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The Truth About Supplements
Welcome to Day 4 of your 7-Day Personal Fat Loss Certification Course! Today is all about supplements: What works, what doesn’t, what’s important, and what to expect when it comes to The Radical Fat Loss Blueprint.
We have already covered supplements to some degree, but today’s lesson will focus on three specific supplements I recommend for fat loss, as well as what I consider the top three supplements for overall health. Finally, I will cover my three favorite muscle-building supplements.
We will cover why they work as well as how they must be taken in order for them to work. There are actually seven supplements that come in the Radical Fat Loss Blueprint 21-Day Supplement Kit. Not all of these are “fat-burners”… and the most powerful two fat-burners will be covered after your last day’s course. Call it a tease, or a surprise, but these two are the powerhouse fat-burners I recommend that contain no harmful stimulants.
We will also cover a few of the many supplement genres that I think you should mostly avoid — with the exceptions being the supplements recommended in this course. I have learned the hard way what works and what does not, and trust me when I tell you the vast majority spend far too much money on stuff that is simply worthless. I’m here to help navigate you through the waters.
I will break each of the ergogenic (sports-enhancing) supplements into four informational categories:
1. Science
2. Pros
3. Cons
4. Use
Just know this before we start:
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95% of the supplements you see in the typical health food store offer you little to no benefit.
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Some of the supplements I recommend are insurance policies for health. They offer no immediate benefits in the way that you look or feel but are valid for long-term health maintenance.
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All supplements, foods, and OTC medications have pros and cons. Some people, for example, are allergic to blueberries, but it would be foolish not to recommend them as the benefits far outweigh the cons. This is also true of supplements. While all supplements have some reported cases of negative side-effects, the supplements listed in this report are by and large safe for the general population. As with all health-related recommendations, consult your physician prior to use.
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This is not an exhaustive look at supplements. For that you would need an entire book. This is just an overview, albeit a fairly specific one.
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The cost of supplements that work is minor in comparison to the benefits they offer. While its true that you may not be able to afford every supplement on this list, picking and choosing the most important to you and creating a budget for them will do wonders for your progress and your health.
Fat-Burning Supplements
Most supplements that claim to “burn fat” do nothing of the sort. They facilitate the metabolic processes needed to enable your body to utilize stored fat for fuel. Still, this “metabolic prep” is essential if you want to achieve faster results. In some cases, this prep work makes all the difference. This is especially true if your body has been overly stressed or lacks the proper metabolic balance to burn stored fat efficiently. In these instances, actual fat metabolism enhancers (a better description than “fat-burners”) are virtually essential. In short, supplements do not burn fat. The body utilizes fat for energy or it doesn’t. What supplements can do is make the process easier and a bit more expedient if they are worth their salt.
That said, for sake of convenience, I will use the term “fat-burner” throughout this course; however, now you know what I mean when I do.
Noticeably absent from this discussion are stimulant-based fat-burners. This is for good reason — they can be very dangerous. I cannot recommend them in good conscious, even though some of them work well in the short run. Over the long haul, they can burn out your adrenals and leave you worse for wear. They can impede future natural fat-burning as well. And, of course, they can cause sudden death for those who are hyper-sensitive to the effects of high-dose stimulants. Most of these fat-burners contain two to three times the caffeine as a cup of strong coffee. This is enough to make even the most healthy individual more than a bit nervous and potentially kill an individual with a pre-existing heart or blood pressure condition.
Now, here are three of my top five fat-burning supplements.
CLA
CLA stands for conjugated linoleic acid. CLA is a non-essential fatty acid that is actually a form of trans fat, although it is not of the dangerous variety as it is also a “cis” fatty acid.
SCIENCE
CLA has a potent anti-carcinogenesis effect, reducing some tumors and halting other cancers in their tracks. This is not to say CLA is a cure for cancer, but due to one of its functions, that of increasing the body’s glutathione levels, one of the most potent antioxidants known, CLA makes for a good overall health supplement if cancer protection is on your priority list. CLA also increases fatty acid metabolism as we’ll soon see.
Like most supplements, CLA has both negative and positive human studies associated with its use. Virtually all the studies showing a negative effect on the body’s chemistry, such as an increase in CRP (C-Reactive Protein), a known contributor to heart disease, are vague and inconsistent at best. CLA has not been directly associate with anything negative in human trials that can be replicated or demonstrated to be the sole cause of CLA supplementation. Quite the contrary, CLA has demonstrated positive effects on human metabolism and a dramatic effect in the increase of the body’s most potent antioxidant, glutathione.
Blankson et al. showed a “remarkable” decrease in abdominal fat via the use of CLA at a dose a bit above three grams per day. What’s interesting about this study was the fact that olive oil, a well-established healthy fat, was used as the placebo, and did not have the same effects on body recomposition. The Journal of Nutrition (2007) reported that CLA may also increase lean body mass — another fat-burning benefit as we know that muscle burns more calories at rest than any other tissue. Many studies also report a beneficial effect on blood sugar levels. CLA tends to lower blood sugar, which forces the body to tap into its fat stores more readily during exercise. This can be beneficial to diabetics, although the jury is out on exactly how beneficial. CLA is one of the few supplements recommended by experts and websites known for their impartial and rather stark take on fat-burning supplements.
PROS
1. Regulation of fatty acid metabolism;
2. Impact on abdominal body fat stores;
3. Powerful antioxidant;
4. Controls blood sugar in some trial studies;
5. Elevates HDL levels
CONS
1. Some gastrointestinal side-effects in some people;
2. Increase in gallstone formation (minor and rare);
3. Possible increase in CRP (inconclusive)
Overall, CLA offers far more benefits than potential harm for the vast majority of users.
USE
A maximum of 3 grams per day in divided doses seems to be the most beneficial. Any less and CLA appears to be less effective, and greater doses have not been shown to be beneficial in the least.
L-Glutamine
L-Glutamine is the most abundant non-essential amino acid found in the human body. Stored within muscle tissue, L-Glutamine is also one of the few amino acids that can cross the blood-brain barrier. L-Glutamine is seen by the body as absolutely essential to higher metabolic functions. It is one of the most versatile and powerful amino acids.
SCIENCE
Most people aware of ergogenics (sports-enhancing supplementation) think of L-Glutamine as “the” amino acid when it comes to enhancing recovery, muscle growth, and the body’s immune system. While this is true, L-Glutamine is more versatile when it comes to body recomposition. Due to the blood-brain barrier crossing, L-Glutamine acts as a appetite suppressant through the suppression of the hunger signals in the brain. Doses of 3-5 grams have shown to decrease night-time cravings as well as sugar cravings (Braz et el.) L-Glutamine also increase fat-burning-friendly human growth hormone in higher doses (Am. J Clinical Nutrition; 2006) and stimulates greater nitrogen retention, leading to greater gains in lean muscle tissue.
But perhaps the greatest fat-burning power of L-Glutamine, other than its ability to suppress cravings, is its power over circulating blood glucose. L-Glutamine has a “leveling” effect on blood sugar, making a fat-burning mode easier to achieve. Dr. Robert Atkins was a huge fan of L-Glutamine on low-carbohydrate diets due to gluconeogenesis, as covered in the first two Personal Fat Loss Certification Course lessons. What this means is that the body can and does convert L-Glutamine to glucose on an as-needed basis. Therefore, substantial supplementation (over 20 grams per day) can be a true life-safer for the low-carb dieter, resulting in far greater energy levels, less muscle tissue burned as fuel, and greater recovery between workouts.
PROS
1. Increase nitrogen retention;
2. Increased recovery between workouts;
3. Decreased burning of skeletal muscle (blocks cortisol);
4. Rapid conversion into glucose (fast fuel);
5. Increased immune response;
6. Stabilizing blood sugar;
7. Increased fat-burning;
8. Decreased food and sugar cravings;
9. Helps with gastrointestinal healing
CONS
1. High doses are required (20-40 grams per day)
USE
Take in 5 gram doses throughout the day for optimal effect. 10-gram doses are acceptable if tolerated. Maximum dose should be 40 grams per day with minimum dose being 15 grams. Should be taken in powder form for more rapid absorption.
Caffeine
Caffeine should never be used in pill form, but rather in a naturally occurring food or drink such as coffee or tea. Obviously caffeine is a stimulant, which is why I recommend its use only with a doctor’s consent and only in forms such as coffee.
SCIENCE
Caffeine has been shown to help liberate fatty acids for more immediate use for fuel, a process known as lipolysis (Am. Journal Physiology; 1995) Caffeine has also been shown in multiple studies to increase sports performance (Graham et al., 1991; Trice et al. 1995) and increase the amount of weight lifted during intense training as well as improves mental focus. Caffeine is one of the most studied ergogenic aids and its list of performance enhancing abilities is beyond the scope of this lesson. Suffice to say, caffeine is a powerful supplement when it comes to sports performance enhancement.
PROS
1. Increased concentration;
2. Increased endurance;
3. Glycogen-sparing;
4. Increased strength;
5. Increased fat-burning;
6. Mild diuretic (releases stored water)
CONS
1. Affects CNS (Central Nervous System); potentially causes jitters and addiction in higher doses
2. Rapid and/or inconsistent heart rate in some people;
3. High potential for abuse
USE
Most studies do not demonstrate what I have found to be the most powerful use for caffeine. I recommend having a cup or two of coffee or tea prior to cardiovascular and/or weight training workouts while in a fasting state. Fasting increases the ability of caffeine to liberate stored fat for fuel, increases body heat (thermogenesis) and encourages you to drink more water from the mild dehydration it can cause.
Muscle-building Supplements
Again, the term “muscle-building” is somewhat of a misnomer. In reality, certain supplements put the body into an enhanced or primed metabolic state that makes muscle-building more likely to occur. Some supplement increase natural muscle-building hormones, such as testosterone and growth hormone as well.
Here are my top three muscle-building supplements…
L-Glutamine
L-Glutamine was covered above. It serves as both a potent muscle-builder and fat-burning supplement.
Tribustol Plus
Tribustol Plus (TribustolPlus.com) is a potent combination of the herb tribulus terrestris with other natural precursors to muscle synthesis. Tribulus alone has not been shown to be that promising of a muscle-builder, however it is frequently used as a libido-booster. Still, in the proper dose and with the correct synergistic components, tribulus can be quite powerful at inducing the metabolic conditions needed for more rapid muscle growth.
SCIENCE
Most studies done in the United States show little benefit to tribulus alone in the production of androgenic hormones. However, several studies done in European nations show just the opposite. The problem is most of these studies have some inherent bias. So why am I recommending a tribulus-based product? Simple: Tribulus “alone” was the subject of these studies. When combined with potassium orotate and higher levels of specific B vitamins, tribulus’ effects appear to be more pronounced. This combination was used in several European studies that showed promise as to its increase in testosterone levels. (Viktorov et al. for one.) However, Tribustol Plus was tested in the “real world” on athletes seeking greater performance. The studies are quite impressive and published on the manufacturer’s website at TribustolPlus.com.
Tribulus is a known and Western-verified libido-enhancer. That alone is probably worth the price of the bottle for most people! However, the combination of nutrients is, in theory, what gives this particular form of tribulus its kick. For example, potassium orotate in sufficient doses increases the strength of muscular contraction and is a vital raw material for making the genetic material: RNA and DNA. (J. Clinical Nutrition; 2002; Neiper et al., 1997). One of the primary factors in hypertrophy (muscle growth) is the strength of muscular contraction. The more powerful the contraction, the greater the chance of cellular breakdown and consequent repair (i.e. muscle-building.) Potassium orotate has also been shown to increase ATP (adenosine triphosphate) in muscle tissue, potentially promoting greater power and endurance during weight training sessions (Mironov et al. 1985)
One of the most interesting benefits of potassium orotate is its “feel good” effects. Clinical experiments in both rats and humans show a decrease in anxiety and depression using potassium orotate as well as a slight euphoric effect. Feeling a bit euphoric during a workout can be very beneficial.
Folic acid in higher doses protects the heart muscle from damage (Diabetic News, 2002) and prevents the breakdown of muscle tissue during exercise via increased ATP production and red blood cell function. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the cells — a vital component in muscle-building and general health. Folic acid is also vital in the creation of new cells — obviously conducive to the muscle-building process.
Since folic acid is one of the most common deficiencies in the Western diet, supplementation is often required to meet even the most basic requirements.
Therefore, it is the combination of several nutrients with a highly potent form of tribulus that makes Tribustol Plus one of my favorite natural muscle-builders.
PROS
1. Increased muscle mass;
2. Increased libido;
3. Increased glucose synthesis;
4. Increased red blood cell function;
5. Increased euphoria;
6. Increased ATP production
7. Increased appetite
CONS
1. Takes time (up to a month or more) to show effects;
2. Dangerous if pregnant or sensitive to high levels of folic acid
USE
For muscle mass; 4-6 capsules per day with food in divided doses. For hormonal health and weight loss; 2-3 capsules at dinner (night)
Full Spectrum Amino Acids
We’re going “old school” here with amino acids. Amino acids in pill form are no where near as common as they were back in the 1970s and 1980s. When MRPs (Meal Replacement Powders) became the rage, simple amino acid pills virtually went the way of the dinosaur. But this is a mistake, especially if you seek muscle gains while dieting. Simple amino acids can make the difference between losing muscle mass on a diet and maintaining or even gaining muscle mass.
SCIENCE
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. There are 20 known amino acids; 8 of which are essential, meaning they cannot be produced by the body and must be ingested. They are synthesized and used for building tissue, repairing tissue, and even converted to glucose when needed (gluconeogenesis).
Protein is required for muscle-building. Just how much protein has been the subject of hundreds of studies and endless debates. The general guideline for protein consumption for muscle building is 1.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. A more liberal (and easier) formula is roughly a gram of protein per pound of lean muscle mass. Some nutritionists recommend more than this — a gram per pound of body weight or more, but very few studies exist showing that more protein produces more muscle mass.
What does exist in science is the fact that a lack of sufficient protein disturbs the synthesis of new muscle tissue and can result in the breakdown of existing muscle tissue in order to repair the body. This is not exactly conducive to muscle-building, needless to say. Our goal therefore is to provide the body with sufficient amino acids (protein) in order to sustain the muscle-building cycle.
In my experience as both a bodybuilder and nutritional advisor, I do not see people taking in too little protein as often as I see people taking in too much protein at once, or not enough protein in divided servings throughout the day. Most nutritionists recommend protein at every meal to ensure the body has enough amino acids for energy, repair, and hypertrophy.
Supplementing with amino acids is a quick and low-calorie way of ensuring the body has a constant supply of protein for growth and repair as well as providing it with an alternative fuel source during periods of low-calorie and/or low-carbohydrate dieting. Dieting can cause rapid loss of muscle tissue unless the body is fed properly and regularly. This process, however, is often a difficult balance. Too much protein and/or calories can shut down the fat-burning process, where too little will result in the burning of muscle tissue.
The solution: Amino acid supplementation. Aminos require little to no digestion, unlike foods that contain amino acids in a non-digested state. This makes for rapid absorption and a readily available source of energy if needed. Amino acids increase and/or maintain nitrogen in the body. Nitrogen is imperative to muscle growth. In a negative nitrogen balance, the body cannot produce muscle mass efficiently and, in many cases, not at all.
In The Radical Fat Loss Blueprint we will be using amino acids in capsule or soft-gel form to simulate protein feedings during some of the day. The benefits to this approach is a radical decrease in digestive stress and calories without the sacrifice of nitrogen or protein.
PROS
1. Greater nitrogen retention;
2. Fewer calories ingested with greater nutrient utilization;
3. Greater fat loss during muscle-building cycles;
4. Alternative source of energy and/or glucose
CONS
1. High doses required for substantial gains
USE
I recommend taking 5-10 1-gram amino acid capsules every 2-3 hours along with a small amount of fat (CLA is a perfect compliment) as fat is required for protein synthesis.
Health-inducing Supplements
Supplements should not be relegated to just ergogenic aids. Many supplements are helpful for maintaining and improving one’s overall health. While many supplements could make this list, I have narrowed them down to my top three. I will cover these in less detail than the ergogenic aids due to time…
CoQ10
When combined with fish oil, Coenzyme Q10 can be one of the best heart-healthy supplements you can take. CoQ10 plays a key role in producing energy in the mitochondria, the part of a cell responsible for the production of energy in the form of ATP. In one study, 641 people with congestive heart failure were randomized to receive either CoQ10 (2 mg per kg body weight) or a placebo plus standard treatment. People who took the CoQ10 had a significant reduction in symptom severity and fewer hospitalizations. CoQ10 is often prescribed as either an alternative or an adjunct to statin (cholesterol-lowering) drugs. Statins are known to drain CoQ10 levels from the muscles and liver at a rapid rate, causing the commonly-reported side-effect of “leg pain” and cramps. But CoQ10 is also abundant in the heart itself, making it a virtual necessity to take when taking statin drugs.
CoQ10 has been shown to lower blood pressure, decrease excess blood glucose, improve and/or reverse gum disease, and help prevent heart disease. It is best taken with fatty foods as it is fat-soluble. I recommend Carlson Brand for superior quality, and a dose of 100-200mg per day.
Fish Oil
Fish oil is probably the healthiest thing you can put in your body. The health benefits range from lower rates of heart disease to the reversal of Type 2 diabetes. It’s hard to find anything negative about fish oil supplementation with the exception of the “belching effect” (you tend to taste the fish oil when you belch) and mild gastrointestinal issues. When combined with statin drugs, fish oil both increased the efficiency of the drugs as well as allowed for a decrease in dosage in some instances. Fish oil contains high amounts of EPA and DHA (essential fatty acids) known for their health-promoting benefits. Fish oil is also anabolic (tissue-building) in higher doses, although clinical trials are somewhat scarce on the subject as the focus has been more on fish oil’s health-producing benefits.
I recommend taking up to 9 grams a day of fish oil in some cases, but 4-6 grams per day will produce extremely beneficial effects in most people.
Multi Vitamin/Mineral
Our foods tend to be vitamin and mineral-depleted due to how our soil has been treated over the years. Organic food is a step in the right direction, for sure. Even then, for those engaged in exercise and diet, I recommend a potent vitamin and mineral supplement just for insurance. I personally take Animal Pak by Universal, as the levels of specific vitamins and minerals are elevated for athletes and dieters.
What To Avoid
I recommend avoiding the following supplements:
1. Stimulant-based “fat-burners” containing forms of caffeine and ephedra;
2. Antioxidant “berry drinks” — most contain more sugar than antioxidants, and with sufficient L-Glutamine and a nutritious diet they are simply not needed;
3. Most pro-hormone supplements. There are valid uses for DHEA and other pro-hormones, but always take them under a doctor’s supervision;
4. Any supplement that claims to block macronutrient absorption (fats and carbohydrate blockers);
5. Supplements that promise you the moon and cost about as much as a trip there and back. Usually if it sounds too good to be true, it is.
Conclusion: An Investment In Your Self
Before you take the quiz for Day 4, I want you to stop and make a commitment to your self.
People use expense as a supposedly valid reason NOT to eat healthy or to take specific supplements that can help them achieve their goals faster and/or improve their health. At the same time, we buy our video games, second and third cars, and spend thousand of dollars per year on frivolous expenses. The average American spends over $800 per year on coffee at a popular coffee shop while they could make their own for a fraction of this cost. We eat out more frequently now than ever before in history.
And still we claim “expense” as a reason for sacrificing our health by consuming organic vegetables, taking health-producing supplements, and taking supplements to help us achieve the one thing we truly need to live life to the fullest: a leaner, strong, and functional body!
This makes no sense, does it?
If you have come this far in the Personal Fat Loss Certification Course, then you are surely ready to make a change in your body and, by necessity, in your priorities. You will decide to spend a bit more time every day to achieve so much more energy and happiness by engaging in a healthy diet and exercise plan…
… and you should also choose to spend a little every month on supplements that work.
Below is a form I want you to fill out only if you are ready to give the Radical Fat Loss Blueprint Supplement Kit a shot. Those taking the supplements I recommend (none of which I produce; all of which I assembled at my own expense from the four manufacturers I trust the most) notice a significant difference in their fat loss, their energy, their muscle tone, and their mood.
When this Course is finished, the people on the list below will be the ones notified on how to gain access to the Radical Fat Loss 21-Day Supplement Kit. It contains many of the supplement listed above, plus two additional supplements that are the best natural fat-burners I know.
If you are willing to spend less than $200 — less than most people spend in one night out on the town with the family — in order to see more rapid fat loss and a dramatic increase in your energy levels, then enter your name and email address below.
You will be put on the “Yes, I am ready!” list and notified first when the Kits are back in stock.
I am asking you to be honest. Please do not put your name on this list unless you are ready to invest in your self.
Also, bear this in mind: I went to great lengths to pre-purchase these supplements so I could resell them to you at well below market cost. I have no intentions of building a “supplement empire” — far from it. However, I wanted my clients and readers to have the best brands at a price they could afford. And I use this “Yes” list to estimate the number of bottles I need to pre-order on my dime from each of these four high-quality supplement companies, so your honesty is greatly appreciated.
The end result is over $100 off retail price for all seven supplements included in the Radical Fat Loss 21-Day Supplement Kit.
You cannot do the 21-day plan without these supplements as they are crucial to both health maintenance and fat-burning.
If you are ready, enter your name and email below… and in just a few days I will let you know where you can pick up your 21-Day Kit at over $100 off retail price!
THIS IS FIRST-COME FIRST SERVE:
Tomorrow, we will cover everything you need to know about exercise and fat loss… and shatter a few myths in the process.
: : THIS CONCLUDES DAY FOUR | TAKE THE QUIZ BELOW TO PROCEED : :
Jon, I never received Fatloss issue 3.
Charles, all issues are now included as back links at the top of the next day’s Course. Just refresh your browser and you’ll see the days preceding and their passwords.
It’s not ideal to buy the kit and import it into Australia although if I can’t obtain them locally that might be the only option.
Same thought here. Living in norther Europe and not sure how well customs will deal with pills in bottles etc. Has this been an issue earlier? What would the shipping/handling cost be approx? (Living in Sweden, within European Union)
Thanks for a GREAT course! I’ve learned a lot so far and am looking forward to the last parts as well.
Thanks! The shipping to Sweden is about $48 or so. The most expensive shipping charge I’ve seen (we do not mark up shipping) was to Japan for $56. Still, you are saving almost $50 on buying the supplement retail, and you cannot buy several of them unless you get them at cost online in the U.S. This is still the cheapest way to go.
I am same as alan, postage/handling/import costs stop me from saying yes. I still need to know what the supplements are so i can source locally. Maybe you are more cost effective John, but until i know what all the items are i can not say yes…
Alan,
I detail the supplements in the RLFB, so you can source them no problem. If it’s any help, the retail cost of TribustolPlus is $64.95 per bottle excluding shipping. My cost to you is 1/3 this price as I purchased almost 1,000 bottles wholesale. The same is going to be true of every supplement on the list. So by all means, do shop it… : ) Also, consider that the most you would ever pay for shipping is $50ish, and that’s on the outside of the spectrum. You save twice that on the prices retail from me. Again, I’m not trying to set up a “supplement warehouse” over here… I’m trying to make sure everyone gets the REAL DEAL supplements from brands like Jarrow, Optimum, etc. The L-Carnitine for instance: I know TWO labs that are qualified to manufacture the stuff properly: Jarrow’s and Designs For Health. The latter only sells to professional nutritionists and physicians. Sensitive stuff, which is why I use Jarrow.
I am interested in the kit but how do you re-order once you run out. Can we buy another kit? If not, will the cost be more to go to the different distributors? What is shipping to Canada?
Tina,
There’s a 21-Day Kit that is only for use every 3-4 months. Again, if I sold it monthly I would make a lot of money, but I just cannot do that as it’s a rip-off for you. The 21 Day Kits work incredibly well (just read the reviews of it on http://eoddmembers.ning.com/group/radicalfatloss/) but the body should not be forced into this mode but 3-4 times a year. That’s how my System is designed to work.
What we do, however, is include two options for less expensive monthly kits that can and should be used with Every Other Day Diet. That is set up on auto re-order so it’s taken care of for you. The 21-day Kits have to be manually re-ordered. We “are” considering an every-three-month auto re-order, but I just don’t want people freaking out over a charge that happens three months later. It’s best just to allow the client to re-order it. Again, not as “lucrative”, but it’s more above-board. ; )
Shipping to Canada is not bad at all. It’s all done in real time calculations. I believe it’s like $29 or so.
I live in Europe, there might be problems with importation. I know that a lot of stuff is forbidden to bring into the country, especially supplements.
Anna, we ship to Europe all the time. We include the contents of each bottle on the outside of the box which helps it get through customs. There are isolated cases of the Kits being held in customs, and there can be a VAT charge that we have nothing to do with, but this so far has been the exception rather than the rule (the held in customs part.) There are several people on the Kit from France, the UK, etc and they received their Kits just fine. I know, it is a risk to order anything from the US pertaining to supplements, but we’ve gone a few steps further to help ensure delivery.
for the follow-up of the supplements for rlfb i was sent to this page.i did not notice a verification to click
Greg, check your spam folder and junk folder. Comcast is notorious for deleting messages before they hit the inbox.
If you did not get it you can resubmit in 12 hours and another confirmation will be sent. Thanks for the patience.
Jon, my wife is breast-feeding…. Do you think she can participate in the RFLB? I guess the concern is some of the supplements you have covered on todays lesson.
Also, protein supplements (eg WPI / WPC) have some glutamine in them – do you think extra supplements are required if you are have 2 of these a day?
Hi,
I am the same as Alan and Anna. French customs are very suspicious in this time.
Laure
Yes, that’s why we include all the ingredients in the shipping labels. I lived there for four months… I remember those border issues!
do you have instructions of how many and what time of day to take the vitamins and do you still need to take a multivitamin
Diane; Just take as directed. Vitamins vary and are hard to prescribe dosage-wise.
I have the same problem as many I live in South Africa. However, I have noted every one of the supplements mentioned and I’m pretty sure I can locate them in a very well known health shop in Centurion Mall, Pretoria.
I’m enjoying the course. Thanks.
There are two you cannot find anywhere but here as the manufacturer is only online, but the rest you may be able to find. Again, the cost of retail will be higher than shipping costs, plus the supplements come with 21 days of coaching. However, if you want to play it safe with the borders, that’s better than nothing!
Jon,
I am 54 and seeking weight loss and to get in better shape. I have some swelling and daily pain in my left knee and have been told I am a good candidate for knee replaceent (had right hip replaceent in 2006). Will I be able to get good results if I do the RFLB and take the supplements?
Bill, by all means — but you’ll have to stick with the in-home exercises for the course. The RFLB and Kit are designed to be primarily nutritional means of fat loss. Exercise plays a more minor role, but this is not so when it comes to lifestyle fat loss. Knees will need to be nurtured, so you will have to alter walking recommendations accordingly, but those are easy additions to make. When you purchase the RFLB Kit you get free support from my staff and/or myself, so we can help you as much as possible. Thanks!
When I click the link in the verification email to confirm my interest in the supplement package, it returns me to the Day 4 lesson page. Is that right or should I see a confirmation page?
Good point Tanya… I’m returning users to the day 4 course so they can take the day 4 quiz, but I’ll put a page up that’s interstitial to let people know they’re on the list. If you got back to day 4, you’re set!
I am very excited about this personal certification and about getting started on the Radical Fatloss Blue Print, but I have a very real problem when it comes to swallowing capsules and large tablets. What if I do spend the money and find that I can’t take the supplements? Do you have any suggestions?
Terri, this is a common question. The amino acids are large, but they are softgels and slide right down the throat. The rest are very small or average-size capsules, liquid (easy) and powder. Take the capsules one at a time slowly and you should do just fine. I had one other client with a “pill phobia” and he got over it when he lost 18 pounds… P )
This may sound silly but what happens to our quizzes and how do u know we completed them?
Quizzes are for your own benefit. They are not stored, and you know if you completed them simply by clicking the “Show Answers” button at the end of the quiz. It’s on the honor system. I want you to try and get all the answers correct OR know why you missed a question or two before proceeding to the next day.
Hi Jon – I’ve signed up for the supplements but just wanting to confirm with you – have you shipped to Australia and if yes, were there any issues with customs? Thanks.
Hi Tanya,
So far, so good with Australia. It’s South Africa that’s been a problem with one order. Another order was lost in customs, but that was just a “lost in customs” issue and we resolved it from this end… but that was not an Aussie order. : )
I would say I am in the intermediate stage of my exercise level. I have lost 16 lbs and still need to lose about 45 more lbs. I am 5’10′ and weigh 223 lbs. now. Do you recommed me starting the RFLB or should I get close to my goal weight before I start this process?
Hi Michelle,
By all means — RFLB is ideal for you. It’s a great jump-start, plus if you take any of the Lifestyle Upgrades you’ll be set for… well, life. ; ) Also I think you’ll find our trainer support (Gold is trainers, Platinum is me personally) the best in the business. Just look over the support forum at eoddmembers.ning.com and you’ll see. Thanks!
Jon,
I love your approach to learning and ensuring that we benefit mentally and physically. I live in Trinidad and Tobago, most southern Caribbean islands. I want to confirm if you have shipped items there and if there were any customs issues. Additionally our exchange rate is $6TT dollars to $1US, so please advise how much less than US$200 is the charge. Thanks
Cheryl, thank you… you’re very kind to say that! I just checked and as of yet no one has ordered from Trinidad. However, we have shipped all over the world. The few cases of customs nightmares were resolved except for one that I know of and that is being reshipped at my cost. Customs is a real pain, let me tell you — and this is not just about supplements. From what I understand, Trinidad is ‘not’ one of the places that is troublesome, at least according to others I know that do this full-time. I do not. As for the shipping “charge”, that is calculated in real-time from USPS’s servers and we do not mark it up. So whatever USPS charges is what will be charged to you, minus any VAT or conversion of currency. Thanks!
Hoi Jon,
I did read that you used Animal Pak by Universal. I want ask you if this is made of organic i mean: food derived naturally occurring vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in their most bioactive form, or is it made with some kind of synthetic vitamins. I read that
Natural made or take is better then synthetic.
Thanks Amencay
Hi Amancay,
Great question. Natural “food” is always best. The problem is that bodybuilding and any high-endurance sport demands more than the body can naturally synthesize from food sources; especially if those sources are depleted soil-wise, which is the case here in the States.
In many studies done on vitamins, virtually every test subject was deficient in “some” vitamin and “many” minerals. Since stress depletes minerals.. well, you can see why even a ‘healthy diet’ can sometimes not be enough.
I do not sell vitamins and minerals btw — this is just my professional opinion. From a chemistry point of view, there is little if any demonstrated differences between supplemental vitamins and minerals versus those found in foods. Many people are kept alive with supplementation. Cleft pallet is cured by folic acid supplementation for example, not by eating tons of beans and okra. ; ) Same with elevated homocysteine levels: B6, B12 and folic acid in higher-than-normal amounts decrease this deadly rogue marker for heart disease.
In my case, it’s just simple insurance for performance — and I take three specific vitamins for specific reasons: Calcium/Magnesium and Vitamin D3. I had blood work done three months ago showing my D3 levels were 1/3 what they should be — and low D3 is linked to heart disease and mental problems as we age. It was a no-brainer call. Spending hours in the sun may get the job done, or my internal processors for D3 may simply be broken. : ) Cal/Mag is essential for me due to high physical stress. Plus magnesium, in my opinion, it the most amazing mineral on earth. It should be taken in a 1:1 ratio with calcium if used in a disease-free state and for performance. 2:1 or higher cal to mag is used in certain treatments of disease. It’s a bit tricky. I take 1500mg a day of both — much higher than I could ever get in food.
Hope this helps!
Shipping to mainland Australia may be fine but Tasmania is different. Customs here actually opened Christmas cards to us One with money never arrived, strange that. I have even had difficulties with exercise DVDs. One confiscated as PORN. Excuse me I did not realise Jillian Michael’s workout DVDs were porn. Had to have a go at them over that one.
jon, you mentioned you are selling tribustol for cheaper than they do. i can see you only have a fat loss pack, is it possible for you to do a muscle gain pack with just a few bottles of tribustol? also on their website they dont mention how many capsules are in on container and they also dont mention serving suggestion and how long 1 bottle lasts. thanks.
Jackson, so far all but one person has gained muscle on RFLB — some up to 7 pounds! Crazy, but true. The program is designed to gain muscle and burn bodyfat at the same time. I will be creating a specific mass-building supplement system, but not for a while. Check out the “Product” or “About” page on TribsutolPlus.com. I believe they mention it there. It’s 150 caps with a dose of 4-6 per day.
Jon thanks heaps for your reply. your right they do mention it i have no idea how i missed it, it was obvious. i see they offer a money back guarantee, i normally would beleive the claims they have made about their suppliment but, well i trust you. the only thing i can see that seems odd about the product isnt the dossage of tribulus extremely small? most products i see have much closer to 1gram per serv. i cant wait to see your muscle building stack, i look forward to it. thanks again.
Hi Jackson,
It’s not the tribulus alone, it’s the mixture of potassium orotate and folic acid in such high dose and specific ratio that, when mixed with ‘good’ tribulus, makes for a potent supplement. I never recommend anything I have not tried myself. I do not make this supplement, nor do I own any part of it. I’ve just seen it work very well with a lot of people. Plus, in our system, we use it to nudge the hormonal system (thyroid and testosterone) just enough to keep the metabolism elevated. The result has been (when combined with the entire kit) fat loss ‘and’ muscle gain; both at an accelerated rate. You can read the testimonies for yourself: http://tinyurl.com/rflb-results One man just lost 19 physical pounds (in 21 days) AND gained 7 pounds of muscle. Crazy what you can do with everything working in the right order — nutrition, gH stimulus through training, low carb/calorie mixed with spiked carbs at specific times, and full-body training. It’s been the best combo I’ve ever designed: RFLB followed by Every Other Day Diet plus 7 Minute Muscle for long-term training. Hundreds have done it, and honestly I can’t keep up with the testimonies. ; )
Jon
I have enjoyed taking the certification courses. What are your thoughts about cod liver oil? The nurse at work recommended it as the “perfect” supplement, for reasons similar to what you said about fish oil.
Love Cod Liver oil Kim, but you have to be careful during the summers or if you get a lot of natural sunlight. Too much D is not a good thing. Otherwise it’s a great supplement.
Two comments, both intended as a friendly critique.
1. Tribulus is NOT recommended as therapy for ED. If you have a source, please provide it, else, remove this bogus claim from your otherwise very informative web site:
http://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/guide/alternative-treatments-ed
2. Caffeine, i.e. in tea or coffee, is recommended by you, in moderation, not in pill form, yet, on your quiz, you consider it an error to include it among the group of supplements recommended by you to aid in lipid metabolism. I think you need to reword your question….
regards,
CAI ENG
Cai Eng,
Thanks for your friendly critique. A few words back on that matter: Using WebMD as source material is like using Wikipedia for your doctorate’s thesis. Not exactly the best.
1. “Compared to the castrated control ‘group not treated] treatment of castrated ‘animals] with either testosterone or Tribulus terrestris showed increase in prostate weight…There was also a mild to moderate improvement ‘in sexual behavior…It is concluded that ‘Tribulus terrestris extract appears to possess aphrodisiac activity probably due to androgen increasing property of Tribulus terrestris observed in our earlier study on primates.”
From: Life Sci., vol. 71, 2002. By: Drs. Gauthaman, Adaikan & Prasad, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology, National U. Hospital, Nat’l. U. of Singapore, 119704, Singapore.
There are dozens of studies on primates and sexual function with Tribulus. If Viagra didn’t cost $10 a pill, you’d see a lot more studies in the U.S. with humans… just a bit of common sense economics.
For humans: “Preliminary animal studies found that tribulus heightened sexual behavior and increased intracavernous pressure [emphasis mine]. This was attributed to increases in testosterone. There haven’t been any well-designed human studies to confirm these early findings.”
Antonio J et al. “The effects of Tribulus terrestris on body composition and exercise performance in resistance-trained males”. International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism. 10.2 (2000):208-15.
Since I know Joey Antonio personally I can testify to the struggles of getting alternative herbs tested when it comes to multi-billion dollar companies standing in the way. Note “well-designed” and refer back to my earlier comment re: the financial gain aspect. At any rate, Viagra does the same thing without raising testosterone. Combine Tribulus and NO and you have a pretty good home-made V-Pill.
Finally, the question was worded: “Tribulus is also used for…” I did not say “prescribed for.”
This is exactly what thousands of people use it for. I’ll be the first to admit that further human testing needs to be done, but that’s only the scientist in me coming out. I know that the herb has been used for literally thousands of years in cultures around the world as a sexual aid.
2. This is not accurate. The correct answer to the question you are referring to is 1, 2 and 4, which includes caffeine.
Thanks!
Hi Jon,
Great stuff so far. 2 questions: Hasn’t tribulus been linked to accelerated hair loss in men? Mother nature is already doing her utmost there thank you very much. As for ephedra, I understand your hesitation in recommending any amounts because of its addictive properties and the liability issues it attracts, but hasn’t been shown to have some benefit in moderation and when it’s not for prolonged, consistent use?
Thanks,
Patrick
Hi Patrick,
Great questions, thanks for asking them. First, yes, in some men Tribulus has caused hair loss, but the only reports I know of is in the 200mg range, which is well under what I recommend and use for RFLB.
As for ephedra… that’s a tough one. Ephedra is no where near as addictive as ephedrine, nor as dangerous. In moderation, in “some” people, it’s probably just fine. But I would avoid ephedrine HCL at all costs.
Jon
Hi Jon,
I suppose you ship to India too. I wish I could say yes. But cannot. I know that the price you have quoted is well below the market price. Hasn’t recession hit anyone? Am I the only person facing that particular problem?
Still, I’m gathering a lot of useful information from the matter I receive daily through emails from you.
Thank you very much.
Take care…
Hi Usha,
Yes, we ship to India, and yes it’s well below market price. I understand recession economics, but I also believe that the most important way to combat it is to improve your health and personal well-being. It’s the most vital investment one can ever make. But no matter, I hope you continue to enjoy the course and the articles/videos!
Hi Jon,
Have you shipped to Luanda, Angola , Africa?
Hi Colleen,
No, not specifically. But we’ve shipped to most countries and mostly without difficulty. I can check with my fulfillment company about Angola for you.
Jon
Thank you Jon.
I just took the Day 4 quiz. As far as I can see, you did not discuss erectile dysfunction anywhere. You can’t ask something on a quiz that you never mentioned! And it’s not necessarily caused by lack of libido, so it cannot be “inferred” from that discussion.
Indeed… this is an error on my part that has now been corrected. Thanks for catching that Karen! As for supplements outside the US, I do not know of alternatives. You may be able to research them based on their names, but many I recommend are manufactured only in the U.S.
Hi Jon,
I am living in NZ, but at this stage I cannot afford to purchase your products online. Are there other alternatives I can purchase locally with more or less the same affects? Just to get me started and until I can save up enough to purchase your kit. It will be great if you can help me out. Other than that, I think it’s great.
Hey there Esmarelda,
There are not alternatives, sorry to say… at least that work as effectively. What you ‘can’ do is purchase some amino acids (if you can even find those locally) so you can start the 21 days. Your muscle loss will be decreased if you take them, but your results will not be as good as they would be otherwise. Another option (I just got off the phone with a delighted client who took this option!) is to just use the Extreme Plan in Every Other Day Diet (http://www.everyotherdaydiet.com)… keep me posted!
Jon,
Can you please provide complete citations for the neurological effects of L-Glutamine? I searched pub med and was unable to find the information with the citations you provided. I have taken courses in neuroscience and am interested in seeing the actual data.
Thank you,
Laura
Hi Laura:
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&lr=&q=related:86iRiuC9pN4J:scholar.google.com/&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=UuT9S5O6N4PUMrOw8JUN&sa=X&oi=science_links&resnum=7&ct=sl-related&ved=0CDkQzwIwBg
Start there… interesting stuff. : )
L-Glutamine is probably the MOST important supplement to take for immunity enhancement and recovery between workouts. Therefore it is ‘crucial’ for both men and women if they are training hard with resistance or with cardio.
You can get the JBF/Jarrow Brand here:
http://budurl.com/JBFGLU
Thanks!
Hi Hiba! Thanks for the kind words. I use my own JBF Brand for both CLA and L-Glutamine. You can get both here:
JBF Lipocil CLA Formulation:
http://budurl.com/JBFCLA
JBF Glutacil L-Glutamine Formulation:
http://budurl.com/JBFGLU
Enjoy!
Jon
Yes, we do… I know that it’s more expensive however. Oh, and I LOVE Dubai. Can’t wait to go … just not in the summer. : ) Jon
Hi Nikki… good question. While there are no conclusive studies, tribulus has been ‘rumored’ to increase fertility in both sexes. I’ve personally never heard of a female client getting pregnant from it, but you never know. What I would advise is to use our Radical Fat Loss Blueprint kit that does ‘not’ include Tribustol Plus. Nothing else increases testosterone.
As for the other comment, I feel you: But I’ve yet to see RFLB ‘not’ work for those who do it right.
If you want the package without Tribustol Plus, let me know and I’ll send you the link. Thanks!
Jon
Hi Michelle! Congrats on the newborn… : )
The supplements are safe for everyone but women who are currently pregnant. That being said, everyone metabolizes things differently. Your safest bet is to wait until you are finished with breastfeeding. MUCH better safe than sorry, and it’s more important for you to feel comfortable with your decision rather than second-guessing, even if it’s safe on paper. Keep me posted! Jon
Thanks Sue! You’re welcome… to answer your questions:
1. TribustolPlus (http://www.tribustolplus.com) takes longer to start working to increase muscle; to hold ON to existing muscle it works rather rapidly by maintaining a healthy insulin/blood sugar relationship.
Nope… but it sounds like one. : ) The DHEA component of 7-Keto is inactive. Feel free to Google that, but it’s definitely NOT a prohormone.
You got it! Thanks… Jon
Hi Dawn,
I have a post on here answering that question. The Radical Fat Loss Blueprint was originally written FOR people who wanted those last 10-15 pounds off! It just turned into what it is via the fact it worked for those who wanted to drop more.
So, bias as I may be, I’d say it’s 100% spot-on perfect for you. : )
Jon
Hi Jon, I enjoy very much your articles, and I registered because I like to be informed and also to help my husband. He needs to loose about 20lb. ,but he had back surgery and he cannot workout, the only form of exercise he can do is mild walking or recumbant bike with back support. I have your EODD book and Fit over 40, what can you suggest for him? He cannot do the RFLB,of course.Is there any part of these two books I can refer too to help him loose fat?
Also, if I may, I would like to know if I can get the supplements separately for me. I take some now, and I would be interested in getting a good brand for L-Glutamine and fish oil. Is krill oil good?
I am taking your tests and I enjoy them very much, it show how much I know, by reading your articles and other of your collegues.
thanks
josie
Josie,
Actually, your husband ‘can’ do RFLB, but he just needs to limit his exercise to the beginner’s stretching and walking routine. The diet is FAR more important than exercise.As far as the two books: EODD Extreme would be the best given his lack of ability to exercise.
As for supplements, fish oil is better for higher DHA/EPA, but krill is easier to take and higher in antioxidants. Most studies however are done with fish oil. As long as you’re getting enough EPA/DHA, roughly 1:1 ratio, as in 2-3 grams per day, you’re fine either way.
As for the MAK supplements, you can go here:
http://budurl.com/MAK90
Best deal. : )
Thanks Josie!
Jon
It would be helpful if you gave the individual amounts of EPA and DHA rather than 9 grams. My bottle doesn’t state the grams.
There are no set requirements for ratios. I’ve seen studies ranging from 1:2 DHA/EPA to 2:1 DHA/EPA. Shoot for 9 total grams of fish oil — that’s the easiest.
I tried to click the recipe page and got a page about every other day diet scam. How do I get the recipes?
Florian, which link specifically did you click? Also, The Every Other Day Diet is NOT a scam. I should know… I wrote it. ; )