Look Ripped

Is medical science going to far?

Stem cells from embryo’s, adult stem cells and now scientists have discovered how to make stem cells that usually produce sperm in mice to grow into other tissue or organs that also can be grown in batches big enough to use medically. The next step is to figure out how to replicate the process in humans.

The skin of your balls

What scientists propose to do is use human spermatogonial progenitor cells to grow new tissue for the replacement of diseased or damaged body parts, ”the testes are amongst the new potential sources for adult stem cells” great now our balls are up for grabs.

Donating cells to relatives

As if the thought of having your balls used for stem cell cultivation isn’t bad enough, the hypothesis is that not only could the isolated cells be used for the host but also for others, “they could be transferred to other individuals who are a genetic match, you could even give it to your sister if they were compatible”, even if I had a sister the thought of giving her my spermatogonial progenitor cells doesn’t really seem cool.

It’s all in the bag

Well scientist would have us believe the brave new world is just around the corner and one day in the near future what’s in your bag could supply an endless amount of adult stem cells that could fight diseases replace organs and yuck! Help your sister out.

The fat paradox

For all you fatties out there don’t despair new research has uncovered that being fat isn’t all bad. The latest research has found that obese individuals have a better prognosis than thin people when it comes to having a heart attack and surviving. A further study has also uncovered more benefits of being plumper, obese men have lower incidents of prostate cancer, conversely if they are diagnosed with it, it’s unfortunately usually the more aggressive type.

LDL may not be so bad

High density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) are the good and the bad guys when it comes to cholesterol, LDL (bad guy) carries the cholesterol into our arteries and dumps it, where it can form fatty streaks and eventually plaque that breaks off and ends up causing a stroke. HDL (the good guy) carries the cholesterol to the liver where it’s processed and utilized in the metabolic processors of the body.

Telly Tubbies and LDL

The good news is that researchers have identified that LDL has a role in facilitating and reducing inflammation. LDL apparently provides a protective factor by mopping up the cytokines (inflammatory response to heart attack). Not only did those with waist lines measured by circumference fare better than those with an ideal weight, but they did better considering their BMI, of >33 to >35.  Seriously stretching the tape measure was found to have better outcomes. (American Heart Journal 2007,153,7481)

Being fit and fat

There is little evidence to support that being fat and healthy isn’t possible, It’s just that most fat individuals usually don’t exercise and those that do may reap the benefits.

Excess weight may have its associated physiological problems and deleterious health implications, but it would seem that most of the angst is associated with societies obsession with fat. If we can assume that blood cholesterol is one important indication of an individual’s cardiovascular health, then should a fit, fat person with ideal levels of cholesterol be considered healthy?

The new ism, Ageism

In this day and age it seems were all under intense pressure to be fit, look great and above all don’t age, or at least don’t look your age. Recently Demi Moore put her own anti ageing actions under the microscope and has reported to have said, “just let me act my age”.  She may want to act her age but if that’s with the body she showcased in Charlie’s Angels full throttle, bring it on!

Sleek and toned but at a price

Apparently Demi Moore spent over $500,000 for the body that put her up on the big screen along side Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz. Moore at least a decade older certainly didn’t look it. The procedures needed to build the body, were breast implants, collagen injections, liposuction (hips and thighs) and a knee lift (sagging skin on knees).

She still had to do the hard yards

Regardless of all the poking, cutting, slicing and dicing  she still needed to do the hard yards, all the surgery under the sun won’t deliver a body like that without hard work with weights, cardio and good nutrition.

The Work out

Moore needed to tone up and loose a few kilos, the surgery dealt with the cellulite but toning up involved resistance training 5 days a week, cardio most days and a balance of carbohydrate, protein and fat.  Yes fat !. Most people make the mistake of trying to remove all the fat from the diet and the first thing the body does is go into lock down and losing weight becomes a real battle.

So what’s wrong with pushing back the years?

So what’s wrong with trying to push back a few years? Although Demi Moore may decry the whole Hollywood ageism mentality, at 44 years of age she showed what you can do if you have the money and the determination to get fit and look great.  In the process she also upgraded her ex for a model 22 years younger.

Looking and feeling great it would seem has its benefits.

Strength training pioneer’s last journey

Not many body builders in today’s’ scene would be familiar with the name Arthur Jones.  Jones was the pioneer of strength training. “Arthur Jones was the roughest, toughest, meanest and smartest iron game pioneer ever to have walked the earth, the man who revolutionised strength training forever” has died aged 80.

Making the journey to Mecca

In the early 70’s when Jones first developed his training machines along with the principles of training many of the then top American bodybuilders made their way to the Mecca of strength training and it wasn’t muscle beach, but Deland in Florida the home of Arthur Jones and his new training machines. Some of those that made the journey were John Grimek, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sergio Oliva, Steve Reeves, Franco Columbo and Boyer Coe.

The eccentric world of Jones

This man had the eccentricity of John Huston, Clark Gable looks and the inquiring mind of Da Vinci; he owned his own zoo, a fleet of planes, all financed from the sales of his Nautilus equipment that reportedly turned over US$300 million dollars annually.   He was also married and divorced six times.

Twice the strength half the time

Jones pioneered strength training with his invention the cam weight training machine called the “Nautilus” named after the sea shell that he modeled his cam on for his machines. "The cam was so close to being perfect that any slightest imperfection is of no practical importance" the machine worked on the principle of a weight stack connected by a cable that was drawn over a cam that maintains a consistent constant load on the user’s muscles.

The Father of invention

Arthur Jones prototypes are a far cry from the sleek looking machines of today, his “Blue monster” an early multi station prototype apparatus that looked as though it would be at home amongst the designs of Leonardo Da Vinci. Although the aesthetics may have changed the principles Jones’s used have stayed the same for today’s modern machines. Jones may have been instrumental in the creation of some of the greatest physiques of his time and the greatest training machines of ours.

Arthur Jones RIP 1927-2007