by Adam J Moore

Founder and CEO, MooreMuscle.com

Human chorionic gonadotropin or human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone produced in pregnancy that is made by the developing embryo after conception and later by the syncytiotrophoblast (part of the placenta). Its role is to prevent the disintegration of the corpus luteum of the ovary and thereby maintain progesterone production that is critical for a pregnancy in humans. hCG may have additional functions; for instance, it is thought that hCG affects the immune tolerance of the pregnancy. Early pregnancy testing, in general, is based on the detection or measurement of hCG. Because hCG is produced also by some kinds of tumor, hCG is an important tumor marker especially (with clinical significance) in Gestational trophoblastic disease, but it is not known whether this production is a contributing cause or an effect of tumorigenesis.
 

Structure
 

Human chorionic gonadotropin is a glycoprotein composed of 244 amino acids with a molecular mass of 36.7 kDa. Its total dimensions are 75×35×30 Ångströms (7.5×3.5×3 nanometers).

It is heterodimeric, with an α (alpha) subunit identical to that of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and β (beta) subunit that is unique to hCG.
 

•    The α (alpha) subunit is 92 amino acids long and has dimensions 60×25×15 Ångströms (6×2.5×1.5 nm).
 

•    The β-subunit of hCG gonadotropin contains 145 amino acids and has dimensions 6.5×2.5×2 nm, encoded by six highly-homologous genes that are arranged in tandem and inverted pairs on chromosome 19q13.3 - CGB (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8).

The two subunits create a small hydrophobic core surrounded by a high surface area-to-volume ratio: 2.8 times that of a sphere. The vast majority of the outer amino acids are hydrophilic.
 

Function
 

Human chorionic gonadotropin interacts with the LHCG receptor and promotes the maintenance of the corpus luteum during the beginning of pregnancy, causing it to secrete the hormone progesterone. Progesterone enriches the uterus with a thick lining of blood vessels and capillaries so that it can sustain the growing fetus. Due to its highly-negative charge, hCG may repel the immune cells of the mother, protecting the fetus during the first trimester. It has also been hypothesized that hCG may be a placental link for the development of local maternal immunotolerance. For example, hCG-treated endometrial cells induce an increase in T cell apoptosis (dissolution of T-cells). These results suggest that hCG may be a link in the development of peritrophoblastic immune tolerance, and may facilitate the trophoblast invasion, which is known to expedite fetal development in the endometrium. It has also been suggested that hCG levels are linked to the severity of morning sickness in pregnant women.
 

Because of its similarity to LH, hCG can also be used clinically to induce ovulation in the ovaries as well as testosterone production in the testes. As the most abundant biological source is women who are presently pregnant, some organizations collect urine from pregnant women to extract hCG for use in fertility treatment.
 

Human chorionic gonadotropin also plays a role in cellular differentiation/proliferation and may activate apoptosis.
 

Weight Loss
 

A controversial usage of hCG is as an adjunct to the British endocrinologist A.T.W. Simeons' ultra-low-calorie weight-loss diet (less than 500 calories). Simeons, while studying pregnant women in India on a calorie-deficient diet, and “fat boys” with pituitary problems (Frölich's syndrome) treated with low-dose hCG, claimed that both lost fat rather than lean (muscle) tissue. He reasoned that hCG must be programming the hypothalamus to do this in the former cases in order to protect the developing fetus by promoting mobilization and consumption of abnormal, excessive adipose deposits. Simeons, practicing at Salvator Mundi International Hospital in Rome, Italy, recommended low-dose daily hCG injections (125 IU) in combination with a customized ultra-low-calorie (500 cal/day, high-protein, low-carbohydrate/fat) diet loss of adipose tissue without loss of lean tissue. After Simeons’ death, the diet started to spread to specialized centers and via popularization by individuals such as the controversial author Kevin Trudeau, notorious for promotion.
 

The controversy proceeds from warnings by the Journal of the American Medical Association and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that hCG is neither safe, nor effective as a weight-loss aid.
 

Homeopathic hCG for Weight Control
 

Controversy about and shortages of injected hCG for weight loss have led to substantial internet promotion of "homeopathic hCG" for weight control. The ingredients in these products are often obscure, but if prepared from true hCG via homeopathic dilution, they contain either no hCG at all or only trace amounts. These preparations are generally advertised for oral use.
 

Fertility
 

Human chorionic gonadotropin is extensively used parenterally as an ovulation inducer in lieu of luteinizing hormone. In the presence of one or more mature ovarian follicles, ovulation can be triggered by the administration of hCG. As ovulation will happen 24-36 hours after the injection of hCG, procedures can be scheduled to take advantage of this time sequence. Thus, patients that undergo IVF, in general, receive hCG to trigger the ovulation process, but have their eggs retrieved at about 36 hours after injection, a few hours before the eggs actually would be released from the ovary.
 

As hCG supports the corpus luteum, administration of hCG is used in certain circumstances to enhance the production of progesterone.
In the male, hCG injections are used to stimulate the leydig cells to synthesize testosterone. The intratesticular testosterone is necessary for spermatogenesis from the sertoli cells. Typical uses for hCG in men include hypogonadism and fertility treatment.

During first few months of pregnancy, the transmission of HIV-1 from woman to fetus is extremely rare. It has been suggested that this is due to the high concentration of hCG, and that the beta-subunit of this protein is active against HIV-1.

Reference:  American Journal for Clinical Nutrition

 

by Adam J Moore

Founder and CEO, MooreMuscle.com

For as long as anyone can remember, people have been striving for success.  People go to great lengths to be "successful".  Success can mean many different things depending on who you ask.  For some it is finanacial, for others, personal and still others define success by simplicity.  Whatever success a person may strive for they are always looking for the avenue or "key" to get there.

Even though there are many definitions of success, there is only one "key" needed to reach any of them.  State of Mind.  The way to reach anything a person desires in their life is through their own self-confidence.  Self-confidence is the guide and drive for all people who obtain success, from the greatest bodybuilder to the most successful business person.

While you are setting up your next nutrition plan or planning your next workout, consider first what may be most important; step back and think about your own state of mind.  Be confident in yourself and your goals from deep within.  Attack life with a new found feeling of success and know nothing can stand in your way.  Once you have conquered the sometimes elusive feeling of self-confidence, you can conquer anything.

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you'be imagined."

                                                                                                              -Thoreau

by Adam J Moore

Founder and CEO, MooreMuscle.com

This article will be dedicated to the beginner in search of knowledge and a kick start or anyone who needs to brush up on basic nutrition.  Without beating around the bush, health and fitness is a lifestyle and a mindset, not a chore!  It is something which impacts a person’s life on all levels and can change the course of someone’s future.  Everyone knows the uncountable benefits of fitness but not everyone knows the path to get there!  Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to that path.

One of the reasons I think people shy away from or are afraid of fitness is they believe it’s complicated.  People who don’t know think it takes counting calories, weighing food and employing an expensive trainer.  Here’s the big secret … it doesn’t!! 

Let’s start at what I feel is the most important part of the fitness equation ... nutrition.  Throughout this first article I will show you some basics on what goes in your mouth!    People, whether they realize it or not, already have a pretty good idea on what they should and shouldn’t eat.  A person already knows passing through fast food on the way to work or stuffing down just one more cookie is a bad idea.  They already know in the back of their minds … “this isn’t very healthy”.  Because this is an article for beginners we are going to stay very general and look at the basics of food itself.

Let’s start with Fat.  Ok let’s squash one myth right now, fat is not always evil!  While it has been ingrained in your mind that consuming fat is one step from hells gates it simply is not the case.  The human body requires fat to a certain extent and it cannot function properly without it.  Having said that, I am not condoning eating a 45 gram of fat cheese burger or a plate of fried mozzarella sticks, I am simply saying, consuming fat in controlled amounts is a good thing and if done correctly can actually help you burn fat!

While shopping for groceries next time take a look at the food labels.  They can act as a great guide on where to begin with the question of fat.  For example, you may consider eating a salad for lunch a healthy change but take a look at the dressing on that salad.  Typical Ranch dressing contains 18 grams of fat per 2 tablespoons!  There goes that healthy lunch you were looking for!  Keep in mind nutrition is not always about the food but also about the condiments.  Keep an eye out for everything included in your meal, the main parts, the condiments, the drink etc.

Secondly, we will look at carbohydrates.  Once again … these are not all bad all the time!  The body uses carbohydrates for energy, without carbohydrates, the body turns to muscle for energy.  This is the reason behind the huge weight loss people experience when they try a “no carb” diet for too long a period of time.  The weight loss comes from a major loss of muscle along with fat.  The body has no where else to turn for energy!  The best way to consider carbohydrates is in moderation.  Consider consuming carbohydrates in the morning and again after your workout.  For the remainder of the day keep carbohydrate intake to a minimum and you will see changes in your body fairly quickly.

Thirdly, sugar.  Sugar, again, is required for proper body function but at a minimum level!  Simple sugars carry very little value for the body.  Sodas, candy, juices, more or less sweets in general are full of these simple sugars.  Fruits are very healthy for the body for their nutrient qualities but they are also full of simple sugars, … no matter what the food pyramid advises … take these in moderation!  Changing your intake of sugars can have a drastic affect on your physique.

The last item I will touch on is the all powerful protein.  It has been stated in the past “you can never have too much protein”.  Well now hang on a second!  While I do recognize protein as being extremely important to a fitness nutrition plan, as with most other things in life, you can have too much of a good thing!  Protein is one of the main building blocks of muscle and whether you are looking to slim down or bulk up, it’s all about the muscle!  Be sure to include a protein source in each meal you consume throughout the day.  This should be sufficient for your protein intake for the day. 

To break it down very simply, protein helps you build muscle and burn fat.  Having said that, taking in too much protein will increase your caloric intake too much and add unwanted fat to your physique. 

While beginning your fitness journey keep these basic nutrition tips in mind and you will be well on your way to a healthier life!

by Adam J Moore

Founder and CEO, MooreMuscle.com

Some of the biggest things I hear on a day to day basis is "I wanna diet, can you write me a diet?", "I want something that can help me lose my love handles.", "I want something that can take away my cellulite.".  While they are all good ideas and good goals, the main idea of health and fitness is lost.  Health isn't something you are supposed to do for a few months before you head to the beach or six weeks before you get married, etc.  Health and fitness is and needs to be a way of life.

The reason most people go from one "diet" to another and one extreme to the next is because that is exactly what they are ... diets or extremes.  I always tell people I don't write "diets", I write nutrition plans.  A nutrition plan is a guide to follow for the rest of your life.  Health and fitness isn't about what you look like in a bathing suit (even though it is an enjoyable side effect), and it's not about how other people look at you or how much attention you get.  Health and fitness is about YOUR life.  It is about your physical and mental well being.  The benefits of being healthy are ENDLESS.  Obese and overweight people are known to conquer, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, sleep apnea, etc, etc, etc.    

I give you this challenge:  Stop thinking of your next extreme because you are unhappy with the mirror or the scale and start thinking about your life.  Take control of the most important thing in your life, your health.  Without it, you have nothing and can accomplish nothing.  When you begin thinking of health and fitness as a way of life and not as a once a year idea, you will be able to enjoy a life you never dreamed possible.  Get your nutrition plan in line, get on an exercise routine and maybe for the first time in your life, introduce yourself to a new you. 

Beach Ready Body
by Stephanie Pita

At the rate that time flies these days, Summer is right around the corner and there’s no better time to make the necessary adjustments to your workout regimen [or begin one, for that matter] than now!  Achieving any goal requires effort on your part. Whether you’re looking to build mass or drop your body fat percentage; there is no substitute for an increase in workload at the gym and consuming high quality, nutrient-dense foods.  Diet and exercise work hand in hand to promote physical fitness and increase ones overall physical performance.  You need energy to exercise so make sure that if you’re cutting down excess calories, you’re consuming enough to support the exercise but not the extra body fat.  Some tips on dieting are as follows:

Muscle Confusion
The myth behind workout plateaus
by Faheem Mujahid

Whether it’s while performing a favorite sport or improving ones overall body definition, many workout enthusiasts find themselves in the dark about how to prevent plateaus. The answer to that question remains highly sought after in both the fitness and sports performance industry and it’s time we put a rest to all the confusion surrounding this issue. After some research both professionally and personally, I find that it’s not just about being knowledgeable of this topic, but rather having the ability to communicate the knowledge effectively and in the most simplistic way that matters most. Enjoy!

Muscle Confusion Myth
Your muscles require systematic overloading and recuperation to produce the results you desire and that fact is the strongest argument against the muscle confusion myth. You can't just overload your muscles for an extended period of time and then shift the base to other muscles. It's a continuous process which requires enough time to overload but, more importantly, recover. Basically, muscles are made of two proteins, actin and myosin. These proteins are broken down to aid in the process of recovery and recuperation, which leads to size increase of the muscle mass. In simple words, overloading breaks the tissues and recovery rebuilds and enlarges them. If enough time is not given for the broken tissues to recover, the muscles won't grow. In fact, they may even start deteriorating and become small. So be certain that along with proper training variables you make sure to give your body adequate recovery time.

There is an undeniable correlation between our posture and our wellness.  Our posture symbolizes the internal dialogue between our physical bodies and the core of our emotional, mental and spiritual health.  This is the symbol of vitality we feel flowing through our bodies when we think, sleep and eat well, when we train strong, when we train hard.  Our posture is something that ties the entire kinetic chain.  It is the beginning point and ending point for all movement.

I often find myself standing on the receiving end of this question. Many believe by simply ramping out hundreds of sit-ups a day they can achieve the perfect mid-section. I find in my line of work that due to this false understanding there is a large percentage of individuals whom have adapted to this way of thinking and find themselves not only moving further from their well defined mid-section, but also developing muscular imbalances. They put themselves at far greater risk for injury further down the road.

The MooreMuscle.com team at the Dayana Cadeau Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships in Miami, Florida.
October 24, 2009