Why does the human body need essential nutrients for optimal performance? What are the essential nutrients to consider for successful optimal performance? How does inadequate nutrient intake impact optimal performance?
For optimum performance, the body needs crucial nutrients which support many physiological processes. Essential nutrients are carbs, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals that one’s body needs to make energy, fix and grow muscles, keep one’s immune system healthy, and stay healthy (Steinmuller et al., 2014). These nutrients are essential for sports and other physical tasks because they give one the energy they need, help them recover, and maintain their health.
Not getting enough nutrients can have a big effect on one’s ability. Not getting enough carbohydrates can tire one, lowering their endurance and strength. Protein loss slows muscle growth and repair, making it harder to get stronger and heal (Steinmuller et al., 2014). Not getting enough vitamins and minerals can hurt one’s immune system and general health, making it harder for athletes to keep up with their workouts.
Sports nutrition and dietetics know nutrition is crucial in avoiding chronic diseases, staying healthy, and performing at one’s best. When groups like the Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group make Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional Performance, they help Registered Dietitian Nutritionists evaluate and improve their skills to deal with the complicated relationship between nutrition, exercise, and sports performance (Steinmuller et al., 2014). These standards cover it all for providing good nutrition care, making sure people are qualified, and encouraging the use of methods based on evidence in sports nutrition and dietetics.
Determine if the Creatine Monohydrate is a safe and effective dietary supplement an athlete might consider to enhance optimal performance.
Athletes and service members who want to get stronger and build muscle often take creatine monohydrate as a drug. There is proof from science that taking creatine supplements and resistance training can help people gain muscle and strength. Proteins like red meat and fish contain creatine, a natural chemical that the body makes (UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY, 2022). Muscles store creatine as phosphocreatine, which provides quick energy for explosive actions.
Some athletes, especially those focusing on endurance training, may not benefit from creatine similarly. However, it has been shown to help resistance-trained people improve their strength, power, sprint performance, and muscle mass. Since vegetarians naturally have less creatine, they might benefit the most from supplements (UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY, 2022). The most studied form is creatine monohydrate, and there is proof that doses as low as 3 g per day are safe and effective.
The pros and cons of universal healthcare in the United States
There are pros and cons to universal health care in the United States. One good thing about it is that it might make people healthier by reducing health disparities and giving uninsured people care. This could benefit the economy in the long run because spending money on prevention and encouraging healthy habits could lower the costs of having a sick country (Zieff et al., 2020). Universal healthcare models can help fight chronic diseases like obesity and type II diabetes by focusing on social factors that affect health, like having access to good healthcare.
However, adopting universal healthcare takes work. It will cost money upfront and take much work to set up. Some people say that the government should not have to pay for expensive medical care and treatments, especially for long-term illnesses that humans can avoid. Still, supporters of a universal healthcare system say that it could encourage primary prevention efforts and widespread preventative steps in many areas of society (Zieff et al., 2020). A system that focuses on value-based care could make the country’s health and business better as a whole.
References
Steinmuller, P. L., Kruskall, L. J., Karpinski, C. A., Manore, M. M., Macedonio, M. A., & Meyer, N. L. (2014). Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Revised 2014 Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional Performance for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (Competent, Proficient, and Expert) in Sports Nutrition and Dietetics. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 114(4), 631-641.e43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2013.12.021
UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY. (2022). Creatine supplements: The basics. Retrieved from opss website: https://www.opss.org/article/creatine-supplements-basics
Zieff, G., Kerr, Z., Moore, J., & Stoner, L. (2020). Universal Healthcare in the United States of America: A Healthy Debate. Medicina, 56(11), 1–7. National Library of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina56110580