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Mohamed El Emam Injured In Car Accident, Will Not Compete For At Least 6 Months
Mohamed El Emam is stable after being involved in a car accident – but will not be able to train or compete for some time.
Pro bodybuilder Mohamed El Emam has been injured in a car accident in St. Petersburg Russia. He did not suffer life threatening injuries but has claimed he will not be able to train or compete for at least six months. The news was announced via his Instagram on Friday, November 11, 2021.
Mohamed El Emam is a Men’s Open pro bodybuilder who has been rising through the ranks over the past three years. Most recently he had competed in the KO Pro Egypt competition and placed fourth. He also competed at the Arnold Classic 2021 and placed 7th. He is a bodybuilder with a promising physique that has been garnering hype from fans as he’s progressed through the sport.
Unfortunately, now it seems his progress has to be put on hold. According to a recent post from his Instagram, he was involved in some sort of car accident. Though he keeps the details vague – he confirms that the event was not life threatening. However, he has sustained enough injury to prevent him from training.
Below is a translated excerpt from his Instagram post:
“I had a car accident in the city of Saint Petersburg, Russia! It is difficult to get back to training now, given that I have had an injury, and it will also be difficult to participate in tournaments in the coming period; pray for me for a speedy recovery… It is very difficult for me to return to the gym now; also performances at competitions I think not more than half a year, many injuries.”
Before competing in the Arnold Classic 2021 earlier this year, Generation Iron had the opportunity to sit down with Mohamed El Emam for a video interview. We discussed his bodybuilding origins, his training tactics, and what he planned for the future of his career.
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Unfortunately, this accident will most definitively change his future plans for the time being. We do not know specifically at this moment what kind of injuries he has sustained – so it is not clear if any of these injuries can lead to permanent damage affecting his pro bodybuilding career.
Based on Mohamed El Emam’s Instagram post, he remains hopeful. He claims to have had “many injuries” but also expects to be able to start training and competing after six months. If this is true, this might simply be a small bump in the road in comparison to the bigger picture of his bodybuilding career.
The entire staff here at Generation Iron wishes Mohamed El Emam a speedy recovery. Generation Iron will also provide updates to this story and El Emam’s recovery progress as more information becomes available.
The ‘Iranian Hulk’ Is Preparing For Boxing Match Against Martyn Ford By Punching Walls
The ‘Iranian Hulk’ has added some crazy tactics to his training.
We know that Sajad Gharibi, known as the ‘Iranian Hulk,’ is set to take on Martyn Ford in a boxing match on April 2. What you might not know is that Gharibi is taking his training to an entirely new level.
The Iranian Hulk has been sharing videos of himself doing some crazy things in preparation for his fight. This includes smashing watermelons, bending metal, and yes — punching walls. This does not seem like tactics that will help his boxing style but it certainly shows that Gharibi is not afraid and has incredible strength.
Gharibi and Ford could have a name for their fight as well. This is following in the footsteps of Hafthor Bjornsson and Eddie Hall. The fight between the two former strongmen has been dubbed the “World’s Strongest Fight.” The bout between Gharibi and Ford can be known as the “World’s Scariest Fight.” This might be why the Iranian Hulk is partaking in some reckless training methods.
This is a fight that has become personal as both sides have made comments back and forth. For Ford, he has focused his training on movement rather than weight lifting. This has allowed him to get lighter in preparation.
Ford is an athlete that has been training in MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and boxing. This is why he was comfortable taking on Gharibi in any type of match. As for the Iranian Hulk, he is an alleged MMA fighter but has not stepped in the ring for an official match.
Ford later published a more official post providing promotional artwork and a link to RSVP for pre-ordering ticket.
“I would absolutely LOVE to put on an event you guys will NEVER forget, this to me is very personal …. things have been said that can’t be taken back, by numerous people in his circle. I will release exactly what at the press conference and YOU will see just why this is so personal to me. I cant promise you the most technical fight in the world .. BUT I will promise you that I will bring my absolute EVERYTHING and turn this into an EVENT you will NEVER forget,” ford wrote.
There is an official date and venue set. The fight will take place at the O2 Arena in London. Both men are extremely confident heading into the match and there is no shortage of drama or storylines leading up to it.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Natural Bodybuilding Leagues INBA/PNBA Name Generation Iron Official Media Partner
Generation Iron is now the official media partner of the INBA/PNBA.
Generation Iron Brands, the Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA), and the International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA) have agreed to a long-term partnership in which the Generation Iron Network will be the official media outlet for all INBA/PNBA natural bodybuilding events including the Pinnacle of Natural Sports The Natural Olympia competition. Over 60 countries are affiliated and represent the INBA/PNBA.
The Generation Iron Network first launched in 2013 alongside the release of the feature film – Generation Iron. It has since grown and expanded to be the number one media outlet for all things bodybuilding, fitness, and strength sports. Providing not only news coverage but also informative training/nutrition guides and exclusive video interviews with top fitness athletes.
Under this new partnership, Generation Iron Network will be the official news hub for all officially sanctioned INBA/PNBA pro natural bodybuilding events as well as featured athlete profiles, exclusive interviews, and qualification standings. This also includes the Pinnacle of Natural Sports The Natural Olympia competition – the biggest natural bodybuilding event of the year.
Athletes represent at least 30 different countries at the Natural Olympia with the winner’s natural anthem played during the gold medal ceremony. The Natural Olympia awards payouts of up to $100,000 in cash and prizes. Over the course of the decade, the INBA/PNBA has awarded five new cars (2011-2015) and Gains In Bulk has sponsored six Harley Davidson prizes (2016-2021). You can visit the official Natural Bodybuilding website for more information.
Generation Iron Network will build strategic media campaigns to bring pro natural bodybuilding event coverage directly to viewers across the world. The company will utilize its expansive media presence and its global digital subscriber base to introduce a deeper understanding of pro natural bodybuilding events and athletes directly to viewers.
Generation Iron Network previously explored the world of pro natural bodybuilding and the INBA/PNBA in the feature film documentary Generation Iron: Natty 4 Life. The film highlighted star athletes such as Rob Terry, Philip Ricardo Jr., and Adrian Pietrariu.
Generation Iron Network continues to expand and grow its coverage for bodybuilding, fitness, and strength sports. This partnership will be a great addition for both the pro natural bodybuilding and general fitness community as both will work together to bring pro natural bodybuilding coverage to the mainstream.
“Generation Iron is thrilled to join forces with the INBA/PNBA organization,” stated Generation Iron partner Edwin Mejia Jr. He continued:
“The INBA/PNBA has been the world’s leading Natural Bodybuilding organization. The Natural Olympia has continued to evolve under Denny Kakos and now reaches over 60 countries. We look forward to covering the Natural Olympia and develop engaging programming their athletes.”
Generation Iron Network will remain editorially independent and will not have any restrictions on news or reports related to the INBA/PNBA.
Talking Huge With Craig Golias | EP 19: Remembering Shawn Rhoden
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Craig Golias and Vlad Yudin spend the entire episode this week reflecting on Shawn Rhoden’s life and his tragic passing.
Welcome to another episode of Talking Huge – a weekly digital series in which Craig Golias talks in-depth with Vlad Yudin on the latest trending topics in bodybuilding. Raw, honest, and uncut – Craig Golias shares his opinions on all things bodybuilding. In this episode, Craig Golias reacts to the passing of former Mr. Olympia Shawn Rhoden, reflects on his legacy, and speculates if the bodybuilding industry could have done more for Rhoden.
2021 has been a very tragic year for the bodybuilding industry. There have been numerous reports of too-soon deaths ranging from active competitors and retired athletes – most under the age of 60. Sadly some far younger. Most recently, Shawn Rhoden passed away at 46 years old. It was gut punch in the sport after an already very challenging year.
This week, we dedicated our entire episode of Talking Huge to the memory of Shawn Rhoden. We discuss the reporting of his passing, look back on his illustrious career and eventual Mr. Olympia victory, and talk about the allegations that came shortly afterwards. Many in the bodybuilding community have been quick to point fingers at AMI and the IFBB/NPC for abandoning Rhoden. Some even believe that Rhoden died of a “broken heart.” Craig Golias is one such bodybuilder.
Craig Golias believes that the stress of the allegations alongside losing his entire career and nearly all sponsorships contributed to so much stress that Shawn Rhoden suffered a heart attack and died. While it’s easy to look back in hindsight and wonder “what if” – what is most important is respecting the legacy of the man who we have lost. While Craig is certainly frustrated – he is also respectful and somber in a way we rarely see Craig on Talking Huge.
Is Craig Golias Concerned For His Personal Health?
Craig Golias also discusses how Shawn Rhoden’s passing alongside many other recent deaths might be changing his perspective. Craig Golias is a very large bodybuilder, even by bodybuilding standards. That’s been his entire brand. So is he worried for his health and possible future heart complications?
The answer, somewhat surprisingly, is yes. Craig Golias states that he is starting to slow down for the time being due to thinking harder about his health. He’s thinking – what kind of repercussions might he face for his current lifestyle? Since Craig is currently suffering from nerve damage anyways, he figures now is the right time to overall reconsider his tactics.
Will Shawn Rhoden’s Death Change The Bodybuilding Industry?
Towards the end of our conversation, Vlad Yudin asks Craig Golias if he thinks Rhoden’s death alongside George Peterson’s will change the industry moving forward. Craig plainly and somewhat nihilistically says no. He thinks nothing will change. Instead, small actions will be taken for publicity – but no real meaningful change will occur.
Craig Golias believes that bodybuilders will always do whatever it takes to be the best and biggest in the world. And he doesn’t believe the pro leagues will start doing mandatory drug testing before every major competition. Unless something that drastic happens – nothing will deep change about the sport or the community.
Wrap Up
To wrap it all up, we asked Craig Golias how he believes Shawn Rhoden will be remembered. Craig thinks he will be remembered first and foremost as a Mr. Olympia champion. And second, he will be remembered as a gentle giant. A man who hardly anyone can say a bad word about and was a kind father, friend, and man – more than just a bodybuilder.
You can check out the full conversation in the latest episode of Talking Huge above. Make sure to check out Talking Huge every week on Friday – only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network!
Hafthor Bjornsson Shares Cheat Day Meal That Includes Pizza, Burritos, and Ice Cream
Hafthor Bjornsson goes all out during his cheat days.
Hafthor Bjornsson is a strongman turned boxer who knows a thing or two about weight lifting and training. While a potential bout with Eddie Hall is still in the works, Bjornsson took a day off from his intense training and decided to share what a cheat day looks like.
Bjornsson posted a full video on his YouTube page going through a day where he is able to eat the foods of his choices. This increases his leptin levels and boosts his mindset to continue to work hard.
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Hafthor Bjornsson recently accepted the offer sent over by Hall stating that the loser of the fight will donate $200,000 to the charity of the winner’s choice. Once he heard the news, Hall continued to up the wager. Hall has now said that the loser should pay $1 million to charity. Bjornsson has not responded to this offer just yet but he is still focused on preparing for the fight.
An exact date has not been confirmed just yet but it could take place in March of 2022. Hall was forced to withdraw from their originally scheduled fight due to an injury. This bout was set for September and Devon Larratt stepped in as a substitution. Now, there is even more hype around this potential meeting.
Bjornsson has clearly been dedicated to his diet since he has lost over 100 pounds since moving to boxing from strongman. It began with a massive breakfast at Grai Kotturinn, which is a restaurant close to Bjornsson’s gym. He ordered eggs, pancakes, bacon, toast, potatoes, and orange juice. This was the first of three meals for Bjornsson that day.
After a nap, the strongman turned boxer decided to go for a burrito and loaded it with all of the fixings. This includes double chicken, rice, beans, vegetables, and a flour tortilla. On the side, Bjornsson adds some chips and salsa.
The final meal is a big sandwich with beef, bacon, ham, cheese and fried onions. This was his final meal of the day but Bjornsson did indulge in a meat lovers pizza at the end of the day.
“Can’t do a cheat day without pizza.”
“You have to balance your life. You can’t just be a f***ing maniac every single day.”
Once he was ready to end his day, Bjornsson took down a pint of ice cream. This was the perfect way to finish a cheat day.
Throughout the video, Bjornsson was answering questions being offered by fans. He admitted that eating the same meals each day could get boring. This is imperative for Bjornsson while training. He figured out his diet and it has worked as he has made the transition into boxing.
It will be interesting to see what the final wager is for the bout between Bjornsson and Hall. There will have to be a date nailed down for the much-anticipated fight but it is likely to happen some time next year.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
What Is Nutrient Partitioning & Why Does It Matter?
How does your body actually process nutrients?
You sit down after a huge workout, let’s say, and eat a massive meal. All the good stuff. Juicy piece of steak, tons of leafy greens, maybe some brown rice or quinoa. You know what? Let’s put a cookie for the end because that’s how hard this workout was. Did you enjoy the meal?
Regardless of how you actually feel, your body is now loaded with nutrients and it needs to partition these out so they all work for your gains, using a process called nutrient partitioning. This works on a level that we won’t feel, but our bodies are constantly partitioning nutrients to give us the best chance to function as properly as possible. But what exactly is this scientific process our bodies are always undergoing?
Let’s take a look at nutrient partitioning and see just what this is all about. From what it is, to why it matters, we’ll also talk about how insulin can be a game changer when it comes to your gains. On top of all that, we’ll give you some awesome supplement options so you can get all the right nutrients as efficiently as possible to power you inside and out of the gym.
What Is Nutrient Partitioning?
Nutrient partitioning is the process where hormones and chemical messengers in your body tell your body where energy should go and how excess calories should be used. Also called energy partitioning, this is ultimately the process by which your body directs energy to its final landing spot. This will come from mainly protein, fats, and carbs and your body does either one of two things; burns it off, or stores it.
This comes into play for us bodybuilders because as athletes looking to hold the lowest amount of body fat, we can’t afford to have any excess calories stored and packed on as fat. Nutrient partitioning is important, however, for it keeps our bodies operating and works to power us both inside and out of the gym in our workouts and our everyday lives (1).
Why Does It Matter?
Nutrient partitioning matters because it gives us insight into what we should eat, when we should eat, and how much to eat. Ultimately, we want our bodies to partition these nutrients where we need them. Storing them as fat is not what we want. Safe to say, right? So, if we eat a larger carb meal at night, what’s going to happen? Our bodies will store this since we won’t really burn it off. Timing is vital and our bodies don’t keep track of time. You pump your body with a meal, it reacts accordingly. Knowing what nutrient partitioning is and how it works can be a game changer for all of our goals.
Insulin: The Thorn In Nutrient Partitioning’s Side
Insulin is important for it allows nutrients to get into your body and be utilized for energy and muscle growth. But on the flip side, this can also lead to fat storage, which is what we absolutely don’t want or need. Let’s say you eat a larger, carb-filled meal. This will get broken down into glucose and eventually insulin will be released.
But where people get into trouble is if not enough or too much insulin comes into play (2). Too much insulin, for example, and your blood sugar levels may rise. Too little insulin, and your body will produce more of it, but this will ultimately lead to glucose being stored as fat. Working with certain styles of training like HIIT, resistance training, and steady cardio, while also watching the amount of carbs you eat, can help with this.
Nutrient Partitioning For Weight Loss & Muscle Growth
For your weight loss and muscle building goals, when it comes to nutrient partitioning it is important that you look to optimize these nutrients as effectively as possible. So, instead of these nutrients being stored, which will eventually lead to fat, you want them to be put towards muscle growth. By encouraging these nutrients to flood into your muscles, you put more of an emphasis on actually building lean muscle, which not only aids in that shredded aesthetic, but also leads to less being stored, ultimately leading to weight loss (3).
Of course, this ties into what you eat and when you eat it as well. Many professional bodybuilders will focus on lean protein and vegetables for their diet, mixed with carbs like rice and sweet potatoes, only allowing whole foods with plenty of nutrients to enter their bodies. While it may not be an ice cream float, the results you’ll see are exactly what you want.
Best Supplements For Optimal Nutrition
Working with the best supplements around, you can easily find the right products that will work to absorb better and more efficiently so your body can distribute throughout as effectively as possible. A protein powder worth your time will also have digestive enzymes that can work to aid in digestion and give you the best when it comes to nutrient absorption and partitioning. Plus, with a proper balance of macros, your body can distribute evenly throughout.
Another great supplement to consider is a meal replacement, especially if your busy schedule requires it. The right balance of macros, fiber, and other ingredients for digestion will really start to work wonders for you and your gains. To ensure you stay on track, look into a fat burner to keep your metabolism going and shedding that unwanted fat.
Wrap Up
Nutrient partitioning is important. It is a part of our daily life and routine and after a large meal, our bodies need to work out exactly what to do with all those calories. What we can do is plan out our routine, mainly diet and supplementation, so we can assist our bodies to function as best they can. Nutrient partitioning matters, just as much as your gains.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Envato
References
Goodman, B. (2010). “Insights into digestion and absorption of major nutrients in humans”. (source)
Wilcox, G. (2005). “Insulin and Insulin Resistance”. (source)
Aragaon, A.; et al. (2013). “Nutrient timing revisited: is there a post-exercise anabolic window?”. (source)
Alexis Maher Sets New IPF World Record In 74kg Division With 329kg Deadlift
Alexis Maher set a new world record by less than a kilogram.
The 2021 International Powerlifting Federation World Open Championships have just one day left of competition. An event that began on Nov. 8 will wrap up on Saturday after what was a week of exciting events and big-time performances. Alexis Maher was one of the highlights of the show by setting a new IPF equipped world record with a 329kg (729.3lb) deadlift.
Maher stepped up to the barbell wearing a single-ply suit and a lifting belt. He locked in his grip and slowly lifted the weight in the air until he was able to clinch the record. Maher performed the lift with perfect form. The full video can be seen on the IPF Powerlifting Instagram page.
“World Record Deadlift with 329 kg by Alexis Maher ISV in 74 kg class
#ipf #world #deadlift #record#ipfopenworlds@ipfopenworlds2021“
Alexis Maher was able to top a world record that stood for three years. Kjell Egil Bakkelund set the previous mark of 328.5kg (724.2lb) during the 2018 IPF World Open Championships. Maher was able to set a new record by half a kilogram. Maher might have set a new record in IPF but this was not his heaviest deadlift to date.
During the 2021 USA Powerlifting Equipped Nationals, Maher completed a 331kg (729.1lb) deadlift, which was the third-heaviest lift in the division. Maher finished with a gold medal during the event and is continuing to improve from here.
In the 74kg division, Darimin Sahroni holds the all-time world record of 333.5kg (735.2lb). Sergei Gaishinetc is second at 332.5kg (733lb).
Alexis Maher also holds the second heaviest raw deadlift of 347.5kg (766.1lb). This was accomplished during the 2021 United States Powerlifting Association Top of Texas Trifecta. This lift was completed in January and it began quite a year for Maher. It is not over yet as there is still some time left at the World Open Championships.
Maher has become a force in powerlifting and it is because of his big numbers seen performing deadlifts. Heading into 2022, Maher could have a chance to set some new world records and continue to improve his skills. This year has been a breakout for Maher and it will be exciting to see where he goes from here.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Bev Francis Competes in First Powerlifting Contest in 36 Years, Sets 6 World Records
Bev Francis made her return to powerlifting at the age of 66, setting 6 new world records.
Women’s Bodybuilding and powerlifting legend Bev Francis has made a return to action. Bev competed at a meet for Powerlifting Australia in the 65-69 year old division. In her return to powerlifting, Bev crushed 6 world records in a impressive showing.
Lifting at an advanced age can be a real challenge. While it’s not completely out of the question, being able to lift heavy weight over 60 can be a risky proposition. That is unless you’ve been taking care of your health and lifting consistently for years.
For those veteran lifters, advanced age may slow them down but not completely halt their abilities. Veteran lifters are able perform lifts the average person their age would find ludicrous to even consider. But recently veteran powerlifter and bodybuilder Bev Francis proved exactly why a veteran lifter can maintain their strength over the age of 60.
Bev Francis has become well known for her gym known by many as the East Coast Mecca. But before she was known for having one of the most popular gyms on the planet, Bev was a high level powerlifting and bodybuilding competitor. She was able to take second place at the 1990 and 1991 Olympia. Bev also won numerous gold medals in powerlifting during he tenure from 1980-1985.
Now after a 36 year hiatus, Bev Francis decided to once again compete in powerlifting. It’s clear from her performance that she didn’t disappoint.
In her return to the powerlifting arena Bev Francis set 6 new world records. She broke the bench press, deadlift (twice), the squat (twice), and overall total as well. Bev proved that at 66 years old she still have plenty left in the tank. The records are as follows:
Squat: 209lb (95kg) New World Record
Bench Press: 132lb (60kg) New World Record
Deadlift: 264lb (120kg) New World Record
Total: 605lb (275kg) New World Record
Below is video of Bev Francis crushing these records and looking like a total powerhouse in the process.
Bev Francis proved that she’s still got it at 66 years old. Age truly is nothing but a number and Bev epitomized that fact perfectly with her return to the powerlifting world.
What are your thoughts on Bev Francis setting 6 new world records in her return to powerlifting?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
Why Your Turkesterone Supplement Does Not Work
Turkesterone is one of the hottest bodybuilding and muscle-building supplements right now. However, high-quality turkesterone is hard to come by. Most turkesterone supplements being sold today are sourced from China. If one wishes to obtain the best turkesterone extract, several factors must be known. In this blog post, I will explain what to look for to buy high-quality turkesterone extract.
What is turkesterone
Turkesterone is a plant extract that can come from a variety of plants. The plant that produces the highest quality turkesterone powder for bodybuilding use is the Ajuga Turkestanica plant. This plant is almost grown exclusively in the country of Uzbekistan.
Only the country of Uzbekistan products high-quality turkesterone, NOT China!
Why Bodybuilders Like It
Turkesterone has been shown to help increase muscle protein synthesis by converting dietary protein into amino acids.
One of the most important aspects of buying a bodybuilding supplement is to make sure that it contains the highest quality ingredients. Unfortunately, the sports nutrition industry is notorious for supplements that contain cheap, generic ingredients from China. China manufactures most of the dietary supplements being sold in the United States, and their quality control is nothing short of subpar at best. To get the most effective results from a particular dietary supplement, a bodybuilder must be sure of the quality of the supplement. One such particular supplement is called Turkesterone. Real genuine turkesterone helps support net protein utilization and synthesis, but the it must come from Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan has the perfect climate to grow and harvest this bodybuilding ingredient. Most turkesterone supplements being sold today are nothing more than low-quality beta ecdysterone or low-grade synthetic turkesterone like an extract from China.
Bodybuilders can benefit from AjugTurk Supplementation
While it is true that good quality beta-ecdysterone has the potential to help with protein synthesis in the human body, turkesterone is known to be much better at increasing amino acid protein synthesis, which in turn helps build lean muscle mass. Additionally, if the turkesterone is combined with beta ecdysterone the results can be amplified. This combination makes for a great bodybuilding supplement to experiment with if one wishes to use natural ways to enhance their muscle mass instead of drugs, like anabolic steroids.
Real genuine turkesterone is extracted from the Ajuga Turkestanica plant. It is grown in one region of Uzbekistan, and the entire manufacturing process from plant to powder takes place under the watch of government officials. If turkesterone is not produced in Uzbekistan, then it is an inferior powder.
China Sells Inferior Turkesterone
The Chinese manufacturers are getting their Turkesterone from Ajuga Reptans or Ajuga Decumbens, which, not surprisingly, are both native to China. The result is low-grade extracts. The Chinese have selected these plants because they are from the same Lamiaceae plant genus as Ajuga Turkestanica. This is a deceptive tactic by these Chinese companies. However, there is a massive problem with this. These other types of plants can only yield an extract that is 2%. The Ajuga Turkestanica that comes from Uzbekistan yields 10%.
Different Types of Ecdysterone Types
Inferior Ecdysterone is manufactured from a variety of plant extracts. Manufacturing quality ecdysterone is very different. Producing high quality can only be done by strict quality control manufacturing. And for these reasons, the Chinese attempt to sell this ecdysterone as turkestrone. Ecdysterone can be produced from Cyanotis Vaga and Rhaponticum Carthamoides, and sometimes Cyanotis Arachnooidea. These plants are widely available in China, which produce ecdysterone, but very low quality. The end result is a product that comes nowhere’s near the quality of Ajuga Turkestanica Extract.
Playing Funny Games With Numbers
The Chinese sell ecdysterone with a specification sheet analysis typically with a 98% purity. One would think that this would mean out of 100 grams of powder, 98 grams is ecdysterone. This is entirely false. This 98% refers to the overall dry extract. However, the actual ecdysterone is only 2 to 3%. Ajuga Turkestanci Extract will typically be 10% ecdysterone and 20% turkesterone. In addition, Ajuga Turkesterone contains other beneficial phytonutrients such as cyasterone, ajugalactone, ajugasterone and a-ecdysone, which help with the overall effectiveness of the powder.
Let us be 100% clear. The highest a commercially manufactured powder can be is 10% turkesterone. Ten percent is the maximum percentage that any producer in Uzbekistan can manufacture. Claims of companies having 40% turkesterone powder are completely fabricated. And if they are claiming this percentage over 10% one can be sure they are surely not getting turkesterone powder, or it most likely is coming from China.
Making the Turkesterone better
There is an ingredient that is included in the Ajuga Turkestanic Extract supplement that we sell, and it is called succinic acid. Succinic acid is found naturally in many foods that we eat. Such as red grapes, seafood, apples, cheese, and some vegetables. Succinic acid helps maintain several things in the body, such as metabolism, cortisol control, energy, and cell regeneration. Succinic acid is naturally produced by the human body. Most people that are healthy, eating right, and exercising produce about 300mg per day. However, we theorize that most people do not produce this much. Thus supplementation with succinic acid is suggested.
Ajuga Turkestanica Extract (60 Capsules)
The succinic acid combined with the AjugaTurk supplement we sell is called AmberBoost. Both of these components have known adaptogenic properties for stress relief and increased energy levels. By adding succinic acid (Amberboost) the effects are amplified. The conversion of amino acids in dietary protein into muscle mass is the main benefit of this supplement.
How To Use AjugaTurk
We recommend using two to four capsules per day of this supplement. Using the supplement this way can help improve one’s metabolic balance by decreasing stress levels and increasing one’s energy. For bodybuilding purposes, AjugaTurk with Amberboost is a great way to naturally increase protein conversion.
Bottom LineOnly real genuine, highly effective turkesterone comes from Ajuga Turkestanica Extract that is from Uzbekistan. Anything else, which is most of the time from China, is inferior.
Alex Rogers is a supplement manufacturing expert. He has been formulating, consulting, & manufacturing dietary supplements since 1998. Alex invented protein customization in 1998 & was the first company to allow consumers to create their own protein blends. He helped create the first supplement to contain natural follistatin, invented whey protein with egg lecithin, & recently imported the world’s first 100% hydrolyzed whey.
10 Budget Muscle Building Foods
Get Big on a Budget
It’s no secret bodybuilding isn’t a cheap sport and it’s not for everyone. Once you start with the fit lifestyle, you are pushed towards bodybuilding foods which can burn a hole in your pocket. Supplements are a different story altogether.
It is also not true you can’t build muscle on a budget. Whole foods will always be superior to the supplements when it comes to building muscle mass. If you’re looking for the list of the best budget foods, you’ve come to the right place.
1. Eggs
Eggs are one of the cheapest forms of protein. Most people don’t like eating the yolk even though it is full of protein. If you want to bulk, eating the yellow with the whites is a good idea.
2. Chicken Breast
Bodybuilders swear by the good old chicken breast. The chicken breast is one of the most common food amongst the fitness community. You will find it on the grocery list of almost every serious lifter.
3. Tuna
Tuna is a budget high-protein snack which comes in portable packaging which you can carry around with you. Each three-ounce serving contains about 22 grams of protein and it comes in delicious flavors.
4. Ground Turkey
Ground turkey comes in the chicken breast category. Many people like switching between the two to add variety to their food. Expensive cuts are made from turkey breast. Cheaper cuts can contain skin, which increases the fat content.
5. Milk
You don’t need to think outside the box to get your share of protein. Most of us have been drinking milk since a very young age. If you’re skinny and want to build muscle, you should gulp down milk without a care in the world. On the other hand, if you want to shed fat, staying away from milk would be a better decision.
6. Lean Ground Beef
This red meat is an excellent source of protein. Lean ground beef also contains essentials micronutrients like zinc, iron, and creatine. A four ounce serving of the lean ground beef gives you around 24 grams of protein.
7. Cottage Cheese
The term cottage cheese was coined in 1831 because it is was usually made in cottages from any milk left over after making butter. Cottage cheese contains 28 grams protein per cup which is more than Greek yogurt which has 15 grams of protein per cup.
8. Beans
Canned beans are cheap but the dried beans are even cheaper. Each cup of dried beans has about 15 grams of protein and just 220 calories. If you’re a vegetarian or a vegan, beans should be a part of one of your daily meals.
9. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is one of the cheapest forms of plant-based protein. Each two-tablespoon serving contains eight grams of protein. Eating peanut butter is incredibly convenient and a jar of peanut butter is portable enough to carry around with you.
10. Sunflower Seeds
The sunflower seeds are incredibly potent when it comes to the amount of protein per serving. These seeds are filled with six grams of protein per ounce, and they’re easy to eat straight out of the bag or throw on a salad.
Which of these foods is a part of your diet? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.