1
Caffeine is that magical drug that wakes many of us up in the morning and keeps us alert late in the day. But did you know that this widely-consumed drug can also enhance your exercise performance? In fact, athletes have been using caffeine as a performance-enhancer for more than 30 years, and many nutritional supplements and beverages are effective primarily for their caffeine content. Caffeine is a stimulant, and is…
3
An increasing body of research (e.g., Karp et al., 2006; Pritchett et al., 2009) is supporting the effects of chocolate milk as an effective post-workout beverage. One group of researchers from Indiana University investigated the effects of drinking chocolate milk following a workout in a group of elite cyclists. Following a series of interval workouts, one group of athletes consumed servings of chocolate milk while a control consumed another commercial…
As a Registered Dietitian, one of the questions I hear often is concerning Vitamin D. How much Vitamin D is too much? Where do I get it? Why is it important? Vitamin D, also known as the “sunshine vitamin” is a fat-soluble vitamin that comes in several forms. One of the largest roles Vitamin D plays in the human body is in calcium metabolism. Maintenance of blood calcium is vital…
3
As athletes and exercisers reach a certain level of training, they undoubtedly begin to understand some of the shortcomings of the human body. Despite proper nutrition, a well-designed workout schedule and plenty of rest, the body still fatigues, gets injured and varies almost daily in its physical capabilities. This may lead to a great deal of frustration when you fall short of a goal — especially when other competitors or…
1
Walk into any running store and one of the first things you will see is an entire wall dedicated to nutritional products. There are products to reduce the likelihood of cramping, speed recovery, maximize performance, etc. I admit, it can be a little overwhelming.
When it comes to supplements for runners, I consider myself to be somewhat of a minimalist. I don’t like to disrupt the flow of my body’s…
1
Fish oil has been one of the latest hypes in health foods and supplements. Be honest, what have you heard about fish oil? How much of it do you think is true? I recently found an extremely informative and well-researched article on fish oil written by fitness expert Alan Aragon. The article is a tad bit dated, but the facts are still the same. I’ll summarize the findings here in this…
People are always wondering what the best supplement is to make the most out of every workout, how they can look more pumped, have more energy and push through more reps. Some people have found and tried NO Xplode, a BSN nitric oxide product. Like any product out there on the market, there are those that love it and swear by it, others that hate it, and even more that…
HISTORY
Caffeine is a drug that is present in the beans, leaves, or fruit of over 60 plants. It is also one of the main ingredients in the ECA stack. History of it’s use by humans dates back to 2737 B.C. in China, when Emperor Shen Nung is said to have enjoyed the fist cup of tea. The Olmecs of the Gulf Coast of Mexico are said to have begun…
You have probably all heard about the benefits of vitamins and supplements and that they can lead to better health, ward off the cold, and make your muscles stronger and bigger. It all sounds good when they are trying to sell you something, but here is an objective break down of what the vitamins that are good for you, bad for you, or just make for expensive pee. Learn what…
