Exercise Oxidative Stress

Energy Bulletin

If you are already a client of ours then you already know that we are just as interested in teaching and educating people about health and wellness as we are about fitness and exercise.

I still find it bemusing that so many people are yet to make the connection that these two completely separate subjects aren't always mutually exclusive.

In fact we often find very fit individuals who are extremely unhealthy.

How can this be?

Imagine a young athlete for example who, at the tender age of 17, has just been accepted to train at the Australian Institute of Sports.

All excited and full of hopes and dreams of representing Australia one day, this young athlete moves to Canberra, housemates up with a few other young athletes who likewise have never lived away from home and starts his/her training career on a diet that consists of cereal, toast , sandwiches, loads of pasta and of course MacDonald’s

Don't believe me? I don't blame you, as I could hardly believe it myself. However, over the years I have gotten to know and train many young athletes who have experienced this first hand. The simple fact is that this is what goes on MOST of the time.

The biggest problem with this missing link between health and fitness is that science tells us that the more we exercise the more antioxidant protection we need. So whether you're an elite athlete hoping to represent Australia or you’re simply training hard to maintain or re-design your shape, you must be aware of the free radical damage that occurs at a cellular level while performing high intensity or prolonged exercise.

Imagine what happens to an old piece of iron that is left outside in the weather for a couple of years….. This should give you a mental picture of what is scientifically known as oxidative stress.

Now, imagine that instead of just throwing the metal out in the rain that it was covered in a couple layers of no rust paint.

Totally different picture eh!

For humans this no rust paint comes in the form of antioxidants.

So where do we find these antioxidants?

Fresh fruits and raw vegetables are of course your best source. The more variety in colour the better, as each colour works in a slightly different way to protect the various organs and systems throughout our body.

So don't just aim at getting fit my friends, get healthy and stay that way through being active, making smarter lifestyle choices and opting for a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, properly sourced fats and high quality proteins.

For more interesting reading on the dangers of excessive oxidative stress go to this link...

www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22684295-5007700,00.html

thanks to D Robinson for this link


Yours in health,

duncan
Director
The Energy Clinic