AFPA Health and Fitness Blog

Heart Rate Variations Explained

By: Dr. Bill Misner Ph.D. One common question from endurance athletes is why is my heart rate so high, so low, or varying in such-and-such a manner. Even experienced Cardiologists are not always able to define heart rate variations. When a heart rate is slowed, speeds up, or varies inexplicably, there are a number of […]

Leaky Gut Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, & More

by Zoltan P. Rona M.D., MSc The leaky gut syndrome is the name given to a very common health disorder in which the basic organic defect (lesion) is an intestinal lining which is more permeable (porous) than normal. The abnormally large spaces present between the cells of the gut wall allow the entry of toxic […]

Lean Muscle Mass Gain & Fat Mass Loss During Training

Interventions For Enhancing Lean Muscle Mass Gain and Fat Mass Loss During Strength and Speed Training Protocols Dr. Bill Misner Ph.D.* Ever wonder how, why, and where the flat stomach, thin thighs, and slim hips of your youth disappeared beneath a blanket of fat? There are a number of metabolic mechanisms known to influence body […]

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Caffeine’s Hidden Dangers

What are the short term effects of caffeine on the body? The physiological effects of caffeine can begin as early as 15-45 minutes after ingestion. Its maximum central nervous system effects are reached in about 30-60 minutes. Caffeine increases heartbeat, respiration, basal metabolic rate, and the production of stomach acid and urine; and it relaxes […]

The Milk Letter: A Message To My Patients

By: Robert M. Kradjian, MD Breast Surgery Chief Division of General Surgery, Seton Medical Centre #302 – 1800 Sullivan Ave. Daly City, CA 94015 USA “MILK”Just the word itself sounds comforting! “How about a nice cup of hot milk?” The last time you heard that question it was from someone who cared for you–and

Why Water Is The Most Important Nutrient For Endurance Athletes

By Mike Darnley, MS,RD Many people do not think of water as a nutrient, possibly due to its simplicity or maybe because there is no energy provided by water. Nevertheless, water is the most vital nutrient that we consume. Besides being a medium for cellular processes that occur in the body,

Amino Acids vs. Steroids—Is There a Steroid Substitute?

  Within the past 15 years, a great deal of controversy has centered around the use and effectiveness of synthetic derivatives of testosterone(anabolic steroids) by athletes to improve performance. During this same time controversy has overlapped in the use of aminoacids and now “steroid replacements” that claim “anabolic effects”. There is need for clarification of […]

Pregnant Women Should Not Skydive

By: Dennis M. Loya, BS.,JD., Certified Personal Trainer   It goes without saying that every pregnant woman must cut back on exercise during her pregnancy to avoid harming herself or her baby. This begs the question, how should I modify my exercise routine to accommodate my pregnancy? Pregnancy is a complex physiologic state,

Calcium and Protein: A Mixture For Disaster

Does Milk Really Do The Body Good? Calcium and Protein: A Mixture For Disaster By: Mark J. Occhipinti, M.S. , Ph.D, NDc. It is a documented fact that consumption of dairy products can lead to the development of atherosclerosis, heart attack and strokes, and that high fat dairy products contain unsafe levels of environmental contaminants, […]

The Business of Being a Personal Trainer

You are entering the profession of personal fitness training at a time of growth and opportunity. Awareness of the benefits of personal training is expanding, as is the client market. This increased opportunity is accompanied by a huge influx of new personal trainers into the industry, which means increasedcompetition.