Category Archives: Fitness

Fitness

Health24.com | Drug taken by Maria Sharapova is popular among elite athletes

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There is an alarmingly high prevalence of meldonium use by athletes in sport, reveals research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Banned substance

Meldonium is reported to be used by athletes to potentially enhance personal performance and shorten the recovery period after physical activity.

The study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that up to 490 athletes may have been taking meldonium during Baku 2015 European Games.

Read: Your guide to legal sports supplements

Since the shock suspension of 28-year-old Maria Sharapova for using meldonium, or Mildronate, other athletes have also been caught using the banned substance, reported AFP.

Russian biathlete Eduard Latypov is the latest to be caught using the drug at an event in February. Swedish runner Abeba Aregawi also tested positive in February, while 2015 Tokyo marathon champion Endeshaw Negesse, Ukrainian biathletes Olga Abramova and Artem Tyschcenko and Russian ice dancer Ekaterina Bobrova have also been caught.

“This study highlights the widespread and inappropriate use and prescribing of this prescription drug in a generally healthy athlete population.”
 
The research highlights that:

– 13 medallists or competition winners were taking meldonium
– 66 athletes tested positive for meldonium
– Meldonium was detected in athletes competing in 15 of the 21 sports in competition
– Meldonium use was significantly under-reported by athletes

“There was significant under-reporting of the use of this drug by athletes in most sports.”

From 762 samples, only 23 (3.0%) of the 662 athletes tested self-reported taking the drug, compared to 66 (8.7%) athletes who actually tested positive for meldonium. 43 of the 66 (65%) athletes who tested positive for meldonium did not declare taking the drug in the last 7 days.

“This clearly indicates significantly more widespread use of this drug by athletes at the Games that was openly declared.”

The research, which was carried out on behalf of the European Olympic Committees, contributed to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) taking the decision to ban the use of meldonium in competitive sport as of January 1.

Read: Your guide to illegal sports supplements

According to Drugs.com, Meldonium is manufactured by pharmaceutical company Grindeks in Latvia and used in the treatment of certain heart conditions such as angina, heart attacks, heart failure and for ischaemia, which is a lack of blood flow to parts of the body.

Four to six weeks

28-year-old Maria Sharapova, a five-time grand slam champion and the highest paid woman in sports, was suspended in March after she tested positive for the banned the day of her Australian Open quarter finals defeat to Serena Williams.

Sharapova has been taking the substance for 10 years after she frequently became sick, had irregular electrocardiogram results, a magnesium deficiency and a family history of diabetes, reported Reuters.

However, Grindeks told the Associated Press that four to six weeks was a common course. “Depending on the patient’s health condition, treatment course of meldonium preparations may vary from four to six weeks. Treatment course can be repeated twice or thrice a year,” the company said in an emailed statement.

“Only physicians can follow and evaluate patient’s health condition and state whether the patient should use meldonium for a longer period of time.”

Sources:

British Journal of Sports Medicine, Meldonium use by athletes at the Baku 2015 European Games. Adding data to Ms Maria Sharapova’s failed drug test case; http://blogs.bmj.com/bjsm/2016/03/08/meldonium-use-by-athletes-at-the-baku-2015-european-games-adding-data-to-ms-maria-sharapovas-failed-drug-test-case/

Sport24, 99 positive tests for meldonium since January 1; http://www.sport24.co.za/OtherSport/International/99-positive-tests-for-meldonium-since-january-1-20160312

Reuters, Experts perplexed over why Sharapova was taking banned heart drug; http://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-sharapova-drug-idUSKCN0WB1GK

Drugs.com; http://www.drugs.com/international/meldonium.html

Grindex.lv; http://www.grindeks.lv/en/products/prescription-medicine/grindeks-brand-products/mildronate

AccessWDUN, The drug at the center of Maria Sharapova’s doping case was regularly given to Soviet troops in the 1980s to boost their stamina while fighting in Afghanistan; http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/3/375741

Read more:

Josta Dladla pleads guilty to doping charge

Outrage over doping in professional sport

WADA calls for wider efforts to tackle sports doping 

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Health24.com | Jesse Kriel talks rugby and nutrition

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Fitness, diet and discipline are just some of the values that are driven into rugby players as they prepare for a match.

Bulls and Boks rugby player Jesse Kriel is back from a rugby stint in Japan and in an interview with News24 Live, the rugby centre shares his training tricks as gets in gear for the 2016 Super 18 Rugby Season.

Fitness level

Players are required to exceed a fitness level that will not only keep them injury free but also enables them to perform at their best in tournaments like the Super 18. Kriel says the time in Japan was beneficial for his body and he is now training to maintain an adequate strength and fitness level.

Health24’s Biokinetics and fitness expert, Habib Noorbhai, says that players can easily pick up an injury if the technique of the exercises are not administered correctly.

“Players are required to get fit and strong in order to prevent injury,” says Noorbhai.

Kriel agrees and says that in addition this his training programme also focuses on minimising recovery time because “when you can recover as quickly as possible that’s when you can perform at your best”.

Read: Preventing rugby injuries on the field

Watch this video for more on Kriel’s current preparation for the Super 18 season:

Good nutrition

“Diet and nutrition [also] plays a massive role in fitness,” says Kriel. He mentions “chicken, sweet potato and vegetables” as among the staple foods in his diet.

Supplementing correctly is also key to good nutrition, adds Kriel, who is a brand ambassador for Cipla Nutrition.

Buy now: Jesse only uses Cipla Nutrition sports supplements

Learn more about his diet and supplements in the video below:

Read more:

The dummies’ guide to Whey Platinum

How to choose the best sport supplements

Which whey is best for you?

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Health24.com | What is Glutamine?

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Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid which occurs naturally in the body and can also be found in many foods in a healthy diet. However, during periods of intense exercise, and illness, this can become depleted, which is why supplementation may be required.

Although a non-essential amino acid, it does fuel the immune system and much of it is stored in your muscles, which is why intense exercise or endurance exercise can severely deplete it.

Read: Building muscle: the skinny on how to bulk up

L-Glutamine supplementation health benefits extend past exercise recovery however; it is actively involved in many metabolic processes and is the principal carrier of nitrogen in the body and is an important energy source for many cells.

Other health benefits include:

– Recovery from serious operations, major injuries or burns.

– During times of illness it can help support the immune system and assist the body’s digestive system during infections.

– It also enables the production of a natural anti-oxidant glutathione, which helps prevent cell damage and helps protect cells against oxidising free-radicals, potentially minimising the risk of cancer.

Glutamine and exercise

Intense exercise or endurance exercise causes blood and muscle levels of glutamine to fall and muscles are torn. Using glutamine as a supplement before and after intense training we can stop too much muscle breakdown and assist with protein synthesis to build muscle.

Supplementing with glutamine can also be done through eating foods which contain it, such as:

– Beef, pork and chicken

– Dairy (milk, yoghurt and cheese)

– Tofu and beans

– Eggs

– Raw spinach and cabbage.

Who needs it?

Since glutamine is already produced in the body it’s not necessary to take in great amounts in supplement or food form. Generally the recommended minimum dose of L-glutamine is 10g per day, but depending on circumstances this can increase to 40g/day in the instance of competitive athletes or people with serious health conditions such as cancer.

A study showed that “prolonged exercise and periods of heavy training are associated with a decrease in the plasma glutamine concentration and this has been suggested to be a potential cause of the exercise-induced immune impairment and increased susceptibility to infection in athletes”.

It found that acute intakes of glutamine of about 20–30 g appeared to have no noticible side-effects.

Although the authors cluncluded that more research is needed before definitively concluding that glutamine supplementation has long-term benefits, they “glutamine may have an indirect effect on immune function and infection incidence through preservation of the antioxidant glutathione or maintenance of gut barrier function”.

Read more

Soya and L-glutamine ups immunity

Your guide to banned substances

Why the business of nutritional supplements must be brought into the regulatory fold

References:

L-glutamine: www.aminiacidstudies.org

Dosing and Efficacy of Glutamine Supplementation in Human Exercise and Sport Training: http://jn.nutrition.org/content/138/10/2045S.full

Amy Froneman, Certified Nutrition and Weight Consultant (Dip. Nut. BSY London) ACE-certified Personal Trainer

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Health24.com | Why the business of nutritional supplements must be brought into the regulatory fold

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Nutritional supplements are manufactured and supplied to the market to enhance the overall health of the general population and optimise the performance of athletes.

Most of these products are developed and manufactured according to scientific formulas and are apparently scientifically tested and researched. But it is not clear whether these procedures have adhered to prescribed criteria for testing and whether these are legitimate scientific studies.

A second challenge is that research shows that industry is not appropriately regulated, and claims that are made on products may not always be accurate. These containers merely manifest innovative ideas by business-minded entrepreneurs.

As more nutritional supplement brands and products are released, both locally and internationally, the scale of the problem is increasing day by day. This is especially a concern in first world countries where such supplements are the driving force of performance optimisation.

Globally, up to 88% of athletes use supplements. In the US, more than 3 million people use, or have used, ergogenic supplements at some point.

Do they work?

Athletes, students and the general population have asked the same questions: “How long should one consume supplements? When are the appropriate times to consume supplements? Are supplements safe and effective for my adolescent child?”

The dilemma of using or abstaining from supplements has been debated for more than 30 years. And the debate around using certain supplements or ergogenic aids persists.

A study looking at college athletes and their use of supplements showed that elite athletes who use supplements notice significant differences in their performances. These include increased speed, strength and endurance. But the study found that high school and college students experienced no differences in their performances. The difference is explained by their diets: supplements cannot be a substitute for a nutritious meal.

A majority of nutritionists and dietitians worldwide hold the view that common nutritional supplements can’t provide the same nutrients as certain foods, which are paramount to achieving performance or health goals.

Before the 1980s when the supplement industry was born, athletes and the health conscious followed a correct diet and exercise routine without the use of supplements. Aside from leading a more active lifestyle, people in the early era cooked more and purchased less from outlet stores and food franchises. They were also not as consumed by social media and the internet.

These changes in lifestyle have created a ready market for supplements.

What’s changed?

Firstly, the industry has ballooned. A great deal more is at stake because there is so much money to be made. This translates into continued aggressive marketing from supplement companies. Adverts are designed to attract consumers to buy the product and motivate athletes to achieve their goals during performances.

As a result, clinical research for nutritional supplements is induced by commercial concerns. These need to be countered by scientific findings. There is a clear need for more trials to assess the efficacy and safety of nutritional supplements.

Secondly, the arrival of the internet has also had an impact. There is now easy internet access to nutritional supplements which lack adequate medical information. This misleading information leads to improper use by both healthy individuals. Better quality control of websites, more informed physicians and greater public awareness of these widely used products is needed.

A third challenge is increased competition by the athletes. In sport, health and fitness, professionals are faced with the dilemma of their athletes doping and experiencing supplement abuse. One could argue that it is the responsibility of the doctor, trainer or conditioning specialist to guide athletes whether certain products are safe or not to use.

Research shows that more than 80% of supplements on shelves contain a substance or element that can cause athletes to test positive when tested by anti-doping agencies.

Both athletes and professionals lack the education about these supplements.

What needs to be done

The reality is that not all supplement brands commit to nutritional supplement “best practice” manufacture policies. Manufacturers should be held responsible for their business decision practices that cause adverse or unintended consequences to the consumer when discovered.

South Africa’s National Health Act incorporates the Medicine Control Council, which ensures the efficacy, quality and effectiveness of medicines, and related through its clinical research. Although regulation has been underway, the challenge still remains with the implementation of regulation and its legislation among nutritional supplements which remains as the focal concern.

South Africa’s Consumer Protection Act should promote greater levels of policy development, regulatory enforcement and consumer education of the supplement industry.

Future evaluations of supplements should include qualitative research. It should be geared towards gaining insights into the supplement industry, distributors and consumer trends outside of South Africa. This would be useful as information could provide feedback to the sector overall.

In addition, nutritional supplement policies need to be drafted and current legislation amended to protect the consumer and safeguard the manufacturer, distributor and retailer. The policies and legislation can be invaluable to determine appropriate and safe networks for distributions of nutritional supplement products to the market place and for more accurate labelling practices.

Read more:

Are there any ‘safe’ sports supplements?

How to choose the best sports supplements

Your guide to banned substances

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Habib Noorbhai, Health24 Biokineticist and Fitness Expert, Lecturer and ResearcherCape Peninsula University of Technology

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Health24.com | Which whey is best for you?

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From Chocolate Fudge to Strawberries and Cream, whey protein powders come in dozens of different flavours, not to mention other options such as whey isolate and whey blends. It is easy to become overwhelmed by the choices available.

Read: What is whey protein?

At the end of the day however, is there really much of a difference between them? Do some types digest faster or aid muscle recovery more? Will they really help you reach your fitness and nutrition goals faster?

According to Cape Town based Strength and Nutrition coach David Cross, it all depends on your personal goals with regard to your training.

What is whey?

Whey protein is the most popular and common protein powder available and is found at most supermarkets, pharmacies, health shops and sport supplement stores.

Some of the benefits of whey protein include:

  • It’s a complete protein source
  • It is rapidly absorbed and digested
  • It’s very convenient as it’s in flavoured powder form
  • It has been shown to increase one’s anabolic response to resistance training
  • Helps maintain muscle mass
  • Helps afford anti-catabolic properties during prolonged cardio workout

It is a dairy-based product commonly used post-workout to help repair muscle damage caused by exercise, and to increase muscle strength if taken soon after your workout.

Sounds simple enough right? There are a few different types of whey protein powders you need to consider before you buy the cheapest or ‘tastiest’ on the shelf.

Whey isolate: “Whey Isolate is the purest of whey’s, and is great for people who have lactose intolerance issues, it is more expensive though,” says Cross.

Whey concentrate: “This is still a very high quality protein, and is cheaper to buy. Provided you have no digestive issues, this is generally more than enough for most people’s needs.”

When to take whey

Despite much controversy around the right time to take a supplement post-workout, most experts generally agree that the sooner whey protein is ingested after a workout the sooner the body will reap the benefits.

Cross advises that using it after training if you can’t stomach something whole right away is good, and will start the recovery process.

Read more:

Your guide to legal substances

Protein quality really does matter

How to choose the best sport supplements

References:

David Cross; Strength and Nutrition Coach: http://www.www.davidcross.co.za

Effect of protein/essential amino acids and resistance training on skeletal muscle hypertrophy: A case for whey protein: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20565767

Muscle and Strength: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/expert-guides/whey-protein

Amy Froneman, Certified Nutrition and Weight Consultant (Dip. Nut. BSY London) and ACE-certified Personal Trainer

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Health24.com | Makers of nutritional supplements face charges

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One of the targets of the investigation conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Justice and other federal agencies was USPlabs LLC of Dallas, which sold popular workout and weight loss supplements.

The government says USPlabs and its executives claimed to use natural plant extracts in products called Jack3d and OxyElite Pro. However, they actually used a synthetic stimulant made in a Chinese chemical factory and knew of studies that linked these products to liver toxicity, the government said.

In October 2013, USPlabs said it would stop distribution of OxyElite Pro because it had been linked to an outbreak of liver damage. However, the company then tried to sell as much of the product as quickly as possible at dietary supplement stores nationwide, according to an FDA news release.

“The criminal charges against USPlabs should serve as notice to industry that if products are a threat to public health, the FDA will exercise its full authority under the law to protect Americans and bring justice,” Howard Sklamberg, FDA deputy commissioner for global regulatory operations and policy, said in the news release.

The chemical in the USPlabs products is aegeline, a synthetic version of a chemical found in a tree that grows in parts of Asia. Liver damage in some people who used the products was so severe that they required liver transplants, and one person died, the FDA said.

The USPlabs defendants were arrested or surrendered to the U.S. Marshals Service , and federal agents seized assets in dozens of investment accounts, real estate and other items.

As part of the investigation, another complaint was filed in federal court against Bethel Nutritional Consulting Inc., along with the company’s president and vice president. The complaint alleges Bethel and its executives distributed tainted and misbranded dietary supplements and unapproved new drugs nationwide, federal officials said.

Some of the products marketed by Bethel contained potentially harmful drugs, including sibutramine and lorcaserin, the FDA said. Sibutramine was the active ingredient in the obesity drug Meridia, which was removed from the U.S. market in 2010 due to the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Lorcaserin is the active ingredient in the obesity drug Belviq, which was approved by the FDA in 2012. Lorcaserin can cause serious side effects, however, particularly when taken with certain depression and migraine medications, and may also cause attention or memory problems, the FDA said.

Within the last year, the FDA has issued warnings to consumers about more than 100 dietary supplements found to contain hidden active ingredients. Many of the products are marketed for weight loss, body building and sexual enhancement, the agency said.

Also over the last year, the agency has sent warning letters to companies selling dietary supplements that contain BMPEA and DMBA, two ingredients that do not meet the legal definition of a dietary ingredient.

Warning letters have also been sent to several companies selling pure powdered caffeine products that pose a risk of illness or injury to consumers, the FDA said.

Read more:

Duromine diet pill sees surge in popularity

Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig beat other diet plans

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Health24.com | Boxing injuries more severe than in mixed martial arts

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Mixed martial arts may look more savage than boxing, but the popular sport actually poses a lower risk of serious injury, according to a new study.

Cuts and bruises

Canadian researchers reviewed the medical records of almost 1,200 mixed martial arts fighters and 550 boxers. The athletes fought in Edmonton, Alberta, between 2003 and 2013.

Medical exams are required after a match for both sports, the researchers said.

Mixed martial arts fighters were more likely than boxers to suffer an injury during their bouts about 59 percent versus 50 percent, the study found. But most of those injuries were minor, such as cuts and bruises.

Read: What to do with head injuries

Compared to mixed martial arts fighters, boxers were almost twice as likely to lose consciousness during a match. Boxers were also more likely to have serious eye injuries, and to receive medical suspensions due to injuries suffered during bouts, the research showed.

“Yes, you’re more likely to get injured if you’re participating in mixed martial arts, but the injury severity is less overall than boxing,” lead author Dr Shelby Karpman, a sports medicine physician at the University of Alberta in Canada, said in a university news release.

“Most of the blood you see in mixed martial arts is from bloody noses or facial cuts; it doesn’t tend to be as severe, but looks a lot worse than it actually is,” he added.

Karpman believes that mixed martial arts fighters “do not get the respect they deserve for what they’re doing or the medical treatment because the medical community doesn’t want to deal with such a bloody sport with head injuries and concussions”.

Read more:

Sports injuries creep up on you

Shocking photos of injuries in the 2015 Tour de France

How you can avoid sports injuries

Image: Mixed martial art injuries from iStock

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