The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in sport and exercise – Ian Craig
When hormones go out of balance, many practitioners will simply try and support the most obvious gland. However, as Ian Craig observes, because the endocrine system is so inter-connected, in many cases it is appropriate to support the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA axis), and other associated axes. If you open up pretty much any physiology textbook, you’ll […]
What is integrative sports nutrition? – Ian Craig
The time is right for a strong paradigm shift towards wholesome integrative thinking within the field of sport and exercise nutrition. Ian Craig, founder of the Centre for Integrative Sports Nutrition, explains. Athletes and active individuals are under more pressure than ever before to perform at their very best. Professional athletes face punishing training regimes, […]
Creative ways to encourage meat eating athletes to eat more plant-based meals – Rachel Jesson
We’re in an era where athletes seem to yin yang from one extreme diet to another, looking for a magic edge. In this nourishing article, Rachel Jesson argues for an increase in plant-based meals, but within an overall state of balanced nutrition. Our modern food consumption patterns are causing great damage to the earth with […]
Intuitive eating: Does it really matter? – Rachel Jesson
Could intuitive cooking and intuitive eating give an athlete a competitive edge? Rachel Jesson investigates what it means to be intuitive and how this information is assimilated from the body during food selection. We know as athletes that it is important to think ahead about the foods we plan to consume that day to remain […]
Hypertrophy, health, longevity, and a dilemma – Paul Ehren
Much has been written about nutritional and training strategies that optimise hypertrophy. However, if we include a desire to age gracefully, there is another a consideration that needs to be made. Functional strength coach Paul Ehren explains. According to Brad Schoenfeld, arguably the world’s foremost researcher into hypertrophy and resistance training, hypertrophy is: “An increase […]
Mitochondrial adaptations to endurance training – Zac van Heerden
Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of our cells and one goal of endurance training has always been to increase their biogenesis. To bring us up-to-date with the amazing adaptability of these special organelles, especially within a training perspective, exercise physiologist Zac van Heerden takes us on a fascinating journey of enquiry. Mitochondria are the […]
The nature of our role in an athlete’s ecosystem – Paul Ehren
The ethos of CISN is to bring functional medicine and functional nutrition practices into the sporting arena. Paul Ehren expands this thinking further with his incredible theory of an athlete’s ecosystem. “Would you be the one to prescribe the ‘magic bullet’ in the knowledge that your athlete (and you) may be able to bask in the glory […]
Endurance exercise and cardiovascular health: a dose-dependent relationship – Ian Craig
Based on the widely accepted assumption that endurance training is good for cardiovascular health, Ian Craig actually sees the opposite scenario within his ‘serious recreational’ athletes. This article therefore attempts to present the other side of the story. In recent decades, it has been globally accepted that endurance exercise is good for us for multiple […]
Can athletes eat to podium and help save the planet? – Simone do Carmo
Today’s food production systems play a significant role in degrading the environment and biodiversity. Simone do Carmo explores this topic and explains how athletes can engage in sustainable dietary choices and practices that support their health-based performance and help save the planet. It goes without saying that the degradation of natural resources and climate change […]
Ergogenic aids in professional and recreational sports: a different perspective – Paul Ehren
Within the field of integrative sports nutrition, we like to think outside of the metaphorical box. Paul Ehren will stretch your imagination with his very fresh perspective on ergogenic aids. Let’s start with a definition of ergogenic aids. “In the context of sport, an ergogenic aid can be broadly defined as a technique or substance used for […]
