Pharmaceutical Grade vs Store Bought Vitamins

PHARMACEUTICAL GRADE

Produced at the same high standards as the production process of prescription drugs.

1.) Exact dosage that is listed on the label. Does not vary from pill to pill.

2.) Each ingredient is inspected before production.

3.) Supplement must dissolve and be absorbed within 45 minutes - This is wildly important.


FOOD GRADE ( STORE BOUGHT )

Loose standards and barely regulated. If the product doesn't cause physical harm, it most likely will be allowed to be put on the shelves with unsubstantiated claims.

1.) Dosage varies. Think of a pepperoni pizza from Dominoes. Not every slice will contain the same number of pepperoni slices and therefore wont contain the same number of calories, nutrients etc. Everything varies from slice to slice - in the case of nutritional supplements, pill to pill.

2.) Ingredients do NOT require inspection. Companies do not inspect each ingredient before they make a pizza ( contaminants may find their way into products ).

3.) No absorption requirement. Products can take hours to dissolve, thereby not providing the benefits they claim. Many vitamins are passed out of the system with waste 70 % undigested.



In short, pharmaceutical grade supplements must meet the USP, or the United States Pharmacopoeia standards. The USP provides assurance to consumers of the purity of the capsule. It must contain in excess of 99% of the ingredients stated. In addition to this, the bioavailability is much higher in pharmaceutical based supplements than that of store or food grade vitamins.
I would warn you, however, to make sure that the pharmaceutical grade vitamins that you choose, are whole-food based. This will ensure the bioavailability into your system and this is what it is all about!

Choosing a vitamin or nutrient supplement is going to be imperative for your life today and into the future. Choosing one with phytonutrients, one that includes ingredients that reduce inflammation and help detoxify the liver, and one that includes micro nutrients such as vitamins and chelated minerals, will help you maintain the blueprint of your health!


So are our vitamins what they say they are? Many brands of vitamins, that are store-grade, are by law, allowed to contain as little as 20% of what they say they are in a tablet. If you are serious about supplementation, make sure you purchase pharmaceutical grade supplements, which are over 99% of what they say they are!

To read in more detail about how food grade vitamins trick consumers and find out how inaccurate labels can be, I invite you to read the follow article : http://www.preventivemedicineps.com/Diet-and-Nutrition/vitamin-industry-fraud.html

Late night ruminations....

If, when you graduated high school, you told your Mom and Dad, " I don't have enough time for college"- How would that go over? What if your parents told you, " we can't afford to send you to college", but then spent hundreds of dollars every week eating out, going out boozing with friends, or spending money on material things that made them temporarily feel better about themselves? I imagine that would be frustrating for you because they would be essentially denying you the opportunity to improve the quality of your life through an education that would hopefully result in a good career?

So if either of these scenarios became a reality for you when you were 18, you would be forced to spend hours upon hours reading books, doing research to learn a business or work with master craftsmencraft in order to learn a trade. This is what you would probably need to do in order to survive financially and hopefully become successful.

Clearly you would have to make concessions regarding your time, money and energy in order to achieve a lifestyle that you'd be happy with right?

Well achieving a level of fitness and health that allows you to lead a higher quality of life isn't so different. There was a time in human history where doing what was best in order to live as long as possible whilst feeling as good as possible was an innate trait. For most of our time on this planet, everyday was quite literally a matter of life and death. We had to rely on our primal instincts for survival.

My how far we have come- yay technology!!!

We now base most of our diet choices and make decisions on what to buy, based on what commercials of multi-billion dollar companies tell us is 'healthy' and 'what choosy parents choose' and show pictures of how sugar smacked-crack pops bring families together. Do you really think these corporations have our best interest at heart?

Let me ask you another question; how come with all of the advances in medicine we've made in the last 100 hundred years and living during a time when there are more doctors and 'specialists' than ever before - diseases such as Type II diabetes, heart disease, chronic fatigue etc etc etc are at an all time high? And they just keep getting higher and higher every year don't they?

Who do you trust to tell you what is good for you and your family to eat? Anyone?

Are you ok with the fact the approximately 90% of the chemicals found on Genetically Modified Crops can be found in the umbilical chords of your babies? Do you trust that the government and the food lobbyists groups have your best interest at heart- and that the chemicals found on aforementioned GMOs are 'safe'?

Could you benefit from the advice of someone who specializes in preventive care? A person who's mission is to make you healthy, so that you and your family aren't helping to pay 3 doctors payments on their BMWs? Would you like to enjoy having more energy to cope with stresses of work, relationships, bills etc? A good nutritionist, yoga instructor, personal trainer, group fitness coach probably isn't what you would consider cheap - but neither is college. But unless you're willing to put the hours into reading & researching how to achieve optimal health, you might want to consider reaching out to somebody who's livelihood is making people like you healthier and happier.

Like I stated before, you have to make concessions somewhere. In the environment we live in, health isn't just something you're given, you have to make sacrifices. You can choose to make time for health now, or be forced to deal with illness later.

New Pricing Structure Effective Immediately

I am very please to announce a new, incredibly affordable preventive health care program to all private personal training prospects.

The package rewards those who commit to training 2-3 a week on a consistent basis and are dedicated to getting results.

Rather than offering packages of 10 or 20 sessions at a minimally discounted rate, I have to decided to offer a monthly package that allows the individual to train as many as 10 times a month for only $600 in Hoboken and $700 in NYC. That brings the per session cost down a very generous $20 per session and up to $200 a month! Compare that rate to any gym in the area, and if you can find a better rate I'd love to hear more about it.

This is NOT strictly a personal training package. Every month you will get a health pack from the leading manufacturer of pharmaceutical-grade nutritional supplements in the country - customized by me for your unique needs and goals ( a value of approximately $60 ). Pay for 3 months up front and receive a health pack with a value of $150 !!!

And if that is not enough, you will also receive a new list healthy meal options every month accompanied by an e-newsletter, written just for active clients ( value of $100 ).

The more you exercise, the more money you save - and more importantly the healthier you will get. You will be given all of the tools to take control of your health and enjoy a life with more energy and confidence.

The current rates on listed at www.bellatorfit.com are still available - but I strongly encourage all of you to take advantage of this great offer. YOU WILL GET RESULTS.

Something new...

It's the holiday season and time to celebrate and reflect upon what we've accomplished in 2011. When you take the time to think about what positive steps you've taken in your life, do you feel proud or do you feel like another year has passed you by.

Our country is still suffering through a terrible recession which makes it very difficult for companies to give raises & bonuses and its even more difficult for those who are unhappy at their job to find new employment. When you really think about your life, its easy to think that you have little control over most areas of your life. One of the things that you do control is your health, and with improved health, so many other areas of your life are vastly improved.

Most people have an general idea of what shit food is and that exercise is vital to living a long, healthy, productive life. So why are we the fattest country in the world - even though we are in a much better financial position than the majority of the world? Why are diseases like Type II diabetes and heart disease running rampant when the barely existed 100 years ago? Books have been written about such topics - my simple is answer to these questions : In general, Americans don't feel very good about themselves. Think about this, when you have guests over to your house you clean it and make it look as nice as possible. People buy nice cars to create favorable impressions on others, we do the same thing with clothes and so many other material things.

Let me ask you this now, what is better representation of yourself than your own body? Your personality of course, but not everyone that sees you gets to know you. When you go on an interview or a first date, what is the first thing that people notice? Your appearance. Your appearance tell a lot about a person. We're all guilty of it. When you see a big guy with a fake tan and tons of hair gel wearing his little sister's tee shirt - what is your initial impression of that person. Is that a person that you want to sit down and have a chat with? Conversly, when you see a yoga instructor that is lean and healthy looking giving off a positive vibe and has great energy - you want to talk to them, ask them how they got so fit, find out some of their secrets to health and happiness.

Read any book or article about success and achieving goals and you will read about the importance of mentors and surrounding yourself with people who already have success in the areas in which you are seeking success. This is where health and fitness professionals come into play - not doctors, if you're seeing a doctor, you're already sick. Working with a health professional, helps keep you out of the doctor's office.

Going to the gym, making smart diet choices, these are signs to yourself and the world that you respect yourself and you make choices to honor yourself. Compulsive eating and drinking are bandaid on feeling bad - and as you know, make you feel worse about yourself long term.

Making the right choices in regards to diet and exercise take some time and effort. There is plenty of free information on the internet and books, but if you're one the people who say, "I want to go to the gym, but just don't have the time" then chances are you're not going to spend the time doing research on how to take control of your health - it is a lot to sort through.

I have some great rates and a number of packages available for the new year, I hope that you consider making the investment in yourself.

Online program design, nutrition consulting, and 30 day meal plan : $200
10 personal training sessions in Hoboken : $750 - for January only
10 personal training sessions in NYC : $850 - for January only

* All personal training packages include nutrition consulting and diet outline.

Metabolic Syndrome and it's Warning Signs

Metabolic Syndrome is named because its maladies are interrelated and all of them are connected to the body's metabolism. A person who has 3 or more of the warning signs listed below are considered to have the syndrome.

The American Heart Association estimates that approximately 50 million Americans suffer from it - entirely brought on by themselves - and that number is growing as our country's obesity epidemic continues to get out of control.

The sum of the disorder is worse than its individual parts - all of metabolic syndrome's components travel together and feed off of each other, thus wreaking havoc on the body. MB leads to three of the most disabling diseases of the 21st century: heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Please keep in mind that these 3 diseases were very UNcommon prior to the last 80 years or so. These diseases can be directly tied to the increased processing of foods, overuse of refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners. Make no mistake, metabolic syndrome is easily avoided when individuals make their health a priority - if health isn't a priority, then you suffer the consequences, it really is that simple.

WARNING SIGNS

1.) Low levels of 'good' cholestrol: HDL levels below 40mg/dl for men and below 50mg/dl for women.

2.) High levels of triglycerides : Levels of these blood fats equal to or greater than 130/85mm Hg

3.)Abdominal obesity: A waist circumference greater than 40 inches for men and 35 inches in women.

4.) Elevated blood pressure : Rest blood pressure equal to or greater than 130/85mm Hg

5.) Above normal levels of blood sugar: a blood glucose level equal to or greater than 100 mg/dL

Now that you know some of the warning signs and some of the dangers of metabolic syndrome, I will be blogging about ways of how to avoid it and lead a life free of diseases that we bring onto ourselves.

Thank you for reading.

Conventional Bodybuilding Supplements Yield Serious Health Benefits....

So I've been reading up on supplements that I've used in the past to add muscle, to see if any of them have other health benefits (and at what dosage). In addition to the aforementioned Vanadyl, I've added 5g or Creatine Monohydrate and 5g of Glutamine. I take both in powder form, mixed with fresh juice and a concentrated green veggie powder - I drink this midmorning. A number of articles have been published in medical journals stating that Creatine Monohydrate is useful in the prevention of Alzheimers and improve certain neurological functions.
Here is one of the many articles easily found through any search engine : http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=3988. For more detailed and scientific articls, use Google Scholar.

Make sure to always use these supplements in powder form, they are more readily absorbed into the blood stream and easier on the liver and kidneys. Most hard-pressed pills (vitamins etc) are barely broken down, up to 70% of the pill is passed undigested out of the body.

Here is a quick list of the benefits of glutamine:
•dramatically boosts immune system (helps immune cell production, antioxidant production);
•dramatically reduces chances of infection;
•dramatically reduces liver damage from overdosing and harsh therapies (chemotherapy);
•detoxifies the body from free radicals and other dangerous poisons such as ammonia;
•prevents bacteria from entering intestine walls;
•lessens depression;
•reduces alcohol cravings;
•improves IQ and problem-solving skills;
•plays massive role in ensuring the function of the digestive system; and
•helps prevents ulcers.

Ive been taking these supplements 5 days a week for two weeks and have put on 6lbs and have felt pretty good - although I will admit that it would be hard to identify any one thing that has me feeling better, due to the fact that there has been so many variables since my surgical procedure on August 7th.

If you are looking at taking one or both of these supplements for aesthetic gains, you would be taking 3 x the servings that I do and the timing would be different. If you are looking for muscular gains it is imperative to consume 1 serving within 45 minutes of completing any form of training.

I hope that you found some of this information useful and feel free to contact me at greg@bellatorfit.com to discuss this material in more detail.

A Few New Testimonials ...

A good trainer will do much more for a client than bark orders and push them to do one more rep. Greg is perfect example of this. The depth of his knowledge and his interest for the overall well-being of his clients is very apparent. My time spent with him was productive, fun, and a great learning experience ...

- Jason 33, Hoboken

I highly recommend Greg as a personal trainer. Even though I knew I needed to do something different with my workouts, I felt reluctant to sign up for sessions. My hesitation was due to previous injuries and surgeries, a bad taste left in my mouth from working with a different trainer years ago, and the cost. However, within only a couple of sessions with Greg all my concerns disappeared. He is always engaged, present, and focused on quality. Every session is maximized, and although he definitely trains hard, his approach is centered around working smart. He knows a lot about the musculoskeletal system but is able to talk about it in a very understandable way. I'm willing to push myself outside whatever box I previously put myself in because I trust I won't aggravate my injuries working with him. Nutrition is a critical variable to any fitness goal. Greg is unique because he's extremely knowledgeable about nutrition and what to avoid and what to focus on. He doesn't just talk the talk but he believes in his convictions and lives it himself.

I've been working with Greg for a couple of months, but in that time I've noticed a huge difference. My body feels better than it has in over 10+ years. I can't put a price tag on the difference- every session is worth every penny and then some. Losing weight and body fat is an added bonus. Personal results are based on what happens in and out of the gym, but Greg helps to inspire the process. He's passionate about not only helping his clients with their short term goals but he's sincerely committed to educating them with knowledge and form to help them for years to come. I feel lucky to have him as my trainer.

Lorraine 43, Hoboken

For a long time 'getting in shape' was one of my goals, but knew next to nothing about strength training. I was lucky enough to meet Greg a few months ago and begin working with him. Not only did I learn the fundamentals of strength training, Greg also offered advice on how to approach future workouts and nutrition. In addition, he made himself available for questions and advice even after our sessions ended. It's obvious that he is passionate about what he does, and was dedicated to helping me achieve my goals. In the short time I've worked with Greg, he helped me improve my fitness level tremendously and develop habits that will impact my health for years to come.

Allison 25, Hoboken