| Imagine an army of Peter Schmeichel's? Unlocking the | | | | for a deficiency in this gene is pomegranate juice or |
| genetic code has led scientists to unravel the secrets | | | | a fistful of blueberries (my favourite post workout |
| of sports performance in the competitive athlete. | | | | snack).* IL-6 and TNFa: These power-houses |
| Back in the Early 90's the U.S. Department of Energy | | | | produce cytokines that repair muscle damage after |
| and the Natural Institutes of Health unlocked the | | | | intense exercise. Wild salmon and good ol' broccoli are |
| 25,000 genes that make us human. It was only a | | | | the natural remedy to prevent inflammation and |
| matter of time until sports scientists began to use | | | | muscle damage.* ACE: This spade is closely |
| our unique DNA to enhance the performance of | | | | connected to muscular endurance. Increasing the |
| individual athletes and international sporting teams. | | | | amount of fish and flaxseed oil will help power up |
| Nutrigenomics sprang from the idea that with the | | | | your muscles for longer periods of time.Now I |
| help of DNA, sports scientists are now able to see | | | | remember coming across this type of DNA testing at |
| what glitches are inherent in an athletes genetic | | | | my local GP. I subsequently misplaced the pamphlet |
| makeup, and therefore able to counteract these | | | | that contained the information. In the U.S. the cost of |
| deficiencies with natural foods. Cool concept. Although | | | | this easy swab test, plus nutritional advice, will set |
| still in its infancy, many sporting organisations are | | | | you back between $495 to $695. I can't recall the |
| jumping on the bandwagon fast to claim the prize for | | | | pricing here in Australia. This type of DNA testing will |
| generating the most powerful athletes in the big bad | | | | really help a competitive goalkeeper or athlete iron |
| world of sports. Research has unlocked some of the | | | | out weaknesses in their training regime and bolster |
| following genes, and foods that are most closely | | | | performance to new heights. The beauty of this |
| aligned with that specific gene, to power up | | | | type of testing is that it provides natural supplements |
| competitive performance:* MnSOD: This super gene | | | | from whole foods, that may not be utilised often to |
| produces and regulates protein MnSOD which helps | | | | power goalkeeping performance. I think it's worth the |
| prevent muscle damage from free radicals and helps | | | | money, even if in the end, you only end up with a |
| boost performance and recovery. The natural solution | | | | really good diet. It's win-win either way! |