One study showed that over a 6-day period of
sodium restriction, aldosterone levels tripled. Aldos-
terone plays a key role in maintaining fluid balance by
assisting in the re-absorption/retention of both water
and sodium. If we think about the menstrual cycle and
water retained through that – this is the same hormone
controlling it. it in the final 24-48 hours before the show. But if you
get it wrong, disaster can strike physique wise.
At the beginning of the trial, aldosterone sat at
10.4ng/100ml. 2) Amateurs using prescription-based
diuretics.
At the local level (qualifiers), chances are that just
turning up in ‘real’ condition will most likely be enough
to nail a top three position.
There’s a reason many of the top guys in the
sport are now also coming away from using
prescription-based diuretics.
Most just take these drugs, not knowing the
mechanism of action behind them. Or that there are
different classes of them; loop diuretics, potassium
sparing, thyazide etc.
One day into the sodium restriction it went to
11.7ng/100ml (nothing too crazy).
At 6 days in, it rose to 37ng/ml!
Not only is it illogical from a water manipulation
standpoint (the whole reason for doing so), it’s also
pretty dumb as we need sodium for certain glucose
transporters to work as well as to aid in muscle
contraction. You know, the thing we do day in, day out
in the gym?
There can definitely be a case made for manipulating
How?
Sodium is CRITICAL for blood volume. As soon as that
drops, kiss goodbye to getting that pump you’re
chasing backstage.
In ascending order of issues, the following can
happen:
The Good: You nail the timing and dose, and you
coming looking sharper (rare).
The Bad: You flatten out completely, struggle to get a
pump, possible cramping and end up looking worse/
smooth on stage (most common outcome).
The Ugly: Can be lethal. Both low sodium
(hyponatremia) and high potassium (hyperkalemia) are
possible outcomes of misusing prescription-based
diuretics.
You’re probably familiar with the marathon runners
that we occasionally hear about dying via ‘over
hydration’. What typically happens here is they drink
so much water they completely flush out their mineral
balance, and in particular sodium.
Also, consider that of the three chemicals used in
the lethal injection, potassium is the one that actually
stops the heart and is ultimately fatal. The other two
chemicals are used to sedate the person and cause
paralysis to the muscles.
If throughout your prep you’ve managed to work
out that you’re prone to water retention (and you’re
100% sure it’s not still just body fat that needs
to come off, which is more than likely the case),
then using an herbal diuretic such as ProjectAD’s
H20 Remoove can be a good alternative at increasing
the rate of diuresis, without the potential side effects
of the much more potent prescription drugs.
The three candidates we’d suggest could benefit
from using this product are:
• Females competing around their menstrual cycle
• Heavily stressed out individuals (cortisol binds to the
same receptor as aldosterone)
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FLEX | MARCH 2018