Echinacea a hoax?

If you believe the study released today by the New England Journal of Medicine it appears that the efficacy of this herb is in question.

The study is hardly applicable to the real world, as the subjects spent 5 days in a sequestered setting, but they are negative enough to suggest that further study is needed in relation to this herb.

The only issue that I take with the whole study is the certainty of the scientists that their results are conclusive:

The results of this study indicate that extracts of E. angustifolia root, either alone or in combination, do not have clinically significant effects on infection with a rhinovirus or on the clinical illness that results from it.

Note: it proves that in a sequestered setting, with presumeably little physical activity.

Big difference between that setting, and the immunosuppresion drivers in the bodybuilding lifestyle.

DHEA an anabolic Steroid?

It will be classified as such unless you act now.

Senate Bill 1137 was authored with the explicit goal of classifying this supplement as an anabolic steroid:

To include dehydroepiandrosterone as an anabolic steroid. (Introduced in Senate)

S 1137 IS


109th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1137
To include dehydroepiandrosterone as an anabolic steroid.


IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 26, 2005
Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Mr. MCCAIN, and Mr. ALLEN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A BILL
To include dehydroepiandrosterone as an anabolic steroid.


Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. INCLUSION OF DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE.

Section 102(41)(A) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802(41)(A)) is amended--

(1) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking `corticosteroids, and dehydroepiandrosterone' and inserting `and corticosteroids';

(2) by redesignating clauses (x) through (xlx) as clauses (xi) through (xlxi), respectively; and

(3) by inserting after clause (ix) the following:

`(x) dehydroepiandrosterone (androst-5-en-3b-ol-17-one);'.

The Sports & Fitness Supplement Association (SFSA) has teamed with Save our Supplements and is asking for the public to lend a hand.

You can go to SaveOurSupplements.org and send a form letter to your representatives today.

If we don't draw the line somewhere, then the Government will draw the line for us.

Lee Labrada's new book:

Ron Avidan over at GetBig has reported that Houston Bodybuilding Icon Lee Labrada's new book is scheduled for release June 14,2005

The Lean Body Promise is available for pre-order on Amazon.com at a great price.

If you are looking to expand your fitness library, I advise you check this book out. Labrada is a bodybuilding great and his fitness ideas are sound.

Steroid Legislation is on the way...

Republican Senator John McCain and Democratic Senator Henry Waxman are drafting steroid legislation that would impose stiff testing standards and penalties for use on the Big Four Sports Leagues in a move designed to bring America closer to Socialized Athletics.

Due to the exclusionary nature of this law, the prediction is that it will be struck down as Unconstitutinal by the courts, clearing the way for more sweeping legislation that will include ALL SPORTING GROUPS, including the IFBB (for contests in America)

Earlier in the year I wrote a letter to the IFBB, urging them to take the lead in fighting some of the negative press that bodybuilding is receiving in America. The official response from Ben Weider was that the IFBB has over 117 member nations, 116 of which could care less about the state of Bodybuilding in America.

Then and now my mantra is the same: By ignoring the realities in the United States, the IFBB is effectively killing bodybuilding as a viable industry. Most competitions are held in this Country, most of the top athletes in bodybuilding come from here, and most sponsorship money is realized from American Companies.

Sticking our heads in the sand and hoping this problem goes away will not serve to protect the financial viability of bodybuilding in the future. There needs to be a clarion voice calling out to the public, identifying the POSITIVE aspects of the bodybuilding lifestyle. We do not deny that steroids are a integral part of our Sport, just as they are an integral part of ANY sport, what we reject is the notion that bodybuilding is ENTIRELY predicated on the use and abuse of performance enhancing substances. Without work and effort bodybuilder's cannot succeed.

Such has it always been, and it will always be that way.

We have to get out to the public and make our case known.