I often go through this dilemna in my head about coffee. Should I be drinking it or not?? I know Linford advocates not touching the stuff, but then Colin Jackson drank it by the bucket load! I see the benefits of caffeine as firstly helping to maintain an optimal body composition, and then as helping as a form of a stimulant come race day.
I understand that the affects of caffeine, as a stimulant and as an appetite surpressor wear off the more you consume. What I was wondering is how much you have to consume for these affects to wear off? For example, if I were to have a cup of coffee a day, after a couple of weeks, is the benefits of caffeine as an appetite surpressant going to have worn off? Or am I better suited to having a cup every other day?
I have decided that I think at present, using coffee to surpress my appetite will benefit me more than it’s use as a pre competition stimulant, so I am going to use it for that purpose I think. I am trying to keep it minimal, for times when I am feeling ravenous and just want to eat, but how often can I get away with using it for this purpose, and for how long?? Has anyone had any experience like this, or any research on this topic?
It is in no way healthy for you. My opinion, just a shortcut. Furthermore, although extremely rare to be reprimanded for, it is a banned substance. At least it is in the NCAA, I’m presuming it is banned for all other associations as well.
Also, an easier/safer way to suppress your appetite is to drink a good amount of water before you eat. In the long run though, this isn’t great either as you are just going to stress your kidneys. However, it is better than speeding up your heart rate and stressing your heart.
There are many ways to suppress your appettite with out resorting to caffeine is essentially what I’m getting at.
News to me. All those anti-oxidants, not to mention the other health benefits found, sure seem like pretty good things.
The amount of caffeine you need to be in violation is beyond the amount you would use for performance enhancement, or anything really. The amount needed to cause a positive test is absurdly high and it’d be amazing to make it to the starting line.
I’ve also had this dilemma - although the appetite/fat metabolising properties weren’t really on my mind as i’m lean, the maximising of the stimulation effect for competition was. Also the long term effects of caffiene consumption were on my mind… basically I’ve started drinking decaf (water method) because I love my java … i am getting hungry easily atm though, however I’m also drinking alot less milk…
First problem with caffeine, using it as a workout stimulant will only delay your recovery time as your artificially ramping up your nervous system. Caffeine is pretty common in individuals with adrenal fatigue, especially those who fastly oxidize food to begin with. Essentially, it speeds up all of your body’s normal processes.
Second of all, if you’re at an NCAA event and you are witnessed ingesting an energy drink or something with caffeine in it, you can be reprimanded for that. Banned substances don’t only pertain to postives on a piss test.
Thirdly, if you are that concerned with anti-oxidants (a bunch of crap by the way,) there are numerous other foods you could ingest that don’t stress your adrenals and artificially speed up your heart rate.
Last, check out t-nation’s spike or whatever else products, one little tablet is enough to make your heart feel like it is about to come through your chest. I’ve seen people take one tablet of spike and end up puking due to the effects. Tolerance dictates how much of a stimulus you will receive, not a set amount of how much caffeine you actually ingest.
Second of all, if you’re at an NCAA event and you are witnessed ingesting an energy drink or something with caffeine in it, you can be reprimanded for that. Banned substances don’t only pertain to postives on a piss test.
Not true. I’ve seen multiple NCAA champs drink caffeine filled beverages at major meets with plenty of coaches and officials around.
Thirdly, if you are that concerned with anti-oxidants (a bunch of crap by the way,)
Thanks for informing us!
there are numerous other foods you could ingest that don’t stress your adrenals and artificially speed up your heart rate.
What food sources give us the amount of polyphenols, tannins, etc. that can be found in coffee and teas?
Last, check out t-nation’s spike or whatever else products, one little tablet is enough to make your heart feel like it is about to come through your chest. I’ve seen people take one tablet of spike and end up puking due to the effects. Tolerance dictates how much of a stimulus you will receive, not a set amount of how much caffeine you actually ingest.
Spike has only caffeine in it? Not a bunch of other shit? News to me, again.
I am not talking specifically about appetite suppression. People here are saying coffee, and more specifically caffeine, is terrible for you, which is incorrect for the vast majority of people.
I am not convinced high protein really does that much for me in terms of appetite supression. In fact, I think starchy carbs are more affective than that for me. Is this known to be a personal thing, which food groups supress appetites? I know it is widely regarded that protein is more affective though.
I have heard of hoodia and may try it.
Still my original question regarding how long I can use coffee for this effect has not been answered.
For adrenal fatigue I’ll let someone more knowledgable take that, courtesy of Eric Talmant over at EFS:
[b](For nutrition) To Eric Talmant: Could you please expound upon adrenal fatigue; name some of the symptoms, means of prevention, and lifestyle changes/supplements that would help to remedy it. Thanks
Zach S:
When the adrenal glands are constantly stressed to the point that they are not able to recover, you have what is commonly called as stage 1, 2, or 3 adrenal fatigue.
Simply, the adrenals release cortisol. Cortisol is secreted in response to any stress in the body, physical or psychological. Excess cortisol leads to a breakdown of muscle protein, which releases amino acids into the bloodstream that are then converted by the liver into energy. This is a survival mechanism for always being able to access fuel in order to carry out the process that caused the cortisol release in the first place-like running away from a T-Rex in the prehistoric days. If the adrenal glands are continually asked to produce cortisol, they will eventually weaken. This leads to adrenal fatigue and ultimately exhaustion or adrenal burnout.
In my experience, the symptoms that correlate best to possible adrenal fatigue are an elevated resting heart rate upon waking, a low body temperature upon waking, trouble getting to and staying asleep, and increased body fat levels. Of course, there are others such as depression, wrinkles and premature aging, compromised bone health, muscle and joint aches, impaired immune function that leads to frequent sickness, etc. However, the first ones that I mention are easily quantifiable and not as subjective as the latter ones.
Preventative measures would include a well-designed weight training program (another reason I do Sheiko), improving sleep habits, controlling blood sugar/insulin through solid diet practices, and reducing stress by taking control of your emotions and spirituality. This may sound like hocus-pocus touchie-feelie, but facts are facts.
The only real way to know for sure if you are in adrenal fatigue is to take a saliva test. Some of the best ones can be found at BioHealth and ZRT laboratories.
Eating right for your type will go a very long way in supporting your adrenals, because that is one of the main controls of the body that was considered when developing Metabolic Typing. While other diet plans are primarily focused on body fat levels and whatnot, MT works on restoring and maintaining the 9 Fundamental Homeostatic Control systems of the body. I know you may be getting tired of me repeating this over and over again, but bear in mind that I do not make a single dime off of just recommending that you find out and eat right for your type. It simply is the best system for overall health that I have come across in my 10+ years of diligently studying nutrition.
There are some supplements that can help the adrenal glands recover, but again they are not going to do much unless one’s diet is in check, they are actively managing stress, etc. so I am hesitant to discuss them right now. However, I will say that the “cortisol blockers” that are on the market are nothing but junk and do not even come close to addressing cortisol in the proper manner. Please do not believe the hype here and buy these pitiful things.
This is one problem that if left unchecked, becomes very hard to undo. Now, I also know that it is easy to blame our problems on adrenal fatigue, because everyone experiences the aforementioned symptoms to a degree at one time or another, especially athletes and weight lifters. That is why I have given you the basic parameters for controlling this problem. If you put these ideas into action and the problem still persists, then perhaps it is time to be sure and take one of the saliva tests offered by BioHealth or ZRT laboratories.
Please let me know if this answers the question.[/b]
Regarding NCAA, just because YOU saw a couple meets where nothing was enforced doesn’t mean anything. For every meet you know of I probably know one where coach’s of teams purposely disallowed the use so no repurcussions would be had. It is a BANNED substance. It is the same as walking on to the track smoking some weed, both are BANNED. Just because steroids aren’t allowed in baseball doesn’t mean people still don’t do them…
You’re welcome! You know what green tea is right? It’s water and vegetables/plants. So uhh, if you are that concerned with your polyphenols, eat more green shit. Second off, assuming the ingredients in coffee and tea are beneficial for everyone is the same as assuming one training plan is beneficial for everyone. Fact of the matter is, tea and coffee disagree with a lot of people, with the primary cause being caffeine.
Did I say spike only has caffeine in it? No, I didn’t. Primary ingredient in spike that causes your heart to palpate excessively? Yeah, that would caffeine. Last I checked, amino acids such as L-tyrosine don’t cause you to puke and increase your heart rate by a good 50 BPM.
No particular food group suppresses appettite. Everyone is different. I can eat a box of spaghetti (about 800 calories) and still be hungry a half hour later, yet I can have two scoops of peanut butter (200 calories) and be good for 3 hours. You have to find what foods your body reacts best to. Just like training, what works for one doesn’t necessarily work for another.
Your original question is also very individual. Again, using myself. I can ingest a few cups of coffee, even though I have drank it about twice in my life, and get no stimulus from it. Sure, my heart rate might go up. But I won’t feel more awake or more aggressive. Yet there are other people where one cup of coffee sends them through the roof. Anybody ever see Kicking and Screaming with Will Ferrell?
Only way to find out how long it works for you is to, find out.
Do you understand how much bullshit and voodoo is in this response? Is this guy an MD?
Regarding NCAA, just because YOU saw a couple meets where nothing was enforced doesn’t mean anything. For every meet you know of I probably know one where coach’s of teams purposely disallowed the use so no repurcussions would be had. It is a BANNED substance.
Only above a certain amount. It is not simply banned for any use at all–it is a certain amount–an amount that cannot be obtained from simple coffee or tea drinking (or even from one energy drink!). Don’t you understand that?
It is the same as walking on to the track smoking some weed,
Weed is illegal. Caffeine is not illegal and NCAA rules are only for certain amounts, not simply any caffeine use.
both are BANNED. Just because steroids aren’t allowed in baseball doesn’t mean people still don’t do them…
You are one dumb bastard. You may also want to check out the rules of the board.
You’re welcome! You know what green tea is right? It’s water and vegetables/plants. So uhh, if you are that concerned with your polyphenols, eat more green shit.
Will green skittles give me the same benefits??
Second off, assuming the ingredients in coffee and tea are beneficial for everyone is the same as assuming one training plan is beneficial for everyone.
You’re right. We should look up studies that look at the effects of coffee and tea consumption. You can start with the negative ones, showing that horrible adrenal stress phenomenon.
Fact of the matter is, tea and coffee disagree with a lot of people, with the primary cause being caffeine.
Tea is the 2nd most drunk substance in the world (behind water). Coffee, the third most. I think a lot of people drink it just fine.
Did I say spike only has caffeine in it? No, I didn’t. Primary ingredient in spike that causes your heart to palpate excessively? Yeah, that would caffeine. Last I checked, amino acids such as L-tyrosine don’t cause you to puke and increase your heart rate by a good 50 BPM.
And caffeine isn’t going to make your heart go sky high unless you’ve never touched caffeine and took a full dose of that particular pill. People don’t drink white or green tea or eat a small chocolate bar and go insane.
… i am getting hungry easily atm though, however I’m also drinking alot less milk…