VITACTIVE87
A new you…from the first day!
The most complete 87 -pharmaceutical grade and highest bioavailability- ingredient supplement with vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herb extracts, enzymes, co-enzymes, powerful anti-oxidants… and more.
The ultimate vitamin multi-action multi-formula ever created for high level athletes…and for those with a demanding lifestyle and they never compromise with anything but the absolute best!
A state of the art and biotechnology products combining in absolute harmony 87 ingredients, which act with perfect synergy and give your body all it needs to…
- produce energy
- increase the metabolic rate
- feel good
- have strong and healthy hair, skin, eyes and nails
- have a healthy skeleton and bones
- sleep good
- produce energy
- protect your cells from oxidative stress
- be in a good mood
- keep well hydrated
- feel strong and happy
- activate the new cell regeneration
- be vital
- be more focused
- increase your brain function
- increase your sport performance and endurance
- be able to absorb the nutrients from food better
- have a healthy nervous system
- guard your immune system
- help your body gain pure lean muscle
Correct concentrations…not just for the label… for YOU
As in all of our products, we use highly effective ingredients and science based concentrations that really work.
We do not just use traces of low effectiveness and not certified ingredients just to mention them on the label and trick our customers.
Choosing SCN, you can ALWAYS be sure you invest your money in a product that will help you be better and a product that offers you much much more than the price you pay for.
We develop products having always in mind you and the effort you make to be the best you can.
So…if this is not the absolute best… what could it be!
Using many patented ingredients with unique actions as:
- BioPQQ™
- Kyowa™ L-Glutamine
- Digezyme™
- Bioperine™
- Actigin™
- Astragin™
- Astareal™ Astaxanthin
We deliver the most complete and the most unique and effective multi-action vitamin based multi-formula… you can call it also the “super multivitamin”
Absolute Synergy…
Have you ever heard of “together stronger”?
So, this is what synergy means with simple words…
Synergy for example, is taking Curcumin with Krill oil…and it is like taking 28 times more curcumin…
Synergy is when one -let alone 87(!)- ingredient helps another ingredient act much more than it could act by itself.
So, you our VitActive87 formula, provides you 87 ingredients, which each one help the other act by 2..3..10..20 times more!
Do the math or just say “wow”!
In multiple clinical studies published in highly respected peer-reviewed scientific journal (PLOS One), ActiGin® has demonstrated to support faster recovery by reducing inflammation (MDA, IL-6, CK) generated during exercise.
ActiGin® has also demonstrated to increase energy levels by increasing citrate synthase level (47%) in blood serum. Citrate synthase exists in nearly all living cells and stands as a pace-making enzyme in the first step of the citric acid cycle (or Krebs cycle) that produces ATP this is the primary energy carrier in all cells that release energy when it is broken down.
Muscles contracting during exercise requires glycogen as fuel. ActiGin® has demonstrated to increase the glycogen synthesis in muscle by preserving the muscle integrity so there is a continuous influx of glucose into muscles to support the continuous synthesis of glycogen.
ActiGin® is the only natural phyto compound that has demonstrated to have this muscle membrane peroxidation stability technology. Post-exercise glycogen increase to 370% is the major reason why ActiGin® is able to support faster recovery and increasing endurance in high-intensity exercise (80% VO2max) and physical activities.
AstraGin® is NuLiv Science’s proprietary gut nutraceutical composed of highly purified and fractionated Panax notoginsengand Astragalus membranaceus produced by a proprietary pharmaceutical extraction and processing technology. AstraGin® has shown in 16 in-vitro and 8 in-vivo studies that are published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Molecular Nutrition & Food Research and Scientific Reports to:
- Increase the absorption of peptides, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and phytonutrients by up-regulating the absorption specific mRNA and transporters, such as SGLT1, CAT1, and GLUT4.*
- Repair ulcerated and damaged intestinal walls and reduce intestinal submucosa inflammation.* AstraGin® was shown in a hematoxylin-eosin stain and an MPO assay to reduce ulceration and unclear surfaces of intestinal epithelial cells and sub-mucosal edema in TNBS-induced colitis rats.
- May help maintain a healthy microbiota population by mending ulcerated and damaged intestinal epithelial cell surfaces for the microbiota to populate.*
- May help support stronger immune functions by mending ulcerated epithelial cells and reducing the inflammation in intestinal mucosal lamina propria that hosts the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT1), T cells, plasma cells, mast cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages.
ASTAXANTHIN – HUGE ANTI-OXIDANT PROTECTION
Your body uses oxygen in order to produce energy.
The higher the effort is the more oxygen your body uses.
Oxygen is a friend to your body but an enemy at the same time, as after your body uses it, it leaves some bad substances in your cells, called free radicals.
These free radicals, destroy healthy cells, so as long as you let them exist, you let them damage your body.
Anti-oxidants are a group or ingredients that stop free radicals causing all this damage to you.
BioPQQ® may enhance short-term performance & protect the brain’s long-term health
Concerned about brain health? BioPQQ® may be for you.
A series of clinical studies suggest that BioPQQ supports cognitive health by promoting nerve growth factor in the brain as well as the creation of mitochondria, the powerhouse of cells that are critical to brain and heart functioning.
Interest in supplements to support brain health has risen dramatically in recent years. It’s not only older populations who are interested in maintaining brain health. Increasingly, younger consumers are seeking greater mental focus and acuity to keep up with today’s fast-paced lifestyle.
BioPQQ is Safe
Trace amounts of the active ingredient in BioPQQ are also found naturally in plants and meats. While similar compounds on the market are produced synthetically, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical’s proprietary fermentation process for harvesting BioPQQ naturally is well-controlled and well-documented.
BioPQQ is the only nutritional supplement of its kinds that has been successfully filed as a New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. NDI notification from FDA attests to the stringent quality control and safety standards in the production of BioPQQ.
BioPQQ is also designated as “Generally Regarded as Safe” (GRAS), enabling it to be included as a food ingredient.
No other compound of its kind on the market has been as rigorously tested and studied.
Grow | Energize | Protect
Stimulate Nerve Growth Factor | Increase Mitochondria | Superior Antioxidant
Gastrointestinal health with DigeZyme™
DigeZyme™ is a unique blend of digestive enzymes (Protease, Amylase, Lactase, Lipase, Cellulase), combined in a specific formulation to aid digestion.
DigeZyme™ formulation, contains a combination of digestive enzymes, all aimed at aiding the digestion of nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, fat and fibre, whilst also being resistant to gastric juices.
These enzymes, break down the macronutrients, so your body absorbs more from the food you receive daily.
Who could imagine, same food, more nutrients into your blood, better life and health.
Protease
Protease aids the digestion of protein. Protein is a staple part of an active person’s diet, both when ‘bulking’ and ‘cutting’, therefore it is beneficial to catalyse the digestion of protein by adding Protease. Supplementing with Protease will help relieve some of the symptoms of a high protein diet, such as stomach discomfort or bloating.
Amylase
Following protein, carbohydrate is another important nutrient in an active person’s diet. Large quantities of carbohydrate can be consumed, and this can leave you feeling bloated or uncomfortable. Amylase will negate the discomfort associated with consuming large quantities of carbohydrate by catalysing its breakdown for easier digestion.
Lipase
Lipase aids in the digestion of fat; helping to breakdown large fat molecules into smaller molecules in order to ease digestion. Fats can take a long time to digest, which can hinder the digestion of other nutrients. Efficient breakdown of fats, via Lipase supplementation, can be particularly beneficial in relation to improved digestion.
Lactase
This enzyme is the one that lactose intolerant people do not produce. Lactase will help your intestines break down the lactose from the dairy products (milk, cheese, whey protein, milk protein etc.) so you do not have these unwanted side effects after consuming foods which contain lactose.
Cellulase
A healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables is also rich in cellulose, a plant fiber which can be hard to digest. DigeZyme® contains Cellulase in order to help improve the breakdown of the plant fiber in order to promote healthier digestion.
The Surprising Health Benefits of vitamins and minerals
Vitamins and Minerals
Micronutrients play an important role in energy production, hemoglobin synthesis, maintenance of bone health, adequate immune function, and protection of body against oxidative damage. They assist with synthesis and repair of muscle tissue during recovery from exercise and injury. Exercise stresses many of the metabolic pathways where micronutrients are required, and exercise training may result in muscle biochemical adaptations that increase micronutrient needs. Routine exercise may also increase the turnover and loss of these micronutrients from the body. As a result, greater intakes of micronutrients may be required to cover increased needs for building, repair, and maintenance of lean body mass in athletes
Vitamin D is required for adequate calcium absorption, regulation of serum calcium and phosphorus levels, and promotion of bone health. Vitamin D also regulates the development and homeostasis of the nervous system and skeletal muscle.
Athletes who live at northern latitudes or who train primarily indoors throughout the year, such as gymnasts and figure skaters, are at risk for poor vitamin D status, especially if they do not consume foods fortified with vitamin D.
Adequate intake of B vitamins is important to ensure optimum energy production and the building and repair of muscle tissue.
The B-complex vitamins have two major functions directly related to exercise.
Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, and biotin, are involved in energy production during exercise, whereas folate and vitamin B12 are required for the production of red blood cells, for protein synthesis, and in tissue repair and maintenance including the CNS.
Of the B vitamins, riboflavin, pyridoxine, folate, and vitamin B are frequently low in female athletes’ diets, especially those who are vegetarian or have disordered eating patterns.
The antioxidant nutrients, vitamins C and E, β-carotene, and selenium, play important roles in protecting cell membranes from oxidative damage. Because exercise can increase oxygen consumption by 10- to 15-fold, it has been hypothesized that long-term exercise produces a constant “oxidative stress” on the muscles and other cells membranes.
Although short-term exercise may increase levels of lipid peroxide by-products, antioxidant system and reduced lipid peroxidation.
Thus, a well-trained athlete may have a more developed endogenous antioxidant system than a sedentary person. Whether exercise increases the need for antioxidant nutrients remains controversial. There is little evidence that antioxidant supplements enhance physical performance.
Athletes at greatest risk for poor antioxidant intakes are those following a low-fat diet, restricting energy intakes, or limiting dietary intakes of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Vitamin C supplements do not seem to have an ergogenic effect if the diet provides adequate amounts of this nutrient. Because strenuous and prolonged exercise has been shown to increase the need for vitamin C, physical performance can be compromised with marginal vitamin C status or deficiency. Athletes who participate in habitual prolonged, strenuous exercise should consume 100-1000 mg of vitamin C daily.
Minerals: Calcium, Iron, Zinc, and Magnesium
The primary minerals low in the diets of athletes, especially female athletes, are calcium, iron, zinc, and magnesium.
Low intakes of these minerals are often due to energy restriction or avoidance of animal products.
Calcium is especially important for growth, maintenance and repair of bone tissue, maintenance of blood calcium levels, regulation of muscle contraction, nerve conduction, and normal blood clotting. Inadequate dietary calcium and vitamin D increase the risk of low bone mineral density and stress fractures. Female athletes are at greatest risk for low bone mineral density if energy intakes are low, dairy products and other calcium-rich foods are inadequate or eliminated from the diet, and menstrual dysfunction is present.
Supplementation with calcium and vitamin D should be determined after nutrition assessment. Current recommendations for athletes with disordered eating, amenorrhea, and risk for early osteoporosis are 1500 mg of elemental calcium and 400-800 IU of vitamin D per day.
Iron is required for the formation of oxygen-carrying proteins, hemoglobin and myoglobin, and for enzymes involved in energy production.
Oxygen-carrying capacity is essential for endurance exercise as well as normal function of the nervous, behavioral, and immune systems.
Iron depletion (low iron stores) is one of the most prevalent nutrient deficiencies observed among athletes, especially females.
Iron deficiency, with or without anemia, can impair muscle function and limit work capacity.
Athletes who are vegetarian or regular blood donors should aim for an iron intake greater than their respective RDA.
The high incidence of iron depletion among athletes is usually attributed to inadequate energy intake. Other factors that can impact iron status include vegetarian diets that have poor iron availability, periods of rapid growth, training at high altitudes, increased iron losses in sweat, feces, urine, menstrual blood, intravascular hemolysis, foot-strike hemolysis, regular blood donation, or injury.
Athletes, especially women, long-distance runners, adolescents, and vegetarians should be screened periodically to assess and monitor iron status.
Because reversing iron deficiency anemia can require 3-6 months, it is advantageous to begin nutrition intervention before iron deficiency anemia develops.
Although depleted iron stores (low serum ferritin) are more prevalent in female athletes, the incidence of iron deficiency anemia in athletes is similar to that of the nonathlete female population
Zinc plays a role in growth, building and repair of muscle tissue, energy production, and immune status. Diets low in animal protein, high in fiber and vegetarian diets, in particular, are associated with decreased zinc intake.
Zinc status has been shown to directly affect thyroid hormone levels, BMR, and protein use, which in turn can negatively affect health and physical performance.
Athletes, particularly females, are at risk for zinc deficiency.
The impact of low zinc intakes on zinc status is difficult to measure because clear assessment criteria have not been established and plasma zinc concentrations may not reflect changes in whole-body zinc status.
Magnesium plays a variety of roles in cellular metabolism (glycolysis, fat, and protein metabolism) and regulates membrane stability and neuromuscular, cardiovascular, immune, and hormonal functions.
Magnesium deficiency impairs endurance performance by increasing oxygen requirements to complete submaximal exercise. Athletes in weight-class and body-conscious sports, such as wrestling, ballet, gymnastics, and tennis, have been reported to consume inadequate dietary magnesium. Athletes should be educated about good food sources of magnesium. In athletes with low magnesium status, supplementation might be beneficial.
Sodium, Chloride, and Potassium
Sodium is a critical electrolyte, particularly for athletes with high sweat losses.
Many endurance athletes will require much more than the UL for sodium and chloride.
Sports drinks containing sodium and potassium , as well as carbohydrates, are recommended for athletes especially in endurance events.
Potassium is important for fluid and electrolyte balance, nerve transmission, and active transport mechanisms. During intense exercise, plasma potassium concentrations tend to decline to a lesser degree than sodium. A diet rich in a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, dairy foods, lean meats, and whole grains is usually considered adequate for maintaining normal potassium status among athletes.
Astaxanthin – the athlete’s secret weapon
Science proves it – natural astaxanthin is a safe performance boosting supplement that will give you a competitive edge against the rest of the pack.
If you are an athlete in any competitive sense or if you exercise just a few times a week, you may be supplementing your training regimen with things like protein powders, amino acids, and omega oils. These supplements are great for upping your athletic game, but if you’re not including astaxanthin amongst your daily supplement arsenal, you are missing out on what many of the world’s top athletes call their, “Secret Weapon.”
What is astaxanthin?
While relatively new in the supplement category, astaxanthin has been gaining recognition over the past ten years due to its potent antioxidant strength. Astaxanthin is a carotenoid, like beta carotene or lutein, and is the red pigment found in nature. It’s found in animals such as salmon, shrimp, and lobsters but its most abundantly found in a fresh water algae called Haematococcus pluvialis. While certain foods like salmon naturally contain astaxanthin from algae they eat in the wild, you’d need to eat several pounds of salmon to get an adequate astaxanthin dosage on a daily basis. Therefore, the most efficient and cost effective way to incorporate astaxanthin into your daily life is by taking an algae extract supplement. Dosages range from 4 milligrams to 12 milligrams per day.
Natural astaxanthin is unique among other antioxidants because of the shape of its molecule – it’s both water and fat soluble which protects the entire cell from damage. The benefits natural astaxanthin can provide to the human body are comprehensive, including fighting free radicals, supporting skin health, eye and brain health, cardiovascular health, improved athletic performance, and helping the body recover from intense exercise. The improved athletic performance as well as faster recovery from exercise, is what excites athletes as they strive to perform at their very best.
Astaxanthin – the athlete’s supplement
Energy production in the body starts in our cells, which rely on the mitochondria, the generators or powerhouses found within our cells that produce energy. Mitochondria break down carbohydrates and fatty acids to generate energy. Your body needs millions of mitochondria running at full capacity because the better they perform, the better you will feel. There are several ways that you can help your mitochondria perform better, such as calorie restriction, getting a good night’s sleep, and minimizing inflammation and free radicals. Taking astaxanthin will also help. Research has shown astaxanthin provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant support after strenuous exercise to the mitochondria7, resulting in better mitochondria performance which can result in better physical performance.
Exercise results in physical fatigue of the body and requires down time to recover. But what if there was a way to increase the time it took to feel fatigued and speed up recovery time after exercise? A study was conducted to test just this –healthy volunteers using progressively heavier loads in a stepwise exercise were tested with astaxanthin supplementation versus a placebo. Results showed that supplementation with astaxanthin improved metabolism (always a plus!) and respiratory-circulatory ability, plus anti-fatigue and antioxidant levels in the body were increased. Another study with soccer players proved that astaxanthin reduced muscle damage and protected the function of cells during heavy exercise. With these two studies alone, you can see why astaxanthin is very valuable to an athlete, but the research continues with more amazing findings.
Astaxanthin has been shown to improve athletic performance by increasing physical strength – and who wouldn’t want that? In this study, participants were given astaxanthin for six months and then had their strength tested on a Smith machine. Amazingly, the results showed that taking astaxanthin improved performance threefold! Another study involving competitive cyclists found that taking astaxanthin resulted in an average of 15% increase in power output and contributed to making the cyclists faster and stronger.
Astaxanthin can also support our muscles. A common issue with intense exercise is that it leads to lactic acid build up in the muscles, resulting in cramping. Astaxanthin can help decrease lactic acid build up in the muscles and allows athletes to push harder and faster for longer.
End result? Add astaxanthin to your daily regimen
You don’t need to be an extreme athlete to benefit from taking astaxanthin, but the science is solid in supporting astaxanthin and improved athlete performance. For all of the reasons discussed, athletes that want better performance should definitely be taking natural astaxanthin on a daily basis.
The Benefits of Oleuropein
WHAT IS OLEUROPEIN?
If you’ve ever eaten olives, you know they have a distinct, slightly bitter taste. Well, oleuropein is the compound that gives olives their wonderful flavor.
But this incredible substance does a lot more than give olives their zip. Oleuropein has been shown to support your body in many ways. Processed oleuropein is available through not only food, but supplements as well.
Oleuropein belongs to a family of plant compounds known as polyphenols, which are chemicals found in plants. Polyphenols are not only found in vegetables, but also in fruits, grains, and certain beverages, such as red wine and coffee.
Polyphenols are antioxidants – substances that help protect the health of your cells. Antioxidants fight free radicals. These are dangerous molecules that attack the cells that make up your muscles and tissues.
Here are just some of the benefits associated with oleuropein:
1. SUPPORTED BLOOD PRESSURE
There is evidence that the oleuropein in olive leaf extract could help keep blood pressure healthy. In one study, researchers found that participants who received supplements containing the extract not only enjoyed lower blood pressure, but also reduced LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. This is the type of cholesterol that can accumulate in your arteries and lead to severe cardiovascular problems.
2. MAINTAINING THE HEALTH OF YOUR ARTERIES
Another one of the significant benefits of this extract from the olive leaf appears to be arterial health. The cells along the walls of your arteries, known as endothelial cells, help to ensure that blood flows smoothly5 Research shows that oleuropein may help keep these cells healthy.
Polyphenols, such as oleuropein, have potential when it comes to maintaining artery walls — and keeping them clean from plaque. They do this in two ways. One is by inhibiting the development of molecules that cause platelets and white blood cells to adhere to arterial walls. The second is by reducing the clumping of platelets, in hopes of preventing clots. More research is required to determine if oleuropein is one of these artery-maintaining polyphenols, but scientists see great potential for it.
3. KEEPING BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS HEALTHY
Studies show that supplements containing olive leaf extract may help keep blood sugar levels in check. For people who have high blood sugar, there’s evidence that proper blood sugar- management may help to reduce the chances of further complications.
4. ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES
It also appears that oleuropein may help fight harmful microbes. For example, testing shows that two substances found in oleuropein, aglycone and oleanolic acid, inhibit the growth of lactic acid bacteria. If too much lactic acid develops in your body, you may experience severe muscle discomfort or weakness, as well as a decrease in appetite.
5. JOINT SUPPORT
Oleuropein may also help protect your joints. That’s because it is thought to inhibit the development of proteins known as cytokines. And in some cases, cytokines have been linked to joint discomfort. In addition, research shows it helps improve the health of affected tissues. Research also shows that a specific enzyme in oleuropein may help to keep the uric acid crystals from forming.
Details: Summer fruits flavor | 40×3,8g scoops | 20-40 days supply
CLINICALLY STUDIED
PROMOTES ABSORPTION, INTESTINAL WALL REGENERATION, MICROBIOTA POPULATION, AND IMMUNE FUNCTIONS
Trust the Best for Your Brain
Dozens of in vitro and in vivo clinical studies and trials suggest that BioPQQ may have significant physiological benefits for heart and brain health. These effects are anti-oxidative, anti-diabetic and neurogenerative effects.
By potentially stimulating Nerve Growth Factor, BioPQQ may help nerves in the brain and other organs grow or recover after being damaged. Neurons in the brain are susceptible to lethal damage from oxidative stress, and neuronal death is regarded as a causal factor in Alzheimer’s Disease and other disorders.
By functioning as an anti-oxidant, BioPQQ was shown to inhibit neurotoxicity. Its anti-oxidative effect has been demonstrated to be significantly higher than both Vitamin C and Vitamin E.
Revolutionizing Brain Health
The Three Pillars of Brain Health with BioPQQ
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Grow | Energize | Protect
Stimulate Nerve Growth Factor | Increase Mitochondria | Superior Antioxidant
Gastrointestinal health with DigeZyme™
DigeZyme™ is a unique blend of digestive enzymes (Protease, Amylase, Lactase, Lipase, Cellulase), combined in a specific formulation to aid digestion.
DigeZyme™ formulation, contains a combination of digestive enzymes, all aimed at aiding the digestion of nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, fat and fibre, whilst also being resistant to gastric juices.
These enzymes, break down the macronutrients, so your body absorbs more from the food you receive daily.
Who could imagine, same food, more nutrients into your blood, better life and health.
Protease
Protease aids the digestion of protein. Protein is a staple part of an active person’s diet, both when ‘bulking’ and ‘cutting’, therefore it is beneficial to catalyse the digestion of protein by adding Protease. Supplementing with Protease will help relieve some of the symptoms of a high protein diet, such as stomach discomfort or bloating.
Amylase
Following protein, carbohydrate is another important nutrient in an active person’s diet. Large quantities of carbohydrate can be consumed, and this can leave you feeling bloated or uncomfortable. Amylase will negate the discomfort associated with consuming large quantities of carbohydrate by catalysing its breakdown for easier digestion.
Lipase
Lipase aids in the digestion of fat; helping to breakdown large fat molecules into smaller molecules in order to ease digestion. Fats can take a long time to digest, which can hinder the digestion of other nutrients. Efficient breakdown of fats, via Lipase supplementation, can be particularly beneficial in relation to improved digestion.
Lactase
This enzyme is the one that lactose intolerant people do not produce. Lactase will help your intestines break down the lactose from the dairy products (milk, chease, whey protein, milk protein etc) so you do not have these unwanted side effects after consuming foods which contain lactose.
Cellulase
A healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables is also rich in cellulose, a plant fibre which can be hard to digest. DigeZyme® contains Cellulase in order to help improve the breakdown of the plant fibre in order to promote healthier digestion.
The Surprising Health Benefits of vitamins and minerals
Vitamins and Minerals
Micronutrients play an important role in energy production, hemoglobin synthesis, maintenance of bone health, adequate immune function, and protection of body against oxidative damage. They assist with synthesis and repair of muscle tissue during recovery from exercise and injury. Exercise stresses many of the metabolic pathways where micronutrients are required, and exercise training may result in muscle biochemical adaptations that increase micronutrient needs. Routine exercise may also increase the turnover and loss of these micronutrients from the body. As a result, greater intakes of micronutrients may be required to cover increased needs for building, repair, and maintenance of lean body mass in athletes
Vitamin D is required for adequate calcium absorption, regulation of serum calcium and phosphorus levels, and promotion of bone health. Vitamin D also regulates the development and homeostasis of the nervous system and skeletal muscle.
Athletes who live at northern latitudes or who train primarily indoors throughout the year, such as gymnasts and figure skaters, are at risk for poor vitamin D status, especially if they do not consume foods fortified with vitamin D.
Adequate intake of B vitamins is important to ensure optimum energy production and the building and repair of muscle tissue.
The B-complex vitamins have two major functions directly related to exercise.
Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, and biotin, are involved in energy production during exercise, whereas folate and vitamin B12 are required for the production of red blood cells, for protein synthesis, and in tissue repair and maintenance including the CNS.
Of the B vitamins, riboflavin, pyridoxine, folate, and vitamin B are frequently low in female athletes’ diets, especially those who are vegetarian or have disordered eating patterns.
The antioxidant nutrients, vitamins C and E, β-carotene, and selenium, play important roles in protecting cell membranes from oxidative damage. Because exercise can increase oxygen consumption by 10- to 15-fold, it has been hypothesized that long-term exercise produces a constant “oxidative stress” on the muscles and other cells membranes.
Although short-term exercise may increase levels of lipid peroxide by-products, antioxidant system and reduced lipid peroxidation.
Thus, a well-trained athlete may have a more developed endogenous antioxidant system than a sedentary person. Whether exercise increases the need for antioxidant nutrients remains controversial. There is little evidence that antioxidant supplements enhance physical performance.
Athletes at greatest risk for poor antioxidant intakes are those following a low-fat diet, restricting energy intakes, or limiting dietary intakes of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Vitamin C supplements do not seem to have an ergogenic effect if the diet provides adequate amounts of this nutrient. Because strenuous and prolonged exercise has been shown to increase the need for vitamin C, physical performance can be compromised with marginal vitamin C status or deficiency. Athletes who participate in habitual prolonged, strenuous exercise should consume 100-1000 mg of vitamin C daily.
Minerals: Calcium, Iron, Zinc, and Magnesium
The primary minerals low in the diets of athletes, especially female athletes, are calcium, iron, zinc, and magnesium.
Low intakes of these minerals are often due to energy restriction or avoidance of animal products.
Calcium is especially important for growth, maintenance and repair of bone tissue, maintenance of blood calcium levels, regulation of muscle contraction, nerve conduction, and normal blood clotting. Inadequate dietary calcium and vitamin D increase the risk of low bone mineral density and stress fractures. Female athletes are at greatest risk for low bone mineral density if energy intakes are low, dairy products and other calcium-rich foods are inadequate or eliminated from the diet, and menstrual dysfunction is present.
Supplementation with calcium and vitamin D should be determined after nutrition assessment. Current recommendations for athletes with disordered eating, amenorrhea, and risk for early osteoporosis are 1500 mg of elemental calcium and 400-800 IU of vitamin D per day.
Iron is required for the formation of oxygen-carrying proteins, hemoglobin and myoglobin, and for enzymes involved in energy production.
Oxygen-carrying capacity is essential for endurance exercise as well as normal function of the nervous, behavioral, and immune systems.
Iron depletion (low iron stores) is one of the most prevalent nutrient deficiencies observed among athletes, especially females.
Iron deficiency, with or without anemia, can impair muscle function and limit work capacity.
Athletes who are vegetarian or regular blood donors should aim for an iron intake greater than their respective RDA.
The high incidence of iron depletion among athletes is usually attributed to inadequate energy intake. Other factors that can impact iron status include vegetarian diets that have poor iron availability, periods of rapid growth, training at high altitudes, increased iron losses in sweat, feces, urine, menstrual blood, intravascular hemolysis, foot-strike hemolysis, regular blood donation, or injury.
Athletes, especially women, long-distance runners, adolescents, and vegetarians should be screened periodically to assess and monitor iron status.
Because reversing iron deficiency anemia can require 3-6 months, it is advantageous to begin nutrition intervention before iron deficiency anemia develops.
Although depleted iron stores (low serum ferritin) are more prevalent in female athletes, the incidence of iron deficiency anemia in athletes is similar to that of the nonathlete female population
Zinc plays a role in growth, building and repair of muscle tissue, energy production, and immune status. Diets low in animal protein, high in fiber and vegetarian diets, in particular, are associated with decreased zinc intake.
Zinc status has been shown to directly affect thyroid hormone levels, BMR, and protein use, which in turn can negatively affect health and physical performance..
Athletes, particularly females, are at risk for zinc deficiency.
The impact of low zinc intakes on zinc status is difficult to measure because clear assessment criteria have not been established and plasma zinc concentrations may not reflect changes in whole-body zinc status.
Magnesium plays a variety of roles in cellular metabolism (glycolysis, fat, and protein metabolism) and regulates membrane stability and neuromuscular, cardiovascular, immune, and hormonal functions.
Magnesium deficiency impairs endurance performance by increasing oxygen requirements to complete submaximal exercise. Athletes in weight-class and body-conscious sports, such as wrestling, ballet, gymnastics, and tennis, have been reported to consume inadequate dietary magnesium. Athletes should be educated about good food sources of magnesium. In athletes with low magnesium status, supplementation might be beneficial.
Sodium, Chloride, and Potassium
Sodium is a critical electrolyte, particularly for athletes with high sweat losses.
Many endurance athletes will require much more than the UL for sodium and chloride.
Sports drinks containing sodium and potassium , as well as carbohydrates, are recommended for athletes especially in endurance events.
Potassium is important for fluid and electrolyte balance, nerve transmission, and active transport mechanisms. During intense exercise, plasma potassium concentrations tend to decline to a lesser degree than sodium. A diet rich in a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, dairy foods, lean meats, and whole grains is usually considered adequate for maintaining normal potassium status among athletes.
Astaxanthin – the athlete’s secret weapon
Science proves it – natural astaxanthin is a safe performance boosting supplement that will give you a competitive edge against the rest of the pack.
If you are an athlete in any competitive sense or if you exercise just a few times a week, you may be supplementing your training regimen with things like protein powders, amino acids, and omega oils. These supplements are great for upping your athletic game, but if you’re not including astaxanthin amongst your daily supplement arsenal, you are missing out on what many of the world’s top athletes call their, “Secret Weapon.”
What is astaxanthin?
While relatively new in the supplement category, astaxanthin has been gaining recognition over the past ten years due to its potent antioxidant strength. Astaxanthin is a carotenoid, like beta carotene or lutein, and is the red pigment found in nature. It’s found in animals such as salmon, shrimp, and lobsters but its most abundantly found in a fresh water algae called Haematococcus pluvialis. While certain foods like salmon naturally contain astaxanthin from algae they eat in the wild, you’d need to eat several pounds of salmon to get an adequate astaxanthin dosage on a daily basis. Therefore, the most efficient and cost effective way to incorporate astaxanthin into your daily life is by taking an algae extract supplement. Dosages range from 4 milligrams to 12 milligrams per day.
Natural astaxanthin is unique among other antioxidants because of the shape of its molecule – it’s both water and fat soluble which protects the entire cell from damage. The benefits natural astaxanthin can provide to the human body are comprehensive, including fighting free radicals, supporting skin health, eye and brain health, cardiovascular health, improved athletic performance, and helping the body recover from intense exercise. The improved athletic performance as well as faster recovery from exercise, is what excites athletes as they strive to perform at their very best.
Astaxanthin – the athlete’s supplement
Energy production in the body starts in our cells, which rely on the mitochondria, the generators or powerhouses found within our cells that produce energy. Mitochondria break down carbohydrates and fatty acids to generate energy. Your body needs millions of mitochondria running at full capacity because the better they perform, the better you will feel. There are several ways that you can help your mitochondria perform better, such as calorie restriction, getting a good night’s sleep, and minimizing inflammation and free radicals. Taking astaxanthin will also help. Research has shown astaxanthin provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant support after strenous exercise to the mitochondria7, resulting in better mitochondria performance which can result in better physical performance.
Exercise results in physical fatigue of the body and requires down time to recover. But what if there was a way to increase the time it took to feel fatigued and speed up recovery time after exercise? A study was conducted to test just this –healthy volunteers using progressively heavier loads in a stepwise exercise were tested with astaxanthin supplementation versus a placebo. Results showed that supplementation with astaxanthin improved metabolism (always a plus!) and respiratory-circulatory ability, plus anti-fatigue and antioxidant levels in the body were increased. Another study with soccer players proved that astaxanthin reduced muscle damage and protected the function of cells during heavy exercise. With these two studies alone, you can see why astaxanthin is very valuable to an athlete, but the research continues with more amazing findings.
Astaxanthin has been shown to improve athletic performance by increasing physical strength – and who wouldn’t want that? In this study, participants were given astaxanthin for six months and then had their strength tested on a Smith machine. Amazingly, the results showed that taking astaxanthin improved performance threefold! Another study involving competitive cyclists found that taking astaxanthin resulted in an average of 15% increase in power output and contributed to making the cyclists faster and stronger.
Astaxanthin can also support our muscles. A common issue with intense exercise is that it leads to lactic acid build up in the muscles, resulting in cramping. Astaxanthin can help decrease lactic acid build up in the muscles and allows athletes to push harder and faster for longer.
End result? Add astaxanthin to your daily regimen
You don’t need to be an extreme athlete to benefit from taking astaxanthin, but the science is solid in supporting astaxanthin and improved athlete performance. For all of the reasons discussed, athletes that want better performance should definitely be taking natural astaxanthin on a daily basis.
The Benefits of Oleuropein
WHAT IS OLEUROPEIN?
If you’ve ever eaten olives, you know they have a distinct, slightly bitter taste. Well, oleuropein is the compound that gives olives their wonderful flavor.
But this incredible substance does a lot more than give olives their zip. Oleuropein has been shown to support your body in many ways. Processed oleuropein is available through not only food, but supplements as well.
Oleuropein belongs to a family of plant compounds known as polyphenols, which are chemicals found in plants. Polyphenols are not only found in vegetables, but also in fruits, grains, and certain beverages, such as red wine and coffee.
Polyphenols are antioxidants – substances that help protect the health of your cells. Antioxidants fight free radicals. These are dangerous molecules that attack the cells that make up your muscles and tissues.
Here are just some of the benefits associated with oleuropein:
1. SUPPORTED BLOOD PRESSURE
There is evidence that the oleuropein in olive leaf extract could help keep blood pressure healthy. In one study, researchers found that participants who received supplements containing the extract not only enjoyed lower blood pressure, but also reduced LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. This is the type of cholesterol that can accumulate in your arteries and lead to severe cardiovascular problems.
2. MAINTAINING THE HEALTH OF YOUR ARTERIES
Another one of the significant benefits of this extract from the olive leaf appears to be arterial health. The cells along the walls of your arteries, known as endothelial cells, help to ensure that blood flows smoothly5 Research sh