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Nitrate and exercise performance
Nitrate and exercise performance is one of the most studied topics in sports nutrition. Nitrate is one of the handful of ergogenic substances with solid evidence behind them. Keep reading to find out what is nitrate, its roles in the body and how it can benefit your athletic endeavours. What is nitrate Nitrate (NO3−) is an anion, i.e. a molecule with more electrons than protons. Nitrate is naturally found in plant foods such as leafy greens and root vegetables, including lettuce, spinach, rocket, celery and beetroot (1, 2). The role of nitrate in the body Some of the nitrate taken in the diet is converted to nitric oxide (NO) (1,…
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Can magnesium improve exercise performance?
Last week we talked about magnesium and health. This week we answer the next logical question: Can magnesium improve exercise performance? What is magnesium? As a reminder, magnesium is an essential mineral present mainly in bone and other tissues in the body. Magnesium and exercise As seen in the previous article, magnesium is involved in many functions in the body, including energy metabolism, bone development, muscle contraction and relaxation. Magnesium can bind to adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the energy currency in the body (1). It can also bind enzymes that act on RNA and DNA (2). In addition, magnesium is involved in the balance of other essential elements in…
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Milk as a sports supplement
Milk as a sports supplement? Why not! Milk is a relatively inexpensive source of many nutrients, which include protein, calcium, vitamins and minerals. Milks from different ruminants (e.g. cows, goats, water buffalo) have similar nutrient profiles. However, for the sake of this article we will be talking about cow’s milk as it’s the most available and commonly consumed. Nutrients in milk Milk and other dairy foods contain calcium, protein, B vitamins (including B2 and B12), vitamins A and D, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc and iodine. The table below shows average content for some nutrients of different types of plain cow’s milk (data from 1). A glass of milk has 8…
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What is glycogen?
Glycogen is how our bodies store carbohydrate. It is predominantly stored in our muscles and liver and provides the glucose needed for exercise, particularly the high intensity type. What is glycogen? Glycogen is a branched polymer of glucose used as fuel storage. Plants store glucose in starch, we do it in glycogen (1). Most glycogen in the body is located in the muscle (~300-700g) and liver (~100-200g) (2, 3). Each gram of glycogen is stored in our muscles with 3-5g of water. Therefore, carbohydrate loading will lead to weight gain (3, 4). Roles of glycogen Some of the roles of glycogen include: Fuel source, providing carbohydrate to working muscles (2,…
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Can caffeine harm performance?
Caffeine is a widely used supplement used to enhance performance in endurance, strength and combat sports. Today we’ll discuss the flip side: Can caffeine harm performance? What is caffeine? Caffeine is a substance that “occurs naturally in foods, such as coffee, tea and cocoa and has a long history of safe use as a mild stimulant. Products are also available with added caffeine, including cola-type soft drinks, formulated caffeinated beverages (energy drinks) and energy shots.”(1) How can caffeine harm performance? Physiological effects of caffeine Doses within the recommended doses of 3-6mg/kg of body weight can increase heart rate and blood pressure, diminish attention (2) and cause anxiety (3). Some supplements…
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Caffeine for combat sports
Caffeine is one of the few ergogenic substances backed by science, but it has different effects depending on the type of exercise. While its effects on endurance and strength have been widely studied, the role of caffeine for combat sports remains relatively unknown. What are combat sports? Combat sports is a broad category of disciplines that involve one-to one fighting. This includes traditional martial arts, such as taekwondo and judo, but also boxing, Brazilian jiu jitsu, mixed martial arts (MMA) and fencing. Combat sports can involve grappling, striking, or a combination of both. Recommendations for caffeine supplementation Common recommendations for caffeine as a performance-enhancing supplement are 3-6mg per kg bodyweight…
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Sports supplements intake in Australia
In this article we will look at some statistics regarding sports supplements intake in Australia. As you may know, sports supplements are widely consumed worldwide. They are taken by athletes and the general public for a variety of perceived or expected benefits. Sports supplements According to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.9.4, a formulated supplementary sports foods is “a product that is specifically formulated to assist sports people in achieving specific nutritional or performance goals.” (1) Based on the same legislation, sports supplements may contain vitamins or minerals under certain restrictions, amino acids or other compounds used as a nutritive substance also under certain restrictions. Per…
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Product review: Every Body Every Day Gut Performance
I was introduced to Every Body Every Day Gut Performance by a friend and client who has found great relief from digestive issues using this product. This is a supplement designed to improve gut health and, despite its name, it’s not only targeted to the athletic population. Gut Performance The product claims to help balance the gut microbiome, lower the glycaemic index of food, and help with weight loss, bloating, nutrient absorption and gut inflammation. In addition, the beetroot extract is meant to aid with muscle performance. The supplement s gluten free, low FODMAP and does not contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms), artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. Ingredients Sugarcane stem…
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Product review: Prepd Hydration
I first heard about Prepd Hydration from the Sports Dietitians Australia newsletter. These performance drinks are certified by HASTA, which means they do not contain any banned substances. These products have been developed in partnership with researchers at Flinders University. The drinks Prepd Hydration drinks come in 2 varieties: Prime and Recover. These are designed to be taken pre- and post-event, respectively. Both types come in 2 flavours: mango + passionfruit and strawberry + kiwi. All beverages come in 350ml bottles and are ready to drink. Prime contains resistant starch to improve fluid uptake. They should be consumed 6-18 hours before exercise. Recover contain the electrolyte needed to replenish fluids…
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Caffeine and performance
Caffeine is a known ergogenic (i.e. performance-enhancing) substance used by many athletes participating in various disciplines. But does it work for all types of exercise? What are the mechanisms behind caffeine and performance? How does it impact health? Caffeine as a supplement Caffeine is an alkaloid present in plants such as coffee that acts as an stimulant. The form commonly used as a sports supplement is called anhydrous caffeine and comes in various presentations, including pills, powders, gums, gels and liquids. It can also be consumed in the form of coffee or tea, although this makes it difficult to figure the exact amount of the active compound. Endurance sports Researchers…
