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Whether you're preparing for a marathon or want to know how to have more energy for your regular workout regimen,you may be concerned about your sports drink performance. While you should choose an energy drink that has the nutrients that you need, there are several things you can do to make sure that your sport drink is giving you the results you need.
Your sports drink performance will be largely based on your diet and exercise habits, since the energy drinks contain electrolytes, which are ions that produce an electric charge in the body to alert the brain and nervous system of proper activity. So, if you want the drinks to work for you, you have to make sure that your diet has a balanced amount of potassium, and that you are eating foods that are low in sodium. Since potassium and sodium are electrolytes, you'll want the body to have balance amounts of these substances at all times.
The amount of activity you do per day will also have an affect on your sports drink performance. For instance, if you only work out on the weekends, it's best not to drink sport drinks too much during the week, since this can give your body an excess of sodium, chlorine, or potassium. When your body has too many electrolytes, it can be difficult for you to maintain your energy, and you may also experience adrenal problems. If you tend to sweat a lot during exercise, your sports drink performance should be intense;
perspiration means that sodium is being released from the body, so you will need to replenish your electrolyte balance during and after exercise.
You can also gauge your sports drink performance by how your muscles feel after working out. If you find that your joints are sore and your muscles are cramping after every workout, no matter how intense, you may need to either switch out your energy drinks, or drink water during your workouts for a few days. Electrolytes are supposed to reduce swelling and prevent bruising, so if your muscles feel especially tender, you may have an excess of potassium in
the system, or you may need a little more in order to build up your muscle strength.
For more tips on sports drink performance, or to find out which brands will work best for you, you can check out sites like gatorade.com to find out more about electrolyte balance, or accelerade.com to figure out what your carbohydrate intake should be when you're consuming energy drinks. You can also see a Comparison Chart on sport drinks right here right now!
James McMullen
Vemma ID: #282135705
Vemma Brand Partner
Finding the right energy sports drink can be a bit of a challenge if you have a specific body goal in mind. Here are some tips for creating a energy sports drink of your own, as well as the link to some resources that will give you the energy drink you need at prices you can afford.
Natural fruit juices without the added sugar can serve as an energy sports drink in some cases. If you have a juicer, you can use apple and grapes juices to boost your immune system and eliminate toxins from the body. And, when your digestive system is cleansed, you will automatically have more energy and endurance, whether you're playing sports or working at the office.
You may also want to try vegetable juice in order to restore the body's natural balance of electrolytes. Carrot and celery juices will give the body potassium, as will cabbage and spinach juices. Vitamin A is also present in these vegetables, which helps to keep the skin healthy and strengthen the immune system.
Another way to create a great energy sports drink is to use vitamin powder and amino acids. Amino acids are the acids needed to restore the body's energy and endurance, and many amino acids will help to regulate the mood and brain function, so that you can ward off sluggishness and depression. You can find amino acid powders at your local GNC or Vitamin Shoppe, or you can take the amino acids in capsule form with your meals in order to enhance the work of your energy sports drink. Adding your own ingredients to the powder, such as milk (you can use rice or soy milk as well), pureed fruit, and additional vitamins will also help you to create a balanced meal for yourself, and will give you energy and improved concentration throughout the day.
You can find a number of these not so healthy energy sports drink varieties at your local grocery store as well. Gatorade has a number of flavors to choose form, and Propel fitness water is a great buy as well, since it is more water-based and is safer for everyday use. You can also purchase Powerade varieties at your local grocery store; these cheap energy sport drinks are some what ideal for sporting events that may take place outdoors or in warm weather.
A brand new and very exciting energy energy sports drink is called Verve and Thirst by Vemma Nutrition Company. Professional and amateur athletes praise the benefits of these energy sports drinks as well. They realize the products helps them perform better, less downtime, recovery, stay healthy and overall just help them improve their motivation and well-being for maintaining peak performance. Ms. Fitness declares Verve! Product of the Year for 2009! Read the PDF Review
For more information on energy sports drink varieties that are right for you, look at our detail comparison chart.
James McMullen
Vemma ID: #282135705
Vemma Brand Partner
There are several foods out there that claim to be low in cholesterol, but is diet all you need to pay attention to for cholesterol control? If you're trying to watch your weight, or are concerned about your heart health, there are a few things you'll want to do in addition to your diet to make sure that you have a handle on cholesterol control.
One of the best things to do for a healthy diet that includes low cholesterol is to eat foods that are low in saturated fats. This means that you may have to cut down on fast food, since most of it is deep fried and full of additional calories that will only add extra weight around your heart area. You'll also need to make sure that you're eating healthy homemade meals for cholesterol control. This means lots of whole grains; instead of enriched white pastas, try whole wheat or brown rice pasta. If you want to have toast in the mornings for breakfast, try whole grain or multigrain bread for more fiber, calcium,and iron. Eating lots of raw fruits and vegetables will help with cholesterol control as well, since the fiber will help regulate the flow of blood in the body, and will keep fatty deposits away from the heart.
There are also a number of supplements that you can take for cholesterol control, since studies have shown that cholesterol medication alone doesn't help eliminate the problem completely. In addition to a healthy diet, you may want to start taking Niacin, which is a B-complex vitamin that lowers cholesterol when taken in high dosages. Taking about two grams per day, along with statins (traditional medications) can help you to see a change in your cholesterol levels sooner than you think. Niacin will also raise levels of 'good' cholesterol. Be sure to consult with your Doctor first!
Soluble fiber are also instrumental in cholesterol control. If you find that you're not getting the fiber intake that you need in your diet, you can take fiber supplements to get the cholesterol-lowering benefits you need. Lots of fiber in the diet helps with cholesterol levels because the fiber binds to the cholesterol and bile acids in the colon, which means the cholesterol can't be absorbed by the body. This means the arteries will not become clogged, and toxins will stay away from the heart.
If you want to know more about cholesterol control, or need to come up with a great diet that you know you can follow, you may want to log onto webmd.com for tips on fruits and vegetables that will help you to keep your heart healthy.
James McMullen
Vemma ID: #282135705
Vemma Brand Partner