Sunday, January 24, 2010

The Importance of Sports Nutrition


Why Athletes Need Balanced Nutrition

Everyone should pay attention to their nutrition; however, athletes need to be especially careful with what they put into their body. Athletes push their body which depletes energy, causes fatigue, and sometimes brings about pain. It’s important that athletes or anyone who is physically active stays well hydrated, maintains their energy levels, gets rest to ensure recovery, and maintains proper nutrition. If the body is well fueled and cared for then it will simply perform better. Top performance and a competitive edge is what athletes strive for and sports nutrition can help give it to them. Nutrition and a strong commitment to being healthy and active will also benefit anyone who isn’t exercising at the professional level but still strives to keep in shape.

The Role of Sports Nutritional Supplements

When exercising regularly, the body needs to receive the optimum amounts of vitamins and minerals. Some people can achieve this through diet; however, it can be difficult to achieve the recommended nutritional balance through food intake alone. Many professional and recreational athletes have turned to sports nutritional supplements to ensure that their body receives the fuel and support it needs. Sports supplements can fill in any deficits in diet and help the body before, during, and after workouts.

Maximum performance and optimum recovery are what everyone physically active wants from their body. Essential to achieving good health is eating a balanced diet and engaging in regular exercise. Exercise helps prevent many diseases (such as cardiac disease and diabetes), is an effective weight-loss aid, helps to maintain an ideal weight, and contributes to an overall state of wellness. The body needs to be able function properly and avoid injury so athletes or anyone people exercising can continue to do it. This is where sports nutrition can help.

Effects of Sports Supplements on the Body

Sports nutrition includes performance drinks which are designed to keep the body hydrated and energized. A good sports drink will maintain blood glucose levels and provide both electrolytes for fast rehydration and carbohydrates for maximum endurance. Vitamin and mineral products can help the body heal by enhancing its ability to recover after exercise and repair injured muscle tissue. Specific nutritional products can also help prevent pain after a workout, by relieving aching muscles caused by lactic acid. Protein powders can better enable athletes to maintain muscle mass, while joint health supplements can rebuild cartridge. Weight management products like meal replacement bars can be a convenient and healthy alternative for training athletes or anyone on the go. However, it’s important to read their nutritional label. Meal replacement bars may promote themselves as being healthy but actually have very little nutritional content and be filled with unhealthy oils, fats, and sugars. A meal or snack bar should contain at least 10 grams of protein, be low in calories, and have no trans fats and a low glycemic. It is recommended that everyone, exercising or not, take a general multi-vitamin supplement to ensure a balanced nutritional intake and contribute to a strong and efficient immune system.

Sports Supplements and the Non-Professional Athlete

Professional athletes regularly use sport supplement products to keep up their energy levels, replenish important fluids, and help their body’s recovery. If they want to be successful within their sport, their body needs to perform at its very best. Athletes look to optimize their nutritional intake so they are healthy and strong. “Non-professionals” who are still doing their personal best to include exercise in their lives can benefit from the same thing. Anyone who is paying attention to their health, fitness, and general well-being should eat a balanced diet and consider adding a general supplement, or one specifically with sports benefits, to their daily routine.

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