Quick fact. Ready? Beta Alanine is an amino acid often included in pre workout formulas, and is a large component of what gives someone a 'muscle pump' prior to a workout. This can be described as a tingly sensation in one's arms and legs as the Beta Alanine travels from the blood into muscle tissues.
Quick fact. Ready? The period of time following a workout is known as EPOC, excess post oxygen consumption. During this time, the body increases its oxygen uptake, temperature, and calorie expenditure simply to recover from the workout. The higher the intensity of exercise, the greater oxygen deficit created, and thus, and greater EPOC period. Amazing, isn’t it?
Quick fact. Ready? Giving your body an adequate supply of healthy fats, known as essential fatty acids, aids when prompting the body to release its own fat storages to burn as fuel. This is why healthy fats, such as those found in nuts, avocados, and seeds, should not be feared, for they often assist in weight loss, not cause it.
Quick fact. Ready? Glutamine is a special amino acid that the body naturally produces and stores within muscle tissue. This AA helps with muscle recovery, muscle glycogen and protein synthesis, and helps to combat the increasing acidity that occurs during intense workouts. We get about 1-6 grams from high protein foods, however this is often times not enough for intense marathoners, weight lifters, are athletes of any kind.
Quick fact. Ready? When we wake up in the morning, our bodies are in a fasted state. Our bodies, after have been deprived, require an immediate high quality source of protein first thing in the morning; whether it's an egg omelette, some turkey bacon, or a meal replacement shake. Just make sure that you're giving your body those amino acids that it needs!