Keeping Your Muscles Ticking

Electrolytes are ionic substances necessary to our body for our muscles to work properly. They provide necessary electric charges to expand and contract muscle tissue. As you know, the heart is a muscle too, so we are not just talking about the muscles you use to exercise, but also the ones that keep you ticking. Our electrolyte levels can be affected by diet, stress, illness, medications and physical stress.

There are different types of ions that make up electrolytes – those that are positive and those that are negative.

Positive ones are potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium. Negative ions are chloride, bicarbonate and phosphate.

There are some simple and not-so-simple signs that you could have an electrolyte imbalance.

1. High or low blood pressure
2. Fatigue
3. Immune deficiency
4. Poor circulation

While the elderly and ill are often plagued by electrolyte imbalances, it is not exclusive. Even some of the greatest, healthiest professional athletes have been known to have the same problem. Any daily physical activity will take a toll on your electrolytes.

As we mentioned, there are a number of prescription and over-the-counter drugs that can throw your electrolytes off kilter, such as antihistamines, tranquilzers, some antidepressants and diuretics.

It is important to keep one’s electrolyte balance in check because they can lead to other more serious health problems. Be sure to monitor your electrolyte balance with your doctor or through a food log if you have a stress disorder, heat-related illness, sweat excessively or too little or have poor circulation resulting in cold hands or feet. Also use caution if you have high or low blood pressure or a compromised immune system.

Even if you are in great health and engaged in regular physical activity, like your CROSSFIT 619 workouts, you should also keep your electrolyte balance in check!

Focal Points of Nutrition: Anti-Oxidants

When our cells use oxygen, they naturally produce free-radicals as by-products which can cause damage to the body which results in pre-mature aging and diseases such as cancer.
Antioxidants are the nutrients in our foods that can prevent and repair that damage. They act as healthy “scavengers” of many of the bad things going on in our bodies.
Oxidative damage can results in such health problems as heart disease, muscular degeneration, diabetes and some cancers.
Colorful foods such as carrots, squash, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach and berries, as well as whole grains, are rich in antioxidants. The link between immune system boosting and antioxidants may be a key factor in their ability to ward off cancer and infection.
For more information on fitness and nutrition, go to www.BOOTCAMP619.com today.

Focal Points of Nutrition: Vitamins

There are two categories of vitamins: fat soluble vitamins and water-soluble vitamins. Any excess of water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C, can be flushed from the body through the kidneys (with the exception of vitamins B₁₂ and B₆). However, fat-soluble vitamins are not readily excreted from the body in excess. This can lead to toxicity if these vitamins are over-consumed; a major reason why one should be careful of the over-consumption of energy drinks, high in B vitamins.

Vitamins are available in a variety of forms, but best consumed through whole foods. A simple rule one can follow to help get a good variety of necessary vitamins in their diet is to consume the most colorful vegetables and fruits (focusing on deep greens, reds, oranges and yellows) in an assortment of shades.

If you want to find out more about how vitamins can add to your health and workout plan, contact Chris Keith.

Is There a Fountain of Youth?

Experts actually suggest that antioxidants can help slow the aging process by reducing the daily cell damage done by environmental pollution and time. Vitamin E has been linked with a lower risk of heart disease. Some other nutrients that are helpful in protecting against age related disorders are selenium, cartenoids, flavinoids and some amino acids. Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, E, beta carotene, and selenium, along with minerals such as zinc and magnesium, have been shown to boost immune resistance. To ensure a good bill of health, it is important that you have to make sure that you’re getting the right amount of these antioxidants each and every day, from a variety of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet to nutrition supplements.

For more information on fitness and nutrition, go to www.BOOTCAMP619.com today.