Sports Nutrition Archives

Nutritional Health in Sports

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Nutritional health is very important. The nutrients that we take in are practically the reasons why we are healthy or why we are not. It could also be a grid to determine if we can eventually become sports superstars or not. Nutritional health may be the main reason why you are tall, strong and have the skills to be good in sports. This is also vital for having a strong mind and a healthy body because of the fact that these nutrients fuel almost all bodily functions.

In reality, many people fail to achieve a high level of nutritional health. Some reasons why they are not adequately nourished is because of their lack of information. Some people do not even know that what they are eating is bad for them. Some food also lack nutritional facts that they should have on their labels. And some just do not care at all.

People also have this misconception that what is tasty is good for your health. It is really hard to resist unhealthy food because of their availability on the market. Media also advertise more on unhealthy junk foods rather than healthy ones. Unhealthy food may be a reason for us to be fat. If you want to keep healthy, you must first get rid of unwanted fats and be fit as possible.

Some athletes also have low nutritional levels because of certain factors. One is poor understanding of sports nutrition principles. They think that eating many will make the healthy.

Nutritional requirements also differ among people depending on their training program and personal characteristics like age, sex and body type. Their failure to recognize these may also cause malnourishment as they may take too much or less of their nutrients required.

Some athletes also diet too much compromising their nutritional needs. Their lack of knowledge on nutritional facts also contributes to it. Their lack of time and opportunity to eat and the tendency to skip meals is also one reason. Overeating is also a factor of malnourishment because you might eat and take in a lot of fats and unwanted chemicals that may be unhealthy.

The sports nutritional health can be broken down into the foundation of what food is basically made of namely proteins, carbohydrates and fats. We should get optimum amounts of these types for more energy and more muscle gains. You can only lose more than one pound of fat per week if you exercise properly and eat the right food instead of starving yourself. Starving will only bring you malnourishment.

If you are losing fat quickly by starving yourself, over dieting and doing too much exercise, you may be at a risk of slowing down your metabolism and your body might start using the glucose found in your muscles as a source for energy. That is why losing weight bit by bit for a long period of time instead of losing weight quickly is much more preferable.

There are toxins found in our fatty tissues and when we loose fat, these toxins are released back into our body. Losing too much fat in a short period of time means that you are releasing more amounts of toxins into the body causing us to be sick.

On your diet, try to avoid eating food with too much saturated fat because they are bad fats and will make you gain more weight. What you should do is to ingest unsaturated fats of the good fat because it will help you lose weight.

By eating good oils like deep-water fish oil, flax seed oil and linseed oils, you are actually aiding yourself as it rids your body of fatty deposits helping you lose more fat. This weight loss program actually takes a lot of time so only take measurements every two months to give you a better look on how your are progressing on keeping fit and sexy and how much fat you are actually losing.

I discourage you on taking those commercial diets because they will only set you up for failure and disappointment. These diets make you lose fat so quickly that when you try to start eating again more than you did while on diet, you will gain weight very fast. You should look for a way to lose weight in a slow and realistic rate.

Here are some tips: First is to stay away from white sugar and all other natural sweetener. You should also stay away from simple sugars and take in slowly digested complex carbohydrates. Eat food high in fiber in order to detoxify. And lastly, exercise. The right combination of exercise and nutrients will give you a high level of sports nutritional health.

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The continuing development of sports nutrition is not only rampant in the United States but also in other parts of the world. Sports nutrition in also of great importance is Japan.

Here are some developments related to Japanese sports nutrition, specifically on heat stroke prevention, from the web site of Otsuka Pharmaceutical.

1. Pocari Sweat Junior Sports Clinic

The Japan Amateur Sports Association hosted the said sports clinic for the promotion of sports nutrition to children in the country. The sports clinic was held in 11 venues, and Otsuka invited star athletes as guest instructors. Seminars are provided for the attendees, with topics such as the importance of fluid intake and ways for the prevention of heat stroke.

2. Detective Konan on heat stroke

Japanese children were in for a special treat when the Japanese Association of School health delivered educational videos to elementary schools featuring popular cartoon character Detective Konan.

In the video, Konan discusses ways to prevent the occurrence of heat stroke. Posters related to the topic were also given out to the schools. The Konan videos have been utilized as instructional material for Japanese sports nutrition around campuses, particularly on guidance and health activities.

3. National Junior High School General Athletics Meet

The sporting event, which was geared towards junior high students, was celebrated in Hokkaido under the sponsorship of the Nippon Junior High School Physical Culture Association together with other organizations.

Otsuka took advantage of the gathering to promote the significance of heat stroke prevention. Electrolyte beverages were given out to attendees so that they could play sports under the hot weather.

4. Otsuka Academy Public School Seminar

With the goal of spreading our information about the importance of Japanese sports nutrition, the Otsuka Academy Public School Seminar opened for elementary and junior high pupils.

Topics included are the latest news on dietary and nutrition habits, and the state of the body during growth spurts. Pamphlets and videos were used by specialists to promote the significance of fluid retention during strenuous activities. The activity aroused encouraging reaction from the subjects.

5. Strategies to Prevent Heat Stroke in Daily Life

Otsuka produced a video with that title to educate people working in extremely hot surroundings regarding the prevention of heat stroke.

The video was edited by the Japan Industrial Safety and Health Association, and was given out to businesses all over the country. The video expounds on the importance of daily hydration, and the right amount of periods to be given to employees for exercise, rest and work. Several events have already featured the video, including the evening seminars held by the Japan Society for Occupational Health.

6. Heat Stroke Prevention Research Team

Otsuka Pharmaceuticals is providing support for the activities of the said research effort of the Japan Amateur Sports Association to heighten the level of people’s awareness on the hazards on heat stroke and how to prevent it while engaging in sports or other strenuous activities.

The Otsuka Saga Nutraceuticals Research Institute is an enthusiastic partner of JASA in the production and distribution of educational materials regarding heat stroke prevention.

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Recovery, Body Protection and Sports Nutrition

Food gives us energy and fuels physical activity. Not eating enough can cause a drop in energy and endurance levels and, in the world of sports, can lead to painful losses. This is why athletes learn quickly to pack that extra energy bar just in case.

But food is not only good as energy sources to our muscles. They also hold substances that promote our health, boost our immunity to sicknesses, promote tissue repair, protect cells from damage, protect against age-related cognitive decline and increase resistance to cancers, and other illnesses, all of which are important to maintaining good performance and longevity in sports. These protective substances are commonly known as phytochemicals.

Phytochemicals, although not providing any energy, essential vitamins, or minerals, still are an important component of any athlete’s sport nutrition. Phytochemicals means “chemicals from plants.” Vegetables and fruits therefore are excellent sources.

Color means protection

Colorful vegetables and fruits have high levels of phytochemicals. In most cases, colorful skins of fruits and vegetables have the most concentrated source of protective nutrients.

A U.S. National Cancer Institute program (www.5aday.com) uses color categories, highlighting the protective compounds predominant in each color of fruit or vegetable.

RED

Red fruits maintains heart health, memory function, lowers risk to some cancers, and ensures urinary tract health. Lycopene and anthocyanins are available in red fruits and vegetables. Lycopede reduces the risk of several types of cancer, heart and lung disease. Anthocyanins helps protect against heart disease by preventing blood clots. Both may slow the cell aging process.

ORANGE / YELLOW

Beta-carotene is abundant in orange and yellow substances. It is an antioxidant that helps reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, maintain eyesight, help boost the immune system, and promote repair of damaged DNA. With Vitamin C, Bioflavonoids which are also contained in orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, help reduce the risk of cancer, strengthen bones and teeth, heal wounds, keep skin healthy and lower the risk of heart attacks.

BLUE / P URPLE

Anthocyanins and Phenols make up blue and purple fruits and vegetables. Research says they may help reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s and may have anti-aging effects.

GREEN

Green fruits and vegetables are among the best sources of lutein. Lutein helps reduce the risk of cataracts and mascular degeneration, which can cause loss of vision. Green vegetables are also rich in sulforaphane, isocyanate and indoles which hamper the action of carcinogens.

WHITE

Allicin, which are found in garlic, leeks, and onions, helps control blood pressure and cholesterol. It looks like it also increases the body’s ability to fight infection. Cauliflower contains sulforaphane, and mushrooms contain selenium. Both are also cancer-fighting.

Because they protect your body from injuries, diseases and untimely aging, colorful vegetables and fruits must be first in mind when buying food to maintain good sports nutrition.

Essentials for fast recovery

Proper recovery is also a main concern in sports nutrition. Sufficient rest and sleep allows the body’s systems to recuperate from training stress and makes you stronger and faster. Training gains can be maximized, recovery process speeded up and performance enhanced by correct food and liquid consumption after workout.

Fluid replacement

Timing is everything. After cooling down at the end of each workout, rehydration should be top priority. Drink enough to replace the fluids you sweated out. It is right after exercise that muscles are most receptive to replenishing glycogen stores.

These times, blood flow is on the increase and muscle membranes are more permeable to glucose and the effects of insulin which promotes glycogen synthesis. During this “glycogen window” (which lasts up to an hour) muscles replenish glycogen up to three times faster than at other times.

Second carbo-loading

High-carb foods and beverages are best for fast recovery. Including protein with these foods (4:1 ratio of carbs to protein) enhances muscle repair and glycogen replacement.

The amount of food you need depends on the extent of the depletion of glycogen stores. How much food you need depends on the extent that your activity depleted your glycogen stores.

For a minimum of 2 hours of exercise, sports nutrition experts recommend around 1-1.5 grams of carbohydrate per kilogram of body weight within 15 minutes after cessation of exercise and every two hours until your next complete meal. That

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Pure protein drink fruit punch is one of the most popular sports nutrition worldwide next to pure protein drink in vanilla and chocolate. This protein drink fruit punch helps athletes improve their physical endurance, game performance, increate energy and mental alertness.

This sports nutrition known worldwide contains a large dose of protein, which an athlete needs to build more muscles. It is also packed with vitamins, minerals and other necessary elements to boost energy and strength for your body.

These great tasting, pure protein drink fruit punch are convenient meal replacements for those who are in a high protein, less fat diet or as a meal addition for those who are in high protein and carbohydrates diet. For busy people this sports nutrition is a great alternative meal whenever you are on the go. You can buy a canister of pure protein drink fruit punch in any health stores, worldwide.

Pure protein drink fruit punch is available in a variety of fruity flavors such as strawberry, orange, grape and apple. Athletes and bodybuilders love this sports nutrition because they lactose free, therefore well-suited for their adult digestive systems. This pure protein drink fruit punch is low in sugar, calories and carbohydrates.

The protein in pure protein drink fruit punch may come from whey, egg protein, soy protein, milk protein, or calcium caseinate protein, or a combination of all. Choose which protein will be good for your digestive system. If you are lactose intolerant, avoid pure protein drink fruit punch made from milk protein. It may cause you irritable bowel or even diarrhea.

To get the necessary or sufficient daily intake of protein in your body, you can add pure protein drink fruit punch to your baking dishes. You can add it to your low-fat, low-sugar cake, oatmeal cookie or carrot cake.

You will get all of the essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that your body needs while drinking or eating (through your pastries) your pure protein drink fruit punch. It is a delicious way to help keep your immune system at its best.

- Worldwide Sports Nutrition: Adding Up Pure Protein Drink Fruit Punch To Your Daily Diet

Contrary to the belief of many, including a glassful of pure protein drink fruit punch in your daily diet will make an athlete fat. It is wrong. Protein helps in adding more muscles to physically active people. Foods that turn into fat when not consumed are those that are rich in carbohydrates.

So if you have an active lifestyle (even if you are not an athlete) your body will greatly benefit with a glassful of pure protein drink fruit punch in the morning or during lunch. This is a practice in worldwide sports nutrition which you can integrate into your own personal diet and nutrition.

In the morning, your pure protein drink fruit punch may be added to two freshly squeezed orange juices and half a glass of water. To mix the powdered protein drink fruit punch with these ingredients, it is best to use a blender for that perfect fruit shake effect. You can add some crushed eyes while blending for a more refreshing morning drink.

Others mix it with other fresh fruits as a smoothie drink. Bananas, blueberries, peaches or mangoes are mixed with three tablespoons of pure protein, water or milk.

Worldwide, this sports nutrition is gaining popularity because of its simple preparation for athletes and people on the go. In less than five minutes, with the help of a blender, they can produce a nutritious fruit punch or smoothies that are rich in vitamins, minerals and enzymes that are good for the body

This pure protein drink fruit punch is available in liquid or powder form. Worldwide, however, the most popular form is in powder because a sports nutrition drink in powder is fast and easy to prepare and do not turn sour fast unlike the liquid form. Powdered pure protein drink fruit punch is pack in gallon-like containers.

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Nutraceutical Industry and Sports Nutrition

The role of food in total health care is not something new to mankind. The use of food to maintain man’s health is as natural as day and night. More than 2,000 years ago, Hippocrates, considered as the father of medicine, said, “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.” It is this principle that eventually led to the explosion of the nutraceutical industry.

The nutraceutical industry is concerned with nutraceuticals, that is,

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