Athlete recovery | Veedma's evidence-based men's health articles

The anabolic crunch: Are protein chips a viable tool for male metabolic health?

Dr. Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS: Strength, Recovery, and Physical Therapy Expert

Dec 13, 2025 · 10 min read

Protein chips can be a viable tool for male metabolic health when used as an occasional swap for traditional chips, because their higher protein and lower rapidly digesting carb load tends to increase satiety and better supports muscle repair than starch-heavy snacks. The trade-off is that most are ultra-processed and often high in sodium and ...

Creatine weight gain: What’s normal, what’s not, and how to stay in control

Dr. Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS: Strength, Recovery, and Physical Therapy Expert

Dec 11, 2025 · 10 min read

Creatine commonly increases scale weight by about 2 to 4.5 lb in the first week, mostly from osmotic water being pulled into muscle as creatine stores rise (especially with a loading phase). Learn how to tell normal water shifts from true fat gain and how to track performance and body composition so weigh-ins don’t catch ...

Ranking the healthiest cut of steak for building muscle and managing weight

Dr. Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS: Strength, Recovery, and Physical Therapy Expert

Dec 10, 2025 · 11 min read

The healthiest cut of steak for building muscle while managing weight is eye of round, because it’s one of the leanest options and keeps calories low by minimizing fat (9 calories per gram) while prioritizing protein (4 calories per gram). Here’s how to rank the leanest cuts so you still get leucine-driven muscle protein synthesis ...

Glycine for sleep and performance: The amino acid you might be missing

Dr. Jonathan Pierce, PhD: Clinical Psychologist & Neuroscience Specialist

Dec 09, 2025 · 10 min read

Glycine may improve sleep quality by helping lower core body temperature by roughly 2–3°F—a key physiological trigger for entering slow-wave (deep) sleep—by increasing blood flow to the extremities to dissipate heat. That thermoregulatory “cooling switch” is why this overlooked amino acid can support deeper, more restorative sleep rather than just making you feel sedated. “We ...

Henry Cavill weight training: The physiology behind the Man of Steel’s physique

Dr. Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS: Strength, Recovery, and Physical Therapy Expert

Dec 07, 2025 · 10 min read

Henry Cavill’s “superhero” build (reportedly ~190–210 lb on screen) is achieved by combining high‑mechanical‑tension lifting to stimulate hypertrophy with metabolic work (including fasted cardio) that increases lipid oxidation, allowing simultaneous muscle gain and fat loss (“recomposition”). Here’s how recovery, neuromuscular adaptation, and joint-protective programming make that body composition sustainable instead of short-lived “ego lifting.” “When ...