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Bodybuilding

Straight Facts: How To Prevent Catastrophic Health Issues As A Bodybuilder

by Derek Dufour Updated by GI Team on Jun 16, 2022

This post may contain affiliate links (disclosure policy).

Jerry Brainum shares the straight facts on important preventative health measures all bodybuilders should be utilizing.

STRAIGHT FACTS WITH JERRY BRAINUM – is an in depth exploration of the more complicated elements behind bodybuilding training, nutrition, and supplements. Hosted by legendary and longtime industry expert, Jerry Brainum, Straight Facts answers user questions so no one is left in the dark.

Last week, Jerry Brainum broke down some facts regarding health in bodybuilding – and how it compares to the average person. What he revealed was that bodybuilders have many habits that make them more healthy but these are undercut by extreme drug use. To follow up on this topic, Jerry decided to go into detail about important preventative measures that bodybuilders should seriously consider taking. In this week’s episode of Straight Facts, Jerry Brainum explains the important steps bodybuilders should take to help prevent catastrophic health issues.

Jerry Brainum wants people to know that bodybuilders cannot be medically assessed the same way as normal people. Even if a bodybuilder were to get a blood test – it’s important for the individual to know what to look for in the results. A doctor might overlook certain findings if they are not aware of the habits and drugs that go into bodybuilding. So what, exactly, should a bodybuilder be looking for when going for a medical checkup?

Jerry Brainum breaks down in great detail the exact kind of blood and medical tests all bodybuilders should receive. Not only once or twice – but regularly over their bodybuilding lives. In fact, Jerry recommends these tests be taken quarterly to ensure true preventative health in bodybuilding.

The importance of these tests cannot be stressed enough by Jerry Brainum. He starts off this week’s episode with a bold but concerning claim. He believes that if bodybuilders from the 1970’s were taking the kind of drug protocols we see today, nearly all of them would be dead. Jerry cannot imagine a man like Arnold Schwarzenegger living as long as he has if he were taking the massive amounts of drugs that the sport sees today.

But a “war on drugs” has historically proven to do little. The floodgates are open. Now all Jerry Brainum can do is help educate those who are listening. While nothing is 100% guaranteed, preventative health measures are always powerful options to improve longevity. For bodybuilders, there are simply different specifics that should be focused on.

Overall, Jerry Brainum breaks down approximately a half dozen different tests that he recommends. That sounds like a lot but it is all in an effort to help not only extend your life but make it a higher quality of living. According to Jerry, these tests should be considered just as mandatory as supplements, nutrition, and training regimens. It’s part of the job of being a bodybuilder. The more you cut corners – the more risk in the long run.

Overall, the tests Jerry recommends focus on signs of heart health, kidney health, and liver health. These are three organs that can be majorly impacted by a bodybuilding lifestyle. The more these tests are regularly taken, the more likely you are to spot an issue sooner rather than later. If it’s soon enough, lifestyle choices can be made to reduce risk going forward. It can be the difference between retiring early from the sport or retiring early from life itself.

So if you are serious about bodybuilding and have become concerned about your long term health – heed Jerry Brainum’s words very carefully. He goes into great detail about what each test is, what it accomplishes, and why it’s important. It can be your ultimate guide towards a more healthy bodybuilding future.

You can watch Jerry Brainum go into full detail in our latest episode of Straight Facts above. And make sure to stick around every Wednesday for new episodes!

About Derek Dufour

Derek Dufour has been managing all digital operations on the Generation Iron Network for over six years. He currently manages a team of editors, writers, and designers to provide up-to-date content across the GI Network.

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