RHEO H. BLAIR ... BLAIR PROTEIN POWDER
Rheo H. Blair, (Irvin Johnson) born in 1921 in New Jersey was a nutritionist of legendary status, who at an early age was stricken with many health problems, with some considered nearly fatal.
The family moved to the Chicago, Illinois area and at around the age of 15, Irvin Johnson showed interest in singing, which he later performed solo at Carnegie Hall and eventually sang on the Lawrence Welk show.
Irvin's interest in bodybuilding came when his older brother began to develope a physique, which he decided to duplicate. In 1948, he opened a gym in Chicago, which at that time consisted of some barbells and dumbbells, with a wooden floor, that catered to gymnastics.
It was at this time that Johnson began using the name Rheo H. Blair and got involved in nutrition. He studied the science so well, that he believed that nutrition was all chemistry, and that all he had to do was unlock the real secrets.
He began to use members of his gym to run blood tests, to measure the chemistry of certain supplements, that could accelerate gains. One of his experimental students was Jim Park, winner of the 1952 AAU Mr. America title. Blair outlined his training and eating regimen months before the contest.
Blair was one of the first to suggest eating six small meals a day. However, his big advantage was his special protein powder that bodybuilders found to have a positive effect with their progress. Larry Scott, the winner of Mr. Olympia crowns, relied on the protein for his training.
Blair's Protein Powder was based on nonfat dry milk and egg-white protein with additional dried whole eggs added, along with vanilla flavoring and iron phosphates.
The eggs and milk were processed in a specific manner... a low-heat vacuum that handled the protein in an undenatured form. One scoop of Blair's powder provided nearly 20 grams of the highest quality of protein. (about the perfect amount needed for muscle recovery following a hard workout, according to recent research.)
Rheo was a big advocate of not just his powder, but stressed the importance of amino acids, liver extract, etc. All kinds of myths have sprouted about his legendary products and many have tried to duplicate what he concocted long ago.
Rheo H. Blair, the world famous nutritionist, died in 1983 in his early 60's. He was born with only one good working kidney and spent his last years on Dialysis.
