Posts by Steven Green2

Charles Morales10 said:I would actually argue that his first priority should be putting on some muscle mass to help kickstart his metabolism. I’m talking about five or six high-protein meals a day paired with some decent quality complex carbohydrates.

Now, if he truly wants to pack on muscle, he’d essentially have to go through a bulking phase. According to a study by g. B. Forbes:

Source:

It clearly states that for individuals with a body fat percentage exceeding 15%, a larger portion of gained body mass is derived from fat stores, which differs significantly from when you stay below that 15% threshold. That 15% mark was likely chosen as a general benchmark, though I suspect the ideal number varies quite a bit from person to person.

Can you even imagine what would happen if he actually attempted a bulk?! It would be an absolute disaster! 🙂

darkjackal70 said:If you actually have the patience for meal prep and weighing everything out, I’d suggest looking into dieting through The Zone: Book and Cookbook....

Finally, some actual decent advice. It isn't strictly a "diet" in the traditional sense, but rather a holistic approach to healthy eating and lifestyle—though, admittedly, it works wonders for managing obesity too.
I would specifically recommend those books by Dr. Barry Searsa. There are various versions written by American authors, but I've glanced at a few of their sample menus, and they don't quite align with what Searsa originally intended. Still, I suppose something is better than nothing. 😉

Daniel Lopez said:A stew or maybe two chicken thighs, plus a Twix and a sandwich for breakfast and dinner—is one, two, or even three too many? Do you have any idea how much everyone would weigh if that were considered too much?

Well, I wouldn't say the sheer volume is excessive, though I suppose there's quite a lot of empty calories in there for someone dealing with a metabolism like yours. Honestly, you could probably eat three times that amount without gaining an ounce, provided you were eating the right kind of fuel. You see, a calorie isn't just a calorie.
I'm fairly certain it's entirely possible to lose weight while being in a caloric surplus, just as one can certainly gain weight while maintaining a deficit. 😉

Carol Davis62 said:How on earth could a poor little egg make you gain weight?! You have to understand, the egg white is just protein—there's zero fat involved there...

Well, my understanding was always that an egg consists of both the white and the yolk, which means you have the proteins from the white and the fats found in the yolk... 😁
But honestly, I’m not even sure if those fats are the real culprit here. If we are looking at things purely from a caloric standpoint, I suspect you'd find yourself feeling much more sluggish from a heavy load of carbohydrates than you ever would from a bit of dietary fat.

Kyle Nelson2 said:More or less, most vitamin supplements are manufactured with a tiny amount of oil tucked inside the capsule itself..
Beyond that, you don't actually need a massive amount of fat to ensure proper absorption... it doesn't require an entire bottle of oil...
Since the actual vitamin content isn't nearly as much as the total weight of the pill... the vitamin itself is present in such small amounts (measured in grams)...
And, well, even if you did need that much oil to make it work, they would have mentioned it on the label, or else the vitamin would be distributed like some kind of syrup you drink..

The labels on these particular ones don't explicitly state whether there's a trace of oil inside the capsule. They might, or they might not, but honestly, it's not my primary concern. Regardless, I don't rely on flaxseed just because of these pills; I take three softgels a day (independent of these specific tablets) because, when you combine them with my Omega-3 (EPA + DHA) and a bit of olive oil, they are practically the only fats in my diet. Of course, I can't quite avoid those small amounts of saturated fats from things like a burger or similar treats, nor do I particularly care to.😉

I’m also quite fond of using ground flaxseeds; if you leave them whole, they might just pass right through you exactly as nature intended, so I’d suggest giving them a quick grind first.
My main point was really just about ensuring you have enough healthy fats in your diet overall—it isn't strictly about taking supplements, because let's face it, you can't function properly without fat. As far as those specific pills go, even some saturated fats, like a bit of heavy cream, should be perfectly fine since the amounts are so negligible.
By the way, I personally take a 400 IU Vitamin E supplement (specifically from d-alpha tocopheryl succinate), and I always make sure to mix it with a spoonful of flaxseed oil; it’s become a bit of a messy little ritual for me, especially since I've cut back on quite a few other types of fats lately. 😉

bettie_page said:I’m currently using some Omega-3-6-9 from Kala... they're the manufacturer... honestly, if we're talking about supplements, I feel like it's about as middle-of-the-road as driving an old Volkswagen Golf... nothing special, just gets the job done...
thanks so much for the advice; I'm actually heading out tomorrow to hunt down some good quality oil...
and could you tell me, what does it actually taste like? The oil, I mean... and is it possible to mix it into yogurt or something similar?

Personally, I don't find the flavor too bad—I've grown quite accustomed to it over time so I barely notice it anymore—but I know for a fact that many people find the taste absolutely revolting. 🙂 You can certainly stir it into some yogurt or blend it with something else to mask it, definitely. Just whatever you do, please don't try to fry anything in it or subject it to any kind of heat; Omega-3 is incredibly sensitive to temperature. Also, once you pop the seal, make sure you keep it tucked away in the refrigerator. 😉

bettie_page said:thanks for the advice...
I am just wondering now if I can take flaxseed oil along with my Omega-3... honestly, I still have quite a lot of the Omega-3 left over, so I really don't want to let it go to waste... taking it twice a day along with two flaxseed softgels... I am not entirely sure if that might be overkill...😕
And also, does that oil cause weight gain? I assume the amount is far too small to matter, but I figured I would ask anyway....

Of course you can combine flaxseed oil and Omega-3. You mentioned earlier that you are trying to steer clear of fatty foods, so I imagine you are already being careful there. That said, one simply cannot function without fats, regardless of what health concerns one might be addressing. So, taking two flaxseed softgels alongside your Omega-3 should be perfectly fine.
Personally, I also try to avoid greasy foods, though my focus is primarily on avoiding saturated fats. I typically consume somewhere between 50 and 100 grams of fat daily, mostly the healthy varieties, but a little bit of saturated fat doesn't particularly worry me. In the past, I used to take three flaxseed softgels a day along with six to eight capsules of Omega-3, because I was aiming for at least 2.5 grams of active ingredients (specifically EPA and DHA). You see, those standard Omega-3 capsules you find sitting on pharmacy shelves often only contain about 0.3 grams of active components (180 mg of EPA and 120 mg of DHA), which means you’d need to swallow at least eight capsules just to hit that 2.5-gram mark. However, I eventually realized that wasn't the most prudent approach; those mass-market Omega-3 capsules often carry traces of harmful substances like lead, mercury, or PCBs, and when you start consuming them in such high quantities, the potential harm starts to outweigh the benefits. Consequently, the wisest move is to opt for a pharmaceutical-grade fish oil—something like PBL pure Omega-3, for instance—which provides 0.8 grams of active ingredients per capsule, making just three capsules a day sufficient. Unfortunately, I am not certain if you can pick those up easily at a local drugstore, unless perhaps you find a Twinlab brand, which tends to be rather pricey, though they are quite easy to order online.
In addition to the flaxseed and fish oils, I also make use of olive oil. 😉

bettie_page said:I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on how to manage taking my pills alongside food. Right now, I'm on a medication that absolutely requires being taken with food—specifically something fatty to boost absorption—yet at the same time, I’m supposed to be avoiding fatty foods overall... 😕

Since I have to take them twice a day (breakfast and lunch), I find myself quite perplexed by the whole situation...
For breakfast, I usually just have some yogurt and toast... along with my Omega-3-6-9 supplements, because I was told those provide good fats to help with the absorption... though I honestly can't tell if that's enough fat to actually make a difference.
Lunch is where the real trouble starts, because I don't typically eat anything heavy or greasy, so I end up taking more Omega-3 again, which might be overkill... who knows...
I could really use some guidance on what kind of foods would be appropriate and provide the right kind of healthy fats to accompany my medication...
I've heard about flaxseeds, so I was thinking maybe I could try incorporating those into a regular meal when I take my pills...

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

You could always pick up some flaxseed oil; a 250 ml bottle usually runs about $10. In your specific case, since you need it for both breakfast and lunch, you might consider just taking a tablespoon of the oil with your doses. To give you an idea of the breakdown, per 100 grams of flaxseed oil, you're looking at 8g of saturated fats, 17g of monounsaturated fats, and 75g of polyunsaturated fats (including 58g of ALA), so we are talking primarily about high-quality, healthy fats here. A single tablespoon provides roughly 10-12g of fat, which should be quite beneficial for your dietary needs.
As for those Omega-3-6-9 supplements, I wouldn't worry too much about overdoing it, assuming they are something like the Nature's Bounty variety, which isn't exactly revolutionary.
Personally, I think the Omega-3-6-9 combo might be somewhat unnecessary; it would probably be more effective to stick to just Omega-3 (the EPA and DHA kind) combined with the flaxseed, especially since most people get plenty of the other fats through their regular diet.
If you're looking for whole foods rich in these healthy fats, I'd suggest things like fish (especially oily fish), walnuts, almonds, or even peanuts (the ones still in the shell)... 😉

You head down to the local public health clinic, and they'll sit you down and walk you through everything with such clarity and patience... 🙂

I was wondering, what kind of hormone replacement tablets are we actually discussing here?
And regarding those ovarian issues you mentioned,
what exactly is going on there? To be more precise, which specific hormones are being factored into this equation?

Charles Morales10 said:Could you walk me through your logic for a moment? After a grueling anaerobic session, when the body desperately needs a light, fast-digesting meal in liquid form—something packed with high-biological-value proteins and high-glycemic carbohydrates—what on earth would you eat from actual, real-world food sources instead of relying on supplements? Sure, I suppose you could swap out Vitargo for some dextrose, but what could you possibly substitute for whey protein that would even come close to being equally effective? Do enlighten me, oh wise one.

If I found myself in that particular predicament, I think I’d probably just grab a sandwich made with two slices of white bread and about seven or eight egg whites. Now, I realize that isn't liquid, nor is it strictly "optimal" by scientific standards, but if we are talking about sticking to "real" food, it's actually a pretty decent choice.
Personally, once my workout is finished, I usually go for a shake consisting of roughly 50-60 grams of whey and about 80-100 grams of glucose. I know some people find pure glucose a bit much—they say it's far too sweet for their liking—but for me, it is honestly the highlight of my day; I practically live for that post-workout window. 🙂

Gastal 👍

On average, I find myself getting about eight hours of shut-eye. I make a rather conscious effort to ensure I don't dip below the seven-hour mark during the work week, though I must admit, once the weekend rolls around, I tend to lose all sense of discipline and end up sleeping for nine or even ten hours straight. 😉

swiftrider said:What do you all think—is it actually easier to lose weight or to put it on?

Well, I suppose it really depends on the individual, doesn't it? But if I had to offer a general observation, I’d say that for those of us who are naturally thin, gaining weight is often a much steeper uphill battle than it is for someone struggling with their weight to slim down. In my humble opinion, there truly are only two things that matter in this pursuit: staying organized and maintaining a sense of ironclad discipline.😬

MangoAnanas said:Bilder have 1,000 problems

What kind of problems are we even talking about here? If we are referring specifically to the natty crowd—you know, those folks who stay far away from anabolic steroids—then I suppose we can start a conversation. 😕

Walter Cox5 said:Does anyone happen to know of a reliable—and I really mean verified!—natural liver cleanser?
Thanks.

I must admit, I am somewhat out of my depth when it comes to defining what exactly constitutes a "liver cleanser," though I have heard people mention that artichoke extract can be quite beneficial for liver health. If you are interested in looking into that further, you might find some interesting reading right here ---> http://www.webmd.com/vitamins/a/liver-health

AxMi-24 said:Regarding calcium, I’m a bit lost on how fats actually play a role here. Does anyone happen to know the specifics of the calcium cycle within the body? If fat is truly required, then we can't be talking about the calcium ion itself, given its hydrophilic nature—which implies there must be some sort of hydrophobic compound involved. I suppose the question is, which one? (I'm fairly certain it isn't carbonate).

I’m not entirely convinced there is a direct link between calcium and dietary fats themselves. It seems more likely that fats serve as the transport mechanism for Vitamin D, which then goes on to regulate calcium absorption, working alongside various hormones to maintain calcium homeostasis throughout the body. That would probably be the connection, wouldn't it? 😉

driftinggull13 said:This is really where we hit our fundamental impasse. You seem to be viewing this through such a narrow lens, which is why your take on low-fat milk being "healthier" comes across as so incredibly dull. Honestly, you might as well have just claimed you were lactose intolerant and declared all dairy harmful altogether. You don't actually offer a single substantive argument to support your claim, other than essentially retreating into an autistically focused appeal to your own subjective lifestyle choices or whatever it is you prefer to call it. To be perfectly candid, that quoted statement of yours is quite unsettling to me. I personally could never bring myself to say it in any context whatsoever.

I find myself repeating this for the umpteenth time now. I never actually asserted that whole milk is inherently unhealthy. You keep harping on about fats serving as a primary energy source, but if the goal is simply to consume high calories and fats that need to be burned off, there are certainly much more efficient ways to do that than drinking milk—for instance, one could arguably get more caloric density from a liter of oil than a liter of milk. Naturally, I am looking at this from my own particular vantage point, though I suspect the vast majority of people on this forum likely share a similar perspective. It isn't as if this forum is exclusively populated by Eskimos, Africans, or marathon runners... I can certainly agree with your sentiment that there is no such thing as "unhealthy food," only "unhealthy diets," yet I still maintain that consuming three liters of whole milk a day constitutes an unhealthy diet.
Which quoted statement are you referring to? 😕

slycrane94 said:From what I recall about cellular biology, the lipid barrier consists of both unsaturated and saturated components.
Furthermore, I don't quite remember the solubility of certain vitamins being tied so heavily to unsaturation levels. Do you happen to have a specific reference for that? (And please, don't count Wikipedia or similar sites as a reliable source)

You make a fair point, and I suspect I may have phrased my previous thought somewhat clumsily. When I wrote: In addition to being fundamental components of all cellular membranes, they serve the vital role of transporting fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K. Fats also provide a unique protective layer for organs like the liver, heart, and kidneys, and play a part in maintaining calcium levels in teeth and bones by facilitating the transport of vitamin D... I wasn't necessarily implying that we were strictly talking about unsaturated fats. To be perfectly honest, I don't have a formal reference on hand—not even a single one, unfortunately.