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Preworkouts Who uses em what do you take and do you have any side effects? +K for info

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midwestpowhunter
Posts: 2198 - Karma: 189
So Ive been hitting the gym hard lately and I want to make my time there more effective. Many of my friends take pre workouts and the dudes at the gym push em but they are salesmen so here I am asking the all knowledgeable newschoolers for advice. Do you take em? Why/Whynot? Do you find they work? Have you ever experienced any side effects. That is all!
Jan 23 2012 9:55PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
LOL it's all marketing


Look at the best athletes from the past I don't know 1000 years, they didn't use pre workouts




I've never been a fan of anything energy supplement, pre workout, protein mix, etc


If you want to gain muscle, work out and eat a lot of protein naturally in your diet

If you want to drop some baby fat, go for long runs and work out you legs extensively, there are more muscles in your lower half than upper half, you will burn more calories



If you are pressed for time, don't take breaks
Jan 23 2012 10:01PM
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midwestpowhunter
Posts: 2198 - Karma: 189
i do cardio 6 days a week and lift 3-4 days per week. I eat almost entirely raw get lots of protien from veggies. No protien shakes. Just a daily multivitamin. Ive lost a significant amount of weight in the past 5 months however I want to maximize my workouts without taking energy drinks. Its my final crutch. Hahaha
Jan 23 2012 10:07PM
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BlakeLively
Posts: 663 - Karma: 656
yeeeeahhh hambones.
Jan 23 2012 10:11PM
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midwestpowhunter
Posts: 2198 - Karma: 189
hambone def: A Hambone is a term used to describe a Fat Jelly-ass who lives off welfare, is overweight and contributes nothing to society.
I hope you arent serious...
Jan 23 2012 10:15PM
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iSmokeweed
Posts: 4793 - Karma: 1,370
water and muscle milk before. gatorade and cliff bars after.


Jan 23 2012 10:21PM
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DBAKE
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 340

This ^ is very true.

But if you really want to try somthing I take N.O Explode its a great pre workout, and makes me feel like I can lift more, it could easily be all in my head, but it tastes good and dosent do too much harm,

Jan 23 2012 10:21PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
Then don't waste money on preworkouts

Eat a cliff bar
It's natural soy and might give you that added bonus you are looking for

The preworkouts at the gym are just overpriced, read the ingredients, then research it, it's probably just sugar and protein powder with water for 4.95
Jan 23 2012 10:23PM
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midwestpowhunter
Posts: 2198 - Karma: 189
im super picky about sugar i consume nearly none unless its in fruit. There is none in  n0explode or jacked3d. it is 22 for 45 servings or 1 dollar per scoop at my gym.
Jan 23 2012 10:27PM
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Tonic
Posts: 334 - Karma: 1,653
I've got some pre work out vitamins and I use C4 when I am going to lift.
Side Effects:
Neon Yellow Pee
Niacin in C4 will cause a burning/stinging sensation if you drink it too quickly
Jan 23 2012 10:27PM
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sniche
Posts: 493 - Karma: 37


If your not sore the day after, it wasnt effective.

The day you dont feel sore after a workout is the day you need to stop working out so much...
Jan 23 2012 10:27PM
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midwestpowhunter
Posts: 2198 - Karma: 189
cool bro thanks for the solid info
Jan 23 2012 10:28PM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
What the actual fuck are you talking about?
Jan 23 2012 10:29PM
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Mr.Capone
Posts: 1227 - Karma: 109
Caffeine (coffee, 5hr), Beta Alanine and Nitric Oxide all seem to work pretty well. Beta Alanine gives this really weird tingly sensation and all can mess with your stomach.
Jan 23 2012 10:30PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
Damn your gym is cheap I guess

Mine only has 5 dollar shit drinks or 2 dollar powerades haha



I only drink water and juice I juiced myself with only natural sugar. And one beer a night only if I ran at least a 10k during the day.

So many people consume so many calories from drinks, like lemonade, cranberry cocktail, etc
Jan 23 2012 10:31PM
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Benedetto.
Posts: 2526 - Karma: 64
I'm in the same boat as you man. Recently lost a lot of weight. It really depends how I'm feeling that day and how much time I have. Some days I'm feeling a little bit of no explode or jack3d. Or I'll drink a crystal light that has caffeine in it. Or you can try those kia liquid mix energy squirts they sell at gas stations. Actually pretty good. Sometimes, just the little caffeine from that will make you feel like you took no explode when your blood gets going. The key with pre workouts is, to never take more than 2 scoops. I usually aim for 1 to 1.5 scoops..A 7 dollar powder mix of no explode can last like 3 weeks.

Summary: Depends how I'm feeling
Jan 23 2012 10:55PM
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TechnoPotamus
Posts: 11626 - Karma: 3,522
Top 3 Personal Choices:

1. Jack3d
2. Cellucor C4
3. Muscletech Neurocore


interestingly enough, that works out to be priced lowest to highest as well.
Jan 23 2012 11:09PM
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malonius_funk
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,500
just eat a high carb snack like pop tarts or something before you workout
Jan 23 2012 11:12PM
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midwestpowhunter
Posts: 2198 - Karma: 189
ya bro ive been reading a lot about nutrition lately. high fructose corn syrup and over processed carbohydrate caloric dense foods are killing us literally. The reason why is because high fructose corn syrup is chemically different from natural sugars. When it enters the body we can only metabolize it one way and that is to convert it to fat. 50000 years ago storing fat efficiently allowed you to be able to go longer periods of time without eating. Today it just means you get fat....By eating the way we would have 50000 years ago...raw fruits and vegetables, nothing processed, occasional meat/fish our bodies reset to their natural lean muscular state. /nutrition rant
Jan 23 2012 11:15PM
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TechnoPotamus
Posts: 11626 - Karma: 3,522
....carbs aren't exactly what you're looking for before a workout. protein is the key you want. something simple like a piece of fruit and a scoop or 2 of low fat peanut butter.


but more importantly, you shouldn't eat pop-tarts period. there's easily around 30 grams of sugar in a pack of 2 if not more than that. it's processed crap.
Jan 23 2012 11:16PM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
that's the dumbest thing i've ever read.
Jan 23 2012 11:16PM
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PeteySkeety
Posts: 996 - Karma: 209
I use Hemo Rage Black Concentrate I get great pumps and good energy with focus. No bad side affects sometimes I'm really tired though. I would suggest it.
Jan 23 2012 11:46PM
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DYFI
Posts: 3836 - Karma: 30


but really, it's all moderation.
Jan 23 2012 11:47PM
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thaloot
Posts: 237 - Karma: 17
they say jack3d is most effective after 2 scoups :)
Jan 23 2012 11:50PM
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TechnoPotamus
Posts: 11626 - Karma: 3,522
Click for larger image
Click for larger image
Jan 23 2012 11:51PM
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DBAKE
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 340
Could ANYONE tell me about jack3d???, if they notice a diference? Any side effects? how it compares to n0explode. Right now n0xplode feels like it is wearing off, only been trying it for 3 months, I wake up to lift at 4:30am so I sorta need the extra boost.
Jan 23 2012 11:52PM
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JayDope
Posts: 6842 - Karma: 408
jaydope approves of pre workouts! seriously though, it takes your workout to a whole new level, i always cycle on and off from them so i dont get so immune to them, and once i get back onto it again, workouts are way better.
Jan 23 2012 11:56PM
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Joshua.
Posts: 2957 - Karma: 6,230
there's info about the following supplements in here: Jack3d, L-arginine, Animal Cuts, CLAmore, and ZMA.

When I spent three months bulking i was taking four 5k mg l-arginine pills, and three scoops of jack3d. post workout was some just some hydro whey.

L-Arginine
Basics: Doesn't make you feel any different. Arginine basically boosts the fuck out of your blood and oxygen flow to muscles, increasing the pump, and recovery rate.

Effects: the only thing i noticed from it (and the reason I took it) was for getting more vascular in places that i normally don't have veins.

jack3d
basics: there's a shitload of chemicals in here. lots of caffeine and other pumpers, but i dont feel like naming them all. i started with 1 scoop pre workout, then ended up moving to 3.

effects: it makes you really itchy if you're standing still, and it gets you incredibly focused and ready to go hard. reminded me of taking a 20mg IR adderall. if you work out after 8pm and want to sleep though, dont take it. you won't fall asleep till very late.


then starting two weeks before new years i started cutting. I began taking animal cuts in the morning and pre workout and continued the arginine pre workout. with meals and at bedtime i took CLAmore and at bedtime i took ZMA.

Animal Cuts
Basics: its a plastic "pak" that has 9 different pills in it. each one contributes to weight loss and muscle gain. the big ones are: thermogenic, metabolic, and diuretic pills.

effects: ive been taking these first thing when i wake up and preworkout since new years week... i've gone from 204 lbs down to 188 lbs in that time. it's all body fat, as my max's in every core lift continue to grow a lot. there are a few things though.. they have a LOT of caffeine in them. that and the diuretic complex mean you must drink a LOT of water. also, the thermogenic complex and metabolic complex work to warm your body up. they make your stomach hurt a bit after taking them for like, 15 min and you'll be naturally more sweaty and hot throughout your day.

CLAmore
Basics: CLA is a cortisol inhibitor. cortisol is a chemical that's produced when your body isn't getting enough carbs or calories to function normally, so it uses cortisol to eat your muscle. when you inhibit that from being produced, you can eat less, and lose fat quicker, while keeping musicle. i take this after each meal three times a day and once before bed.

Effects: contributed to quick fat loss

ZMA
Basics: Zinc, Magnesium, and Vitamin b6. it's a pure muscle recovery supplement.

Effects: i take it right before bed, and i sleep much better, and wake up feeling well rested. otherwise, not many visible things to notice.
Jan 24 2012 12:10AM
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Mooose...
Posts: 1807 - Karma: 77
I used Jack3d for 3-4 months. Worked pretty well as far as pre-workout supplements go. It's has much less filler than NOexplode, but it also has a much smaller serving size. I found that I got enough of a boost with sticking to one scoop instead of their recommended 1-2 after getting used to it. My stomach never felt great after any pre-workout and it was no different with Jack3d, but other than that I have no complaints. I stopped taking it about 2 months ago. I have had better results with just a cup of strong black coffee about an hour or so before a lift.
Jan 24 2012 12:43AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
All the haters dont use them, or dont use them correctly...or have stupid high expectations. All they are meant to do is give you a pick me up, to help get you in the mood to workout super hard. I usually use it on Leg days because you have to be jacked up to do heavy deads, squats, Oly stuff etc. i also use it if i work out in the morning before work. Basically whenever i am dragging ass but still want a good intense workout. The first time i tried it was in month 6 of an 8 month super productive training cycle. I took it before a leg day and wholly Moley, i was super physched to go throw around some heavy ass weight(a large part was my mind because i knew to expect those kinda effects)...and i did. I just had the mental and physical energy to do it. i also notice quicker "stiffer" pumps from it - might be mental again, idk?

i have tried a couple, and the one that works best for me(i am super sensitive to stimulants) is White Flood. I NEVER take it in one dose like suggested, i just put it in my 1.5 liter water bottle and drink it like normal throughout the workout.

It is awesome for what it is meant to be used for.

One of these days when i want to spend the money im just gonna buy all the supps that i have either liked in the past or have been eying for a while and go on a 3 month training-fest just to see how much their synergistic effect, would affect me.
Jan 24 2012 1:23AM
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MNS
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 3,241
man, fuck all that marketing shit. all it is is a combo of stimulant that get you all jittery followed by a crash.

get the basics, its the difference between buying a pre made sandwich, and buying all the supplies to make a sandwich (way cheaper, same shit)

for pre work outs --> caffeine and ephedrine pills work wonders

Other than that --> some pure creatine monohydrate is good, and some fish oil pills with some solid fats in them, and some protein powder that contains glutamine/amino acids.


Jan 24 2012 1:25AM
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MNS
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 3,241
oh, and honestly, don't even consider spending money on the cheap sups i listed above unless you plan on making somewhat of an effort with your diet
Jan 24 2012 1:27AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
diasagree. you gotta have an energy store to burn when working out, and carbs are a much more readily available fuel for you to burn. agreed, you want you have some protein before/during just so you get the aminos into your system for the workout, but i think that having the energy to workout hard is more important, especially if your goal isnt exclusivly to just build more muscle.

i personally, about 1.5hrs before the workout, have 1.5 cups of oatmeal and a half cup of greek yogurt with frozen berries. I get low blood sugar easily when working out and i never have a problem.


Jan 24 2012 1:30AM
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Wompuscat
Posts: 818 - Karma: 380
Previously I was using NO Shotgun as a preworkout and could honestly tell it did make a difference in working out. Its not like you're invincible and crank your bench up 100 pounds on a whim after that stuff, but it helps. I drink a preworkout, then an post workout protein shake and i use Myofusion. I also take a daily multivitamin. Its helped. In a year I added 20 pounds of muscle. For me though, I'm not looking to get huge, just in shape.
Jan 24 2012 1:32AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51652 - Karma: 162,333
I started working out, and then

I fucked my couch.

I started working out, and then

I pooped in a girls shower
Jan 24 2012 1:36AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
FYI----


anyone who wants to try a single serving of a preworkout can get a single serving of most of them for like $1.50, with free shipping from Bodybuilding.com

how i tried a bunch for cheap.
Jan 24 2012 1:37AM
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Jib-Ninja
Posts: 2819 - Karma: 20

If you dont take a Pre-Workout then i will not take you seriously in the gym.

With pre workouts you dont put the weights down, they increease your amounts of reps because they reduce the amount of lactic acid build up inbetween sets. And the tingy sensation people talk about is not a bad thing it makes u feel good.

My person favs.
1. Musclepharm Assualt

2. C4

3. Jack3d

If you need some motivation or energy or just want better gains period..you need a preworkout.

Jan 24 2012 10:18PM
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987321654hgfd
Posts: 5133 - Karma: 5,447
I'm a big fan of Jack3d but they don't sell it on base anymore and ordering online is a pain in the ass. I started using assault which personally is even better than jack3d. It's a little more expensive but it's definitely worth it.
Jan 24 2012 10:35PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
I'm just seeing this now, but yea, this is right on


Also a lot of people don't realize milk (well dairy in general) isn't made for humans, its obviously made for calfs. That being said, a human body doesn't properly break down dairy as a calf. People always say it's important for humans to get calcium from milk, especially as a kid. This is sort of true. As a child you should drink milk, but as you get older, its not really good.

I love milk and ice cream and cheese too much to give it all up, but I have recently cut back significantly, like when eating ice cream i buy coconut ice cream or stuff like that, but pizza....Ohhh god haha, i know a gluten and dairy free guy, and i asked him if he ever misses any foods....he said there are so many good substitutes for everything...except pizza haha

Gluten free is another healthy lifestyle, just read up on Novak Djokovic, winner of Wimbledon that before winning was a good professional tennis player, went gluten free, and basically that change in diet helped him become one of the best tennis players in the world.

No, I'm not gluten free, or dairy-free, or a hippy, and I love steak. I've just done a lot of research on this, and slowly I am converting to a healthier lifestyle, one small change at a time. Like I was eating 3 pounds of red meat a week, that's down to 1 pound. I juice vegetables now. Don't eat processed foods (to the best of my ability, sometimes you just have to if you've been on a long drive or something)

But yeah I hate the "High fructose corn syrup isn't bad for your kids" commercial I always see on television. It's not good, that's for sure. It is bad, don't drink drinks with syrups as the ingredients. Drink healthier stuff, water, water, juices, water.

And I've read stuff about what you said 50,000 years ago, you covered a very basic overview of what has happened, spot on!

Oh and the main point of this thread was to get advice on pre-workouts, I'm not the guy for that incase you haven't figured it out haha, I like to eat a cliff bar before I work out/run, it helps me run 5-10 miles without getting lightheaded from no fluids

/my nutrition rant
Jan 25 2012 10:57AM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
You didn't read a damn thing in this thread did you?

OP does go hard, he's looking to maximize his workout by figuring out what to eat/drink/intake before working out

And every other day is pussy shit, no offense, I used to work out every other day, I wasn't seeing any results, now I go hard 7 days a week, I've dropped a lot of baby fat, my face is skinnier, I'm forming pecks (uhhhhh) and I can see the basic shape of my abs (no more baby fat!)
I turned 21 and realized it was time for a change!
Jan 25 2012 1:58PM
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brocks
Posts: 132 - Karma: 18
not a lot of knowledge in here

1. pre workouts are a great thing, help you lift more to put more tension on the muscle. better pumps to put more nutrients in the muscle. preworkouts with bcaa's and creatine have shown a reduction of free radicals.

2. pre workouts however are to popular, look through a flex or an md its all adds for pres, why? it is the one supp that shows instant results. get your basics down before you add in a pre. it WILL add intensity to your training session.

my top 3 with dmaa
1. 1mr (old formula)
2. muscle spike
3. jack3d

top 3 without dmaa
1. C4
2. animal rage
3. shock therapy

ill let you do the research on dmaa(1,3 dimeth) to decide if its something you want included
Jan 25 2012 2:29PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
That's if you want to get big and jacked....I however want to be able to wipe my own ass
Jan 25 2012 2:38PM
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Jib-Ninja
Posts: 2819 - Karma: 20

Yok3d for pump bro, Most pre workouts dont give me much of a pump.

Jan 25 2012 9:37PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
Why, specifically, should i cut back significantly on my dairy intake?

currently i have dairy at least 5 times per day, and i have noticed nothing but great things from it. You dont think cows milk is a great, cheap source of nutrients? Tell me something better for me AND just as cheap?

If i went gluten free i would have to spend literally one hundred+ more dollars per month on food to get the calories and macro nutrient profile that i currently get. And for the vast majority of people, who already eat healthy, the benefit will be pretty much unnoticeable.


There are a lot of folks who have adapted to a modern diet, and do quite well with it. Shit is expensive to only eat the freshest, healthiest, food...and i got other, more fun things to spend my money on...
Jan 26 2012 2:17AM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
I never once said going gluten free or dairy free was cheap.

It's not.


But if you can afford it, the benefits outweigh the cost.


This is a great summary article, from the Huffington Post:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/dairy-free-dairy-6-reason_b_558876.html

I can get many more sources that agree with me.
And if you actually read my post without so much ignorance, you would see that I say I am not gluten/dairy free, but I understand that both lifestyles are healthier. Why am I not? I don't have the time and money.

Substitutes for milk. Eat nuts. Eat Kale. Soy milk.

The cheapest way to substitute milk: Orange juice fortified with vitamins and calcium.



Get Educated before you comment back to this with some dumb logic on "Milk helps my bones". Because it doesn't.
Jan 26 2012 3:29PM
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Caspaaa
Posts: 4830 - Karma: 1,466
Not a pre-workout but chocolate milk is one of the best after-workout drinks, I kid you not they have compared it to protein shakes and it still prevails.
Jan 26 2012 3:37PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
I think the quote goes "Ignorance is bliss".......
Jan 26 2012 3:41PM
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yaqwsxcde123vfr
Posts: 371 - Karma: 145
When I feel like I have no power befor working out I eat a chocolate bar and a banana about 30-40 min before training (I'm a hardgainer, so choco is fine). Afterwards I drink a post-workoutshakep aka proteinpowder mixed with milk. (right now ESN Designer Whey, tastes great and has insane quality)
Jan 26 2012 3:44PM
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Caspaaa
Posts: 4830 - Karma: 1,466
i'm not joking you

Jan 26 2012 9:18PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
i never once attacked you, or assumed anything about you. please follow my lead.



btw that dude who wrote that article is a fairly famous nut job in the medical profession. the article was a good elementary overview of nutrition, but the points about dairy not being good were fairly outrageous.

anyone can find random studies done on small groups of people that produced results way outside what is considered acceptable limits ie "dairy may increase the risk of bone fracture by 50%!" GTFO!

watch me do the same thing to soy(complete with a quack job MD):

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/09/18/soy-can-damage-your-health.aspx






Again, why should i not eat dairy? Specifically?





Jan 27 2012 3:37AM
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