Whey P
rotein Concentrate Controls Blood Sugar In Diabetics
The muscle building and body fat reducing properties of whey protein have been well documented and well known by bodybuilders for decades. However, in addition to its ergogenic properties, whey protein has also been shown to have a number of health promoting benefits such as: blunting cortisol, elevating levels of brain serotonin, and boosting immune function as well. Now a new study published in the journal Diabetologia has found that whey protein concentrate has the ability to regulate blood glucose better than prescription diabetes drugs. For the study researchers took 15 diabetic participants and gave them 50g of whey protein concentrate thirty minutes prior to a meal designed to elicit an enormous spike in blood glucose levels. Blood samples were taken to assess blood glucose and insulin levels prior to consuming either the whey or the food, and then again at regular intervals up until 180 minutes post meal. The researchers discovered that not only did whey protein help trigger early insulin production, something type-2 diabetics typically have difficulty with, but it also controlled blood glucose levels better than well-known prescription diabetes medications. The team of researchers believe that by simply ingesting 30-50g of whey protein prior to meals diabetics may be able to ameliorate the need for prescription medications.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140805132248.htm
Aspirin Re
duces Risk of Developing Cancer and Heart Disease
Aspirin is a popular pain relieving drug used by millions of people worldwide to reduce pain, fevers, and inflammation. Since it was first developed nearly one hundred years ago science has uncovered a number of positive benefits for the use of aspirin other than temporary pain relief. A recent study conducted by a team of researchers at Queen Mary University in London has found that long term use of low dose aspirin can reduce the risk multiple forms of cancer and heart disease. Researchers estimate that by simply taking 75mg of aspirin daily nearly 130,000 deaths per year would be prevented in England. The data found that daily low dose aspirin use reduced mortality rates of colorectal cancer by 40%, esophageal cancer by 50%, stomach cancer by 35%, and prostate cancer by 15%. Heart attacks were also decreased by 18%, while death from heart attacks was reduced 5%. Researchers urge any individual over 50 to include one low dose 75mg aspirin daily in their daily routine, and to continue its use long term in order take advantage of the disease reducing, life extending benefits that aspirin has to offer.
Correlation 
between Low Vitamin D and Dementia
Vitamin D is a steroid hormone produced by the body in response to sun exposure, and is also acquired in limited amounts from consuming fatty cold water fish. Recent estimates suspect that up to 80% of the population may be deficient in blood levels of vitamin D; while recent research has found vitamin D to be a critical factor in the activation of over 1,000 different genes and plays key roles in hundreds of metabolic processes. Now, a new study published in the journal Neurology has discovered that low vitamin D levels are associated with a significantly increased risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s. The study analyzed data that contained over 1,600 participants without previous signs of cardiovascular disease or cognitive decline to determine what role vitamin D levels might play in the development of these diseases during aging. Researchers were shocked to discover that those who were described as having moderately low levels of vitamin D had a 53% greater risk for developing dementia, while those who were classified as severely deficient were a staggering 125% more likely to develop some form of the disease. As we age the body becomes increasingly more inefficient at metabolizing vitamin D from sun exposure which can exacerbate existing deficiencies. Everyone should take daily vitamin D supplements in order to prevent the damaging acute and long term effects associated with a deficiency from this essential steroid hormone.
http://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/featurednews/title_405559_en.html
Study Determines the Best Biceps Exercise
Any serious athlete who’s ever set foot in the gym has more than likely tried some variation of every bicep movement known to man in an effort to build their own Arnold-esque sleeve stretching arms that demand attention. However, the truth is that poor exercise execution, even worse form, and using far too much weight flat lines bicep growth and leaves most people peak-less and frustrated. Recently the American Council on Exercise (ACE) commissioned a study to determine which bicep exercise was the most effective at recruiting the maximum amount of muscle fibers during training. For the study researchers took fifteen previously trained subjects and had them perform: cable curls, barbell curls, concentration curls, chin ups, EZ Bar curls (wide and narrow grip), preacher curls, and incline curls while electrodes were attached to their muscles to measure the amount of contractile force generated. The results showed that concentration curls – the favorite bicep builder of Arnold himself – stimulated the greatest amount of fibers in the muscle. The researchers noted that each bicep movement, when performed correctly, stimulated more than enough muscle to cause bicep growth, but concentration curls stimulated the muscle fibers to a far greater degree than the other measured exercises.
Lying Leg Curls Maximally Target the Lower Hamstrings
Hamstrings can
sometimes be a difficult body part for both new and experienced trainers to isolate or generate a significant muscle contraction due to their inability see the muscle working and establish a good mind-muscle connection. A new study published in the journal Strength and Conditioning Research has found that lying leg curls appear to stimulate greater activation of both medial and lateral heads of the lower hamstrings. For the study researchers took two groups of well-trained participants and attached electrodes to their hamstrings to measure the amount of muscle fibers activated during both stiff leg deadlifts and lying leg curls. During the first session of the study subjects were asked to establish their 8RM on both exercises. At the second session subjects were asked to use the weights established during their 8RM session to train to failure. Researchers measured the response in the hamstrings during both exercises and found that lying leg curls activated the lower lateral head of the hamstrings 170% more than stiff leg deadlifts, and activated 65% more muscle fibers in the medial head of the hamstring. The practical applications of the study indicate that for someone looking to add more “hang” to their hamstrings, using lying leg curls in a variety of rep ranges will stimulate the greatest amount of muscle growth.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24978835
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