1. Sytropin – We have used this product, taken a break from it and returned to it. We have definitely found that overall it has made the biggest difference in performance, especially from an aerobic capacity and endurance standpoint. We have also found benefits in weight management and lower body fat. Sytropin is our top pick for 2009. It is a homeopathic spray with a comprehensive array of amino acids and growth factors that stimulates the body’s own production of human growth hormone.

2. Immunocal Platinum – Best new discovery of 2009. If you haven’t already heard of glutathione, you will. Glutathione occurs naturally in the body. It is the body’s major anti-oxidant, immune system optimizer and detoxifier. It exists in virtually every cell in the body. It is produced within the cell by glycine, glutamine and cysteine. In the average North American diet, cysteine is either non-existent or scarce. An additional challenge is getting cysteine into the cells in a biologically active state. Immunocal Platinum is the result of decades of research conducted primarily at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. It is the only natural product that is both clinically and scientifically proven to optimize the immune system by raising glutathione levels. It is an undenatured whey protein isolate that is backed by over 70 worldwide patents. Coincidentally, it has also been clinically proven to enhance muscle performance.

3. Primorye Stress Relief Plus – Best stress reduction product. Named after the region in Russia from which most of its herbs are derived, this product is the result of billions of dollars of research over decades, spearheaded by the Soviet Academy of Sciences. Oxyfresh combined the herbal extract with aloe from Costa Rica and other micronutrients to formulate a truly remarkable product. Its benefits are many, not the least of which are the regulation of excess cortisol, a reduction in overall stress, increased focus and an immune system booster. Use it daily and use its partner product Primorye Gold before and after workouts.

4. Montmorency Concentrated Cherry Juice – This product is also a new discovery for us. It is a powerful anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and contains naturally occurring melatonin, which helps with sleep and is a brain anti-oxidant.

5. Vega Health Optimizer – Our favorite protein powder. Developed by Brendon Brazier, a vegan triathlete, this product contains the correct amount and balance of the various proteins required to repair and rebuild muscle tissue. It is available in a variety of flavors.

6. Oxyfresh Foundation Formula – This is our favorite comprehensive daily multivitamin and mineral packet. It not only contains 3 multivitamin capsules, but omega-3, vitamin E, antioxidant and digestive enzyme capsules as well. It contains the best types of nutrients and the most optimal amounts and combination of nutrients for athletes. For endurance and elite athletes, we recommend 2 packets a day. Capsules are packaged in very convenient packets for easy transport while on the road.

7. Vega Sport Performance Optimizer – Fantastic electrolyte and energy powder easily added to water. Comes in a variety of flavors.

8. Oxyfresh Joint Formula – Best new product of 2009. This product was introduced by Oxyfresh last year and is the best joint formula we have come across to date. This scientifically proven formula is formulated to start repairing joints and relieving pain within 30 days. It reduces joint discomfort, restores mobility and flexibility and protects joints from deterioration. Joint Formula contains the patented UC-II, an undenatured  type-II collagen, derived from chicken sternum cartilage.

Here are the winners:

-Supplement of the Year – Optimum 100% Whey Protein (5th year in a row!)

-New Supplement of the Year – MRI Black Powder

-Muscle Builder of the Year – BSN NO-Xplode (5th year in a row!)

-Pre-Workout Supplement of the Year – BSN NO-Xplode

-Intra-Workout Supplement of the Year – MuscleTech IntraVol

-Recovery Supplement of the Year – Scivation Xtend

-Protein Powder of the Year – Optimum 100% Whey Protein (5th year in a row!)

-Protein Bar of the Year – Supreme Protein Carb Conscious Bar

-Energy Supplement of the Year – VPX Meltdown

-Energy Drink of the Year – VPX RedLine RTD

-Fat Loss Supplement of the Year – Nutrex Lipo 6x

-Weight Gainer of the Year – BSN True Mass (3rd year in a row!)

-Nitric Oxide Supplement of the Year – BSN NO-Xplode (5th year in a row!)

-Creatine Supplement of the Year – BSN CellMass (5th year in a row!)

-Glutamine Supplement of the Year – MHP Glutamine-SR

-Multivitamin of the Year – Universal Nutrition Animal Pak (5th year in a row!)

-Joint Health Supplement of the Year – Universal Nutrition Animal Flex (4th year in a row!)

-RTD of the Year – CytoSport Muscle Milk RTD (2nd year in a row!)

-Tanning Product of the Year – Dream Tan

The more stress you put on your body, the greater the need fo antioxidants. The more intensely you train, the greater the stress on your body. The more you run or cycle in traffic and swim in chlorinated pools, the greater your exposure to toxins. Lack of deep rest, demands from your career and family all contribute to an increase in free radicals.

Hence, antioxidants are crucial to increase performance levels and for long-term health. The best sources of antioxidants are raw, organic fruits and vegetables. In today’s world, you will not be able to consume enough to combat the demands placed on your body, especially if you train intensely.

It is important to note that you want a full spectrum of antioxidants as they all work in conjunction with each other to rid the body of a wide variety of free radicals. It is also vital to keep glutathione levels up in your body, since glutathione serves to enhance the effects of all other antioxidants and is responsible for disposing of the waste products of free radical neutralization.

Some great products include: Lifeshots antioxidant liquid, Primorye Stress Relief Plus, Immunocal Platinum (to increase glutathione), Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice and PNT 200 (to reduce excess cortisol levels)

Proteins are made up of amino acids. Some come from food and supplements and others can be manufactured by your body. Food containing proteins are considered either complete or incomplete, depending on whether they contain all the essential amino acids. Animal sources are considered complete while vegetarian sources are considered incomplete. In order to become complete, vegetarian protein must be comined with grains. Examples of animal protein are; eggs, poultry, meat or fish. Vegetarian protein comes from nuts and legumes.

The amount your body requires depends on your weight and activity level. Generally, it is recommended to consume 1-2 grams per kilogram of body weight throughout the day. Portions should not be more than 25 to 30 grams at a time. What happens when you consume too much protein? This can acidify the body, which increases inflammation.

What are some convenient sources of high quality complete protein? There are 3 specific all-natural products that I recommend:

The first is Vega Health Optimizer, an all-in-one meal made from plant-based foods. It is a protein powder developed by a vegan athlete but appropriate for everyone. I have found this product to be extremely helpful in increasing my energy levels prior to activity. It is best included in a smoothie, taken at least 1-2 hours prior to exercise. Here is one recipe you can use.

Second, I recommend Sytropin just prior to activity and at bedtime. This is an amino acid complex that I have found to increase endurance, improve sleep and increase energy.

Third, I recently discovered a product called Immunocal Platinum. This product is the most scientifically and clinically proven natural product I have come across to increase glutathione levels in the body, which is crucial for maintaining a strong immune system and detoxifying the body. Glutathione is the body’s main antioxidant as well. It exists in virtually every cell in your body and must be manufactured at the cellular level. The benefit of Immunocal Platinum is that it provides the precursors necessary in a biologically available form for the body to create its own glutathione. It also helps alkalize your body. It has also been clinically proven to increase muscle performance. It is best consumed within an hour following your workout. Do not include this product in a smoothie. It’s biological integrity is highly dependent on how you mix it. Make sure you read the instructions so you get the maximum benefit from this product.

There are two keys to successful refueling. The first one is timing and the second is what you consume.

As far as timing is concerned, within 30 minutes of your workout, you should be consuming a recovery drink. Within 2 hours of your workout, you will want to consume a well-balanced meal and/or drink.

The ratio of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and electrolytes are crucial to optimizing your body’s need for these ingredients as well as its ability to absorb and utilize them. What do you drink within 30 minutes of completing your workout? A drink consisting of a carbs to protein ratio of 4:1, added electrolytes including potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium and low in fat. You can get a commercial preparation or you can make your own. Endurox is an example of a commercial preparation.

An example of a post recovery drink is:
Perfect Empowered Drinking Water (oxygen and electrolytes are included)
Primorye (adaptogens are great for muscle recovery)
Organic orange juice
Organic Lemonade
A pinch of organic sea salt
A bit of protein powder

if you don’t use Perfect Empowered Drinking Water, then I would suggest water and an electrolyte powder instead. Some examples are Ultima, Refresh and Elete.

A great resource we recommend is the book Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life by triathlete Brendan Brazier.

As far as your post-workout meal, it should include carbs, more protein, healthy fats (especially Omega-3s) and fiber. The reason we mention drink as an option is that a smoothie is a good post workout drink. Include a healthy protein powder like Vega, organic bananas, organic berries, Primorye, Lifeshots, organic flax oil, organic non-fat yogurt and organic orange juice (or other juice of your choice). You can play around with this recipe according to your taste preferences.

Also, make sure you continually drink plenty of water and include electrolytes during the day as well. Perfect Empowered Drinking Water is great because the electrolytes are already included in the water itself, not to mention added oxygen. Make sure you stay well hydrated and don’t overtrain.

The other benefit I wanted to report on today is that of weight loss. At the end of my hockey season in mid-April, I was weighing in at 169 lbs. Now, I know that isn’t heavy for most people and I never have been a heavy guy, especially considering how active I’ve been all my life. I am 5 ft 9 inches tall. Since starting to incorporate an hgh (human growth hormone) precursor (also known as a booster), I have lost 7 pounds or 4% of my weight. I actually don’t even focus much on weight as I’m not that heavy to start with, but I did find it interesting that without trying, my weight has declined.

More important to me, however, is body fat percentage. This is a number that I do keep track of and have wanted to get it down as much as I can. At the end of hockey season, I was at 19% body fat, which has been pretty much consistent over the last few years. Well, as of yesterday, that figure had dropped to 15%. This I find gratifying and surprising. That’s a 21% drop in body fat percent, which by any standard I find huge. I will continue to monitor both my body fat percentage and weight to see how they progress over a longer period of time.

The product I use I found on an hgh product review website. It is the top rated product. I like the fact it is an oral spray. It’s easy to administer and works quicker than capsules, in my opinion.

So I started my investigation and was intrigued with a few of the products I studied. I was looking for products that were homeopathic and safe. The first one I tried showed no noticeable difference. However, the latest one I have been using has had noticeable positive affects which I am happy to share with you.

On only day 3, I went for a run on the Grouse Grind in North Vancouver, British Columbia. It was my first time doing “The Grind” this year. Since keeping track in 2002, I have run the Grind 22 times. I only ran it once last year (in 49:30). For those of you unfamiliar with the Grind, it is a straight ascent with no breaks 853 meters up Grouse Mountain. Its distance of 2.8 kilometers is deceptive as it is a straight vertical climb to the top. It is a fabulous cardio workout which is akin to being on a stair climber at a very difficult setting.

In any case, I couldn’t remember what my previous times were, but I finished it on this day in 43:30. The interesting part to me was that it felt relatively easy. I didn’t feel tired at all. Sure enough, when I returned home and input the times in my computer, I discovered that this was the third fastest time I’ve had since 2002. But it doesn’t end there. When my 3 buddies and I got to the top, we ran down the backside on the old Grouse Mountain Highway Road and I just couldn’t stop running. I was in a zone and it felt like I could run forever. In the end, the total run took me 1:45:00 and I still felt refreshed afterwards.

I can only attribute this to the HGH product which I had started using 3 days prior, since it was the only thing I had changed in my routine.

The product I use is the top recommended product at an hgh review website I visited.

I sure hope my experience continues to be this positive.

1. Exercise. This is a must at all times. During the winter, we’re much more likely to cut back or cut out exercise altogether. Take time at least three to four times a week to get your heart rate up through some form of aerobic exercise. We tend to spend less time outdoors as the weather makes it more difficult to brave the elements. Go to the gym, play hockey or skate, ski or snowboard, or even just walk stairs at lunch.

2. Get more light. It gets dark much earlier in the evening and stays dark much later in the morning. Studies have shown that this can lead to mild to severe depression during the winter. One of the best ways to combat this is to get more sunlight. If you can’t take a vacation to warmer, brighter climates, sit in front of a high watt bulb (250w is good) for 10-20 minutes several times a day if possible.

3. Protect yourself from the cold. If you do need to venture outside, be sure to bundle up. Dress in several layers and always protect yourself with a coat, hat, gloves, and scarf. When coming back inside, allow yourself to warm slowly and wait a few minutes before you remove layers. Have a hearty soup in the evening and oatmeal in the morning to warm your innards. You will find several great recipes on this site.

4. Protect against carbon monoxide. Do you have a carbon monoxide monitor in the house? Be sure to have your fireplace cleaned and your heater checked by a professional (especially if it’s older). This will help protect you against carbon monoxide poisoning, which can make you sick or even kill you.

5. Cut the stress. Holidays can leave us burnt out and more susceptible to colds, flu, and other illnesses. Be sure to keep taking your daily vitamins and include Primorye in your regimen. It will help boost your immune system and relieve stress at the same time. Set some time aside each day for relaxing. Take a warm bath, read your favorite book, or take up yoga.

6. Control your portions. Many of us use eating as a way to combat seasonal depression and the temptation of holiday goodies can help us pack on unhealthy unwanted pounds. Control your portions. Eat a small snack before large meals and bring a healthy snack with you to work or school. Be sure to get some protein and fresh fruits and vegetables with every meal.

7. Visit a naturopath or homeopathic practitioner. Make sure everything is in order physically. The cold winter months provide an indoor breeding ground for the flu and other illnesses. Protect yourself.

8. Wash you hands. Diseases like colds and flu are much more prevalent in the winter because everyone stays inside where they’re more likely to pass around germs. Protect yourself by regularly washing your hands with a natural soap.

9. Everything in moderation. Whether you’re going out for a run, shoveling the driveway, or even going to the gym, don’t push yourself too hard physically. Exercise is good, but you don’t need to do it in excess. Too much activity stresses your body and can pose serious health risks.

10. Take your supplements. Be rigorous and disciplined about taking the big 3: Foundation Formula for overall health insurance & protection, Primorye® for stress relief and immune system support and Lifeshots™ for complete antioxidant protection.

The thing about the common cold is that a number of other ailments have the same symptoms. Most people today don’t use the term cold anymore. We say we have the flu. But the two are not the same. How do you know if you just have a cold? Here are some of the signs:

* Hacking cough with phlegm
* Sneezing
* Stuffed up nasal passages or runny nose
* Mild tiredness
* Maybe some chest discomfort
* Sore throat

Normally, you will not get a fever or headache or even feel chills. Colds come on more gradually and don’t have body aches associated with them like you get with the flu. Compared to flus, colds tend to last longer and can sometimes persist for quite a while. Sometimes a more chronic condition will lead to other sicknesses. So be careful of this.

How should you treat a cold? There is no “cure” that we know of, but there are products you can take to help shorten the duration of a cold and ease their symptoms. One option is to take zinc. There are a number of herbal teas as well as echinacea, chamomile, licorice and garlic, among others. Organic cough drops, homeopathic sprays and medicines can make you feel better until the cold passes.

The common cold is definitely a nuisance, although it usually is not a cause for great alarm. You may miss work, school, social events and some sporting events. Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, mildly exercise aerobically to build your immune system, take your vitamins, adaptogens and antioxidants to shorten its duration so you can get back to the things you enjoy most.

In his book, Dr. Talbott explains that our bodies react to stress and anxiety by realeasing the “stress hormone” cortisol. Adaptogens work to moderate this spike in cortisol to normal, healthy, stress-free levels. He explores dieatary supplements, including adaptogens, that can be used to control cortisol levels.

The Cortisol Connection explains how the American lifestyle promotes elevated cortisol levels — too much fast food, not enough sleep and fast-paced schedules — and contributes to stress and weight gain.

“There is very good scientific and medical evidence to show that chronically elevated cortisol levels are associated with obesity, hypertension, diabetes, moodiness and Alhzeimer’s disease,” Talbott writes. “Adaptogenic herbs appear to provide a ‘buffering’ or ‘balancing’ action that counteracts an exaggerated adrenal response to stress and reduces cortisol secretion back down to normal levels.”

How to control cortisol? Primorye® Stress Relief Plus is packed with primary adaptogens that do precisely what Dr. Talbott focuses on in his book: lowering stress levels to promote a healthier lifestyle. It is a natural, healthy and proven way to avoid the side effects of stress — and promote weight loss. Especially when used in conjunction with O So Slender™ weight loss supplement program.