Inside the Mind of Deserusan

For those of you who have been following my blog you know that I’ve been cutting for about  14 weeks now. I just weighed myself yesterday and I’m down to 227lbs. That’s pretty crazy considering I started at 272lbs at the beginning of all this. If you have been following my diet and training somewhat I have been discussing “product X” which is actually Mitotropin and another soon to be released product. I’ve been cycling the two with stellar results.

We final unveiled this labor of love at the Olympia Expo this past weekend and it one of the proudest moments in my life. The reason being, I helped create a functional fat burner that really kicks ass. When Bruce K first approached me with the project I was humbled but then again I knew it wouldn’t be too challenging because I know what I want out of product being an educated consumer for so long. This is what countless hours of research and alpha testing produced.

3 MitoTABS per serving

Mitotropin Uncoupling Complex - 1275mg
N-Acetyl L-Carnitine, Flax seed powder, Undaria pinnatifida extract (10% fucoxanthin), Grape seed extract (50% kaempherol), Capsicum annum extract (40% capsiate), 3,3′ diiodo-l-thyronine, 3,5-diiodo-l-thyronine

Thermophoric Lypolytic Acceleration Blend - 1774mg
L-Tyrosine, beta-phenylethylamine, green tea extract (50% polyphenols, 30% catechins), Caffiene anhydrous USP, Green coffee bean extract, hordenine, Evodia rutaecarpa extract (10% evodiamine), synephrine, DL-phenylalanine, ginko biloba extract, uncaria rhynchophylla, sinofranchetia chinesis, Huperzine-A.

Free Radical Attenuation Matrix - 158mg
Tumeric (curcuma longa root), artichoke extract (15% 3-0-caffeoylquinic acid), D-alpha-tocopherol, L-SE-Methylselenocysteine

The technical concepts of this product are vast but there is elegance to the concepts which are unparalleled. I wanted to manipulate multiple pathways but mainly target both skeletal muscle and hepatic mitochondria bioenergetics.

3,3′-T2 and 3,5-T2 have primary activity outside of the thyroid gland. Their main target is actually mitochondria where energy production occurs and fatty acid oxidation culminates. 3,3′-T2 binds to skeletal muscle mitochondria with 3,5-T2 bind primarily to liver mitochondria. These are the two sites where you really want to increase fatty acid oxidation.

By upregulating UCP 1, 2, & 3 you have a great synergy which helps increase fatty acid oxidation rate as well. Fucoxanthin, capsiate, 3,5-T2, and to a lesser degree, kaempherol all help with this. Now you also need a way to release stored fat to be burned. This is where TRPV1 manipulation comes into play and both capsiate and evodiamine are both TRPV1 agonists. They also to a lesser degree increase adrenaline output.

We also wanted to make sure there wasn’t any TSH negative feedback loops because 3,5-T2 can be mildly suppressive. However, the dose we use doesn’t seem to cross that threshold in varying LBM ranges. Regardless, I felt the need to ensure proper endogenous T3 production so this is another reason why kaempherol was used and also se-methylselenocysteine. They help ensure proper Dio1 and Dio2 expression doesn’t go by the wayside.

The problem with hardcore uncouplers like DNP or metabolic rate enhancers like T3 is that you feel terrible on them. As the reduce ATP or glycogen levels lethargy kicks in. Even worse, as your metabolic rate increases so does your appetite which obviously isn’t great for your mental well being when trying to shed the fat. This is the main reason the Thermophoric Lypolytic Acceleration Blend was integrated. It helps keep you in a great mental state as your body is turned into a fat burning furnace.

Overall, this seems to have received  a warm welcome which is rather shocking given the number of armchair scientists and critics out there. Relative to the other major players in the industry, we really did drop a neutron bomb on the fat loss market.  I’m also happy to announce that Bodybuilding.com will be selling this the day we release it to the market. I pushed hard for that because Bodybuilding.com has given me more than I can express in words regarding  knowledge, opportunity, and numerous friendships. It’s the least I could do.

Stay tuned for more info.

PM Training Session

Underhand Pull Downs: 220lbs x 10 x 1

Overhand Barbell Rows: 225lbs x 10 x 2

T-Bar Rows: 275lbs x 10 x 2

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Neutral Wide Grip Cable Rows (to sternum): 180lbs x failure x 2

Dumbbell Rows: 75lb’ers x 10 x 2

Neutral Grip Pull Downs: 200lbs x 10 x 2

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Hammer Strength Plate Rows: 90lbs x failure x 2

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Stiff Arm Pull Downs:  50lbs x failure x 2

PM Cardio: 30 minutes HIIT, 30 minutes Stepmill

Wow has this week been busy. I thought the build up to the Olympia was crazy, but now it seems with the launch of our new website there is a lot of work to be done. I don’t want to complain though because this is just the way it’s going to be for awhile. Obviously, cutting on low calories doesn’t really do a lot for demeanor.

Overall the weekend was a huge success and blast. I guess one thing that is always refreshing about these events is that I’m constantly reminded how lucky I am to work for Gaspari Nutrition. I was treated like a VIP the entire weekend. That and the fact we unveiled a product I helped design I must admit I was floating on cloud nine.

I’m also very proud of Vanessa. She’s worked hard and has come a long way with Prolab. She was featured at their booth and got confirmation she’ll be appearing in a national ad. It’s just amazing how just 18 months ago we were both just outsiders looking in on all this and now she’s a featured athlete and I’m assisting in formulating products with my boss being Rich Gaspari.

Anyway, here are some of pictures from the weekend. If didn’t make it out this year then make sure to save the date on your calendar next year.

Alizia Guiterrez, Myself, and FAME Pro Marzia Prince

Me and IFBB Pro Branch Warren

NPC National Competitors Trey Brewer and Mark Alvisi

Having fun at the Prolab booth.

IFBB Pro Flex Lewis and Moi

CEO Rich Gaspari and VP of International Sales Liz Gaspari

Eric, Vanessa, Myself, Vaughn, and Dave. Proof supplement companies CAN get along.

*warm-up sets not shown
Clean and Press: 155lbs x 10 x 2
Seated Dumbbell Laterals: 55lb’ers x 8 x 2
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Seated Front Dumbbell Raises: 30lb’ers x failure x 2
Hammer Strength Shoulder Press: 270lbs x 8 x 2
Bent Over Dumbbell Laterals: 35lb’ers x 10 x 2
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Cable Face Pulls: 140lbs x failure x 2
Front Dumbbell Shrugs: 100lb’ers x 10 x 2
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Side Dumbbell Shrugs: 100lb’ers x 10 x 2
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Rear Plate Shrugs (holding plates): 45lb’ers x failure x 2
Barbell Shrugs (FST-7): 315lbs x 10 x 7
Incline Sit Ups – BW x 30 x 6
Broomstick Twists: 60 second speed intervals x 6
 

AM Cardio: 1 hour fast paced walking

*warm-up sets not included

 Deadlifts: 315lbs x 10 x 3

Seated Neutral Grip Rows (to xyphoid process): 220lbs x 10 x 2

Hammer Strength Low Row: 270lbs x 10 x 2

Cybex Fixed Chest Rows: 200lbs x failure x 2

Hammer Strength Lat Row: 270lbs x 10 x 2

Neutral Grip Pull Downs: 130lbs x failure x 2

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Straight Arm Pull Downs: 60lbs x failure x 2

Dumbbell Hammer Curls: 50lb’ers x 10 x 2

Single Arm Cross-Body Hammer Curls: 30lb’ers x failure x 2

Cable Preacher Curls: 60lbs x 40 x 1

 PM Cardio: 15 HIIT Intervals followed by 30 minutes Stepmill.

I’m 9 weeks out and my strength is slipping away. I know you here a lot of bodybuilders talking about lifting heavy all the way up until their show, but that just isn’t for me. It’s stupid actually. Think about it. Most likely you are immunocomprimised from the ridiculous stress your body is under, your muscles are somewhat brittle from a lack of glycogen, and to top it off you most likely have lost some mass. Not everyone is a genetic freak like Ronnie Coleman. I’d rather make it to the finish line this time if you know what I mean.

The one nice thing about my morning walks is that I’m still not sick of my view of Staten Island and the Verrazano Bridge. When you couple that with all the large ships passing through the Upper New York Bay every morning has it’s own little theme. The one thing I am sick of is seeing some of the old guys with bad gyno who are a few generations too late to know about body hair grooming walking around without their shirts on. I’m not Brad Pitt by any means, but damn some these older gents could weave a nice blanket with all their chest hair. It’s just gross.

Anyway, that’s my daily rant. I’m actually upset right now over the old guys with hair pies on their chests for some reason. It’s reminding me of bad 1970’s porn.

Some silence for our fallen countrymen both here and abroad is order.

Growing up and listening to the war stories of both my grandfather and father were always a treat. Both World War II and the Vietnam Wars seemed to define the Greatest Generation and the Baby Boomers. These world events left their marks on how American culture grew sometimes for the better of the nation and sometimes for the worse. However, despite the grand events which often spanned years there are only few times in history which a member of any generation can describe in great detail the impact a single day of tragedy had on them.

For my grandfather there were two dates. These were the bombing of Pearl Harbor which drew America into WWII and the bomb dropped on Hiroshima which lead to the end of WWII. Both dates my grandfather could desribe in great detail. For my father, a day that has been etched permanently in his mind was the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. He was only thirteen at the time but can remember the song that my grandmother was playing in the car on the way to school, his teacher?s reaction to the news and even how she addressed the classroom word for word. It?s truly amazing how such historical events in time can be remembered so visibly when quite frankly they might be memories we would all want to forget.

As a teenager I often wondered what event would define my generation. I remember when the Berlin Wall fell which signaled the end of communism. The day Kurt Cobain committed suicide was spent comforting my girlfriend at the time. I recall the speach made by George H.W. Bush which signalled the beginning of Operation Desert Storm. I even recall some of President Clintons speach addressing the media concerning his in discretions with Monica Lewinsky. However, none of these defined Generation Y like the events which transpired on September 11, 2001.

My day began like many times over as a college undergrad: on my couch in front of the TV. I had always had the habit of staying up late and eventually passing out on my couch while leaving the TV on usually to something mind numbing like MTV. As my eyes slowly opened I saw the North Tower of the World Trade Center set ablaze.

I sat up quickly and realized a good friend of mine who attended the University of Chicago was interning at the WTC complex but I wasn’t sure which building. Their semester started later than most and she was still in NYC. With my eyes glued to the TV set I began reaching for my phone when out of nowhere another plane struck the other Tower. At this point a serious shock of dread rocketed through my spine and I knew this was not an accident. For a second I was frozen and not able to react to what I had just seen. This soon passed and I quickly found her name in my phone and hit the call button over and over again but all I got was dead air. Cell phones were not working.

I then rushed out of my room and tried using a regular phone but it said all circuits were busy. Feeling helpless I dashed over to my girlfriend?s apartment because her parents lived on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and I was honestly worried about her. I rang her buzzer and when she answered the door she was crying and embraced me. I could feel her trembling in my arms and all I could do was hold her close.

We sat down on the couch with our eyes fixated on the burning Towers like moths to a flame. Frantically she was trying to call her parents and I was trying to desperately reach my father and dear friend at the WTC complex with no success. However, nothing could compare to the deadful images I saw next.

A third plane had just struck the Pentagon. Everything went silent and I had a quick flashback to the day when my mother died. The face of the police officer bringing the bad news and the look of remorse on his face when he heard the voice of a young four year old boy ask "Does he have mommy daddy?" She was gone. I snapped back to reality and as tears began to well in my eyes I slowly said to my girlfriend, "My father works there."

I just went numb as I watched my worst possible fear being broadcasted live right before my eyes. Growing up with only a father he becomes your life. Now I might face the harsh reality he is was burning inside the Pentagon. "Why me" I kept saying aloud over and over again as my numbness began to give way to shear panic. The rest of the day I do not remember.

As you can see 9/11 hit very close to home without any pun intended. Fortunately, out of all the worry and despair both my father and dear friend were safe and out of harms way. However the vivid images of the day?s events will never leave my memory. This cool crisp autumn day I spent in Madison will never be forgotten because quite frankly I thought I had lost my only parent and close friend. I guess you can say luck was on my side that day.

From this time forward I had a changed outlook on life. I felt the lowest of lows and the highest of highs. I saw images which were beyond imagination and for the first time in a long time I cried. As sad as 9/11 was I could feel for the first time what it is was like to truly be a proud American patriot. Watching the images of the American flag being hoisted up over the rubble of the buildings which once defined the skyline of the great New York City gave me confidence that despite the events that had just transpired, our country would rise to the occasion. My generation now had a place among history just like my father and his grandfather.

9/11 was the last day of the Generation Y?s reign. Our generation saw the advent of cell phones and instant-messenging. We were the first generation to ride the information technology highway all the way to a Starbuck?s coffee on every corner. It was our generation who first waved their hands through the air like acted we didn?t care. Biggie and Tupac died on our watch and Eddie Vedder teamed up with the late Kurt Cobain to show America that teenage angst was a force to be reckon with.

We shed the blankets of the Cold War and and addressed Global Terror while rump shakin? to Bombs Over Baghdad. We watched the dot.com bubble burst to give to rise American Idol. In this Generation Y’ers mind we put our stamp on history with touch of drama, a lot of class, some may agree, and way too much bling. However, 9/11 marked the end of an era and defined a generation seeking something real to believe in.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there a lot of real shitty fat burners out on the market. Ask yourself a question, have you ever taken anything worthwhile that was legal since the days of ephedra? Probably not. The reason being, most of the real good fat burners out there are illegal such as triiodothyronine (T3), ephedra, DNP, clenbuterol, etc. Well there is no doubt that some of these should be just for the mere fact there is always some idiot who doesn’t know how to follow directions correctly, gets hurt,  and screws it up for the rest of us.

Fortunately, research has forged on to provide us new insights into how to attack fat loss. One method is to increase uncoupling protein expression. There are three major uncoupling proteins in humans commonly referred to as UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3. In essence, increasing their expression in adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and the liver can greatly increase thermogenesis and help reduce unwanted fat. Please forgive me for the rather simplistic explanation of their mechanism of action. This is just a blog!

Researchers from Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea studied the effect of Juniperus Chinensis extract (JCE) on the adiposity of rats fed a high fat diet. What they found is that JCE greatly increased expression of UCP2 and UCP3 in brown adipose tissue (BAT), white adipose tissue (WAT), and also in skeletal muscle. This resulted in decreases in visceral adipose tissue (belly fat) as well as whole body fat storage. Not only that, but due to increased AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) expression which caused increases in carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) activity. This is key because CPT1 is the rate limiting enzyme for mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation.

If I haven’t confused you by now then cool. However, if I did you are probably asking yourself, “What the heck does all that mean Dan?” In a nutshell, JCE proved to be quite effective at burning fat and limiting storage in the rat model. Could this translate into a solid ingredient for human use? Well we do know that low levels of uncoupling proteins are in part responsible for increases in metabolic syndrome clinical markers and also diabetes in humans. Increased expression of uncoupling proteins in humans does lead to decreases in adiposity by cranking up the mitochondrial engine. I don’t think it would be a leap of faith to hypothesize this extract could be useful humans.

Kim SJ, Jung JY, Kim HW, Park T. Anti-obesity effects of Juniperus chinensis extract are associated with increased AMP-activated protein kinase expression and phosphorylation in the visceral adipose tissue of rats. Biol Pharm Bull. 2008 Jul;31(7):1415-21.

Full text found here.

I’m sorry that it’s been awhile since I’ve updated with my blog. Not that I like to make excuses, but I’ve been ridiculously busy and the way my days are planned, I had to pick and choose my priorities a bit stringently. Things have quieted down a bit so I’m back. Leg training last night went pretty well considering I’m now doing two hours of cardio per day. I’m actually shocked that I still have some strength left on my no carb diet.

*warm-up sets not included

Dumbbell SLDL: 110lb’ers x 12 x 2

Laying Leg Curls: 150lbs x 10 x 2

Single Leg Curls: 50lbs x failure x 2

Squats: 405lbs x 10 x 2

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Leg Extensions: 250lbs x failure x 2

Cybex Squat Press: 900lbs x 20 x 2

Man, it’s 1:10am and I need to wake up at 4:00am to head out to Cleveland, OH. My girlfriend and Prolab sponsored figure athlete, Vanessa Adams, is competing this weekend to hopefully get her figure pro card. I’m not going to lie, it’s been a fough few months adjusting from my move out here to New York and starting a new career. I love Vanessa more than anything, but I look forward to experiencing her when she’s not dieting. She looks damn good though so I can’t complain too much right?

I will say this though, I am extremely proud of her. She’s come a long way over the past two years both on and off the competitive stage. To me it appears that a lot of women trying to get their foot in the door of industry tend to sell themselves short and jump at the first opportunity to make some quick cash. Vanessa has an iron will and while it hasn’t always been easy, she’s more than likely going to appear in a national ad campaign soon for a very respectable company. A coveted achievement by any athlete.

Anyway, wish her luck and I’ll be back in a few.