Nutrition

Do you keep hearing about the amazing health benefits of glutamine?  In the past, many bodybuilders and others in the fitness industry used glutamine in powder form (mixed into food or drinks) as a way to preserve muscle tissue. That’s because glutamine is an important amino acid that your body needs in large amounts in order to build protein.

In addition to their delicious earthy flavor, beets pop with that bright red color on your plate, and wow, are they highly nutritious! They are loaded with body-essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients; many research studies now prove their impressive health-support properties. So many, in fact, that you’ll soon want to make beets a “regular” in your meals.  

When you invest time in your health and wellness at the gym, it is important to make sure that your nutrition matches your effort. If your goal is to get stronger, run farther, or simply fuel your body with high-quality nutrition, keep some basic principles in mind.  

Of course, you’re already aware that your body requires many vitamins and minerals to keep it thriving. Of these, iron is among the most critical that your body needs. Iron makes up a large part of hemoglobin, a key protein that carries oxygen throughout your entire body. This mineral also helps your muscles store and use oxygen and plays a major part in the creation of other proteins and enzymes. As you can see, iron is important for the whole body – that's why an iron deficiency can give you many symptoms. 

A type of single-celled, emerald green algae, chlorella, has been receiving a lot of attention for its promising health benefits. And rightfully so! This nutrient-dense algae has been shown to improve cholesterol levels and assist in the natural detoxification process of the body.  

You’ve probably been told that eating a low-fat diet that is high in carbohydrates and proteins is the easiest way to drop weight and build muscle. However, are you sabotaging your health and wellness with a high-carbohydrate diet?  

Turmeric is widely recognized for its vibrant orange color, but this powerful herb is also highly revered for fighting and potentially reversing disease. These health benefits are incredibly vast and have been very thoroughly researched, making turmeric one of the most beneficial spices to add to your daily routine.  

Do you find yourself struggling with overeating or mindless snacking? You are not alone. Over 70 percent of American adults are now overweight and nearly 40 percent are obese. Much of this weight gain above normal weight is due to overeating and eating “empty calorie” food. You don’t have to be part of these statistics. You can protect your waistline with the help of some simple yet effective strategies. 

 The original Mediterranean diet consists of wild-caught fish (as well as some meat and poultry), fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts, moderate consumption of alcohol (such as 1 – 2 glasses of red wine with dinner), and monosaturated fats from olive oil. The Mediterranean diet is well regarded as one of the most heart healthy diets on the planet, but is a “greener” version of this diet the key to even greater levels of cardiovascular health?

So. . . you cheated on your diet. It happens to the best of us! The important thing is that despite “falling off the wagon” and consuming some of that “junk” food, you can get yourself back on track quickly and easily by prioritizing a few key nutrients, including a variety of vitamins and minerals.