Taking Nutrition Seriously

The importance of good nutrition is nothing new. Back in 400 B.C., Hippocrates said, "Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food." Today, good nutrition is more important than ever. At least four of the 10 leading causes of death in the U.S.--heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes--are directly related to way we eat; diet is also implicated in fitness.

Until a few years ago, the only athletes who took nutrition seriously were body-builders. Now, nutrition is an integral part of training in such activities as football, basketball, swimming, tennis and others.

This is for a very good reason.

Whether you are a world-class athlete or an exercise enthusiast, nutrition is fundamental to fitness. Specific vitamins, minerals, fats, and amino acids feed your cells. They control your strength, your ability to recover from heavy workouts, and even your mood. Let's face it. How good is your performance when you're distracted, depressed, or anxious?

Optimum nutrition can make a vast difference in how your body responds to training, and how you perform in your sport. It can be the difference between winning and losing, and how quickly your body recovers.

The best eating plan for athletes should include adequate fluids and plenty of low-fat, unrefined carbohydrate foods that provide energy and replenish the fuel and fluids used during physical activity. As an athlete, you should pay careful attention to your nutritional needs not only before, but also during, and after exercise.

Should you use nutritional supplements?

If you are active and eat a lot of wholesome foods, you can get a lot of vitamins in your diet. For example, if you drink 12 ounces of orange juice, you'll get 200% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin C. Without a doubt, fruits and vegetables are a great source of important nutrients. These powerhouse foods provide vitamins that also guard against aging, cancer, heart disease, and other diseases. They're smart health insurance for the future.

Nutritional supplements can help your body function at a more optimal level. You simply can't get enough vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients from your diet if you are engaged in regular heavy workouts.

Be aware that not all nutritional supplements are the same. Some are made from high-quality ingredients while others are actually made from petroleum by-products. Studies have shown that natural supplements are more effective than synthetic.

Good quality supplements enhance your body's ability to function. The best way to try any nutritional supplement is to take a single product for at least two weeks and observe the effects. Do you have more energy? Can you train harder? At the end of the trial period, stop, take a week's break, and then try another product, having noted the response to the previous item. Once more give it two weeks, stop, take a week's break, and try the next one on the list yet again writing down your response. Continue this until you have tried the ones that most appeal to you. At the end of the trial period, you will have a very good idea of what works for you, and what doesn't. Through this process you will be able to formulate the most effective nutritional program designed exclusively for you.

The end result will be that you will be much more capable and effective, whatever your sport.

Ernie Hassell is Chief Executive Officer of XTREME Performance the designer and developer of innovative, safe, and natural performance enhancing nutritional products http://www.xtremeperformance.com For more information call 1.877.869.8736 or erniehassell@xtremeperformance.com

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Performance Nutrition - Perform Better, Every Day of the Week!

Nutrition is often the unsung hero of increasing an individual's performance. In fact, I would go as far as to say that without good nutrition you cannot even begin to successfully increase your levels of performance, whether it's in daily life or in sport. There are many factors, from a nutritional perspective, that need to be in place even before you can start to increase your performance.

Try increasing your recovery ability with impaired gut function. You will not even begin to absorb all the high quality food you might be consuming and the expensive supplements that you are knocking back all because your nutrition is not in check. So when it comes to performance nutrition it might actually be a case of stripping the individual back to basics. So does the person in question have good nutrient absorption, a strong immune system, an adequate sleep pattern and enough de-stress time? If not then what are the chances of them increasing their levels of performance through increases in training volume and frequency. This is usually when players get ill, crash and burn, all because their nutrition and lifestyle are not in check.

So performance nutrition might in fact be a cloak and dagger word, but there are obviously factors of performance nutrition that do lend themselves to increases in someone's physical performance. So let's say we are working with an individual that has all the above in check, then we can look to increase their physical and mental performance with the aid of nutrition, including food and supplements. Of course there are many ways to coax the body into the environment that you want it to perform in. Specific food and specific supplements at certain times can signal the body to perform in a certain way. A perfect example of this would be during the post workout recovery period, a time where nutrients are partitioned in a certain way, when provided in the right proportions, into the muscle to preferentially induce a greater anabolic and recovery effect.

So really the above is a prime example of performance nutrition. Such a nutritional strategy thus increases someone's performance through increasing the body's ability to recovery quicker. After all recover quicker and we can train sooner, which then, over time, leads to greater overall increases in performance as more training practice has been performed. But what must not happen in performance nutrition strategies is skip one phase before the other. There is no point in giving an individual X, Y and Z supplement if their gut health is currently impaired. Much of the consumed supplements might be going to waste through poor absorption, so it would make sense to repair the gut, then build on top of that, as in theory you will then observe two increases in performance, one from re-building the gut and another from the targeted supplement use.

So of course there is a place for fancy supplements and specific foods to increase the performance of an individual at the right times, but there are essentials that have to be in place first. In essence you could liken performance nutrition to the art of building a house. Rock solid foundations have to be in place first before you build your fancy architectural sculpture on top. Now that is the art of performance nutrition.

Ben Coomber consults with MMA, rowing, rugby and physique athletes at various levels. Consults for UK tennis, and owns and runs Body Type Nutrition. He is an Internationally Certified Sports Nutritionist and trainer.

Sports nutrition consultations: http://www.bodytypenutrition.co.uk

Author website: http://www.bencoomber.com

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Do You Need Customized Vitamins Based on Unique Health Concerns?

Customized vitamins have become a hot topic in the world of health and in the nutritional supplementation industry. Where they used to deny it vehemently 20 to 30 years ago, today the vast majority of medical doctors agree that virtually everyone needs some kind of vitamin supplementation. Perhaps our food crops' soils are too depleted from regulated misuse to infuse our modern foods with the high amount of vitamins and minerals that they once had. Perhaps we eat too many processed foods with far too much refined sugars, salts, and hydrogenated oils. Or...perhaps we are just more aware then ever before of how to acquire optimal health for living longer and with a higher quality of existence. Whatever the reason or reasons, the fact is that we need vitamin and mineral supplementation.

Now up until recently, we have had to take a broad-brush approach to this vitamin supplementation. We have amassed plenty of research that stretches back hundreds of years with many substances to tell us the general nutritional and health benefits of the different herbs, fruits, vegetables, and so on and so forth. But there has always been one glaring problem with this, as good as it is: we are each unique individuals. We are unique genetically, we are unique in our sum totality of experience, we are unique in our personalities (meaning we are unique in our total lifestyle). So these general nutritional supplements have been highly effective in some people but don't make much of a difference in others--which means that their health is not optimized while they waste their money.

With our advanced knowledge today, however, with the right testing we can create customized vitamin supplementation based on eachindividual's unique health concerns and needs. Even two individuals who are highly similar genetically or in body type and personality will still have something unique to their body's and mind's health, as subtle physiological differences, gender differences, different environments, different experiences, and different lifestyle choices all add up to a unique set of health concerns.

Imagine if there are two identical twins who were raised together in the same household, but one of them has always been a serious competitive athlete while the other has never cared to participate in sports very seriously and has been more "bookish". Do you really think that just because they are identical twins and were brought up in the same household that they now have exactly the same health concerns and nutritional needs when they are so different in at least one key part of their lifestyles? Of course they don't. The athletic twin's health concerns have been impacted in a significantly different way from the less physically active and more intellect-oriented twin's.

Customizing a vitamin supplementation package for each twin will let them each optimize their health to the greatest possible and affordable extent. Even though they are twins, they are not the same person. Even "identical" twins don't look exactly alike, let alone having the exact same health concerns. A customized vitamin option is the most sensible solution to optimizing health for all people.

Duncan Wierman applies a holistic approach to healthcare which means accepting responsibility for managing our own health, looking at long-range consequences, searching for alternative and complementary solutions,and never accepting a prescription or diagnosis without conducting further research. For more information about Customized nutrition : [http://www.customessentialnutrition.com/]

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Defining Your Nutritional Goals For Your Sports Requirements

The responsibilities of a professional athlete can be as demanding as the responsibilities of any corporate professional, and even though the job functions are completely dissimilar, each career requires a lot of high energy focus and investment to succeed. But if you look a little closer at both of these realms, you'll find a common factor in their needs, and that's the need for proper nutrition and health.

An entire profession, sports nutrition, is now dedicated to helping people maintain their peak mental and physical capabilities. This is done either through intensive gym workouts, getting in peak condition for sports competitions, or helping monitor fitness during high sporting events. Obviously, out of all groups of professionals, athletes realize how vitally important good nutrition is, especially to give them an extra cutting edge in competition, ability and output, and naturally to maintain a great level of health in their everyday lives.

Not every sportsperson is keen to utilize the benefits offered by the sports nutrition industry, nor even acknowledge it makes a marked difference, although in the end they lose out, because the level of competition in sports is always increasing. Everyone is constantly striving for top position and to achieve that requires nutritional knowledge of both food and supplements, which will vary depending on the sport or activity.

It depends on the sports and the needed level of output as to which way nutritional advice will slant towards because what works for one athlete in one sport may in fact be damaging to the results and abilities of a different athlete in another sport. Whether recommendations for sugar or carbohydrates, it's important to know which sports require which nutritional approach to get the best results.

It's important for an athlete to do some groundwork and investigation into his sport of expertise and discover exactly what nutritional approach will best equip him. He needs to know what to avoid, what to look for on labels, and whether power bars or sports drinks really are going to benefit him. The most qualified professional is the nutritionist as they are equipped to give advice and knowledge to match specific needs and goals, and will know what's needed to enable best performance, and even help in setting up the timetable for meals and snacks for optimal results.

Embarking down this road and really committing to the best nutrition for your athletic demands is going to have a price tag attached to it, and initially it may seem to you that the investment required is more than you anticipated. So it may be worth your while searching for some cheaper alternatives that can still help you meet your nutritional goals, but not cost you the world in the process.

No matter what nutrition you choose, you will in most cases need an oven to cook it.

Terje Brooks has written articles online for many years and he likes to write about food, health & fitness, home and family issues among other topics. Take a look at his double gas oven site and read some ovens for sale reviews as well as additional kitchen-oven information.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

If You Exercise and You Sweat, Sports Nutritional Supplements Are Your Best Training Partner

Sweating, without replacing all the lost nutrients is practically suicide! And if you think that sugar-flavoured and multi-coloured 'sports water' is going to do the trick, then think again.

Pretty hard words - but consider this: training, sport and 'sweating it out' make you feel great and are a terrific way to develop both physically and mentally. However here's an important tip, if you think that training and sport without taking sports nutritional supplements will help you live longer . . . think again.

When you sweat, you're not just sweating out salt and water or Gatorade for that matter. Sweat contains everything in your blood - more than 60 different minerals, rare trace minerals, vitamins, electrolytes and amino acids.

Most cheap and well known sports drinks, even with healthy eating, are just not enough to replace everything you lose which means that if you don't put back these nutrients you are very likely to develop a nutritional deficiency disease.

Sports drinks are supposed to replace nutrients lost during exertion, however most contain nothing more than sugar, salt, potassium and food coloring.

An easily recognized and common early warning sign of nutrient deficiency is that tired and burned out feeling. Most of us just try harder until we become completely exhausted, chronically fatigued and unable to train. This situation can be easily corrected with correct sports nutritional supplementation.

According to the Centre for Disease Control in the US, each year over 100,000 people from youngsters to professional athletes die suddenly during exercise and sporting events, or immediately after. Out of these, 30-35% die of a ruptured aneurysm (which is where you lose major blood volume from a break in an artery) and over 65% die of a cardiomyopathy heart attack.

According to Naturopath and author, Dr Joel Wallach, the veterinary industry has known since the late 1950's that the cause of a ruptured aneurysm is a copper deficiency and the cause of cardiomyopathy heart attack is a selenium deficiency.

Here are some other facts about sport and health:

o Evander Holyfield was once banned from boxing because of his heart condition and after his physician put him on a selenium sports nutritional supplement he soon passed his cardiogram and went back into boxing.

o James Fixx wrote books telling everyone about the benefits of running for your health . . and died at 52 from a heart attack.

o Leonard Hilton ran the sub 4-minute mile 32 times and followed the teachings of James Fixx and also died at the age of 52.

o An increasing number of professional athletes need to quit their sport because of joint problems and frequently have joint replacement surgery.

Sports Nutritional Supplements - The Right Ones Will Extend Your Sporting Life

The bottom line is you need to put back the nutrients you're losing. While most people, especially professional athletes, are aware they need to put back some of the things they're sweating out, they need to make sure that they're using a source that is highly absorbable and contains the complete spectrum of nutrients.

Unless you're using a source of highly absorbable minerals, trace minerals, vitamins, essential fatty acids and amino acids, you're not going to be able to sustain your health and longevity and you'll eventually suffer one or a number of deficiency diseases, from damaged bones and joints to a heart attack.

Sports nutritional supplements should consist of plant derived liquid minerals, additional liquid calcium and essential minerals, vitamins, amino acids, essential fatty acids and health supplements which support the bones and joints.

Copyright http://www.Global-Longevity.com

Paul Newland is a health writer, sports training consultant and martial arts instructor and manages the Global-Longevity.com website. He is the author of numerous health information books and guides, including the Wellness Report, The Ultimate Antioxidant Report, The Selenium Report, The Bird Flu Report, The Ultimate Nutrient Guide and The Essential Fatty Acid Report and The Ultimate Sports Nutrition Guide - available Free (for a limited time) through Global-Longevity.com [http://global-longevity.com/catalog/wellness_report.php]

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Are All Nutrition Sports Supplements Safe?

The manufacture and supply of nutrition sports supplements is a booming industry. There is an overwhelming choice of energy bars, gels, and drinks to give athletes more stamina and improved performance. It has become a common practice for sportsmen and women to take supplements prior, during, and after a race, match, or game.

There is no doubt that supplements, when used correctly, can have a beneficial effect on an athlete's performance. Athletes and sports professionals have to continually push their bodies to the limit. To help keep up with vigorous workouts, their bodies have to be in peak condition, and supplements play a large role.

Athletes' bodies enable them to earn a living. When you consider the amount of grueling practice sessions that athletes go through every day, it is not surprising that they need some extra fuel. While there are many reputable brands on the market, there appears to be many racketeers climbing on the band wagon.

Always consult with a medical professional before taking any sports supplements. This is the only way that you will know that the products are safe. Sporting supplements do not have to be regulated by the FDA. This essentially means that the door is open for anyone to brand and market a product.

The health dangers of drugs that enhance sporting performance have been well publicized, and major sporting bodies have banned many. But a lot of people don't realize that nutritional supplements can be equally as dangerous. For instance, long term use of protein supplements by weight-lifters can have negative health consequences.

The best bet is to play it safe. Before taking any over-the-counter nutrition sports supplements, speak to a health professional. Remember too, that just because the word 'supplement' is used, this does not mean it is safe. It is suspected that many sports supplements are linked to a number of physical and mental health problems. A little research on the internet will bear this out.

Looking to find the best deal on printers, then visit http://www.printerandprosper.com to find the best advice on wireless color printer for you.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

The Art of Sports Nutrition

Sports nutrition is a well researched fine art, a complex science of carbohydrates, proteins and fats that often leads the majority plain confused. So are we the one's over complicating it?

Although new science emerges on a daily basis with regards to health and nutrition, this doesn't often simplify matters, yet often complicates the situation. Many that follow a program designed by a sports nutritionist will have a breakdown of carbohydrates, fats and proteins to eat, at a certain time, from a certain source, containing a certain amount of calories all calculated against their energy expenditure on top of a list of supplements to take. Sounds like a lot right?

For the athlete this might be necessary in many cases, especially in weight class sports. But sports nutrition doesn't have to be this complicated. Of course we should be eating certain types of foods as some are more beneficial than others, and of course serve a purpose. But the emphasis on calories and its breakdown is often over emphasized and can cause a pattern of obsession.

What I suggest is a radically simple approach. An approach that I use with 95% of people. I use this for one reason only, I've noticed over the years that calorie counting for many people is a chore, complicated and time consuming. So I rarely use it.

Instead I urge anyone, whether your using a sports based nutrition program or not, to use your appetite, satiety, needs and meal timing to gauge what and how much should be eaten at a meal. This is the simplest way for someone to manage their diet. Tune in to what your body is saying and really you should be able to self-identify how much food you need to eat to maintain yourself at a steady weight (this also helps when you are eating the right foods, eating the wrong foods makes this more complicated). Once this is established you then know what you need to eat to lose or gain weight. Then simply make an effort to eat a bit more or a bit less.

Once this principal is nailed, alongside knowing your baseline macro-nutrient needs, then that is when key and effective principals of sports nutrition can really excel and be focused on. Such as strategies for carbohydrate cycling, supplementation during exercise, immune system boosting, re-feeding and the like. Such strategies are of course essential, but wasted if the basics are not already in place.

Again once specific protocols are in place that provide for your health, your training, and thus your recovery, only then can we pick our way in and around the science and fine tune some of the little things. Many read scientific journals and reviews and try to implement the odd nuggets of information straight away when really their basic principals and nutritional needs are still not being met. Like building a house without the foundations, it's just not done.

So a strategy for an effective sports nutrition plan:

1. Know the amount of carbohydrates, fat and protein your body needs

2. Know the amount of food you need to eat to maintain your weight

3. Identify proportions you need of carbohydrates in and around exercise

4. Crete a basic supplement regime

5. Fine tune an advanced supplement regime

6. Build in specific protocols for immune health, performance, super foods, and recovery

Ben Coomber consults with MMA, rowing, rugby and physique athletes at various levels. Consults for UK tennis and boxing, and owns and runs Body Type Nutrition. He is an Internationally Certified Sports Nutritionist.

Sports nutrition consultations: http://www.bodytypenutrition.co.uk

Author website: http://www.bencoomber.com

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.