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Ivan's Newsletter
July 1, 2008 -- Issue 042
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In this issue...

** Yohimbine for fat loss

** EXCLUSIVE FOR IVANNIKOLOV.COM: Interview with Jerick Ternida - the newest Musclemania Pro

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** Yohimbine for fat loss
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Yohimbine is the main alkaloid in a blend of 32 alkaloids, derived from the bark of the Western-African tree Pausinystalia yohimbe (Corynanthe yohimbe).

Yohimbine is also the most studied alkaloid of all. It has aphrodisiac properties, and what's more interesting it possess strong fat loss stimulating effect.

Yohimbine is a potent A 2 adrenergic receptor (A2AR) antagonist - it exhibits fat loss effects by blocking the A2AR receptors, present on the fat cell wall.

I will explain...

There are two main involuntary nervous systems in the body - the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).

The SNS is also know as the "fight-or-flight" system - it causes your body to release and quickly utilize stored energy.

The two main neurotransmitters for this system are epinephrine (E, adrenaline) and norepinephrine (NE, noradrenaline).

Both cause fat loss in the body by stimulating specific adrenergic receptors - beta receptors (or beta adrenoceptors).

The beta adrenoceptors (BAR's) are those, stimulated by ephedra. I will not discuss ephedra in this newsletter, though.

BAR's are the receptors that initiate processes inside the fat cell, causing the break down of stored fat in the form of triglycerides to free fatty acids, and their subsequent transport out of the fat cell.

The process is called lipolysis - or the process of releasing fats from the fat cells to be eventually used for energy.

The process, at which fats enter the fat cells and are stored as energy is called lipogenesis - the process of fat accumulation.

The A2AR's (from above) are those that induce lipogenesis.

Both processes happen due to very complex chains of enzymatic reactions, which I don't want to get you involved into.

The main thing to remember is BAR's are those that signal the fat cell to give up its stored fat, and A2AR's are those that signal the fat cell to store and preserve the stored fats.

The SNS neurotransmitters epinephrine and norepinephrine - the main lipolytic hormones - act upon both BAR's and A2AR's.

Back to your topic...

Yohimbine has the property to block A2AR's, this way preventing the E and NE from binding to those receptors, which would also cause decrease in the levels of these neurotransmitters. In other words yohimbine prevents the activation of A2AR's and lipogenesis, and it causes increase in E an NE and lipolysis.

What's more interesting is the concentrations of A2AR's are higher in the buttocks area in women and in the abdominal area in men - the two most stubborn areas for fat loss.

That means yohimbine has the ability to simulate fat loss from the most targeted and stubborn areas for both genders.

I find all this rather exciting... I don't know about you.

To summarize ...

** Yohimbine acts as an A 2-adrenoceptor ( A2AR) antagonist and increases NE release

** Yohimbine increases plasma levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA's - fats, ready to be used for energy) and glycerol

** Yohimbine may increase vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) in adipose tissues (fat)

When to take:

Yohimbine should be taken when the blood sugar levels are very low. The reason is in the presence of blood sugar (after eating a carbohydrate meal) yohimbine increases the release of insulin - the main hormone that causes fat storage.

Yohimbine is best taken very early in the morning on an empty stomach, wide apart from your first meal, as food can interfere with its absorption.

What type of yohimbine product to look for:

The best yohimbine is the yohimbine HCL (hydrochloride). Bad thing is in the US yohimbine HCL is only available by prescription.

The over the counter (OTC) yohimbine comes as one of many alkaloids, sold as yohimbe bark and yohimbe bark extract.

Liquid yohimbe bark extract is better because of the highest amounts of yohimbe alkaloids.

How much to take:

Pure yohimbine is most effective at fat loss (and with the least or none side effects) in doses of 0.2 mg/kg body weight (or approximately 1mg/10 pounds).

Example: A 150 lb person will benefit most with 15 mg yohimbine a day.

Possible side effects:

Little or no side effect with the recommended doses. Higher doses may cause headache, euphoria, excitement, skin flushing, water retention.

Side effects will be greater with the OTC yohimbe bark formulations due to the high concentration of other alkaloids, many of which haven't been studied extensively yet.

Some of them may stimulate the central nervous system, as well as other adrenergic receptors, causing undesirable effects.

Start taking OTC yohimbe bark formulations in smaller doses and increase the dose if there aren't side effects.

Yohimbine can be bought as an OTC yohimbe bark in supplement stores everywhere. It also exists as one of many ingredients in some fat loss formulations.

The doses in such fat loss formulas, however, aren't potent enough, considering the fact that yohimbine is one of 10, 20 or even more ingredients.

If my goal was fat loss, I would experiment with OTC liquid yohimbe bark extract, starting with small doses and increasing to the recommended equivalent of 1mg/pound yohimbine a day.

Also, if the fat in stubborn areas is really persistent, you may consider a topical application, such as the popular Lipoderm-Y - also in supplement stores.

 

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** EXCLUSIVE FOR IVANNIKOLOV.COM: Interview with Jerick Ternida - the newest Musclemania Pro
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Two years ago I competed in the lightweight class at the Musclemania Superbody'06. In the same class competed a well-known bodybuilder - Jerick Ternida - one of the top 3 bodybuilders in the Philippines.

Back in 2006 he took the disappointing for him 2nd place, I took the 4th. Later on the winner in this class was disqualified and Jerick moved up becoming the champion in the lightweight division. That earned him a pro card, which he didn't want to accept... until he won legitimately a Musclemania world show...

...Which he did last weekend in Miami.

Jerick Ternida won the Middleweight class, as well as the Overall title! Congrats, Jerick!

A couple of hours before the evening show I talked Jerick in to giving an interview for the visitors of my website. He was nice enough to spend more than 15 minutes, sharing his training and supplementation secrets.

He didn't hold anything back. He talked about the time when he would get really big and fat during off season, his injuries, his calorie intake off season and pre-contest, his supplementation..., and more.

Watch the interview with Jerick on my website.

Oh, and my apologies for the background noise. I should have selected a quieter spot for this interesting interview...

~I.

 

DISCLAIMER The techniques, ideas, and suggestions in
this document are not intended as a substitute for proper
medical advice. Always consult your physician or health
care professional before performing any new exercise,
exercise technique or beginning any new diet. Any use of
the techniques, ideas, and suggestions in this document
is at the reader's sole discretion and risk.