Knowledge Hub

In past blog posts, I have briefly touched on iron supplementation. This practice is common among endurance athletes, especially triathletes, cyclists, and long distance runners. It is done because of the high risk of anemia and pre-anemia due to increased red blood cell turnover secondary to training. However, iron supplementation should be done with caution and under the watch of a professional. My general rule of thumb is to avoid iron supplementation until you see Read more…

Over the last few years, iron has become a supplement found on the shelves of most endurance athletes. Rightfully so, depleting iron levels leads to pre-anemia and anemia. For more information on iron, see my blog post on the topic (http://scienceoftriathlon.blogspot.com/2012/05/supplementing-iron-how-and-why.html). However, somehow the micronutrient folate has not received adquate attention. Endurance athletes have come to believe that if they are abnormally fatigued and feeling anemic, it is because of an iron deficiency. Yes, iron Read more…

Antioxidants. From athletic performance and anti-aging to heart disease prevention and cancer treatment, antioxidants are touted as key components to fighting disease and optimizing wellness. Once considered the “fountain of youth,” these powerful, free radical fighting nutrients truly are amazing. They fight oxidative stress, which leads to cellular degradation and cell death. Following their discovery, antioxidant supplements quickly found their way into endurance sports and have been a mainstay supplement ever since. They are touted Read more…