In recent years we have seen too many bodybuilders passing away due impart by complications related to heart health. There is anecdotal evidence that points to COVID-19 exasperating the risk. In the medical community, it is well known that COVID-19 has left patients with clots in their brains, hearts, lungs, and legs. It is now more important than ever that bodybuilders pay more attention to balancing their need for mass with their need to live!
Why Are Bodybuilders at Higher Risks
Bodybuilders will do anything to get big. That means eating tons of food, avoiding any activity that isn’t lifting weights, and using supplements that increase the production of red blood cells.
Being Big
When you are big, whether it is fat or muscle, your heart has to work harder. Think of this as having an air conditioner designed for a 1,500 sqft house. Then you put an addition on the house making it 2,500 sqft. Now that same AC has to work much harder to keep the house cool. The same is true with your heart as it pumps blood to much more mass than it was intended to supply.
Avoiding Cardio
Bodybuilders often have the mindset that doing cardio is wasting food and burning mass. However, 20 minutes of fasted cardio a day when paired with Amino Acids will not burn up your mass. You’ll burn fat and most importantly keep your heart healthy. It’s a win-win because when it comes to prep time, you’ll be ahead of the game with more lean mass!
Supplements
Bodybuilders will take anything to get bigger. And they believe if something makes you bigger, taking TONS of it must be better. There are many studies that show healthy levels of testosterone will help you to achieve better overall health, especially with age. But you must be aware that too much will create a point of diminishing return. Your body will be poisoned and fighting to stay healthy. Red blood cell production drastically increases making your blood thicker. Thicker blood will create more work for your heart. When combined with the risk of blood clots, you have a recipe for disaster; the heart will blow as it tries to push thick blood around a massive body that is potentially jammed up with clots acting like dams inside your blood vessels.
Preventing Heart Problems
Get your labs checked Reguarly
Getting your labs checked regularly is the first defense for heart problems. Not only will you find out if you are a risk of high blood pressure but you can also review your hormone panel. You may learn that your estrogen is too high or find out the testosterone that you are taking is not working.
Get your labs measured with California Alternative Meds. You will get a free consultation and they will order your labs. As California Alternative Meds specializes in hormone replacement therapy, they will get you exactly what you need so that you can be confident in both the quantity and quality of the medication you are taking.
Supplements
Bodybuilders have a mindset that if it doesn’t make you bigger, it is not worth taking. However, taking supplements for heart health will keep you healthier but also give your more energy to train harder. You’ll have all-around less fatigue and some supplements improve circulation which means bigger pumps. Bigger pumps mean more nutrients to the muscles for recovery, energy, and stretching the muscle facia!
Donate Blood
Think of it like an oil change. When you donate blood you remove the access of red blood cells that can cause thickening of the blood.
Supplement Recommendations
Mixed Tocopherols
An important tool for maintaining heart health is Mixed Tocopherols.
- Supports overall cardiovascular and circulatory health
- Promotes healthy coronary blood flow
- Provides antioxidant support
- Supports the body’s ability to appropriately process and utilize important lipids
- Helps in the maintenance of cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range.
- Helps support healthy red blood cell flow
- Helps maintain healthy arterial health
- Helps support a healthy cardiovascular system
- Helps support health blood pressure levels
- Helps support normal triglyceride and blood glucose levels
- Supports healthy cell and tissue growth
- PLUS supports anti-aging, immune, and eye health
We work with A.C. Grace for these supplements. You can pick them up HERE. Use the code “CenterPodium” for 15% off!
COQH and CoQ10
To put it simply, CoQH and CoQ10 will lower your blood pressure and will help prevent heart-related issues. According to the Mayo Clinic, there is evidence that it has a positive effect on numerous heart conditions, Diabetes, Parkinson’s Disease, Migraines, and even increase Physical Performance.
We work with A.C. Crace for these supplements. You can pick them up HERE. Use the code “CenterPodium” for 15% off!
Arginine
In the body, the amino acid arginine changes into nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide is a powerful neurotransmitter that helps blood vessels relax and also improves circulation.
Some evidence shows that arginine may help improve blood flow in the arteries of the heart. That may improve symptoms of clogged arteries, chest pain or angina, and coronary artery disease.
Arginine is involved also in a number of different functions in the body. They include:
- Wound healing
- Helping the kidneys remove waste products from the body
- Maintaining immune and hormone function
- Dilates and relaxes the arteries (vascularity and PUMP)
Our favorite L-Arginine 7000 is from Carr Cellular Fitness which you can find HERE. This product is very highly dosed and creates amazing pumps. It is also highly recommended to take before going on stage!
81 mg Asprin
Aspirin can prevent blood clots from forming. Blood clots, the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes, form when a plaque (cholesterol and other substances deposited on artery walls) ruptures and your body tries to contain the damage by creating a clot. When arteries are already narrowed by the buildup of plaque, a clot can block a blood vessel and stop the flow of blood to the brain or heart.
Taking a regular dose of aspirin diminishes the ability of your blood to clump together into clots by targeting the body’s smallest blood cells. Called platelets, they bind together when they encounter damaged blood vessels. While aspirin’s “blood thinning” quality can prevent.
Pick up 81 mg aspirin at most pharmacies!
Food
It is kind of crazy how many heart-healthy foods fit perfectly into the strict bodybuilder diet. Here is a list of foods to choose when creating your diet
- Leafy green vegetables. Leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, and collard greens are well known for their wealth of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Whole grains
- Berries
- Avocados
- Fatty fish and fish oil
- Walnuts
- Beans
- Dark chocolate
- Tomatoes
- Almonds
- Seeds
- Garlic
- Olive Oil
- Edmame
- Green Tea
Summary
As you can see, being heart healthy is not just good for your heart but also good for your competition goals. Now we hope that you have the information to make the right choices. Let’s break it down to one simple list of items to have on your radar.
- 20+ minutes of fasted cardio with amino acids
- Get your blood work done regularly
- Donate blood
- Take Mixed Tocopherols like Unique E
- Take CoQ10 supplelemtns like COQH
- Take Arginine like L-Arginine 7000+
- Take 81mg of Asprin daily
- Choose heart healthy foods in your competition diet