Daily Archives: June 20, 2023

How can companies stand out in the immune health category in 2023? – Nutritional Outlook

Posted: June 20, 2023 at 8:44 pm

Immune health has been one of the largest dietary supplement categories for years, with huge sales spikes in 2020. Despite the global pandemic having mostly settled down, the category continues to grow in market value, according to Euromonitor data. However, the share of new supplement launches with immunity claims also continues to grow and was reported by Mintel to surpass 27% in 2022. In the sea of new product launches addressing immunity, how can companies stand out?

Tip 1: Invest in Ingredients

One of the ways to stand out is with added-value ingredients. Often, these are proprietary, branded ingredients with advanced delivery systems (e.g., microencapsulation) and/or clinical proof of efficacy. Featuring well-known and well-studied ingredients is a strategy utilized even by pharma giants these days. Bayer, for instance, launched an immunity supplement based on the proprietary prebiotic carrot fiber BeniCaros in 2022. Bausch + Lomb formulated its 2022 ImmuneDuo product with a proprietary North American ginseng extract called CVT-E002. And CVS launched a product based on the branded postbiotic ingredient Immuse in 2021. Nature Made also harnessed the reputation of a well-known biotic for its 2022 Wellblends product line, whose immune and respiratory SKU includes the branded postbiotic ingredient EpiCor.

Tip 2: Combine Benefits

Brands can also gain distinction by offering very specific product benefits or by combining multiple benefits. An example of the first is quick-start immunity, seen in LifeSeasons Clinical Immunity product, which received a NEXTY award. And in terms of combining health benefits, popular examples include immunity + sleep (employed by Nature Mades Wellblends in 2022) or immunity + energy (employed by Domps Bioritmon Immuno Defend in 2022).

FMCG Gurus data from December 2022 suggest that 80% of consumers value multifunctional claims on food, drink, and supplements that are positioned around supporting the immune system. However, for a product to stand out in the market, the classic all-in-one multivitamin will not suffice. Instead, a fresher spin like day + night immunity, or pre + pro + postbiotic, holds better promise for success. For example, Garden of Life launched a pre + pro + postbiotic product addressing immune health in 2022. A side benefit of such multifunctional products is a perceived higher value for money, which consumers find more than welcome these days.

Tip 3: Entice with Delivery Form

Launching a product in an unconventional delivery format will also help immune health products stand out in 2023. According to Mintel, tablets and capsules represented nearly 60% of new supplement launches with immune health claims in 2023 and now compete against gummies/chewables, liquids, and powders.

Tip 4: Keep Kids in Mind

Addressing children with your next immunity launch may also present a promising market opportunity. According to Nutrition Business Journal, the adult supplements category grew by 7.5% in 2021, while the childrens supplements category grew a whopping 18.5%. A recent example of a successful launch in childrens immunity is KinderMed, a line of liquid medications and supplements for children cofounded by actress Jessica Biel.

Tip 5: Go Beyond the Supplement

Last but not least, a way to stand out in the immune health supplement category in 2023 is to offer adjacent products such as self-testing devices or apps. Hologram Sciences, for example, offers a vitamin D test kit with its d.velop supplement, and Ritual leverages social medialike components in its app to boost consumption of its multivitamin products.

Long-Term Strategy

There are many ways to differentiate a brand in the market: leveraging unique ingredients, touting multifunctional benefits, leveraging unconventional delivery formats, tapping into the growing childrens supplements category, and offering adjacent products. A common denominator across all these strategies is that they add value to products in one way or anotherand this, as we know, is an evergreen recipe for long-term success.

About the author:

Matev Ambroi is marketing and PR director at PharmaLinea Ltd. (Ljubljana, Slovenia). He has an academic background in biochemistry with a specialty in protein biochemistry. Following his research position at Stockholm University and development position at Novartis, Ambroi applied his knowledge in the food supplement industry, leading marketing at PharmaLinea.

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Kemin’s BetaVia Pure immune and gut health ingredient gains … – Nutritional Outlook

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Kemin Industries (Des Moines, IA) announced that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a positive opinion on the safety of Kemins BetaVia Pure as a supplement and food ingredient in the European Union. In addition, EFSA has granted BetaVia Pure five years of exclusivity in the European market, Kemin reports.

BetaVia Pure is an algae-based, 95% beta-1,3-glucan (paramylon) ingredient derived from Euglena gracilis that supports immune and gut health. According to Kemins press release, BetaVia Pure is the highest-purity beta-glucan currently available on the market. It adds: The EFSA opinion confirms that BetaVia Pure is considered safe when used in food supplements for ages one and older; in foods for total diet replacement for weight control; and as a food ingredient added to a number of food products for the general population.

Kemins original BetaVia ingredient had already received a positive opinion from EFSA. Receiving the second EFSA positive opinion on BetaVianow with BetaVia Pureallows us to bring our full algae beta-1,3-glucan product line to the European market, said Chris Sadewasser, global product manager for Kemin Human Nutrition and Health, in the press release. This critical recognition is the result of EFSAs meticulous evaluation of the data from Kemins dossier, which demonstrates the safety of our BetaVia ingredient in its more concentrated form, BetaVia Pure.

The BetaVia postbiotic ingredients derived from Euglena gracilis algae have been shown to prime key immune cells, protect intestinal barrier integrity, and positively shape the microbiome, Kemin says. They also hold regulatory approval in the U.S., Brazil, Japan, China, and other countries.

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Steadfast Nutrition expands its portfolio with four supplements – Asia Food Journal

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June 20, 2023 by Asia Food Journal

Courtesy of Steadfast Nutrition

The brand expects about 40% growth by launching these products

India: Indias leading sports and wellness nutrition brand Steadfast Nutrition expanded its portfolio by launching four supplements, Nitromax, Ashwagandha, Apple Cider Vinegar, and L-Carnitine, in the performance nutrition, wellness, and effervescent range in a glittering ceremony at the International Health, Sports, and Fitness Festival, Asias biggest health and fitness expo.

Steadfast Nutrition founder Aman Puri says Nitromax, a formulation of several ingredients to enhance athletic performance, will be the leader in the sports nutrition segment since it contains a whopping six ingredients (Whey protein, creatine monohydrate, arginine, taurine, Vitamin B complex, and green tea extract) that work in synergy with each other to improve muscle strength, fuel muscle gain, and recovery, fight inflammation, boost metabolism and burn fat. The brand expects about 40 percent growth by launching these products. Steadfast Nutrition is one of the few brands with a diverse and unique range of ingredients in one supplement. With the launch of these products, the brand aims to capture a bigger slice of the nutraceutical market.

Steadfast Nutrition has kept its promise to athletes and individuals by launching new supplements that can improve their athletic performance and optimise their health, respectively. Nitromax and L-Carnitine belong to the performance nutrition range; Ashwagandha is a wellness product. It is an adaptogenic herb that reduces stress and anxiety and improves sleep quality; Stead Apple Cider Vinegar with pomegranate extract belongs to the effervescent range, the new buzzword in the nutraceutical industry. It helps lose weight, manages blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and boosts digestion; L-Carnitine converts fat to energy, boosting energy levels and helping in weight loss. We expect 40 percent growth with the launch of these products, Aman Puri said.

Sports nutrition includes post-workout supplements (whey protein and amino acids) and pre-workout ones (energy drinks and bars, carbohydrates, and minerals). Protein supplements lead the market, with a share of 70 percent in overall consumption. Nitromax is unique since its a combination of whey protein, creatine, and L-Arginine, which are effective and powerful nutrients to increase muscle strength in their own right. The effervescent range, to which Apple Cider Vinegar belongs, is the new buzzword in the nutraceutical industry. Effervescent tablets dissolve easily in water and are more bioavailable than their solid counterparts. Apple Cider Vinegar is much sought after as a weight management supplement and offers numerous other health benefits. Ashwagandha has become increasingly popular among people as a supplement due to unhealthy lifestyles brought on by the modern age, where people find it difficult to manage stress and have poor quality of sleep. Steadfast Nutrition aims to address these common health problems by launching these two supplements.

The Indian nutraceutical market lies in the unorganised sector and has a market share of 5000 cr, of which the sports nutrition segment is valued at 1300 cr, with a year-on-year growth of about 25 percent. Foreign brands dominate about 80 percent of the market. The scenario is changing, with at least 50 national-level and hundreds of regional-level brands entering the market each year. Steadfast Nutrition, which calls itself Proudly Indian, aims to remove the dependence on foreign brands in the market.

Asked about the future of the nutraceutical industry and its growth potential, Aman Puri said, The nutraceutical industry has shown steep growth year-on-year. However, its unorganised and has yet to reach its full potential. The future of nutraceuticals is promising as the awareness and availability of supplements are on the rise. The industry will grow about 600 times soon since the government is pushing to improvise the manufacturing infrastructure in the country.

Steadfast Nutrition, Indias fastest-growing sports and wellness nutrition brand, has carved a niche since it entered the market in 2017. It has a diverse sports and wellness nutrition range that caters to the needs of people from all walks of life and varied age groups. The brand prides itself on its organ-friendly and rigorously-tested supplements. In the last six years, the brand has developed over 30 supplements in its nutrition portfolio and is the only brand in India with 11 unique protein formulations. Steadfast Nutritions wellness range helps people improve their health and well-being.

Athletes fuelled by Steadfast Nutrition have brought glory to the country in several national and international championships, including the Olympics. The company has tried to get more and more sports into the mainstream by sponsoring the countrys biggest bodybuilding, MMA, and bodybuilding championships in the last few years. It aims to make bodybuilding a steroid-and risk-free sport by championing the need for top-quality, rigorously-tested sports nutrition supplements.

Over 1,000 nutraceutical and fitness brands have showcased their products at the IHFF, boosting Indias fitness industry. Over 1.5 lakh spectators will throng the festival across three days. Professional Athletes, fitness Influencers, international brands, and distributors have converged at New Delhis Pragati Maidan for the mega event.

Steadfast Nutrition is a premium sports and wellness nutrition company introduced with the aim of offering high-quality supplements to professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts. The brand aims to revolutionize the world of sports nutrition in India with the objective of introducing high-quality supplements and following a unique vision of serving people of all age groups. With several lab tests and a dedication to offering the best, the brand strives to develop the best and deliver superior products to the customers doorstep.

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Martyn Ford Reveals Food & Supplements of 10000 Calorie Diet for … – Fitness Volt

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British bodybuilder Martyn Ford transformed himself into one of the freakiest mass monsters in the world. Having started relatively frail for his size, he spent years working hard in the training room to achieve his present physique. In a recent interview with Escape Fitness, Ford revealed the food sources he likes to consume when on a diet and when hes eating 10,000 calories to bulk up at 360 pounds.

Social media fitness influencer Martyn Ford grew up playing professional cricket before finding his passion for bodybuilding. He rose to prominence for his humongous physique with unreal muscle mass, size, and overall muscularity. Standing at 6 ft 8 inches, Fords extreme package amassed him a huge following of 4.5 million on Instagram and earned him the opportunity to get on the silver screen. He made headlines for his antagonistic role in his acting debut in the film Boyka: Undisputed (2016) alongside fellow Brit Scott Adkins.

Ford sparked a heated rivalry with internet sensation Sajad Gharibi, popularly known as the Iranian Hulk over the last two years. The pair traded verbal jabs online and were scheduled to settle their differences in a boxing match in April 2022. During the build-up to the outing, Ford shoved Gharibi to the ground with ease after the latter failed his attempt in a face-off. Gharibi later opened up about his mental health challenges that stemmed from the fact he got disowned by his family due to the incident.

Given Gharibis admission to suicidal thoughts, the organizers pulled the plug on the bout and Ford added the discrepancy between Gharibis online image and real-life factored in as well. Nevertheless, Ford pulled off an incredible body transformation, losing nearly 60 pounds in preparations for the scrapped contest.

Martyn Ford continued to train boxing and left the fans stunned with an insanely jacked physique update following the cancelation. Despite calls from Gharibi to proceed with the match, Ford decided against it as he was concerned about his opponents mental health in case the outcome would not be in his favor.

The Nightmare began training in MMA in hopes of competing under the Polish MMA promotion KSW in May 2022. He showed off his giant physique in a workout update a month later. He was even eyeing a boxing fight with legendary strongman Hafthor Bjornsson but faced issues in making the showdown come to fruition.

In a recent YouTube video, Martyn Ford revealed his preferred food sources to fit into his diet, which can go up to 10,000 calories to add muscle to his 360-pound frame.

My appetite is ridiculous and Im very carb-sensitive so like sweet potato, oats, rice. I could do three or four thousand calories in a meal easily if I am not careful, said Ford.

A typical not training for anything day would be oats and eggs for breakfast, rice cakes, cottage cheese, fruit, Greek yogurt snacks, nuts, snacks, and then sweet potato, salmon, steak, rice, potato chips but made myslef in the oven. Just generally that kind of food is where Im staying at. About eight meals a day easily. When Im growing I can easily go up to eight meals a day, Ill wake up starving and eat twice in the night.

Im still doing 4,500 calories dieting so its nice because its normal whereas when Im bulking, if I want to put some size on, Im up to eight, nine, 10,000 calories, which is hard work when its good food.

Ford listed the staple supplements he likes to utilize in addition to whole food.

The big ones that Id always lean on to will be glutamines, creatines, aminos, if Im bulking Ill have a carb drink intra, post, and then isolate whey. But again, only after workout I would never replace food if I dont need to with a protein shake. [Greens supplement] as well.

Martyn Ford opened up on using steroids to achieve fitness goals in July 2022. While he believed there were benefits that can be derived from taking gear, he argued there was a major downside as well if one used substances from the black market and without proper research. Then, he teamed up with former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping for a brutal chest workout last September.

Ford showed off his monstrous package while crushing an intense training session last month.

Its fascinating to get insight into the diet and supplementation of the man who boasts one of the craziest physiques in the world. His latest offering could benefit others who may be on a similar path to get some gains.

Published: 18 June, 2023 | 12:11 PM EDT

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Nutrition & Longevity Experts Love This Metabolism Supplement … – mindbodygreen

Posted: at 8:44 pm

Introducing: mbg's metabolism+

This premium, plant-powered supplement is cutting-edge and anchored in research. It delivers five unique botanicals (cayenne pepper, veld grape, grains of paradise, and EGCG and caffeine from green tea leaf extract) in their full-potency doses clinically shown to promote appetite regulation, healthy body composition, neuroendocrine hormone balance, major cardiometabolic health parameters (think blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol), and more.*

Whether you're looking to optimize your body's calorie burn and fat metabolism, curb cravings and feel satisfied, promote energy balance, or bolster your cardiometabolic health, mbg's high-quality formula can help you maintain an active, healthy metabolism.*

But don't just take our word for it: Physicians, nutritionists, neuroscientists, longevity and performance experts, botanical researchers, and hormone health coaches all agreemetabolism+ is an innovative daily tool that gives people a metabolic advantage.*

Enough from me; it's time for these metabolic health gurus to have the floor:

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"Before I was a doctor specializing in performance medicine and helping clients leverage pivotal wellness strategies like targeted nutrition, I was a doctor personally struggling with excess weight and suffering with cardiometabolic health dysfunction (all before the age of 40). It's a journey and metamorphosis I don't regret. Why? Because now I know how crucial metabolic health is for my whole-body health and longevity. And I get to empower and equip people striving for holistic health. Fact: Metabolic efficiency and a long, healthy life go hand-in-hand. That's why mindbodygreen's metabolism+ formula is such a useful daily tool. It's packed with evidence-based botanicals that support bioenergetics, comprehensive metabolic health, and a healthy body composition for the long haul."*

Kien Vuu, M.D., The Performance and Longevity Doc & bestselling author

"Our nation has weight management and metabolic health crises. Nourishing our gut and maintaining proper energy balance by consuming more plants (fiber but also herbs and spices), healthy fats, and quality protein while remaining active throughout life are some powerful ways to reclaim our metabolic health. I'm always excited to find science-backed tools that help give my clients a metabolic advantage because weight maintenance is challenging! I've been using green tea extract, caffeine, and Capsimax in my weight loss practice for over a decade. That's why I'm thrilled that mindbodygreen's metabolism+ serves up these stellar botanicals in one product."*

Melina Jampolis, M.D., physician nutrition specialist, podcast host & bestselling author

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"Chili peppers and their capsaicinoid compounds are famous for being spicy. mbg's metabolism+ is literally bringing that heat by featuring Capsimax in their metabolism+ formula. Capsimax is a widely researched, whole-food red chili pepper extract. Using controlled-release technology, you glean the health benefits of this premium cayenne pepper fruit extract gently (without any stomach upset). Clinical research supports the truly multifaceted metabolic benefits of this powerhouse pepper. The unique botanical ingredient has been shown to increase metabolism, activate thermogenic calorie and fat burn, reduce cravings and body fat, and promote healthy body composition."*

Deshanie Rai, Ph.D., FACN, vice president of global scientific & regulatory affairs at OmniActive Health Technologies

"Two decades ago, I left my clinical practice to solely focus on educating and empowering others through diet and lifestyle to optimize health and healing. While healthy living must be personalized to the individual, the tried-and-true pillars are whole foods and regular movement. Colorful plant-laden nutrition and daily physical activity that preserve muscle mass, fuel an active metabolism, and nurture long-term cardiometabolic health are foundational. With an evidence-based ingredient lineup (cayenne pepper, EGCG, caffeine, and more), mbg's metabolism+ is a targeted plant-powered strategy I can stand behind to help my clients fine-tune and optimize their metabolic health."*

Ann Kulze, M.D., physician, nutrition expert, bestselling author & founder of The Healthy Living School

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"This plant-powered formula is remarkably effective. mindbodygreen combines my top metabolism-boosting ingredient recommendations (green tea leaves, veld grape, and cayenne pepper) as pure extracts in one easy product. Combined with grains of paradise from Africa, this multi-ingredient supplement features five premium botanicals from around the world, in their clinically researched doses, to deliver 360-degree daily metabolic support. My clients use metabolism+ whenever they need a reset. It provides them extra support in weight loss to jump-start and maintain their metabolic health!"*

Ella Davar, R.D., CDN, longevity dietitian & health counselor

"A key component of metabolism+ is a powerful botanical extract, ThermoGP, from grains of paradise. This unique fruit comes from West Africa. It's able to enhance your metabolic rate and increase energy expenditure. It also thermogenically attacks your visceral fatthe fat layer around your abdominal organsand has been clinically shown to reduce visceral fat. It works on what is called brown adipose tissue (BAT), by burning calories to generate energy. For daily metabolic support, ThermoGP is a leader in this plant-powered formula from mindbodygreen."*

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"Balancing energy intake and blood sugar is critical to support our brain, mood, digestion, hormones, and overall health. While 'metabolism' is often synonymous with weight loss, it is actually so much more. Metabolism is truly about how our body creates energy from the foods that we eat. mbg's metabolism+ is exclusively designed to support our body's efficient conversion of food to fuel while also promoting fat burn and balance of hunger and satiety hormones and energy intake. This advanced formula goes far beyond simply supporting a healthy weight."*

Brooke Scheller, DCN, M.S., CNS, doctor of clinical nutrition

"mindbodygreen is my go-to when it comes to supplements. Not only is mbg a company I trust, but I know that they always source quality ingredients rooted in rigorous science. And metabolism+ is exactly that! The green tea, cayenne pepper, veld grape, and grains of paradise botanical combination in this impressive formula is going to be ideal for my clients. I help empower people to make impactful lifestyle changes to improve their health, but some folks need a boost when it comes to metabolism. This formula is perfectly positioned to improve metabolic rate while managing appetite. And the biggest perk? Hormone balance!"*

Federica Muggenburg, NHC, HHC, AADP, integrative chef & nutritional/hormone health coach

"Sometimes it feels like your metabolism is working against you (because it literally is). As a neuroscientist, I'm fascinated by the physiological underpinnings of metabolic efficiency. One of the most overlooked factors is hormone balance. I'm talking about neuroendocrine hormones like serotonin that are critical for appetite regulation, as well as leptin and adiponectinhormones involved in our ability to burn fat and balance blood sugar levels. All five botanical ingredients in metabolism+ excite me, but veld grape is especially noteworthy, as it's been shown in clinical research to directly support appetite hormone, energy, and blood sugar balance."*

Milene Brownlow, Ph.D., neuroscientist & cognitive health scientist

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications, consult with your doctor before starting a supplement routine. It is always optimal to consult with a health care provider when considering what supplements are right for you.

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Ric Flair Reveals Diet, Training & Supplements to Stay Jacked at 74 … – Fitness Volt

Posted: at 8:44 pm

Ric Flair has been a mainstay of professional wrestling for decades and has a legacy spanning generations. Although he no longer competes regularly, his impact is palpable to this day. In a recent Mens Health video, Flair revealed the diet, training, and supplements he takes to stay jacked in his 70s.

Ric Flair is widely considered to be one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. Having started his pro career in 1972, Flair enjoyed a highly decorated tenure of over 50 years. He made his debut under the AWA (American Wrestling Association), where he got to compete with fellow legends like Dusty Rhodes, Andre the Giant, and Chris Taylor. He won his first championship in a tag team match after joining Jim Crockett Promotions in the National Wrestling Alliance in 1974.

In 1981, Flairs celebrity status skyrocketed largely due to his brash persona and heel character. He attacked many of the promotions fan favorites with his infamous team called The Four Horsemen. He spent about a decade performing at shows in All Japan Pro Wrestling during his stint in the organization as well.

Flair made his way to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1991. He secured the WWF Championship by coming out on top of the 1992 Royal Rumble. After two years under the banner, Flair made a comeback to the WCW. He later claimed the World Heavyweight and International World Heavyweight Championships.

Following his return to the WWF/WWE in 2001, Flair delivered some action-packed performances against the likes of The Undertaker, Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Eddie Guerrero, Triple H, and Stone Cold Steve Austin. He experienced a late-career resurgence in 2012 and has since performed sporadically in the wrestling ring with his final outing happening in July 2022.

In June 2017, Ric Flair made headlines for a horrific hand injury as a result of a brawl with a Dub-Nation member following the Cleveland Cavs loss in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

Flair picked up a string of injuries from his days of performing in the ring. He needed to undergo surgery after getting admitted to the intensive care unit in Aug. 2017. Given his contributions to the sport, messages of support poured in from members of the community.

The Nature Boy got rushed to the hospital after a major health scare in May 2019. His son-in-law later revealed the situation wasnt as concerning as it had first been reported. Flair issued an optimistic statement to his fans a week later.

In a recent YouTube video, Ric Flair revealed the diet and supplements he utilizes to stay jacked at the age of 74.

He started off by showing the items in his fridge and then laid out his daily food intake.

Lean beef, chicken, a lot of fresh fruit, salads, prepared salads, all very healthy. I do drink a lot of water.

Mushroom food is the hottest thing in the world.

Favorite meat: Salmon

He laid out how his eating habits have changed over the years and how he stays on track while traveling.

When I was wrestling everyday I could eat anything I wanted because I was wrestling up to an hour every night, said Flair. I used to live by the rule for every pound of body weight you want to have a gram of protein. Thats hard to do. Youd have to eat 20 chicken breasts, two dozen raw eggs a day in the blender. I ate a lot more carbs than I do now. I dont eat much bread unless its wheat bread. I love pasta but I eat very little pasta and the result of my surgeries I gotta go watch what I eat spicy food will kill me.

Its hard [traveling] especially with airline food but most hotels are there will have chicken stuff like that. A lot of sauce on my food to this point it can be generically healthy but I have to have a sauce on it. My go to sauce is barbecue. My go to comfort food is marinara sauce, tons of meatballs, and angel hair pasta.

[I hate] pastry. I dont eat desserts, never have.

Ric Flair shared the supplements he takes along with testosterone, presumably TRT (testosterone replacement therapy).

Vitamin B12, I take tri aminos, and 1 cc of test a week. 400 is normal for a guy my age I keep it at a thousand.

Ric Flair gave fans a look into his training protocol and health goals.

I train three to four days a week and if Im training hard I do 500 free squats, try to do 200 push-ups, sets of 100 crunches, and the airdyne bike which I think is one of the most difficult pieces of cardio equipment, 5,000 meters in 10 minutes.

Just stay in the best shape I can possibly be and to stay motivated. My goal right now is I want to do 10,000 meters on [the airdyne bike] and I want to bench press 225 by Feb. 25th, 24. I want to make sure that as each year goes by that I can do what I did when I was 23.

My last match live I got in kind of shape, in better shape than Ive ever been in my life 500 free squats, running, pushing the sled, pulling, working on strengthening my neck, insane cardio stuff.

For me it was a religion. If I didnt workout I didnt feel good. I did 500 free squats everyday, 250 push-ups every day. I would do sets between everything I did when I was doing benches, inclines, pulldowns.

I dont lift heavy weights anymore because I grow out of my clothes and Im taking supplements that people might take normally. If I lift weights heavy I grow. I try to keep my weight at 220 or under.

I hate running. Id rather beat my brains out for 20 minutes than play around for 30.As you get older, you have to get your second win no matter how much you warm up until you get your second wind you got to see your way through it.

Ric Flair left the fans stunned with a workout update showing off his impressive physique in June 2022. He crushed an intense training session in preparation for his planned final outing in the ring.

Flair opened up on his experience of surviving a deadly plane crash two months ago. The accident resulted in his back being broken in three places and the death of a passenger onboard. Despite being told hed never wrestle again, he persevered and continued to follow his passion.

His latest offering provides insight into how a wrestling legend keeps fit in his later years and will certainly inspire fans to lead a healthy lifestyle.

RELATED: WWEs Cody Rhodes Tore Pectoral Muscle Before Epic Performance at Hell in a Cell Main Event

Published: 17 June, 2023 | 4:33 PM EDT

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Watch: ATHEIST Performs Special 30th-Anniversary Set In San … – BLABBERMOUTH.NET

Posted: at 8:43 pm

Fan-filmed video of ATHEIST's June 14 concert at Brick By Brick in San Diego, California can be seen below.

ATHEIST's "Focus And Presence" North American tour with fellow progressive metal pioneers CYNIC, which kicked off on June 10 in Austin, is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Kelly Shaefer-fronted act's "Piece Of Time", "Unquestionable Presence" and "Elements" releases.

When the tour was first announced earlier this year, Shaefer said in a statement: "This tour has been something that Paul (Masvidal, CYNIC frontman) and I have been talking about in some capacity since we were in our early 20s. It's surreal to share a 30-year milestone together, and this tour will showcase for us a chance to play songs from our first three records as a special trilogy anniversary set, including songs not performed live in decades. Two titans of technical progressive metal coming together for a unicorn of a tour....one you will not want to miss!

"I'm also excited to announce that joining me on this tour and beyond will be an all-new lineup of ATHEIST! These four straight killers of musicians will be alongside me as ATHEIST heads out with CYNIC to celebrate 30 years of our first three albums 'Piece Of Time', 'Unquestionable Presence' and turning 30 this year 1993's 'Elements'! We'll be playing tracks from those three albums exclusively in one of the longest sets we've ever done! The set will include several songs that have not been played live in three decades.

"Joining returning bassist Yoav-Ruiz Feingold (GRAVITON) and myself to round out ATHEIST are Dylan Marks (FERMENTOR/BEEKEEPER) on drums, Alex Hadaad (ARKAIK/DESSIDERIUM) on guitar and Jerry Witunsky (ANCIENT DEATH) on guitar.

"I couldn't be more excited to perform this special set with such talented players. They have shown tremendous respect for the music and the attention to detail needed to pull off these songs live. Talk is cheap, right? So be sure to secure your tickets early to the 'Focus And Presence' North American tour 2023 to see for yourself and help us celebrate alongside our brothers in CYNIC who will be performing a special 30th-anniversary set for their release 'Focus' as well.

"See you on the road!!"

Earlier this year, ATHEIST re-released its entire discography, comprised of four albums that span the band's 30-year career, on all streaming services worldwide. The return to digital platforms was the first phase of a comprehensive reissue campaign. The second phase offers their albums in various physical formats with all-new revised layouts. All four studio albums will be available on CD and vinyl on July 14 via Nuclear Blast.

Shaefer commented: We are proud to bring the musical catalog of ATHEIST to the mighty Nuclear Blast. We couldn't ask for a better place to land the musical creations of ATHEIST that now span over 30 years. It's exciting to know that our music will be made available on all formats by the biggest metal label on EARTH!"

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July 2023 Hard Rock And Metal New Releases – XS ROCK

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July 7, 2023 Blackbraid Blackbraid II(Self) Bloodbound Tales From The North(AFM) Butcher Babies Eye For An Eye/Til The Worlds Blind(Century Media) Feuerchwanz Fegefeuer(Napalm) Hatebreed The Rise Of Brutality/SupremacyRe-Release (Dissonance) Nita Strauss The Call Of The Void(Sumerian) Withering Scorn Prophets Of Demise(Frontiers)

July 14, 2023 Atheist ElementsRe-Release (Nuclear Blast) Atheist JupiterRe-Release (Nuclear Blast) Atheist Piece Of TimeRe-Release (Nuclear Blast) Atheist Unquestionable PresenceRe-Release (Nuclear Blast) Calligram Position | Momentum(Prosthetic) Deitus Irreversible(Candlelight) Edge Of Paradise Hologram(Frontiers) Eleine We Shall Remain(Atomic Fire) Evile The Unknown(Napalm) Houston Relaunch III(Frontiers) Kikimora For A Broken Dime(Frontiers) The Neal Morse Band An Evening Of Innocence & Danger: Live In Hamburg(InsideOut) Robledo Broken Soul(Frontiers) Tailgunner Guns For Hire(Fireflash) Voyager Fearless In Love(Season Of Mist) Winterstorm Everfrost(AFM)

July 21, 2023 Cadaver The Age Of The Offended(Nuclear Blast) Greta Van Fleet Starcatcher(Lava/Republic) Mizmor Prosaic(Profound Lore) Outer Heaven Infinite Psychic Depths(Relapse) Oxbow Loves Holiday(Ipecac) Pelican The Fire In Our Throats Will Beckon The ThawRe-Release (Thrill Jockey) Saint Agnes Bloodsuckers(Spinefarm) Thunder Horse After The Fall(Ripple) Voivod Morgth Tales(Century Media) The Zenith Passage Datalysium(Metal Blade)

July 28, 2023 Astralborne Across The Aeons(Prosthetic) Girlschool WTFortyfive?(Silver Lining) Iron Savior Riding On Fire The Noise Years 1997-2004(Dissonance) Saul This Is ItThe End Of Everything(Spinefarm) Sevendust Truth Killer(Napalm)

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July 2023 Hard Rock And Metal New Releases - XS ROCK

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Legal abortion widely supported globally, especially in Europe – Pew Research Center

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Majorities in most of the 24 nations surveyed by Pew Research Center this spring say abortion should be legal in all or most cases. But attitudes differ widely across countries and often within them. Religiously unaffiliated adults, people on the ideological left and women are more likely to support legal abortion.

This analysis focuses on public opinion of abortion in 24 countries in North America, Europe, the Middle East, the Asia-Pacific, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.

For non-U.S. data, this report draws on nationally representative surveys of 27,285 adults conducted from Feb. 20 to May 22, 2023. All surveys were conducted over the phone with adults in Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Surveys were conducted face-to-face in Hungary, Poland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. In Australia, we used a mixed-mode probability-based online panel.

In the United States, data on views of abortion comes from a survey of 5,079 U.S. adults conducted from March 27 to April 2, 2023. Everyone who took part in this survey is a member of the Centers American Trends Panel (ATP), an online survey panel that is recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses. This way nearly all U.S. adults have a chance of selection. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other categories. Read more about the ATPs methodology.

Here are the questions used for the analysis, along with responses, and the survey methodology.

A median of 71% of adults across the 24 countries surveyed believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while a median of 27% believe it should be illegal.

In the United States, where a Supreme Court decision ended the constitutional right to abortion last year, 62% of adults say abortion should be legal in all or most cases. U.S. support for legal abortion has not changed in recent years.

In Europe, there is widespread agreement that abortion should be legal. In nearly every European country surveyed, at least 75% of adults hold this view, including roughly 25% or more who say it should be legal in all cases. Swedes are especially supportive: 95% say it should be legal in all or most cases, including 66% who say it should be legal in all cases.

Poland stands out among the European countries surveyed for its residents more restrictive views, at least compared with the views of other Europeans. Over half of Poles (56%) say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while 36% say it should be illegal in all or most cases.

Attitudes about legal abortion vary in the Asia-Pacific region. Majorities say it should be legal in all or most cases in Australia, India, Japan and South Korea. But in Indonesia, 83% of adults say it should be illegal in all or most cases.

In Israel, 51% of adults say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while 42% say it should be illegal in all or most cases.

In all three African countries surveyed Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa majorities say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases, including 89% of adults in Kenya and 92% in Nigeria.

In South America, views about legal abortion are divided in Argentina and Mexico. But in Brazil, seven-in-ten adults say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases.

Abortion rules are more restrictive in countries where support for legal abortion tends to be lower. Abortions in Brazil, Indonesia and Nigeria are only permitted when a womans life is at risk, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights. In Israel, Kenya and Poland, abortion is permitted to preserve a womans health. Most other countries surveyed have more permissive regulations that allow abortions up to a specific point during the pregnancy.

Compared with previous Pew Research Center surveys in Europe, India and Latin America, more people now say that abortion should be legal in all or most cases in many countries.

Attitudes toward abortion are strongly tied to how important people say religion is in their lives. In countries where a greater share of people say religion is at least somewhat important to them, much smaller shares think abortion should be legal.

For example, 99% of Nigerians say religion is important in their lives and only 8% say abortion should be legal in all or most cases. On the opposite end of the spectrum, 20% of Swedes see religion as important and 95% support legal abortion. People in India are outliers: 94% of Indians view religion as important, but 59% also favor legal abortion.

Economic development plays a role in this relationship, too. In countries with lower gross domestic product per capita, people tend to be more religious and have more restrictive attitudes about abortion.

But the U.S. stands apart in this regard: Among the high-income countries surveyed, Americans have the highest per capita GDP but are among the most likely to say religion is important to them. They are also among the least likely of the high-income countries to say abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

Religious affiliation is also an important factor when considering views of abortion within individual countries. On balance, adults who are religiously unaffiliated self-identifying as atheist, agnostic or nothing in particular are more likely to say abortion should be legal in all or most cases than those who identify with a religion.

This difference is largest in the U.S., where 84% of religiously unaffiliated adults say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, compared with 52% of religiously affiliated Americans. Of course, differences also exist among religiously affiliated Americans, too: White evangelical Protestants are the least likely to favor legal abortion.

In countries where there are two dominant religions and negligible shares of religiously unaffiliated adults, there are often divides between the dominant religions.

Take Israel, for example, where 99% of adults affiliate with some religion. In Israel, 56% of Jewish adults say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, compared with 23% of Muslims. And 89% of Jews who describe themselves as Hiloni (secular) favor legal abortion, while only 12% of Haredi (ultra-orthodox) or Dati (religious) Jews agree. Masorti (traditional) Jews fall in between, with 58% favoring legal abortion.

Views differ by religion in Nigeria, too, even as the vast majority of Nigerians oppose legal abortion. One-in-ten Nigerian Christians support legal abortion in all or most cases, compared with just 3% of Nigerian Muslims.

In 15 of the 18 countries where Pew Research Center measures political ideology on a left-right scale, those on the left are more likely than those on the right to say abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

Again, Americans are the most divided in their views: 91% of liberals support legal abortion, compared with 29% of conservatives.

Gender also plays a role in views of abortion, though these differences are not as large or widespread as ideological and religious differences.

In seven countries surveyed this year Australia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Sweden, the UK and the U.S. women are significantly more likely than men to say abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

In an additional six countries in Europe and North America, women are more likely than men to say abortion should be legal in all cases. In Hungary, Poland, India, Indonesia, and in all the African and Latin American countries surveyed, men and women have more similar views on abortion.

Note: Here are the questions used for the analysis, along with responses, and the survey methodology.

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Legal abortion widely supported globally, especially in Europe - Pew Research Center

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United Nations Takes U.K. Bishop’s Advice on Persecution – The Living Church

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By Douglas LeBlanc

Four years after the Bishop of Truro led a solicited report on religious persecution, the United Nations Security Council has adopted one of its key recommendations.

Under the resulting policy, the U.N.s secretary general will offer an annual oral report on threats to international peace and security related to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FRoB). The first such report is due on June 14, 2024.

At the request of Jeremy Hunt secretary of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs (2018-19) Bishop Philip Mounstephen led the research and writing of the report, which provided deeply detailed accounts of persecution across the world.

Im delighted by this news of the implementation of one of the key recommendations of the Truro Review especially in the light of the fact that last year it was deemed unlikely that any Security Council Resolution on Freedom of Religion or Belief would be possible, Mounstephen said in a Church of England report.

That its happened is huge credit to the U.K.s U.N. team and speaks volumes of the U.K.s commitment to this vital human right. This, along with other recent actions, puts this issue firmly on the international geopolitical table.

Hunt and Mounstephen introduced the report in 2019

Jeremy Hunt, who now serves as the U.K.s chancellor of the exchequer, added his praise: Im proud and delighted to see this key recommendation of Bishop Philips report implemented and send my warm congratulations to the U.K. team at the U.N. on their very impressive work.

The Truro Review concentrated on persecution of Christians, which it deemed the most frequent threat to what it called Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). The report acknowledged that threats to FoRB take many forms, including the harassment of irreligious persons:

The Rohingya community in Myanmar have suffered grievously, as have the Yazidis in Iraq. The Ahmadis have been persecuted since their inception. Whilst it is right to recognize the suffering of Christians in India and China, it would be quite wrong to ignore the persecution of Muslim communities in those countries, including the Uighur Muslims, who have suffered appallingly. In many places in the world it is certainly not safe to admit that you are an atheist. Jehovahs Witnesses have experienced severe persecution historically, and are certainly not free of it today.

Bishop Mounstephens crozier features a black hook that symbolizes the role of a bishop to drive away threats to the well-being of his flock. Mounstephen, previously a leader of the Church Mission Society and the Church Pastoral Aid Society, has taken the role of guardian to a broader scale in his concern for persecuted Christians.

The Truro Review speaks in a brisk voice of indignation about the abuse of people based on their beliefs. Despite the impression those in the West might sometimes have to the contrary, the Christian faith is not primarily an expression of white Western privilege. If it were we could afford to ignore it perhaps, the review says. But unless we understand that it is primarily a phenomenon of the global south and of the global poor, we will never give this issue the attention it deserves. That is not to patronize, but it is to be realistic. Western voices that are quick to speak up for the worlds poor cannot afford to be blind to this issue.

There is even a note of humility as the review acknowledges the evergreen reports of violence directed against belief. The sad fact is that this report will be out of date even by the time that it is published. And such is the sheer scale of the problem that whilst we have ranged widely in our analysis we make no claim to be wholly comprehensive.

The work of Bishop Mounstephens team has a permanent home online that offers its interim report(Easter 2019), final report(July 2019), reference material, and much else.

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United Nations Takes U.K. Bishop's Advice on Persecution - The Living Church

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