Principles of Endocrine Physiology…What is an Islet Cell?

The INTRAFITT Individualized Nutrition and Exercise Program was developed and established in California- 1992 in an effort to educate individuals seeking optimal levels of health, fitness and performance on the effect that diet and exercise has on the major regulatory systems of the human body (Nervous System and the Endocrine System) and their consequential effects on the Re-Programming Aspects of the Human Body.
The INTRAFITT Program concepts and applications are 100% valid and applicable and have been accepted entirely by the Scientific Community currently exploring the dual science of “Diet and Exercise Neuroendocrinology” and “P.N.E.I” (Psycho-Neuro-Endocrino-Immunology) and are supported by a myriad of abstract studies and published excerpts such as the following taken from the text book entitled Principles OF Physiology / General Principles Of Endocrine Physiology.

This text may be purchased at: http://www.amazon.com/Principles-Physiology-Robert-M-Berne/dp/0323008135

ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLET OF LANGERHANS

The “primary” pancreatic hormones, insulin and glucagon are two of the most powerful metabolic regulators concerning the metabolism of body fat, the maintenance of blood glucose levels and the production and maintenance of lean body proteins. As you will discover, the insulin/glucagon axis is perhaps the most important focus in the development of safe and effective weight management, health enhancement and performance nutrition programs.

The islet cells of the pancreas are composed of 60% beta cells (b-cells), the source of insulin and 25% alpha cells (acells), the source of glucagon. The remaining 15% of the islet cells secrete the peptides somatostatin, from the delta cells (d-cells) and pancreatic polypeptide from the F-cells. The strategic location of the islet cells reflect their functional role. Insulin, glucagon and the pancreatic enzymes are secreted in response to incoming nutrients from the diet as well as from gastrointestinal secretions, which ultimately reflect the concurrent nutritional status of an individual.

Additionally, the location of the islet cells force their secretions into the pancreatic vein, which integrates at the hepatic portal vein and empties into the liver (the central organ in nutrient traffic).

Insulin and glucagon coordinate the direction of incoming nutrients from the diet via the hepatic portal vein. Insulin and glucagon also control and direct the flow of endogenous substrate (once it has been broken down and released), such as stored body fat, glycogen and amino acids, derived from the protein structures of the body.

Since the liver is the first organ to come in contact with insulin and glucagon (once these hormones have been released by the islet cells), it is therefore exposed to higher concentrations of these hormones, then are the peripheral tissues (muscle tissue and adipose tissue). Consequently, the liver can very efficiently modulate the release of these two hormones to the peripheral tissues, therefore allowing for more or less of the hormones to circulate throughout the body.

NOTE: Due to the liver’s high exposure to insulin, it should be clear as to why fatty deposits can develop so efficiently within the liver thus contributing to the very prevalent condition know as Fatty Liver Disease.

Because Insulin and glucagon are secreted together and act reciprocally it is perhaps more beneficial to focus on the ratio of insulin and glucagon concentration in blood plasma, rather than the absolute concentration of each hormone respectively.

You can reach me with your questions at gladiator@intrafitt.com or visit us at www.intrafitt.com

Water and Human Performance

I promised you a little more information on the subject of Water and how it relates to Human Metabolism and Performance…so picking up from our last blog…I want to explain that during periods of highly strenuous exercise, the body can lose as much as four and one half pounds of fluid.  An endurance athlete may lose as much as 4% of his entire body weight to the loss of water primarily in the form of sweat.

When preparing to exercise, three factors should be strongly considered: 1) the temperature of the exercise environment.  2) the hydration level of the body prior to exercise.  And, 3) the relative humidity of the exercise environment.  Although the first two reasons listed are fairly obvious, considerations regarding pre-exercise hydration, the third reason may need further explanation.  If you have spent any amount of time training and/or competing on the eastern coast of the United States during the summer months, you should have a pretty good idea of how humid it can get.  Relative Humidity is basically the measure of water vapor in the air.  Although this may not seem like an important factor in exercise performance, it is quite possibly the most significant limiting factor when exercising on a humid day.  For example when there is a relative humidity of 100%, the air is considered to be completely saturated with water.  As a result, the body’s cooling mechanisms are severely affected due to the fact that sweat cannot evaporate efficiently.  When this happens the body’s internal temperature can reach dangerous levels, and may result in hyperthermia.

The primary reason to consider proper hydration and rehydration before, during, and after exercise is the need to maintain proper blood plasma viscosity and to encourage normal circulation and cooling of the body.  When an individual begins sweating profusely there is a subsequent decrease in the blood plasma levels.   As a result, blood viscosity increases and therefore increases the workload of the heart which cold potentially result in a heart attack.  In order to help prevent these conditions,  aside from drinking water throughout the entire exercise session, it is recommended that 2-3 cups of water are ingested prior to exercise.  By properly hydrating the body before exercise, the body’s ability to sweat is increased thereby delaying the onset of dehydration while enabling a more subtle rise in body temperature.

“The recommended water intake for normal sedentary individuals is a minimum of 96 ounces or three quarts per day.  For physically active individuals, the minimum recommended water intake is twice that of the sedentary person or six quarts per day!!!”

Just a reminder…When it comes to achieving optimal health, fitness and performance, the INTRAFITT Program is second to none because its concepts and applications favorably impact each and every aspect of our triune existence (mind, body & spirit).  This simply means that not only will you feel, look and perform at your very best on a physical level, you will also achieve a heightened ability in your cognitive thinking as well! Send me an email with any questions: gladiator@intrafitt.com

PS- Take advantage of our Fit & Lean Forever Program on special now.  Use finallyfit for $99 discount.  It’s only $.27 a day with 365 day access to all your meal plans and exercise protocols.  You can even talk to me if you wish. www.intrafitt.com

In health & honor,
Will Smith aka/Thunder of the American Gladiators

TAKE A FITNESS ASSESSMENT

Dear Friends,

I have a very special offer for you….A FREE FITNESS ASSESSENT AT www.intrafitt.com

If Getting Fit in the New Year is one of your goals…or wanting to reprogram your body to be fit and lean for life in the comfort of your own home- then this program is for you!  I’m offering an online customized nutrition and exercise program for a low low price of $99.  I’ve never done this before but “my peeps” insist that I send out this special holiday package to all our readers.

The INTRAFITT FIT & LEAN FOREVER Online Nutrition & Exercise Program has been specifically designed to provide individuals with key knowledge, insight and an understanding of how to set and achieve moderate to intense health and fitness goals.  The targeted results of this package include a loss of body fat with a simultaneous increase in LBM (lean body mass).  As a result of this dramatic and favorable change in body composition; chronic health conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and gastro-intestinal related problems (including intestinal gas, bloating, indigestion, heart burn, distension and systemic edema) are oftentimes relieved as well!

Here’s What You Get!

•             28 Customized and Editable Meals and a Personal Exercise Program
•            Unlimited Strength Training Protocols that are Editable Anytime You Like
•            Thirty-Day Unlimited Access to the INTRAFITT Online Nutrition & Fitness Expert Software System
•            Unlimited Access to the INTRAFITT Proprietary Q&A/Troubleshooting      Module
•            An Interactive Online Presentation Entitled “Ensuring Your      Immediate and Long Term Success”
•            Full Service /      Virtual Membership Benefits that allow you to be interactive in your meal planning and exercise protocols.

PS…DON’T DELAY!  BEGIN TODAY AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS $199 PACKAGE FOR ONLY $99.  EAT WHOLE, NATURAL FOODS!  EDIT YOUR MEAL PLANS AS YOU CHOOSE!  Be sure to enter coupon code: finallyfit

Any questions, please contact me personally at info@intrafitt.com

Here’s the link:  http://www.intrafitt.com/ProductsDetails.aspx?q=354&faq=&type=ordinary nutrition program

INTRAFITT Sports Performance & Training Info

Folks,  I can’t wait to share this information with you…

Welcome to the INTRAFITT Sports Performance Nutrition & Training Curriculum!  We are elated to offer this new and improved conditioning package as the basis and foundation for education and results in the world of sports performance!  In order to excel in this world, you must be able to visualize victory because losing is not an option!  In order to achieve and maintain this level of focus and expectancy, you must adopt the proper attitude!   If you intend to rise up and become the very best you can be; you must learn to overcome mental and physical weakness while exchanging “complacency” for “commitment“, “excuses“ for “excellence“ and “disregard“ for “discipline” and “determination“....no matter what!

If you feel you have what it takes to engage in the INTRAFITT Sports Performance Nutrition & Training Curriculum, shoot me an email… will@intrafitt.com

Looking forward to hearing from you.

In strength and honor,
Will Smith, aka Thunder of American Gladiators

www.intrafitt.com

 

For Better Health, Fitness & Performance, Lesson #3

Lesson #3:“Understanding the Importance of Controlling Your Conscious Thought and it’s Direct Impact on Chronic Disease!

Of all the valuable lessons I’ve ever learned in my life, I believe that understanding the importance of controlling our conscious thought is perhaps the most significant of all as it truly can and does impact every single aspect of our lives (as well as every single cell for that matter)!

Think about it; what kind of thoughts enter and fill your mind from the time you wake up in the morning until you close your eyes to go to sleep at night? Are they filled with joy, happiness and expectations of victory and success?! Do you hold perpetual thoughts that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report; virtuous, and praiseworthy? If so, you are way ahead of the game and I would venture to say that you are probably living the life of your dreams and know only a life of health, happiness and prosperity! If however, you’re like most people today, living a busy and perhaps even hectic lifestyle, working long hours to make ends meet and trying to balance all of life’s responsibilities, you will probably more often than not find yourself holding thoughts of fear, anger, worry, resentment and grief; not to mention all of the subconscious thoughts that your mind is still processing daily from all of your childhood years.

While many have come to accept the challenging day to day thoughts and emotions associated with a hectic lifestyle and a turbulent childhood; what you may not realize however, is that your thoughts, feelings and emotions emit a very powerful form of calculable energy that can and does influence the expression of genes in your DNA. The process is referred to as “Cellular Differentiation” and takes place when a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type. Even though there is no change in the underlying sequence of the actual DNA the cells are influenced to behave differently because of the adverse impact that our thoughts, feeling and emotions have on the expression of the gene code.  This is extremely important to recognize because it is basically saying that any and all adverse thoughts feelings and emotions that we maintain on a regular and consistent basis are ultimately triggering a cascade of psycho-neuroendocrinological events that cause for phenotypic changes in the cells DNA and is therefore producing “dis-ease” or ill health. Knowing this should immediately inspire each of us to follow the scriptural recommendations in the book of Philippians as Paul is suggesting that we put forth a perpetual and tenacious effort each and every day, all day to stay focused” ONLY” on the things in our lives which are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report; virtuous & praiseworthy.  (Phillipians 4:8)

Friends, I have hit on the basic three factors needed to increase our health, fitness and performance levels.  If you have not read the other two Lessons (#1) Stable Blood Sugar and (#2) Exercise, please find them and read them.  I cannot stress to you the importance of these three elements being a major factor in your every day life.  Combine this with your individual fitness nutrition program designed just for you and you will be on the right track.  If you are looking for a discount on your nutrition program, just email me at gladiator@intrafitt.com and I will provide you with a great discount.  I want for you to have it and use it in your daily life.  You only need it one time and you will have it for life.

In strength and honor,

William Smith (aka) Thunder of the American Gladiators

www.intrafitt.com

Benefits of Cardiovascular Exercise…

Dear Friends,

Last time we spoke of the importance of strength training.  Now you need to know that just as strength training is an important and integral part of every “Total Conditioning” program, so is regular and consistent cardiovascular exercise (i.e. treadmill, stationary cycling, jogging, etc…).  In fact, despite common belief, cardiovascular exercise performed regularly for the proper duration and level of intensity helps to maintain lean body mass, increase strength and muscular endurance and naturally raises the basal metabolic rate while accelerating the development of fat burning enzymes within the muscles.  All of these emphatic biochemical changes help the body to become more efficient at burning fat while wasting excess energy.

Additional Benefits Accompanied with Regular and Consistent Cardiovascular Exercise Include:

• The sparing effect of muscle tissue
• The utilization of body fat for energy
• Oxygenation of the blood
• ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production
• HDL’s (Good Cholesterol)
• Muscular Endurance
• Much more…

Visit me any time at http://www.intrafitt.com  Email me at gladiator@intrafitt.com for your personal nutrition and exercise program.  I’d love to talk to you about any special needs including rectifying diabetes, heart disease and any other factors you may be facing.

In strength and honor,

William Smith (aka Thunder of the American Gladiators)

Meet William Smith of INTRAFITT

Yesterday I posted the following blog to my INTRAFITT Facebook page. Today, I would like to share this blog again and include a video that I produced about the INTRAFITT program. I am sure my passion will come through!!!

I posted: “Kudos to INTRAFITT client Jeffrey W for his success on the INTRAFITT program. In 8 months time, eating 5 meals a day, weight training 2x a week and doing an hour of cardio 5 days a week plus keeping his daily journal… he dropped 21% body fat! He also lost 53 pounds of fat and gained 14 pounds of lean mass and he is 67 yrs old!!!!! Now he has reprogrammed his body to continue to get leaner for life! Awesome job Jeffrey!”

This is the type of result you can expect from the INTRAFITT Program! I wanted to share my video with each you. Reach me at williamsmith@intrafitt.com with any and all questions. I am here to help each and every one of you reach your goals!

In health and honor,
William Smith (aka) Thunder of the American Gladiators
http://www.intrafitt.com

Nutrition: Are All Calories The Same?

		Hi Everyone,
		I wanted to continue on today talking about Nutrition in the  Simplest Form. Basically, there are six essential nutrients that the human   body requires to keep it nourished and healthy. These include Protein,   Carbohydrates, Fats, Vitamins, Minerals and Walter. The term “essential” is   used to describe these nutrients because they must be provided to the body in   order to sustain life and to prevent a deficient or diseased state. Of the   six nutrients listed, only three provide energy to the body, while the other   three help to release energy inside the cells. Typically, these two   categories of essential nutrients are referred to as the Macro-Nutrients (energy   providing nutrients needed by the body in larger amounts)and Micro-Nutrients (energy   releasing nutrients needed by the body in smaller amounts).  The Macro-Nutrients, when metabolized provide energy and   heat, which are used to support all of the metabolic functions (heart   beat, digestion, muscle contraction, concentration and comprehension) of   the body and mind. The fuel potential of the energy nutrients is expressed   in calories Just as a meter is a measure of distance, a calorie   is a measure of energy and is defined as the amount of heat needed to raise   one milliliter of water one degree centigrade. Therefore foods that are high   in calories (dried fruits and nuts) are also high in energy, whereas foods   that are low in calories (strawberries, melons and vegetables) are low in   energy as well. Perhaps this is one reason why people who eat low-calorie   foods to lose weight have little to no energy to exercise in the course of   their day.  You might wonder where calories are derived from. If you look   at this question from the standpoint that a calorie is defined as the total   amount of heat energy needed to raise one milliliter of water one degree   Celsius, then YES all calories when oxidized yield the same amount of heat   energy. Perhaps the question should be “are all calorie sources the   same?”  Take for example the two individuals illustrated below. Each   individual has a recommended calorie intake of 520 calories per meal and both   eat the exact same foods within the meal. The difference however, is that   they each eat varying amounts of the food items listed and as a result end up   producing a very different endocrinological response. In other words, the   regulatory effect associated with the different amount and types of food   eaten can have a favorable or unfavorable influence on the metabolic process   and can last for three to six hours after a meal.  Individual #1 (500 Calories per meal)  6 oz Chicken breast: 186 7 oz Yams: 210 1 Tbs Peanut butter: 100 3 oz Broccoli 24  Total: 520     Individual #1 (500 Calories per meal)  8 oz Chicken breast: 248 2oz Yams: 60 2 Tbs Peanut butter: 200 1.5 oz Broccoli 12  Total: 520   Now lets assume that the same two individuals perform   cardiovascular exercise for thirty minutes later that evening. As illustrated   below, Individual #1 exercises within his/her target heart rate while   Individual #2 exercises above his/her target heart rate. Although Individual   #2 likely burned more total calories than Individual #1 at the end of the   thirty minute session, they both theoretically burned the same amount of fat   calories.  Some would argue that exercising at an intensity that is above   the recommended training sensitive zone (for fat burning) is more beneficial   because a higher number of calories are burned at the end of an equivalent   exercise duration. This is perhaps true, however, exercising at high   intensity, although may burn more calories, will more than likely train the   body to become more efficient at burning sugar than fat and may very well   promote hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) symptoms that can ensue for up to   twelve hours after the exercise session has ended. That is one of the reasons   I always recommend wearing a heart rate monitor when exercising.   Individual #1 Calories Burned: 1000 Fat Burned: 60% @600/cal Sugar Burned: 40% @400/cal  Individual #2 Calories Burned: 1500 Fat Burned: 40% @ 600/cal Sugar Burned: 60% @900/cal  For your own Individualized Nutrition and Exercise Program,   please visit us at www.intrafitt.com In good health, William Smith, AKA Thunder of the American Gladiators

Cholesterol…The Derived Fat

William Smith is the President / CEO and Founder of the INTRAFITT Corporation which was established in California in 1992. Will has won more than twenty-eight bodybuilding championships and is also known for his role as “THUNDER” on television’s American Gladiator between 1990 – 1992. He is a National and International Speaker on Performance Nutrition and Exercise Science.

The concern with eating a lot of saturated fats is the related cholesterol content associated with these foods (egg yolks, butter, cream, beef, etc.).  Although cholesterol has received as much bad press as dietary fats, it is a much-needed substance by the body; so much so, that the liver is capable of manufacturing fifty trillion molecules of this compound per second.  Cholesterol is a fatty like substance which belongs to a group of fats known as sterols or steroids, and unlike most lipids is a precursor to all the steroid hormones such as testosterone, cortisone and even vitamin D.  Although the body can produce its own cholesterol from components of glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids, the rate of biosynthesis can be altered by the amount of dietary cholesterol, carbohydrates and saturated fats eaten.  In other words, when the intake of dietary cholesterol increases, cholesterol biosynthesis in the liver is reduced.  This is similar to the “down regulation” and “negative feedback” properties associated with hormone production in the body.  In other words, when the body is receiving adequate amounts of cholesterol through the diet, hepatic formation is reduced.  If on the other hand, dietary cholesterol is restricted beyond that the body feels is necessary, intrahepatic enzymes will activate the synthesis of endogenous cholesterol in order to supply the cells of the body with this intrinsic compound.  It is because of this homeostatic ability by the liver that it may be difficult to control serum cholesterol levels through dietary efforts alone.

Be sure to visit me at our website:  www.intrafitt.com or email me anytime at gladiator@intrafitt.com!  I would especially like to hear from you if you are trying to reconcile diabetes or any other health-related disease!

In strength and honor,

Will Smith/aka Thunder of the American Gladiators

The Adverse Effects of Inactivity

William Smith is the President / CEO and Founder of the INTRAFITT Corporation which was established in California in 1992. Will has won more than twenty-eight bodybuilding championships and is also known for his role as “THUNDER” on television’s American Gladiator between 1990 – 1992. He is a National and International Speaker on Performance Nutrition and Exercise Science.

 It should now be clear that regular and consistent prolonged exercise performed at a moderate level of intensity is intrinsically involved in favorably altering the body’s chemistry.  Unfortunately, when regular and consistent exercise is not maintained, unfavorable biochemical changes are likely to occur.  Insulin  Resistance (the inability of the cells of the body to take up and use glucose efficiently) for example, is a condition that may result from years of inactivity combined with poor eating habits.  Although insulin is a hormone that is essential to live, prolonged and excess exposure to the peripheral tissues can actually inhibit lipolysis and accelerate fat stores within the body.  In fact, laboratory experiments have shown that animals injected with insulin became fatter even with no extra eating involved.

People suffering from insulin resistance may often encounter symptoms associated with hypoglycemia such as sugar cravings and lethargy because the glucose is not being used efficiently in their bodies.  In order to compensate for this metabolic aberration, the pancreatic cells will  often over-secrete insulin in an attempt to force the much-needed glucose into the target cells.  As a result, hyperinsulinemia can initiate two processes that may occur simultaneously:

1.  An increase of blood plasma lipogenesis (conversion of blood glucose to blood lipids).
2.  Non-reactive hypoglycemia resulting in unacceptably low levels of blood sugar, thus creating extreme hunger, lethargy, and acute headaches.

Most people who have extremely high levels of body fat usually have some degree of insulin resistance, which may predispose these individuals toward type II diabetes.  Insulin resistance can be exacerbated by inactivity, loss of lean tissue and as mentioned earlier, being extremely overweight.  In order to control the amount of insulin secreted by the body, proper diet and exercise must become a regular part of day-to-day activities.

Visit us any time at www.intrafitt.com to reprogram your body to be fit and lean for life.  Learn about our certification programs and lots of additional information available on our site.

In honor and strength,

Will Smith/aka Thunder of the American Gladiators

Email me any time at info@intrafitt.com