Build Huge Muscle With Water?

I get asked this question all the time in emails, on my blogs, on the phone, face to face, whatever form of communication you can think of. This was an exact email that I received the other day:
The question is - I have seen it and heard it over the net and in the gym that it is recommended to drink several liters of water daily to help gain weight and build muscle. Is it really that important to drink so much water as well as and in addition to other fluids, even if you're not even thirsty? Is it really recommended, what is your opinion on it?

Answer - Yes it is recommended! Water is the most important nutrient your body needs. It is recommended even if you're not trying to gain muscle and weight. We humans struggle to realize at what point they become a little dehydrated. To add to this, the thirst quench is achieved long before full rehydration has occurred. Other fluids may quench your thirst but this doesn't mean that your bodies rehydrated. Fluids have different amounts of water contained in them and some of them in fact have diuretics in them which in actual fact dehydrate you further.

The body cannot build muscles and run efficiently if it dehydrated, it just can't. Water has several functions in the body and most notably with reference to building muscles is the fact that it is a major component of blood and of the fluids in the muscles and joints. If the body does not have a sufficient supply of water it will suffer in some form. Even slight dehydration can have disastrous effects on your energy levels in the gym and can reduce your strength and stamina.

I personally (Speaking from years of experience) would drink 2 liters of water a day, and if it's a training day it can sometimes be even more. During your workout you should be drinking water throughout, half a cup every 15 minutes would be ideal. If you're not doing this now, start. It may seem a little tedious and nuisance at first but within a few weeks you will really notice the difference in your workouts.

Overall, water is an essential element of everyday life and especially when you're trying to build muscle. A lot of medical professionals consider water to be the most important sports nutrient you can have, and I agree completely.

Some other benefits of having water are:
1. Too little water, and your body steals it from organs such as the colon. When this happens, you experience constipation. Plus, water allows you to digest your meals efficiently. This is especially true when you're consuming over 4,000 calories a day.

2. If water retention is a chronic problem, it may be because there's too much salt in the diet. The higher the sodium intake, the more the body tries to retain water (to dilute its concentration). Either reduce salt intake or drink more water.

3. Without enough water, the kidneys can't function properly. When this happens, some of the load is transferred to the liver. The liver metabolizes stored fat for energy. If the liver is doing some of the kidneys' work, it burns less fat. In addition, water can actually reduce feelings of hunger.

What Can You Do About Joint And Muscle Pain?

One of the most common questions I receive: "I'm having pain in my knees and joints. My knees even hurt when I get on the bikes at the gym. Is there a certain exercise that can help in strengthening my knees, or any other advice you can give? Someone said to take fish oil."

Osteoarthritis, or "wear and tear arthritis", is actually common at any age, although more common as we get older and remain physically active.
May people suffer joint pain because of the opposite — inactivity. In fact, I believe this is the root cause of most joint issues that have nothing to do with injury. Like anything else, we either use our joints or we loose our joints. Over the years, if you've lived a sedentary life, you'll find that the body shifts its biochemistry to support only what you are requiring it to do.

One of the things I speak about is how the body and mind work together. Unfortunately, this is one of those times when the mind has a mind of it's own. I'm going to go out on a limb here and voice my enthusiastic opinion on what's going on. Some doctors will pitch and scream about this, but others back me 100%. I'll let you decide. Then I'll give you some great solutions for helping knee and joint pain that's not being caused by a chronic injury.

First, there's our old friend calcium. Calcium is touted heavily for conditions such as osteoporosis — however, the media is only giving you one segment of the story. The real culprit here is your hormones. As you age, unless you remain physically active (even more-so than when you were young), the body alters its hormonal production. Thyroid levels and testosterone levels decrease. Low testosterone has been directly linked to problems with bone density. The lower the levels, the more brittle the bone can become.
Enter osteoporosis.
These hormones also cause a drain on the body's nutrients, including calcium. However, replacing calcium will no more cure the problem in many cases than, say, replacing water from a bucket with a hole in it. You have to plug the hole — and that is best done through hormonal management, dietary shifts, and exercise.
Let's take thyroid: the Mayo Clinic published an article just last week on the connection between low thyroid and joint problems and muscle pain. I overcame hypothyroidism and the associated joint pain that accompanied it. You can, too. It takes some work, and in some cases some medical intervention, but often thyroid levels can be managed naturally.

A friend of mine, Jackie Lee, at age 72, looks 52 at best — and acts 22. She still tumbles, dances, teaches yoga, competes in figure and even bodybuilding shows — and she's been hypothyroid for decades. She manages it through a combination of specific amino acids, her lifestyle nutrition plan (she's a vegetarian; I am not), and of course exercise. Her story is quite inspiring.

Now, since we know that thyroid, testosterone, and other bodily hormones have a lot to do with joint and muscle pain, doesn't it make sense to start there and work our way outward to a solution? I think so.
Have your hormone levels checked. A few simple blood tests will let your doctor know if you are hypothyroid (be sure to run free and reverse T3/T4 — many doctors only run TSH, which is not adequate) or if you have other hormonal issues. Resolve those first.

How To Treat Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) refers to the conditions that cause discomfort and pain in the joint that connects the jaw, as well as the individual muscles that control the movement of the jaw. It is a painful and annoying disorder that afflicts a large number of people. In fact according to recent statistics, it is estimated that there are as many as 10 million people who suffer from some form of TMJ.

With such significant numbers affected by the condition, it would seem logical that there would be widespread concern over it. However in reality, many people who have TMJ may not take the condition as seriously as they should because the pain associated with it may start out being relatively minor. Additionally, many people who suffer from TMJ find that the disorder goes away on its own through a natural healing process. These factors have combined to make the general level of concern regarding the condition quite low.

This is not to suggest that all instances of temporomandibular joint dysfunction are minor, however. There are numerous people who suffer from a chronic and debilitating pain that derives from this condition, and that does not go away. In these cases, patients must seek proper medical help in order to treat the condition and alleviate the pain.

Naturally, the types of treatments available may raise some concerns because of fears that they may prove complex or invasive. However while there are indeed invasive means of dealing with TMJ, there are also a number of simpler treatments that are just as effective in many cases. Ultimately, the type of treatment that is used can vary from one individual to another based on the particular characteristics of their condition.

So what exactly does TMJ affect? The temporomandibular joint is what connects the lower jaw (also known as the mandible) to the temporal bone. These joints are what allow the jaw to move and this in turn affects one's ability talk, eat and even hear properly. In order to perform these various functions, the jaw joint must move properly and without restriction. So, when TMJ sets in and restricts this basic movement, it becomes very painful and makes seeking effective treatment essential to continuing on with daily life activities.

Probably the most common way of dealing with this condition is to use a stabilization splint or "bite guard." Essentially, this is an item that fits over the upper and lower teeth and stabilizes the jaw so that the condition either corrects itself through the natural healing process, or at least reduces the amount of pain to a bearable level. This item cannot be purchase over the counter as it must be prescribed and fitted by a qualified doctor or dentist.

Another treatment option that has become more and more popular in recent years deals with TMJ exercises designed to strengthen the jaw and tongue muscles and re-align the jaw naturally. Results from this method have been astonishingly successful and this is now thought to be the first treatment method one should try if one has been diagnosed with TMJ. This is especially attractive since the cost to do these exercises is zero, the convenience of treatment at home is enormous, and the cure rate is high.

Arthritis, Joint Pain, Spondylitis, Fibromyalgia, Muscular Ache

Arthritis is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. According to Ayurveda arthritis is primarily a vata (air) disease which is due to accumulation of toxins in the joints and is known as amavata.This can be caused by poor digestion and a weakened colon, resulting in the accumulation of undigested food and the buildup of waste matter. Poor digestion allows toxins to accumulate in the body, and problems with the colon allow the toxins to reach the joints.

Symptoms : Fever Immense pain & stiffness in affected muscles in case of chronic muscular rheumatism. Pain or tenderness in a joint which is aggravated by any movement or activity, such as walking, getting up from a chair, writing, typing, holding an object, throwing a ball, turning a key. Excruciating pain and stiffness in the joints in case of chronic articular rheumatism.

The following are a few simple cures that might just help relieve you from the pain of arthritis. Try any of them to see what works for you.
Two teaspoons of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey mixed in a cup of warm water taken twice a day is good for curing arthritis. Two teaspoons of juice from fresh leaves of bathua, drink every day on an empty stomach for 2-3 months. Half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with warm water helps cure arthritis. Taking alfalfa tea twice a day makes a good cure. Two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and 2 teaspoons of honey dissolved in a small glass of warm water taken once or twice a day brings relief. Rub the aching joints with hot vinegar to get some relief from pain. Two parts pure olive oil and one part kerosene makes a wonderful liniment to bathe afflicted joints. Add one tablespoon cod liver oil to the juice of one orange, whip and drink before sleeping. One raw clove of garlic every day is very beneficial. This clove can be fried in ghee (clarified butter) or castor oil. Take for 2 months. Guggulu is very helpful in curing arthritis. Eat half a teaspoon twice a day after meals with warm water. Exercise the afflicted joints in a tub full of hot water. Drink carrot juice, cucumber juice, eat cooked vegetables and/or vegetable soups, and drink coconut water for a healthy body & massage your joints daily to cure arthritis. On an empty stomach eat 2-3 walnuts or some coconut. Avoid mental tensions that lead to stress. Lose weight, if necessary, to get close to your ideal weight. If you weigh less, there is less weight on your joints and less pain.

Effetive and Proven Results For – Arthcare Oil (Anti Inflammatory and Muscle Relaxant Herbal Massage Oil) :
Arthcare Oil is the best natural solution for your problem, manufactured under the guidance of renowned MD Ayurveda Specialist doctor. Arthcare is an anti-arthritic herbal oil which not only gives a sure relief in rheumatic arthritis but also strengthens the bone tissues, the skeletal and the neuromuscular systems, giving a comfortable movements of joints and muscles. It is a powerful antioxidant and increases the energy level. Arthcare penetrates the body tissue faster than any other ointment because of its strong anti-inflammatory action. It removes stiffness and improves mobility of limbs. It brings relief from backaches, muscular strains, rheumatic pains, joint pains etc. Body massage with Arthcare oil, relaxes an asthmatic person. Arthcare is scientifically proven Ayurvedic formulation containing the herbal combination of well known traditional herbs described above. Within few minutes of application you will feel relaxed from pain. For Best Results Take 2 Arthcare Capsules twice a day and massage the affected area with Arthcare Oil 2-3 times a day.

Boost Skin And Joint Health With Natural Supplements

A lot of health conscious adults are now attempting to keep a youthful appearance for as long as possible by exercising, taking growth hormone enhances, and using expensive cosmetics. However, studies have proven that the major signs of aging in the skin, joints, and eyes occur due to a progressive collagen and hyaluronic acid degradation in our tissues. Researchers believe that supplementation of these key nutrients can actually reverse sings of aging.

Normal functioning of the skin requires that there be normal physiological substances in and around the skin cells. Of the many substances that are required for normal functioning, collagen is one of the most important. Collagen provides structural support to skin, which helps to maintain skin tone, subtleness and elasticity. All of these give the skin its amazing beauty. Without enough collagen, our body would actually lose any connective properties and its ability to hold together, causing the sagging and wrinkles that are associated with age.

Hyaluronic acid is also a vital component of the skin's structure. HA is a big part of the space between living cells and is also present in both the dermis and epidermis, where it allows skin to retain moisture and acts as a lubricant between the collagen matrix of the skin. Younger looking skin typically has higher levels of HA, but it has been observed that hyaluronic acid content declines as we age, most dramatically after the age of 50. Most people after the age of 40 have already lost a lot of HA and may require supplementation. High concentrations of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate are able to reach the corium layers of the epidermis and provide cellar level nourishment to the skin. This then reveals a more vibrant and younger looking complexion.

Doctors believe that osteoarthritis affects more than 20 million Americans, with that number reaching 40 million by the year 2020. Some doctors believe we're headed for an epidemic of degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition marked by the erosion of the cartilage at the ends of the bones. Cartilage is the shock absorber of the joint, with regular wear and tear on the joints eventually softening, fraying, and thinning the substance. Other things that can cause cartilage degradation and osteoarthritis have recently been identified by scientists, including: weak quadriceps muscles, eroding cartilage, and changes in bone structure. Certain genes also play a role in predetermining cartilage status, and left untreated and unchecked, this can become extremely debilitating.

Since normal joint function requires healthy cartilage and bones, one of the most important substances required for the normal functioning of joints is collagen. As we age, it has been observed that there is a decrease in the production and concentration of collagen in the joints. The lack of this vital structure leads to joint pain and inflammation. Common treatments today include the prolonged use of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors which temporarily relieve pain and cover up the symptoms while the disease moves further. More often, these treatments worsen the condition instead of helping it due to their harmful side effects. A natural supplement containing Collagen II can not only halt the progression of arthritis but can also improve the condition and provide relief to sufferers.

Back, Muscle And Joint Pain Relief With Tibetan Applicator

There is a natural source of healing power in everyone. When this healing power is activated, it triggers a series of complicated internal processes producing a Healing Response. Pain or injury act to alert the body that damage control is needed, at which point the Healing Response begins and endorphins are generated to repair the affected area. This increases the heart rate and alters the blood pressure to speed up the elimination of toxins from the damaged area.

This therapy is considered to be the ‘mother of acupuncture’, in that it was used as a means to stimulate the body’s energy flow long before needles were used for that purpose.
Acupressure is also known to aid your health in a number of other positive ways – including reducing stress and tension; increasing blood circulation; aiding in the removal of toxic wastes; providing relief from head, neck and shoulder aches; promoting healing; increasing energy levels; and increasing feelings of well-being.

This natural pain relief technique requires a special simple but extremely effective device ( Tibetan (or Kuznetsov) Applicator ) and can be learned by anyone through the easiest steps of instructed Applications. It has provided effective relief in thousands of clinical cases and the success rate is 80%. Further, it doesn't seem to matter how severe the pain is or how long you have had it.

Unlike most drugs, relief is usually immediate.
Over 70 million can’t be wrong!
They have already got their healthy pain free lives back with the Tibetan Applicator.

The Tibetan (Kuznetsov) Applicator is an effective and easy to use acupressure pain relief device. It is made from non-allergenic materials and consists of high density plastic spines which are precisely arranged to best stimulate the body’s internal abilities to heal itself.
The Tibetan Applicator provides particularly effective treatment for: arthritic pain, lower and upper back pain, sciatica, knee pain, muscle and joint pain in general, insomnia, headache, fat and cellulite.

The Applicator works by applying non penetrative acupressure on numerous points over an area of the body.
The pressure spines stimulate blood flow and lymph circulation locally. Endorphins (“hormones of happiness” or "natural pain killers") are released. These are effective in blocking pain and producing analgesia and a sense of well-being.

The Applicator has been successfully used by millions of people for many years all over the world. It eliminates muscle pain, increases the flexibility of joints and increases resistance to muscle fatigue. The Tibetan applicator produces exceptional results in the treatment of sciatica pain, lower back pain, numbness or tingling in legs, pinched nerves, upper back pain, chronic pain in cervical spine, joint pains and spasms.

Scientific research has also shown phenomenal results for sufferers of low or high blood pressure, insomnia and chronic fatigue.
The Applicator has an immediate effect on pain caused by hard physical work, over exertion in sport or other physical stress related activities.
Use of the Applicator results in complete relaxation free from pain or stiffness.

How To Stop Arthritis Pain

Life, they say, is full of aches and pains. For millions of people with arthritis, living can be a nightmare since the disease causes much suffering and misery.

Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints and is a common chronic health problem in many parts of the world. It isn’t a single disease but a group of diseases characterized by pain, swelling, stiffness, and redness in one or more joints. There are over a hundred forms of arthritis with a host of causes but the most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis commonly occurs in adults over 45 due to the long-term wear and tear on the joints. The joints are normally cushioned by an elastic tissue called cartilage that allows the bones to move smoothly against one another. When the cartilage deteriorates, the bones rub together, causing pain and swelling.

Rheumatoid arthritis may strike at any age but it occurs most commonly among people in their 20s and 30s. It occurs three times more often among women than among men. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which – for unknown reasons - the body’s immune system attacks joints, tissue, and body organs.

In addition to pain and joint stiffness, symptoms may include a decreased appetite, fatigue, and fever. The disease may disappear within a year but when symptoms return, they are often more severe.

While there’s no cure for arthritis, you can ease the pain and live a normal, productive life with the right medication. Aspirin is commonly prescribed for arthritis but it can irritate the stomach. The same is true with traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like mefenamic acid and naproxen.

While the much hyped about COX-2 inhibitors appear to cause fewer gastrointestinal problems like ulcers, they are more expensive and may increase a person’s risk of a heart attack. What’s more, COX-2 inhibitors aren’t necessarily more powerful in relieving pain than traditional NSAIDs.

Joint Pain And Back Pain: Symptoms, Herbal Remedies Discussed

Joint pain is a common symptom with many possible causes.
There are many possible causes of joint pain. The causes can be divided into categories:
wear-and-tear, such as from overuse, injury, or osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, or joint inflammation, conditions that affect metabolism, such as gout and pseudo gout.

These conditions result from materials being deposited into the joints, infections of the joint, sometimes called septic arthritis. autoimmune disorders, in which a person's body produces antibodies against its own tissues. These disorders include rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Other causes are also possible. In some cases, no cause can be found.
Symptoms:
- Involuntary weight loss of 10 pounds or more, - The joint pain persists beyond 3 days, - Severe, unexplained joint pain especially if accompanied by other unexplained symptoms,
Eighty percent of all US population suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. In spite of this common occurrence, most people are completely unaware of the things they do that contribute to this problem.

Low Back problems affect the spine's flexibility, stability, and strength, which can cause pain, discomfort, and stiffness. Low back pain is often triggered by some combination of overuse, muscle strain, or injury to the muscles and ligaments that support the spine. Less commonly, low back pain is caused by illness or spinal deformity.
Back pain can be: Acute, lasting less than 3 months. Most people gain relief after 4 to 6 weeks of home treatment. Recurrent, a repeat episode of acute symptoms. Most people have at least one episode of recurrent low back pain. Chronic, lasting longer than 3 months.

Causes:
Low back pain is usually caused by strain from lifting, twisting, or bending. However, some low back pain can be a symptom of a more serious condition, such as an infection, a rheumatic or arthritic condition, or ovarian cysts. Today, a high proportion of people spend the better part of their working day sitting at desks, at work stations, or in cars and trucks. These changes in human behavior have had a profound-and largely negative- impact on human physiology.

It is now believed that the leading cause of back pain is simple muscle strain. Symptoms may come on suddenly and can be acutely painful; but back pain, in actuality, develops over a long period of time. When muscles contract, lactic acid and pyruvic acid are produced as byproducts of muscular activity. It is the lactic acid in the muscles that produces the sensation of muscle fatigue following strenuous activity. If high levels of these acidic byproducts accumulate in the muscles, they cause irritation that can eventually turn into pain and interfere with the normal conduction of electrical impulses in the muscle tissue. This results in a phenomenon called delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Problems with acidic buildup are often made worse by dehydration.

Effective and Proven Natural Remedies:
Rub the painful area of the joints with Arthcare oil. This is very effective for relieving the pain. Vata and pitta types should just rub the oil on the surface, while kapha types should give a deeper massage to the area for some time.
Arthcare Oil and Arthcare Capsules: Arthcare is a Muscle relaxant , Anti-inflammatory Herbal Massage Oil - the best natural solution for Joint Pains and Back Problems, manufactured under the guidance of renowned MD Ayurveda Specialist doctors.

Other Benefits Of Cox-2

Again, and I cannot stress this enough, many hormone issues are resolved naturally through exercise and nutrition. Trust me, as I have ALL of them. My hormones took an early nosedive in my 20s. Even though I require natural hormones to make up for a defective pituitary, my hormone requirements are now less than half of what they were. Through training and eating properly, I have managed to cut my medications in half from the time when I was obese. That's the power of exercise and nutrition.

Let's assume that your hormones are fine. What if you're just having ‘natural' wear and tear? Well, there are some great places to start before you go diving head-long for the cortisone injections.
First, do consider fish oil. Fish oil (EPA/DHA in the correct ratios, such as in Carlson's Brand) works wonders for the joints and connective tissues, as well as being one of the healthiest substances you can put in your body. Fish oil has been shown to reduce inflammatory markers related to heart disease, reduce blood pressure, lessen the likelihood of stroke, and even control blood sugar levels. Many Type 2 diabetics have removed themselves (under a doctor's care) from medication with the help of fish oil, exercise and proper nutrition.

Again, "proper nutrition" is not a one-size-fits-all prescription. If you're 55 and obese, you do not want to role model a 25-year-old personal trainer whose only fat resides between his ears. Listen to someone who's been there. That makes for certainty, and certainty is the key to success.

Next, look into a three-supplement "stack" I recommend to some of my clients who really suffer from joint pain: MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), Glucosamine and Chondroitin. Each works is a slightly different way. Glucosamine has the most amount of medical research behind it, but MSM is deemed as a "miracle cure" for a lot of people. For others, it has limited use — but the ‘stack' is the best natural approach I've found, when combined with fish oil, for relieving joints and muscles from non-injury-related pain.

Dosages vary, but a good start would be:
Glucosamine: 1,000mg per 100 pounds of body weight
Chondroitin: 400mg 2-3x per day
MSM: 1,000mg 2x per day
Fish oil: 2-4 grams per day in liquid form (Carlson's lemon-flavored fish oil actually tastes good)

Again, be sure to pass these recommendations by your physician.
Last, but not least, move. You may want to start with Yoga, believe it or not. Yoga can relieve joint and muscle pain like you would not believe. I used Yoga stretches when I injured my lower back in 2002, and the healing was remarkable.

Spastic Cerebral Palsy—How It Affects Muscle And Joints

If you have a child that suffers from cerebral palsy disorder, most likely the spastic type is what you are dealing with right now. Being the most common type of cerebral palsy, it is accounted for almost 70 to 80 percent of entire cerebral palsy cases. Individuals that are suffering from this condition basically have stiff muscles which remain on an extended contraction state. Because of this muscle stiffness, normal movement becomes difficult, and it can result to permanent joint and muscle damage.

Although the muscles of the legs and arms are the most affected body parts of an individual suffering from spastic cerebral palsy, its involvement may differ. The following are some of the possible variations:
Spastic diplegia- it is a type of spastic cerebral palsy where the legs' muscles are severely affected that results in the legs to turn in and cross at the knees. Individuals affected by spastic diplegia can experience stiffness of their legs once they tried to walk.
Spastic hemiplegia- it is another type of spasm where the limbs of the half part of the body is severely affected. This type may be diagnosed once a physician examines an infant fro so-called hand preference. An infant aging less than one year old does not show any hand preference. However, if an infant is affected with spastic hemiplegia, it shows hand preference on the affected side of his body.

The treatment for individuals that is affected with spastic cerebral palsy involves combination of surgery and physical therapy. The joints as well as the muscles are exercised to block them from falling into the state of immobility. Once unexercised muscles and joints is combined with abnormal and poor posture, there is a large tendency that muscles be shortened, resulting in much limited flexibility and movements.
In most cases, therapist normally uses muscle-relaxing substances such as botolinum toxin. It is injected on a certain group of muscles that will be prepared for a surgery or physical therapy. If further mobility and flexibility is till unachievable for about a particular therapy session, there will be a need for the patient's spinal cord and nerves for an operation to decrease the transmission of nerve impulses on particular muscles, thus relaxing them. There will also be a need to use orthopedic devices to help keep the limbs in its proper position and enhance movement.
It is important that you are aware of spastic cerebral palsy in order to know what are the necessary treatments to ease the pain that your child or loved one affected by it.