Episode #185: Is Cortisol Good Or Bad?

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In this Mar 7, 2012 free audio podcast: Is Cortisol Good Or Bad? Also: how to raise testosterone levels while training, good reasons to jump rope, training for an uphill bike race, how to lose loose skin after weight loss, are gluten digestive enzymes helpful, numb toes, heel pain, and why your sweat smells different when weight training.

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News Flashes:

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• Very good evidence that if you're going to have a high carb meal, it should be breakfast.
• Potatoes are more satisfying to your appetite than bread.
• Want to recover from workouts faster? Eat 20g of protein before bed.

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Listener Q&A:

Audio Question from Martin: Asking about Cortisol levels.

~ In my response I recommend MAP for amino acids. At www.pacificfit.net, I recommend - Recoverease, Solar Synergy, TianChi.

Anonymous wrote: My husband is a marathoner, and is training for his first full Ironman. I am supportive and interested in his athletic exploits as a shorter distance runner and a group exercise instructor myself. However, his training starts to take a toll when his athletic exploits start to interfere with our sexual exploits. During marathon training his sex drive takes a significant dip. During Ironman training it has been even more noticeable. I have read that endurance training can actually inhibit testosterone production. Is there a natural dietary way to boost testosterone while training? If not, is there a way he should alter his training and/or diet once he completes this event to "reset" his natural sex drive? He hasn't had his testosterone tested, he doesn't have ED, he's not totally exhausted from training, and our relationship is otherwise healthy and happy. We are in our mid twenties.

~ In my response, I reference this free video/pdf I produced, and www.Tri-Ripped.com. Also OptiMale and Vitrix (tribulus).

Scott asks: How and why should I jump rope? What are the benefits and what's the best workout routine? What kind of rope should I use? How many calories are typically burned? I'm looking for an overview of rope work.

Kate says: I am going to be entering a mountain bike race this spring in Sandpoint, Idaho. I have about 3 months to get fully prepared. Would you mind giving me your 2 cents on how I should go about training. Obviously, I have my own ideas, but I'd love to hear yours. The race is about 10 miles long, on pavement and mostly UPHILL!!

Jesse asks: I recently lost 30lbs in 4 months in large part to your podcast, thank you. Now I have a new problem, excess skin where my gut used to be. Is there anything I can do to make this go away faster?

~ In my response I mention the Get Fit Guy episode: How To Tighten Loose Skin After Weight Loss

Billy asked: I have been following a Paleo/Primal lifestyle for about 8 months. After having much digestion problems in the past, living life and training gluten free has been revolutionary. However, from time to time I do ingest gluten in the form of beer and soy sauce etc which is in some of my favourite Thai food dishes. Prior to ingesting gluten, I’ve been taking a Gluten Enzyme supplement by Now Foods (http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/now/glutendigest.html). I would take one (1) capsule before and one (1) during a meal containing gluten. Can you comment on this type of supplement and is it doing me any good on the harmful effects of gluten on the gut lining? Or am I wasting my money? Is there any other methods to detox from gluten ingestion?

Ian wrote: I have a question. My middle toe on my right foot is numb all the time except when I run. After about 5 miles the pain becomes unbearable and I have to stop and massage my foot and move my toe around then it is good for about another mile. I saw a doctor and he gave me a cortisone shot in the bottom of my foot. This only helped a little the pain still becomes unbearable between 6 and 7 miles. I don't think it is my shoes I have three pair that I rotate.

Brett wrote: I am curious to get your thoughts on a strained/pulled arch in my right foot. I am currently running in saucony kinvaras but have had this problem in the past with other shoes. The pain is localized in the middle of the arch and I have no heal pain. Is it time to explore orthotics or can strengthening and stretching my feet help alleviate the problem.

Andrea wrote:I'm one of those people who doesn't wear deodorant or anti-perspirant on a daily basis because I don't really sweat throughout the day, and don't have BO (I've done check-ins with friends, this isn't just me fooling myself). I'm happy about this because I'm not a fan of trying to suppress a system designed to help us regulate body temperature. Everything changes when I exercise. I do sweat then and I've found that my sweat smells distinctly different if I'm lifting versus if I'm doing cardio. Cardio still smells "clean" to me, but I'm not too happy with how I smell when lifting. Is there any reason you can think of why my sweat would smell different at that time? If stinky sweat is related to toxins, why is it only lifting that releases them?

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