Joe_Cannon

Mozltovcoktail, glad to help. I have not tried labranda yet or Organic Life. I'll have to try to pick up a few samples at the health food store next time Im out there.

I dont think RK will work. I investigated the research I have written a comprehensive of RK product that I think you should read before you try a product. http://supplement-geek.com/raspberry-ketones-weight-loss-review-side-effects/ i think this will answer a lot of your questions and save you money I hope this helps. Joe

Ive looked at the chromium research for many years and I can tell you that the research uslaly says it does not work. it does not cause weight loss and it does not build muscle. It may reduce blood sugar so be carful if taking meds for diabetes. most sugar/carb blocker supplements contain an extract of kidney beans (which are carbs-ironic huh!) but the research finds it does not block carb absorption. remember gaining weight is not about carbs - its about calories. Just my 2 cents but I say save your money on sugar blocker supplements I hope some of this helps. Joe

Vitamin D is important but its also important to get your vitamin D levels checked before you supplement. This will tell you if the supplement is working or not. Also too much vitamin D may be just as bad as too little. Remember vitamin D is more of a hormone than a vitamin. Here are some insights into vitamin D and the test that you shoudl be aware of http://supplement-geek.com/vitamin-d-facts/ Joe

Im going to have to agree about the pre-workout drinks. I dont think they are needed. Most of them are just caffeine and creatine coupled with things that are supposed to raise nitric oxide levels (arginine, niacin etc.). There is no research pre workout drinks make people bigger, stronger or faster or lose weight. if you are just starting to work out, I say dont use supplements - just eat and watch your calories. if you are thinking protein, the protein RDA for those who work out is 0.6 - 0.9 grams per pound (higher #s for those who mostly lift. lower #s if mostly doing cardio) I hope that helps Joe

Ive reviewed several popular weight loss /health shakes in the past and I feel none of them alone works. All of them need people to eat fewer calories if they are going to cause weight loss. All shakes work like this: Drink 2 shakes and eat a sensable meal. Here is a smoothie I make in my kitchen if you want something that is made with real food for the most part http://supplement-geek.com/quick-easy-smoothie-recipee/ Hope that helps Joe

Id say make sure its a company you have heard of. If youve heard of them, they likely have a reputation for making a good product Also look at the calories and protein per scoop. if lifting weights, aim for 20-25 g per scoop. If you can get that to also have about 100 calories per scoop, I think you are doing ok Joe

Personally, I think dear antler velvet is a bunch of baloney. The stuff is supposed to contain IGF 1 which is the "secret sauce" bethind HGH. That said IGF1 is linked to more cancer too. nobody talks about dear antler velvet and cancer. I dont think it raises cancer risk either. I would not be suprised if most products contain zero dear antler velvet. Here is a couple of resources that may help shed lights on things for you http://muscleevo.net/deer-antler-velvet-spray/ http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA401249/Is-Deer-Antler-Velvet-Worthwhile.html I hope this helps Joe

The RDA for protein for a healthy person who doesnt exercis is about 0.4 grams per pound. \ if you work out its usualy taken to be between 0.6 g/lb and 0.9 g/ lb (0.6 if mostly doing cardio. 0.9 if mostly lifting weights) Do the math of how much you weigh and look at how much is in the eggs you are eating and compare. Remember carbs help us absorp protein. wanted to toss that in in case you were interested Joe

Im an exercise physioligst. The thing to remember about BIA is that it will give you a general idea of body fat. its based on how much water is in the cells. Muscle is about 70% water and water is a good conductor of electricity, so the more muscle = the more water = the faster the current travels = the lower the body fat. fat is only about 5-10% water. So the higher the body fat, the slower the current travels. While the $40 devices will never been 100% accurate (on average I say they are about 75% acurate on a good day), some things you can do to raise the accuracy include: dont drink alcohol or exercise for at least 24 hrs before you do the test always do the test at the same time of the day and same time of the month urinate 30 minutes before the test Be careful of the test if you have a pacemaker or defibulator or or pregment. If you want a more accurate answer, call a local university and see if they have a device called the Bod Pod. Its usually located in the excercise science department. Or, ask if you can be a guinnie pig for their under water weiging lab (all ex phys students usualy have a lab where they do underwater weighing). Hope that helps Joe Joe-Cannon.com

There is reserach on glucosamine sulfate and to a lesser degree chonddroitin sulfate helping osteoarhtiris. Since its working for you that is great. it does usually take about 4-8 weeks to notice a difference according to research. There are 3 different types of glucosamine with the best evidence in favor of glucosamine sulfate. I say this because most products I look at have another type - called glucosamine HCL. there was a big trial about 10 years go by the NIH noting that glucosamien HCL wasnt as effective, except for very milld forms of osteoarthritis. Again, if its helping you great. Since you mentiuonied squats, here is a nice review I saw on squat depth that might help http://www.exercisebiology.com/index.php/site/articles/are_deep_squats_bad_for_your_knees/ Here is a review of glucosamine research if you are interested (disclaimer, this is a link to my website) http://supplement-geek.com/glucosamine-4-facts-you-dont-know/ I hope this helps ! Joe