10 replies to this topic

[bigsend]

Hey everyone! Since these forums started to slow down, I wanted to join in and introduce myself, and maybe get some good discussions going on. I am 23 years old, studying microbiology and math at UCLA, and I have been really into all aspects of health since my dad died of cancer 10 years ago. It probably explains the microbiology degree as well. My mantra: Everyone should try to figure out what is not running optimally in his own body, and then supplement to help that pathway along, BEFORE a disease manifests itself. Genome testing is going to make this a science in the near future, and then preventative medicine will really breakthrough. But we are visionaries. Few have strong enough genetics to not have to worry about health. As a younger guy, right now I have three main goals:

1)improve memory (both short and long term, I started realizing they are just not that good, and my recall/vocabulary have devolved recently)
2)build muscle and achieve "radiant" health
3)maximize sexual health

I hear a lot about older guys wanting to regain some of the sexual potency of their youth. Since I am in my prime, I want to see how far I can possibly take it!

Here are my top picks overall (btw, I have Raynaud's, hence choosing a warm climate for school)

dim (diindolylmethane) it makes my skin extremely clear, also seems useful as a sexual enhancer
MSM powder, 5g great for joints
whey
creatine
ZMA - it definitely works for me for the first few days, then loses its effectiveness for a few more days
bacopa for anxiety
piracetam - wonderful pre-workout so I don't get out of breath, also it makes me more motivated in life
rhodiola for intense workouts, keeps me from feeling faint in addition to piracetam
DMAE this is actually one of the better nootropics for focusing, second only to amphetamines in my case, but I avoid using them most of the time

I take a bunch of other supplements for health, but this is the list that really makes a difference. As far as sexual/testosterone boosters, I have tried epimedium, maca, ginseng (worthless compared to rhodiola in every way), and tongkat ali. The tongkat was by far the most potent, but I only had enough for two weeks. I will buy more as soon as my grant funds come in (I use my money very efficiently, haha).

You all have great information to share, so I look forward to starting vicious arguments with each and every one of you. They wont end until one of us is proven wrong or we both learn that we don't know what we are talking about.

[Live Forever]

Nice to meet you

[balance]

Welcome to the forum!


Wondering what exact dose of DIM gave you those skin effects? I never noticed anything from it, that said, it's a very good nutrient.

Have you tried centrophenoxine instead of DMAE? Seems more potent, and less side effect prone.

Tongkat ali is useless, don't waste your money on such stupidity. Maca presumably only boosts libido by being a rich source of L-arginine. Just take L-arginine free base, cheaper, and way more effective.

Ginseng I cannot comment on, never tried it. Just about the only thing I haven't tried.. But I hear Siberian or Peruvian is the way to go..

I've read a recent report that states that creatine should probably be cycled to sustain benefits.

[bigsend]

Wondering what exact dose of DIM gave you those skin effects? I never noticed anything from it, that said, it's a very good nutrient.
I use DIM-plus which claims to enhance bioavailability, and I take 4-6 capsules/day, so 100-150 mg.

Have you tried centrophenoxine instead of DMAE? Seems more potent, and less side effect prone.
No, but I haven't noticed any side effects from DMAE, and it is extremely cheap. I might try centro sometime, do you use it?

Tongkat ali is useless, don't waste your money on such stupidity. Maca presumably only boosts libido by being a rich source of L-arginine. Just take L-arginine free base, cheaper, and way more effective.

Check out http://www.raysaheli...ongkat_ali.html for a tongkat research summary. I don't think it is useless at all! Where did you get that info on Maca? I personally don't think it is that useful, but there are unique saponins in maca. I have taken arginine as well, to no effect.

Ginseng I cannot comment on, never tried it. Just about the only thing I haven't tried.. But I hear Siberian or Peruvian is the way to go..
Real ginseng comes from China or Korea (Panax ginseng). Rhodiola is referred to as siberian ginseng, which I agree is the way to go, and Peruvian ginseng is maca. They are all roots, but people just refer to the other two as ginseng, I am not sure why. But I guess they have their similarities. Tongkat is also referred to as a ginseng, I believe, Malaysian ginseng (Indonesian ginseng?).

I've read a recent report that states that creatine should probably be cycled to sustain benefits.
I agree, I don't take it perpetually.

[Mind]

Glad to see another person getting into bioscience/microbiology! Thanks for introducing yourself.

As far as #3 goes, I am surprised you would be concerned...being 23. Sexual function is usually near prime at that age.

[pycnogenol]

This is the ginseng that definitely works for me, especially in the stamina department if ya know what I mean (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)

Paradise Herbs, Panax Red Ginseng:

http://www.iherb.com...s.aspx?pid=4242

I say give this brand a try and report back your results.

Edited by pycnogenol, 28 December 2008 - 02:16 PM.

[OneScrewLoose]

Welcome, nice to have you!

[Lufega]

Are you using Magnesium therapy for Raynaud's syndrome? Studies find levels of magnesium consistently low in patients with RS.

[Shannon Vyff]

Thanks for introducing yourself, it sounds like you have much to offer I hope you learn some helpful things for your life as well

[gattaca]

The use of Ginkgo biloba in Raynaud's disease: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a common and painful condition characterized by episodic digital ischaemia produced by emotion and cold. Treatment of RP is notoriously difficult because of the high incidence of side effects. The aim of our study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of a standardized Ginkgo biloba extract (Seredrin) in the treatment of RP in patients with no apparent, associated condition such as systemic sclerosis. A two-week assessment period was done during which patients were asked to record frequency, severity and duration of attacks in diaries. Subjects were then randomized independently of the study centre to receive either active or placebo treatment for 10 weeks, during which time the same data were recorded in their diaries. Patients were seen after two and four weeks of treatment and at the end of the 10-week treatment phase. Blood samples pre- and post-treatment were taken for haemorrheology. Only in the number of attacks per day was there a significant effect of treatment over placebo. The number of attacks per week prior to treatment with Seredrin was 13.2 +/- 16.5 reducing to 5.8 +/- 8.3, a reduction of 56%, whereas placebo reduced the number by only 27% (p < or = 0.00001). There were no significant differences in haamorrheology between the two groups. Ginkgo biloba phytosome may be effective in reducing the number of Raynaud's attacks per week in patients suffering from Raynaud's disease.

[niner]

Welcome to ImmInst, bigsend. I like your mantra; I think that medicine is going to get really amazing sometime soon when we really get pharmacogenomics ramped up. Good luck on #3, but we might have to lock you up to protect the females. Or should we lock up all the women to protect you? It's good to be 23...