Episode #179: What Pharmaceutical Companies Don’t Want You To Know About Statins

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In this January 18, 2012 free audio episode: What Pharmaceutical Companies Don't Want You To Know About Statins. Plus: light therapy, what are super-carbs, how to cycle calories, milk for lactose intolerance, clear fluids before colonscopy, o-lifting, P90X and running, staying warm during a swim, and the effects of too much calcium.

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Tune is this Friday - Ben will be talking to the folks at Mt. Capra about their product DEEP2 30™.

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Listener Q&A:

Audio Question from Craig: Asks about light therapy for more than just treatment of depression.

~ In my response to Craig, I mention these Gunnar glasses.

Audio Question from Keith: Wants to know about "Super" Carbs (from an article in UltraRunning by Sunny Blende).

~ In my response, I mention this podcast episode on forefoot running with Danny Abshire.

Matt asks: I run anywhere from 50 to 75 miles a week and weigh around 200lbs I would like to lose about 25lbs. what is the best way to do that while continuing my current training schedule? Is there a calorie deficit I should try to hit daily that will allow me to lose weight without sacrificing a lot of performance?

Todd asks: I have been lactose intolerant all my life. I started triathlon recently and thought taking after-workout protein shakes would be a good idea. One problem, most seem to be dairy based. I get a massive headache and GI issues after drinking them. Same issues with fruit juice and now soy milk. Any ideas or suggestions for managing this and incorporating post recovery drinks into my routine?

~ In my response to Todd, I reference this podcast and also recommend probiotics, digestive enzymes, and the new DEEP30 protein or LivingProtein.

Jeff asks: I am scheduled to have a colonoscopy and in part of preparation the colon must be cleared. So... the day before and the day of the procedure, I am allowed nothing but clear fluids. From a nutritional standpoint, are there specific fluids that would be of greater benefit to me? I am a hard training triathlete and nutritional effects on training are a concern to me. The procedure is on a Wed. I plan Monday to get a solid brick and moderate swim in and then do nothing Tuesday (start clear fluid diet), Wednesday (procedure) and Thursday. Any thoughts on type of fluid intake or preparation prior to and post procedure from a nutritional and exercise perspective.

Bob asks: My question is on taking up O-lifting at the tender age of 45. Background: have a pretty demanding day job, so will be able to devote 2-3 sessions a week max to it. Am 6'4" tall & flexibility is a challenge. Am reasonably well versed in 3 of the 4 classic power lifts (Bench of 275 lbs. & good form; Standing Press of 140 lbs. & won't kill myself form; Deadlift of 370 & fair form; squat of only 235 lbs. with very shakey form when going to full depth). I would be very interested in both your general recommendations for making progress on both the snatch and clean & jerk, as well as your specific recommendations on the mobility work for O-lifting I should focus on for the necessary flexibility.

~ In my response to Bob, I recommend this video with Dan John.

Al asks: I am a marathon runner and I am looking forward to trying your marathon dominator program in 2012. I am currently in my off season and I have been doing a combination of strength training using your 12 strength training routines for triathletes guide and doing cardio with mixing swimming, elipitical and bike interval routines. I just started P90X and I wanted to get your thoughts on the program and how it relates to my off-season running training. It does have a lot of volume with about 1 hour per day spent on focused training.

~ In my response to Al I mention www.marathondominator.com

PowerFr0g asks: I've been swimming a lot in open water lately in preparation for a few Olympic Distance triathlons. After about 30-40 min spent in the water, my fingers and feet get numb and it takes about 30 minutes for the blood to go back into my limbs after I get out of the water and even when going straight on a bike ride or a run. I live in Australia, where it's currently summer. The water is about 18C /64F degrees, which is cool but not freezing cold. I haven't swam in my Tri suit yet but I want to get used to swimming without much buoyancy and want to train in open water as opposed to a pool (by the way, I haven't got this problem when swimming in the pool). I searched your site on how to improve blood circulation. In Episode #103, you mention the greyhound juice website. It seems the site no longer exists. Any other tips to stay warm after a swim or some tricks on how to get the blood rushing back into fingers/feet straight after a swim?

~ In my response, I mention this Ozone muscle-warming cream.

Gordon asks: Under what circumstances would you recommend coming off doctor-prescribed statins? I have been taking statins for most of the last ten years and have come to believe that it is affecting my athletic performance, perhaps progressively. My high cholesterol appears to be hereditary - at least, higher levels persist even though I have an excellent diet and exercise regimen. Recently, I have begun to notice increased aching and loss of power during longer cycle rides (over 25 miles or so), longer delays in recovery, and a general stagnation in performance. I have noticed that during 2009, when I took a break from statins for about a year, my performance was higher/faster that year (by about 8%). Since going back on statins in 2010, I have not been able to ride as fast, and overall feel under-powered, especially during longer rides, with aching primarily in the larger upper leg and thigh muscles. When not taking statins, my overall cholesterol shoots quickly up in to the high 200s and my doctor has insisted that I stay on them (even though I have no other risk factors and am otherwise in great shape for 46). Based on my own experience, documented performance records, and some research into how statins affect athletes, I am considering coming off statins against my doctor's wishes. Do you have any thoughts or recommendations that might help me make this decision?

~ In my response, I recommend the website www.trackyourplaque.com.

Kem asks: Calcium scores got me thinking. Could a healthy (as in lots and good) dairy consumption lead to artery in-elasticity and cause one's blood pressure to rise?

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