Researchers agree that mental health and well-being are essential for optimal performance within all areas of life, including sports, academics and relationships. This means being proactive about wellness and preventing mental illness, not being reactive. However, it is important to develop an understanding of the implications of mental illnesses on athletic performance in order to begin prioritizing wellness to avoid these effects. Thankfully, exercise and athletics provide multiple benefits to mental health, such as self-confidence, connectedness, social support and positive self-esteem. Mental health impacts athlete performance in different ways depending on the person and the specific mental health challenge. However, it is well-documented that mental health challenges greatly impact athletic performance. These challenges include, among others, stress, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, substance use and loss of relationships.
Furthermore, mental health issues can also be caused by additional factors including harmful free radicals. These highly reactive forms of oxygen create a chemical reaction called oxidative stress which can damage brain cells. If free radicals get out of control, cells are damaged faster than they are repaired. Like a biological form of rust, oxidative stress can lead to diminished brain function.
Free radicals can not only assault us internally, but they can wreak havoc from the outside as well, primarily through the skin and lungs. Today’s modern industrial environment in concert with the sun’s ultraviolet rays produce free radicals. Many are unaware that in the presence of heat and sunlight, ozone forms quickly from nitrogen oxides in polluted air and volatile organic compounds from vehicle exhaust. Ozone is a highly reactive gas and the main component of smog, which is a key contributor in the formation of free radicals. This is the perfect storm for oxidative stress.
Additionally, chemical pesticides, herbicides and petrochemical paints and solvents are also sources of free radical exposure. Moreover, when people eat fats processed at high temperatures or fats that are deep-fried, they are consuming foods that add to the free radical load. And don’t forget that tobacco of all kinds is a major producer of free radicals.
Antioxidants for Cognitive Health and Performance
Where would we be without mental health? Athletes rely on a heightened sense of mental health and focus for optimal performance. That said, athletes need to include antioxidant-rich foods and supplements into their diets because they are powerful at decreasing the damage caused by free radicals and enhancing focus and performance. Athletes should consider products containing the following antioxidant ingredients, among others, that support increased brain function and promote heightened focus and performance:
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA): This powerful antioxidant is both water and fat soluble and enters all parts of the cell to neutralize free radicals. It is the only antioxidant supplement that can easily access the brain. There is some evidence that it is useful in the prevention of strokes.
Ashwagandha: A versatile adaptogen that can enhance the immune system, boost energy, calm the stress response and reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. It can also enhance memory and mental acuity due to its antioxidant effect and ability to increase acetylcholine-receptor activity.
Fish Oil: The mainstream media has been reporting on the benefits of fish oil for years—typically for heart health. Now there is research to suggest that fish oil may be good for the brain as well. In fact, three new human studies add to an impressive body of research regarding the value of EPA- and DHA-containing fish oil for mental health and cognitive function. DHA, in particular, is considered the most biological active oil for your brain, as it is the primary fatty acid that accumulates in brain cells. Be sure to take fish oil products from companies that follow strict procedures to eliminate environmental contaminants to assure the highest purity of its fish oil supplements.
Ginkgo biloba (Leaf) Extract: Has been shown to enhance cognition by supporting and enhancing the function of neural tissue. Ginkgo also protects neurons from damage, as well as regenerates neurons.
Grapeseed Extract: A significant source of naturally occurring phenolic compounds that are known to bolster the structural integrity of brain cells and brain cell networks. A recent study shows the ability of grape seed extract to stimulate the production of new brain cells. Researchers were able to show that compounds in grape seed extract activated genes that controlled cellular rejuvenation.
N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC): A precursor of glutathione, a significant antioxidant and a key detoxifying agent in the liver. Research suggests that NAC levels may drop with age, which could lead to oxidative stress within brain cells.
Phosphatidylserine (PS): A phospholipid substance which is a building block for the brain’s approximately 100 billion nerve cells. Of the nutrients proven most beneficial to the brain, PS is the most impressive for its degree of efficacy and its impeccable safety record. More than 60 human studies, including 18 double-blind trials, affirm diverse benefits of PS for mental health and focus.
Rhodiola: Stimulates both mental and physical performance. Its effects on the brain are perhaps the most interesting. Numerous studies have shown it to improve focus. It also helps the brain produce serotonin, which is a key “happy” neurotransmitter. In one study, 128 people suffering from depression were given 200 mg of rhodiola. Two-thirds of the patients (65 percent) had major reduction or complete disappearance of their symptoms.
Vinpocetine: Selectively dilates the arteries and capillaries in the head area, reducing vascular resistance, improving cell production of ATP and promoting better circulation to the brain. By increasing circulation, it allows for improved nutrient and oxygen delivery to brain cells.
An abundance of recent scientific evidence indicates that any nutritional regimen to nourish the brain should incorporate food and supplements that have been shown to stimulate brain energy metabolism, boost acetylcholine levels and protect against inflammation, thrombosis and oxidative stress. By taking advantage of recent advances in nerve cell function and cognition, and how these processes are disrupted during normal aging, athletes of all ages can devise an individualized preventative program utilizing the most potent brain-protective nutrients, such as the ones previously outlined.
These supplements work via numerous mechanisms to provide natural, broad-spectrum support for optimal brain health and function. Because it is so much easier to protect the health of brain cells than it is to restore their function once damage has occurred, it makes sense for athletes to begin a program as soon as possible. When it comes to protecting and preserving cognitive health, the old cliché, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” couldn’t be truer. VR
Mark Becker is a senior account manager for Vivion Inc., a raw materials distributor, based in Vernon, CA. He has worked as a natural products sales and marketing executive for 20 years. Becker has written more than 300 articles and has hosted or been a guest on more than 500 radio shows. He obtained a bachelor’s in journalism from Long Beach State University and did his master’s work in communications at Cal State Fullerton. For more than 35 years he has participated in numerous endurance events, including more than 150 triathlons of Olympic distance or longer, 103 marathons and numerous other events including ultramarathons and rough water swims from Alcatraz to the mainland. He has relied on a comprehensive dietary supplement regimen to support his athletic, professional and personal endeavors. Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/becker_mark. For more information, access www.vivioninc.com, www.alliedbionutrition.com or www.EnergyatLast.com.
Researchers agree that mental health and well-being are essential for optimal performance within all areas of life, including sports, academics and relationships. This means being proactive about wellness and preventing mental illness, not being reactive. However, it is important to develop an understanding of the implications of mental illnesses on athletic performance in order to begin prioritizing wellness to avoid these effects. Thankfully, exercise and athletics provide multiple benefits to mental health, such as self-confidence, connectedness, social support and positive self-esteem. Mental health impacts athlete performance in different ways depending on the person and the specific mental health challenge. However, it is well-documented that mental health challenges greatly impact athletic performance. These challenges include, among others, stress, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, substance use and loss of relationships.
Furthermore, mental health issues can also be caused by additional factors including harmful free radicals. These highly reactive forms of oxygen create a chemical reaction called oxidative stress which can damage brain cells. If free radicals get out of control, cells are damaged faster than they are repaired. Like a biological form of rust, oxidative stress can lead to diminished brain function.
Free radicals can not only assault us internally, but they can wreak havoc from the outside as well, primarily through the skin and lungs. Today’s modern industrial environment in concert with the sun’s ultraviolet rays produce free radicals. Many are unaware that in the presence of heat and sunlight, ozone forms quickly from nitrogen oxides in polluted air and volatile organic compounds from vehicle exhaust. Ozone is a highly reactive gas and the main component of smog, which is a key contributor in the formation of free radicals. This is the perfect storm for oxidative stress.
Additionally, chemical pesticides, herbicides and petrochemical paints and solvents are also sources of free radical exposure. Moreover, when people eat fats processed at high temperatures or fats that are deep-fried, they are consuming foods that add to the free radical load. And don’t forget that tobacco of all kinds is a major producer of free radicals.
Antioxidants for Cognitive Health and Performance
Where would we be without mental health? Athletes rely on a heightened sense of mental health and focus for optimal performance. That said, athletes need to include antioxidant-rich foods and supplements into their diets because they are powerful at decreasing the damage caused by free radicals and enhancing focus and performance. Athletes should consider products containing the following antioxidant ingredients, among others, that support increased brain function and promote heightened focus and performance:
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA): This powerful antioxidant is both water and fat soluble and enters all parts of the cell to neutralize free radicals. It is the only antioxidant supplement that can easily access the brain. There is some evidence that it is useful in the prevention of strokes.
Ashwagandha: A versatile adaptogen that can enhance the immune system, boost energy, calm the stress response and reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. It can also enhance memory and mental acuity due to its antioxidant effect and ability to increase acetylcholine-receptor activity.
Fish Oil: The mainstream media has been reporting on the benefits of fish oil for years—typically for heart health. Now there is research to suggest that fish oil may be good for the brain as well. In fact, three new human studies add to an impressive body of research regarding the value of EPA- and DHA-containing fish oil for mental health and cognitive function. DHA, in particular, is considered the most biological active oil for your brain, as it is the primary fatty acid that accumulates in brain cells. Be sure to take fish oil products from companies that follow strict procedures to eliminate environmental contaminants to assure the highest purity of its fish oil supplements.
Ginkgo biloba (Leaf) Extract: Has been shown to enhance cognition by supporting and enhancing the function of neural tissue. Ginkgo also protects neurons from damage, as well as regenerates neurons.
Grapeseed Extract: A significant source of naturally occurring phenolic compounds that are known to bolster the structural integrity of brain cells and brain cell networks. A recent study shows the ability of grape seed extract to stimulate the production of new brain cells. Researchers were able to show that compounds in grape seed extract activated genes that controlled cellular rejuvenation.
N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC): A precursor of glutathione, a significant antioxidant and a key detoxifying agent in the liver. Research suggests that NAC levels may drop with age, which could lead to oxidative stress within brain cells.
Phosphatidylserine (PS): A phospholipid substance which is a building block for the brain’s approximately 100 billion nerve cells. Of the nutrients proven most beneficial to the brain, PS is the most impressive for its degree of efficacy and its impeccable safety record. More than 60 human studies, including 18 double-blind trials, affirm diverse benefits of PS for mental health and focus.
Rhodiola: Stimulates both mental and physical performance. Its effects on the brain are perhaps the most interesting. Numerous studies have shown it to improve focus. It also helps the brain produce serotonin, which is a key “happy” neurotransmitter. In one study, 128 people suffering from depression were given 200 mg of rhodiola. Two-thirds of the patients (65 percent) had major reduction or complete disappearance of their symptoms.
Vinpocetine: Selectively dilates the arteries and capillaries in the head area, reducing vascular resistance, improving cell production of ATP and promoting better circulation to the brain. By increasing circulation, it allows for improved nutrient and oxygen delivery to brain cells.
An abundance of recent scientific evidence indicates that any nutritional regimen to nourish the brain should incorporate food and supplements that have been shown to stimulate brain energy metabolism, boost acetylcholine levels and protect against inflammation, thrombosis and oxidative stress. By taking advantage of recent advances in nerve cell function and cognition, and how these processes are disrupted during normal aging, athletes of all ages can devise an individualized preventative program utilizing the most potent brain-protective nutrients, such as the ones previously outlined.
These supplements work via numerous mechanisms to provide natural, broad-spectrum support for optimal brain health and function. Because it is so much easier to protect the health of brain cells than it is to restore their function once damage has occurred, it makes sense for athletes to begin a program as soon as possible. When it comes to protecting and preserving cognitive health, the old cliché, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” couldn’t be truer. VR
Mark Becker is a senior account manager for Vivion Inc., a raw materials distributor, based in Vernon, CA. He has worked as a natural products sales and marketing executive for 20 years. Becker has written more than 300 articles and has hosted or been a guest on more than 500 radio shows. He obtained a bachelor’s in journalism from Long Beach State University and did his master’s work in communications at Cal State Fullerton. For more than 35 years he has participated in numerous endurance events, including more than 150 triathlons of Olympic distance or longer, 103 marathons and numerous other events including ultramarathons and rough water swims from Alcatraz to the mainland. He has relied on a comprehensive dietary supplement regimen to support his athletic, professional and personal endeavors. Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/becker_mark. For more information, access www.vivioninc.com, www.alliedbionutrition.com or www.EnergyatLast.com.
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