Greens Powder: What Are the Health Benefits?

Vitamins and minerals are two of the most underrated groups of organic food compounds. But without them, we cannot function optimally. We need them for body growth, metabolism, protection against harmful diseases, and the sustainability of many biological processes in our bodies.

According to research by the University of Rochester Medical Center, only five percent of Americans adhere to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. As a result, many are beginning to resort to dietary supplements, like greens powders, to make up for these deficiencies. There are many organic dietary supplements choices available for selection in the market.

In this article, we will focus on greens powders and their health benefits:

Greens Powders: Definition

Greens powders, or greens as they are commonly called, are supplements with nutrient combinations formulated to improve the body’s immune system, increase energy levels, and make up for dietary deficiencies. These products have become popular today because they are easy to consume and cost-friendly.

The ingredients you’ll find in greens powders differ by brand but, most of them include nutritious compounds from probiotics, fruits with high antioxidants, leafy greens and seaweed, herbs, leguminous vegetables, and grasses.

Most greens powders are consumed as broth. According to the manufacturer’s recommendations, they can be mixed with water, juices, smoothies, or other liquids. They usually taste grassy when consumed; however, their flavour can be improved with additives such as natural sugar concentrates, like sugar cane juice.

Greens are vegan supplements made from organic raw materials that are not genetically modified.

Nutrient Composition

As you would expect, the nutrition composition varies by brand. However, the average nutrient content per tablespoon of a greens supplement contains 45 KCal, 3 grams of protein, 6 grams of carbohydrates, 18% of your daily iron requirement, and 60% of your daily value of vitamin A. Green powder is also composed of Vitamin C, which is present in a high quantity. Vitamin C is an important nutrient that helps to make the immune system function more effectively, fight germs, and improve skin health.

Some other nutrients such as Potassium, Calcium, Iodine, and Chromium are present in a greens powder.

Health Benefits of Greens Powders

Greens powders are supplements to a healthy diet, and their nutrient composition can be potentially beneficial to us.

Greens Help Our Bodies Fight Against Diseases

It’s one long-term benefit of consuming greens. Free radicals in the body can damage the cells through a process known as oxidation. Many diseases, like diabetes, stem from this cell-damaging process.

The vitamins C and K in greens powder can help destroy these free radicals because they are antioxidants. Consuming one serving of greens powder per day can slow down oxidation by as much as 30%.

Greens are Useful for Maintaining a Healthy Blood Pressure

Good blood pressure management is crucial to our overall health. Minerals, like calcium and potassium, can help in regulating systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Taking one serving of greens powder every day can result in healthy blood pressure.

Greens Help to Support the Immune System

Greens powder is rich in vitamins and minerals that help your immune system function properly. Nutrients like Selenium have been shown to help the immune system combat germs. Vitamin A also improves immunity thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Conclusion

Greens are beneficial to our health; however, they are not a substitute for a well-balanced diet because some nutrients are lost during the manufacturing process. It means that you won’t be getting all the nutritional benefits your body requires, unlike when you consume whole foods; therefore, greens powders should only serve as supplements.

Also, some vitamins shouldn’t be consumed in excess, as it can result in health issues. You are advised to speak with a doctor before consumption and buy reputable brands only.

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How to Consider a Chiropractor: What You Need to Know

Chiropractic care is an area of medicine that’s centered on the diagnosis, treatment, and mitigation of various conditions, with a focus on manual techniques that improve the musculoskeletal health and restore proper bodily functions. While it’s known for the treatment of back pain, there are numerous other applications. Here, you’ll learn a few facts about chiropractic care.

It’s Natural, Non-Surgical, and Safe

Though chiropractors go through years of training and continuing education, they do not perform surgeries. Rather, chiropractic treatment is a non-invasive process that involves a series of exercises and adjustments. Without the need for procedures or medications, chiropractic care is effective without dangerous side effects. If you’re considering a chiropractor, contact us today.

It’s Not Just for Back Pain

Most patients associate chiropractic care with back pain. While that’s the most common reason people seek treatment, it’s not the only one. All types of pain—including joint pain, headaches, and neck pain—can be treated with chiropractic care. Even for those with no underlying health issues, regular adjustments can help maintain mental health and physical fitness.

Chiropractic Care is For Everyone

People from all walks of life can benefit from chiropractic treatment. For instance, children can receive special adjustments that may work to reduce the severity of colic, ear infections, and certain behavioural disorders. Many times, adults use chiropractic treatment to address general issues and chronic pain. Regular chiropractic care can also help treat anxiety, stress, insomnia, and depression. While every person’s goals are unique, there’s no group that doesn’t qualify for treatment.

Chiropractic Treatment is Affordable

There’s a common misconception that chiropractic treatment is more expensive than other care, but that’s just not true. Not only is it typically less costly than some other types of medical care, but it can also help patients save money by avoiding expensive procedures and lessening the risk of future issues. In the medical field, prevention is better and easier than dealing with illness and injury, and chiropractic care is the ideal example of a preventive strategy.

Chiropractors are Trained Professionals

Some people come in for adjustments and believe they can replicate those results at home—or have someone do it for them. However, this is a dangerous and untrue assumption. A Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine goes through thousands of hours of specialized training before they earn their license to practice, with most of that time being spent learning how to perform adjustments precisely and safely.

When performed incorrectly, things like twisting the neck and back can put undue stress on ligaments and joints. Patients should always look for licensed practitioners to ensure they’re getting high-quality, safe treatment.

Chiropractic Care Isn’t Painful

While patients often hear popping or cracking noises during adjustments, it’s a gentle technique that’s painless for almost everyone. The force a chiropractor applies to the spine is controlled, ensuring a pain-free experience. Though there may be a bit of soreness as healing occurs, chiropractic adjustments themselves aren’t painful.

Get Back on the Road to Health With Chiropractic Care

There are many myths and misconceptions about chiropractic care, some of which lead people to delay treatment or forego it altogether. Don’t let it happen to you—schedule an assessment today. During the initial consultation, a chiropractor will work with you closely, forming a personalized treatment plan that’s designed to accomplish your goals. Request additional information via our online contact form or call today to schedule an appointment.

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Muscle Care Tips For Newbies Who Want to Take on a Running Routine

Are you new to running? Most newbie runners know how important it is to take care of their muscles and stretch before hitting the track. But what newbie runners might not know is that stretching after their run is just as important as stretching before. This is called a cool down, which you can think of as the opposite of a warm-up.

According to Healthline, stretching out your muscles immediately post-workout can help return your heart rate back to normal and potentially help reduce lactic acid buildup. It will also help bring down your blood pressure and promote circulation, which helps for getting rid of that dizzy feeling you might get post-workout. All of these benefits will help muscle stiffness and prevent strains, tears, or inflammation post-workout.

Making the Most of Your Routine

One important piece of advice for newbie runners is that it’s not about how you stretch, but what you stretch. Doing the same old stretch routine can help, but it’s best if you are aware of the basic muscle groups and how to target them. That way, you can customize your warm-up or cool-down routine to target which muscles need the most help. 

Exercising with resistance bands is a great way to do this. Having a few resistance bands around will allow you to gently stretch a muscle without doing too much. Stretching with just your own body weight, however, could mean putting too much pressure and potentially injuring yourself. For other groups that need more in-depth stretching, you can switch to a stronger resistance and work them out without injuring other muscle groups.

Back to Basics

Running, at its core, is a basic sport that the human body was engineered to excel at. Priming ourselves to have a great run is quite simple. Easing your muscles in and out of a workout will help reduce the cardiovascular shock on your body. One tip that marathon runners and Olympians swear by is relying on the simple healing properties of warmth and cold. An ice pack (or, if you’re brave enough, an ice bath tub) will help soothe inflammation and muscle soreness post-workout.

A hot shower before your run, conversely, can help loosen your muscles and prevent shock. If you ever tune into the Olympics, you’ll notice some swimmers sitting in warm water pools or taking warm showers before their relay for this very reason. You’ll also see both short and long-distance runners doing slow warm-up laps around the track to help raise their heart rates and get their muscles warm. When in doubt, just remember to never over-exert yourself. If you do get a strained muscle (which is inevitable for us all), remember to elevate and alternate cold and hot compresses.

Slow and steady wins the race, and by taking care of your muscles, you’ll prevent serious and disrupting injuries. Happy running!

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Fitness Tips: 4 Tips to Reach Your Goals

Have you tried a new workout regime but held yourself back to avoid overdoing it, and eventually lost motivation? We’ve compiled a few tips to help you stay motivated and on track when you’re not quite feeling it. With all this adds good supplements such as the best whey isolate protein.

1. VISUALIZE YOUR SUCCESS

Your ideas are more likely to materialize if you imagine them more often. Likewise, your training will be more successful if you visualize it frequently. Do you want to run faster or simply increase your strength? Imagine what it will be like once you accomplish your goal.

2. NIP BOREDOM IN THE BUD

It is normal for your motivation and performance to fluctuate from day to day. Some days, you may feel fit and full of energy, while on other days, you may feel weak and drained. The cause of this is not always physical – often, it is simply your mind playing tricks on you. If you’re not having fun and you’re not getting results, you won’t be motivated – otherwise, you’ll lose interest. Here are some tips to make your workout more fun.

  1. Work Out with Your Friends: Exercising with friends can be fun and can motivate you to keep working out. They can also encourage each other if they are in a slump, and you can help each other out.
  2. Try a Change of Scenery: You don’t have to exercise in the same spot every time. Work out in different places like the patio, a park, or your living room to mix things up. Running and bodyweight training can be done almost anywhere.
  3. Listen to the Right Music: The right beat can motivate you and push you to your limits. You can use your favorite song to motivate yourself and tap into your emotions. A motivational photo, video, or quote can boost your motivation and increase your desire to exercise.

3. WORK OUT IN THE MORNING OR RIGHT AFTER WORK

As the day progresses, your weaker self becomes stronger and stronger. Once you get home from work and lounge on the sofa, you won’t want to get up again. Do bodyweight training in the morning or run to outwit your weaker self.

If you’re not a morning person, you may exercise after work. Get your gym bag packed the night before and bring it with you to work. By doing so, you can go right to the gym or run without being tempted to skip your workout. You can also stretch in the morning to help get you going and set the tone for your day.

4. BUILD A TRAINING PLAN THAT WILL CHALLENGE YOU

Nothing is better than achieving your fitness goals. If you want to continue exercising regularly, you need new challenges. Why not try a new workout plan?

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5 Benefits of Using Knee Sleeves

An active life is one of the best things you can do for your joints and for the rest of your body to be healthy. However, injuries can occur and often affect the knees. Whether you are a regular walker or a competitive athlete, dealing with knee pain can make it difficult to enjoy your favorite activities.

Knee pain is quite common. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 12 million people see their orthopedics every year for knee pain due to different problems. This includes pain due to overuse, osteoarthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, meniscus tears, sprained knee ligaments.

From many ways to treat knee pain that include stretching and strengthening exercises that you can easily perform on your own, anti-inflammatory medicines, wrapping your knee with an elastic knee wrap or knee sleeves can help reduce the discomfort and pain from osteoarthritis or an injury. 

What are Knee Sleeves?

Knee sleeves are compressive sleeves pulled up and worn to your knees. Knee sleeves protect the knee from potential injury or damage. This protection is particularly important for those knees put under daily stress, such as running, jumping, or weightlifting.

Most knee sleeves are manufactured from Neoprene, which is used to make sauna and diving suits. This is because neoprene-based sleeves have many benefits that we will discuss below. These sleeves are very popular with athletes and bodybuilders who do a lot of heavy lifting.

The compression element added to knee sleeves increases blood flow and decreases pain. This helps not only after a workout but also during the performance. Along with the compression, the enhanced blood flow helps in better recovery after a challenging workout such as running, HIIT, or weight lifting.

What do Compression Sleeves Do?

The compression knee sleeve aims to reduce pain and swelling, especially after an injury. Applying little compression from these sleeves helps with the smooth flow of blood and lymph back to the heart.

The sleeve provides warmth, restrains patella movement, and can improve proprioception which is the ability to sense the position of a joint within space as perceived by the central nervous system. The sleeve serves as more than just a mechanical support mechanism for the joint.

Because they limit kneecap movement, knee sleeves are an important component of any gym bag. Many people feel the warmth of knee sleeves immediately after completing a workout, such as the squat, the snatch, or the clean and press.

You can use knee sleeves as a post-workout recovery to reduce swelling and pain. These sleeves are a great help to CrossFitters, powerlifters, and bodybuilders and can be used after a workout.

How do Knee Sleeves Help with Knee Pain?

Knee sleeves help prevent knee injuries but also aids in the healing process and post-workout recovery by reducing pain and swelling. By providing warmth and firm grip, compression sleeve help you get rid of knee pain.

The compression area warms up the impacted area and regulates blood flow which helps ease the pain, the main reason to wear knee sleeves.

Benefits of Knee Sleeves

Your knee is the largest joint of your body. If you have pain in your knees, you can benefit from using knee sleeves even while doing simple activities like walking, gardening etc. Using crossfit knee sleeves helps to support your knees and prevents future injuries.

In addition, it helps the individuals to keep doing their favorite activities while the injury heals and they keep doing their physiotherapy. Here are two of the main advantages of wearing a knee sleeve:

1. Rehabilitative and Functional

A knee sleeve is usually recommended after an injury during a recovery process. Wearing a knee sleeve can boost tissue healing because knees typically have a longer recovery period. Using a knee sleeve can avoid further damage and helps in more support and controlled movements in the joint.

2. Unloads Weight

Knee sleeves can help ease the pain linked to arthritis, osteoarthritis, and other related issues. These conditions become more common in people as we age, especially those prone to injuries during workouts and different physical activities.

A knee sleeve unloads extra stress due to pressure to the thigh, creating better mobility in the knee joint and reducing stiffness. Braces and compression sleeves are used to speed up the healing of injured ligaments to prevent further injury.

3. High-Intensity Activities

Your motor control is affected by your proprioception, which is the awareness of how your body positions. Because of the proprioception, compression knee supports can offer some joint protection.

As you get older, your proprioception generally decreases. You will feel less in control of your movements after a run or a sport. Fatigued people are more susceptible to injury, partly because they have less control of their movements.

These periods of fatigue can be helped by compression knee sleeves. It also helps if your body position is poor.

4. Protects from Outdoor Elements

Compression sleeves provide protection to your legs and knees against scratches and abrasions if you like running outdoors. They are an essential accessory for trail runners who are more likely to sustain minor injuries from small objects, such as twigs and rough legs. Running with compression sleeves can protect you from poison ivy, which can cause severe skin rashes.

5. Maintains a Good Body Temperature

Compression sleeves can help maintain a healthy body temperature. They are breathable, and very lightweight. It can wick moisture away from sweat, so you can stay cool on hot days. You can keep warm on cold days by wearing pants or shorts with them. It’s not even noticeable, and you can maintain a healthy body temperature.

Takeaway

Knee sleeves are a low-risk way to reduce pain and improve your sports performance. The compression knee sleeves are an affordable and effective treatment for many knee issues.

In addition, stretching and strengthening exercises that target your knees can help reduce pain, increase range of motion, flexibility, and prevent future injuries.

References

  • Chuang, Shih-Hung, et al. “Effect of Knee Sleeve on Static and Dynamic Balance in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis.” The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences, vol. 23, no. 8, Aug. 2007, pp. 405–11. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0257-5655(07)70004-4.
  • Mohd Sharif, Nahdatul Aishah, et al. “Biomechanical and Functional Efficacy of Knee Sleeves: A Literature Review.” Physical Therapy in Sport: Official Journal of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine, vol. 28, Nov. 2017, pp. 44–52. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2017.05.001.
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Want To Break Out Of Your Fitness Rut And Stay On Track In 2022?

  • In a survey commissioned by adidas, the brand uncovers generational and gender-specific insights that can support people in Singapore who are on their personal fitness journeys.
  • When the nation went into lockdown, 1 in 2 people in Singapore became active and tried a new fitness activity/sport – women especially.
  • A nation of runners, cyclists and yogis, Gen Zs preferred activities of self-expression, compared to Millennials who partook in activities to achieve self-mastery.
  • What kept us motivated in our fitness/sporting journeys? The power of ‘jio’ – especially for Gen Zs.
  • The brand enlisted Feng Shui Master Ken Koh, who shares ‘2022 Zodiac Fitness Tribes’ profiles. For instance, Tigers best vibe with Horses, Dogs and Pigs.

Singapore, 13th December 2021 – In preparation for the new year and to find out how the brand can better support people in Singapore on their fitness and sporting journeys, adidas Singapore went on a mission to examine the impact of the pandemic on mental health, fitness activities, sports participation, and fitness motivations. On that end, the brand commissioned Dynata, a global market research firm, to run a survey among an independent panel of 1,009 respondents who engage in both low and high intensity fitness activities. The sample size was an even split of Males and

Females, Gen Zs (born 1997 to 2012), and Millennials (born 1981 to 1996). The study, aptly dubbed “The Power of ‘Jio’ in Fitness Tribes” uncovered…

The pandemic’s silver lining & virtual fitness fatigue  

In looking at the impact of Covid-19 and exercise frequency, the study revealed 1 in 2 were able to maintain or increase their fitness activities. 

In fact, 50% of respondents took the opportunity to try new fitness activities or sports when the nation went into lockdown. Women were significantly more likely to increase their exercise frequency with 26% pivoting comfortably into “indoor activities” like “Yoga” (43%), “Dance” (27%) and “Pilates” (21%). However, the pandemic also brought on a significant “virtual fitness” fatigue with 69% of respondents expressing if given the choice, they would prefer to break a sweat outside of their homes. Which are Singapore’s favourite fitness activities or sports you ask?

We are a nation of runners, cyclists, and yogis – with some generational differences

“Running (65%), Outdoor cycling (39%), Yoga (27%), Basketball (22%) and Dance (21%)” were the top five fitness activities people in Singapore partook in at least once a week. 

Interestingly, the brand found differences in the type of activities that Gen Zs and Millennials preferred. Gen Zs seemed to prefer activities that allowed for self-expression and empowerment like “Dance and Martial Arts” (6% on average more than Millennials). Whereas, Millennials displayed a higher interest in activities like “Yoga, Tennis and Pilates” to achieve self-mastery (6% on average more than Gen Zs). But why do we work out? 

Simply, because it “makes (us) happy”

Along with improving their physical health, the top reasons cited were tied to mental health. 54% took part in fitness activities or sports to “reduce stress” and “improve mental health”.

In fact, 68% expressed that being part of a fitness or sport community has had a “positive impact on their mental well-being”. Top three reasons for membership to these communities or groups were simple. It “makes me happy (49%), gives me motivation (48%) and helps me socialise with likeminded individuals (46%)”. 

However, we know it is hard to stay motivated in our fitness goals. Here’s what the brand found that has helped people in Singapore stay on track (pun intended)!

The power of “jio” & fitness tribes to keep you going – especially, for Gen Zs

51% of people in Singapore found “exercising with friends” to be a powerful motivator to stay active and on track with their fitness goals. Other motivators in the top five were “having friends to urge you to be more active (36%), exercising outdoors (34%), being part of a fitness community (33%) and using a fitness app (31%)”. 

The power of “jio” (colloquially used to mean “to ask someone out”) was found to also be more significant among Gen Zs than Millennials with the top four largest differences seen in motivators such as “exercising with friends (18% higher than Millennials), having friends urge me on (12% higher than Millennials), getting a reminder from friends (10% more than Millennials), being part of a fitness community (7% more than Millennials)”.

Want to form your own fitness tribe, try a new sport, or figure out your lucky fitness colours for 2022? We got you.

ZODIAC FITNESS TRIBES BY FENG SHUI MASTER, KEN KOH

Ahead of the year of the Water Tiger, adidas invited Master Ken Koh from the House of Feng Shui to share tips for people in Singapore to break out of their fitness rut and stay on track with their goals! Master Ken sheds light on your Zodiac’s personality, fitness activities or sports to try in 2022, lucky fitness colours to don and zodiac profiles of people to form your fitness tribes.

Tigers, you can form your Zodiac Fitness Tribes with Horses, Dogs and Pigs as they could best vibe with you. Consider stocking your cupboards with more athleisure wear in Ruby Red and Lilac. While it’s more natural for you to partake in martial arts, in 2022, you might want to try kendo, high jumping, shooting, skateboarding and platform diving to play to your strengths. For a full list of zodiac profiles and tips, please refer to the Appendix B below.

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Working Out Is Not Just About Losing Weight or Gaining Strength

Whether it’s a woman who actually wants to gain muscle or a guy who wants to run a 10K in under four minutes, fitness is about so much more than just losing weight!

Whatever your goals may be – this is a universal truth: it is important to feel good in your own skin, to feel energized and empowered, and to wake up every day feeling like your best self.

A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE GOES BEYOND PHYSICAL CHANGES

Exercise and good nutrition (and ultimately feeling your best) affect so many other areas of your life. It’s not just how you look in the mirror; it’s how confident you are at work and in your relationships. Ultimately, it’s about the courage you have cultivated to share ideas, speak your mind, and go for the prize.

According to the American Psychological Association, Jennifer Carter, PhD, counsels patients in a walk and talk format. The movement (mainly walking) Dr. Carter recommends is effective in helping people open up and express their feelings.

IT’S ALL ABOUT WORKING OUT

The truth is, research shows that it’s not really about how fast you ran, how long you worked out, or how many weights you lifted or push-ups you completed, but it’s more about completing a workout (or not) in general.

BODY CONFIDENCE IS POWERFUL

Focusing on a “why” is really important. Your goals should be less focused on the physical and more on the emotional.

Sarah Dussault shared about body image and fitness, and why it’s healthy to look at your body differently, rather than through the eyes of a scale. For her, giving birth opened her eyes to what the female body is capable of more than any exercise achievement. Since then, her motivation to exercise has shifted a bit towards being healthy for her son (rather than to get nice abs) and to give back to her body. Right now, Sarah just wants to feel healthy, strong, and content with who she is.

TAKE ACTION TOWARDS YOUR GOALS

It’s not to say that losing weight or burning fat aren’t valid goals, or shouldn’t be your focus. Ultimately, we need to look at the big picture.

If you want health and fitness to be a part of your life, it can’t be just about what you look like or the number on the scale. Only then will you be able to move forward. 

You are more likely to stick to your goals when you change your perspective, get excited about your progress, and believe that you will be able to overcome future obstacles. Always remember this – Work out because you love your body, and not because you hate it!

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Top Ways To Include Resistance Bands In Your Exercise Routine

When it comes to exercising, a lot of people have a love-hate relationship with it, especially with stretching. Even though stretching is extremely beneficial for our body, many are quite reluctant to try it.

Namely, if you incorporate it into your daily routine, you will decrease the chances of experiencing stiffness and it will keep your muscles flexible and strong. One of the best ways to do it is by using resistance bands and today we will show you the best ways to utilize them.

Amazing Ways To Employ Resistance Bands During Exercise

For Lower Body

During this exercise, you should lie on your back with the resistance band wrapped around the bottom of one of your feet. Cling to the resistance band with one end in each hand. If you’re up for something that’s a bit more demanding, then you could pull the ends of the resistance band closer to the foot to make it tighter.

Furthermore, make sure to keep the unbanded foot bent with the leg on the ground. Straighten it with the band towards the ceiling until you start feeling the stretch in the hamstring. Bend the foot and hold for up to thirty seconds and then you can switch sides.

Try Out Banded Squats

If you’re looking for some solid resistance, then you should definitely give this a go! Avid exercisers at DiaBettr.com suggest that banded squats can help you activate your gluteus, hip abductors, and quads. So how can you do it?

Set yourself up like you are planning to do an air squat. You can put the band in the middle of the thighs or beneath your knees. If you want to really focus on your glutes, then you should place them right above the knees.

Next, you should lower your body into a squat, pushing the hips as if you want to sit in a chair. Ensure to keep the back straight and continue to get down until the thighs are parallel to your floor. You should be in this position for up to three seconds.

Then you should lift from the bottom of the squat and ensure the knees are not caving in. When you’re about to finish this exercise, squeeze the glutes at the top.

Adding More Suggestions Below

Push-Ups

Most people would not think of using resistance bands for push ups.

The push-ups are a functional callisthenics movement you can do anytime, anywhere without the need for any equipment.

They are an incredible upper body strength exercise that builds your chest muscles, shoulders and triceps, but also involve many of your core abdominal muscles.

Hold the resistance band at both ends of the loop and sling it around your back. Keeping the band in place, get into a press-up position. At first, you might find that the band slips out of place – but with practice, you’ll be able to keep it in place.

Side-Lying Leg Lifts

This is a great exercise for anybody who wants to tighten the hip-abductor muscles. So how can you do it? Put the resistance band above the knees, or you can also place it around the ankles. Then lie on the side with the legs stacked and straight.

Support your head upon the hand, and then you can either support yourself with the left arm, or you can rest it on the biceps.  Lift the upper leg towards the ceiling as high as possible without harming the hip and then gently lower it for one repeating. The tempo should be slow and calm.

There are so many different things you can do with the resistance bands, but we’ve managed to show you just a couple of them. Depending on the parts of the body you want to focus on, you can try out at least one of these examples that were mentioned.

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HOKA Launches First Mono-Brand Space in Singapore

Exclusive HOKA footwear available in the new brand space at Takashimaya Sports Central

Singapore (December 2, 2021) – Leading footwear brand HOKA®, a division of Deckers Brands, announces the opening of its first-ever mono-brand retail location in Singapore. The new brick-and-mortar is located at Takashimaya Sports Department Level 4.

HOKA has engaged its base via direct-to-consumer as well as having an intense focus on the speciality run market. HOKA Singapore at Takashimaya is the official introduction of the first HOKA mono-brand space, encompassing a wide selection of footwears, apparels, and accessories. Consumers can purchase footwear offered exclusively in HOKA Singapore Takashimaya across the various categories. The collection also includes the Bondi X released in October, and lifestyle packs such as the HOKA x Engineered Garments collaboration.

Collection of HOKA Glide series

HOKA Singapore Takashimaya Opening Celebration

Receive a HOKA stainless steel bottle when you spend S$50 and above in a single receipt at HOKA Singapore Takashimaya, or take part in the social media giveaway by following 3 simple steps: 

  1. Follow @HOKA_SG on FB and IG
  2. Share our HOKA Singapore Takashimaya opening social media posts onto your IG stories 
  3. Add a HOKA sticker and location tag “Takashimaya Sports Department”

*Giveaway valid while stocks last. 
*Collect the bottle at HOKA Singapore Takashimaya by flashing your IG story saved in your IG archive 

HOKA Singapore at Takashimaya Sports Department opens daily from 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

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Can I Train My Triceps Using Battle Ropes Workout?

Are you a strength training enthusiast? Do you enjoy variations in your fitness regime?

Battle ropes are the perfect total-body strength workout that helps you blast off the calories while building full-body strength.

Even though the battle ropes were introduced by John Brookfield back in 2006, they are still new to the gyms, and many people are unaware of the tremendous benefits and uses of these coiled weighted wires.

Ahead in this article, we’ll discuss all the benefits and uses of battle ropes so you can add up some waves of excitement in your everyday fitness regime.

What Are Battle Ropes?

Battle ropes or battling ropes are two 15 inches thick and 30 feet wide pieces of Dacron ropes that provide individuals with the ideal HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workouts.

These ropes are secured to an anchor from one end, while the nylon grips on the other end provide a breathable and firm grip so that you can enjoy a wide variety of exercises.

Battle ropes are a versatile gym gear that aids in weight loss and help you build more lean muscle mass while helping you to target your arms, core, chest, back, shoulders, hips, etc.

Benefits of Battle Ropes

These ropes may seem to be very simple gym gear, but they offer a huge variety of workouts with tremendous amounts of benefits.

1. Time Efficient

If you’re amongst the many people who want to blast off their fat fast without spending a lot of your time at the gym, then battle ropes are the perfect gear for you.

Exercising with battle ropes targets your biceps, triceps, shoulder, chest, core, etc., shooting up your endorphin (feel-good hormone) levels while burning calories and building lean muscle mass.

2. A Full Body Workout

The best workouts are the ones that target all your body muscles at once. Battle ropes are not just perfect gym equipment for training your upper body, but your lower body as well.

Adding in jumps and squats when making waves to exercise your biceps and triceps will help you target your legs, glutes, and hamstrings as well, allowing you to enjoy a full-body fat-blasting session.

3. Burn Away the Fat

If you don’t feel like running around the block for long hours to burn off extra fat, then you need to add battle ropes to your everyday regime.

Using the exercise ropes for arms adds versatility as well as efficiency to your fitness regimes. It enables you to perform high-intensity interval training and burn approx. five hundred calories within 30 minutes.

Not just during the workout, but after exercising with battling ropes, you will enjoy fast metabolism for the next 36 hours, helping you burn away even more calories.

4. Increase Muscle Mass

Using a battle rope helps you exercise all your muscles from your shoulders and arms to your glutes and legs.

These compound workouts allow you to tear away the fat tissues and build up lean muscle mass for a more toned-up body.

5. A Perfect Cardio Alternate

Unlike performing other cardio workouts like jumping jacks and running, the battle rope workouts will elevate your heart rate within ten minutes and improve overall body strength.

So instead of working out for long durations to elevate your heart rate and burn off the calories, start exercising with the ropes, and you’ll be huffing and puffing in no time.

6. Variety of Workouts

As we’ve been mentioning, again and again, the battle ropes offer a huge variety of workouts to individuals while targeting the full-body muscle and ensuring you don’t lose the workout excitement.

Whether you want to target your arms simultaneously with isolated exercises or enjoy compound workouts by adding in jumps and squats, the battle ropes make for perfect gym gear for all fitness levels.

Battle Rope Exercises

Before we move ahead with the most effective and efficient battle rope workouts, it is very important to maintain proper form when exercising to reap maximum benefits.

Every gym gear is only effective when used properly, and the same is the case with battle ropes. They look easy but require correct postures and precise techniques to avoid sprains and strains on the joints.

• Firstly, make sure that the ropes are anchored properly. Once fastened tightly, pull them away and extend them completely. Now that the ropes are properly secured, take a few steps forward to make waves in a fluid motion.

• When using battle ropes, maintaining correct form is essential to avoid any strains on the joints and injuries. Stand tall with your feet opened shoulder-width apart, toes placed in a light outwards position while heels positioned slightly inwards, and knees slightly bent.

• Next, to further correct your body posture to engage all the body muscles, bend down in a quarter squat, placing your weight evenly on the feet and standing firmly on the ground. Keep your hips in a stuck position, and slightly bend your elbows so you can make smooth waves and work your biceps and triceps along with your core and legs, etc.

• Lastly, you have to perform quick, repetitive, and controlled movements with your hands.

Now that we’ve guided you on maintaining correct posture, here are a few exercises that will help you build stronger muscles in your biceps, triceps, core, etc.

1. Kneeling Alternating Waves

  • Kneel on your knees, keeping them shoulder-width apart
  • Keeping the spine straight, engage your core and hold the ropes firmly at your hip level
  • Raise your right hand to your eye level and snap it down on the floor, bringing your hands back to the hip level
  • As soon as the rope hits the floor, lift your left hand to eye level, and coordinate your hands to create waves alternately
  • Perform two sets for one minute each.

2. In-and-Out Waves

  • While standing tall and keep your legs open shoulder-width apart and your knees at a natural bent.
  • Hold the ropes hip-high and hit them together
  • Just when the ropes hit together, move them apart and repeat this exercise for a few sets.

3. Kneeling Overhead Extension Rope Drivers

  • Kneel on your knees and open them shoulder-width apart
  • Hold one rope over your head and start pulling it with your hands, letting it stack in front of you.
  • You can either move near the anchor for this exercise or open up the battle rope, so you keep pulling it in front of you.

4. Seated rainbows

  • Sit down on the floor, keeping your feet fully extended in front of you
  • Fold up your knees halfway and lean slightly backward to engage your core.
  • Staying fixed in this position, hold the ropes in your hands and move them over your legs, hitting the opposite side of the floor.
  • Keep moving the rope over your knees and hitting it on both sides, creating rainbow imagery.

5. Standing Push-Pulls

  • Stand up straight and close to the anchored point of the ropes
  • Hold the ropes in your hands, keeping the upper arms straight and elbows bent upwards, so that your hands are making a 90-degree angle
  • Once you’re in the position, push your hands forward, extending them completely in front of you, and pull it back with full force
  • Exert maximum force and speed once you understand the movement and repeat the push and pull movements.

Takeaway

Battle ropes, albeit new, are a very effective, efficient, and fun way to train your full body muscles, specifically, the arms. These simple-looking ropes add a variety to your workout regime, keep the motivation levels high and challenge your strength levels so you can easily break through your weight loss and muscular plateaus.

References

  1. Langford, E. L., Wilhoite, S., Collum, C., Weekley, H., Cook, J., Adams, K., & Snarr, R. L. (2019). Battle Rope Conditioning. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 41(6), 115–121. https://journals.lww.com/nsca-scj/Abstract/2019/12000/Battle_Rope_Conditioning.12.aspx
  2. Calatayud, J., Martin, F., Colado, J. C., Benítez, J. C., Jakobsen, M. D., & Andersen, L. L. (2015). Muscle Activity During Unilateral vs. Bilateral Battle Rope Exercises. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 29(10), 2854–2859. https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Fulltext/2015/10000/Muscle_Activity_During_Unilateral_vs__Bilateral.22.aspx
  3. Dharuman, D. M., Thiyagachanthan, D. N., Sridhar, D. K., Kalidasan, D. M., Malar, S., & Manogari, M. (2021). Effects of Circuit Training and Battle Rope Training on Upper Body Muscular Endurance of School Girls. Asian Journal of Applied Science and Technology, 05(01), 39–43. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3828777
  4. Iwen, Kacey D. Relative Exercise Intensity and Energy Expenditure of Battle Rope Exercise. Dec. 2019. minds.wisconsin.edu, https://minds.wisconsin.edu/handle/1793/79401
  5. Fountaine, C. J., & Schmidt, B. J. (2015). Metabolic Cost of Rope Training. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 29(4), 889–893. https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/FullText/2015/04000/Metabolic_Cost_of_Rope_Training.4.aspx
  6. Brewer, W., Kovacs, R., Hogan, K., Felder, D., & Mitchell, H. (2018). Metabolic Responses to a Battling Rope Protocol Performed in the Seated or Stance Positions. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 32(12), 3319–3325. https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/fulltext/2018/12000/metabolic_responses_to_a_battling_rope_protocol.3.aspx
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4 Amazing Benefits Of Chaga Mushroom

The chaga mushroom is not your typical mushroom. From its unique shape, interesting color, curious texture, and extremely long growth process, to stay it stands out from its kind would be an understatement.

Chaga mushrooms thrive in cooler climates such as those in Russia, Canada, and most Northern European countries. Rather than growing on the ground like most other mushrooms, it grows and feeds on live birch trees, which take up to 20 years to fully develop. It might easily be mistaken for a deformed or perhaps burn part of the tree, given its charcoal black hue. It gets this striking color because of its high volumes of melanin.

Despite all its irregularities, this bizarre mushroom is chock full of all sorts of nutrients and antioxidants. Below are some of the major key benefits that Chaga mushroom can bring about once introduced to your diet.

High Levels of Nutrients and Antioxidants

Chaga mushroom has been used in traditional medicine for centuries as a way of improving the immune system and overall health condition. This is because this amazing superfood is packed with nutrients, minerals, and vitamins including:

  • B-complex vitamins
  • Vitamin D
  • Potassium
  • Rubidium
  • Cesium
  • Amino acids
  • Fibre
  • Copper
  • Selenium
  • Zinc
  • Iron
  • Manganese
  • Magnesium
  • Calcium

Boosts Your Immune System

The chaga mushroom also ranks extremely high on the ORAC scale, which stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. This refers to a test that measures the antioxidant capacity of any food – and chaga mushrooms’ contents are off the charts!

This is a highly beneficial factor, as antioxidants play a very crucial role in keeping our cells and molecules in tiptop shape. Needless to say, a steady intake of chaga mushrooms will have your body reaping several benefits in terms of general health.

Supports Healthy Inflammatory Levels

Cytokines are small proteins that stimulate the production of white blood cells, as well as control inflammation, which is one of our body’s natural responses that indicate that something is wrong. However, we want to avoid suffering from inflammation for too long, as this may lead to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

With the help of the chaga mushroom, the production of cytokine is regulated better, resulting in the overall regulation of the entire immune system. With a strengthened and improved system, our bodies will be able to fend off viruses, bacteria, and illnesses more.

Promotes Healthy Stress Responses

When our bodies undergo stress for extended amounts of time, other areas of our health will start to be affected as well. This is where Chaga mushrooms come into play.

This superfood is actually an adaptogen, which means that it can support other aspects of our health in which we may need it most. If any part of our health is compromised, adaptogens will help to fill in those gaps.

When taken consistently, Chaga mushrooms will help provide overall balance to the body’s system, thereby promoting resilience to stress and other illnesses.

If you’re looking to purchase chaga Australia offers it in many different forms, from tea, coffee, to supplement capsules. As long as it is naturally produced and 100% pure, you can expect to receive the benefits listed above from this incredible mushroom.

Boost your immune system and receive the proper nutrients to promote a well-balanced state of being. With everything that the Chaga mushroom can offer, such as its abundance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, this unique fungus is definitely worth investing in.

As is the case with most medicine or supplements, be careful not to overdo your dosage of chaga mushrooms! Refer to the recommended dosage on the package for optimum efficacy, keeping you always safe, healthy, and protected whilst enjoying a wonderful addition to your diet.

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Should You Eat Carbs After Your Run?

Runners often wonder if they should eat carbs after their runs at night. On one hand, carbohydrates help you recover from your workouts so you can continue hitting your fitness goals. On the other hand, consuming food after a run at night may disrupt your sleep, which hinders recovery time. Moreover, sugar is a carbohydrate, which can keep you from feeling sleepy despite going for a run at night. 

In order to answer the question of what to eat after a run at night, keep reading to learn how your body processes carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Carbs provide your body with energy, and it utilizes them effectively. Fat, however, always requires sufficient oxygen to burn. Fat also takes twice as long to provide the same amount of energy as carbohydrates. This is why we have to run at a slower pace to burn fat, so that our body can keep up with the oxidation process without getting exhausted. Whenever your breathing slows down, you’re in the fat-burning zone. Fast and shallow breathing means your body is not burning fat as efficiently as it could. 

Your body stores carbs in the form of glycogen in your liver and muscles. Glycogen is an important energy source, especially for runners. The more glycogen your muscles have stored, the better and longer they can perform.

NUTRIENT RATIOS FOR ENDURANCE ATHLETES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

  • Carbohydrates: 55-65%
  • Protein: 10-15%
  • Fat: 25-30%

THE IMPORTANCE OF CARBS AFTER A RUN

Carbohydrates fuel your muscles. Runners looking to enhance their performance (e.g., for a marathon) should consider taking this macronutrient before and after workouts. You will recover quicker if you replenish your glycogen stores immediately after a run. As a result, your body will adapt more quickly to a new workout or harder workout, and your immune system will recover faster after your workout. For your recovery, a diet high in carbohydrates becomes increasingly important the more you train or the more intensely you train.

extracted from adidas.com

WHEN AND HOW MANY CARBS TO EAT AFTER A RUN

After your workout, the best time for your body to replenish glycogen stores is within the first 30 minutes. Consume about 0.5 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight. Approximately 30 g of carbohydrates are needed for a 65 kg woman.

30 g of carbohydrates can be in the form of: 

  • one medium banana
  • 5 dates
  • 1 slice of bread with jam
  • 40 g of granola with 200 ml of cow’s milk

These carbohydrates (simple carbs) digest easily and are quickly absorbed by the body. The absorption window slowly closes after 30 minutes, and your body is no longer able to absorb carbs as efficiently and quickly.

WHAT TO EAT AFTER A RUN AT NIGHT

You should eat a full meal with carbs, protein, and fat one hour after your run. You should consume a meal that contains a 3:1 carbohydrate to protein ratio. At this point, carbs are still important, but your body also needs protein to build muscles. However, too much of this macronutrient can interfere with the efficient absorption of carbohydrates and disturb your body’s fluid balance.

WHAT TO EAT AFTER A NIGHT RUN TO LOSE WEIGHT

Runners who wish to lose weight should avoid eating too many carbs, particularly simple carbohydrates. A balanced diet must contain complex carbohydrates, as we’ll see below. Short endurance runs (like a 5K run) do not deplete our glycogen stores, so you don’t need to replenish them at the end of the run (for example, with isotonic sports drinks). Drinking water after a short run is the best choice. 

One to two hours after your run, eat a mix of complex carbohydrates and protein. If you want to lose weight, what matters is a negative energy balance (around 500 calories per day). In other words, you should burn more calories than you consume.

EAT COMPLEX CARBS AFTER A RUN AT NIGHT

A runner looking to lose weight needs to pay attention to what they eat as well as their training. Complex carbohydrates are the best thing to eat (along with high quality protein and healthy fats). The minerals and vitamins in these fruits and vegetables will not only keep you full, but will also support your metabolism and immune system. Complex carbohydrates can be found, for example, in whole-grain products (such as pasta and bread). Whole grains include all the original parts (bran, germ, and endosperm) as well as their nutrients. Simple carbohydrates are obtained by removing the outside and only keeping the endosperm. Other foods containing complex carbohydrates are potatoes with the skin on them, legumes, and vegetables.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CARBOHYDRATES?

COMPLEX CARBS TO REFUEL AFTER A RUN AT NIGHT

Carbohydrates that are complex take longer to digest and contain a lot of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and fiber, which boosts your metabolism and strengthens your immune system:

  • Whole grains and products incl. pasta, bread, and rolls
  • Potatoes with the skin on them
  • Brown rice
  • Beans, lentils and peas
  • Vegetables, 100% vegetable juice
  • Fruit

AVOID SIMPLE CARBS AFTER A RUN AT NIGHT

Carbs are a quick source of energy because they are digested rapidly. They cause your blood sugar and your insulin levels to rise:

  • pastry flour and products, cakes, cookies, bread, and rolls
  • white pasta
  • soft drinks
  • sugar and sweets
  • alcohol

In conclusion, eat carbs after night runs to prioritize recovery. Minimize eating carbs after runs at night if that is part of your weight loss strategy.

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Singapore’s First Nike Unite Concept Store Opens at IMM

Newly refurbished 18,000 sq ft designed to inspire, connect and support local community

SINGAPORE, 22 November 2021Nike Unite concept store launches in Singapore’s IMM, with an aim to inspire local communities to make sport a daily habit. The newly refurbished, first-of-its-kind Nike store in Southeast Asia, spans 18,000 sq ft, with a layout that plays to the concept’s three guiding principles of bringing access to sport, adding value to the local community and creating a destination that brings members and consumers closer to sport, and closer to one another.

Consumers will have access to a range of locally curated products including everyday
essentials at great value, combined with select seasonal offerings from Nike.com across
men, women and kids. Close to 50 per cent of floor space is dedicated to women and
kids, and with half of the store staff being female, the new store now provides women
with access to specialist services such as bra fitting and personal styling. With a
dedicated changing area, women can now shop from a range of footwear and apparel
collection for dance, fitness, running and yoga, as well as find their favourite Nike
products for the family.

Nike Unite will bring the first-of-its-kind, tech-enabled NikeFit shoe fitting service to IMM.The scanning solution uses a proprietary combination of computer vision, machine
learning and recommendation algorithms that measure the full shape of both feet to
determine the perfect fit for each shoe style.

For local and international shoppers, the store offers an assortment of Tees carrying
country name prints from Southeast Asia that are sold in reusable pouches and can be
collected from the grab-and-go section located near the entrance. Nike members can also personalise a T-shirt using one of the iconic Nike heritage decals or by having their
name and favourite number heat pressed.

“Nike Unite is fundamentally about helping consumers connect closely with sport by
bringing the most valuable sport destination to the community and creating experiences
that are rooted in serving people,” commented Sylvelin Ng, director Southeast Asia &
India at Nike Value Marketplace.

Added Ng: “At Nike, we believe that everybody is an athlete; regardless of age or ability if you have a body, you are an athlete. With informed and well-trained store athletes,
50 per cent of whom are women, combined with over 60 per cent bigger floorspace
comprising locally curated essentials, we aim to help consumers connect more closely
with sport and bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete.”

As the country opens up, the new Nike Unite IMM serves as a reminder that whether
you are an individual who wants to lead an active lifestyle, a parent who wants to build
confidence in your children to help them to better understand themselves and be social
or serve your local community, sport has the power to create change.

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Your Questions About CAM Walkers Answered

If you or someone you know has experienced a foot, ankle, or lower leg injury, then you might be familiar with a moon boot. Commonly used to aid in the recovery of a wide variety of injuries, moon boots, also known as CAM walkers, are adjustable orthopaedic devices that promotes recovery.

What is a CAM walker?

A CAM walker is used to restrict or immobilise the movement of the foot and ankle. The name CAM walker actually stands for “controlled ankle movement”, which is exactly what they are used for.

CAM walkers are sometimes referred to as moon boots because they are shaped like very thick boots.

What do CAM walkers actually do?

So, we mentioned that CAM walkers are used to immobilise the foot and ankle, but why do we want to do this? Well, in order to allow injured areas of the body to recover, we need to be able to reduce the pressure or stress put on the area. However, unlike plaster casts, which can be very restrictive, moon boots actually allow you to still be quite mobile, so you can still move and be more mobile without putting too much pressure on the injured area.

CAM walkers allow for partial weight-bearing, which means you can still build strength in the area and recover from your injury.

What kinds of injuries and conditions are CAM walkers used to treat?

CAM walkers can help when the recovery of an injury requires immobilisation and rest and can be used to aid in the recovery of a wide variety of conditions. Some of the most common conditions they are used for include:

  • Ankle fractures
  • Foot fractures
  • Ankle sprains
  • Post ankle and/or foot surgery recovery
  • Achilles tendon injuries
  • Plantar fascial tears
  • Other soft tissue injuries

What does it feel like to wear a CAM walker?

When fitted properly, wearing a CAM walker isn’t necessarily uncomfortable, but it certainly does take some getting used to.

You will usually have a bit of an adjustment period to get used to the feeling of the walker, however, as they help to reduce the load on the injured area, most people find it more comfortable to wear the walker than not.

How and where do I get a CAM walker?

If you need to wear a CAM walker for injury recovery it’s best to get fitted by a healthcare professional, like a podiatrist. Fitting a moon boot is not as simple as trying on a pair of shoes, and the better fitted it is, the more efficient your injury recovery will be.

During a CAM walker fitting, the podiatrist will:

  • Take measurements of the feet, ankle and lower leg to ensure the right size CAM walker is used
  • Ensure your comfort by applying extra padding to avoid rubbing
  • Show you how to wear the boot properly, in a way to help your recovery be as smooth and efficient as possible
  • Provide you with advice about the best footwear to wear on your other foot during your recovery
  • Assess your gait and provide advice on how to make movement easier

Using your moon boot properly, especially during the early phases of recovery is very important and can help to heal your injury faster.

How long will I need to use a CAM walker for?

The amount of time you will need to wear the moon boot will be dependent on a number of different factors. These include the actual injury, your age, and any other underlying health conditions that may impact the speed with which you recover.

Many people will need to use a CAM walker for at least 4 weeks, and sometimes up to 8 weeks. Soft tissue injuries usually require less time in a moon boot than bone and joint-related conditions.

During your injury recovery, it’s just as important to follow the advice of your podiatrist or healthcare professional when transitioning out of using your moon boot as it is to get fitted properly.

If you or someone you know is looking for help with CAM walkers Melbourne, then you can always speak to the friendly team at Watsonia Podiatry. They can fit you with a CAM walker and answer all of your foot-related questions!

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4 Non-Dairy Alternatives to Milk

It is becoming more and more common to give up dairy products. This happened for many reasons, ranging from milk allergies and lactose intolerance to ethical concerns. How can we find (non-dairy) alternatives?  

WHAT IS IN COW’S MILK?

Milk is a complex food and in 100 g of cow’s milk contain:

  • 87 g water
  • 3 g protein
  • 4 g fat (approx. 50% of which is made up of saturated fatty acids like palmitic acid, about 25% is unsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid, and the rest is polyunsaturated fatty acids like linoleic acid)
  • 5 g carbohydrate (primarily lactose)
  • Vitamins like A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6; biotin, folic acid, B12, C, D, E, and K.
  • Minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, and chloride.
  • Trace elements like iron, copper, zinc, manganese, fluoride, and iodine.

DAIRY ALLERGIES AND SENSITIVITIES: WHAT CAUSES THEM?

An allergy to milk or dairy products is different from being lactose intolerant. If someone is intolerant, the problems are caused by lactose. An allergy, on the other hand, is a reaction to certain proteins in the milk. Allergens in milk include casein, beta-lactoglobulin, and alpha-lactalbumin. The body reacts by fighting harmless proteins, which then creates allergic reactions.

PLANT-BASED MILK SUBSTITUTES: WHAT INGREDIENTS SHOULD I AVOID?

When consumed in moderation, plant-based milk alternatives can be just as nutritious as conventional cow’s milk. You should stay away from alternatives that contain hidden ingredients that can harm your health. These include:

  • Sugar: Sugar is disguised by many names (e.g. sucrose, dextrose, glucose, fructose, fructose syrup, glucose syrup, maltodextrin, lactose, maltose, etc.) Sugar addiction is a real issue, which is why added sugar should be avoided in every way. You should completely stay away from artificial sweeteners.
  • Natural flavors: These include flavor constituents derived from plant or animal products. However, they no longer have anything in common with the food they come from, aside from the same chemical components.
  • Stabilizers like gellan gum: Gellan gum is a polysaccharide produced by the bacterium Sphingomonas elodea. It has the E-number 418 and is frequently combined with the thickening agent xanthan gum, which can have a laxative effect when consumed in large amounts.
  • Acid regulators: Acid regulators, such as phosphates, are added to milk alternatives to maintain the pH during storage. However, here is a lot of controversy surrounding the use of high concentrations of phosphates as a food additive, which is why they should only be consumed in small amounts.

Be sure to read the ingredient list before you buy any alternative milk.

WHAT ARE THE BEST (PLANT-BASED) ALTERNATIVES TO DAIRY MILK?

1. COCONUT MILK

The coconut milk you can purchase at your supermarket is a good dairy-free alternative. It is made by blending coconut meat and provides nutrients such as magnesium, iron, and potassium. Lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid found in coconut milk, is easily absorbed by the body and used as energy.

Full-fat coconut milk is high in calories. Despite its health benefits, it is best to consume smaller portions. If you are buying coconut milk, look for pure, organic coconut milk that is commonly sold in cans.

2. ALMOND MILK

Almond milk is a mixture of finely ground almonds and water. It is a particularly good alternative to cow’s milk for people who are allergic to dairy products. It is almost free of allergens and contains neither lactose, soy proteins, nor gluten. Almond milk has anti-inflammatory properties and may be easier to digest than dairy milk. Almond milk has the downside of being sweetened with added sugar and fortified with additional nutrients. It’s best to buy plain, organic almond milk, or even better, to make your own. Step-by-step instructions are available online.

3. OAT MILK

A good alternative to milk is oat milk since it does not contain lactose or milk protein. Fiber-rich cereal grains fill you up relatively quickly since they’re high in fiber.

4. SOY MILK

For people with lactose, milk protein, or gluten intolerance, soy milk is a popular vegan milk alternative. It is also a good source of protein and essential fatty acids. Despite this, soy milk is often criticized. It contains isoflavones, which have a chemical structure similar to that of the hormone estrogen, which our body produces. Soy milk can influence estrogen levels in our bodies in both a positive and a negative way. Take this milk alternative in moderation, and never give soy products to infants or toddlers.

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Soft, stretchy and breathable UA IntelliKnit meets the high-performance UA HOVR Phantom 2

Under Armour has taken favourite UA HOVR™ Phantom 2 running shoes and wrapped them in light, breathable UA IntelliKnit. It’s quick-drying, stretchy, and contoured to move with your foot, so you stay comfortable as you go.

The innovative soft midsole HOVR™ foam remains. Together, the new knit upper and the soft HOVR™ foam provide the perfect fit.

About UA HOVR PHANTOM 2 INTELLIKNIT

ENERGY RETURN

The soft cushioning on these shoes keeps your legs feeling fresh so you can walk for long periods of time.

HOVR™ technology maintains zero-gravity to eliminate impact and maintain energy return. The compression mesh Energy Web contains & molds A HOVR™ foam to give back the energy you put in.

BETTER FIT, CUSHIONING, GRIP & BREATHABILITY

Designed with a flat knit upper that provides zonal stretch and support where you need it, a better anatomical fit, and easy entry. It provides greater comfort at the ankles. Heels to toe UA HOVR™ exposed contributing to more cushioning.

INTELLIKNIT VAMP

UA INTELLIKNIT is a stretchy, soft material mapped to the foot for improved flex and breathability. It is lightweight, breathable, and warm without feeling heavy. 

The UA HOVR™ Phantom 2 IntelliKnit is now available for purchase at all Under Armour Brand Houses and online at $229 retail price.

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