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 […]
Overtraining revisited from an integrative perspective – Ian Craig
Overtraining is a well-studied phenomenon in sports medicine, but it may also be viewed as adrenal fatigue in integrative health practices. Ian Craig pulls together a few physiological models and considerations to help us understand this term better. Overtraining interests me a lot, not just because during my own athletic career, I often pushed my […]
Exercise-induced gastrointestinal dysfunction in endurance athletes – Katherine Caris-Harris
Gastrointestinal health in athletes has become an important speciality subject for nutritional therapist Katherine Caris-Harris. In this article, she shares her mechanistic review of gastrointestinal dysfunction, incorporating the functional medicine model. If you take part in endurance sports, it is likely that you will have experienced gastrointestinal dysfunction at some point, either in a race […]
The connectivity of injuries – Ian Craig
Muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints are often viewed as mechanical structures; if injuries occur, it’s just unlucky. Ian Craig looks at how to nourish our injuries. Connective tissue networks in relation to injuries A decade ago, unfortunately, after my time as an exercise specialist, there was almost an awakening and the start of a mini-revolution […]
Nutritional considerations for the vegan athlete – Simone do Carmo
Veganism is becoming increasingly popular among athletes who believe it can improve their health and help them succeed in their sport. Simone do Carmo takes us through some important nutritional considerations and shares practical guidelines for athletes who have adopted or are transitioning to this dietary approach. Veganism is taking the sporting world by storm. […]
Bone broth: what’s old is new again for athletes – Rachel Jesson
Despite being around for centuries, bone broth has become a new food trend for athletes. Rachel Jesson explains the benefits of bone broth and why it should be part of every athlete’s nutritional regime. There seems to be growing interest in ancestral foods and a move towards the diets and habits that sustained our predecessors, […]
Thyroid dysfunction in sport – Ian Craig
Recent revelations that certain high-profile athletes have been taking thyroid medication have made us question whether athletes might suffer from thyroid problems and the impacts had on performance. Ian Craig investigates. In August of 2012, I watched two scintillating performances by British hero Mo Farrah as he strode to victory in the 5,000 and 10,000m […]