Autoimmunity in sport: case study of a recreational marathon runner – Amy Desborough
Autoimmunity is not a ‘disease’ state specific only to very unhealthy individuals. Integrative nutrition practitioners, like Amy Desborough, are seeing multiple cases of autoimmunity in sport, many of which can be addressed by attention to patterns of nutrition and lifestyle. Dietary diversity matters: Dominique’s limited diet, although macronutrient balanced, lacked phytonutrients, fibres, and antioxidants that […]
Gastrointestinal and performance considerations in a natural Masters bodybuilder – Paul Ehren
Client profile Eddie was a 52-year-old male natural bodybuilder and self-employed builder with over 35 years of training experience, predominantly in resistance training and martial arts. He was married with two adult sons and was supported in his lifestyle and nutritional practices by both his family and his two employees. Eddie had competed at a […]
Musculoskeletal injury problems in a former distance runner – Dr Ruth Wilde
Nutrition can form a significant part of a musculoskeletal injury rehabilitation protocol, especially when other aspects of health are also out of balance. Functional medicine practitioner, Dr Ruth Wilde, showcases the use of nutritional management in this case of a nutritionally depleted former distance runner. She fasted from 8 p.m. until around 11 a.m. each […]
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 […]
A professional vegan footballer (Part 1) – Ian Craig
This case study by Ian Craig showcases how many dietary cases represent more of a psychological than a nutritional intervention. I revisited his genetics tests, reaffirming his need for detoxification, inflammation and oxidative stress support, plus a little magnesium since he was heterozygous for the COMT 472 gene, which is involved in the inactivation of […]
Tailoring nutrition and training to a footballer’s menstrual cycle – Simone do Carmo
The menstrual cycle can affect an athletes’ dietary patterns and their performance capacity. Sports Nutritionist, exercise physiologist and personal trainer, Simone do Carmo shares her experiences through this case study. Ultimately, what matters as a practitioner is the person in front of you, and understanding a woman’s unique experiences around her menstrual cycle.” In a […]
Stress and overtraining in a cyclist – Ian Craig
Lee was a 42-year-old competitive cyclist who, despite having a well-designed training programme (from his club coach) and being very dedicated to his sport, had experienced deterioration in performance over the past two seasons. He had been putting the same effort into his training but gaining less of a training effect than in previous years […]
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 […]
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 […]
A focus on: Coconut water – Simone do Carmo
Coconut water has gained immense popularity in sports and fitness over the past few years. It is viewed as a ‘natural’ low-calorie drink, and athletes have been using it as a replacement for typical sports drinks due to its high electrolyte content. However, athletes do not realise that these electrolytes are not the ones they […]