Click to Subscribe to All Ben's Fitness & Get A Free Surprise Gift from Ben.

Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode. 

Do you have a future podcast question for Ben? Scroll down on this post to access the free "Ask Ben" form...

In this June 14, 2011 free audio episode: Respiratory quotient, rapid weight gain, female endurance athletes who get fat, high blood sugar, intermittent fasting, do birth control pills reduce athletic performance, prolozone therapy, hand swelling during exercise, and my favorite podcasts.

Remember, if you have any trouble listening, downloading, or transferring to your mp3 player just e-mail ben@bengreenfieldfitness.com. And don't forget to leave the podcast a ranking in iTunes - it only takes 2 minutes of your time and helps grow our healthy community! Just click here to go to our iTunes page and leave feedback.

-----------------------------------------------------

Special Announcements:

-Get a 10% discount on Master Amino Pattern when you click here.

-Click here to donate $1 to keep this podcast going!

-BenGreenfieldFitness Inner Circle is now just $1 for a 14 Day Sneak Peek! Click here to join now.

- Get insider VIP tips and discounts from Ben - conveniently delivered directly to your phone! Just complete the information below...

First Name Last Name Email Cell # (1+area code)

 

---------------------------------------------------------------

Listener Q&A:

====================================== [contact-form 3 "AskBen"] ======================================

Lisa has a call in question about metabolic testing and the respiratory quotient, and whether she can lower her RQ to switch to "mixed fuelds", and what the test costs. Michael asks: Hi Ben, I am extremely concerned about my blood sugar levels. Last year I had an occupational health physical and they told me my fasted blood sugar levels were elevated at 118. After that I started phasing in healthier food choices and for at least the past 6 months I've been eating very clean, whole, organic foods and spending about 5 hours a week lifting and interval training. I'm about 5'11 and 155lbs and relatively low BF%. I just got my bloodwork from this years physical and my blood sugar was 118 yet again. I thought maybe I should give you some background. I'll eat a banana first thing then hit the gym. I have post workout shake consisting of oats, whey, chia seeds and whole milk and then my morning coffee with whole milk and stevia. Lunch is usually my big meal where I'll usually have something like an egg salad sandwich and a green smoothie. Around 4 I'll have a snack like naan and hummus and dinner usually consists of turkey burgers and maybe some fruit. I supplement with 4,000 iu of vitamin D and 3 tbspns of Udo's oil every day. My HDL was 40, LDL was 62, and my triglycerides were 84 (which are all improvements over last year). Sorry for the long question but I am quite concerned and don't understand. I do eat a whole lot of carbs and was drinking a lot of milk to bulk up. Would a more paleo/zone diet be beneficial to me or could this be something unrelated to my relatively healthy lifestyle?

Josh asks: I've been training for Ironman 70.3 Kansas since December. I started out weighing around 160lbs and am currently at 153lbs. I'm 5ft 10in, in my 20's and have a "cyclist" build (small all over except for my quads). I've been zoning in on my racing weight of 150lbs or slightly below. Just a few days ago after a brick workout in the summer sun I dipped down to 148lbs due to water loss. This is normal for me as I'm a heavy sweater. But today I weighed in at 159lbs after my swim session! How in the world could this be? I eat very healthy and watch my caloric intake. I'm sure some of it is water weight, but 6lbs worth? Whats going on here? Eric asks: I have a question regarding some I know who's experiencing some creeping weight gain. She is a competitive age grouper in the marathon (sub 3:30) and is a periodic triathlete. She is good about tracking every bite of food. After workouts consumes a smoothie containing yellow pea/hemp/brown rice protein blend along with some greens and fruit. Also began supplementing with BCAA's as well. She recently got better about taking nutrition during runs and bike rides. Despite being careful to keep carb/fat/protein ratios in the proper limits and monitoring calories she is still seeing her weight slowly creep up. Could this be the early indicator of over training (i.e. overtaxed endocrine system)? This is someone who commonly has 50-70 mile running weeks on top of 3-4 swim sessions and 3 bike workouts a week, so we are not talking about a casual exerciser. Any insight you may have would be greatly appreciated!

Chuck asks: I've been reading some lately on intermittent fasting and working out. Can you explain a little more about this- who it's good for, why to (or not to do it), and if there is ever reasons for endurance athletes to do it--It seems like it would be hard to have the energy for a hard workout after not eating for such a long time (i.e. 24 hours). Also, it seems like a lot of the reasons revolve around vanity and having your muscles look ripped, but I'm guessing thats not the main reason?

jen asks: I recently started taking a low dose birth control (6 months ago) I feel like my performance has decreased and that I am just not as strong. And am unable to push myself as hard as I use to. I have gained 5 lbs. My period were regular before I started the birth control. Is there any research on weather the increased hormone level could be the cause of decreased performance in females. And if so could I do anything about it ?

Monte asks: How do you do Prolozone therapy?

Christian asks: My wife has started training for a sprint triathlon. When she exercises in the heat she gets significant swelling after 15 minutes. The swelling is mostly in her arms and hands- bad enough that she gets a carpal tunnel type syndrome. No cardiac or other medical issues. We eat a gluten free, low carb diet. She has tried adding salt to her water bottle without any change. Any ideas or suggestions?

Jeff asks: What are your top five "can't miss" audio podcasts on any topic?

In Episode #90, I talk about my favorite books.

--------------------------------------------

Remember, if you have any trouble listening, downloading, or transferring to your mp3 player just e-mail ben@bengreenfieldfitness.com And don't forget to leave the podcast a ranking in iTunes - it only takes 2 minutes of your time and helps grow our healthy community! Just click here to go to our iTunes page and leave feedback.

Brand new - get insider VIP tips and discounts from Ben - conveniently delivered directly to your phone! Just complete the information below...

First Name Last Name Email Cell # (1+area code):

Did you know...you can get the new BenGreenfieldFitness.com t-shirt in any design and any price when you click here.

Here is the front...

And here is the back...

Click here to get the new BenGreenfieldFitness shirt, in whatever design and price you choose!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.