Category Archives: Exercise

Curcumin and Athletic Performance

Curcumin is a component of turmeric that is characterised by its distinctive yellow appearance and astringent taste. Evidence from animal and cell culture studies suggests that curcumin may decrease free and total testosterone levels and this may occur through inhibition … Continue reading

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Vitamin E, Vitamin C and Exercise

Exercise increases the oxidation of fuels and as a by-product of this energy generation there is a significant increase in the production of free radicals. This necessitates protective measures to be in place in order to prevent significant tissue damage. … Continue reading

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Gypenosides from Gynostemma pentaphyllum: Exercise

Gypenosides are a group of phytochemicals found in the Gynostemma pentaphyllum plant.  Gynostemma pentaphyllum is also commonly referred to as jiaogulan, and it is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine as a general tonic. Gypenosides may have adaptogenic properties and … Continue reading

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Beta Alanine: Is It An Effective Ergogenic Aid?

Beta alanine is a popular dietary supplement that may have some ergogenic properties. In particular, beta alanine can be converted to carnosine in humans where it accumulates in skeletal muscle and may act to buffer acidic pH conditions during and … Continue reading

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Aspartate, Asparagine, and Carnitine Supplementation

Aspartate, asparagine, and carnitine have been investigated for their beneficial effects on exercise. Aspartate and asparagine are precursors to oxaloacetate which may play a role in fatty acid oxidation via the citric acid cycle. In addition, carnitine is important for … Continue reading

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Beta-Alanine Supplements and Skeletal Muscle

Beta-alanine may play an important role as a buffer in skeletal muscle because it forms part of the carnosine molecule that is used as a skeletal muscle buffer. Supplementing with beta-alanine, a non-essential amino acid, may improve exercise performance through … Continue reading

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Post-Workout Meal Timing

Following training there are significant metabolic shifts. In particular, protein synthesis increases and fat oxidation is upregulated. This means that there is a requirement for protein to allow the regeneration of skeletal muscle and this requirement remains high for a … Continue reading

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Exercise and the Immune System

Exercise is an important aspect to health, although it can be a double edged sword. Mild to moderate exercise could be considered synonymous with health because there are clear physiological benefits when exercise is performed. However,. More intense exercise becomes … Continue reading

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Are Bananas a Useful Nutrient During Exercise?

Bananas are a rich source of nutrients, most notably carbohydrate and potassium. The carbohydrate content of the banana can vary depending on the ripeness, as the starch in unripe bananas slowly turns to glucose as the ripening process proceeds. Studies … Continue reading

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Exercise and Spirulina: Effects on Anxiety

Stress is a major cause of mood disorders including anxiety and depression. Effective lifestyle and nutritional strategies that can manage or reduce stress are therefore seen as being beneficial to the prevention or treatment of stress. Spirulina platensis is a … Continue reading

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