The Outspoken Cyclist – 1/09/2016

If you take vitamins, weight loss remedies, or even Viagra, do you know what’s really IN them? Are you SURE?

Back in December, my first guest, Chris Solomon wrote an article for OutsideOnline.com titled, Deadly Substances Are Lurking in Your Supplements“. In it, he details the horrific story of young athletic people who suddenly began showing up at the Queen’s Liver Center in Honolulu, Hawaii where transplant surgeon Dr. Linda Wong found them in acute liver failure. Two had to be placed on the liver transplant list with only a few days to live.

After much sleuthing, the culprit turned out to be a popular weight loss product called OxyElite Pro sold by USPLabs. The story goes on to relate what it took to get this product off the shelves, hunt down the people who decided to sell off as much as they could even though they knew it was deadly, and finally indict them.

This is just one example; and, as my conversation with Chris unfolds, we get into more detail about the what, why, and how supplements are – or more accurately – are NOT regulated in the U.S.

Then we talk with PhD physicist, journalist, elite runner, and author Alex Hutchinson. Alex is the author of Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights? Fitness Myths, Training Truths, and Other Surprising Discoveries from the Science of Exercise. and currently writes the monthly Fast Lane column and the Sweat Science blog for Runner’s World.

After we talk a bit about strength and endurance as it relates to training and racing, Alex weighs in on the supplement theme from a different angle, including a fascinating study that involves the results of multi-vitamins and how those who take them might behave differently from those who don’t.

We also talk about the biological passport developed to help stem the tide of doping.

My third guest this week is Dr. Bob Murray. Bob is head of sports science for Flex Pharma, a biotechnology company that is developing innovative and proprietary treatments for exercise associated muscle cramps, nocturnal leg cramps, and spasms associated with severe neuromuscular conditions.

Developed by Their new “spicy drink “It’s The Nerve“” might just be a way to stem the onset of painful and sometimes debilitating cramps.

Turns out that, while we still don’t know EXACTLY what causes cramping, we are getting a handle on how to alleviate and even prevent it from happening and the Flex Pharma hashtag #ItsTheNerve gives you a clue.

Three guests – three approaches to your well being – both on the bike and off.
Enjoy!