Damian Rodriguez
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Your Workout and Your Liver
Recent research suggests that intense exercise may result in levels of liver enzymes well above normal reference ranges; both immediately (for more than a week) and (to a lesser extent) long-term. Communicate with your medical provider about your exercise regimen and consider taking time off from training if you know you will be soon undergoing […]
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“SARMsCanHarm”
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), sports nutrition comprises 14 percent of the global dietary supplement market, and as much as 1 out of 5 college students report the use of supplements to enhance muscle size and strength. The possibility of bigger, more defined muscles and improved athletic performance without the side effects […]
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Switchbacks on the Molecular Pathway to Muscular Development
Specific adaptations to imposed demands (the SAID principle), the idea that the body adapts specifically to the demands that you place upon it, is one of exercise physiology’s most accepted concepts. Those who have trained for athletic performance or body composition at a high-level recognize that your training must go through cycles, because as astonishingly […]
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The Ninja Mindset: Crashing Through Physical and Mental Obstacles like a Bull
As an exercise physiologist, heath scientist, and parent, I can’t help but be a huge fan of American Ninja Warrior. Having spent much of my life researching the limits of human performance and having had the opportunity to work with world-class athletes in a variety of disciplines, I am fascinated by the inimitable combination of […]
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Turning Adversity into Adventure
Recent research suggests that the ability to overcome setbacks and view them as temporary obstacles rather than permanent barriers may be one of the greatest predictors of high achievement in any endeavor. This characteristic, commonly referred to as “grit” due to the research conducted by behavioral psychologist Angela Duckworth, has become an area of great […]
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Food and DrinkFoods & CulinaryHealthHealth & FitnessMens HealthSports & AthleticsVitaminsweight lossWomen's Health
Why the Whey?
With research suggesting that over 25% of regular gym-goers use it and annual U.S. sales exceeding $6B, dairy-based protein is the single most used product in the sports supplement world. Like most products in the sports supplement industry, it is best you take the marketing claims with a mountain of salt (Himalayan Pink of course), […]
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Food and DrinkFoods & CulinaryHealthHealth & FitnessHealth Care & MedicalMens HealthSports & AthleticsWomen's Health
Super Bowl-ing to Sleepless Nights: Random Musings from a Health (Nut) Scientist
I have adverse reactions to changes in my dietary patterns…to put it mildly. Lethargy, outwardly apparent sleepiness, severe gastrointestinal distress, edema, and circulation issues. I’ve just kind of accepted that my irregular consumption of unhealthy foods will ultimately result in as long as a few days of adverse consequences. My family has even came up […]
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The (Whole) Truth About Eggs…and Gains
Two decades ago, during the opening stages of my own health journey, I’d often buy 10 dozen or so eggs at a time. Not only are eggs a cheap and highly bioavailable source of lean tissue building protein, but having to toss out half the egg (the yolk) due to dietary cholesterol and fat concerns […]
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4 Steps to Process Your Way to Success in 2018
The single greatest factor in the success or failure of any venture is not capability or even my favorite personal character trait (hint: it starts with “work” and ends with “ethic”), but something far less complex: setting clearly defined goals. This is not my feeble attempt at a Tony Robbins impression, it’s me speaking as […]
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Don’t Feed the (Cancer) Cells
That pumpkin pie is calling out your name; we can all hear it, but allow me to make that orange cylinder of sweetness a little less appealing in two words: sugar and cancer. The two terms are very often discussed in conjunction, and if medical literature is any indication, the debate about their association isn’t […]