Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. About two-thirds of a person’s body consists of water, and most of the rest is made of proteins. Proteins are one of the three principal nutrient elements, along with carbohydrates and fats. About 100,000 different kinds of proteins are found in the human body. These proteins are made up of only 20 amino acids, some of which are produced by the body (non-essential amino acids), others of which we have to ingest (essential amino acids). (1)
Amino acids act in various ways. During physical exercise, your body needs energy to do work. Initially, the body uses carbohydrates for energy, and then after a period of time, it resorts to fat. When the body breaks down fats, it goes through a process called the Krebs Cycle, where lactic acid is formed. A buildup of lactic acid makes muscles very fatigued. During prolonged physical activity such as a marathon, if sugars and fats are no longer available for energy, lactic acid builds up in the muscles and stamina declines and the athlete tires very quickly. (1)
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The Final Sprint, through an exhaustive process of product reviews and a comparison of empirical data, has determined the best nutritional products to help fuel and replenish your bodies.
These TFS Top Picks of 2006 are the best of their kind and will help you to finish strong in your next race.
Stay tuned because later today TFS will publish our list of the year’s best gear and accessories!
Endurance Beverages (use during activity)
Recovery Beverage (use after activity)
Energy Bars
Energy Gels
Meal Replacement Shakes
Since the advent of Gatorade, manufacturers have been in fierce competition to one-up each other with new and better ways to fuel athletes. This has created a very saturated market; one that features a plethora of choices for competitive athletes. As a result, athletes vary greatly, especially in the world of endurance sports, about which option they believe is the most effective.
One alternative that has begun to slowly, pick-up steam in the market is the electrolyte tablet. There has been a lot of buzz surrounding these portable tablets, such as Nuun and Zym, because they are quick and convenient mechanisms for obtaining vital replenishment of electrolytes and other vitamins.
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Trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle while simultaneously managing all of the stresses in your life can seem like a daunting task. This is the main reason why many people don’t even try, or quickly give up on, eating frequently throughout the day. They believe they just don’t have enough time to prepare, or even think about, five or six moderate meals. However, as an increasing number of studies point out, this type of nutritional lifestyle can significantly benefit your health, your waistline and even your mood.
Everyone is short on time, but as I mentioned in my Healthy Eating Guide (Parts One and Two), there is a solution: SUPPLEMENTS. Supplements provide you with an already made, no cooking required mechanism for eating small, nutritious meals throughout the day. The most popular and effective means of supplementation for people on the go are nutritional bars.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that “Not all bars are created equal” . There are a plethora of nutritional bars; each claiming to help with a variety of nutritional goals: adding muscle, losing weight, staying fit, gaining energy, etc. It can be quite arduous trying to figure out what’s best for you and/or what nutritional ratios fit your personal needs. That’s why I’ve put together this brief guide about what to look for and some of the best bars for your particular goals: Read the rest of this entry »
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