December 6, 2023
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Nutritional Supplements in Athletes – Yes or No?

Laura04 mins

Nutritional Supplementation for Athletes – Yes or No?
December 9th, 2010 | Author: Ken Adams, M.D.
Physicians trained in Western Medicine frequently run into the issue that the way that the textbooks they use in medical school state that our daily diet provides all the minerals and nutrients that we need to function properly and that only a small minority of individuals have any deficiencies that need to be treated with dietary supplementation. The medical literature is highly slanted in that direction and the funded research appears to back it up.
But if we as a nation are doing so well at eating what is right then why do so many of us have chronic pain? Why are so many people obese? Why is cancer on the rise and why are we all not healthier than we are?
The article referenced was published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition and it was surprising to me that it was not more pro-supplement. But it brings to light something that I see quite often in the “research versus clinical medicine” conundrum. Many of my patients do benefit from being on supplements. If more doctors tested for Vitamin D deficiency they would find it. If more physicians would try new things like Dr. Maroon who is a board certified neurosurgeon and the team physician for the Pittsburgh Steelers, more athletes might find pain relief from chronic injuries. (He substituted high dose Omega 3′s for Advil and other NSAIDS and narcotics and a lot of patients never went back to NSAIDS and narcotics. THIS IS HUGE!!)
I will continue to give Omega 3′s for osteoarthritic athletes. I will give Vitamin D in excess of the RDA for my Vitamin D deficient athletes. I will continue supplementing alpha lipoic acid in athletes who have nerve injuries. Calcium, magnesium, B-6 and valerian root supplementation really does decrease muscle spasms after hard workouts. The list goes on and on because I see on an individual basis that patients improve. It is more than just placebo but at the same time I do acknowledge that the funded research is equivocal at the moment.…

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Sports Supplements – How To Get Natural Strength And Boost Performance

Laura04 mins

When it comes to natural supplements, there are many different products on the market that you can choose from. For athletes, supplements that are created and geared towards sports can often give them the extra boost that they need to play better and last longer during their favorite activities.
From high school athletes to professionals, sports supplements have been used for decades without any major issues whatsoever. Keep in mind that chemical supplements are not the topic of discussion here. This article is specifically focused on all-natural health supplements that can help with sports performance and strength.
When it comes to performing in sporting events, you have to have the right balance of fitness and vitamins in your routine. If you are working out too much, you will need more carbohydrates. To do this without eating terrible food, you can take supplements.
If you need antioxidants because your body is stressed, you can take a supplement. There are a variety of naturally-occurring substances that athletes of all kinds rely on for their various health and performance needs. Sometimes, people use certain products regularly, while other times they may only use them here and there as needed.
If it works, it doesn’t matter. Sports supplements can offer increased strength, stamina, endurance, and more ability to accomplish the various sporting goals that people have. These are not offering any enhancements that would be considered cheating or unfair, but are simply helping to create better, healthier bodies so that sports can be played much more successfully.
Like nutritional supplements, these are not a magical cure that is going to make everything better overnight. They can be very effective, but supplements will take time to work and will only do so much. Your body has to do the rest.
It is very important that you get supplements from a brand that you know and trust. This is especially true with sports supplements because you could risk your entire game, season, or career on taking something that you aren’t really sure about.
These natural supplements aren’t FDA regulated so it is up to you to find a credible resource for the supplements that you need so that you can get the products that work without spending a fortune or buying from the wrong company. Take the time to learn about sports supplements and your different options so that you can get the best products every single time.…

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