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Mma Fight Nutrition And Hydration

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Sports Nutrition for MMA

Fluid Needs for Fighting

Your mom may have told you: drink 8, 8oz. glasses of water per day. Although this advice is considered conventional wisdom, it surely isnt based on any science. If that advice does apply to anyone, it certainly isnt mixed martial artists who spend a good amount of their day jumping, punching, and wrestling in a hot, stuffy gym. Your fluid needs are unique, and as such, need a unique approach. As you likely know, dehydration results in a tremendous reduction in performance capacity. If youre dehydrated, your body and mind will suffer. In the ring, this is a formula for disaster. There are two major reasons why an MMA practitioner has different fluid needs than both your average Joe and other athletes: one is that your activity level is much higher than most other athletes. Because MMA training is unusually intense and usually has a long duration, there is significantly more fluid loss than a steady-state activity like jogging. Secondly, because of the level of conditioning required to be competitive, mixed martial artists tend to have significantly more muscle mass than most. Glycogen, the storage form of carbohydrate, needs a lot of water. The vast majority of glycogen is stored in muscle, so you need to drink more fluid just to keep the glycogen in your muscle hydrated.

How Much Fluid Do I Need?
Simple, everyone is different. Alright, so figuring out exactly how much fluid you need isnt quite so simple. But, with a little bit of work up-front and a commitment to monitoring your progress; you can ensure youre getting the right amount of fluid. Here are some general guidelines that you can use as a baseline:

Hydration Before Training
Drink at least15-20 fl oz. 2 hours before training/competition
Drink 8-10 fl oz. 15-30 minutes before training/competition

Hydration During Training
Drink 8-10 fl oz every 10 minutes
If youre training more than an hour and a half, drink 8-10 fl oz. of electrolyte replacement drink every 30 minutes.

Its possible that what youre already doing closely resembles these guidelines. However, because the variability of ones training varies so much, there is a more accurate way of going about staying hydrated.

Easy Ways for Mixed Martial Artists Assess Hydration
Although following the guidelines above gives you an excellent baseline, there are many variables like altitude, humidity, and clothing that can make generic guidelines inaccurate. One of the most accurate ways to assess hydration is to check out your urine color. If its cloudy and yellow, then you know that youre dehydrated. This is because the toxins that your kidneys filter out arent diluted in a large enough urine volume to be invisible. On the other hand, if its clear, youre likely getting enough fluid. Its normal to have a slight color in your urine, especially first thing in the morning or after taking a multivitamin.

Another fantastic way to monitor your hydration is to weigh yourself before and after your training session. Although you do burn a bit of fat during training, the vast majority of your weight loss is fluid. For example, if you weighted 155lbs. before your training session and weigh in at 153lbs. after your training, which means that, you lost 32oz. of fluid. (1 pound=16 ounces of fluid). A 2-3% loss of bodyweight during training can impair your performance and put added stress on vital organs. You should try to maintain adequate levels of hydration during training and replenish any losses within 1 hour of training. If you weigh more after training than you did before, thats a sign you overdid it and drank too much.

The Hydration Plan Recap:
1.Mom may know best in most cases, but not when it comes to your hydration!
2.Everyones fluid needs are different from yours-so learn what your body needs.
3.Use the hydration guidelines as a starting point. Adjust to your training and body needs.
4.Check the color of your urine. Dark Yellow/Brown=severe dehydration, Yellow=moderate dehydration, Slight Yellow/Clear=Hydrated!
5.Weight yourself. Before and after training to get an idea of how much fluid you have lost and drink according. Sipping works better than chugging.

Train hard, eat smart and stay hydrated!
Daniel M. Solomon, Registered Dietitian (RD)

Reference: (1)Benardot, Dan. Advanced Sports Nutrition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2006. Print.
(2)Clark, Nancy. Nancy Clarks Sports Nutrition Guidebook . 4th. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2008. Print.
(3)Judelson, Daniel. Hydration and Muscular Performance: Does Fluid Balance Affect Strength, Power and High-Intensity Endurance?. Sports Medicine 37(2007): 907-921. Print

What’s Different About Metagenics Supplements

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An important feature of healthy eating involves getting the essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals to help nourish your body. However, often you may not get the right amount of nourishments from your diet because of either eating a limited quantity of fruits and vegetables or too much processed foods. A good way to help boost your dietary needs is by taking nutritional supplements. The metagenics supplements, produced by Metagenics, Inc., is a superior brand that stands apart from other products because of the companys philosophy of using the best quality resources, standards, processes, facilities and staff to formulate nutritional food items.

With so many different types of nutritional supplements available on the market, finding the right ones that actually work for your health situation is not always easy. The metagenics supplements brand offers high quality nutritional products for many health issues and is an industry leader with the use of cutting-edge expertise. The nutritional supplements and formulas are developed using the nutrigenomics technology, which examines the relationship between genetics and nutrition for a healthier body. The supplements also referred to as netraceuticals, target specific health concerns to help reverse some diseases and illness. These may include conditions relating to joint health, cardiovascular health, gastrointestinal health, musculoskeletal and neurological health, mens and womens health and blood sugar stability.

The difference with metagenics supplements may be summed up in the five quality principles, which are used. These include:

1. Certification by three independent quality assessors as a good manufacturing practice (GMP) company that offers high standard products,

2. Use of ingredients that are thoroughly researched, tested and reviewed for safety and efficacy in producing formulas for nutritional supplements,

3. Multiple layers of purity and safety testing of ingredients and raw materials beyond the federal agency requirements to ensure high quality products,

4. Dedicated and qualified scientific staff to oversee the innovation and processing of the nutritional supplements as well as the use of cutting-edge labs and facilities for research and production,

5. Conducting clinical trials with people at the companys owned research center to evaluate the effectiveness of the supplements on actual patients.

With the patients and end users as the primary focus for the metagenics supplements, the company is constantly improving its products to add value. Other factors that make metagenics supplements to be different from the competition are as follows:

High absorbency rate of the nutrients,
Proper dosage amounts for effective and safe use of the supplements,
A variety of flavors used,
The availability of all forms of delivery, including liquid, capsule, chewable, tablet, soft gels or powder to ensure the correct use of ingredients and to meet the needs of patients,
Tablets designed to provide the best performance and absorbency levels,
Ongoing research and testing of final formulas to maintain high product standards.

The overall goal of metagenics supplements is to enhance the lives of people to lead and enjoy a happier and healthier life. With its patient-focused approach, Metagenics, Inc. provides various information channels to empower patients. Healthcare professionals and providers are also equipped with research and educational programs to help meet the demands and needs of patients and their health concerns. The difference with metagenics supplements is the quality products and the important role that genes and nutrition play in your overall health and wellbeing.

Quinoa Nutrition

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A key part of Quinoa nutrition is that of Quinoa protein.

With a large part of Quinoa nutrition being that of Quinoa protein, Quinoa nutritional properties show high levels of proteins, including virtually all the essential amino acids, as noted at Wikipedia and NutritionData and others. For example, a one cup serving of cooked Quinoa normally yields about 8.1g of protein or about 12%18% the DV of proteins/amino acids.

This protein level surpasses many other foods, leading food authorities to consider Quinoa food a highly beneficial food that can be used at the core of a healthy diet. In fact, Greg Schlick and David L. Bubenheim in a NASA paper referenced at Wikipedia noted that unlike wheat or rice (which are low in lysine), Quinoa protein is a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it an unusually complete protein source. But, Quinoa nutritional value doesnt stop there. Quinoa food has much more to offer.

Other Quinoa Nutritional Data and Benefits

Quinoa food, depending how and what it is prepared with, is very low in Cholesterol and Sodium. Quinoa food is also a good source of dietary fiber and in addition, is a good source of Iron, Magnesium, and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Manganese.

At around 222 calories, a one cup serving of Quinoa by itself yields around 11% of the DV in a 2000 calorie diet. Most (nearly 160) of those calories are from carbohydrates, with Quinoa food being low in fats content, at less than 5% to 6% of the DV.

Vitamins are another important item in Quinoa nutrition, offering around 10% to 19% of the DV of Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, and Vitamin B6, as well as some Vitamin E and Niacine using data from NutritionData. The Wikipedia numbers are higher, but reflect a larger portion of uncooked Quinoa. Bottom line is that at smaller serving sizes, Quinoa nutrition values are high. With larger servings, you can eat till youre full with much less worry about fat gluten, and sugars, and be assured of lots of burnable carbs and Quinoa protein.

Quinoa food is also gluten-free and considered easy to digest. Because of all these characteristics, Quinoa food is being considered a possible crop in NASAs Controlled Ecological Life Support System for long-duration manned spaceflights, according to Greg Schlick and David L. Bubenheim cited above. A great breakdown is also available at NutritionData at the link following this article. The page there is a quite complete Quinoa nutrition breakdown.

Quinoa Food Use

Quinoa nutrition has a history dating back to the Inca Civilization, and during that time its production and consumption was exceeded only by the potato. Quinoa food use has cycled slightly through the years since, anf is currently seeing renewed interest. This especially when we as a culture are seeking more complete fitness, and will likely be fueled further by our move away from sugar in our diets during the years 2010 through 2015. One need only look at the news to validate this position.

Quinoa food is surging in the West, with Quinoa nutrition as the momentum. Quinoa nutritional values, and especially Quinoa protein are a developing trend to watch as we rediscover this powerful food.

Cycling Nutrition You Need To Make The Most Of Your Training

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Cycling Fitness training will only be effective if you supply your body with the right kind of cycling nutrition. It is important to eat healthy meals, but there is a whole world of nutrition products that can make a big difference, if chosen carefully.

Before starting a long cycle training session, or road ride, you need to build up a good reserve of complex carbohydrates, which have the benefit of being metabolised slowly. As a result your energy reserves will stay at a safe level throughout the ride. Now these carbs can come from regular foodstuffs like potatoes and pasta, but there are some sophisticated complex carb powders and supplements available.

As the calories are used up during the ride, they need to be replaced quickly and in good time, so carrying a stock of energy gels and bars, and electrolyte energy drinks, is vital for even energy levels all the way to the end.
Calories and Carbs that are burnt off can be quickly replaced by good quality Energy Bars. Energy Gels are a more fast acting, and effective, approach to energy replacement, and are a staple of professional cyclists. It is important to realise, however, that these carbohydrate gels dont work unless accompanied by a lot of extra water so for a 1.4 oz gel you need to take in an extra 500ml of water for the carbs to be absorbed as intended.

A great deal of liquid is used up in a strenuous ride, so hydration is a key area that cant be neglected. Plain water is an important and under-appreciated drink that clearly has many benefits. But this isnt enough to keep up all levels, so it should be partnered with electrolyte drinks. These isotonic drinks can come in the familiar form of the famous brand name bottles, or a self-mixed powdered drink tuned to your particular needs. Just keep replacing liquids throughout the session, to save running out of reserves at the wrong moment.

And after the session is over, it doesnt help if you dont make adequate provision for recovery. So, once refreshed, you need to take in plenty of complex carbohydrates to boost your glycogen levels. Again get this from pasta and the like, or your complex carb powder mix. If it was a particularly strenuous ride, a boost of protein is needed to rebuild and recover muscles. Natural foods or protein mix drinks can do this job for you, with some help from protein bars.

Faced with these ever present concerns, it is important to come up with a well-designed cycling training program, with help from a qualified coach. If you cant access people of that level, there are lots of expert programs, books and DVDs on sale, to lead you on the right path. So that is quite a collection of products that you need to arm yourself with, to make a hard cycling session or ride have a great effect on your body. Neglect these areas, and you can do quite a bit of harm to yourself so it is definitely worth the effort.

breakfast Like A King …… The Number 1 Fitness Nutrition Rule

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Do you recall the old saying, “breakfast like a king, lunch like a lord and dine like a pauper”?

You’ve probably heard it before but never really given it much thought.

It may be old advice but it’s very good advice, particularly the bit about breakfast. When it comes to fitness nutrition, eating a good breakfast really is the key to an effective and healthy nutrition plan.

A lot of people go without breakfast entirely. Many do so because they are convinced that this helps to control their weight. It doesn’t. Others claim to be too busy to make time for breakfast. This is just lack of planning.

Think about it; by the time you waken up in the morning your body has not had any food for probably 7 or 8 hours. Your blood sugar is at its lowest level and without refuelling, your body’s engine is going to be very sluggish and you cannot function effectively.

So a good breakfast is essential to a healthy lifestyle. In fact, it should account for at least one-fifth of your daily food intake.

A granola bar and a cup of coffee just will not do.

Breakfast should be a sizeable meal and it is important to plan it well to make sure that you get the balance you need to maximise your fitness.

Oatmeal (or porridge) is an ideal part of the meal. It is a complex carbohydrate which means that it releases energy slowly and keeps your blood sugar level steady. And it’s versatile too.

Adding fresh or frozen fruit makes it more appealing and boosts your vitamin intake as well. Or try adding dried fruits or cinnamon, vanilla or honey to give even more variety.

Protein plays an important role, but it is important to choose wisely to avoid adding too much fat. Eggs cooked with little or no fat, lean grilled bacon, low fat yogurt and skimmed milk all provide high levels of protein and can be used in a wide variety of ways to make healthy breakfast dishes.

One way to keep the protein levels up and the fat down is to use egg whites instead of whole eggs – or you can mix one whole egg with two or three whites to make a lower fat omelette or scrambled eggs.

Take time to plan your breakfast in advance to make sure that you start your daily nutrition plan well.

You might prefer to get help from a nutritionist or use a scientifically developed program like plan:one, which uses dynamic nutrition technology, to help you improve your nutrition plan.

You will soon notice real benefits in your fitness.