Consistency counts and slow and steady always wins the race. Display patience as you witness others rise more quickly, but fall just as fast. Why be but a flare, when you can strive to be the Sun ? Its the last man standing strategy. In the end, the last man standing is all that matters, correct ?

- Ryan Sullivan. Sci-Unison Fitness

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We all know that adequate healthy fat intake is required for optimal testosterone production. One of the most popular foods that men turn to for healthy fat intake is peanut butter. But with all the different brands, which is truly the most beneficial. Well the obvious starter is that you choose a Natural peanut butter. This still doesn’t narrow it down much, until now….

Monounsaturated fats are key to testosterone production. Therefore you want to choose the natural peanut butter with the highest amount of monounsaturated fat, and the lowest amount of polyunsaturated fat. 

First we will start with Skippy Natural Peanut Butter. Well, cant really help you here since the information isnt listed on the label. I even called the company and spent 45 minutes asking multiple people about the mono/poly content. The result ? They didn’t know. -_-  ok…..next

 
Jif Natural Peanut Butter was next on the list. They too do not have the mono/poly information on the label. So once again I made a call. This was a quick call and the nice woman got my my answer very quick. Per serving (2 Tbsp/32 grams) there was 4.5 grams of monounsaturated fat, and 8 grams of polyunsaturated fat. 

 
Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter actually was one of very few that provided the mono/poly information. Saved me a call, thanks guys. But anyway, they dialed in the same as Jif. 4.5 grams monounsaturated and 8 grams polyunsaturated. This was an honest surprise to me. I figured the ratio would have been slightly better. This is the peanut butter that has to oil on top and you have to stir it. I don’t know, that process seemed more natural and a figured it would equate to better numbers. Never assume I guess. 

 
Last on the list, and the WINNER. Smart Balance Natural Peanut Butter. This has been my peanut butter of choice for years now. My instincts are killer, I know. This peanut butter was well ahead of the rest in terms of numbers. Per serving it contained a whopping 12 grams of mono unsaturated fat, and only 1.5 grams of polyunsaturated fat. The winner by a long shot. 

So there you have it. Don’t judge a book by its cover, and for the best peanut butter in terms of aiding testosterone production, choose Smart Balance Natural Peanut Butter. 

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When it comes to a pre workout supplement I am very picky with the ingredients. I also do not like fillers or sweeteners. I am looking for performance and results and not a damn thing else.

As I have stated before, I like to purchase individual ingredients and mix them all so that I can take in the ratios that I feel work best for me.

However, not everyone wants to play the role of a chemist before they go to the gym. Some people like things the simple, yet effective way. For you guys the Extreme Nitric Stack (ENS) is the perfect fit.

I recommend the ENS to a large portion of my clients for two basic reasons….

1) ease of operation aka the convenience factor, and 2) the ingredient breakdown.

Here is a label from the Nutrabio Extreme Nitric Stack:

As you can see it is a pretty good mix of highly effective ingredients. It is a great blend for pre workout.

A quick summary:

L-Glutamine

• increases protein synthesis
• promotes nitrogen retention
• increases recovery ability
• improves immune system

AAKG

• boosts nitric oxide
• blood volumizer for bigger pumps
• stimulates growth hormone
• improves nutrient delivery

Taurine

• improves absorption
• boosts protein synthesis
• helps to maintain glucose intake

Beta Alanine

• Increases muscular endurance for more intense workouts
• increases strength and allows you to train harder and longer
• helps to delay muscle fatigue

Creatine AKG

• improves muscle strength and size
• cell volumizer
• improved performance
• quickly replenishes ATP

Creatine Ethly Ester Malate

• creatine with superior absorption capabilities
• no cramping, bloating, or water retention

Citrulline Malate

• increases nitric oxide productions
• augments AKG
• reduces lactic acid
• improves muscle performance and recovery
• bigger pumps for better nutrient delivery
• helps to clear body of waste and toxins

OKG (Ornathine Alpha-Ketoglutarate)

• boost protein synthesis
• bigger pumps for better nutrient delivery
• decreases protein catabolism

So as you can see you cant ask for a better pre workout supplement in terms of the pure fundamental ingredients. If you are looking for the best bang for the buck, ease of operation, and product that will deliver, then Make Progress, Not Excuses and grab a bottle of Nutrabio ENS.

The Extreme Nitric Stack, or the ingredients in the ENS have been used by 85+ % of the Sci-Unison Fitness Physique Transformations.

Use Coupon Code SciFit at checkout and save 10%. 

Click Here for Nutrabio Extreme Nitric Stack

Nutrabio Extreme Nitric Stack is pharmaceutical grade – 99.88% pure with no fillers or additives.

Use Coupon Code SciFit at checkout and save 10%.

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Key Points

• Warm up thoroughly before your workout. A few super light sets for 28-25 reps will do the job. A few minutes of cardio can also help. The cardio will also help to circulate blood and increase of the onset of any pre workout supplements. 

• Wear the proper attire. If it is cold out, wear warm clothes to keep the muscles warm and functioning well. Heat promotes blood flow, so why be cold ?

• Lift with proper form. Cheat reps have thier place here and there, but too much cheating and lead to injury

• Push yourself, but be aware of your limitations

• Dont push too hard too quick. After a long layoff, or scheduled break, give your body 1-2 weeks of light to moderate lifting to prep for the big stuff

• Ice for swelling and heat for healing. Ice restricts blood flow to combat swelling. Heat promotes blood flood and nutrient delivery once swelling is over

• Avoid overtraining. Listen to your body. Dont be scared of taking 7-14 days off from the gym. You will come back stronger and fully recovered

• If you have current injuries, try to use sleeves and wraps to aid the injury or injury prone bodypart

• Warm bath with epsom salt followed by stretching is very beneficial for nagging injuries

• DMSO + muscle rub can help alleviate pain

• Vitamin C helps with injuries. It works to repair collagen and makes new protein for skin, scar tissue, tendons, and ligaments

• Glucosamine and chondroitin also effectively combat joint pain. 

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Sometimes a successful diet comes down to creativity. If you are interested in adding some different whole grains to your diet, or if you have Celiac’s disease, you should look into these gluten-free grain choices. Do the research, and look into recipes that center around the following glueten free grains. 

Armaranth comes from Central and South America. It is a light tan, tiny seed that is used as a grain. It has a nutty flavor and unique texture. It has 25 % more fiber than whole wheat and is high in protein. It also contains high amounts of iron, magnesium, zinc, and folate. 

This grain can be served as a hot cereal or added to soups. The flour can also be used for protein packed baked goods. 

Millet is a small yellow grain that contains more protein than wheat, corn, and rice. It is also a good source of B vitamins, fiber, and iron. 

When cooked this grain can be used as a rice substitute. Increased water saturation and longer cooking times can create a hot, creamy breakfast cereal. Millet flour gives a light flavor to baked goods.

Quinoa is a grain that is related to the beet, chard, and spinach plants. Quinoa contains all eight essential amino acids and is therefore considered a “super grain”. Quinoa also out performs whole wheat in terms of calcium, iron, and magnesium. 

Quinoa cooks fast and has a very light texture. This grain can be served alone with some spice, or mixed in a pilaf. It is also very good for soups. 

Buckwheat is a fruit seed that isnt realted to wheat at all. Buckwheat is another “super grain” that contains all eight essential amino acids. In addition to being in protein, it also contains magnesium, fiber, calcium, and iron. Buckwheat also contains the entire spectrum of B-complex vitamins.

Cooked buckwheat makes a great breakfast cereal. The buckwheat flour can be used for pancakes, waffles, and crepes. 

Teff is the world’s smallest grain. This grain is native to Africa, where they use it to make a flat spongy bread called injera. The key nutrients that teff provides include, protein, fiber, calcium, iron, vitamin B1, zinc and copper. 

Due to its size, teff works best mixed with other grains or as a breakfast cereal. Teff is also a great choice for baked goods due to its mild nutty and slightly sweet flavor. 

In conclusion, don’t be scared to experiment and try different things. Try these grains and flavor them and prepare them without destroying their nutritional value. Avoiding boredom is the key to most people’s success when it comes to a diet. Feeling trapped by the same meals is one of the top reasons for a person to abandon a productive diet. In addition, those with Celiac’s disease need to be well informed of all the food alternatives that are compatible with a gluten free lifestyle. Celiac’s Disease, or not, I recommend giving these grains a chance. 

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A study from the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health has found that a diet characterized by high levels of fat, sugar, and processed foods in early childhood may be associated with small reductions in IQ. 

On the other hand, children who practiced healthy eating may have experienced small increases in IQ. A healthy diet characterized as one with high amounts of nutrient rich foods. A balance of protein, unprocessed carbs, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables is the best choice. 

To me this makes perfect sense. One of my favorite sayings is “if you put crap in, you get crap out”. This is both true for mental and physical performance. 

The nutrition practices of the youth is extremely important due to the fact that they are still developing. In order to ensure optimal development both physically and mentally, it would be best to follow a healthy diet. Teaching children poor eating habits at an early age will lead to similar practices throughout life in most cases. It is better to teach them the ways of proper nutrition during childhood, and when they are older they can make their own decisions on just how good or poor they would like to eat. Until that time, it is the role of the parents, teachers, and coaches to provide the necessary knowledge.

People better start stepping up !

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I love to stack L-Arginine Ethyl Ester with L- Citrulline Malate. When coupled together they give me a mind blowing pump at the gym. And we all know, bigger pump = increased blow flow = better nutrient delivery. I don’t like the idea of taking any aggressive and harmful supplements that are on the market for a good pump. I look for purity and the highest quality ingredients with NO fillers. Once again Nutrabio.com delivers. 

Benefits of Arginine Supplementation

• Supports protein synthesis

• Increased Nitric Oxide and blood flow

• Improved nutrient delivery

• Boosts circulatory system

• Promotes healthy sexual function

I choose L-Arginine Ethyl Ester because regular L-arginine is slightly limited in its effectiveness. A good portion of regular arginine is absorped in the intestine. This is a no-no for anyone desiring a muscle inflating pump.

Arginine Ethyl Ester is the amino acid L-arginine with an ester molecule attached. Esters are organic compounds that help shuttle the arginine across lipid membranes of the gut and directly into the bloodstream for direct transport to your muscle cells.  The presence of an ester will all the arginine to pass through the intestine largely intact, thus making the ergogenic effects much more effective. Arginine Ethyl Ester is also much more stable than regular L-Arginine. 

Arginine Ethyl Ester promotes increased nitric oxide (NO) production for increased blood flow and nutrient delivery to working muscles. The result is greater glucose uptake, muscle velocity and power output. Arginine supplementation will lead to greater strength, improved muscle recovery, and increased endurance. These are all important to anyone who is serious about the gym. 

L-Arginine also works to stimulate the production of growth hormone (GH). Growth Hormone is a chemical produced naturally by the body that promotes growth and plays an essential role in metabolism. Increases in growth hormone can results in added lean muscle mass, increased strength and a faster metabolism.  

Besides being a powerful fitness related supplement, L-Arginine is involved in the following functions of the body:

• wound healing
• assisting the kidneys in removing waste products
• supporting healthy immune and hormone functions. 

In the body,  arginine changes into nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide is a powerful neurotransmitter that helps blood vessels relax and also improves circulation. Therefore, arginine may also help combat symptoms of erectile dysfunction.

Some evidence also shows that arginine may help improve blood flow in the arteries of the heart. As a result, arginine supplementation may improve symptoms of clogged arteries. However, there currently is no data on how the long-term use of arginine affects cholesterol or heart health.

Benefits of Citrulline Supplementation

• Increases Nitric Oxide and blood flow

• Increases the effects of Arginine

• Reduces lactic acid and ammonia

• Improves muscle performance and recovery

• Boosts circulatory system

• Promotes healthy sexual function

When to take you Arginine and Citrulline

For my weight (200-220 lbs) I like to dose as follows:

Non-Training Days

5-6 grams of Arginine Ethly Ester. I take 1/2 of this in the morning and the other 1/2 later in the day, usually split by 4-6 hours. 

5-6 grams of Citrulline Malate.  I take 1/2 of this in the morning and the other 1/2 later in the day, usually split by 4-6 hours. 

I take these two together. 

Training Days

6-8 grams of Arginine Ethly Ester. I take 3 grams in the morning, and the other 5 grams 30-40 mins prior to workout.  Separate by at least 4 hours

6-8 grams of Citrulline Malate.  I take 3 grams in the morning, and the other 5 grams 30-40 mins prior to workout.  Separate by at least 4 hours

I take these two together. 

Use Coupon Code SciFit at checkout and save 10%. 

Click Here for Nutrabio Arginine Ethly Ester

Nutrabio Arginine Ethly Ester is pharmaceutical grade – 99.93% pure with no fillers or additives.

Click Here for Nutrabio Citrulline Malate

Nutrabio Citrulline Malate is pharmaceutical grade – 99.91% pure with no fillers or additives.

Use Coupon Code SciFit at checkout and save 10%. 

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Please check out the newest shoulder exercise added to Sci-UnisonFitness.com. 

It can also be found by clicking here. 

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Check out one of my Multi-Rep Range Quad workouts in the January 2012 issue of Muscle & Fitness Magazine.  Workout is found on page 158. There are alot of great tips and workouts in this edition, so pick you copy up now. 

^ Click to enlarge

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Day 8

Getting even better. Things were scabbing up. Swelling down even more. 

Day 10

Day 12

Day 16

Pretty much all better. There is just a small scab left. This is the part that Kho was able to lick. As you can see the wound it pretty much gone now. It is just hairless skin now. The cone has officially come off and Kho is very happy. 

This entire process was very difficult but I would do anything for my pets. I am very happy that I was able to help heal her the natural way. Once again, throughout this entire process I did not take her to a conventional vet. I was very close at one point. The combination of the diet, supplements, and herbal pastes did a great job. I hope that this blog post if useful for anyone who is going through a similar experience. Good luck. 

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