Definition: "An ergogenic aid is any substance or phenomenon that enhances performance "
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24.05.2011 |
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Broccoli diet for more muscle cells
Strength athletes may build up more muscle tissue by eating Brassica vegetables like broccoli, sprouts or cabbage daily. We base this wild speculation on a study by molecular biologists at the Second University of Naples, published in Age. According to this research, members of the cabbage family stimulate the development of mesenchymal stem cells.
Muscle growth & stem cells
Part of the stem cells in muscle tissue comes from other tissues, for example stem cells intended for making new blood vessels, but also mesenchymal stem cells. These are the stem cells found in bone marrow.
While doctors look for ways to patch up irreparably damaged organs by injecting stem cells, supplements manufacturers are concocting mixtures that are supposed to stimulate stem cells to rejuvenate tissues. One such supplement is StemEnhance. This contains an extract of the blue algae Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, which disengages stem cells from the bone marrow so they circulate through the body. Olimpiq StemXCell contains the same extract.
Some scientists are not convinced about using Aphanizomenon flos-aquae in this way. They fear that the extract stimulates metastases. The makers of Olimpiq StemXCell seem to be taking this worry seriously: they have added nutritional cancer inhibitors to their product.
Brassica veggies
Sulforaphane & stem cells
The table above shows the amount of bromodeoxyuridine [BrdU] the stem cells absorb. BrdU is a markered building block of genetic material. The more BrdU the stem cells take up, the more often they have divided.
The low concentrations of sulforaphane not only resulted in more new stem cells; they also help existing stem cells to live longer. They inhibit apoptosis, or cell death. The figure below shows why high-dose sulforaphane supplements are probably not such a good idea.
Conclusion
Unencumbered by an overdose of knowledge, we would go a step further and say that a diet containing Brassica vegetables may well provide bodybuilders' muscle tissue with more stem cells. That would improve their recovery and growth. If you're thinking of trying this out, don't use preserved vegetables. These only contain a fraction of the amount of glucosinolates that you find in fresh cabbage.
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