Sports and Fitness Center

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Wellness Plan | Pharmacist Recommendations | Related Health Concerns | Additional Information

General Health Information

Physical activity is one of the most important factors in maintaining optimal health and preventing or slowing degenerative illness. Running, swimming, walking, lifting weights, and cycling are all excellent forms of physical activity that can help to ensure excellent health, improve our outward appearance, and raise our self-esteem.

Physical exertion has many beneficial effects on the body. Aerobic exercise, such as running for example, increases circulation resulting in more oxygen and nutrient flow throughout the body. The result is more energy and stamina as well as an increased sense of well being. Anaerobic exercise, like lifting weights, adds tone and strength to the muscles and bones. Professional athletes, those who exercise regularly, and even the ?weekend warrior? all reap similar health benefits.

Physically active people require additional energy and have increased nutritional demands; therefore, dietary supplementation should be considered. First of all, athletes should be on a wellness program that includes high quality multivitamins and minerals, essential fatty acids, and antioxidant supplements. Essential fatty acids are the ?good fats?, such as fish oils, the body needs to function at peak levels. Antioxidants protect against the damaging effects of free radicals, highly reactive oxygen molecules that can damage DNA or other cellular components. These nutrients provide the core of supplemental requirements needed for athletes.

Other beneficial nutrients include amino acids; the building blocks of protein that make up our muscles. Supplementing with high quality amino acids as well as taking protein supplements, such as whey protein, can help build muscle mass. Creatine is an amino acid that can both build muscle mass and enhance performance. Chromium, a trace mineral, and Garcinia cambogia, an herb, can help to trim down our body fat by a process known as thermogenesis. Chitosan is beneficial in pulling out excess fat from our systems. L-carnitine is helpful in releasing energy to enhance athletic performance.

Other nutritional and herbal supplements may be beneficial. Ginseng helps increase energy and endurance. Glucosamine promotes proper joint function because it helps reduce the wear-and-tear of joints due to overuse, pumping iron, or aging. Carbohydrate loading with specially designed carbohydrate supplements can help provide just the right amount of easily accessible energy to enhance performance. There are also specially designed electrolyte sports drinks available to help replace lost fluids, prevent dehydration, and speed recovery.

Adopting a fitness and sports lifestyle can make us feel good, look good, and improve our overall health. A healthy balanced diet, with plenty of rest, and a wellness program of dietary supplements will help achieve this healthy lifestyle

Wellness Plan

These products are recommended by licensed pharmacists who have specialized in natural medicines and dietary supplements. For maximum benefit from these recommendations, be sure to read the Wellness Center Guidelines.

	Amino Acids Formula $21.95 Protein supplements are extremely popular among competitive athletes and they can provide support for muscle strengthening and healthy function. However, it is the amino acids which make up protein that are the key muscle building components. This formula provides concentrate amounts of 20 of the most important amino acids needed by the body that help insure healthy protein synthesis necessary for hearty muscle growth and function. All are in their "free forms", which means their most natural state, guaranteeing optimal absorption and tolerance. This amino acid formula combined with a well balanced high protein diet provides optimal support to athletes of any caliber.
	Energizer Formula $60.29 This unique combination of antioxidants and other nutrients helps protect mitochondria (our cells’ engines) from their greatest enemy-oxidative damage. It also provides key nutrients that help jump start mitochondria to produce energy for muscles and other tissues that allow us to exercise properly. Energizer Formula includes several other key substances that encourage production of cardiolipin, an important phospholipid synthesized in mitochondrial membranes that is crucial for quick energy production. Cardiolipin production is very important during aerobic activity and supports anaerobic exercise as well.
	Essentials Performance UltraMax $41.49 Daily intake of a high-quality complete vitamin and mineral supplement guarantees us all the optimal nutrients that we need to perform at our peak. Vitamins and minerals are part of the necessary building blocks for body. They not only help to build tissue and muscle, but they are also part of our body’s various energy cycles. As part of a sports and fitness lifestyle, a daily dose of optimal nutrients helps to replace what was lost or used up during exercise, sports, and bodybuilding.
	Essential Minerals $16.25 This important mineral supplement can be taken with any of our multivitamin and mineral formulas. Essential Minerals supports the extra electrolyte demand placed on the body during frequent and more strenuous exercise periods. This formula additionally supports healthy bone mineralization by providing optimally balanced amounts of calcium, magnesium, with boron. Strong bones are always a plus, especially for athletes and weight lifters. It also contains a broad blend of trace elements from bentonite clay, minerals that are all too often overlooked as important nutrients.
	Omega Max $18.43 Essential fatty acids are “good fats” that are absolutely necessary for the reproduction of cells. We also need them as part of the many of the natural biochemical processes of the body. They are called “essential” because each cell in our body needs a supply of them each and every day. They are also called “essential” because they must be taken in from our diets or in supplement form. As part of a sports and fitness lifestyle, supplementing daily with essential fatty acids helps to keep our bodies at a high level of endurance, strength, and performance.
	AntiOxidant Essentials $25.25 Antioxidants help protect the body the ravages of free radicals. Free radicals damage our DNA, cell membranes, and our immune system. They are a major factor in aging, as well as degenerative diseases of the body and brain. Antioxidants are free radical scavengers which neutralize the destructive effects these free radicals. Daily intake of antioxidant supplements as part of a sports and fitness lifestyle protects us from the damages of these harmful free radicals, and keeps our body’s performing at its peak.

Additional Products for Sports and Fitness

Wellness Centers Related to Sports and Fitness

Additional Information on Sports and Fitness

• CDC's Nutrition and Physical Activity - Physical Activity Tips - tips provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
• What can exercise do for me? - excellent publications by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
• Flexibility - excellent publications by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
• Eating Right and Exercise - excellent publication by the National Institute of Health