Nutrients to help you stay active

If you are one of those people who love to stay active throughout the year, you may benefit from adding a few additional nutrients or foods to your daily diet to help you maintain your heath so you can focus on your physical fitness.

Vitamin D

In addition to its classical action in regulating calcium and bone homeostasis, vitamin D is also essential in regulating skeletal muscle function and size. Some of the clinical data indicate that supplemental vitamin D improves recovery after intense exercise by minimizing muscle soreness and weakness. Consider adding USANA’s Vitamin D supplement into your daily routine, or get outside in the sun (without sunscreen) for at least fifteen minutes a day to give your body its daily dose of this essential vitamin.

Vitamin C

Studies indicate that vitamin C (or ascorbic acid) in the blood is associated with muscular strength. Low vitamin C impairs muscular strength in the elderly, and younger individuals with low vitamin C display decreased physical performance and slow recovery from injury. Furthermore, based on its potent antioxidant properties, vitamin C could be influential at moderating oxidative stress, which can impair physical performance. USANA’s Proflavanol C supplement provides 1,000 percent of your daily value of vitamin C in just two tablets.

Iron

Iron is found in your body’s blood as part of a protein called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin helps your blood transport oxygen from your lungs throughout your body when you breathe in, and also helps transport carbon dioxide back to your lungs to be expelled when you breathe out. Impairing this system by not getting enough iron may also impair your ability to train effectively. For additional iron, try adding more lean cuts of red meat, grain products, and vegetables to your diet.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Most people are aware that omega-3 fatty acids are important to maintain the health of many organs in the body, including the heart, brain, and eyes. But a new study in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine suggests that “omega-3 supplementation decreases soreness, as a marker of inflammation, after eccentric exercise. So, if you’re into weightlifting and other strenuous activities, consider adding USANA’s BiOmega fish-oil supplement to your supplementation regimen. Other good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include eggs, flaxseed, and oily fish, such as salmon and herring.

Glucosamine

It’s impossible to be active without using your joints, and if you’re using your joints, you’re putting strain on the cartilage that allows you to move freely and without pain. To help support healthy joints, try USANA’s Procosa, a supplement that contains a blend of glucosamine, manganese, vitamin C, and calcium silicate – the building blocks for healthy cartilage.