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This week we finish up with the Kawana Waters State College football program of excellence for the year. Our work within the program provided students education on modernised strength and conditioning methodologies, preventative injury management measures, as well as access to a high- performance environment.
Football athletes require programming which includes strength, power, speed, proprioceptive, plyometric and mobility work, not only for performance outcomes, but also preventative injury measures. Current research demonstrates that ACL injury rates are extremely high in Australia, even more so in female athletic populations, which is why education is key to combat this issue. Intune Sports & Physio Strength & Conditioning Coach Lachy taught students correct technique covering main lifts and their derivatives, and provided education on exercise selection. Many of these students have obtained opportunities with elite level clubs and academies across the globe, therefore it's important they are armed with sound technique to take with them as they progress through their career. We further educated the program on common injury sights of the field sport athlete such as the hamstrings, while focusing on upskilling knowledge on preventative injury measures. In terms of preventative injury protocols for the hamstrings, whilst strengthening the muscle group is important, exercise selection incorporating glute work is also necessary. Glutes are not only a powerhouse muscle, they also play a pivotal role in injury prevention of the hamstring and knee. Students covered (Romanian Deadlift) RDL technique loading the glute hamstring complex as well as Nordic’s which target hamstring strength. Furthermore, we recommend hitting peak velocity (sprinting) twice a week, exposing the hamstrings to several stimulus and taking a holistic approach is greatly beneficial in bullet proofing them. Coach Lachy took students through lifting technique including correct squat mechanics. This included the Barbell Squat and education on the difference between high bar, low bar and front squat technique, these are effective whole-body exercises for the field sport athlete. In terms of technique, the traditional barbell squat loads the posterior chain such as the glutes. Alternately, the front squat weight is more anteriorly loaded (front) which loads the core, working in anti-flexion and the quads. This is just a small insight into the education provided on each of the lifts. If you are an athlete looking to take your performance to the next level, it's time to start taking a scientific approach to your training regime and the off-season & pre-season is the perfect time to begin. Start your season a bigger, stronger, faster athlete! We are a multidisciplinary team with a proven track record working with the amateur to elite level athlete. Enquire today to let us help you reach your individual goals.
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BY Candi Macknamara  Electro-muscular Dry Needling (EMDN) is a similar technique to Myofascial Dry Needling, with the addition of electrotherapy. The technique involves the therapeutic intervention of stimulation electrotherapy, deep within the targeted tissues and has been shown to elicit muscle relaxation and increase local blood circulation.
An electrical current is applied to the muscle and/or tendons via the inserted microfilament needles at varied frequency, dependent on the presenting condition and desired results. The patient does not feel any pain, only a rhythmic muscle contraction and relaxation during the session. During a treatment session the body will undergo a neurological, physiological and endocrine response, targeted both at the site of pain (local response) and at the pain mechanisms (global response). How can Electro-muscular Dry Needling help you? EMDN initiates the ascending nerve fibres, those involved in pain processing in the nervous system and also modulates the neurotransmitters involved in the sensory output of pain which inhibits the pain output resulting in the reduction of pain. This makes EMDN a fantastic treatment option for those suffering from chronic pain conditions such as chronic lower back pain and fibromyalgia. Similarly to myofascial dry needling, the process of inserting the needles into the muscle causes microdamage to the tissue and triggers the body to release its natural healing mechanisms. The natural chemical processes released, facilitate the immune system to enhance healing within the area making it a valued addition to the recovery of muscle tears or strains, and areas of inflammation such as tendinopathies, plantar fasciitis, and bursitis. EMDN is also a valuable treatment for muscle recovery, chronic ‘tightness’ or local muscular fatigue. The initiation of the trigger point within the muscle creates a response within the muscle which causes it to relax, the addition of the current amplifies this theory invoking a longer duration of muscle contraction and therefor producing further muscle relaxation. Electro-muscular dry needling is used in conjunction to other techniques within a Myotherapy session. BY Tara Baker  We all know that food affects how we feel and how we look. But can food improve your mental health? Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through to adulthood. It helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make daily choices. Just as we have foods to support our gut health, our brain, like other organs requires enough vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to protect us from stress, anxiety, depression and impaired brain function. Eating nutrient-dense foods rich in vitamins, healthy fats, antioxidants and minerals doesn’t just fuel us in a purely physical way, it helps us grow new brain cells, warding off illnesses such as depression and dementia. Here are 10 brain foods that play a key role in mental health to add to your diet. Lentils 1 cup of lentils contains a whopping 90% of your daily recommended intake of folate - a vitamin responsible for regulating DNA and producing neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine to regulate your mood, sense of pleasure and clarity. Plus, lentils are a hefty source of magnesium, a mineral responsible for stimulating brain growth and controlling blood sugar. Avocado The avocado is full of healthy monounsaturated fats which help lower blood pressure and support cognitive function. Not only is it a healthy fat of course, but it’s delicious! Yoghurt It’s no surprise that fermented foods make for a happy gut, but you may be surprised to learn that probiotic-rich foods also support brain function. In fact, bacteria in the gut produces two essential neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine. But be careful. Not all yoghurts are made equal. Make sure to avoid the pre-sweetened varieties at the grocery store and opt for unflavoured types instead. Not convinced yoghurt is delicious without all that sugar? Try adding your own natural sweeteners such as honey or berries. Salmon This fatty fish makes us happy thanks to its high concentration of nervonic acid (a monounsaturated fat), and omega-3 (a polyunsaturated fat) both of which help insulate and stimulate brain cells. When you aren’t getting enough omega 3 fatty acids, you can experience memory problems, fatigue and poor focus. Not only does salmon increase your focus and allow you to better absorb information, but it can also help fight depression and anxiety. Spinach The high concentration of Vitamin K in this dark green leafy vegetable ensures your brain receives oxygen and helps insulate brain cells. Get creative and add a handful of the good stuff to your next smoothie. Turmeric This super spice gets its signature yellow hue from curcumin, a potent anti-inflammatory ingredient that prevents plaque buildup in the brain. Tumeric latte anyone? Beetroot These deep red root vegetables are chock-full of natural nitrates to boost blood flow to the brain and improve cognitive performance. Broccoli This divisive, cruciferous vegetable is an essential source of choline, a nutrient that boosts your mood, energy and focus while improving memory. It has also been shown to prevent cognitive decline by regulating inflammation. So, while a lot of people LOVE broccoli (myself included) we also know that there are plenty of haters out there. Perhaps it’s worth giving the little green trees another shot? Olive Oil This kitchen staple contains hydroxytyrosol, a phythonutrient prized for its ability to protect the lining of blood vessels and oxygen supply to the brain. For an extra nutritional boost, use extra virgin olive oil in salad dressings or dips. Rosemary This bold herb is a fragrant source of antioxidant-rich phytonutrients which help enhance memory and concentration by facilitating blood flow to the brain.  Osteoarthritis is a very common disease and is the most common cause of difficulties with mobility and disability in older people. It is also common in younger and middle-aged people. Approximately 5% of people between 35 and 54 years of age have osteoarthritis. Many of these people have injured their joint earlier in life. Approximately 30% of the population between 50 and 70 years of age have problems related to osteoarthritis and the percentage increases in older age groups.
Osteoarthritis affects the whole joint, but most of all it affects the articular cartilage (the cartilage covering the ends of the bones). This articular cartilage becomes thin and fragile. This can be due to healthy cartilage being exposed to heavy loads over a long period of time (for example, very heavy labour over several years) or unhealthy cartilage that for some reason cannot handle normal loads. You may have heard osteoarthritis described as ‘wear and tear’ of the joint. This statement is incorrect because loads are still needed to keep cartilage healthy. In a healthy joint, there is a balance between the regeneration and degeneration of cartilage. Osteoarthritis occurs when there is more degeneration (breakdown) than regeneration of cartilage. This can cause cartilage to thin, crack, and maybe disappear. However, cartilage needs a certain amount of load to regenerate. This is why healthy loads need to be applied on joints for cartilage recovery. Currently, there is no known way of curing cartilage loss. Treatment is used to reduce symptoms and improve function of the joint. Learning about osteoarthritis is an important part of the treatment. Special exercises can be done to relieve pain and boost joint function. When function improves, the next step is to get more active. Being physically active can help maintain weight loss and improve overall health. People who have osteoarthritis should do these things as early as possible. Exercising has added benefit for people with osteoarthritis. Nutrients are pumped in and out of the cartilage when it is loaded and unloaded. This promotes growth and reformation of the cartilage, boosting its strength. Exercising will have your joints moving through their range of motion. This will make it easier to do everyday things you used to have trouble with (putting on socks, climbing stairs, getting in and out of the car). Exercise helps build stronger muscles, which helps make daily activities easier. Exercising will train your coordination - the ability to use the right muscles at the right time with the right amount of force. This will make it easier to control movements like walking on uneven ground. Exercise is essential for knee osteoarthritis but currently few Australians with osteoarthritis participate in exercise despite its proven benefits. At Intune Sports and Physio we will soon be launching a program called GLA:D® (Good Life with Arthritis: Denmark). GLA:DTM Australia is an education and exercise program developed by researchers in Denmark for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis symptoms. GLA:DTM Australia is a program for all individuals who experience any hip and/or knee osteoarthritis symptoms regardless of severity. The program includes two education sessions and twelve group exercise sessions over an eight-week period. The program has been successfully run in Denmark, Canada, China and most recently here in Australia. Research from the GLA:D® program in Denmark found symptom progression reduces by 32%. Other outcomes include less pain, reduced use of joint related painkillers and increased levels of physical activity twelve months after starting the program. Further details can be found at gladaustralia.com.au or by contacting Intune Sports and Physio on 5493 1999. If you or someone you know may be interested in the GLA:DTM Australia program, come along to a free information and education session on at 11am on Thursday 21st February at our Birtinya facility. For more information and to book a place, contact Intune Sports and Physio on 5493 1999.  I’m often asked as an exercise physiologist and coach how an athlete should graduate back into training after a break, or even worse, I see the mistakes many athletes make. For many triathletes or endurance athletes in Australia, June means a return to training and putting down their first block of training for the upcoming season. For this reason I thought I’d put some insight into how you can ensure the first block of your 2018-19 season is your best, and leaves you ready to handle the increased demands of your subsequent training.
Traditionally we see many endurance athletes avoid any intensity during their first block of training and instead focus on low intensity aerobic work in training Zones 1-2. In general this can be an ok plan as the risk for injury is less at lower intensity, however there are many physiological and strength benefits you miss out on compared to if you included some slightly higher tempo or sweet spot training just below threshold. As you can see in the table below, zone 2 training does have a large variety of physiological benefits such as increased mitochondria density, increased lactate threshold, increased muscle glycogen storage and inter-conversion of fast twitch type IIb to type IIa muscle fibres (type IIa fibres are more aerobic than type IIb so more beneficial for endurance athletes). However, as you can also see the expected physiological adaptations gained with Zone 2 training is far inferior than Tempo or Sweet Spot training. The other issue with sticking to just Zone 1 and 2 training, which is highly applicable to running, is that at higher speeds there’s also a higher musculoskeletal requirement which we can use to our advantage. Although at high volumes increased speed can be detrimental if you get the dosage wrong, including higher Tempo or Sweet Spot training can aid towards strength development and enhancing movement kinematics. Together this also allows you to transition faster into future training blocks where a focus will include more race pace efforts, intervals, Fartlek or speed work. So why do so many athletes still train in Zone 1 and 2? Well the issue is if we train all the time at high intensities, although we might gain superior physiological benefits, the risk for injury increases. However, if we carefully calculate and plan sessions out and combine multiple intensity training throughout the season we can minimise risk across an entire season whilst maximising training adaptations from block 1. So how should you plan your base? The first thing to do is to start working back from your season goals which will determine what the physiological requirements required to achieve them are. For example, if your goal is to run sub 40min for 10km, we know that the body will need not only be physiologically capable of handling 24sec/100m pace for 10km, but also strong enough to handle both the race and training demands required. One simple way which I recommend is to start including run throughs at the end of easier or zone 2 runs from your first block of training and then increase these into the main set of your sessions. For example, you may want to include a session early on in block 1 such as: 10min build, 20min zone 2 finishing with 4 x 100m run throughs at 10km goal race pace. What this will do is condition your body by the end of your first block of training to withstand higher reps or longer intervals at race pace which will no doubt become a focus of future training blocks session. In essence, you’re starting to train your body from day one to become accustomed to the training and racing demands it will be required to handle through a controlled and calculated way which will minimise future injury risk as your transition from one training phase or block to the next. Other sessions that can be included in training block 1 would be your Tempo and Sweetspot sessions at least once per week. An example for this would be starting off by including 2 x 5min @ Tempo/Sweetspot with 2min recovery and progressing the total time spent at the higher intensity as your training progresses. By the end of block 2 I usually like to have athletes capable of handling either 30min or 2 x 20min at tempo-sweet spot pace as this will really start to maximise improving lactate threshold, increased glycogen storage and increased mitochondria density which will become vitally important as you progress through your training phases and into more high intensity work. As with all training, it’s best to consult with an expert coach and always remember that a single session won’t make your season as fitness is the sum of the total completed training.  BY Tanya Buchan After a knee injury, recovering the functional performance and strength of the lower extremity is an important goal for rehabilitation and recovery. Some recent studies have highlighted the importance of addressing any strength deficits after knee injury or bout of knee pain to possibly prevent the development of early degenerative changes in the knee joint, and improve the knee related quality of life measures in the future. In a study of ACL reconstructed patients by Culvenor et al (2016), those that could do at least 22 single leg rises had better knee-related quality of life at one and three years post-op than those that couldn’t do 22 repetitions. When we talk about knee-related quality of life in this way, it is a subjective measure of knee confidence, modification of lifestyle, awareness of knee symptoms and the general difficulty because of the knee. So the study would suggest that if you were able to perform more than 22 single leg rises now, then you have a much reduced chance of struggling with those particular measures in one year and again in three years time. It may also be important to have functionally strong legs to combat the onset of knee osteoarthritis. In another study of ACL injured people, Koos eta al concluded that a reduced functional performance in the lower extremity (inability to do 22 single leg rises) might predict the development of radiographic knee osteoarthritis in the future. But what if you haven’t suffered a significant knee injury like an ACL reconstruction? Although these studies are directed at ACL patients, the ability to perform single leg squats can improve physical performance in all aspects of life for everyone. The ability to perform single leg squats can improve physical performance in all aspects of life for everyone. Test yourself and see how many you can do.
Stand in front of a bench or chair that is a height that comes to just behind your knee crease. Using one leg only, stand from a sitting position without using your arms or throwing your trunk forward. From standing, lower yourself to gently sit back on the chair/bench without losing your balance. Don’t sit back down too heavily or stay too long because you have to stand back up. Control both the up and down movement so that you maintain a consistent tempo and use your muscles (don’t flop!). You should aim to have no more than a two-repetition difference between legs and be mindful of your quality - don’t let your knee collapse inwards during the movement. If you can achieve 22 or more good quality repetitions on both legs (without more than a two rep difference between sides) than you are doing well with your knee strength, control and quality. Keep it up! If you didn’t quite get 22 repetitions or had one side that was much better than the other, than it may be a good idea to work on your knee stability and leg strength to protect your knee joint for the future. This appears to be even more important if you suffer from knee pain, have had a knee injury or knee surgery within the last 12 months or are aged between 20-40 years old. Remember, it is never too late to improve the functional performance of your lower extremity with some good quality strength exercises like squats, lunges and single leg squats. Build up some knee strength and muscle bulk for the future health and quality of life for you and your knees. If an improvement in leg strength is something you would like to achieve or knee pain is holding you back from reaching your exercise, sport or life goals then get in touch with us here at Intune Sports and Health - The Performance People. Thanks to Mick Hughes for the references. Culvenor AG., Collins N.J., Guermazi A., Cook J.L., Vicenzino B., Whitehead T.S., Morris H.G., Crossley K.M. (2016). Early Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis Features One Year After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Symptoms and Quality of Life at Three Years. Arthritis Care & Research Vol 68 No 6 pp 784-792 Thorstensson C.A., Petersson I.F. Jacobsson L.T.H., Boegard T.L. Roos E.M. (2004). Reduced functional performance n the lower extremity predicted radiographic knee osteoarthritis five years later. Annauls Rheumatology Disorders 63: 402 - 407
Struggle to get enough water in each day? You’re not alone. While staying hydrated is essential to our everyday needs, forgetting to drink, not liking the taste or being worried you’ll have to pee every 10 minutes are all popular reasons for not chugging down the recommend 2-3L daily intake. To help you keep adequately hydrated, we’ve put together eight easy tips you can use to improve this essential habit and stay on top of your daily drinking quota.
1. Add a flavour hitIf you find a glass of the H2O stuff rather tasteless then try adding some fresh fruits, (think strawberries, lemon or raspberries), veggie slices such as cucumber or ginger or even muddled herbs like mint or basil to create a bit of flavour. 2. Keep your water bottle (or jug) visible By keeping your water source nearby, you’re dramatically increasing your chances of reaching for it. Place your water bottle, glass or large jug at your work desk, by your bedside table and on the kitchen bench. In fact, challenge yourself to carry a bottle with you everywhere you go. That way you have a constant reminder to drink up such as driving in the car, completing your weekly shopping or even at the movies. 3. Sip before you go Create simple routines such as taking a few sips before or after every bathroom break. Getting up from your desk or transitioning from one client to the next? Get into the habit of sipping whenever you’re about to get up and complete a different task. This is a great strategy to help prompt you to drink regularly. 4. Add a splash of bubbly Ok, so not the French alcoholic kind but there is something exciting about pouring a glass of fresh, sparkling mineral water. The bubbles offer a good change to plain filtered water and come with zero sugar. 5. Dilute your alternatives If you’re not already into water chances are you like the sweet stuff. That’s ok, start by watering down your juice, soft drinks and iced teas with a splash of H2O. You can slowly increase this to half and half ratios and before you know it…Voila, you’re sipping the pure stuff straight from the filter. 6. Use a marked water bottle or jug Aiming for 2L per day? Write down how many cups your hourly goal rate is and then use the marked lines on your water bottle or jug to track exactly just how much you need to have drunk by certain times throughout the day. Or for the tech savvy out there, you can invest in various apps to log how much you’ve had and set reminders make sure you’re hitting your quota. 7. Fill up before meals Try and drink a full cup of water before you sit down to eat. Prepping the veggies for tonights meal? Place your glass or bottle on the bench an sip away while you cook. Not only will this keep you hydrated but filling your tummy can assist with decreasing your chances of over eating. 8. Sip, sip, sip Just because you sculled your daily water target 5 mins before bed doesn’t exactly mean you’ve absorbed the full amount. In fact, it is far more efficient to sip smaller quantities during the day than drinking a large amount at once so sip regularly, your bladder will thank you for it. BY Tara Baker   I hear the following questions quite a lot; “How can I make a healthy dinner when I am rushing around in the afternoons after the kids?”, “How can I take a healthy lunch to work when I get up at 4.30am to go?” and “How can I look after my family if you're asking me to cook my meals from scratch?”
I'm hearing you, I really am. It isn't easy. It’s easier to grab takeaway, to just eat toast or cook pasta and mix a jar of sauce with it, but in the long term this is doing nothing for your health but making you lazy because you’re tired. The more tired you get, the lazier you become and so the vicious cycle begins. So, to help break this cycle I truly believe we need to undergo a priority check and explore our values. What is important to us? Do we actually want to be healthy, or do we like feeling lethargic and generally under the weather? I appreciate that we’re all busy and juggling different tasks, but there is nothing on Earth that replaces the power of a nourishing diet. It is a basic necessity of life. We don't feed our pets rubbish as we want them to live a long, healthy life without illness, so why do we not do this for ourselves? Preparing real food takes time, but it is time we have to start allowing for in our day. When we say “I don't have time,” what we’re actually saying is "This is not a priority for me.” How does that sit with you? A nourishing dinner isn't a priority for you. In reality, we cannot expect to be able to compromise our nutrition and still have amazing health. As the saying goes, we are the sum of the things that we do 80% of the time. You can't become an exceptional runner by completing just one run and by the same token, you can't become a non-runner by missing one run session. Theoretically, the same is with our food. You don’t become a healthy eater by eating a healthy meal once, just as you can't become an unhealthy eater by eating naughty once. So, recognise you are worth taking care of. Slow down a little and make time to chop extra veggies, make a pesto from scratch for the chicken, add fresh herbs to a salad, put seeds into your yoghurt, easy things, giving thought to yourself and taking responsibility for YOU. After all, you’re worth it. This time of year I try to place an extra focus into immune boosting foods that help nourish and support the immune system. This is a delicious recipe for SUPERFOOD PESTO created by Caroline Beaumaris. I love its simplicity and the fact that this pesto is so versatile, allowing me to incorporate it into so many of my healthy recipes. WHAT’S GREAT ABOUT IT: The broccoli is full of alkalinising, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer phytonutrients called sulforaphane that work to support optimum health and protect against disease. It’s a true superfood rich in antioxidants, including vitamin C, E and CoQ10. Broccoli is also a wonderful source of B group vitamins, vitamin K, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and manganese. Herbs such as fresh parsley and basil are full of superfood goodness that are anti-inflammatory to the body. INGREDIENTS (MAKES 1 JAR) 1 head broccoli 1 large bunch basil 1 bunch parsley Generous handful baby spinach leaves 1 lemon A handful of pumpkin seeds or your choice (raw sunflower seeds, almonds, walnuts or macadamia nuts) 60g Parmesan – grated - optional but delicious 1 clove garlic, smashed Generous pinch sea salt Generous pinch ground black pepper 4 tablespoons cold pressed olive oil or a lovely lemon scented olive oil. METHOD 1. Chop broccoli roughly and place into your food processor for a few seconds until it is finely chopped. 2. Add basil, parsley and spinach and process again until finally chopped and mixed in with the broccoli. 3. Add the juice of 1/2 a lemon, Parmesan, garlic and pumpkin seeds. 4. Season with sea salt and pepper the process again until combined and finely chopped. 5. Add olive oil and give your superfood pesto one last wiz. 6. Taste and adjust the flavours adding more lemon, salt or pepper if required. 7. Store in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 3 days. NOTES AND INSPIRATION • Use in-between layers of lasagne. • Mix through zucchini spirals and heat in a hot pan until luscious. • Spread over a pizza base before baking and top with fresh tomato and Buffalo Mozzarella. • Mix through steamed or roasted vegetables. • Serve with fish or chicken. • Spread over a pizza base before baking.  Osteoporosis is one of the least-discussed, under-diagnosed and under-treated conditions in Australia, with nearly two-thirds of Australians over the age of 50 suffering from low bone mass. With an increase in the incidence of osteoporotic fractures over the past two decades, it could be an indication that there is a decrease in bone quality from generation to generation with a lack of physical activity thought to play a major role.
As bone is a dynamic tissue with the capacity to adapt to changing load requirements, exercise along with a good diet and adequate sunlight has been shown as a vital stimulus for the growth and maintenance of optimum bone strength throughout life. Recent research indicates that programmed physical activity as a standalone treatment is just as effective as anti-osteoporotic medications for maintaining, or improving bone mineral density, with a combination of exercise and medication having best long term outcomes. Research, along with our long term anecdotal experience indicates that a variety of activities and exercises should be undertaken to promote increased bone mass whilst reducing fracture risk such as those suffered from falls. In addition, varied physical activity helps maintain exercise adherence whilst having beneficial effects on a person’s quality of life such as increased fitness, weight loss and reduced pain symptoms. For clients with osteoporosis or osteopenia, we recommend performing daily weight bearing activities such as walking, running, hopping or jumping to increase impact loading and stimulate bone growth, and regular strength and resistance exercises to improve functionality and reduce pain levels. We also recommend including exercises that focus on correcting posture and improve balance to reduce falls risk. Overall, a well-balanced program for osteoporotic clients should be one not only improves bone mass, strength and balance, but one that alleviates associated pain, improves ones psychological well-being and takes into consideration an individual’s personal interests, exercise preference and goals to maximise adherence and long-term program outcomes. An example session for a person with low bone mass may include:
To find out more about how we may assist you with osteoporosis or reducing the risk of developing osteoporosis, please contact one of our team members today. BY Tara Baker  Sometimes as a nutritionist, I forget the simplest of things. The basics. We know them, but do we know why the basics are important? Why do we need some foods over others? We presume we know, but do we realise how important they are to our body function? I’m talking about macronutrients. These are the nutrients that provide us calories or energy. Nutrients are the building blocks for growth, metabolism and for other body functions. The word MACRO means large, which means they are required in large amounts. These are carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
The amount of calories that each one provides is different. Carbohydrate provides four calories per gram. Protein supplies four calories per gram and fat provides nine calories per gram. Besides these three, the only other substance that provides us with calories is alcohol, which provides seven calories per gram. Alcohol however, is not a macronutrient because we do not need it for survival. So why do we need Carbohydrates? Carbohydrates are the main source of fuel and easily used for energy. All the tissues and cells in our body can use glucose for energy. Carbohydrates are needed for the central nervous system, the kidneys, the brain, muscles and our heart to function properly. Carbohydrates can be stored in our muscles and liver and used later for energy. They are super important in maintaining good intestinal health and waste elimination. Found in foods like grains (including rice), potatoes, fruits, milk and yoghurt. Also in vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds. Fibre refers to the certain types of carbohydrates that we can't digest. These carbohydrates pass through the intestinal tract and help to move waste out of the body. Diets that are low in fibre have been shown to cause problems such as constipation and haemorrhoids and increase the risk for certain types of cancers, such as colon cancer. Diets high in fibre however, have been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease and obesity and also help lower cholesterol. Foods high in fibre, which I call ‘sweepers’ include fruits, vegetables and wholegrains. I advise pear, kiwi fruit and carrot to almost everyone I see. Why do we need protein? Most people fall short of their protein requirement but it can be easily met by consuming a balanced diet. We need protein for; : Growth (especially important for children, teens and pregnant women) : Tissue repair : Immune function : Making essential hormones and enzymes : Energy when carbohydrate isn't available : Preserving lean muscle mass : Strong hair and skin repair Protein is found in meats, poultry, fish, meat substitutes, cheese, milk, nuts and legumes. When we eat these foods, our bodies break down the protein they contain into amino acids. Some amino acids are essential which means we need to get them from our diet and others are nonessential, meaning our body can make them…So clever. Protein that comes from animal sources contain all the essential amino acids we need. Plant sources do not. Why do we need fat? Poor old fat has received a lot of backlash over its potential to gain weight, however some fat is essential for survival. We can't run our car without oil, just as we can’t function without fats. Fat is found in meat, poultry, nuts, milk products, butter, oils, fish, seeds, coconut and avocado. Dietary guidelines say we need 20-30% of our calories from good fats. These help aid with; : Normal growth and development : Energy (fat is the most concentrated source of energy) : Absorbing fat soluble vitamins like A,D,E,K and carotenoids : Maintaining cell membranes : Balancing and producing hormones and cholesterol : Many digestive functions : Reducing pain in joints By replacing saturated and trans fat in your diet with unsaturated fat found in avocado, olive oil, nuts and seeds, you are reducing your chances of heart disease, dementia and many other illnesses. |
AuthorBrodie Gardner has a Masters in Exercise Physiology, Honours in Sports Science and competes as a professional triathlete. He has a long history working with elite athletes and has provided consultation services to numerous Australian sporting associations. Archives
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