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POWER UP WITH PROTEIN
I’m new to the whole workout thing, but my friends keep telling me it’s important to eat and drink protein to make gains. I know protein is in chicken, fish and eggs but what about supplements and shakes? What kind is best, how much do I need and when should I drink them?
Protein shakes, when combined with a healthy nutrition and exercise plan, can be a very helpful way to make sure you are getting enough of the vital material. The recommended daily protein allowance for a healthy adult is about .08 grams for each kilogram (2.2 pounds) ideal body weight. The most popular types of protein shakes are whey (concentrate and isolate), milk, egg and soy. You can add soy milk, almond milk, peanut butter or fruit for an extra shot of flavor to the powdered protein in the blender, but I often skip the added ingredients and go for simple water, ice and the powder (since you can sometimes drink the equivalent of a candy bar when what you really want is more clean protein). You can drink a shake anytime, but you’ll likely benefit more if you consume protein first thing in the morning or immediately after your workouts.
PAIN IN THE ASS
Ever since my boyfriend and I last had sex, I’ve had tremendous pain when I go to the bathroom. The funny thing is the pain doesn’t seem to be coming from my butt, but from deep inside. My friend told me that I might have an infection in my prostate. I don’t even know what that is. Could this be possible?
Bonus points for your friend. He may be absolutely right. If you are feeling pain upon defecation deep inside your pelvis then you could be having a problem with your prostate. The prostate is part of the male reproductive system and its main job is to produce seminal fluid which carries sperm. The prostate is a muscular walnut sized gland that sits in your pelvis like a doughnut beneath the bladder and in front of your rectum with your urethra running through it carrying urine and seminal fluid to the opening of your penis. The back of this doughnut abuts the rectum and it is this portion of the prostate that is palpable on the rectal exam. It is also where you feel your partner’s penis during anal sex. During sex, the prostate contracts during orgasm pushing semen through the urethra and out the penis. Since the urethra also carries urine this is blocked during sexual activity. The majority of cases of prostatitis in young men are usually related to a sexually transmitted disease. Sorry for the bad, but I recommend seeing your doctor because you probably need to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases and treated with antibiotics.
COMPLICATING MATTERS
I’m an otherwise healthy HIV positive man and I smoke about a pack or so of cigarettes a day. I know smoking is bad for me, but am I complicating matters because of my HIV status?
You’re right. Smoking isn’t good for anyone. And, yes, HIV-positive guys face increased risks when smoking. But you are not alone. Some studies show that people with HIV are more likely to smoke than non-infected people (about 75% of HIV-positive people smoke). With people living longer with HIV—20 to 30 years longer—smoking may interfere with long-term quality of life. Like HIV, smoking weakens the immune system, making it harder to fight off infections. Smoking may also interfere with your HIV meds passing through your liver. HIV treatments may also increase the risk of heart attack, so smoking only further stresses out your heart. HIV smokers are also more likely to sprout several opportunistic infections like thrush (that awful tasting gooey stuff in your mouth and throat), oral hairy leukoplakia (those are whitish mouth sores), bacterial pneumonia and pneumocystis pneumonia or PCP. Also, bacteria that cause Mycobacterium avium complex or MAC are linked to smoking. MAC germs can sometimes be found in tobacco, cigarette paper and filters even after they have been burned. There’s no “right” way to quit smoking but there is support at any local American Cancer Society or you speak directly to a lung care professional at The American Lung Association (1-800-548-8252; www.lungusa.org). Gums and lozenges reducing nicotine cravings are available over-the-counter. Ask your doctor about prescription medications like inhalers and nasal sprays that treat withdrawal’s physical symptoms.
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Instinct Online 
written by Anonymous on January 29, 2008
Wow. Have HIV AND smoke? Thats not a smart idea, buddy.