The Starting Blocks
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Sports Drinks - Who are they Really For?
There are articles every day about sports drinks in schools, children drinking them in class, high school kids and college aged adults drinking them by the gallon, being offered in vending machines on school grounds, being the drink of choice, being a "fad" drink...
Sports drinks are for athletes who are exerting themselves beyond measure!
Sports drinks are NOT for students who are sitting in study hall or classes doing lessons!
Sports drinks are supposed to be full of calories and carbohydrates! Calories and carbohydrates are essential when you're burning them. When you are sitting in class at school you need brain food, NOT muscle food.
Brain food consists of, but is not limited to: Vitamin B complex (don't let anyone tell you to get an unbalanced vitamin B... B vitamins MUST be balanced), Vitamin E, Selenium and Lecithin.
Calories and carbs are NOT in the list! The powerhouse sports nutrition manufacturers may be getting a piece of the schoolhouse market, but the powerhouse sports nutrition manufacturers don't care about your health, and they certainly don't care about your athletic dreams.
When you drink a sports drink inappropriately, you are compounding tooth decay, you are compounding your possibility of high blood pressure, you are compounding your likeliness of diabetes, your are compounding your chances of heart disease and obesity, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression and.... do you really want to wait to see what next year's scientific tests come up with? Or maybe you want to wait for ten years.
If you're not running yourself silly... why are you drinking a SPORTS drink?
Sports drinks are for athletes. Not for some fad that makes the fat cats rich.
Sports drinks are for athletes who are exerting themselves beyond measure!
Sports drinks are NOT for students who are sitting in study hall or classes doing lessons!
Sports drinks are supposed to be full of calories and carbohydrates! Calories and carbohydrates are essential when you're burning them. When you are sitting in class at school you need brain food, NOT muscle food.
Brain food consists of, but is not limited to: Vitamin B complex (don't let anyone tell you to get an unbalanced vitamin B... B vitamins MUST be balanced), Vitamin E, Selenium and Lecithin.
Calories and carbs are NOT in the list! The powerhouse sports nutrition manufacturers may be getting a piece of the schoolhouse market, but the powerhouse sports nutrition manufacturers don't care about your health, and they certainly don't care about your athletic dreams.
When you drink a sports drink inappropriately, you are compounding tooth decay, you are compounding your possibility of high blood pressure, you are compounding your likeliness of diabetes, your are compounding your chances of heart disease and obesity, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression and.... do you really want to wait to see what next year's scientific tests come up with? Or maybe you want to wait for ten years.
If you're not running yourself silly... why are you drinking a SPORTS drink?
Sports drinks are for athletes. Not for some fad that makes the fat cats rich.
Labels: athletics, Carbohydrates, sports drinks
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Should Drinks Like Gatorade Sport the 'Junk Food' Label?
"Public health advocates want the standards to ban the sale of Gatorade and Powerade, which typically contain as much as two-thirds the sugar of sodas and more sodium, as well as sweetened waters such as VitaminWater and SoBe Life Water. Excessive sodium intake by young people could fuel a surge in high blood pressure, which until recently was considered a health threat only in later life, they said." Source
Sports drinks are intended to help the athlete perform. To have these available on school grounds, in vending machines, for kids to drink while they sit through their classes is not the optimal atmosphere for these products.
When manufacturers claim that the lower caloric value is "good" for kids, they are purposely ignoring the other elements of "sports drinks". They are purposely attempting to attract a market that isn't suitable for the product... And they're succeeding.
View this comparison of sports drinks, by the University of Arizona.
See previous post
Sports drinks are intended to help the athlete perform. To have these available on school grounds, in vending machines, for kids to drink while they sit through their classes is not the optimal atmosphere for these products.
When manufacturers claim that the lower caloric value is "good" for kids, they are purposely ignoring the other elements of "sports drinks". They are purposely attempting to attract a market that isn't suitable for the product... And they're succeeding.
View this comparison of sports drinks, by the University of Arizona.
See previous post
Labels: athletics, Performance, recovery, sports drinks
Monday, September 24, 2007
Nandrolone explained
"Tennis player Greg Rusedski tested positive for the banned substance nandrolone, but was found not guity of doping.
So what is nandrolone, and how is it detected in the human body?
Are tests for nandrolone conclusive?
Even though a drug test may indicate that the subject has apparently taken nandrolone to boost muscle growth and increase strength, this does not necessarily prove wrongdoing.
It is possible that the body may naturally create a form of nandrolone, particularly if the subject has eaten large quantities of meat contaminated with the substance.
Certain animals may create a bigger risk, particularly horse and boar - and athletes are warned to avoid offal from these animals."
Taken from Source
Nandrolone is used to stimulate bone marrow production and muscle building in animals. It is a veterinary medicine that you may be consuming unknowingly.
This is simply more evidence in favor of the organic/free-range food industry.
So what is nandrolone, and how is it detected in the human body?
Are tests for nandrolone conclusive?
Even though a drug test may indicate that the subject has apparently taken nandrolone to boost muscle growth and increase strength, this does not necessarily prove wrongdoing.
It is possible that the body may naturally create a form of nandrolone, particularly if the subject has eaten large quantities of meat contaminated with the substance.
Certain animals may create a bigger risk, particularly horse and boar - and athletes are warned to avoid offal from these animals."
Taken from Source
Nandrolone is used to stimulate bone marrow production and muscle building in animals. It is a veterinary medicine that you may be consuming unknowingly.
This is simply more evidence in favor of the organic/free-range food industry.
Labels: athletics, banned substances, sports nutrition
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Bodies of Water
Curt's wife wrote the following. Even though she is not at all athletic (in any way, shape or form), I think she wrote something that is very appropriate for "The Starting Blocks".
People have different percentages of water in their bodies
depending on age, gender and diet.
New born babies are comprised of the largest percentage
of water, at about 78%. By one year of age, that amount
reduces to about 65%.
Adult men have an average of 60% of water in their bodies.
Adult women carry about 55%.
Fat tissue does not hold as much water as lean tissue. So
the more overweight a person is, the less water they are
comprised of.
Even an average percentage of water in the body should cause concern over water quality issues. If you have 55% water in your body wouldn't you want it to be as pure as possible?
How much good, pure, non-contaminated water does an athlete need?
"Water is the most neglected nutrient in your diet but one of the most vital." - Kelly Barton
People have different percentages of water in their bodies
depending on age, gender and diet.
New born babies are comprised of the largest percentage
of water, at about 78%. By one year of age, that amount
reduces to about 65%.
Adult men have an average of 60% of water in their bodies.
Adult women carry about 55%.
Fat tissue does not hold as much water as lean tissue. So
the more overweight a person is, the less water they are
comprised of.
Even an average percentage of water in the body should cause concern over water quality issues. If you have 55% water in your body wouldn't you want it to be as pure as possible?
How much good, pure, non-contaminated water does an athlete need?
"Water is the most neglected nutrient in your diet but one of the most vital." - Kelly Barton
Monday, September 17, 2007
Rising Star - Jason Regier
Jason Regier is another quad rugby player (aka murderball). He is an exceptional picker and really shines on the court. He is one the elite players who will be seen in Beijing next summer.
We can give Jason at least partial credit for where this sport is today. His love for quad rugby not only shows on the court but also in his tireless efforts to promote it.
Murderball isn't the only movie promoting quad rugby. The Goal is a drama which highlights quad rugby in the story of one player.
If you haven't seen a quad rugby game, you're missing out!
Good luck Jason and Chance!
We can give Jason at least partial credit for where this sport is today. His love for quad rugby not only shows on the court but also in his tireless efforts to promote it.
Murderball isn't the only movie promoting quad rugby. The Goal is a drama which highlights quad rugby in the story of one player.
If you haven't seen a quad rugby game, you're missing out!
Good luck Jason and Chance!
Labels: athletics, olympics, paralympics, rising star, sporting spirit
Recovery!
The stuff Curt is made of! Or rather, the stuff that allowed Curt to continue his sport.
After a 30 minute high-energy workout he would drink this within 5 minutes. Curt would then have a second drink 2 hours later. During tournaments, he would take this 5 minutes after each game, again 2 hours after the last game, and then again about 30 minutes before bed.
A cyclist friend of ours does the same recovery routine after cycling the Triple Bypass.
Tip: If you are looking to gain weight, a 3rd drink is recommended. If you are looking to reduce weight, or maintain your weight class, take a 3rd drink ONLY after extreme exertion.
This is also a Kosher certified product.
After a 30 minute high-energy workout he would drink this within 5 minutes. Curt would then have a second drink 2 hours later. During tournaments, he would take this 5 minutes after each game, again 2 hours after the last game, and then again about 30 minutes before bed.
A cyclist friend of ours does the same recovery routine after cycling the Triple Bypass.
Tip: If you are looking to gain weight, a 3rd drink is recommended. If you are looking to reduce weight, or maintain your weight class, take a 3rd drink ONLY after extreme exertion.
This is also a Kosher certified product.
Labels: athletics, Physique, recovery, sports nutrition
Friday, September 14, 2007
Shaklee Sponsors Arctic Explorer Will Steger's...
Shaklee Sponsors Arctic Explorer Will Steger's Latest Expedition on Climate Change
This is an unusual sport to list on The Starting Blocks, but extreme exploration takes the same physical, emotional and mental aspects as any serious athlete. Will Steger is one of those who speaks softly but carries a great big stick. If the political aspects of global warming don't appeal to you, Will Steger's message may.
Putting the Earth First
A Day in the Life (I personally enjoy my life of luxury too much to attempt a day in his life, but I am very glad to have him in my world)
Fuel the Expeditions
This is an unusual sport to list on The Starting Blocks, but extreme exploration takes the same physical, emotional and mental aspects as any serious athlete. Will Steger is one of those who speaks softly but carries a great big stick. If the political aspects of global warming don't appeal to you, Will Steger's message may.
Putting the Earth First
A Day in the Life (I personally enjoy my life of luxury too much to attempt a day in his life, but I am very glad to have him in my world)
Fuel the Expeditions
Labels: athletics, Performance, Physique, sporting spirit
Thursday, September 13, 2007
21st Century Expectations
We live in a time when we seem to be responsible for the actions or neglect of others. Take this article for example. Quote: "Each swimmer is responsible for understanding what is on the banned substance list and what substances they are introducing to his/her body."
In a previous post I cited another article that reported the actions of Powerbar. They changed the formula in their bars and neglected to tell the very people who counted on their products. If the makers of Powerbar don't have a current list of banned substances, then what business do they have making sports nutrition products?
If an athlete must be intimately familiar with the list of banned substances, then common sense dictates the manufacturers should be doubly knowledgeable for the sake of the athletes they supposedly support.
Your athletic dreams, your athletic hopes, your athletic improvement depends on sports nutrition. Yet we see your athletic dreams, your athletic hopes and your athletic improvement are all absolutely meaningless in the face of $$$Profit$$$.
How careful are you about the products you are taking? How careful is the manufacturer of the products you are taking?
In a previous post I cited another article that reported the actions of Powerbar. They changed the formula in their bars and neglected to tell the very people who counted on their products. If the makers of Powerbar don't have a current list of banned substances, then what business do they have making sports nutrition products?
If an athlete must be intimately familiar with the list of banned substances, then common sense dictates the manufacturers should be doubly knowledgeable for the sake of the athletes they supposedly support.
Your athletic dreams, your athletic hopes, your athletic improvement depends on sports nutrition. Yet we see your athletic dreams, your athletic hopes and your athletic improvement are all absolutely meaningless in the face of $$$Profit$$$.
How careful are you about the products you are taking? How careful is the manufacturer of the products you are taking?
Labels: athletics, banned substances, sports nutrition
Being Oh So Careful
Taken from this article:
The NCAA warns that many over-the-counter nutritional and dietary supplements contain banned substances, which is why Peters avoids them.
“It’s a long list, and I’ve never taken any supplements because there are so many banned substances out there that I’ve never wanted to risk it,” he said. “I know other guys on the team who use the normal stuff like Creatine and go into GNC, grab the stuff, go down the list and check each one off to make sure there isn’t one on (the label).
“The guys are really careful of what they take. At times you hear professional athletes going, ‘Oh, I didn’t know that was in there,’ and half the time I believe them.”
A serious athlete has to be so careful about what they take! Some of them choose not to take anything!
The company we are affiliated with offers letters of proof. We offer a solemn promise to respect and honor your athletic dreams and hopes. The products we promote are proven through testing and experience. You don't have to choose to take nothing, you can choose to take what is good for your body and have the assurance no banned substances will be sneaked into the batch for profit sake.
View clinical study of our performance drink.
View clinical study of our recovery drink.
View doctor's reference of our protein drink with a whopping 24 grams of protein!
The NCAA warns that many over-the-counter nutritional and dietary supplements contain banned substances, which is why Peters avoids them.
“It’s a long list, and I’ve never taken any supplements because there are so many banned substances out there that I’ve never wanted to risk it,” he said. “I know other guys on the team who use the normal stuff like Creatine and go into GNC, grab the stuff, go down the list and check each one off to make sure there isn’t one on (the label).
“The guys are really careful of what they take. At times you hear professional athletes going, ‘Oh, I didn’t know that was in there,’ and half the time I believe them.”
A serious athlete has to be so careful about what they take! Some of them choose not to take anything!
The company we are affiliated with offers letters of proof. We offer a solemn promise to respect and honor your athletic dreams and hopes. The products we promote are proven through testing and experience. You don't have to choose to take nothing, you can choose to take what is good for your body and have the assurance no banned substances will be sneaked into the batch for profit sake.
View clinical study of our performance drink.
View clinical study of our recovery drink.
View doctor's reference of our protein drink with a whopping 24 grams of protein!
Labels: athletics, banned substances, Performance, Physique, protein, sports nutrition
Thursday, September 6, 2007
By the book: CU's Manning tracks compliance
..."The company had changed the ingredients in its Powerbars in August 2006 and failed to inform the school..." Read the entire article here.
Can you bet your athletic career on companies who don't respect you? Any one of the athletes who participated in this nutritional fiasco would have tested positive for banned substances.
Consider this argument: If a company has a product line which is advertised as being compliant with banned substance regulations, and also has a product line which is less restricted... Do they make their products out of the same vats? Is it at all possible that trace elements from the less restricted products could show up in the products you need to be taking?
How careful are you being about the nutritional supplements you're taking? How careful is the company who makes those products?
Here is a bit of information to consider before you are a victim of a career destroying mistake.
Can you bet your athletic career on companies who don't respect you? Any one of the athletes who participated in this nutritional fiasco would have tested positive for banned substances.
Consider this argument: If a company has a product line which is advertised as being compliant with banned substance regulations, and also has a product line which is less restricted... Do they make their products out of the same vats? Is it at all possible that trace elements from the less restricted products could show up in the products you need to be taking?
How careful are you being about the nutritional supplements you're taking? How careful is the company who makes those products?
Here is a bit of information to consider before you are a victim of a career destroying mistake.
Labels: athletics, banned substances, sports nutrition
