Nutritional Therapists recommend appropriate selection of foods and fluids, timing of intake, and supplement choices for optimal health and exercise performance, in line with many professional organisations, such as the American College of Sports Medicine. Physical activity, athletic performance and recovery from exercise are known to be enhanced by optimal nutrition.
But we are not all athletes, just people trying to obtain the required output of
energy in the face of ever increasing demands on our time and
resources. The result is often fatigue; that state following a period of mental or bodily activity, characterised by a diminished capacity for work and reduced efficiency of accomplishment, which may be accompanied by a feeling of weariness, sleepiness, or irritability.
Adequate and appropriate nutrition is crucial to healthy human energy metabolism. Without the optimal daily intake of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, phytonutrients and energy, in the form of adenosine triphosphate or ATP (which can be thought of as ‘human cellular petrol’), optimum vitality and physical performance will not be achieved. Even with what may be considered ‘adequate’ nutritional intake, energy demands may exceed energy input and stores, especially in the presence of emotional, social, physical or spiritual stressors.
Nutritional Therapists are trained to guide you through dietary changes, supplemental additions and lifestyle adaptation that will help you achieve the balance of energy output, recovery, rest and relaxation that is best suited to your individual need.
Further information:
• Jeukendrup A, Cronin L. Nutrition and elite young athletes. Med Sport Sci. 2011;56:47-58. Epub 2010 Dec 21. Review. • Position of the American Dietetic Association, Dietitians of Canada, and the American College of Sports Medicine: Nutrition and athletic performance. J Am Diet Assoc. 2000 Dec;100(12):1543‐56. • Loucks AB. Energy balance and body composition in sports and exercise.J Sports Sci. 2004 Jan;22(1):1‐14. Review. • Lenard NR, Berthoud HR. Central and peripheral regulation of food intake and physical activity: pathways and genes. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2008 Dec; 16 Suppl 3:S11‐22. Review.