| An exciting development in the functional food area is | | | | building muscle...in this part I will go into more detail |
| the fortified egg. Bodybuilders have long known that | | | | about flax seed, flax seed oil, and how to use |
| eggs are a good source of protein...and because of | | | | them...because they are not only great for putting on |
| this are a great muscle building food... but eggs can | | | | muscle...but also for burning fat. |
| now also be a good source of omega-3 essential | | | | The use of EFA and flax seed/oil is popular with |
| fatty acids. Some egg producers are adding flaxseed | | | | competitive bodybuilders and is a good example of the |
| to the feed of hens. Flax seed is one of the best | | | | innovative understanding that bodybuilders have for |
| sources for the essential fatty acid, alpha linolenic acid. | | | | nutrition. Flax seeds are abundant in fibre, and are also |
| Adding omega-3 fatty acids, in the form of flaxseeds, | | | | a rich source of Omega 3 fatty acids and lignans, |
| to the diets of hens increases the omega-3 fatty acid | | | | vitamins, minerals and protein. Flax seeds contain both |
| content of eggs by over six times that of regular eggs. | | | | insoluble and soluble fibre and importantly contain a |
| Eating two fortified eggs may provide an adequate | | | | special fibre called mucilage. Mucilage helps stabilize |
| amount of omega-3 fatty acids. | | | | blood sugar levels (great for fat loss), protects against |
| Benefits for bodybuilders | | | | bowel cancer and is a natural laxative. Plus, a |
| Alpha linolenic acid is important to bodybuilders for: | | | | 100-gram serve of flax seeds yields 25 grams of |
| · Enhancing insulin sensitivity within muscle cells | | | | protein (4 grams of protein per tablespoon), which is |
| (insulin is the most anabolic hormone in the body) | | | | great considering the other nutrients obtained along |
| · Stimulating steroid production | | | | with this. |
| · Mediating immune response | | | | Omega-3 fatty acid is sometimes defined as "anti-fat" |
| · Transportation of oxygen to body cells | | | | due to its ability to speed up the metabolic process |
| · Directing endocrine hormones to target cells | | | | and aid in fat loss. Omega-3 fatty acid increases both |
| · Keeping saturated fats mobile in the blood | | | | the fluidity of cell membranes and the uptake of |
| stream | | | | nutrients into the cell. It also increases the removal of |
| · Regulation of nerve transmission | | | | waste from the cell. This more efficient cellular |
| · Systemization of hormones | | | | functioning results in an increased rate of fat burning. |
| · Regulating smooth muscle and autonomic | | | | (Whereas, low-fat diets tend to result in poor hormone |
| reflexes | | | | production, which leads to a slower metabolism...and |
| · Serving as the primary energy source for the | | | | thus less fat burning). Because of this, flaxseed is not |
| heart muscle. | | | | only one of the best muscle building foods...but also one |
| · Construction of healthy cell walls | | | | of the best fat burning and muscle building foods. |
| Egg producers also add vitamin E to the flaxseed | | | | How to use flax seed oil... |
| feed to keep it stable. This can cause the vitamin E | | | | Flax seed oil is best taken along with other food. |
| content of fortified eggs to be as much as eight times | | | | Consume one teaspoon of flax seed oil with |
| higher than that of normal eggs. It is also worthy to | | | | breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is a moderate dose |
| note that eggs can taste better with the vitamin E | | | | and should be increased from teaspoon to tablespoon |
| enrichment. Whether you choose normal or fortified | | | | in off-season (3 teaspoons equal 1 tablespoon). Do not |
| eggs...they are both great muscle building foods. | | | | be afraid to add Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation |
| Fat Burning and Muscle Building Foods...Flax seeds and | | | | to any pre-contest bodybuilding diet. The numerous |
| flax seed oil | | | | benefits and fat burning assistance outweighs the |
| Carrying on from fortified eggs which touched upon | | | | calories. |
| the benefits of flax seed and essential fatty acids for | | | | |