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NEWS!

Just about every day I get customers who are concerned with the dangers of artificial sweeteners. From brain tumours to babies born with two heads, these compounds are starting to cause paranoia in some consumers. Most of these side effects are completely unfounded. The following article may ease some peoples concerns.

How Safe is Aspartame? by Paul Cribb, AST Director of Research
DNA mutations, brain tumors, cancer, headaches and chronic fatigue - these are some of the side effects alleged to be associated with aspartame consumption.
I'll admit I was concerned when I first heard these accusations. If you're anything like me, an array of artificially sweetened foods such as nonfat yogurt, protein shakes, meal replacement bars and diet sodas have become a large part of your health conscious diet. If there were any truth to these claims I'd want to know about it. I figured other people would too, so I decided to roll up my academic sleeves, sweep aside the tabloid swill and dig into the real science on aspartame to get the straight facts. 
Aspartame is simply two amino acids (L-phenylalanine and L-aspartic acid) linked together. About 30 years ago food chemists discovered when these two amino acids are joined together they provide a very sweet taste (180-200 times sweeter than sugar). Therefore, much less aspartame is required to obtain the same sweetness of sugar and the caloric yield is negligible. 
Phenylketonurics - the truth!
Phenylketonurics: Contains Phenylalanine. What about that notorious health disclaimer on aspartame containing foods? Let's look carefully at the facts.
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an extremely rare condition that mainstream media incorrectly linked to aspartame. PKU is a central nervous system disease characterized by an inability to metabolize excess amounts of phenylalanine. L-phenylalanine is an essential amino acid. It is found in much higher doses in protein rich foods (such as meat, eggs and milk) than aspartame-containing products[1]. 
Dietary surveys of people in United States, Canada, Germany, and Finland show those considered to be on a "very high aspartame intake" still only consume approximately one-tenth of the daily intake recommended by the US Food and Drug Administration of 50 milligrams/kilogram/day[1]. Ingestion of aspartame does not cause PKU, and even PKU sufferers are unlikely to be harmed by the minimal amount of phenylalanine in aspartame. 
Twenty-one years ago, one study on mice concluded that prolonged dietary ingestion of aspartame at levels 550 times the normal human daily ingestion was necessary to elicit a central nervous system deficit[2]. There have in fact, been over 200 studies conducted over the last two decades that support the safety of aspartame consumption. Trust the media not to let the facts get in the way of selling a story. 
There is also the completely unfounded concern about the toxicity of aspartame. One recent study showed aspartame and another artificial sweetener combined couldn't produce genotoxiciy (damage to DNA) at doses of 350 milligrams/kilogram/day![3] Aspartame's two amino acids, L-phenylalanine and L-aspartic acid, are metabolized like all other amino acids[4].
Now, there's a crusade against aspartame because of its conversion to formaldehyde. Well, I can end that campaign right now. The methyl group from aspartame is metabolized to methanol (an alcohol), then oxidized into formaldehyde, which is further oxidized into carbon dioxide. This fearful metabolic process is as common in our biology as talk shows in America. Ounce for ounce, tomato juice yields six times the methanol formation of a can of diet soda[5]. 
Over 100 countries including the US (and even the anally-retentive Australian TGA) have approved aspartame's use. Aspartame is also approved by the World Health Organization. The US FDA commissioner even noted at the time of aspartame's approval that few compounds have withstood such detailed testing and close scrutiny. 
The unfortunate aspect is, public perception about aspartame has become so distorted and widespread that always eager-to-please food manufacturers have found it easier to rid aspartame from their formulations than quote the research. Next time someone forces their misinformed opinion of aspartame on you, just smile. Now you've got the facts, and you know better.

References
1. Butchko HH; Kotsonis FN. Acceptable daily intake vs actual intake: the aspartame example. J Am Coll Nutr. Jun;10(3):258-66,1991.
2. Potts WJ; Bloss JL; Nutting EF. Biological properties of aspartame. I. Evaluation of central nervous system effects. J Environ Pathol Toxicol. Jun-Jul;3(5-6):341-53, 1980.
3. Mukhopadhyay M; Mukherjee A; Chakrabarti J. In vivo cytogenetic studies on blends of aspartame and acesulfame-K. Food Chem Toxicol. Jan;38(1):75-7,2000.
4. Lehninger, Nelson, Cox. Principles of Biochemistry 2nd Ed. Worth Publishers 1997. p-527-529.
5. Butchko HH. Safety of aspartame. Lancet Apr 12;349(9058):1105, 1997.

Now He's Cookin'!
Written by: Shawn Perine 
The monkey is off his back. The albatross has been cut from his neck. However you want to say it, the fact is that Chris Cook has reason to take in a very deep breath tonight because he has finally earned his professional wings. 
After two consecutive Superheavyweight class victories at the USA's but no overall title to show for his efforts the Californian was beginning to earn a reputation as being almost good enough, but not quite. 
Tonight he was clearly good enough as he took the Superheavyweight class, the overall title and a coveted pro card at the 2004 NPC Men's Bodybuilding Championships. 
Despite the fact that Cook far surpassed his all-time best condition, his was not a cakewalk to victory. In fact, he needed every bit of his newfound quality to surpass an excellent field of Superheavies that included a sliced and full Bill Wilmore (2nd), thick as a brick Marcus Haley (3rd), Sergioesque Jerome Ferguson (4th) and the aesthetic Omar Deckard (5th). 
Taking the Heavyweights was freaky Capriese Murray, whose shape is unlike that of any other bodybuilder this reporter has ever seen. His limbs seem to radiate from his torso which has dramatic taper in itself. What he lacks in conventional aesthetics he makes up for in "Wow" factor. 
The Light-heavyweight class was won by Atlanta's Roc Shabazz, who presented a very clean and nearly flawless physique. He was bolstered by what had to be the show's largest cheering section that featured signs and a horn. 
In the Middleweight class Eryk Bui edged Stan McQuay to take the top title with a physique that is nearly as wide as it is tall. His legs in particular are standouts, rivaled only by Cook's for overall development. 
Raleigh, North Carolina's Patrick Richardson presented an excellent overall package and was awarded the Middleweight class title and the pro card qualification that accompanies each class in this show. 
Ageless Steven Burke followed up his USA class victory with a win in the Bantamweights here. The 46-year-old edged out 45-year-old Sgt. Randy Jackson Sr., who missed last year's competition while serving as an Army reservist in Iraq. 
As of 11:00pm CST on November 21st, 2004, the ranks of the men's division of the IFBB has grown by six. Congratulations to each class winner and every competitor in the Nationals for a job well done. And a special congratulations to Chris Cook, for finally getting rid of that damned monkey. 

MEN'S BODYBUILDING FINAL RESULTS 
Bantamweights
1. Steven Burke *
2. Randy Jackson, Sr. )
3. Heath Warren 
4. Robert E. Lee 
5. Michael Wick 

Lightweights
1. Patrick Richardson*
2. Perry McRae 
3. Leonardo Ortiz
4. Rey Ronquillo 
5. Leonardo Pacheco 

Patrick Richardson

Middleweights
1. Eryk Bui*
2. Stan McQuay 
3. Anthony Wadkins
4. Tricky Jackson
5. Garrett Allin 

Eryk Bui

Light Heavyweights
1. Roc Shabazz *
2. Aaron Garza 
3. Randolph Chaney II 
4. Nate Wonsley 
5. Eddie Linda 

Roc Shabazz

Heavyweights
1. Capriese Murray *
2. Grigori Atoyan 
3. Tee Jay Hewitt 
4. Gergory Jones 
5. Gus Carter 

Capriese Murray 

Super Heavyweights
1. Chris Cook **
2. Bill Wilmore 
3. Marcus Haley 
4. Jerome Ferguson 
5. Omar Deckard 
* Earns pro card qualification
** Wins overall and pro card qualification

Chris Cook. Wins overall and pro card qualification

Merry Christmas and Thank You.
Sean and I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year. Thank you for all your support throughout the year and we look forward to seeing you next year.

Oh the joys of Christmas!
A little Christmas cheer for all from the Australian Bureau of Statistics
31 Australians have died since 1996 by watering their Christmas tree while the fairy lights were plugged in.
19 Australians have died in the last 3 years by eating Christmas decorations they believed were chocolate.
Hospitals reported 4 broken arms last year after cracker pulling incidents.
101 Australians since 1997 have had to have broken parts of plastic toys pulled out of the soles of their feet
18 Australians had serious burns in 1998 trying on a new jumper with a lit cigarette in their mouth.
A massive 543 Australians were admitted to casualty in the last two years after opening bottles of beer with their teeth or eye socket.
5 Australians were injured last year in accidents involving out of control scalextric cars.
3 Australians die each year testing if a 9V battery works on
their tongue.
142 Australians were injured in 1998 by not removing all the pins from new shirts.
58 Australians are injured each year by using sharp knives instead of screwdrivers.
and finally:
8 Australians cracked their skull in 1997 after falling asleep (passing out) while throwing up into the toilet.

YEP! its great to be Australian!

Question: Do bodybuilders need to consume the same amount of protein on rest days as on training days? If not are there any guidelines for how much they should consume? Do protein requirements change during the dieting phase? 

Answer: 
Protein consumption on training days v's non-training days 
We all know now that when we train, we are merely providing the stimulus for our bodies to become bigger and stronger (to over-compensate) as the act of high intensity weight training actually breaks down muscle tissue. We also know that we don't actually get bigger when we are in the gym training. The recovery process is slow, and can take up to a week for a certain body part to fully over-compensate. 
Protein is the raw material for muscle growth - the building blocks if you may. Now when you take protein out of the equation (reducing consumption on non-training days), it is like asking the builders to finish building the house by the deadline, yet you have taken away the bricks. 
Reducing protein consumption on non-training days per your normal training day requirements is asking for minimal results. Irrespective of what day it is and your workload, your protein requirements need to remain optimal. If you are in the off-season, I would always recommend eating more protein whenever you have any doubt. If you are a hard training athlete, the only side effect that you might experience is added lean body mass, and isn't that the reason we all train in the first place? 
(note: Protein is a vital nutrient, but so are the other macronutrients. Keep your diet balanced, and stay within your body's optimal protein requirements) 
Protein Requirements 
The amount of protein that an individual needs has been the topic of much controversy over the years. I can tell you this for certain though. The general RDI of protein is inadequate for a hard training athlete. In Australia, I have seen the RDI of protein range from 0.8 to 1.2 g per kg of bodyweight or up to 1.5g per kg of bodyweight. Following these recommendations in conjunction with a high intensity weight training program, you would be lucky to hold onto the muscle mass of an 8 year old girl, let alone make any noticeable increases in lean body mass. I have seen other recommendations of up to 3g per kg for strength athletes, but I still feel this might be inadequate. I have experimented myself with various amounts of protein and found that when I consume near 5g per kg of bodyweight is when I make noticeable gains in size and strength. When I am consuming high amounts of protein, I find that I recover quicker and suffer less aches and pains. Coincidence, I don't know. All I know is that when I reduce my protein consumption, the gains will slow. 
The best recommendation I could give on protein consumption is to increase it to a level where you feel you are getting the best results. This for you might be 3g per kg or even higher, the trick is finding what works for you. I can tell you this for certain though - chances are right now, your not eating enough! 

More informative articles can be found at;
www.physique-essentials.com

"My BeNcH pReSs BrInGs All ThE GirLs To ThE yArD, n ThEy'Re LiKe, YoUr PeCs ArE LaRgE, dAmN rIgHt My PeCs ArE LaRgE, u CaN tOuCh ThEm, bUt IlL hAv To ChArGe"

Saturday December 18th
Ask me for 15% off everything
10:00 AM  til 3:30PM

Can’t make it in? Just call me on the day with your order and pay by credit card, or visit the new Australian Muscle E-Store for convenient on line shopping (details below) and pick your order up later on during the week.

FREE BODYFAT TEST

Australian Muscle now offers free bodyfat testing. Just come into the shop with your height in centimetres and I can do a bodyfat test on you using the TANITA bodyfat monitor. The test is non intrusive, quick, and FREE!!

Last months winners of the 4cooler bag full of goodies was Nathan Greaves.

This month I have a carton PVL Gourmet Cruncheez to give away.

DECEMBER SPECIALS

100% Whey 

10lb bag
$150:00

Meta Cel

$74:95

Battle For The Olympia 2003
$79:95

Wild Bull L-Glutamine
300g $39:95
500g $59:95
1kg $79:95

N.B. All Prices are in   AUD.

CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS AT AUSTRALIAN MUSCLE

Australian Muscle now has a comprehensive range of DVD's for sale. New titles are arriving just about every week. Hottest titles from Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler to the latest Mr Olympia and coming in the second week of December, a 3 dvd box set, exclusive to Australian Muscle, featuring Dexter Jackson, Troy Alves and Victor Martinez (also available separately). 

I do have other DVD's in stock also. Call or e-mail me on 08 83730735 for more details.

DVD's now available are;

The Flex Collection

Australian Muscle is proud to present "The Flex collection". Specially manufactured for Australian Muscle by Gold Creations in Melbourne.
A unique range of superbly hand crafted jewelry pieces, designed for those with fitness at heart.
Our newly expanded range offers exciting new styles. Available in Yellow and White gold and a combination of both.
We offer a flexible approach to fulfill your individual requirements. Special requests outside our normal manufacturing specifications are welcome, if it's possible, we'll make it.
Australian Muscle now has the full Flex Collection range for your perusal. Each piece is hand crafted especially for you. Order can be fulfilled in only a matter of days.

The range includes necklaces, bracelets, ear rings and body jewelry for both men and women. If you are looking for the special gift for those with fitness at heart, then the Flex Collections is for you. While you’re at it, why not treat yourself.......you’ll be surprised at the prices

Tanita Scales

The easy way to measure everything from weight and body fat to water retention. Tanita has a scale for everyone.

MSP Training Diary

If you are involved in any form of exercise or diet, the MSP Training Diary is a valuable asset to ensure you get the results you're looking for... 

By recording your Exercise and Diet, a clear and concise plan can be followed for consistent progress to reach your goals faster... 

FatTrack Gold

Digital Bodyfat Caliper with new Myotape, body tape measure. Easily track all your body fat and measurements with superior accuracy, by yourself.

Aussie Muscle Gift Voucher

Still stuck for an idea? How about an Australian Muscle gift voucher? Gift vouchers can be made out for any amount and can be redeemed at any time of the year.

WHAT'S THE GOSS?

Gossip is sourced from various sites such as muscletime.com, getbig.com, nuclearnutrition.com, ironmagazine.com 

Muscle Ute
Those of you who have been to the shop recently may have noticed the new Aussie Muscle Falcon Ute. Yes, I have lashed out and bought a 2001 model EA ute. Finished in a striking dark blue duco with green and gold sign writing depicting the flexing kangaroo, it's an eye catcher. I want to see just how eye catching this ute is. If you see the Aussie Muscle ute on the road, call me on 8373 0735, and tell me where you saw it, and you will win a prize. The first person to call me each month wins the prize. Seeing the ute in the shop carpark, in my driveway, or at Limbo Gym, does not count. In the past month the ute has been at Sellicks Beach, Adelaide International Raceway, and in the Adelaide hills, so I do get around.

Speaking of hot cars. If you think your beast deserves recognition, bring it in to Australian Muscle and I'll take a picture of you and your pride and joy and place it on the Aussie Muscle website.

What happened to Mustafa Mohammad after the Mr. Olympia? 
Rumors were circulating that Mustafa had a heart attack, a stroke, or worse after the 2004 Mr. Olympia. None of this is true. According to Shawn Ray, after the Mr. Olympia, Mustafa was suffering from severe cramps, and since there was no hotel doctor on Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay, an ambulance was called in to take Mustafa to the hospital. Milos Sarcev accompanied Mohammed in the ambulance, and Kevin Levrone, Jim Manion, Vince Scalisi, and Shawn Ray went to the hospital. Around 1:30am, the doctors said he would be fine, and would be released from the hospital in the morning. Muhammed flew back to Austria the next day. 

What happened to Mustafa Mohammad after the Holland Grand Prix? Part 2. 
According to Flex, Mustafa Mohammad was rushed via ambulance to an Amsterdam hospital after his potassium level reached potentially deadly levels - the result of severe dehydration. Milos Sarcev assisted the doctors, and Mohammad's potassium level decreased. He is being held in the hospital for at least 24 hours. 
This was the second time in a week that a Mustafa was visited the hospital. The same thing happened to him at the Mr Olympia a week before where he was also rushed away in an ambulance. Good to see that these guys are learning from their mistakes.......

Ronnie, Greatest Ever?
On November 6, 2004, Ronnie Colman, at the 2004 Grand Prix Russia, broke the IFBB most pro wins. He added two more wins the following two nights. This is a record that will not be broken for a long time. Ronnie now has 25 IFBB Pro Titles.

Can Ronnie now be called "the greatest ever"?

This juicy bit of gossip is from the bodybuilding.com website. I'm not sure how true it is, but if it is, it's gonna send some big ripple through the pro scene.

"The BIG NEWS in regards to the 2004 Mr. Olympia is not that Ronnie Coleman won yet again, oh no. The really BIG NEWS, that all are afraid to write about, all are scared to disclose is that Milo Sarcev and Dennis James were served inside the Olympia Expo their Federal indictment papers for trafficking and distributing steroids. 
I have yet to read this anywhere in the bodybuilding community. Both of these athletes are Weider Publication signed bodybuilders as well as Dennis James is signed by Muscletech. 
What will happen now you might ask? With Federal Indictments the Government is going to try and go for the maximum charge they possibly can enforce. Rumor has it they are shooting for the Rico act which is punishable by 20 years imprisonment. They probably will not get this sentence enforced but the problem is the Feds will get some portion of this time served without a doubt being there is a 97% conviction rate in the federal court system. Only time will time will tell but time is exactly what these two bodybuilders will do"