BodyOpus: Reloaded

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BodyOpus – Reloaded
The Eve of 10 years later

Introduction

YOU’RE NOT OVERWEIGHT; you’re normal. But there’s an itsy-bitsy secret, a painful part to keep to yourself because nobody will believe you. Well, I’m onto you. I won’t blab, but I know, because I’m a professional body confidante. The hush-hush is this – you’re still fat! Now relax. That was the worst news. The good news is that you’re not crazy.

You and I both know that you’ve been a good diet soldier – graduated from Weight Watchers, rotated your diet and embraced fit over fat. Perhaps you’ve even dabbled in Life Extension’s powders and pills. Your doctor, looking over your weight, cholesterol and various blood tests, proclaims you marvelously healthy. Your nutritionist is upbeat; you’re on course. All those food labels at the supermarket are now memorized.

And finally, your clothes. Your trousers or your dress size – they’re the same sizes as the models wear.

Victory! You’re not obese, not overweight – you’ve finally arrived. You’re – ah, well – normal. Happy at last? No? Of course not. Deep down in your heart of hearts, you know that normal is just...normal. But let me gently remind you, you’re still not fat. Your trim, toned, fit and in shape.

The chilling words echoed in Dan Duchaine’s 1996 BodyOpus, a militant recomposition program for people who are not fat yet still harbor a physique they had not pictured when setting out on their current weight loss program. When he introduced this diet that found itself grouped with the cyclic ketogenic set of diets – following only the Anabolic Diet before it in this class – it was clear to me that Mr. Duchaine was years ahead of his time.

It was decades prior that ketogenic diets had received much acclaim, but the cyclical version as suggested by DiPasquale (Anabolic Diet) and Duchaine (BodyOpus) far surpassed what Michael Zumpano, Robert Atkins, and the like could have imagined. I am often reminded that during his time on this planet, I never dreamed of the body of a Robert Atkins. Of course, without him, the works of many others would likely have never seen mainstream.

When Duchaine’s book was released, it offered more of a scientific rationale to the acclaimed Anabolic Diet, yet DiPasquale’s work was the first of its kind and with it comes the inevitable need for growth. Duchaine’s work proved to fill in some of the gaps. Yet there is still much to have evolved in this group. Two years later, Lyle McDonald’s book on Ketogenic Dieting hit the shelves, captivating only those with the scientific inclination to understand what the hell he was talking about. Many critics acknowledge how it bores them to this day. Of the three, the most correct in presentation without loading the layperson down with scientific fact while remaining entertaining is BodyOpus – what is dubbed by some as the encyclopedia of the CKD (and perhaps bodybuilding itself even to this day) despite its lack of completeness when compared to McDonald’s work.

The challenging fact behind diets of this caliber is that it likely takes a long time for many of us to buy into the possibility that they work – despite the science. It would go on to challenge all the dogmatic preachings of our day, yet prove itself to be more scientific and have a deeper depth of rationale supporting why it may work than any of the low-fat or ketogenics before it would ever had dreamed.

At the time of its initial printing, I had just gotten into the game of this about four years prior so it was hard for me to believe the writings. Though purchasing his book early in its public release, it was hard for me too to accept that this guy could have known what he was talking about. After all, the book’s promises were no more dramatic than all of the mainstream literature.

I had an opportunity to meet him about two years after the book’s release about the time McDonald’s work would hit the stands. I found it hard to buy into that which he was telling me as I questioned his work due to how much I had been essentially brainwashed by an industry I was trying to understand. Yet still, I was unhappy with my progress – despite achieving the “normalcy” (and nothing more) he preached about on page one of the book.

In 2000, with Duchaine’s passing and the acclaim he received, I had to again take his book off the shelf and give her another read. This time though, I had actually attained a decent body habitus and to my delight was able to compete in two natural bodybuilding shows of my own and actually come out on top of one novice division. So now I had the support that other diets could work as well. I continued on in my plight to continue to read and attempt to know all I could about body composition. I saw countless clients with the introduction of a business still find success with the low fat diet, yet still pondered the CKD workings in the back of my mind.

It was three years later (2003), that I slipped a little in body composition following a year of medical school. My bodyfat percentage had actually climbed to nine percent after keeping it in the six percent realm for almost three years time span. I wanted to do something and do something fast and still the CKD found its way out of my subconscious and I figured, what a better way than this to test Mr. Duchaine’s (and those around him) theories. I would set an eight-week goal of dropping to six percent body fat, while holding on to as much muscle mass as was feasibly possible but I would incorporate some changes of my own – an update to the brilliancy I had read about now seven years prior. Perhaps, needless to say, eight weeks later, it was so.

After a rough first year in the wards of the hospital, I have found myself back at nine percent body fat and yet would not like to see history repeating itself, or worse. Only this time, at my disposal I have one more weapon – Designer Supplement’s ActivaTe. In addition to the changes I had incorporated two years prior, bringing BodyOpus up to par with the current century, the only addition to the diet will be ActivaTe amongst other minor noted improvements based on more up to date research. These other improvements will be controlled for to examine how much of a difference the ActivaTe offers. For up to the minute results and rationale, check the daily log for how it is shaping up. Article entitled: BodyOpus meets ActivaTe

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Rationale

The appeal of the diet, to which I pondered for seven years before actually embarking on my own updated version of, is embodied in all that I believe in and attempt to teach on a daily basis. For one reason; the science is there and the results have followed! In fact, never before have I seen a diet with such depth of taking into consideration all of the sciences involved in basic human metabolism – Nutritional Biochemistry, Exercise Physiology, Endocrinology (for which it is known I live and die by), Neurology. We will consider each, one-by-one in the discussion that follows.

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NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY COMPONENT

Caloric Tallies – Energy Balance

In order to stay in energy balance (neither gaining nor losing weight), we must, on average, consume an amount of food that meets our daily energy expenditure. The daily energy expenditure includes the energy to support our basal metabolism (BMR) and our physical activities (METs or AFs) plus the energy required to process the food we eat (diet-induced thermogenesis - DIT). Now, it is obvious as a bodybuilder and with the intentions of this diet – we are not usually happy with balance. Upsetting balance (i.e. – either gaining or losing weight) is the result of playing around with the aforementioned 3 values: BMR, METs, and DIT.

Basal Metabolic Rate

The BMR is a measure of the energy required to maintain life: the functioning of the lungs and kidneys, the pumping of the heart, the maintenance of the ionic gradients across membranes, the reactions of biochemical pathways, and so forth. Its usually determined from a measurement of the rate at which oxygen is consumed or heat is produced by a resting person who has recently awakened in the morning after fasting for at least 12 hours. In practice, therefore, the BMR is really the resting metabolic rate (RMR).

There are at least a dozen entirely different ways proposed to estimate BMR/RMR (i.e. – Rough Estimate equations, Owen Equations, Harris and Benedict Equations, and the list goes on). For the sake of this experiment, I calculate my basal rate using ALL the different equations I was aware of and taking the average of the set.

Physical Activity

In addition to BMR/RMR – you are likely to get up and move around a bit during the day. It is in fact a shame we cannot lie around like slugs all the time I suppose. The energy required for this physical activity contributes to the daily energy expenditure. The difference in physical activity between a student and say, a lumberjack, is enormous, and a student who is relatively sedentary during the week (which likely applies to much of the working office types as well) may be much more active during the weekend (or on days off).

We can again do these calculations in a number of ways and my figures were figured out using a whole slew of measures and then taking the average.

A couple examples are as follows:
Rough Estimate:
• 30% of BMR for a very sedentary person (i.e. – our student or office worker)
• 60-70% of BMR for person who engages in about 2 hours of moderate exercise a day.
• 100% or more of BMR for a person who does several hours of heavy exercise a day.
• Of course there are values that fall in between those, but I am trying to make this “simple.”

The requirements of the BodyOpus diet include 3 mandatory trips to the gym. However, that activity will be considered later on in this writing. Here, the physical activity accounts for day-to-day activity.

Additional ways (perhaps more precise but due to tough calculations and variation also offer up more room for either error or inconsistency) to approximate the energy required for physical activity are through use of the following values called

Activity Factors or Metabolic Equivalents (METs):

Resting: sleeping, reclining (1.0)

Very Light: seated & standing activities - driving, lab work, typing, sewing, ironing, cooking, playing cards, playing a musical instrument, etc...(1.5)

Light: walking on a level surface at 2.5-3mph, garage work, electrical trades, carpentry, restaurant trades, house cleaning, golf, sailing, table tennis, etc...(2.5)

Moderate: waking 3.4-4mph, weeding and hoeing, carrying loads, cycling, skiing, tennis, dancing, etc...(5.0)

Heavy: walking uphill with a load, tree felling, heavy manual digging, mountain climbing, basketball, football, soccer, etc... (7.0)


Training Factors

METs can be expanded for the intentional workout activities one may find their selves in the gym for. Differentiating cardio from the aforementioned values is sometimes interesting. If you are to include cardio in your calculation, I would advise against calculating both the aforementioned activities and those that follow:

The aerobic subset

high intensity running- 18
high intensity cycling - 12
low intensity running - 8 high impact aerobics - 7
high intensity (speed) walking - 6 low impact aerobics - 5
low intensity cycling – 4
low intensity walking - 2

The anerobic subset

Circuit type training - 8
intense free weight lifting – 7 intense machine training - 6
moderate free weight lifting – 5 moderate machine training - 4 light free weight lifting – 3
light machine training - 2

Understand that the term “intensity” in anaerobic training like weight lifting is defined differently by different “authorities,” yet in the world of exercise physiology – its definition is somewhat universal. I think the confusion came out of the cardio conundrum and how aerobic capacity gets its “intense” dubbing. It is designed as how close you lift to your 1RM (read: NOT moving from one exercise to the next really quickly!) and with this program, the Monday and Tuesday workouts (80% 1RM) will yield a MET value of 7, while the Friday session will yield anywhere from a 5-8.

Diet-Induced Thermogenesis (DIT)

In addition to the BMR/RMR and Activity Factors, our energy systems will either remain in balance or become disrupted with the types of food we eat. You may have heard of DIT being referenced in former writings as the specific dynamic action (SDA) or what the layperson seemingly latched onto, the thermic effect of food (TEF) both of which are outdated terms. Besides DIT is so much cooler to say than either SDA or TEF! The central dogma to DIT says that following our ingestion of food, our metabolic rate increases because energy is needed to digest, distribute, and store nutrients.

The energy required to process the types and quantities of food in the typical American diet is probably equal to about 10% of the total number of kilocalories ingested. Now for bodybuilders, simple adjustments should be made that elevate this number to 15% under the “typical” bodybuilding diet. Fortunately, as a practicing CKDer, you get the luxury of calculating in 20%. The DIT tally is about equivalent to caloric content of carbs, fat, and protein lost by rounding off these values to 4, 9, and 4, respectively. (Note: One could probably get away with about 5 for protein based on gluconeogenic conversions in the “typical” bodybuilding diet.) Therefore, DIT is often ignored with the exception of our additional rounded factor for protein which should be accounted for. In the ketogenic phase of the diet, you get the luxury of incorporating the 20%, but your DIT fluctuates during the four phases of the diet we will discuss shortly.

Daily Energy Expediture

The total daily energy expenditure can be determined from the BMR/RMR and the appropriate percentage of the BMR/RMR percentage of BMR required for physical activity (given above).

You have likely heard the current hype of: “energy balance has never been as simple as calories in, calories out.” I am going to disagree. Energy Balance IS this simple, but it’s only PART of the equation. If energy (calories) is in balance, you will maintain “weight.” If this balance becomes shifted in either the excess of deficit columns, you will either gain or lose “weight.” Later on, we will shift this tally in favor of “fat” loss versus “weight.”

Ideally, we should maintain a weight consistent with good health. From this perspective, what would an ideal or desirable be? Life insurance companies have concluded that this is the weight at which a person is most likely to live for the longest time. They periodically publish tables of average weights for “healthy” people, based on sex, height, and body frame size. Overweight people are frequently defined as more than 20% above their ideal weight. The body mass index (BMI), calculated as weight/height2 (kg/m2), is another measure to determine whether a person’s weight is in the desirable range. Individuals with BMI values below 20 or above 25 are considered to be underweight or overweight, respectively. Obese tallies tip in on this scale at greater than 30. Funny how bodybuilders usually tip in at “obese” calculations no matter how you calculate it – yet, this remains to NOT be our ideal. Everyone wants to live, and nobody wants to die, but what if your life be defined not by your death (which is what the “obese” category helps potentially predict), but your life; that is, your vitality, activity, and how you occupy your life. In this sense, the bodybuilding lifestyle and more directly here the BodyOpus diet’s impact on those measures is astronomic.

Macronutrient Breakdown

The breakdown of macronutrients and their cyclical nature has sound support in scientific rationale. It is what will essentially dictate the four states of the diet plan and how this will induce different phases of how your body composition will be affected.

Stage I: Pre-Ketosis

Stage II: Ketosis
- The Basics: In the presence of decreased insulin (from post-prandial response), Free Fatty Acids (FFAs) are freed from adipocyte (fat cells) triglycerides into the blood stream and in the absence or depletion of glycogen over a 12-16 hour time frame (dependent upon the person). At this time the FFAs are converted to ketone bodies as glucagon levels are increasing. FFAs are NOT used in energy production via recycling or ketone body formation if glycogen levels are high due to its potential to form something called Malonyl Co-A, which inhibits something called CPT-1 (an enzyme of the carnitine shuttle involved in direction of the FFAs of long chain TGs to the mitochondria to be oxidized).

Stage III: Post-Ketosis
- With initial ascension out of ketosis with fructose-containing meal 1.5 hours prior to Friday workout

Stage IV: Recomposition (Glycogen Supercompensation)
- A prime example of a half-truth that has made supplement companies millions of dollars pertains to glycogen and glycogen-loading. During exercise, especially prolonged exercise of one or more hours (i.e. – the Friday 2-hour workout), your body will use a sizeable portion of its glycogen reserve – glycogen being sugar stored as starch in the muscles and liver for future needs. This is only a half truth that was dreamed up to sell you a complex carbohydrate powder or liquid made from maltodextrin – a very inexpensive and nutrient deplete starch compound, appropriately dubbed powdered white bread or alternatively, my favorite – liquid crack!
- Maltodextrin is cheap, dirt cheap and its also a sugar in disguise of a starch. And to compound this felony, the carbohydrate compound cleaverly denoted, glucose polymers, was created by stretching the starch molecule of maltodextrin – supposedly making it digest a little slower. Many modern “post workout” powders contain one or both of the above incognito sugars that have the power to raise blood sugar levels and block fat burning – while draining your wallet! I suppose with the fat blocking or, even worse, fat gain, with concurrent wallet downsizing – you at least remain in homeostatic balance from a intake/outflow standpoint.
- In attempts to keep this as simple as possible: 1st 24 hours – higher GI CHOs, 2nd 24 hours – lower GI CHOs – restricted to glucose and sucrose (NOT fructose, due to fruit sugar’s preferential to refill liver glycogen). Liquid CHOs and timing of CHO-intake have been maintained in this updated version of BodyOpus for two reasons despite research not really supporting the benefit of this: 1. Easier to consume the amount of necessary CHO for complete replenishment and 2. Better Blood Glucose stabilization (which could prove valuable protecting against another potential side effect where insulin sensitivity reacts in a way you would not like and you become hyper-insensitive – see later). To maintain glycogen compensation, the worst part is the maintenance of eating throughout the course of the night at regular two-hour intervals. Although not supported by research, it seems to offer the best results to people able to actually undergo this type of diet strategy.
- Your glycogen “carb-up” begins immediately at the conclusion of your training as waiting even a small amount of time decreases the rate of supercomp.
- Only the muscles worked during the depletion workout are supercomped to max potential and we aren’t going through this trouble for half-assed.
- Additonally, if you were to perform a workout that offered significant trauma (i.e. – heavy, low rep), your rate of glycogen recomp is also slowed.


There will be blood glucose readings throughout my trial to monitor where I fall along the aforementioned 4-stage continuum.

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EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY COMPONENT

A Good Diet without Exercise to Match is Just Half the Equation!

Yet it’s the fault of 99% of programs I see guys and gals partaking in the gym. We must become students in exercise physiology before either just throwing around weights or hopping on the hamster wheel (i.e. – ANY “cardio” machine – a peculiar dubbing to begin with). Pay attention - class is in session!

Your body calls upon the three macronutrients to fuel itself during exercise: glycogen (stored form of carbohydrates), fat, and in some circumstances, protein. The primary fuels during aerobic exercise are fat (fro body tissue as well as within the muscles themselves) and carbohydrate (muscle glycogen and blood sugar). Low-intensity aerobic exercise relies almost entirely on fat for fuel. So bring on the hamster-wheel activity then and where do I sign up, right? Not so fast skipper!

As exercise intensity increases, your body gradually switches over from fat and glycogen to glycogen alone. This point more or less corresponds with something called the lactate threshold. Push past this threshold and – if you’ve done much vigorous exercise you know what I’m about to say – you become intimately familiar with the “burn” that flares up from the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles you’re overtaxing. The increase in glycogen use at higher exercise intensities is driven by a number of factors, including the release of epinephrine (adrenaline) – our first hormone to mention (see Endocrine discussion later) – your muscles’ inability to get the energy they need from the quantity of fatty acids circulating in your blood, and the greater involvement of different types of muscle fibers.

When aerobic exercise continues at fairly intense (but not full-out) levels, or even at less intense levels but for extended periods, your system drifts into what’s known as depletion: you exhaust those first-tier energy sources (glycogen stores) and actually begin metabolizing yourself: “eating up” muscle tissue to convert that protein into the energy you need to keep on going. Researchers have known for a while that once the body reaches this plateau, it burns up to 5 to 6 grams of protein for every 30 minutes of ongoing activity.

The reason I am always adamant that cardio stinks is because we cannot predict how close we are at ANY given point to this threshold. Therefore, the aforementioned muscle loss is magnified if you’re on a low-calorie diet while you’re doing all this aerobic exercise, and magnified further if you are NOT consuming adequate protein (1.816 grams per pound of body weight for BASAL requirements). Most people incorporating cardio into their routines unfortunately ARE taking on low calorie diets in hopes of their six-pack dreams. Interestingly enough, they will mention the articles in the bodybuilding magazines as their sole defense, citing “it’s how the pros do it!” Well, I got news for you if you aren’t already aware – the “pros” have very extreme chemical regimens to go along with all their wonderful cardio and it won’t make a bit of difference for the average supplement-only consuming gym-goer.

All of this is compounded and exacerbated as you age, because in your early 30s, you begin losing 1-2 percent of muscle mass each year anyway – a 5-10-pound loss of muscle per decade. Suffice it to say, Duchaine wasn’t a big proponent of cardio, but insisted if you must do it, then by all means – knock yourself out. In 2003, I found that the program didn’t need it and I am happy to report likely did better.

Anyone with the “heart health” argument can rest easier perhaps learning that researchers learned in 1988 that increased aerobic fitness produces a significant decrease in mortality. Hehe – they also learned, however, that this decrease was only seen in those people who start out as complete slugs who I believe should be doing ANY kind of movement anyway. So you’re then telling me that I am not to work out my heart? I am not sure why it is hard to understand that your heart IS in fact active with weight training. I think people that preach the contrary are simply NOT working hard enough! In 1990, the American College of Sports Medicine first recognized strength training as an important part of a complete exercise program for all healthy adults. A decade later, the American Heart Association issued an advisory in its own journal, Circulation, stating that strength training does in fact improve heart health. The AHA strongly recommended a weight-lifting program to prevent cardiovascular disease and to help rehabilitate those who have suffered mild heart attacks.

What prompted theses groups to have a change of heart, so to speak, about the benefits of strength training> Research had begun to show that weight lifting can provide modest bumps in VO2 max (essentially the body’s ability to process oxygen). Evidence has also shown that regular strength training lowers resting blood pressure and levels of LDL cholesterol while enhancing your stroke volume (a sexy-sounding term for the amount of blood your heart pumps with each beat). In addition, studies have found that strength training can decrease the stress on your heart when you do every day tasks like carrying heavy trash bags to the curb, and that pumping iron improves your body’s ability to respond to glucose. Further, research shows that weight lifting may even protect against damage by free radicals versus contribute to their production (I suspect this is actually a balanced effect – but this is another involved topic).

How bout a side effect comparison of the aerobic greats? Jim Fixx – big long-distance runner; arguably dubbed the father of the movement in the industry. Dead – after jogging in the backwoods one day after near 100% occlusion (blockage) of his coronary arteries. What? Where’s the protection? I suppose if Fixx gets the “father” nod, then Dr. Cooper at the Dallas clinic would be then dubbed the godfather of aerobics. He suffered the typical knee problems and chronic Achilles tendonitis – right on track for knee replacement. He has since added a rubberized jogging trail to his Dallas clinic and cut back his own personal running program. Following Fixx’s death, Cooper wrote a book entitled Running without Fear: How to Reduce the Risk of Heart Attack and Sudden Death during Aerobic Exercise. I have mixed views of this. I have to believe his motives stem from one of two things: 1. True fear of the real evils of “cardio-”protective benefits of this style of exercise that had always been present, or 2. Yet another way to make a dollar off a tragic event after the likelihood his cardio preaching tours would likely suffer. For the record, strength training not only promotes bone density (and anyone who says it contributes to “bad knees” is NOT doing it properly) and reduces bone loss but also helps rehabilitate orthopedic injuries.

Needless to say, I do NOT do cardio nor even consider its inclusion in the BodyOpus: Reloaded plan or any other CKD a necessity.

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ENDOCRINOLOGY COMPONENT

Theoretically, entitling a section anything-endocrine could be trouble. I will limit the discussion due for the sake of incorporating more about the program, but know it was all taken into consideration with this kind of program.

Hormonal Harmony
Only recently has testosterone become part of mainstream medicine. Medical researchers have known for decades of the benefits of the hormone, but its powerful effects have scared many physicians. The fact that bodybuilders and athletes took matters into their own hands in the seventies and began using synthetic anabolic steroid drugs to boost testosterone levels further alienated the medical establishment from considering the effects of testosterone therapies.

But testosterone doesn’t act alone. There is a whole cast of additional players (hormones) we need to address that will be imperative in any properly balanced program and if correctly influencing them all will yield body recomposition success. It is kind of like putting together a movie with an all star cast provided we had no budget. To date, BodyOpus and its CKD teammates are the only type of diets that address and incorporate each and every one.

Without further adieu, I would like to introduce the impressive cast: Testosterone, Insulin, Growth Hormone, Estrogen, T3/T4, Glucagon, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Serum Gonadotropins (namely LH) and Cortisol to name those we will make mention of throughout this article.

Insulin Insanity
Though testosterone is an important aspect in any muscle-building program, it unfortunately gets way too much attention – especially in the supplement industry. Unfortunately, this is often at the displacement of attention to the others. Insulin regulation is of utmost importance in my BodyOpus update and should be in any diet program – dare I say, potentially even more important than our precious testosterone.

Some people refer to insulin as the most anabolic hormone of them all. To many people, insulin is solely associated in the back of their heads with diabetes mellitus. Since the symptoms for both types of diabetes include elevated blood glucose levels, or hyperglycemia, insulin is most associated with carbohydrate metabolism. Insulin, however, is an all-purpose storage hormone that not only promotes storage of carbohydrates as glycogen (an important consideration in this diet), but also plays an integral role in bodyfat accretion and muscle protein synthesis.

The latter effect is the subject of debate in scientific circles. Some researchers say that insulin exerts merely a permissive effect on muscle-cell protein synthesis, while others believe it’s anticatabolic in that it appears to prevent excessive breakdown of muscle protein. Still another popular hypothesis is that insulin directly stimulates muscle protein synthesis, an anabolic action.

Much of the confusion on the issue of how insulin affects muscle is based on variously designed studies. Just as anabolic steroids work better if supplied with an anabolic stimulus in the form of exercise, the same appears to be the case with insulin. In other words, taking insulin will not promote muscular growth unless accompanied by a certain type of exercise. The type of exercise required is weight training. The muscle-fiber argument comes up all the time and fast-twitch fibers outside of being stimulated easier to grow (some may say slow twitch are NOT capable of this feat at all) are also the ones that require insulin to promote protein synthesis. The research here further actually supports the potential detriments to an aesthetically pleasing body over time with the cardiovascular training and aerobic lifestyle, but I will digress as I could talk about that too ad nausea. This program and life should not be about taking a step or two forward while taking a bunch back – though year in and year out at gyms across America, we have our proof.

In BodyOpus, we have times of serious insulin secretion (involved with glycogen supercompensation phases – that’s right some nutritional biochem cannot be erased in concert here) and times of insulin lag (the five-day work week). Why then, with all of what I just reported would we want to have insulin secreted only two of the seven days of the week? Again, remember and always keep in mind – everything works in concert.

Insulin levels directly affect glucagon, norepinephrine, epinephrine, cortisol, growth hormone, thyroid, and testosterone levels. If you were to look at as a balancing act or scale, it would like line up as insulin, thyroid hormones, and testosterone versus glucagon, norei/epi, cortisol, and estrogens. GH is more a tricky player and kind of like the spy in the equation teasing out things about each side. But, make no mistake; it’s not exactly that simple. Unfortunately, there are just too many interactions without making this article into a book to have them all accurately displayed. Recall our ketosis nutritional biochemical description, the counter process is necessary. Low insulin promotes increased glucagon and then cascades are set in place as depicted above through secretion of the other hormones.

This is one reason why supplements that work on one of the hormones do NOT mean a whole lot to me if you don’t use the supplement as part of an adequate COMPLETE program to “supplement” what will work in your body if all is in order in the first place. I am often reminded of the person who takes ephedra-type “fat” burners and yet doesn’t consider insulin regulation while using that kind of supplement. Do you see how this goes against what I have just told you about the interrelationship between circulating catecholamines and insulin?

There are too many hormones that get bad reps in mainstream media, but each hormone has an appropriate role in your body and it is their balance and appropriate timing that will ultimately dictate your body recomposition success.

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NEUROLOGY COMPONENT

Synaptic Science

The nervous and endocrine systems are closely related. Glands throughout your body release hormones, but most of the glands are activated by nerves. Conversely, the endocrine glands control some of the functions of the nervous system. The nervous system’s equivalent to the endocrine system’s hormones is the neurotransmitter. Although there are some 50 neurotransmitters, only about 10 are involved in most brain-cell communication. You may be familiar with some we have already spoke of that double as hormones: epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline). This is accounted for in their genesis as a neuroendocrine gland. Also worth noting here are: acetylcholine, serotonin, and dopamine. (Note: you are likely familiar with others supported by the supplement industry: glycine and GABA). All of these neurotransmitters are put into action with BodyOpus: Reloaded.

Our two neuroendocrine neurotransmitters (epi and norepi) elevate mood, alertness, and even assertiveness. Acetylcholine seems to facilitate memory and help control movement, while serotonin causes drowsiness and relaxation. Dopamine is essential for both sexual arousal (yeah, I know not the primary concern of the diet, but it got your attention) and coordination. All of the aforementioned neurotransmitters with the exception of Acetylcholine are made from amino acids supplied by dietary protein. (Note: we’ll address acetylcholine later in the supplement section of the article).

The cellular units that use these chemicals are called neurons, and there are probably more than a billion of them in the brain alone. Each of these neurons is, in effect, an electrical conduit that receives and transmits signals that cross a space called a synapse. The actual transmission is mediated by neurotransmitter chemicals.

An average neuron has several thousand synaptic junctions. Theoretically, if you have optimal levels of neurotransmitters, you’re more energetic and dynamic. If you have subpar levels, you could suffer from depression, a lack of energy, or even diminished muscle motor unit recruitment. Whether you’re lifting a weight, taking a step, or moving your eyes across this page, the muscle actions are controlled largely by neurotransmitters. Now, putting this in practice, if you’re trying to curl a dumbbell, you need a certain number of muscle cells, or motor units, to do it. Let’s say your supply of neurotransmitters is as low as a three-toed sloth because BodyOpus and other CKDs carry with them one of the drastic side effects purported to be diminished energy levels and fatigue. You might not be able to activate enough muscle cells to accomplish the lift. If you could somehow increase the number of neurotransmitters, you might be able to recruit enough fibers to lift the weight. My update in 2003 seemed to keep this at bay to a large degree (see supplement section below).

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Pre-Diet Preparation

Sunday (10/16/05) - Sunday (10/30/05): Induction Diet

My diet induction was a necessary evil – and does NOT go route of the BodyOpus book. The reason is quite simple. I actually think that in all its “militant-ness”, BodyOpus was, by far, way too kind to the reader and assumed you to have never dieted in the past in its induction phases. The problem I have always seen with that is that, by the time it came down to your first ketogenic phase, it would take that much longer to find yourself at the blood glucose goals proposed by the book.

By the time Sunday night, the eve of round II with this diet plan, had rolled around, I would be already at the ideal blood sugar goal for Monday and essentially one step ahead of the game. This also staves off particular side effects exhibited by some low-carbers, like the prototypical hypoglycemic headache.

So what about the diet? Well, the diet would be a lowER carbohydrate plan, along the lines of the targeted ketogenic diet (TKD). Now, your carbohydrates in this diet come from two sources: simple carbs in the post-workout period (<50g) and the carbohydrates in fiber + complex form in a serving of 10 nuts (top 3: walnuts, pecans, almonds – IN THAT ORDER!) with EACH meal over the course of 8-12 meals in the day for proper insulin balance and essential serum gonadotropin regulation. Very simple.

Thursday (10/27/05): Discount Anabolics Final Order

A special thank you to Jeremy for dealing with my phone from within the confides of the hospital walls as this proves to be a “difficult” conversation when speaking long distance. I had to call in the order based on having most of my supplies and the close proximity to the actual diet trial. My final order during this phone call looked as follows:

Product(s):
• SAN Thyrocuts II for 3,5 diiodothyronine component (this is a just in case supplement, but is NOT intended for the trial – see rationale later).
http://www.discountanabolics.com/p/TYC

• Designer Supplements Glucophase XR (used for Glucose Disposable Cocktail – described later).
http://www.discountanabolics.com/p/DS01

• Serious Nutrition Solutions Reduce XT (This 7-oxo product was not used in trial 2 years ago, but an alternate version of 7-oxo was. I do not anticipate this to vary results. Will be controlled for)
http://www.discountanabolics.com/p/SN17

• Axis Labs SesaMax (this was a substitution for my intended out of stock Avant Labs Sesathin. Due to the flax component, I would now have to recalculate the components of fat attributed to poly- and mono- unsaturated sources. See rationale in other components of this writing). These Sesamin/Sesathin products were not used in my initial experiment, but values of the fat macronutrient P:M:S were rationed the same way.
http://www.discountanabolics.com/p/AX04

This is an example of great customer service from DA in aiding my “project.” The Express Delivery option had the products to me by Friday afternoon as I would be leaving this weekend from Baltimore to Rochester.

Friday (10/28/05): Blood Work

Tests included the following:

Metabolic Studies:
(1) Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP) – incl. BMP – Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Carbon Dioxide, BUN, creatinine, glucose, Liver Function Panel: AST, ALT, LDH, Tot. Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase, Blood Proteins: Albumin, Globulin, Albumin/Globulin Ratio
(2) Lipid Profile (author’s note: these values were NOT monitored in 2003 trial, however, per request of Designer Supplements, I have included them)
(3) Creatine Kinase Panel – rationale: what are collectively known as “liver” function tests, are NOT specific to the liver and disrupted muscle tissue after workouts could lead to their artificial elevation

Endocrine Studies:
(1) Thyroid Panel (TSH, Free T4, Free T3) – rationale: monitoring for Euthyroid Sick Syndrome (ESS), present in many diets that require deficits in caloric intake below basal metabolism, usually unbeknownst to the dieter – Note: I avoided rT3 due to delay of results and cost, but should be able to monitor without it.
(2) Testosterone (Total Test, Free Test) – rationale: evaluation of ActivaTe
(3) Estrogen (Estradiol, Estrone) – rationale: evaluation of ActivaTe

Studies would be compared at baseline, 2 weeks after beginning ActivaTe, and upon conclusion of the diet). For results, please view the daily log. A comparison can be made to 2003 values with the EXCEPTION of Lipid Panel which as stated was not drawn at that time.

Sunday (10/29/05): Glucometer Purchase

Blood Glucose Goals would be taken each day upon rising in AM. BG goals were set as follows:
Monday: ~80mg/dl
Tuesday: 60-80mg/dl
Wednesday: 40-60mg/dl
Thursday: 40-60mg/dl
Friday: 40-60mg/dl

With the aid of 2 pharmacists and 3 endocrinologists on which recommendation they would make about Glucometers, all 5 had gave the consistent nod to one brand: One Touch – Basic due to its accuracy and simplicity of use. My attempts to use this piece of equipment the first time would not come as easy as the recommendations, however. After poking four of five fingers on the left hand, the only thing that remained certain was how close I would mimic the character Seymour from The Little Shop of Horrors movie – obviously, a much more attractive version, of course!

Upon calling their 24-hour hotline, I had to explain first how it was not a diabetic emergency and then get the dictation of how to use it appropriately. Did I reach my blood glucose goal? Hehe- you’ll have to check the daily log for that information. At least I walk away with some increased knowledge for future patients inquiring about this brand of devices.

[dinoiii]

The Diet

Caloric Tallies for ALL days will remain at Maintenance – 10% of calories. Reminder: Because this is an updated version, what exactly this tally is will NOT be a STATIC number. It will vary from week to week based on new BMRs.

Monday: F:P:C ratio = 70:30:0

Tuesday: F:P:C ratio = 68.4:30:1.6 (The 1.6% of CHO will be ingested in the PRE-Workout Period)

Wednesday: F:P:C ratio = 67.5:30:2.5 (The 2.5% of CHO will be ingested in the AM upon rising)

Thursday: F:P:C ratio = 67.5:30:2.5 (The 2.5% of CHO will be ingested in the AM upon rising)

Friday: F:P:C ratio = 65:30:5 (The 5% is split up, with 4% coming in the 1.5 hours pre-workout and the other 1% coming immediately preworkout – the important concepts here is the composition of the CHO preparing for super-recomp weekend. 1.5 hours pre-workout comes in the form of fructose and immediately pre-workout in the form of glucose) Now, your weekend actually begins after the workout – well, at least from the nutritional standpoint. Your PWO meal will be the first meal of Stage I (Substage A) of your recomposition weekend.

Saturday: F:P:C ratio = 10:30:60

Sunday: F:P:C ratio = 10:30:60

Now, because the “diet” includes its own specially-designed workout program, it is imperative to have the two components work synergistically. Friday’s workout will deplete glycogen stores to 8-25 mmol/kg, which sets you up strategically for the glycogen supercompensation weekend.

The weekend part of the program is usually where people blow it. Dipasquale’s Anabolic Diet, while allowing more freedom didn’t work quite as well, but if it is easier to follow, then by all means – CHO gorge fest on the weekend. If you are really more into the aesthetics that can be, I would encourage militant following of the following set up of microcycles and substages as proposed by Duchaine.

Recomposition Weekend

STAGE I: Initial 24 hours
Feedings: 12 (every 2 hrs., incl. while you sleep)
CHOs: 16 x LBM (kg) / Type: Glucose, Glucose polymers, Starches
All 15% EFAs in 24 hour period, Walnuts = ideal

Substage A: Meals 1-4
2g liquid CHO/kg LBM (simple sugars or glucose polymers) PER MEAL

Substage B: Meals 5-8
1.5g liquid CHO + solid High-glycemic CHO (i.e.- corn flakes)/kg LBM PER MEAL

Substage C: Meals 9-12
0.5g solid starches + some liquid CHOs PER MEAL

STAGE II: 25-48 hours
Feedings: 12 (every 2 hrs. incl. while you sleep)
CHOs Type: Mixed, Primarily starches
All 15% EFAs in 24 hour period, Walnuts = ideal

Substage A: Meals 1-4
1g CHO/kg LBM ... Insulin sensitivity declining therefore, eat more solid CHOs + protein

Substage B: Meals 5-8
0.75g CHO/kg LBM ... Rice, Pasta, Potatoes

Substage C: Meals 9-12
0.5g CHO/kg LBM ... Since want to begin lowering BG before new week of glycogen depletion, Simple liquid CHOs + Protein ... SUGAR CRASH

*NOTE: It has been speculated (McDonald) that you can go as low as 15% of your diet’s calories on your supercomp time frame due to the support of research as hypercaloric times with so many calories from the CHO realm, would prove themselves to be protein-sparing in addition to anecdotal reports that the appetite-suppressing effects of protein would make it impossible to eat all the CHOs you need to during supercomp. I criticize the research he speaks of and actually point out the synergistic response of glycogen filling times with protein + CHO meals versus sole CHO meals and still propose 1.816 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight for the sedentary individual or it throws off ALL aforementioned calculations and CAN contribute to hampering efficacy of the diet. I also criticize the anecdotal reports and simply say suck it up to those who say they can’t eat enough to meet demands. Its only 48 hours! Geesh. Perhaps, you could try Atkins or the Zone instead.

In McDonald’s defense, he does acknowledge that you should really reduce the CHO tally to 60% of the intake and bump up protein to 25%. I think it should remain constant, as did Duchaine.

SIDE EFFECTS

This would not be complete if I didn’t acknowledge the purported side effects of ketogenic diets by critics.

Potential Diet Side Effects: Insulin Resistance (during recomp. weekends), increased cholesterol levels (if no weight/fat loss occurs during ketogenic time frames), low energy levels, Brain Effects (short term memory loss + decreased cognitive functioning), Increased Uric Acid Levels, Kidney Stones or Kidney Damage, Liver Damage, Constipation, Nutrient Deficiencies, Calcium loss/osteoporosis, Weight/Fat gain, immune deficits (could be especially an issue as flu season is upon us), Optic Neuropathy, hair loss/changes in finger and toenails. I will monitor all of these and keep you abreast of any developments in these areas.

[dinoiii]

The Training

The three days of training are Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. The basis for this selection is more on muscle glycogen levels in a recomposition diet like this than the abracadabra- type may lead you to believe.

Monday (FULL Upper Body Tension Workout):
1.5 hours
The workout will include High Poundages (80% 1RM) and Lower Rep ranges (5-8). My muscle glycogen levels should be adequate today for this feat.

Chest: Flat Bench x 1 warm-up, 3 work sets, Incline Dumbbell Press x 2 work sets

Shoulders: Military Press: 3 work sets

Tris: Close-Grip Bench x 3 work sets, Weighted Dips x 2 work sets

Bis: Standing Barbell Curl x 3 work sets

Abs: Roman Chair Leg Lifts + Decline Sit Ups + Uneven Push-Ups

Tuesday (FULL Lower Body Tension Workout):
1.5 hours
This workout, like Monday will include High Poundages (80% 1RM) and Lower Rep ranges (5-8). My muscle glycogen levels should again be adequate today for this feat. To split up body parts evenly, I have incorporated back into the lower body split.

Back: Bent Over Barbell Rows x warm up, 3 work sets, Pull Up x 2 work sets

Quads: Squats x 4 work sets, 1-legged Leg Press x 2 (ea. leg)

Hams: Good Mornings x 2 work sets, Deadlifts x 2 work sets, 1-legged Leg Curl x 2 (ea. leg)

Calves: Soleus – Seated Calf Raise x 4 work sets, Gastrocnemius – Standing Calf Raise x 4 work sets

Friday (FULL Upper & Lower Body Fatigue Workout):
2 hours
This workout will include Lower Poundages (50% 1RM) and Higher Rep Ranges (incl. Strip and Drop Sets). Muscle glycogen levels should be aided just enough by pre-workout nutrition & supplementation.

Calves: Seated and Standing Calf Raises x 2 each

Thighs – Squats x 2, Leg Extension x 2

Hamstrings – Good Mornings x 2, Leg Curls x 2

Back – Pull Up x 2, 1-arm dumbbell Row x 2 (each arm), Upright Rows

Chest – Flat Bench Press x 2, Incline Bench Press x 2, Decline Bench Press x 2, Hyperextension – rep out

Biceps – Standing Barbell Curl x 2

Shoulders – Dumbbell Overhead Press x 2, Side Lateral x 2, Rear Lateral x 2

Tris – Close Grip Bench x 2, French Press x 2

Forearms - Wrist Curls – rep out

Abs – Machine Crunch – rep out, Leg Raise – rep out

GOAL: deplete glycogen in muscles down to 25 mmol/kg

Note: During many other programs I am not a fan of the use of such things as wrist curls, etc... but here you are trying to deplete yourself of all the muscle glycogen in each group. In fact, here it is likely appropriate to smile a lot during your workout to deplete your face of all its glycogen as well. Of course, you should be smiling anyway, right?

[dinoiii]

The Supplements

While I think the program would “work” without ANY supplements, I wouldn’t suggest it. The first step of this program is usually buying into the theory that it will work despite the fact that it challenges much of what you think you already know. That being said, it is sometimes imperative to have your “Dumbo” magic feather in hand. Well, I will show you how to be supplement savvy at least in your plight.

Per the Original BodyOpus Diet Suggestions

Monday: AM Glucose Disposable Cocktail (taken prior to breakfast) + PM Glucose Disposable Cocktail

Tuesday: AM Glucose Disposable Cocktail

Wednesday, Thursday, + Friday: Creatine + ALCAR

MY BodyOpus: Reloaded updates are included at the end of this article.

ESSENTIALS

Introduction
There is hardly ever anyone from the camp that preaches the “dangers” of dietary supplements challenging the importance of the micronutrient (vitamins & minerals) category of nutrients. This unfortunately is the category most often neglected by many in the bodybuilding community. For whatever the reason – perhaps the lack of their neat new esterified or methylated versions. After all, outside of essential health, they are relatively an unchanging are of supplementation.

Any calorically-restricted or nutrient restricted diet may not provide all nutritional requirements. This could not be more the case than with the essential limitations placed by various stages of the BodyOpus diet.

I will be the first to say it – ALL MULTI-VITAMINS ON THE MARKET CURRENTLY STINK! Everywhere you look, you can find a chart or person making claims about what a vitamin, mineral, or other supplement will do for you. Although many of these claims are basically TRUE (bet you thought I was going to go a different route), they tend to oversimplify the way the body works!

Most nutrients work in concert with each other. For example, if you don’t have enough vitamin E at the RIGHT TIME, vitamin A can be destroyed in your gut. Without enough vitamin D at the RIGHT TIME, your body can’t absorb calcium and phosphorus. And without niacin, pantothenic acid, and magnesium, Vitamin B1 (thiamine) can’t do much for your digestion.

So, certainly the synergism is the problem. What I propose in my following suggestions are true strictly for this updated BodyOpus Diet and/or Ketogenic phases of other diets and should NOT be blanket-stated across ALL diets as is the unfortunate plight of companies not in the know.

Vitamin Vitality

The vitamin recommendations are pretty straight forward.

Vitamin C
500mg x 3 separate times of the day. Rationale: 1. During ketogenic portions of the program, your diet is obviously devoid of fruits and vegetables that account for your only dietary sources of this vitamin in particular. 2. During fat-loss, it is essentially to bump-up antioxidant potential to fend off oxidative stress posed by your new lipolytic metabolism. 3. Why 500mg? While it is true that vitamin C is able to purport a ANTI-oxidant effect. Too much of a god thing is a mantra to trust here as it is suggested to also have a purported PRO-oxidant effect if taken in high enough dosing. Additionally, as a water-soluble vitamin, this multiple times per day dosing pattern will aid absorption rates amongst allowing it to take full effect.

B Complex
Orthomolecular dosing here. If anyone is not familiar with the term orthomolecular –it is simply a fancy term coined by the Nobel Prize-winner Linus Pauling, PhD and it literally is translated as “balanced molecules.” In fact, the thought process here and goal of it is getting all these nutrients into perfect levels of balance in the body, a process that may require megadoses of supplements. The rationale of how and/or why this applies to a diet such as BodyOpus is actually the one exception I would make to the aforementioned statement regarding blanket-statements surrounding ALL diets. You MUST take a B complex vitamin supplement on multiple occasions throughout the day to ensure proper functioning from various reactions ranging from protein synthesis reactions to energy-producing reactions to formation of red blood cells, antibodies and insulin. Where bodybuilders or body recomposition artists (for those that wouldn’t consider what they do body”building”) are concerned, the need for orthomolecular mega-dosing could not be moreso the truth. Research has actually shown very significant deficiencies while people are following ketogenic diets with thiamine (B1), folate, and Vitamin-B6. The research is mixed on riboflavin (B2) and niacin (B3). And Vitamin B12 is never really an issue on any dead-animal flesh containing diets (problems like Intrinsic Factor deficiencies and the like aside).

Additional Antioxidants: Vitamin E and beta carotene
Vitamin E, despite its multiple purported good effects, has gotten a lot of bad press from a very poorly done retrospective study out of Hopkins last year. While this is NOT a critique of that article, I will hold off on the faults of the study. I will say that it should not be taken literally in the non-critically ill population and is further the case in a situation such as a CKD as one of the essential functions of Vitamin E is to protect essential fatty acids which will comprise about 60% of the breakdown during the Monday thru Friday ketogenic phase. Additionally, the requirements for this micronutrient raise precipitously with working out in general as it is involved in the formation of red blood cells, muscle, and other tissues and deficiency of which actually has been replicated to show muscle wasting and neurological disorders. Despite its fat soluble status, toxicity research to date has been lagging, but I would wholeheartedly support a mixed tocopherol supplement with a blend of d-alpha = d-gamma > d-delta > d-beta tocopherols in descending order of importance. I am ok with some incorporation of tocotrienols as well, but keep it in perspective. I would hard pressed to believe more than 800 I.U.’s in supplemental form was necessary distributed over the course of a day.

Beta carotene is converted into vitamin A only when the body needs it, so hypervitaminosis A is highly unlikely if ingestion is restricted to beta carotene form throughout the day. While something called the Physicians’ Health Study – an ongoing study of 22,000 male doctors – showed that taking 50 milligrams of beta carotene supplement every other day significantly reduced prostate cancer, at least in the doctors who had low levels of beta carotene to begin with, research has also shown that ketogenic diets actually show an increased tally in Vitamin A. The saga of beta carotene is an example of how primitive nutritional knowledge remains. The essential lesson is to roll with the punches, trying not to change your life every time a new study comes in and totally contradicts a study you have read the month before. I think it unnecessary to add this to your list of must-haves, especially if money is of concern.

Mineral Mania

Together with the 13 vitamins found in nature, at least 22 minerals are needed by your body to make things happen. You should further subdivide these categories into Major and Trace minerals when considering how much you should take. (Note: Trace is neither synonymous nor homologous with less important!)

Deficiencies have been found in the following minerals while on ketogenic diets and I find it imperative to supplement them in preparation for potential problem. Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, and Zinc. Now, as an aside, iron – if incorporating meat product into the plan – you may not expect to be a problem in the deficiency realm, however, megadosing here on the other hand can be an issue in the realm of CREATING deficiency. Taking too much of one mineral can affect your elimination of, or make it hard (maybe even impossible) for your body to use, one or more of the other minerals.

So, which minerals contribute to the problems? All of them can!

• If you get too much calcium, your body may not be able to absorb or use magnesium, iron, or zinc. (Wait a minute, perhaps, another reason people should STILL take a ZMA supp at a time other than that which they ingest calcium)
• If you get too much copper, your body too may not be able to absorb or use zinc.
• If you get too much iron, your body may not be able to absorb or use phosphorus OR zinc.
• If you get too much manganese, your body may not be able to absorb or use iron. (this is despite adequate meat intake).
• If you get too much molybedenum, your body may not be able to absorb or use zinc OR copper.
• If you get too much phosphorus, your body may not be able to absorb or use calcium.
• If you get too much sulfur (protein), your boy may not be able to absorb or use molybedenum.
• If you get too much zinc, your body may not be able to absorb or use copper.

And these aren’t the only cascades multiple vitamin/mineral supps don’t take into consideration, and for it I have no recommendations at this time on how to correct all of them, because it WILL vary DEPENDENT UPON which diet you are partaking in. Suggestions I will make are more dependent upon which minerals “double” as “electrolytes.”

Electrolyte Electricity

It’s funny! Place ‘em in a drink named after a reptilian-represented beverage and they get the dubbing “electrolyte.” Use ‘em as food stuffs like canned product as a preservative and low and behold, the evil S-O-D-I-U-M rears its ugly head.

Whatever the case, one thing is certain there are a few of them that are thrown out of whack due to the diuretic (dehydrating) nature of ketosis and there is an essential, what I call INCREDU-DIURESIS of the body’s three primary electrolytes: sodium, potassium, and magnesium. The huge consideration here is how many of the body’s normal functioning processes these three minerals act, the most important of which is the regulation of muscle contraction. I am, of course not speaking of our lovely striated skeletal muscle when I dub it “most important,” but heart contraction.

A severe loss of electrolytes can prove itself to be extremely problematic falling somewhere along the lines of muscle cramping to heart failure. While heart failure isn’t normally a highly reported ketogenic side effect, it remains a possibility and I think it should be acknowledged. It is more than likely a case of a matter of extremes (indicated best perhaps by duration of depletion and level of electrolyte deficiency). The only problems I can talk about when even mentioning these extremes is that the diets of yesteryear that saw these had two MAJOR differences compared to the BodyOpus: Reloaded: 1. they were Extremely HYPOcaloric, and 2. the protein quality used in them was less than stellar based on biological rating scales (hypothesized to be a contributing factor to heart tissue in subjects using them). With my modified BodyOpus, both of these problems are non-issue.

Supplemental Sodium intake of 3-5 grams in addition to what you get in food is required.
Supplemental Potassium intake of 1-2 grams (not going over this tally as HYPERkalemia – too much potassium can be just as big a problem).
Supplemental Magnesium intake of 700 mg – 1 gram.

As we discussed at various times, you know I am a proponent of ZMA supplements, the additional info on ketogenic diets would incorporate the inclusion of what is known as MPA or Magnesium Potassium Aspartate supplements.

[dinoiii]

CONDITIONALLY ESSENTIALS

Glucose Disposable Cocktail (GDC)

Unfortunately, in 1996, the best insulinomimetic agent was NOT as readily available as today. Two years later, Lyle McDonald introduced the concept of Alpha Lipoic Acid’s inclusion in cyclic ketogenic diets. Fast forward to 2005, there are potassium salts and dihydronated versions that are VERY advanced. Alpha Lipoic Acid variations remain one of my favorite fat-loss supplements or perhaps, more appropriately recompositioning agent. I place it FAR ABOVE stimulants, thermogenics, lipolytics, and/or thyroid stimulating agents. Unfortunately, compliance with its somewhat timely usage is less than stellar and often turns away people who are unaware of how to use it.

Therefore, the first agent in our GDC is either K-R-ALA or alternatively R-DHLA. For this experiment, I found the K-R-ALA in Glucophase XR to be a great addition.

Some people may be asking, what in the world is R-DHLA. This compound is the reduced form of the compound. When R-ALA is administered orally, it quickly crosses cellular membranes to enter cells where it is rapidly converted into this reduced form. The interesting part of this product despite its hypothesized immediate usability by the body in this form allows LESS active component to cross membranes to act. Therefore, the potassium salt in its stable form remains the superior product.

The next agent to close out our GDC is simple Cinnamon Extract. The use of this agent does not contribute to a huge gap in your wallet and actually proves MUCH more effective than the much more expensive agents on the market. This is simply a cost-effective strategy as you should be able to purchase 500mg of Cinnamon Extract (4:1) for under $10.

I think it is safe to say that Vanadium, although potentially effective in large doses, is NOT financially feasible to mimic what science shows would likely be required to see an effect compared to supplements that still offer this compound. Saying this in a different way – much of the research with this compound has of course been done on diabetics. This research was not available to Duchaine 10 years ago. Had it been, he likely would not have suggested its use, I am sure in his book. Research has supported that 150mg/kg BW/d is needed to have an effect in Type II diabetics, it would seem that even a higher dose would be needed to influence glucose metabolism in active people. The only application that tested Vanadium ingestion in weight-trained individuals I am aware of is the Fawcett, et al study (published, incidentally just months after the publication of BodyOpus) in 1996. It tested the effects of 0.5mg/kg BW/d on weight-trained subjects. The subjects weighed from 70kg – 90kg, so average Vanadium sulfate intake was 40mg/dl or less. No significant effects were seen on body composition. For the price, I cannot therefore realistically endorse its use.

With Chromium, an additional suggestion in the original BodyOpus plan, much debate has erupted over this mineral. Never before had I seen actual grown men of the scientific community in potential fist fights over a mineral’s ingestion like conferences in the late 80’s/early 90’s. There is likely some merit to this. My only comments are, unless you are either an obese woman or part of a clinical population (i.e. – diabetic, etc...), you will likely see MINIMAL if any benefit from additional ingestion.

I say this with the addition of the following caveat. Research has shown that the exercising population may suffer from chromium being excreted in the urine. This can create a situation where active people may need more chromium. Now, I would hope found within your multi-vitamins/minerals – you will find adequate extra tallies of this compound. Outside of that and as part of a GDC – NOT NECESSARY!

Summary of our simple, economical GDC: K-R-ALA + Cinnamon Extract.

[dinoiii]

Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR)

So what’s the dilly-O with the ALCAR - How’s that fit in the picture? Ok- we’re going to separate a number of things here.

Hypothetically, L-carnitine ingestion could aid additional shuttling of fatty acids into the mitochondria for oxidation on a fat loss type of diet. Unfortunately, this is the MOST INNACURATE statement based on research. But before I dismiss it, I would like to point out the absolute positives in the memory/brain function research. What is the rationale to use it on the last three days of ketotic metabolism? You will use this in addition to other nootropics suggested as the brain makes a switch from glucose to ketone use. Believe it or not though, it is the endocrine possibility I get excited about when thinking of ALCAR despite all the claims. There is quite a bit of animal research to suggest its potential benefit to the endocrine system alongside the nervous system. A Genazzani study from 1991 was pointed out to me by Jose Antonio done on women with amenorrhea. I know, I know – but hang on, it gets better. 2g/day of ALCAR showed increased LH stimulation, which enabled the women to resume normal menstrual function. Hehe, there may not be a lot of men that would care upon initial glance, but think about it – the serum gonadotropins I have so fondly spoke of in other posts – namely LH stimulates the Leydig cells of the testes in men to produce testosterone. There are 2 studies that actually showed ALCAR to prevent a decline in or increase testosterone level (Palmero, et al. 1990; Bidzinska, et al. 1993) that launched the original Muscletech Acetabolan ads. While I may not be winning support by brining up anything that ends in “tech,” recent evidence giving 3g/d of ALCAR for 5 months to HIV/AIDS patients (Di Marzio, et al. 1999) increased IGF-1 levels. Unfortunately, no studies have shown the suggested activity in normal weight-trained athletes. But it is too juicy to not support Duchaine’s original suggestion of ALCAR as he was far ahead of his time, though he may not have understood why. I am going to suggest use of 5g in the AM and right before going to bed at night.

Note: I will acknowledge that propionyl-ALCAR or PALCAR supplements may improve results, however, due to the mechanism I have proposed and its potential to influence serum gonadotropins and perhaps indirectly influence testosterone levels, in respect to the ActivaTe trial, I will omit this potential upgrade. This is in contrast to the K-R-ALA update which has no comparable effect outside of glucose deposition without subsequent effects on T levels.

I am also further supporting ALCAR + K-R-ALA due to three reports put out by the National Academy of Sciences showing remarkable effects when a combo of ALCAR and lipoic acid were given to old rats. Again, strict hypothetical without human research, but I acknowledge this and have adjusted doses to take this into consideration as well! One of these studies showed that supplementation with these two nutrients resulted in partial reversal of the decline of mitochondrial membrane function while consumption of oxygen significantly increased. The study demonstrated that the combination of ALCAR + lipoic acid improved ambulatory activity with a significantly greater degree of improvement in the old rats compared to the young ones. The second study showed supplementation with the two improved memory (see additional nootropic info below) in old rats. Electron microscope studies in the hippocampal region of the brain showed the two reversed age-associated mitochondrial structural decay. The third study saw levels of carnitine acetyltransferase significantly restored in aged rats. Supplementation also inhibited free radical-induced lipid peroxidation, which enhanced the activity of the energy-producing enzyme in the mitochondria. The scientists concluded that feeding the old rats the combo of the two supplements can ameliorate oxidative damage, along with mitochondrial dysfunction. Now, my application to the CKD points out this particular realm of research as a simple tag along potential beneficial side effect of using two things I say you already should use. I also think that despite the researchers confining their study to the brain’s mitochondria (for obvious reasons – Alzheimer’s Disease, etc...), I am willing to blanketly apply this info to include ALL the mitochondria in your body inclusive of those aiding your newfound fat-burning potential during ketogenic phases of the updated BodyOpus diet preventing mitochondrial damage. It’s another case where the effects cannot be shunted.

Creatine

I suppose I should try to sound intelligent here. Arguably, one of the greatest discoveries in the history of sports supplementation could be the revelation that muscle creatine stores could be elevated by oral ingestion of the dietary supplement. No supplement has more scientific support than creatine. The medical applications are incredibly intriguing in neurodegenerative disorders. During ketotic periods of time, this may prove to be useful information. Like many aspects of creatine, the proper dosing regimen to optimize creatine uptake and retention remains somewhat of a debate. However, it is more clearly understood than what mechanism, if any, is capable of increasing muscle creatine above threshold levels. Also, there are some nutrients you may want to avoid when taking creatine, just are there are those that you’ll want to combine with its use.

As the intensity of exercise decreases and/or the duration of exercise increases, your body relies less on the phophagen system (generation of phophate for ADP --> ATP in the creatine kinase reaction) and begins relying more on the energy-efficient systems of glycolysis and oxidation to produce ATP – (yet another reason why cardio is again, a failure in body composition goals). Glycolysis in a layman’s words involves the synthesis of ATP directly from CHO sources such as glycogen and glucose (hehe, again to all yee cardio lovers – this is what you get a CHO burn and a depletion of glycogen if not already in the glycogen-depleted state). Then somehow everyone confuses how in fact the oxidative system works. It is usually purported that due to oxidation of fats, the light-moderate exercise intensities are best for fat burning. Oh yeah, by the way – oxidation also occurs with CHOs and Protein and you will not automatically switch energy sources (i.e. – NO AUTOMATIC SHUNTING IN THE BODY) – somehow this is always conveniently forgotten. This is important to have brought up, however, as it will dictate our hamster-wheel movements later on in the cardio section.

In my first trial back in 2003, I used a dicreatine malate drink that contained the following:
- Dicreatine Malate: 3g
- Betaine Anhydrous: 2g
- Taurine: 2g
- Glucuronolactone: 1g
- Glycocyamine: 500mg
- Guanidinopropionic acid: 500mg

If I could have done it again, I would have left this particular drink out due to my feelings on the GPA component. However, for comparative purposes I have included it once again.

Note: I will acknowledge the fact that newer CEE supps or Kre Alkalyn supps may be superior, however, mimicking the trial as closely as possibly to 2003.

[dinoiii]

Nootropic Cocktail

Many factors involved in ketogenic diets conspire to rob us of mental acuity. Potential decline in brain function is undoubtedly the factor that most disturbs me when I embark on this diet considering the field I am in. I happen to support a few natural agents with the potential to slow or even prevent this once-inevitable decline through multiple mechanisms involved in neurological deterioration.

The brain has a voracious appetite for choline. There are two main reasons proposed for the brain’s huge need for this nutrient. First of all, choline is required for synthesis of the key neurotransmitter, acetylcholine – active between all neural synapses. Second, choline is use for building and maintenance of brain cell membranes.

Glycerol phosphorylcholine, vinpocetine, and phosphatidylserine are sold as drugs in Europe and Japan to correct cognitive impairment inflicted by degenerative brain disease. While the ketogenic span (5 days) of this diet may not prove sufficient for degenerative effects, it could start cascades that put you on that path. I am convinced that the Cox-2 and 5-Lox Prostaglandin/Leukotriene synthetic pathways are involved in this degenerative process and think that research backs this up. I think there are ways to combat this still.

Researchers from the University of Massachusetts tested Pregnenolone supplementation in factory workers to see if it could improve their productivity on the job. They found that the productivity on the job was significantly improved in the workers who took the Pregnenelone. Interestingly, the effect was most noticeable in those who worked under highly stressful conditions, such as those who were paid by the piece and were thus under pressure to produce in order to earn a living. In addition to these productivity benefits, the workers said that they felt better and were better able to cope with job pressures taking the Pregnenelone. Our stressful condition here is the ketogenic diet and productivity may certainly suffer.

What about those neurotransmitters we were talking about up in the NEUROLOGY section of this article? An ideal supplement to combat those fatigue side effects and allow for proper muscle coordination and stimulation during stressed times (namely, the Monday and Tuesday Tension workouts) would include a hefty amount of the amino acid tyrosine. This compound converts to dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine (the collectively dubbed catecholamines). It’s estimated that about 90% of the brain’s catecholamines are synthesized directly from NATURAL tyrosine. Some researchers have treated certain forms of depression with tyrosine. There’s some clinical evidence and a lot of anecdotal evidence that taking a minimum of 2-3 grams of tyrosine before a workout, on an empty stomach, can enhance alertness and performance in the gym, even increasing strength dramatically.

A tyrosine-related rise in dopamine levels might also be beneficial in that, as dopamine levels drop as a result of aging, levels of prolactin (yet another hormone to add to the previous equation playing in concert) go up. Increases in the hormone prolactin are accompanied by decreases in testosterone levels.

My suggestion is as follows:
• Alpha-Glycerolphosphorylcholine (alpha-GPC): 1200-2000mg
• Choline dihydrogen citrate: 3000mg
• Choline bitartrate: 2400-3000mg
• Tyrosine: 2000-3000mg
• Phosphatidylserine (PS): 100mg [Note: I do NOT support oral administration for cortisol suppressive effects and its incorporation here should NOT be confused with that]
• Β-boswellic acid: 500mg
• Phellodendron amurense extract: 1500mg
• Curcumin: Orthomolecular Dosing
• Vinpocetine: 30mg
• Quercetin: 100mg
• RNA/DNA: 850-1700mg
• Pregnenelone: 100mg

* Note: A certain product on the market contains most of these ingredients, however, you can find the individual components for much cheaper and meet the dosing requirements above which would be approximate oral dosages required to match benefit

* If money is a concern, you would get a pretty good result limiting this cocktail to the pre-workout realm on an empty stomach (namely the Monday and Tuesday workouts).

* An additional consideration may include the substitution of the 1st 3 on the list for Phosphatidylcholine. This is simply acting as a source of choline in acetylcholine production and while I find the alpha-GPC to be superior, the compounds are strictly acting as choline donors.

[dinoiii]

ERGOGENIC AIDS

Designer Supplements ActivaTe
As alluded to in the intro this is the one basic addition at the core of the regime. We’ll call this ActivaTe on Trial.

As the ads proclaim - utilization of the lignan, Divanil™, found in stinging nettle root, is purported to assist me in making the most from your own body’s testosterone in order to build muscle mass and reduce body fat.

What follows is a truncated portion of the article surrounding this supplement from their website:

Regardless of the actual amount of total testosterone floating around your body at any one time, this figure could be theoretically doubled or trebled without any significant effect on muscle growth or fat loss; the body would tightly regulate it, only allowing some of it to be active to exert its beneficial effects (or detrimental effects if overused or abused). The rest would remain bound and ineffective for our purposes.

The way your body controls testosterone is through a protein called Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG). This can render upwards of 50% or more of your testosterone pool unable to exert its muscle building effects by attaching to the androgen receptor of the cell. It is through testosterone-to-androgen receptor interaction that protein synthesis is promoted (think muscle growth). ActivaTe™ cripples SHBG, activating a much larger percentage of your testosterone. With more testosterone activated, your workouts will improve, you will build muscle faster, lose fat easier, and your strength will increase faster than you ever thought possible (without taking exogenous hormones). In addition to improved workouts, you will experience intense pumps, improved recovery, and increased focus. These remarkable benefits, however, are not the only benefit of including ActivaTe™ into your supplemental regime. Further benefits include:

- Increased blood sugar and insulin control (general health and fat loss);
- Nitric Oxide (NO) boosting;
- Promotes prostate health;
- Anti-hypertensive properties (maintains healthy blood pressure);
- Anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-ulcer and anti-inflammatory behavior; and
- Promotes healthy cholesterol levels (HDL especially).

This will be assessed not only via lab values, but also through side effect profiles and so much more.


7-oxo DHEA + 3,5 diiodothyronine
As mentioned earlier, I have incorporated 7-oxo-DHEA into the mix for its potential cortisol-suppressing and memory-enhancing effects (this was done in 2003 so despite its potential effect on Testosterone levels, it should not be a variation from that time for true comparative analysis standpoint). In addition to the 7-oxo product, I have 3,5 diiodothyronine on hand in case Euthyroid Sick Syndrome becomes an issue, however, I would like to repeat I will reserve its use as a potential first aid for that specific purpose as became evident in 2003 by week six of that trial. It, in and of itself, is NOT part of this updated version of the BodyOpus diet.

[dinoiii]

SUPPLEMENT SAAVY SUMMARY

Essentials
• Vitamins
-Vitamin C: 500 mg x 3/day
-Vitamin B Complex: Orthomolecular Dosing pattern
-Vitamin E: 800 I.U.’s (mixed tocopherols)/day with EFA-containing meals
•Electrolytes
- Magnesium Potassium Aspartate: minimum requirement – Magnesium Asp 200mg x 2/day + Potassium Aspartate 198mg (as usually comes in 99mg doses) x 2/day – can also consider Potassium in glycinate complex chelated version and add ZMA, though you at that point get into my mineral matrix for interactive depletion (see above)
-Sodium: 3-5 grams (above daily intake with food)/day in divided doses

NOTE: I have NOT included the use of ANY Multi-Vitamin/Mineral formulas

Conditionally Essential
•Glucose Disposable Cocktail (GDC)
- K-R-ALA (500 mg) + Cinnamon extract (1000 mg from Cinnamonum ramulus twigs) x 2 with Monday meals, and x 1 with Tuesday meals
•Acetyl-L-carnitine (5 gram x AM/PM)
•Dicreatine Malate containing drink (see above)
•Nootropic cocktail (see above): pre-workout on workout days, upon rising on non-workout days on as empty a stomach as possible

Ergogenic Aids
•ActivaTe
•7-oxo DHEA (100 mg x 3/day)
•3,5 diiodothyronine (PRN – as needed)

[dinoiii]

Conclusion

There you have it. My salute to one of the greatest minds I feel this industry has seen. I hope his work to live on and his ingenious to incite future minds in the industry. Without trying this – what I feel to be the most superior diet available today with all the components, I could NOT consider myself having tried everything and truly curious about and willing to do “anything” in the name of body composition, nutritional biochemistry, and endocrinologic science. I am my own guinea pig, my own teacher and student. This is the top of body composition science. Can ActivaTe improve upon superioriority? Stay tuned…

[dinoiii]

some html issues with spacing but it is all there. It was intended on being one long article for the site Chris. Hope you guys like it. Critique away.

[Trans_Isomer]

Awesome, awesome post dinoii. Im still not done reading it all, but this is probaly one of the best threads this forum has seen.

Im going to read the rest in depth and will return to offer critique!

and BTW, youve got a PM dinoii

[max von]

Dinoii

I sent you a response to you PM. And you hit a homerun thats what I am talking about for an open article

[Ibanez]

That's amazing, I take my hat off to You Dinoiii, pretty heavy reading for me, but awesome reading at that..... That has taken a decent amount of time, and I think thats very generous of you to share that with us. Thanks

[dinoiii]

Thanks for all the positive responses guys.


PLEASE NOTE:
This will be the first part of a three-part series.

* Part II will be up later this PM entitled: "BodyOpus: Pre-ActivaTion!" - accounting for 2 control weeks of the trial.

* Part III will follow entitled: "BodyOpus Meets ActivaTe: Divanil on Trial" - what happens as the conrtol weeks for the trial are already complete. The addition of ActivaTe.

[dinoiii]

Unfortunately, it was a trial without ActivaTe to all those who have sent mail re: where my follow-ups have been. There were many a problem with the mailings, etc... of the product and in lieu of that - I am a man of word and began my trial as expected on the expected date. It got to a point where I did not have the product in hand and alas was subject to continue the trial and diet without the product.

It has gone well and I have had follow up blood labs etc as I enter week 6. I will have full-fledged report about what has happened at the conclusion of the trial in a couple of weeks alongside a complete daily diary/log of sorts that I find has opened my eyes to some new aspects of dieting in general - it should be a worthwhile read.

[Semper Fidelis]

It took me several times to digest the post. The more I read ( and researched), the more curious I got. Although it seems very complicated, I am seroiusly considering it for late february, or early March. I only hope you're around then...because my questions will probably be coming hard and fast. That is if you dont mind me picking your brain. I'll be coming off my winter bulk, and need to lose the fat I've gained on my bulk without sacrificing the little hard gained muscle mass. Although you have seen me in the gym, for the benefit of the bros reading this post:

Height: 5'9"
Current Weight: 211 lbs ( Started bulk at 190 lbs in November)
BF: I have no clue right now ( I know...shame on me)
Max bench: 300 lbs
Max Squat: 415 ( almost shitting myself. lol)

Semper Fidelis

[dinoiii]

Well in February/MArch I will likely be back in Chi-town, but always available for questions any time via email or PM, etc... as I have to go in hiding for some other things for a little time early part of next year.

[mrmoose]

Blood Glucose Goals would be taken each day upon rising in AM. BG goals were set as follows:
Monday: ~80mg/dl
Tuesday: 60-80mg/dl
Wednesday: 40-60mg/dl
Thursday: 40-60mg/dl
Friday: 40-60mg/dl

Did I reach my blood glucose goal?

I'm quite curious if you did reach your blood glucose goal? or your fat loss goals... especially because I'm having some trouble reaching my blood glucose goals...also while I know everyone's caloric requirements are different I'm wondering what a "typical" days meals looked like on this diet..more so for ideas... I am also quite curious if/how you tested out Activate and what you thought of it. And keep us updated on your upcoming book!

-Moose

[dinoiii]

I think I updated you before but seeing this again.

While initial BG goals were met, the follow-up article was pulled due to a change in ActivaTe trial. Another article should be up shortly and some more BodyOpus items for those interested as it has gained a lot of mail as well (still a very distant second to PCT:ACV.

[Kingdime1332]

Dinoiii have you read Lyle McDonald's Ultimate Diet 2.0? I was wondering what you thought about his "updates" on Bodyopus. Thanks.

[dinoiii]

Hehe...McDonald updated himself from 1998 (his Ketogenic Diet book) with his Ultimate Diet 2.0 construction. I think McDonald is well-versed but I know many that don't consider them easy reads and rather boring - to be honest. That being said, his updates to the CKD are useful for their time, but times continue to change as to new techniques to employ etc...Anything > 3-4 years in nutritional science is OUTDATED without an update...I would suggest an Ultimate Diet 3.0 perhaps.

If you want me to compare Duchaine to McDonald - the two are very different in presentation and I feel McDonald had a way in closing gaps in the "why" it is so. For that, he is an invaluable name...but we are still learning. It didn't stop when the new century hit.

[Kingdime1332]

I actually enjoyed McDonalds UD2. I thought it was pretty interesting and didn't find it was a boring read.

I was just wondering about your thoughts on it, thanks.

[Clickster]

I read this for the first time last night. It taught me a lot. I have learned that all Multivitamins.... SUCK..

Right Trans? ;)

[Jswoll]

Just wanted to mention, this DOES fascinate, but I WILL NOT be using a CKD for that email I sent you, Dino; I need more time to fully research--later in the fall I SHALL play with it, I DO think there's something very much to it--but that's not a FULLY informed view of it and that's not really how I like to do things (just assume and try). Need more input, on to the book store. But this is a great direct you've put us in I FEEL. Thanks, D.

-Swoll

PS: Email sent a few minutes ago. It was typed rather fast--may have put ALAC instead of ALA (not R-ALA though) and add caffeine (just for an adenosine recp. antagonist) to the will list and Vinpocetine (may reduce ALCAR(toying with 2g ED) dose and try running this concurrent for price?) to the ponder list. Sorry everyone, this has nothing to do with the BodyOpus supplementation. BTW where you been the last two days?

[Jswoll]

I am going to suggest use of 5g in the AM and right before going to bed at night.

Before bed? You don't get the racing mental function syndrome from ALC? I couldn't see doing this myself, the dose I agree with if you can afford it but the timing is off IMO--well I guess you could ingest and fall asleep before it was absorbed; just pointing out a possible problem, not trying to make your crap list bro, great article BTW.

[dinoiii]

Ughhhh...I responded to the email prior to seeing this...my new Chi-town schedule is intense...I am on the wards a lot, taking call more (q3).

I am not sure I understood the first of your two posts JSwoll...you do NOT think the article is fully-"informed?" If this is the case, I agree, if I had gone into the complete endocrine rationale, I would have ticked some people off seriously. It took some time to crop it down to the pages that you guys get to view.

As far as the ALCAR suggestion, I based the dosing (5g AM / 5g PM) that way on pulsatile LH secretion, NOT the nootropic effect. If you think about the crossover pathways with the melatonin cascade I presented in PCT: ACV III 1/2, it is ALL relevant - especially the PM (or qhs - suggestive of bed time) dosing parameter.

[Jswoll]

Ughhhh...I responded to the email prior to seeing this...my new Chi-town schedule is intense...I am on the wards a lot, taking call more (q3).

I am not sure I understood the first of your two posts JSwoll...you do NOT think the article is fully-"informed?" If this is the case, I agree, if I had gone into the complete endocrine rationale, I would have ticked some people off seriously. It took some time to crop it down to the pages that you guys get to view.

As far as the ALCAR suggestion, I based the dosing (5g AM / 5g PM) that way on pulsatile LH secretion, NOT the nootropic effect. If you think about the crossover pathways with the melatonin cascade I presented in PCT: ACV III 1/2, it is ALL relevant - especially the PM (or qhs - suggestive of bed time) dosing parameter.

I did put that together after the fact, on the PM...what's the minium dose to achieve this effect (5g can be pricy--opinion on this, is it truly most effecient, just wondering if a cut 3g) and do agree with it and think the additon of L-ornithine concurrently with the night dose will aid in GH support. NOT knocking the article AT ALL, loved it, but yes, I do want the endocrine rationale, and OPPOSING perspectives(I examine all angles on any subject--and YES you did put plenty of the oppositions arguements,still...) Just more input is neccessary. Sending an email back, now.

-Swoll

[dinoiii]

While writing, assuming a positional stance is FAR SUPERIOR than what would likely be dubbed a "wishy-washy" mode of thinking. While I can get much more scientific and the realm of thought is lost because it turns into a 300+ page document vs. 30+, then it becomes a bit much no?

As far as looking at ALL modalities of thought supplement AND diet wise, don't worry - it is covered.

[Trans_Isomer]

Dinoiii ive got a question concerning the nootropic cocktail, I know about all the other ingredients, but what about:

-RNA/DNA: 850-1700mg

I have never seen usage of this before in any supplement, so im a little confused as to what it is suppose to do, and how to get it. Could I just pin prick my finger and use my own DNA or how does this work?

[Jswoll]

Dinoiii ive got a question concerning the nootropic cocktail, I know about all the other ingredients, but what about:

-RNA/DNA: 850-1700mg

I have never seen usage of this before in any supplement, so im a little confused as to what it is suppose to do, and how to get it. Could I just pin prick my finger and use my own DNA or how does this work?
Trans, you amaze me sometimes, it's just you've never used this before? you can get RNA/DNA pill form (more lackluster than the vampirism, huh?), (normally I find it in a combo RNA 100mg, DNA 10mg), yeah it's not a real common component in supz, but it's been around. It's just composed of a bunch of nucleotide units the difference is uracil in RNA and of thymine in DNA and in the RNA the sugar moiety of the nucleotide is ribose, whereas in DNA it is deoxyribose. They're normally good at immune boosting and minor tissue repair aid. Is that dosing parameter based on RNA value?? It's relatively cheap substance so it's not an impractical dose.

[Trans_Isomer]

Trans, you amaze me sometimes, it's just you've never used this before? you can get RNA/DNA pill form (more lackluster than the vampirism, huh?), (normally I find it in a combo RNA 100mg, DNA 10mg), yeah it's not a real common component in supz, but it's been around. It's just composed of a bunch of nucleotide units the difference is uracil in RNA and of thymine in DNA and in the RNA the sugar moiety of the nucleotide is ribose, whereas in DNA it is deoxyribose. They're normally good at immune boosting and minor tissue repair aid. Is that dosing parameter based on RNA value?? It's relatively cheap substance so it's not an impractical dose.

Thanks jswoll, its just I have never, ever seen RNA/DNA pills or even seen there usage in a supplement, so that part of the nootropic cocktail baffled me

[Kingdime1332]

We sell them at VS, I use sell lightly because I have yet to see someone actually buy them.

[UltimateFighter]

:) a place without hoplite

i have come to the conclusion that wherever there may be science backed information, he will not be.

:D

thanks for the collective information dinoii.

your kids are gonna be lucky poopoofaces, if they even realise it. they will have access to life's most important information


the running, working, improvement and destruction of one's self!

[dinoiii]

Dinoiii ive got a question concerning the nootropic cocktail, I know about all the other ingredients, but what about:

-RNA/DNA: 850-1700mg

I have never seen usage of this before in any supplement, so im a little confused as to what it is suppose to do, and how to get it. Could I just pin prick my finger and use my own DNA or how does this work?

Per our phone discussion for everyone else...

I am certain you could prick your own finger, but extraction of nucleic acids is a bit more readily available through other lifeforms (i.e. - chlorella - the usual victim).

Its purported regenerative capacity is striking and its role as an antioxidant has been well-noted. Endogenous levels of such nucleic acids actually decrease as we get older at a slow steady decline rate - one that much mimics testosterone.

[dinoiii]

thanks for the collective information dinoii.

your kids are gonna be lucky poopoofaces, if they even realise it. they will have access to life's most important information

the running, working, improvement and destruction of one's self!


No problem. umm - is this my kids we are talking about? "destruction of one's self" - what???

[Trans_Isomer]

Per our phone discussion for everyone else...

I am certain you could prick your own finger, but extraction of nucleic acids is a bit more readily available through other lifeforms (i.e. - chlorella - the usual victim).

Its purported regenerative capacity is striking and its role as an antioxidant has been well-noted. Endogenous levels of such nucleic acids actually decrease as we get older at a slow steady decline rate - one that much mimics testosterone.

Thanks for the info again, very interesting

[Jswoll]

I am certain you could prick your own finger, but extraction of nucleic acids is a bit more readily available through other lifeforms (i.e. - chlorella - the usual victim).

Swoll loves him some chlorella BTW!!

[Jswoll]

Dino, BTW, I've started getting in my basic material on the CKD's this week and started with Dan's BO already should finish consuming it by the weekend, told you I'd look into it, winter will bring the first trial run of my conclusive version of a CKD (whatever that may be when I've sampled, checked, validated, and optimized all the input) will probably ask for you help with it many months from now, so no disappearing on me.

[dinoiii]

Dino, BTW, I've started getting in my basic material on the CKD's this week and started with Dan's BO already should finish consuming it by the weekend, told you I'd look into it, winter will bring the first trial run of my conclusive version of a CKD (whatever that may be when I've sampled, checked, validated, and optimized all the input) will probably ask for you help with it many months from now, so no disappearing on me.

Disappearing...no I will become MUCH more visible soon!!! ;)

[Jswoll]

Disappearing...no I will become MUCH more visible soon!!! ;)
You mean like a fat woman at an anorexic anonymous meeting?

[dinoiii]

You mean like a fat woman at an anorexic anonymous meeting?

hmmmm...not quite!

[TheKoos]

Disappearing...no I will become MUCH more visible soon!!! ;)

What is the latest update as far as the timeframe?

[dinoiii]

Website...very near future. The web addy currently exhibits "under construction" connotation but emails are becoming fully functioning et al.

Supplements remain a few months off. Legality and registering marks is official hold ups still due to some recent events (see off topic section for gossip details).

[mrmoose]

Website...very near future. The web addy currently exhibits "under construction" connotation but emails are becoming fully functioning et al.

Supplements remain a few months off. Legality and registering marks is official hold ups still due to some recent events (see off topic section for gossip details).

Rubs hands together... I can't wait!

[njmuscle66]

Great thread Dana-Thanks for all the work you do

[dinoiii]

Great thread Dana-Thanks for all the work you do

Omigod! I didn't even see this. Thanks Chuck for the comment. There is more coming to this series soon actually. Stay tuned...

Been some time since I have officially looked back here.


D_