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Lead Stories: Thursday, August 28, 2008

A Breath of Fresh Air:
The respiratory benefits of a Mediterranean diet

Posted May 28th, 2007 at 12:22 PM by Jessica Galvano

Section: Nutrition, Healthy Eating, Health & Fitness

mediterranean diet As runners, we are often conscious of healthy eating habits. Even if the occasional fast food lunch gets us off track, we remain generally aware of what we put into our bodies. But why then do we concern ourselves with the hamburger and fries we had for lunch? In most cases, we witness the negative consequences of these dietary “slip-ups” in the prevalence of obesity and cardiovascular problems.

However, a recent study suggests that perhaps our diet affects more than just our weight and cholesterol. According to Dr. Varraso, a researcher at Inserm, a French research institute, there is a direct correlation between diet and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD—a condition that inhibits regular respiration and in its later stages, physical activity.

The American Lung Association recognizes COPD as an emerging killer in the United States. The disease, which refers specifically to emphysema and chronic bronchitis, now ranks as the fourth cause of death in America and claims over 120,000 lives each year. Although most commonly the result of smoking, Dr. Varraso’s research identifies diet as an additional contributor to the development of respiratory problems.
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TFS Review: Tanita’s IRONMAN Elite InnerScan Body Composition Monitor

Posted February 18th, 2007 at 12:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Miscellaneous, Product Reviews, Special Features, TFS Reviews

Product: Tanita’s IRONMAN Elite InnerScan Monitor
Price: $129.99
Rating: Very Good 8.0/10.0
Pros: Surprisingly accurate; easy to use; memory for multiple users; sleek design; quick and convenient
Cons: A bit expensive for amateur athletes; results affected by fluctuation in body water levels
Overall: Considering the prohibitive expense of water displacement tests and the inaccurate results provided by most at-home options, Tanita’s IRONMAN Elite InnerScan is an excellent choice for athletes who want to monitor the effectiveness of their fitness and nutritional regimens.

Tanita’s IRONMAN Elite Series InnerScan is a high-performance body composition monitor. It uses Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) to determine your body-fat percentage by transmitting a small electric current through your body(don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing) that measures the resistance of muscle and fat.

The InnerScan measures and calculates weight, percentage body fat, total body water (%), muscle mass, visceral fat (which can indicate Type-2 Diabetes and heart disease), metabolic age, physique rating, and Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). BMR is the amount of energy (aka calories) that your body needs to function properly at rest. This indicates the caloric intake that is required to support your body’s basic systems.
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TFS Review: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 6

Posted January 6th, 2007 at 2:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Gear & Apparel, Running Shoes, Special Features, TFS Reviews

Through an upgrade of the Adrenaline GTS 5’s, Brooks was actually able to successfully improve upon what was arguably the best stability shoe on the market.

Product: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 6
Price: $90.00
Type: Stability
Fit: True to size and width
Weight: 11.8 oz (Men); 9.75 oz (Women)
Pronation factor: Moderate Over-Pronation
Best for: Runners with a medium build and low to medium arches

This is one of, if not the, best choice for moderate over-pronators who want an amalgamation of stability and cushioning. Although we had some quams regarding breathability, the Adrenalines received exceptional reviews from our wear-testers; all of whom were very impressed.
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Eating carbohydrates and protein for muscle growth

Posted January 6th, 2007 at 6:02 AM by Martin Kennedy

Section: Nutrition, Health & Fitness, Exercise

If you want to become very strong, you should lift heavy weights, eat carbohydrates before you lift and eat plenty of protein afterwards.

Normal amounts of insulin help muscles grow, and eating carbohydrates causes your blood sugar to rise, which, in turn, causes your pancreas to release insulin. Taking in large amounts of protein after a workout helps muscles to recover faster from hard exercise, so you can do more hard work and grow larger and stronger muscles (Journal of Physiology).
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Will potassium supplements treat fatigue in an athlete?

Posted January 3rd, 2007 at 12:00 PM by Hariz Siddiqui

Section: Nutrition, Supplements, Health & Fitness

Tiredness and cramps in athletes can have many causes, but lack of potassium in their diets is not one of them. Many years ago, Dave Costill of Ball State University tried to create potassium deficiency in runners. He couldn’t do it because potassium is found in all foods except refined sugar, and his athletes would not stay on a diet that consisted only of hard candy.

The kidneys and sweat glands conserve potassium so well that you don’t lose much. If an athlete develops potassium deficiency, it is usually caused by drugs, such as diuretics or corticosteroids, or by diarrhea or repeated vomiting.
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The Healthy Male Runner: A Guide to Male-Specific Supplements

Posted June 8th, 2006 at 11:39 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Nutrition, Healthy Eating, Supplements

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and getting the nutrition your body needs is even more important for those men who pursue an active lifestyle. However, the plethora of supplements in the growing market of male health can easily confuse any normal athlete.

According to the Council for Responsible Nutrition the special needs of men in terms of supplements lie in the following seven categories: Cardiovascular support, weight management, prostate care, sexual health, healthy aging, hair nutrition and stress support.

To help clear up some of your confusion, below are brief descriptions from The Vitamin Shoppe of the most popular male-specific vitamins and herbs that reportedly address these needs.

Note: Please be advised that anyone looking to significantly alter their diet or begin taking supplements should first consult their physician.

Cardiovascular Support

L-Carnitine: An amino acid that aids the transport of fatty acids into cells so they can be metabolized for energy
Omega-3 Fish Oil: Promotes cardiovascular health (Try adding flax seed oil to your protein shake or replacing butter with Smart Balance®
CoQ-10: Promotes cardiovascular health. Supplementation with this compound may help prevent CoQ-10 depletion from statin medications.
Aged Garlic: Promotes cardiovascular health. (Why aged instead of regular garlic? Because it contains all the same benefits - without the odor and bad breathe).
Policosanol: Promotes healthy blood cholesterol levels already within the normal range.
Nattokinase: Helps maintain cardiovascular function and support a healthy circulatory system.
Homocysteine Blockers: Helps promote cardiovascular health
Phytosterols: Have been clinically proven to lower “bad” cholesterol (LDL) without affecting “good” cholesterol (HDL)

Read on for information about supplements that address weight management, prostate care, healthy aging, hair nutrition and stress support . . .

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