so yesterday I and my fellow Connor clinic runners received an email that made me smile! Thought I would share.email: RADICALLY improve your PERFORMANCE and your HEALTH!
Stiff, achy, damaged muscles holding you back from peak performance, frequent colds keeping you from training, gastrointestinal issues slowing you down…. Dr. Taya’s Recommendation - Drink at least one glass of red wine per day, enjoy that cup of coffee, keep loving that dark chocolate, eat a rainbow worth of antioxidant rich vegetables every day and supplement with the appropriate antioxidant formula!
Too much exercise, unless the body is appropriately supported, can be harmful to the body. As you train hard (especially now that the km’s are adding up) the chemical xanthine oxidase builds in the muscles and joints causing oxidative stress in your body. Oxidative stress releases free radicals into the body. The amount of free radicals released far exceed the body’s ability to neutralize them with a “normal” antioxidant daily intake. Free radicals interfere with normal cell function, muscle repair and defense against germs. They are the underlying cause of heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, cataracts, gastrointestinal issues and a host of other conditions. Join Dr. Taya for a short, informative talk (next Thursday) about how antioxidants (including that red wine and dark chocolate!) can help you better your performance and overall health. LEARN HOW ANTIOXIDANTS CAN HELP YOU:Promote fat loss, Promote muscle gain, Enhance oxygen exchange, Reduce overall free radical burden from exercise and Decrease the incidence of runner’s diarrhea and other gastrointestinal complaints. Email Dr. Taya at info@thrive-wellness.ca for more details!
So of course my eyes opened wider when Dr. Steve wrote about drinking more wine! I clearly don't drink enough throughout the week! ha ha! Anywho the reason why I found this email to be interesting is because I am always the first to get sick, the first to feel run down, etc etc...yet I keep running and don't really do anything about it! So my pledge for the next couple months until the Mississauga marathon is to intake more antioxidants (and drink water - that I need to do WAY more of!!).
So when going on Canadian Living I found out the best 5 antioxidant-rich foods.
1. Berries: In addition to being deliciously sweet, berries such as raspberries, blueberries and strawberries offer an abundance of antioxidant capacity. Blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are rich in proanthocyanidins, antioxidants that can help prevent cancer and heart disease. Eat them frozen in a morning smoothie, toss a handful over your morning yogurt or cereal or enjoy them as an afternoon snack.
2. Broccoli: Broccoli definitely takes the gold medal for most nutritious vegetable. This cruciferous vegetable contains more vitamin C than an orange and has more calcium than a glass of milk. In addition to minerals and vitamins, broccoli is filled with disease-fighting chemicals called phytonutrients. Sulforaphane, a phytonutrient found in broccoli, has been shown to lower the risk of many types of cancers. Try steaming or boiling broccoli and seasoning with basil, lemon or salsa for a delicious side dish. This powerhouse vegetable is a perfect addition to omelettes, salads or stir-frys.
3. Garlic: Garlic is used around the world as a delicious flavouring agent for any dish. The health benefits of garlic have been well touted for centuries, and raw garlic has been used as a natural antibiotic to kill off some strains of harmful bacteria. Garlic is also useful for decreasing blood pressure and cholesterol, removing heavy metals from the body, preventing cancer and acting as an antifungal and antiviral agent. One clove of garlic contains vitamins A, B and C, selenium, iodine, potassium, iron, calcium, zinc and magnesium.
4. Green tea: Green tea contains high concentrations of catechin polyphenols. These compounds work in the body with other chemicals to heighten levels of fat oxidation and thermogenesis (a state created in the body by burning fat as fuel). On average, you should try to consume a minimum of three cups of green tea per day for weight loss effects (oh man!). Green tea has also been shown to be preventative against cancer, heart disease and high cholesterol.
5. Tomatoes: Tomatoes are by far the richest source of a powerful anticancer agent called lycopene. In fact, research has shown lycopene to be an even more powerful disease fighter than vitamin E and beta carotene. Lycopene needs fat for optimal absorption to occur. Therefore, putting the healthy fat olive oil in your spaghetti sauce is an excellent trick to increase your lycopene levels. Start including more tomatoes in your diet in the form of sliced, whole, canned, stewed or sauced tomatoes or tomato paste.
In addition to the list above, red grapes, spinach, carrots and whole grains also offer plentiful antioxidant content. Remember – eat live to feel live and you will be on your way to a future of health, energy and wellness! (view article)
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