IMMUNE SYSTEM AND INFLAMMATION
DURING AND AFTER INTENSE TRAINING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IS
SUPPRESSED. THIS EXPLAINS WHY ONE MAY FEEL RUN DOWN PRIOR TO AND AFTER
COMPETITION/INTENSE TRAINING. THERE ARE MANY NUTRIENTS OUT THERE THAT ARE NOT
UTILIZED IN THE HUMAN DIET THAT HAVE IMMUNE ENHANCING PROPERTIES. THE FIRST THAT
MANY PEOPLE FALL SHORT OF ARE VEGETABLES. IF ONE WERE TO CONSUME 10-15 SERVINGS
OF DARK GREEN VEGETABLES DAILY THEY COULD NOT ONLY BOOST AND DETOX THEIR IMMUNE
SYSTEM BUT THEY COULD PREVENT ELEVATED BLOOD ACIDITY LEVELS, WHICH AID IN
SUSTAINED PERFORMANCE. RESEARCH ALSO SHOWS THAT CARBOHYDRATES DURING AND AFTER
EXERCISE PROTECT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO DECREASE
STRESS HORMONE RESPONSES WHILE ALSO FUELING THE ACTIVITY OF THE SYSTEM’S WHITE
BLOOD CELLS.
WITH THAT BEING SAID ONE SHOULD FIRST CONSULT THEIR SPORT
NUTRITIONIST AND GET THE REQUIRED POST WORKOUT SHAKE FOR THEIR GOALS. AN
EXAMPLE OF WHAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK FOR IN A REGULAR POST WORKOUT DRINK IS
HIGH GLYCEMIC CARBOHYDRATES, HYDROLYZED WHEY PROTEIN, GLUTAMINE, BCAAs,
CREATINE AND ADDED LEUCINE FOR PROTEIN UTILIZATION (DRINK DEPENDS ON THE GOAL
OF THE PERSON AND THE PROGRAM THEY ARE PARTICIPATING IN) LASTLY, THE POST
WORKOUT MEAL SHOULD INCLUDE LEAN PROTEIN SOURCES (POULTRY, WILD GAME, LEAN
GROUND BEEF, ETC.), CARBOHYDRATES (WHOLE GRAIN BROWN RICE, POTATO, ETC.), AND
2-3 SERVINGS OF DARK GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES. IN ADDITION TO A WELL ROUNDED
DIET, SUPPLEMENTING VITAMINS C, D, AND E, OMEGA 3’S, AND PROBIOTICS ONE HAS A
BETTER CHANCE OF ACHIEVING RECOVERY AND MAINTAINING A STRONG AND HEALTHY IMMUNE
SYSTEM.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION TAKE A LOOK AT ON FITNESS’ MAY/JUNE
2012 MAGAZINE.
