Taking Nutrition Seriously
Posted: Thursday, October 06, 2005
by Ernie Hassell
XTREME Performance
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 www.xtremeperformance.com. For more information call 1.877.869.8736 or erniehassell@xtremeperformance.com