Sheril Marek, M.S.Selenium is a trace element that is nutritionally essential for humans. Essential nutrients are required for normal body functioning that cannot be synthesized by the body. This shows the importance of consuming adequate selenium in one’s diet and supplements for enhanced exercise performance and decreased health risks. Selenium is a component of many selenoproteins that play a critical role in reproduction, thyroid hormone metabolism, DNA synthesis, and protection from o...

Vincent C.W. Chen, B.S. High fat and high cholesterol foods are delicious, but generally, they are not healthy. When we enjoy delicious meals that are high in fat and cholesterol, we are increasing the risks of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. However, does it really mean that we should not eat this kind of food at all? Fat and cholesterol, although they have such a bad reputation, are actually essential to life. The real problem is overconsumption, and too much of anything i...

Steve Bui, M.S.A much more popular part of the diet in East Asian countries, soy has been slowly increasing in popularity in the western diet as well. The soy bean is part of the legume family and can be grown in many different environments. Once mature, soy beans can be converted into a wide variety of other forms including: tofu, miso, oil, flour, meat substitute, and milk.Soy beans are considered to be one of the most nutritionally dense foods available. The Food and Drug Administration has o...

Majid Koozehchian, M.S. Childhood and adolescence are critical periods in the formation of cardiovascular risk factors. Many cardiovascular diseases are related to such risk factors as high levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides (TG), as well as low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The causes of cardiovascular risk factors are manifold, involving environment, lifestyle, and genetics. In adolescents, higher levels of exercise training are inver...

Majid Koozehchian, M.S.The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a modified form of essential amino acid cysteine, which is both consumed in high-protein food and synthesized in the body, does not receive much attention but has important, positive impacts in the body (1). This antioxidant is a precursor to glutathione (the master antioxidant) in the body, and is readily metabolized into intracellular glutathione.   Following are some benefits reported for NAC:  NAC protects th...

Majid Koozehchian, M.S.Alpha lipoic acid (ALA), also called thioctic acid, is an antioxidant that is commonly used as a dietary supplement, particularly in the Unites States. A unique characteristic of ALA is that, unlike other antioxidants such as vitamins C (water soluble) and E (fat soluble), ALA functions in both watery and fatty tissue environments. Besides serving as an antioxidant itself, ALA also restores other oxidized forms of antioxidants including vitamins C and E to their active sta...

Kyle Levers, M.S. CSCSThe popularity of coconut water has increased significantly over the past decade due to its nutritional composition and rehydration capability. Natural coconut water is the clear liquid found inside of a young, green coconut, not to be confused with the white liquid typically squeezed from the coconut’s outer layer, known as coconut milk.  A growing number of nutritional advertisements promote the use of coconut water over other well-established sports drinks, su...

Julian Ong, MND, APDThe latest trend to hit the sports supplement industry stems from none other than the humble beetroot. This versatile root vegetable can be used in a variety of dishes and is well known for its rich content of healthful chemicals including betalains (antioxidants that are responsible for the deep red color), vitamins A and C, iron and other minerals, carotenoids, and dietary fiber. Recent research that is turning heads, however, examines its positive benefits on blood pressur...

Majid Koozehchian, M.S.Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin, and thus our body does not retain it in large amounts. It is a strong antioxidant that has a key role in protecting against oxidative damage and tissue trauma. Vitamin C can neutralize potentially harmful reactions in the watery parts of our body, such as blood and the fluid inside and surrounding cells. It is one of the vitamins that many athletes consume in rather substantial amounts; therefore they are more familiar with i...

Kevin Shimkus, B.S. As important as regular physical exercise is for general health and well-being, a chronic lack of activity contributes to increased chances of adverse health risks and a decreased quality of life.  Paradoxically, both of these opposing situations (as well as several others) are associated with an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), commonly known as oxidants or free radicals.  ROS are produced in the body and are highly reactive molecules tha...