Obsessive Corbuzier's Diet

Deddy Corbuzier in 2009, before doing OCD

Deodatus Andreas Deddy Cahyadi Sunjoyo, or known as Deddy Corbuzier, an Indonesian mentalist, actor, and host of a TV program Hitam Putih, in Trans7, who received the prestigious Merlin Award from the International Magicians Society, in 2010. Also with Rizuki, the winner of The Master season 3, a magic talent show, in which Corbuzier became one of the judges, also received the Merlin Award, in 2010.

Merlin Award is like the magicians's Oscars. Previous winners include, David Copperfield, Criss Angel, Peter Marvey, Max Maven, and etc. OK, back to topic! In August 2013, Corbuzier wrote an ebook about a healthy diet, which titled Obsessive Corbuzier's Diet (OCD). Instead of calling it as a healthy diet, Corbuzier considered OCD as an ancient sacred way of life.

A Forgotten Ancient Chinese Secret

Corbuzier described that OCD was based on a forgotten ancient Chinese secret. It was a cab driver in Hong Kong, who had opened Corbuzier's point of view on how to be forever young and healthy. Corbuzier realized that his struggle, on losing his weight, using healthy diets, and supplements, along with physical exercises at a gym, was completely wrong.

A 68 years old cab driver, who had spent 39 years of his life, in Chinese Buddhist temple, as a Shaolin monk, had amazed him. The cab driver, whom Corbuzier thought that he aged of 40 years, believed that healthy diets, supplements, and physical activities, will not make you stay young, healthy, and having an ideal body by losing weight.

As a Shaolin monk, the cab driver was used to follow the Vinaya, the rules of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, by doing an evening fast, or not to eat a meal in the evening, so that, he will be aware of good health, being without illness, having strength, and living in comfort.

OCD Means Fasting

Deddy Corbuzier after doing OCD

Corbuzier said that OCD means fasting, by eliminating breakfast in the morning, or at least three hours after wake up. He believed that breakfast means break fasting, and not eating in the morning. In his ebook, Corbuzier said that, Eating at 2 pm will be considered as breakfast, if you just wake up. But, not if you had already woken up since 8 am.

There are four levels of OCD fasting, 16 hours, 18 hours, 20 hours and 24 hours. When doing the OCD fasting, drinking water, tea, or coffee without sugar are allowed, as long as there are no calories intake, or calorie restriction, such as drinking milk. Corbuzier had tried the OCD fasting for three months before he wrote the ebook.

In his first week, Corbuzier skipped the OCD fasting to the second level of 18 hours of fasting, due to the first level was too easy for him. At the six hours of eating time, he started at 3 pm for breakfast, and stopped eating at 9 pm.

At the second week, Corbuzier moved to third level of 20 hours of fasting. Breakfast at 3 pm and started fasting at 7 pm. He once failed of doing the third level of fasting, and back to second level, by starting to fast at 9 pm.

At the third week, Corbuzier managed to combine the third and forth level of OCD fasting. Once in a week, he did a full day fast. For example, start fasting at 4 pm until the 4 pm of the next day.

By the forth week, Corbuzier did the same as the third week, but he did a full day fast, for twice a week.

The Health Benefits of Fasting

OCD is considered to be an intermittent fasting technique, an alternate day fasting, a pattern of eating between periods of fasting, and non fasting. The fasting usually means calorie restriction, and to consume only water, or low calories drinks, such as, black coffee.

A study found that by eating less, and more than needed on alternate days, will prolong life. This is another secret of extending life, just like in my previous post. By restricting calorie intake, up to 70% of normal adult weight maintenance requirement, will confer a perfect health, and prolong lifespan up to 50%.

The study had observed several health benefits starting as two weeks, in insulin resistance, asthma, seasonal allergies, infectious diseases, tonsillitis, chronic sinusitis, periodontal disease, rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune disorder), osteoarthritis, cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat, or abnormal heart rhythm), menopause related hot flashes (a sudden feeling of warmth spreading all over the face and upper body), and symptoms due to CNS (central nervous system) inflammatory lesions, such as, Tourette syndrome (neurological disorder), and Ménière's disease (hearing disorder).

The study also hypothesized that other conditions would be delayed, prevented or improved, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, brain injury due to thrombotic stroke atherosclerosis, NIDDM (non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, form of diabetes, in which insulin production is inadequate, or the body becomes resistant to insulin), and congestive heart failure (condition when the heart cannot pump enough blood to the body). Moreover, the study believed that this pattern of eating has proven to be a good method of weight control. (Johnson JB, et al. 2006)

Fasting and Chronic Diseases

Another study reviewed animal and human evidence concerning alternate day fasting, and the risk of certain chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer. The following are the review results:

In term of diabetes risk

• Animal Studies find lower diabetes incidence, lower fasting glucose, and insulin concentrations, effects that are comparable to those of calorie restriction.
• Human trials have reported greater insulin mediated glucose uptake, but no effect on fasting glucose, or insulin concentrations.

In term of CVD risk

• Animal studies show lower total cholesterol, lower triacylglycerol concentrations, a lower heart rate, improved cardiac response to myocardial infarction, and lower blood pressure.
• Although there are limited in human evidences, alternate day fasting suggests higher HDL cholesterol concentrations, and lower triacylglycerol concentrations, but no effect on blood pressure.

In term of cancer risk

• Animal studies found decreases in lymphoma incidence, longer survival after tumor inoculation, and lower rates of proliferation of several cell types.
• There is no human evidence.

The findings in animals suggest that alternate day fasting may effectively prevent chronic diseases, in which similar to that of calorie restriction. (Varady KA, et al. 2007) Moreover, other study which published in 2009, by Johnson JB, et al., hypothesized that a pretreatment of two to three weeks with the alternate day modified fast, will improve outcomes in cancer chemotherapy, decreasing morbidity and raising cure rates. (Johnson JB, et al. 2009)

I had done once in my lifetime, a full day fast, in order to open my sixth sense, by my uncle's Guru, in Bantul, Yogyakarta. My fast was started after the sunset, until break fasting with only using a white chicken egg yolk, that I brought from home, and a cup of water, in the next day sunset. I ate an hour later, after we both left the Guru's house.

I also did several fasting when I was young, especially at my weton day (Javanese day) of birth, for three days, the day before until the day after. The fasting was started after the sunset, until break fasting after sunrise, or called as an evening fast.

I had read the ebook, and found that it was very reasonable to try. You can download the ebook for free by visiting here on web archive. The book is written in Bahasa Indonesia, and in English for the reference sources.

All photos are private collections of Deddy Corbuzier.

Disclaimer: This information is not a medical advise, and based on personal experience of Deddy Corbuzier, a non medical practitioners. The OCD fasting technique is not advised for pregnant women, breastfeeding mom, workers at heavy labor, and people who are very sick, where fasting would be considered dangerous. You must consult with your doctor before doing OCD fasting to lose weight, in regarding to your medical records, and for your own safety!

Phentermine vs. Phen375

What is Phentermine?

I had written in my earlier post about pyruvate, in which also used as weight loss supplement. In this post, I will describe the phentermine, in which its name has been used as a brand of weight loss pills, but the pills are not contained of phentermine.

Phentermine is an anorexigenic drug, in which can cause anorexia, or loss of appetite. Phentermine is a central nervous system stimulant and sympathomimetic with actions and uses similar to those of dextroamphetamine. Phentermine has been used to treat obesity, as an appetite suppressant. (DIP)

Phentermine is prescription only drug to treat obesity, in patients with body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 30 kg/m2, and having no underlying risk factors. Might also for fat category patients with BMI of ≥ 27 kg/m2, and having underlying risk factors, such as, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia.

Dosage for a pill consists of 37.5 mg of phentermine is once daily, before, or an hour after breakfast. Avoid taking in the evening, due to possible insomnia. Alternate dosage for a 18.75 mg pill, is twice daily, 30 minutes before meals, or an 8 mg of phentermine pill, 3 times daily, 30 minutes before meals. Some phentermine brands include, Adipex-P, Ionamin, Phentride, and Teramine. (Drugs.com)

Phentermine Side Effects

Phentermine may cause side effects. Symptoms include, dry mouth, unpleasant taste, diarrhea, constipation and vomiting may occur. You should also consult your doctor, if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Blood pressure increasing.
• Heart palpitations, abnormal heart beats, too fast or too slow, which suddenly become more noticeable.
• Restlessness.
• Dizziness, a term that is often used to describe two different symptoms, light headedness and vertigo. Light headedness is a feeling like you might faint. While vertigo is a feeling that you are spinning, or moving, or that the the world is spinning around you.
• Tremors, unintentional trembling or shaking movements in one or more parts of your body.
• Insomnia, a common sleep disorder. You may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. In result, you may have poor quality of sleep, and may not feel refreshed when you wake up.
• Shortness of breath, a breathing difficulty, which involves a sensation of difficult, or uncomfortable breathing, or a feeling of not getting enough air.
• Chest pain, discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.
• Swelling of the legs and ankles.
• Difficulty doing exercise that you have been able to do.

Phentermine may also cause other side effects. Consult your doctor if you have any unusual problems during your treatment with phentermine! (MedlinePlus)

What is Phen375?

Phen375

Phen375, a rapid weight loss supplement manufactured by RDK Global, a company based in Dallas, Texas. Phen375 is used the maximum daily dosage of phentermine as a brand name, without using any phentermine in its ingredients. In Phen375 website, it is said that:

Phen375 has alleviated every negative side effect associated with the original diet pills, the Phentermine drug, which is currently banned due to regulations.

This is a false statement. The U.S. FDA had already approved phentermine drug, more than 35 years ago, for a single drug, and short term obesity therapy. However, in July 8, 1997, FDA received reports of 33 cases of unusual abnormalities in mitral, aortic, and tricuspid heart valves, in women aged 30 to 72 years old, who had been taking fenfluramine, and phentermine for 1 month to 28 months. (Web Archive)

Two months later, in September 15, 1997,FDA announced the withdrawal of fenluramine and dexfenfluramin. But, The U.S. FDA was not requesting the withdrawal of phentermine, the third widely used medication for obesity. The FDA indicated that fenfluramine, and the chemically closely related dexfenfluramine, presented an unacceptable risk for patients who took them. (FDA)

What are Phen375 Ingredients?

In each 800 mg per tab of Phen375 consists several ingredients. Let's discuss them one by one!

Calcium Carbonate (149 mg)

Calcium carbonate, a dietary supplement used when the amount of calcium taken in the diet is not enough. Calcium is needed by the body for healthy bones, muscles, nervous system, and heart. Calcium carbonate is also used as an antacid to relieve heartburn, acid indigestion, and upset stomach.

Calcium carbonate side effects include, upset stomach, vomiting, stomach pain, belching, constipation, dry mouth, increased urination, loss of appetite, and metallic taste. Calcium carbonate is available with, or without a prescription. (MedlinePlus)

Chromium Picolinate (1 mg)

Chromium picolinate is an essential nutrient required for carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Chromium picolinate supplementation has been reported to improve glucose metabolism, to improve serum lipid, and to reduce body fat.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study among 9 men, and 10 women, aged 63 to 77 years old, were given daily either 1,000 μg (1 mg) of chromium picolinate, or a placebo for 8 weeks. The study resulted that there was no significant change in serum lipids, insulin sensitivity, or body composition, in the chromium group, compared with the placebo group.

Chromium picolinate supplementation alone does not appear to improve insulin sensitivity, serum lipids, or change body composition in non obese, healthy men and women of advanced age. (Amato P, et al. 2000)

However, treatment using chromium picolinate has been shown to improve mood, appetite, and glucose regulation. Recent clinical trial was demonstrated among 24 overweight adults with binge eating (the consumption of unusually large amounts of food with a sense of loss of control) disorder (BED).

In 6 months, all 24 overweight BED adults were randomly assigned to receive daily, either 1000 μg of chromium (8 adults), or 600 μg of chromium (9 adults), or a placebo (7 adults). The trial resulted that fasting glucose was significantly reduced in both chromium groups compared to the placebo group, and even though not significantly, greater reductions in binge frequency, weight, and symptoms of depression. (Brownley KA, et al. 2013)

L-carnitine L-tartrate (382 mg)

L-carnitine, an active form of carnitine, is a carrier molecule, that transports activated long chain fatty acids, from the cytosol to mitochondria, where fatty acids are oxidized, resulting in ATP production. L-tartrate, a salt of tartaric acid, is a potent antioxidant.

L-carnitine L-tartrate increases fatty acid oxidation, reduces purine catabolism and free radical formation, which may prevent exercise fatigue, muscle weakness, chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy, and hyperlipoproteinemia. (NCI)

Carnitine, a natural substance acquired mostly through the diet, is used by cells to process fats and produce energy. Primary carnitine deficiency, a condition that prevents the body from using certain fats for energy, particularly during periods without food (fasting), will lead to the risk of heart failure, liver problems, coma, and sudden death.

Primary carnitine deficiency usually appears during infancy, or early childhood. Signs and symptoms include encephalopathy (severe brain dysfunction), cardiomyopathy (a weakened and enlarged heart), confusion, vomiting, muscle weakness, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). In general population, primary carnitine deficiency incidence is approximately 1 in 100,000 newborns. In Japan, it is 1 in every 40,000 newborns. (GHR)

Citrus aurantium (125 mg)

Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium Linn.), or also known by other common names, such as, Seville orange, sour orange, and zhi shi, is native to eastern Africa and tropical Asia. Bitter orange has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and people in the Amazon rainforest to treat nausea, indigestion, and constipation. As folk medicine, bitter orange is used to treat heartburn, loss of appetite, nasal congestion, weight loss, and apply to the skin for fungal infections, such as, ringworm and athlete's foot.

Bitter orange contains an active ingredient of synephrine, in which often used in herbal medicine, as a stimulant and appetite suppressant. However, synephrine is similar to the main chemical in ephedra, in which currently had been banned by The U.S. FDA, because it raises blood pressure, and is linked to heart attacks and strokes. Although, it is unclear whether bitter orange has similar effects, there is little evidence, that bitter orange is safer to use than ephedra, and it may not be safe to use as a dietary supplement. (NCCAM)

Caffeine Powder (75 mg)

I had already described the benefits of caffeine in coffee, in my earlier post, Addicted to Coffee. Most people were unaware that dieatry supplements can contain caffeine, even if caffeine is not listed as an ingredient. Caffeine is added to dietary supplements to increase energy and suppress appetite. Commonly used herbal dietary supplement ingredients, such as guarana, are natural sources of caffeine.

In recent case report study, a previously healthy 38 years old women experienced blurring of vision and a new onset grand mal seizure. The women had a two month history of taking the dietary supplement, Zantrex - 3™. Zantrex - 3™ is advertised as a weight loss supplement, which may provide rapid weight loss, and extreme energy in one power packed pill. After discontinuation of Zantrex - 3™, the women experienced no further seizure activity. (Pendleton M, et al. 2013)

Eurycoma longifolia (40 mg)

Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack), a flowering plant, is native to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. Other common names include, pasak bumi, penawar pahit, bitter medicine, penawar bias, bedara merah, bedara putih, lempedu pahit, payong ali, tongkat baginda, muntah bumi, petala bumi, bidara laut, babi kurus, Malaysian ginseng, and tho nan (Laos).

Tongkat ali roots are a traditional anti aging remedy, and supplements to improve libido, energy, sports performance and weight loss. Tongkat ali roots have also been proved scientifically to possess antimalarial, aphrodisiac, anti diabetic, antimicrobial and anti pyretic activities.

Recent study had managed to assess stress hormones, and mood state, among 32 men, and 31 women. The result indicated that daily supplementation with tongkat ali root extract improves stress hormone profile, and certain mood state parameters. The study suggested that tongkat ali may be an effective shield for the body from daily stress, as well as the stress of dieting, sleep deprivation, and exercise training. (Talbott SM, et al. 2013)

Capsicum annuum (20 mg)

Cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum Linn.) contains capsaicin ((6E)-N-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)-8-methyl-6-nonenamide), a lipophilic chemical, that can produce a strong burning sensation, or spiciness in the mouth. A study, which aimed to investigate, whether capsaicin assists weight maintenance, by limiting weight regain, after weight loss of five to ten %, was demonstrated among 91 moderately overweight subjects.

The 91 subjects were randomly assigned to receive daily, either 135 mg of capsaicin, or a placebo. After 3 months of weight maintenance, the result indicated that capsaicin treatment caused sustained fat oxidation during weight maintenance compared with placebo. However, capsaicin treatment has no limiting effect on 3 month weight regain after modest weight loss. (Lejeune MP, et al. 2003)

Disclaimer: This information should not be used to decide whether, or not to take Phentermine drugs, or buy Phen375. You must consult with your doctor before taking any weight loss supplements for your own safety!

Health Benefits of Pyruvate Supplements

Genetic Solutions Calcium Pyruvate 500mg 120 caps

What is Pyruvate?

Pyruvate, or pyruvic acid is a biochemical involved in the Krebs cycle, or citric acid cycle (a series of enzymatic reactions in aerobic organisms, involving oxidative metabolism of acetyl units, and producing high energy phosphate compounds, which serve as the main source of cellular energy), that facilitates ATP, or Adenosine-5'-triphosphate (a nucleoside triphosphate used in cells as a coenzyme) production.

According to Mallet RT, et al. 2005, pyruvate is a natural metabolic fuel and antioxidant in myocardium (heart tissue) and other tissues. Pyruvate is naturally present in blood circulation, at concentrations that vary between 0.1 to 0.2 mM (millimolar).

Cardioprotective Benefits of Pyruvate

Pyruvate provides a variety of cardioprotective benefits in considerable amounts, such as, increasing cardiac contractile performance and myocardial (heart muscle) energy state, providing endogenous (having an internal cause) antioxidant systems, also protecting myocardium from ischemia reperfusion injury (injury which occurs during the restoration of blood flow to a tissue under low oxygen state), and oxidant stress.

As an intermediate in the Krebs cycle, pyruvate is an important source of energy for myocardium. A study that aimed to demonstrate the effect of intracoronary pyruvate in patients with congestive heart failure, had found that pyruvate was a favourable inotropic substance (a substance that affecting the contraction of muscle, especially heart muscle). (Hermann HP, et al. 1999)

Continuing above study, Torres CA, et al. 2013 claimed that pyruvate was having the potency as inotropic agent. The study is the first to demonstrate that a leftward shift in myofilament (filament of myofibril, or muscle fibril (a basic rod-like unit of a muscle) constructed from proteins) calcium sensitivity is an important mediator of the inotropic effect of pyruvate, in which will bring for future development of therapeutic strategies in the management of heart failure.

Pyruvate as Weight Loss Supplements

Pyruvate has been claimed and used as dietary supplement to assist in weight reduction by enhancing metabolism. Pyruvate is also called sodium pyruvate, calcium pyruvate, potassium pyruvate, magnesium pyruvate, or dihydroxyacetone pyruvate. The effectiveness of pyruvate, which often marketed with the name of calcium pyruvate, supplementation during training on body composition, exercise capacity, and metabolic responses to exercise, had been studied in 2005.

In this double blind and randomized study, 23 women received either 5g of calcium pyruvate, or a placebo twice daily for 30 days, while participating in a supervised exercise program. The result data were different when analysed using ANOVA (analysis of variance, a collection of statistical models used to analyze the differences between group and their associated procedures), or MANOVA (multivariate analysis of variance, a statistical test procedure for comparing multivariate of several groups).

The data from ANOVA revealed that subjects which received calcium pyruvate, gained less weight, lost more fat, and tended to lose a greater percentage of body fat, with no differences observed in fat free mass. However, when body composition data were analyzed by MANOVA, the changes were not significant.

Moreover, the study found some evidence that calcium pyruvate supplementation may negatively effects the benefits of exercise on HDL (good cholesterol) values. The study concluded that calcium pyruvate supplementation during training did not significantly affect body composition, or exercise performance, in which may negatively affect some blood lipid levels. (Koh-Banerjee PK, et al. 2005)

For burning your belly fats, the recommended dosage for pyruvate supplements are 1000mg a day before meals. Daily intake of fruits, vegetables, and reducing meat consumption are also suggested. According to Amazon's Genetic Solutions Calcium Pyruvate 500mg 120 caps verified purchased reviews, most customers are very helpful after using pyruvate supplements.

However, the most important thing is that, you should consult with your doctor before taking any pyruvate supplements, in order to give another suggestion, regarding to your medical records.