working out on the latest equipment himself.

Because it is based on fact and reality, and not the regimen of today's in-vogue super model, Fitness Made Simple appeals to the average consumer.  In the billion dollar business of fitness, John says," People are buying hope, but often it's false hope." Education, he adds, is crucial.  "Everyone succumbs to cravings.  They need to know how to make better 'bad' choices.
 

ANDROSTENEDIOL

A Revolutionary Supplement
To Power Workouts and Pack On Muscle

Bodybuilding and fitness have always been industries and cultures unto themselves, with their own special language, terms and "catch phrases." Most of them can be heard in the training room on a daily basis. Throughout the gym, words like "sets" and "reps" are bandied about, but nowhere does this unique dialect come into play more than in the field of physique development supplementation. Just flip through the pages of the current exercise magazines and you'll be bombarded by more scientific products with unpronounceable names than you can keep track of.  The newest entry into this arena is called androstenediol and, if you're serious about building your ultimate physique naturally, it might just be the answer to your muscle mass maximizing prayers.

Androstenediol is actually a naturally occurring androgen metabolite which is a direct precursor of testosterone. Now, you might be thinking you've heard this before. What about DHEA, or that other new testosterone booster androstenedione?  While both of these are also used in the production of testosterone, androstenediol (chemically termed 4-androstene-3, 17 diol [4-AD]) occurs further down the line in the body's biosynthesis of testosterone and, therefore, is an even more immediate precursor of this vital hormone.

As we're all aware, "testosterone" is a powerful buzzword for anyone interested in physique enhancement since it's necessary for healthy muscle mass, strength and energy.  It doesn't take a genius to figure out that increasing testosterone levels in the body could very well translate into increased muscle gains. After all, that's what those illegal, synthetically created testosterone derivatives (otherwise known as anabolic steroids) do so well. For the natural and law-abiding bodybuilder, however, these potentially dangerous drugs are out of the question. Fortunately, the natural testosterone booster androstenediol is now available, though this pioneer product is so new it has yet to hit most health food and nutrition center store shelves.

Scientifically, androstenediol creates muscle-building magic through being metabolized in the liver and becoming testosterone via an enzymatic pathway that accomplishes this conversion more efficiently than other precursors, like androstenedione. Because of this fact, 4-AD (the oral form of this supplement) has the potential to elevate blood levels of both androstenediol and testosterone even more significantly than the 140-183 percent increase seen with other testosterone boosters.

Benefits of this surge in natural testosterone production include increased energy and enhanced recovery and repair after exercise. In the real world, this means many users are able to work out harder and longer and are growing bigger and stronger while using androstenediol. Some individuals also report feelings of heightened sexual arousal, as well as a greater sense of overall well-being.

As for dosage, most men have experienced good results by taking 1-2 100mgs  capsules about an hour prior to weight training and another 100mgs after workouts for recovery purposes. Some even prefer to take one capsule three times a day to support more consistent daily testosterone production. Even though 4-AD occurs naturally in the body, men with prostate problems and women with a predisposition to breast cancer should consult their physicians before deciding to try this supplement. Women should also limit themselves to no more than one 100mg capsule per day and discontinue usage if any masculinizing side effects, like facial hair growth, occur.

Androstenediol is truly a radically advanced, cutting-edge way to help power workouts and dramatically maximize the muscle mass gains of hard-working physique enthusiasts. Beware, though, of bogus products that may hit the market attempting to jump on the bandwagon of this product's success. Genetic Evolutionary Nutrition (GEN) is one of only two companies licensed by LPJ  Research, Inc. to carry androstenediol.

FRESHENING UP A STALE ROUTINE

It's an all-too-common scenario. With admirable dedication as fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders, we make the commitment to improve our physiques. We join a gym, maybe even purchase some home exercise equipment, start monitoring what we eat, and hopefully begin to see the fruits of our labor reflected each week in the mirror. Waistlines shrink, biceps bulge and fat starts to melt away, leaving behind hard, lean muscle.
Then, to our frustration, it happens. The gratifying changes stop. We reach a point where we hit a wall, wreaking havoc on our motivation. Basically what's occurred here is that our bodies have gotten used to the current exercise and nutrition regimen. They've adapted, and continuing this same tired routine - or "going through the motions" as I like to call it - eats away at our enthusiasm and eventually leads to diminishing returns on our exercise investments. But take heart . . . here are seven simple tips I've discovered to breathe fresh life into those stale routines and keep you growing year-round.

TIP #1 -VARY EXERCISE CHOICES

Variety is said to be the spice of life. This saying is particularly true when it comes to exercise. To keep my body from adjusting to a certain training program I constantly change the order and types of exercises I do for each body part. For example, on one chest day I may do incline dumbbell presses and pullovers. Next time, I'll hit the pec deck and also do some flat bench work.

If you usually stick to free weights, trying some machines a few times each week may be a welcome substitute. For cardiovascular training I'll alternate regularly between the stationary bike, treadmill and stair climber.

TIP #2-VARY EXERCISE FREQUENCY AND INTENSITY

Similar to varying types of exercises performed, changing around your training schedule and intensity level keeps the body guessing and can further stimulate muscle growth. This can be done as easily as switching on and off between light and heavy days for each body part or by going from a three-days-on/one-day-off program to a two-days-on/one-day-off workout cycle. Even moving around training times earlier and later in the day can have positive results.

TIP #3-TAKE A BREAK

Sometimes the best action to take when you hit a wall is none at all. Give yourself a physical and mental rest by taking a week off from training. I know it will feel like withdrawal to those of you who are used to clocking in at the gym every day, but this short break gives your mind and body a chance to recharge. It also prevents over training and helps you refocus on fitness goals and what you need to do to accomplish them. Keep in mind that muscles grow bigger and stronger during rest periods, so don't be surprised if you look better and can lift a bit more when you make your return to the gym.

TIP #4-GET A WORKOUT PARTNER

Workingout with a friend can often add new zest to an old routine and make training time more enjoyable.  Partners help to challenge and encourage each other to push beyond individual limits.  You also benefit by learning new training techniques from each other's experiences.

TIP #5 - CHANGE THE SCENERY

As human beings we're visually oriented and get bored seeing the same things day in and day out.  that's why I like to work out in different locations - some days at one gym or another and other times at home.  I find a little change in scenery can be just the spark I need to keep my motivation high.

TIP #6 - SCHEDULE A "CHEAT DAY"

Since we've now freshened up our stale workouts, let's turn to the nutrition side of our programs.  Sticking to the standard low cal, low fat bodybuilding cuisine of chicken breasts, tuna, vegetables, rice, potatoes and fresh fruit seven days a week is monotonous, to say the least, and possibly not as productive in terms of muscle mass and strength gains as you might think.

Remember how the body adapts to the same old workout? Well, things aren't any different with a restrictive diet. When you're on a lower calorie meal plan for an extended period of time your body adjusts by lowering metabolism to account for the starvation condition it's facing. This downward metabolic spiral is the reason many dieters reach a plateau where they stop losing body fat even when they drop calories lower and lower.

By throwing in an excess calorie "cheat meal" once in a while we might be able to trick our bodies into keeping metabolism high. That's why I recommend weekly indulgences for a little needed relief. As long as I make "good eating" the rule and "cheating" the exception, I know the occasional higher calorie meal or my favorite treat is going to have little to no detrimental effect on my overall appearance and it's probably going to help my fitness regimen (not to mention my sanity) in the long run.

TIP #7- SET GOALS & REWARD YOURSELF

A final tip to keep your fitness program fresh and exciting is to set goals. One of the biggest mistakes I see some weight trainees make is mindlessly going through the same rigorous routine every day without any specific goals in mind. These people put forth so much effort but never feel satisfied. To avoid this quandary take a moment to think about and write down a few definitive goals you want to accomplish with your training and nutrition program. Maybe you want to drop a few pants sizes or add an inch or two to your biceps measurements. Whatever goals you have, keep them in mind every time you lift a weight or eat a meal. This will add a sense of purpose and focus to those hours spent pumping iron and calorie-counting. And once you achieve one of your goals don't ever let it go unnoticed. Take the time to realize your accomplishment and reward yourself with something special.

SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGH
INCREASES SUPPLEMENT RESULTS

What would you think if I told you that much of the hard-earned money you're currently spending on pricey fitness and bodybuilding supplements is literally going down the toilet. After all, we scrimp, save, and deny ourselves other pleasures in an effort to sculpt a physique similar to the ones in EMO, yet we often find out (many dollars later) that the sacrifice was for nothing. Unfortunately, the facts indicate that this statement is true. A significant portion of the orally ingested muscle building and fat burning products we take get wasted during the digestive process and don't ever reach the bloodstream, leaving only a small percentage to be used for vital muscle growth and repair purposes. Depressed yet? Now what if I told you this scenario no longer has to be the case? Sound too good to be true? Well, thanks to a scientific breakthrough called plasmologen lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC), we can get more bang for our supplemental buck.

LPC is actually a food supplement additive, usually in powdered form, that can be incorporated into capsules or tablets. When ingested, LPC comes into contact with the cells that make up the lining of the digestive tract  then gets incorporated into stomach cell membranes and increases the porosity of these membranes. This increased permeability helps to enhance the transport of substances combined with LPC. For example, amino acids, sugars and proteins have a better uptake through the alimentary canal and into the bloodstream and muscle tissue. I like to think of LPC as a protective parent making sure its supplement child gets across the street and to his chosen destination in one piece as quickly as possible. By facilitating its way through the destructive digestive process, LPC ensures that a greater percentage of whatever muscle-builder or fat-burner you're taking actually reaches its desired source - your muscle tissue. This increased bioavailability translates into better results at lower product doses, which, financially speaking, means you might be able to build a great body and pay your rent  too.

Let's put this in a useful perspective. In the past, I've used glutamine supplements, but with poor results . . . and I didn't know why. Glutamine, as you may know, is the most abundant amino acid found in muscle tissue. It's been called the "anti-overtraining" supplement because of its anti-catabolic properties and its ability to preserve muscle mass even when you're on a calorie-restricted program. Glutamine has also been shown to increase growth hormone levels, muscle cell hydration, glycogen (muscle fuel) storage, protein synthesis, immune system function and even decrease body fat deposition. By preventing glutamine depletion in muscles after stressful workouts, glutamine supplementation, theoretically, should result in bigger, stronger muscle cells. This wasn't the case, however, when I had tried other products in the past.

The reason for my disappointing past experiences with glutamine was probably due to the fact that a lot of the commercially available, orally ingested glutamine supplements get destroyed during the digestive process. That's why very high (and expensive) amounts are often needed in order to notice any visible improvements. But a new product called Glutamine Express has changed all that. By combining glutamine with LPC, a far greater amount of the amino acid is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, leading to a larger portion reaching the bloodstream and muscle tissue. The ingenious formulation of Glutamine Express allows the remarkable potential benefits of glutamine to be realized at much lower (and affordable) doses.

Within my first week of testing the glutamine /LPC complex, I noticed a big increase in muscle strength, size and fullness, had amazing pumps and raised lifting poundages by 20-30 lbs. These stats really shocked me, considering I only took one teaspoon (about five grams) mixed in water prior to workouts. Previously, I'd taken up to 20 grams of non-LPC containing glutamine products with no noticeable gains at all. I've since added another teaspoonful with my post-workout meal (blended in a protein shake) to replenish glycogen reserves and further aid protein synthesis in the all-important muscle recovery and growth period.

Being the skeptical supplemental guinea pig that I am, I wondered if the glutamine/LPC combo could be a fluke. Would LPC increase the effectiveness of other supplements just as well? That question was answered recently during a phone consultation I did with a client named Jerry who ordered the Fitness Made Simple video I host. Jerry, who's an avid EMO reader, had the opportunity to sample an FX-Chrysin/LPC supplement. FX-Chrysin is a very hot new testosterone boosting product that's receiving even greater raves from the bodybuilding community because of its anti-aromatase properties. In other words, it helps prevent the natural conversion of excess testosterone to estrogen and thus provides safeguards from some of the unwanted feminizing side effects, like enlarged nipples, testicular shrinkage and increased fat deposition, that can occur when raising testosterone production. While these drawbacks are more commonly linked to anabolic steroids than to over-the-counter supplements, minimizing aromatization should be a concern of every bodybuilder who is manipulating natural hormone production via supplement use. When taking only two 250 mg capsules of FX-Chrysin a day for one month, Jerry reported strength and muscle mass gains that were even greater than those he had by stacking popular "LPC-free" testosterone increasing supplements, such as DHEA, androstenedione and Tribulus terrestris.

While LPC-enriched products are few and far between at the moment, they may just become the wave of the future, making sure more of your favorite fat-burning and muscle-building supplements reach their intended source in the most efficient and economical way.

Editor's Note: Glutamine Express is manufactured exclusively by
Genetic Evolutionary Nutrition (GEN).
For more information, call
1-800-283-4230

THE BENEFITS OF
REST DAYS & CHEAT MEALS

I recently had a conversation with an EMO reader named Michael who had just ordered the Fitness Made Simple video, which highlights the exact time-conserving workout and fat-burning nutritional meal plan I used to finally attain a lean, muscular physique. Michael scheduled a personal phone consultation to tell me that, after only six weeks of following this program, he decreased his body fat percentage from 25-12 percent. He was excited and shocked to notice the top two "boxes" of his abs... something he said he knew existed but never thought he'd actually see. This represented an amazing accomplishment for him.

You see, Michael had been working out on and off for about seven years, often going through periods of lifting weights several hours a day seven days a week and cutting calories to a level that couldn't sustain a rabbit. This is what he was told he had to do to build muscle and lose fat. Needless to say, the only growth Michael noticed was in his frustration level as his results never equaled his efforts. The Fitness Made Simple video, however, brought up two concepts that were totally alien to him - "rest days" and "cheat meals." Though they sounded too good to be true, once Michael added them to his fitness routine he couldn't believe the positive effects they had both physically and mentally.

Rest days are important for one main reason - muscles grow bigger and stronger while you're resting. Exercise creates the stimulus for muscle growth and the goal of any successful weight training program should be to stimulate your muscles enough so that they'll rebuild bigger and stronger without overstressing them to the point of breakdown. When I first started working out, I fell into the trap of believing the more I trained the more I would gain. Well, whoever coined the phrase "more is always better" certainly wasn't a natural bodybuilder.

Of course, many magazine profiles detail the rigorous daily routines of hardcore bodybuilders, but what they usually don't print is the fact that just about all of these guys are juiced-up on chemical cocktails of anabolic steroids and other assorted health-risking, illegal drugs. Because many of the muscle-building benefits of steroids are linked to their anti-catabolic powers, they tend to prevent much of the muscle breakdown that occurs with overtraining.

For those of us taking the healthy, natural route, following one of these publicized routines would quickly send us into the downward spiral of overtraining syndrome, marked by continual muscle fiber breakdown and eventual muscle mass loss. That's why, to avoid this fate, I advise short, intense weight-training sessions about an hour per day, 3-4 days weekly, with no more than two consecutive gym days in a row. In terms of visible, physical results, I find "less" often leads to "more" when it comes to pumping iron. In addition to providing muscles with necessary growth time, rest days also give our minds a chance to refocus on our fitness goals and sort out what we must do to accomplish them.

If you're currently a contender for the "Mr. Overtraining" title, you might want to look into what's known as the "anti-overtraining" supplement. It's an amino acid called glutamine and it's probably the most underrated product on the market today. Glutamine is particularly effective for preserving muscle mass when on a cutting-up dietary plan because of the greater stress the body is put under by restricting calories. Glutamine has also been shown to increase growth hormone levels, decrease the catabolic (muscle breakdown) effects of cortisol, reduce body fat deposition and lead to better muscle recovery growth, and protein synthesis.

Unfortunately since a lot of the commercially available, orally ingested glutamine supplements are wasted in the digestive process and don't even reach the bloodstream, little is left over for muscle growth/repair purposes. That's why high (and expensive) amounts are often needed for best results. But a company called Genetic Evolutionary Nutrition (GEN) just came out with a formulation called Glutamine Express which combines glutamine with the patented Liposorb complex to radically increase its absorption rate. This enhanced bioavailability allows benefits of the supplement to be achieved at much lower and affordable doses. Call 1-800-283-4230 for more information on Glutamine Express.

Regarding "cheat meals," contrary to what most people think, I regularly indulge in them and recommend them highly. "How often?" you ask. At least once a week. I even feel guilty if I skip my weekly "cheat" (usually, either Thai chicken pizza or chocolate nut brownies.. . mmmm!). All too frequently, people trying to increase muscle definition - like Michael -set themselves up for failure by practicing monastic-style discipline in their eating habits. They eliminate all their favorite foods in an effort to eat "perfectly." This pointless pursuit of perfection usually backfires in two ways.

First of all, continual deprivation causes a preoccupation with food cravings that usually results in free-for-all binges once the dieter finally gives in. This quickly destroys whatever benefits were derived from strict dieting. Secondly, drastic calorie reduction can lead to substantial muscle moss loss and decreased fat burning. When subjected to a lower calorie meal plan for an extended period of time the body adjusts by lowering metabolism to deal with the "starvation" condition it's facing. To lower metabolism our body can start catabolizing its most metabolically active tissue - muscle. Since muscle burns fat for energy, if we lose muscle our body's ability to burn fat becomes impaired. By adapting to the restrictive diet, our system reaches a point where it stops losing weight even when we drop calories lower and lower. Throwing in the occasional excess calorie cheat meal keeps our body guessing and, in a way, can trick it into keeping our metabolism high.

Think of your nutrition plan as a lifelong journey and not a weekend trip. If you have a craving just satisfy it and get it over with. As long as you make "good eating" the rule and "cheating" the exception, the occasional higher calorie or higher fat treat is going to have little or no detrimental effect on your overall appearance and fitness regimen.

CREAVESCENT:
BREAKTHROUGH SUPPLEMENT MAXIMIZES MUSCLE GAINS


The competitive edge... we all strive for it. For some, this "edge" translates into enhanced performance in sports, while for others, including just about everyone who ever picked up a weight, its muscle mass and strength gains. Turning these visions into reality, however, requires pushing our bodies beyond their normal limits. That's why most natural bodybuilders flock to supplement stores. While many of the popular muscle building pills and potions do more to shrink our wallets than increase our biceps size, there is one product that has been successful enough to hit the mainstream media. That product, of course, is creatine.

Perhaps the most widely studied and effective ergogenic agent available, creatine has helped thousands of lifters experience increases in strength, endurance and energy.   Greater pumps and fuller muscles due to creatine's muscle cellular hydration properties are well known to most gym goers. Lean mass increases as great as 5-10 lbs. are not uncommon during the supplement's loading phase. While results like these sound too good to be true, there is one catch. . To achieve them the creatine you take must be absorbed.

Incomplete absorption is cited as a major reason why many athletes don't realize the frill benefits of powdered creatine. Have you ever put a heaping five-gram scoop of creatine into a glass of water, stirred it and waited to see what happened? If you did, you probably noticed that a good portion of it just sank like a stone to the bottom of your glass. Unfortunately, this same situation happens in our digestive systems. You see, creatine powder isn't very soluble in water, so much of it settles in our intestines. This retention is usually what causes the cramping, diarrhea and stomach pains commonly associated with this supplement. Possibly even more disturbing to those of us on a tight budget is the fact that most people absorb only 30 percent of the creatine they ingest. In other words, up to 70 percent of your supplement money is literally flushed down the toilet.

Well, thanks to a breakthrough product called Creavescent, created by Genetic Evolutionary Nutrition (GEN), you no longer have to waste your time and money. Creavescent incorporates a Revolutionary, scientifically proven method of transporting creatine into muscle fibers to increase its bioavailability. The transport process, called effervescence, raises creatine's absorption level to 100 percent, without stomach distress.  In short, Creavescent delivers more-bang for your ~ supplemental buck"" by delivering a greater amount of ingested creatine to your muscles.

Without getting too technical, here's how the process works. Effervescence combines weak acids and bases to create a buffered solution at a stable pH. The use of bicarbonate salts, which form carbon dioxide gas upon activation, causes a bubbling effect or "fizz" like we see with indigestion tablets when Creavescent is mixed with water. This "fizz" separates the creatine from the monohydrate. The "freed" creatine is now buffered so it bypasses the 4damaging effects of the digestive process with little to no breakdown, resulting in easier assimilation through the small intestine and up to three times more efficient absorption than creatine powder.
Always desiring to provide the personal reactions my reader's request and have come to expect, I took on the role of supplemental "guinea pig" and decided to test Creavescent for myself. The first thing I liked about it is that it comes in convenient foil pouches, containing five grams of creatine (my daily maintenance dose), which ensures proper dosing. This is a big advantage over the traditional creatine/carbohydrate powder "tubs" that often have varying amounts of creatine per serving due to imprecise mixing and the settling that occurs during shipping. After my first try, I was also impressed with the taste. I enjoyed the tangy Orange Burst flavor.

Details aside, let's get down to the nitty gritty results and effectiveness. I've been using Creavescent for a month now and I'm pleased with its performance. The most notable benefits I've experienced include strength gains  (increases in lifting poundage's), a greater muscle fullness and, most importantly, a lot more energy prior to, during and after workouts. That lasts point I find most appealing about Creavescent. Sometimes I just dread dragging myself to the gym and feel exhausted after workouts.  Since starting on Creavescent, however, I'm energized to the point of looking forward to, of all things, my leg day.

In short, Creavescent is a pioneer product that uses an ingenious delivery system to help natural bodybuilders maximize muscle gains, increase energy and realize their true potential

GROWTH FACTOR X: MEAL REPLACEMENT FOR THE MILLENNIUM

The turn of a century is certain to bring with it astounding changes. The 20th century saw email eclipse the postal service, a sheep cloned from a single strand of DNA, and space exploration throughout the galaxy. It's almost incomprehensible to imagine the scope of advances that will be made during this new century. One of the first breakthroughs has already occurred ... in the world of sports nutrition technology. It's called GROWTH FACTOR X and it may soon revolutionize the fitness and bodybuilding community.

Growth Factor X (GFX) is actually a meal replacement product, created by Genetic Evolutionary Nutrition (GEN), that's taking nutritional science to the next level. This exciting supplement offers an anabolic/anti-catabolic protein blend, low fat profile, and full range of nutrients to meet the needs of everyone from elite athletes to natural bodybuilders to executives on the go. Based on that description you might be thinking 'How is GFX different from every other meal replacement product (MRP) on the market?'. The answer is... it's simply better.

When GEN set out to create a new MRP their goal wasn't just to come up with something "different." "Different" doesn't necessarily translate into "better." They saw the shortcomings of other popular MRPs and invested their developmental dollars in researching how to overcome them. The main problem concerned protein. While other companies offer huge protein servings GEN believed they were missing the point - protein absorption. What good is a 40+ gram protein portion if it can't be used by our bodies? The fact of the matter here is that much of the popular MRP brands' protein content we're ingesting and paying for is going to waste. Some of these proteins pass through our bodies quickly and many of the protein processing techniques used to make MRPs render any naturally occurring bioactive peptides and growth factors inert. GFX uses a proprietary blend, called HyProtrope, of non-denatured milk proteins that allows for a prolonged release of
amino acids into our systems.

This sustained release lets the body remain in an anabolic cycle of protein synthesis and prevents catabolic protein breakdown for longer periods of time than other MRPs. A recent study showed that the protein sources used in HyProtrope promote greater nitrogen retention and the muscle growth promoting blend has been created from the best processing techniques technology has to offer, resulting in proteins with high levels of functioning bioactive peptides and growth factors. In real world terms this means GFX provides a huge 42 grams of fully usable protein per serving!

For those interested in the scientific details GFX's HyProtrope combines "fast and slow" proteins, including whey isolate, whey hydrolysate, whey concentrate, and micellar non-denatured casein, to provide a continuous influx of amino acids. While casein has long been viewed as inferior to whey recent research has shown that micellar non-denatured casein possesses anti-catabolic properties superior to those of whey. The whey source used in GFX is unique, only being manufactured at one spot in the world, and GEN is a pioneer in utilizing this discovery. Compared to other whey proteins currently on the market GFX's whey contains significantly higher levels of bioactive peptides and growth factors, such as casomorphins, immunoglobuins (IgG), Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), and lactoferrin, largely due to the superior gentle processing controls that are used in its production. Lactoferrin, a very important protein fraction which is easily destroyed by other processing conditions, boosts the immune system, enhances bone growth and tissue repair, and even has been shown to be anti-carcinogenic by helping to prevent malignant tumors. GFX also contains glutamine, the most abundant amino acid found in muscle tissue cells. Glutamine is widely known for its anti-catabolic properties and glutamine supplementation after intense stress, like workouts, decreases protein degradation resulting in bigger, stronger muscle cells. GFX uses glutamine peptides instead of regular L-Glutamine since the peptide form improves absorption and nitrogen balance.

GEN has also incorporated Probiotic oligosaccharides into the carbohydrate portion of GFX to further enhance protein absorption and promote overall intestinal health. Probiotic are fermentable carbohydrates which aid the growth of "good" bacteria in the digestive system while simultaneously decreasing the spread of the "bad" or pathogenic kind. A small amount of a custom anabolic fat blend replaces the highly saturated fats, like coconut oil, commonly found in some other meal replacement formulas. Another component of GFX is a potent vitamin/ mineral blend containing high levels of zinc, a very important mineral that can be depleted by dairy proteins.

An innovative blend of fast and slow proteins for better absorption ... a revolutionary processing procedure that preserves muscle building growth factors ... a probiotic carb formulation for better digestion ... and a health promoting vitamin/mineral profile ... GFX is a nutritional breakthrough which can benefit just about everyone. Add to the mix that GFX is also aspartame-free and tastes great and you could say it's really taking meal replacement technology into the new millennium.

MAXIMIZING MUSCLE WITH MX7

By now just about every bodybuilder and fitness enthusiast who's not living under a rock is aware of the various prohormone supplements. You know the names. Androstenedione, Androstenediol, Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and all their other barely pronounceable kin. They've been touted as the legal and natural" alternative to anabolic steroids. While these products have worked well for some weightlifters, usually those taking larger doses, prohormone supplements have fallen short of expectations for others. When coupled with the fact that some prohormones can potentially produce steroid-like side effects, such as increased conversion to estrogen, the bodybuilding community is still in search of the next great muscle building hope. Thanks to a recent discovery, actually a "rediscovery," this "hope" comes in the form of MX7.

MX7 is the condensed brand name for methoxyflavone or 5-methyl-7-methoxy-isoflavone. At this point you're probably thinking "Oh no, another one of those alphabetically saturated prohormones." Well, that's not the case here. Methoxyflavone is actually a non-hormonal agent that doesn't interfere with normal glandular function. It's an isoflavone or "plant steroid" that's highly anabolic yet not androgenic. Yes folks!, that means it promotes muscle growth without promoting the nasty negatives, like hair loss, acne, and liver problems, that often accompany most hormonal anabolic aids.

My first thought when I heard about this "breakthrough" was "Where has it been hiding?" After a little preliminary research I found out the answer to my question was "Hungary." It appears a company called Chinoin in Hungary performed experiments with various isoflavones to see which ones could be used as anabolic agents for livestock and patients suffering from wasting conditions like AIDS and cancer. They wanted one completely free of estrogenic effects. The standout isoflavone of their search turned out to be methoxyflavone.

In the late 70's clinical trials were run and patents were applied for in both the US and Europe. Trials done with livestock, cattle, hogs, poultry, and rabbits, showed gains in lean tissue and an increase in vitality. No change in endocrine function was shown, leading researchers to reason that the gains were non-hormonal in nature. In human tests, patients with severe pathological thinness from wasting diseases showed gains of 2-3kg after just a few weeks of using methoxyflavone. They also showed increased protein utilization and nitrogen retention. Further experiments indicated methoxyflavone's anti-catabolic benefits by suppressing the effects of cortisone. Bottom line -- these studies concluded with the statement, which should be music to the ears of anyone striving to build lean muscle, "Identical doses of anabolic steroids do not exert anabolic effects stronger than those of these compounds!"

So why hasn't methoxyflavone been lining supplement store shelves for the past 20 years? Well, it turns out that Chinoin never did anything with the compound. They ventured off in other directions, leaving methoxyflavone research hidden in the archives like some form of buried treasure just waiting to be discovered or "rediscovered" as I said earlier.

The role of discoverer in this case is being played by a company called Genetic Evolutionary Nutrition (GEN). GEN is a cutting edge supplement manufacturer that's the first to offer this breakthrough product to the bodybuilding industry. MX7, their brand name for the powerful non-hormonal anabolic/anti-catabolic isoflavone, helps to increase protein synthesis, decrease cortisol levels, and improve recovery from exercise. Initial users are reporting dramatic strength and lean muscle mass gains as well as an improved sense of well-being.

Anabolic...anti-catabolic...and no side effects. These are the buzzwords for designing the perfect muscle growth promoter. Unfortunately and all to often, these same words are bandied about the fitness media concerning any new introduction to the already overcrowded supplement marketplace. Methoxyflavone, however, appears to be one product that's actually living up to its press.

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