Health and Nutrition with Nature's Sunshine: Nutritional Sports & Workout Support

Exercising Correctly

When you exercise incorrectly you put undue strain on your body, which can lead to injury. By following a few helpful tips, you can learn how to have a enjoyable and successful routine.

Go easy on your back
The back is one of the parts of the body most likely to experience strain when exercising incorrectly. Don't overly extend or flex your lower back, or place excessive pressure on it when weight training.

Breathe properly
Your breath gives your body the strength it needs to perform exercises. Not breathing properly, or worse, holding your breath, puts extreme pressure on your heart, lungs and arteries.

Warm up, stretch and
cool down
These are vital components of your workout routine. Always ensure your muscles and joints are warm before you start exercising, stretching for 10 - 15 minutes beforehand. Once you're finished working out, slow your pace and cool down for 10 to 15 minutes.

January 2012

Welcome to 2012, a new year with the Sunshine Health club. We have some exciting things happening over the next few months so stay tuned. Till then enjoy this article, to help with all your fitness goals this new year.

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Sports Support

Participating in a sport or undertaking an exercise regime requires the body to be correctly fuelled up with nutrients and energy in order to meet the increased demands that the physical activity brings.

Maintaining a balanced diet with adequate hydration and ensuring sufficient sleep are important foundations of meeting these requirements. In addition, certain herbs and nutrients can be used to promote the body's production of energy, support muscle function and help with stress, benefiting individuals leading an active lifestyle as well as helping to fuel those who lack the energy to get started. To celebrate this holiday period, we wanted to highlight three products that could help during this busy time of year.

Participating in a sport or undertaking an exercise regime requires the body to be correctly fuelled up with nutrients and energy in order to meet the increased demands that the physical activity brings. Maintaining a balanced diet with adequate hydration and ensuring sufficient sleep are important foundations of meeting these requirements. In addition, certain herbs and nutrients can be used to promote the body's production of energy, support muscle function and help with stress, benefiting individuals leading an active lifestyle as well as helping to fuel those who lack the energy to get started. To celebrate this holiday period, we wanted to highlight three products that could help during this busy time of year.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a power-packed nutrient that can support physical activity through its beneficial effects on energy, muscles and the cardiovascular system. This important enzyme is naturally manufactured in the body, though production declines with increasing age. CoQ10 plays an essential role in the creation of energy in all the body's cells. In particular, the heart muscle has a high need for CoQ10, in order to produce the constant supply of energy required to perform the heart's vital functions. As well as assisting cellular energy production, CoQ10 is an antioxidant and free radical scavenger and may also reduce oxidation of LDL cholesterol. CoQ10 is useful for those participating in exercise and sports as it not only helps with energy production and heart health, but can also assist with post-exercise recovery, helping to reduce muscle soreness after activity.

B complex

Each of the B vitamins are necessary in the metabolism of food into energy, and a B complex containing all of these important vitamins is a popular choice for those seeking to boost their daily energy levels. B vitamins also provide support for healthy function of the nervous system and normal production of neurotransmitters. As the B vitamins are water-soluble nutrients with few of them stored in the body, they must be provided on a daily basis through the diet or via supplementation. Certain dietary and lifestyle factors can deplete the body or hinder the absorption of B vitamins, including prolonged or strenuous exercise and excess alcohol.

Also see: B-complex complete & Nutri-Calm

Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral with a range of important functions in the body, many of which play key roles in keeping the body active. People that suffer from muscle cramps or experience muscle soreness and tightness after exercise, should become closely acquainted with magnesium. In the world of minerals, magnesium is known as the "muscle relaxant" due to its essential role in the relaxation and to a lesser degree contraction, of muscles. It is this action that makes magnesium helpful for the relief of muscular cramps, tightness and spasms.

The mitochondria are the engine rooms of the body's cells, where a chain of processes occur to result in the manufacture of ATP, the body's currency of energy. Magnesium is a vital component of these mitochondrial processes and therefore is an essential part of the body's production of energy. This important mineral is also required for healthy nerve conduction and plays an essential role in helping to maintain strong healthy bones by assisting calcium metabolism.

Magnesium requirements may be increased during times of prolonged stress as well as through strenuous or regular exercise. The uptake of magnesium into cells can be supported by the addition of Vitamin B6 to magnesium supplements.

Herbal Help

Korean Ginseng

Korean Ginseng has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as an adaptogen herb, helping the body adapt to stressful conditions. For those who struggle with energy and endurance, Korean Ginseng can support energy levels and stamina, assisting with physical activity and exertion. Traditionally, this tonic herb is considered to aid mental concentration during times of extra demand, so may also assist those who experience a lack of mental focus during exercise and physical training.

Tribulus

In Ayurvedic medicine, Tribulus also known as Gokshura, is regarded as a masculine tonic herb and adaptogen. It has traditionally been used during times of stress and increased physical demand to support physical vitality and the health of the nervous system. As well, its traditional uses extend to supporting male libido and general wellbeing, in more recent times, Tribulus has become a popular herb with men looking to support the building up of muscle mass via physical workouts.

Cordyceps

Cordyceps is a specific type of fungus with a history of medicinal use originating from Traditional Chinese Medicine, where it has been used to support the health of the respiratory and immune systems. Nature's Sunshine Cordyceps product uses Cordyceps Prime, a proprietary commercially grown fungus that provides consistency and purity in the finished product, as well as ensuring that the ecology of the native habitat of the fungus is not compromised. Cordyceps may be valuable to help maintain stamina and endurance in times of physical exertion as well as offer the added benefit of respiratory and immune support.

Rhodiola

If stress is zapping all your energy, look no further than Rhodiola, a herb traditionally used to help improve stress adaptation and endurance. When physical demands are high through exercise or work, Rhodiola has the dual properties of physically supporting energy and stamina, whilst also enhancing mental alertness and concentration. Rhodiola may also aid in the relief of mild anxiety as well as help maintain feelings of wellbeing and healthy mood during stressful times.

Topical Help with MSM Glucosamine Cream

In addition to taking supplements, MSM Glucosamine cream can be applied topically for extra assistance to joints and muscles. This deep penetrating cream provides a prolonged release action of glucosamine sulphate and the organic sulphur MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), important components of healthy joints and tissues.

Also see: MSM

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