AboutDean Carlson Expertise Dean can help you with questions related to my experience with resistance training and cardiovascular exercise, as well as input on fat loss, supplemention and injury prevention.
Experience Currently own Cr8 Health & Fitness, which provides physical preparation services. Certified Professional Fitness Trainer through the National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association, as well as graduate of the Coach Intern Program through King Sports International.
Education/Credentials NESTA CPFT
KSI CIP Coach
Dean believes that everyone is capable of taking action that will improve body and mind, and that small steps taken every day can result in huge changes. He has experienced this in his own life, making the changes that resulted both in losing 70 pounds and starting his own training business in order to help others.
Dean's training philosophy incorporates personalized training with sound nutrition principles and supplementation for total health. Visit http://healthfacts.usana.com for more information on his recommended supplements.
Expert: Dean Carlson Date: 7/21/2008 Subject: question
Question Dear Sir;
I need to inquire about 2 different issues; I hope you can help me:
My first question is about protein powders, calories products and drinks that are used for body building, food and diet supplement; also some types of high potency multi Vitamins. Almost every gym I went to I noticed many different types of these products, but studies in some eastern countries outside the United States showed that those products can cause sever or permanent damage to the body, and I heard several doctors and physicians saying that if I want to increase my body mass, I need to resort to eating more regular food, and they said that I have to stay away from protein and body building supplements that claim or pretend to add more weight to my body. Some men where training with heavy weight and in the same time using those products for few years, then after they stopped weight lifting, or they stopped the supplements the boomerang worked against their will and their goal, they started facing more physical problems and challenge that can not be resolved anymore. What do you know about this topic?
My second question is about acupuncture. I live in Michigan and I need to take an acupuncture class, but over here colleges do not offer this type of class. The only possibility that I found is an online course offered by Harvard University, which will coast from $6000 to $9000, but I don’t like this. What I really like is to go take the course in the Middle East as first choice, India is my second option, and Europe is my third choice to study acupuncture. Please let me know if you have some possibilities available in those 3 areas. My employer is willing to pay half of the tuition and fees, so money is not a problem for me.
Thanks for your answers and consideration.
Answer Sam,
There is nothing magic about a good quality protein supplement. They are just another way to get the nutrition you need when you are training.
As far as some of the other supplements out there, in my opinion the vast majority of them are junk. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
The foundation of a good diet IS whole natural foods. Protein powders are useful to supplement a good diet if and when your body requires it. I have seen no evidence they are harmful. The evidence also supports taking a high quality multi-vitamin, especially when training hard.
