NAVY SEAL Training + Nitric Oxide Supplement Safety... page

[Shooster]

Hello everyone. I am new to these forums, however I have been following Mark's Primal Blueprint for a few weeks now. I always believed in many of the philosophies preached on this site, however it's a Godsend to finally have some reinforcement!


That being said, I am currently 22-years of age and have about a year and a half left of college. I am currently about to undertake a 6-month training regimen to help me prepare for the US NAVY SEALS. This will eventually require up to 19-22miles of running every other day, along with lots of swimming and pushups, situps, pullups.


My first problem is that this training is a 'necessity' in order to get into the physical shape necessary to 'compete' at BUD/S training (SEALS hell-week), and the ensuing years of training, assuming you make it initially. My understanding was that the Primal_Blueprint does NOT support or recommend endurance training (e.g. long-distance training can suppress the immune system, cardio is the enemy, etc.). How should I go about this training? Should I ignore the Primal Blueprint altogether in my quest for elite military fitness? Side Note: I don't plan on sustaining this fitness for my entire life, probably only for the next 5-7 years (however long a SEAL contract will last for).


My second problem has to do with a supplement called 'Nitric Oxide'. It acts as a vasodilator, which increases the oxygen in your blood/veins and helps to deliver nutrients/oxygen to the muscles with greater efficiency. It's also one of the main ingredients found in Viagra. My concern with this supplement (BSN Nitrix, or any NO2 supplement) is that it could potentially have long-term health deficiencies on my body, particularly the arterial lining or possible heart-valve malfunction due to an abnormal increase in blood from an outside mechanism (even though it occurs naturally in the body).


I've scoured all over the internet for information on Nitric Oxide, does anyone have ANY advice or 'scientific studies/evidence' to suggest that a Nitric Oxide supplement can be severely detrimental to my long-term health?


Thanks for all your support!

[Fury22]

As far as nitric oxide supplements go, I think they are useless. They were about 95% marketing, and maybe 5% or less results. Now, actually over the last 6-7 years, the market has become flooded with cheaper knock-offs. NO2, the original product by MRI, had a fantastic marketing campaign but for most people was a waste of $80-100(it's still ridiculously expensive even now).


I don't think there are any health problems related to using a "nitric oxide" supp. Just as well, you do understand that you don't actually take "nitric oxide". Most products contain ariginine or some form of arginine and other amino acids that act as precursors and help facilitate the production of more nitric oxide in the body. SO no, you don't take some NO2. You take arginine and in theory it's supposed to make you produce more nitric oxide which leads to all the things whatever the BS advertisements claim. In practice, it's a waste of money.


Supplement-wise, if you want to take something, look into a beta-alanine supplement, especially for endurance stuff. MAN Sports is a great company. Body Octane and Clout are great BA supps. I also like Jack3d by ESP labs. It's just caffeine, beta alanine, creatine, and some other aminos. Purple Wrath (BA + BCAAS) by Controlled Labs is really good to. Controlled Labs makes some god products and is a good company. There are other good products out there as well. But "NO" products are usually a waste


TRAINING: For SEALS, you don't really have another option but to train for it. Even though Primal doesn;t advocate it, you won't make it if you don't train for it. Minimalist Primal fitness won't prepare you for it. The only way to get in condition for SEALS is to train for it. A lot of running, bodyweight stuff, etc, done frequently.


You can still eat Primal of course! Just make sure you are eating enough and resting enough.

[Fury22]

BTW are you ROTC?

[OnTheBayou]

While you are running, don't look at any pretty girls if you are taking Nitro ......

[arthurb999]

Nitris oxide... isn't that laughing gas

[shastagirl]

i believe with that much activity even mark says u can up your intake of carbohydrates sensibly and real carbs too not refined carbs. somewhere in the back area of his book. ill have to browse thru to find it. i wouldnt use any "supplements" apart from maybe omega 3 oil and probiotics.

ah here a few paragraphs down.

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-p...ate-continuum/

[avocado]

nitrous oxide = N20 = laughing gas

nitric oxide = NO = not laughing gas


carry on :-)

[Lolly]

the only thing nitric oxide is going to be detrimental to is your wallet. i agree, it's useless. have a cup of green tea for a little caffeine buzz pre workout if you need one.


i don't see why you can't eat primally, consuming carbs in the 150g range and train for the Seals simultaneously.

[Brit]

I'm not sure where you got 19-22 miles every other day, but that seems incorrect. All training regimines I've seen call up to 30 miles a week or 6 miles a day.


At 20 miles every other day, you'll tear up your body. Work on a lot of sprint work to try to get 6 miles at a 7 minute pace. An occasional 10 miler may be ok. Also, do some weighted rucks. Work to 5-10 miles with 50'ish lbs.


Other than that, Nitic suppliments are of limited use. You don't want to bulk up. It's more endurance based...endless "drops", pushups, etc... Work on a lot of calisthenics and work in some strength once or twice a week to break it up.


And swim. With and without fins...

[Minxxa]

Yeah, i do think the amount of running you're thinking is going to cause injury... and that's the last thing you want to have before or during BUDS. Search the site, but I know there's an article about training for running by doing things other than running. I'll try to find it, but hopefully somebody else can figure it out. But basically you can train your body for running, without doing tons of miles.


I second above on doing higher carbs (good carbs like sweet potatoes, etc, not grains or bread or rice). Mark just had a couple of articles by people that are athletes on how they do primal and still feed their body what it needs.


Skip the supplements (like NO). If you're going to be a SEAL, you want to keep your body in prime shape with nutrients, not gimmicks.


As for training, I'd recommend Crossfit type workouts, and focus on functional strength. You need to be able to carry logs through sand... boats over your head, etc. You need the muscle strength, not the bulk, which can get in the way of doing the job. A lot of the guys do crossfit...


That's all I got for you. And no, I'm not a seal, LOL. But my hub has worked with them for the past 6 years and I have two really good friends that are. These are just little bits I've glommed from conversations. And seeing guys have to drop out due to injuries... you can retry again after you're healed, but I believe twice and you're done. So in my humble opinion, bulking up your immune system, and keeping yourself healthy and injury free is priority number one.


Good luck!