Guy Cisternino Online Q&A - January 2015
No Ordinary Guy: Featuring IFBB Pro Guy Cisternino
Reader Q&A - January 2015 Edition
Get Your Blood Work Done
Is blood work really that necessary for a bodybuilder?
Absolutely! Not just for bodybuilders, but I believe that anyone who works out or takes supplements should get blood work done. The reason is that we put our bodies through hell, bust our asses in the gym, use over-the-counter supplements and/or AAS and eat high-protein diets— and all of that is added stress to the body. Also, taking foreign supplements will cause your body to react in certain ways, and the only way to be reassured that you are healthy is by getting blood work done every few months.
I hear people say all the time that they are scared to get blood work done, or never have gotten blood work done. To me, that is pure stupidity. I understand that many doctors don’t understand bodybuilding, but that is why finding the right doctor is crucial for us. So many doctors look at our blood labs and think everything is wrong because kidney or liver enzymes are raised, or hemoglobin is a little elevated, but the truth is that anyone who eats high amounts of protein, takes over-the-counter supplements and trains on a daily basis will have those types of “red flags” in their blood labs.
After years of competing and meeting the right people, I met Dr. Joe Kepko, a board certified physician and owner of Red Rose Rejuvenation in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Dr. Nick Puccio, a close friend of mine and one of Dr. Kepko’s partners, introduced me to Dr. Kepko.
Dr. Kepko does an intricate, intensive blood panel that not only looks at lipid profiles, kidney and liver functions, but he also tests for male and female hormones, thyroid hormones, enzymatic deficiencies, and EPA and DHA levels. This blood panel changed my life, and how I view foods and supplements that I use. After seeing the results of this blood panel, I learned that I needed to eat more freshwater fish, I was highly vitamin D-deficient (which is a BIG reason that a lot of bodybuilders get muscle tears) and that I lack the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase— that means my body lacks the ability to convert folic acid to the active compound the body uses, L-methylfolate.
L-methylfolate is needed for carbohydrate metabolism, neurotransmitter production and lipoprotein production. It also helps with proper sperm production, helps prevent Down syndrome and in women, prevents birth defects during pregnancy. L-methylfolate helps with a ton of processes in the body. If I didn’t meet with Dr. Kepko, I would have never found that out.
Since Dr. Kepko did my blood profile, my body feels healthier, I’m sleeping better, recovering better, my training is the best it’s been, I’ve had no injuries and my joints feel great. Dr. Kepko is a staple in my bodybuilding career, and my team. He does a ton of different things at his offices, including laser hair removal, cosmetic dermatology, HRT, blood profiles, weight management and tattoo removal.
Not only has Dr. Kepko worked with me, but I have referred many top IFBB pros as well as amateur competitors, both male and female, to him. He has had pros fly in just to get their blood profiles done. He has been rated best physician in Bucks County five years in a row and counting. If you want to set up an appointment, you can call Red Rose Rejuvenation at 215-945-8181 or visit their website at www.redroserejuvenation.com or IG @redroserejuvenation. They are also the owners of the new supplement company Centurion Labz, which you can find on IG @Centurion_labz or visit www.centurionlabz.com. Make sure to check them out.
There’s No Stopping This Guy
You had the best year of your career in 2014. What do you feel you need to do to be a contender at this year’s Mr. Olympia contest?
Man, I appreciate that. The fact is, the first half of the year before the Olympia was, hands down, my best season up until that point. I thought my all-time best package was the one I brought to the 2014 New York Pro. Although I took second place, many had me winning— but regardless, for me it was a personal victory because it was my best package ever. I was full, round, peeled, dry and grainy, and that’s the package that I want to deliver every time I’m onstage. I think I competed a little too much in one year— seven shows and over 30 weeks of dieting is a lot, especially when I need to improve. It would be different if I was like Jose or Flex, who are at the top of the weight class and don’t need to put on much more mass. For me, however, I only weighed about 204-206 the day of the shows, sometimes even lighter, so what I have to do is pack on some more quality muscle from top to bottom and bring my usual crazy conditioning— and I think I will be hard to stop.
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