Chiropractic Sport Institute

Chiropractic Sports Institute was started with the sole vision of providing the best and most advanced chiropractic treatment to the greater Conejo Valley area.

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Sports drinks, are they good for you and do they work?

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By Dr. Terry Weyman
In a great article by Dr. Robert Silverman, written in the journal “Dynamic Chiropractic”, Dr. Silverman takes an indepth look at Key components of a performance/recovery drink and to see if you are getting what you desire. In this article I am going to summarize Dr. Silvermans findings, breaking it down so that implementation is easy.
Why use a recovery/performance drink?
When you sweat and work out your body gets depleted of vital nutrients as well the cells in your body begin to dehydrate. Drinking just water provides the necessary hydration but unfortunately, it lacks the key nutrients to aid in performance and recovery. If water is not sufficient, is there a sports drink on the market that will work? Dr. Silverman did an extensive review of the various literature looking at the ingredients and efficiency. Even though the “best” sports drink say they have carbohydrates, electrolytes and numerous other “performance nutrition” do they do the job and are they good for you. A good Sports Drink should not only fuel activity, but also aid in recovery.  
What the drinks should have
Carbohydrates: 
“Carbs are a key component for athletic performance, recovery and health. Dr. Silverman recommends 30-60 grams of carbs per hour for an athletic endeavor. The carbohydrate  amount will prevent immunosupression, which naturally occurs during intensive exercise. In addition, this amount enables athletes to maintain blood glucose levels, and to
maintain blood glucose levels, and optimize glucose uptake and oxidation in performance. 
Electrolytes:
Sports drinks should contain electrolytes such as sodium, potassium magnesium and chloride. Magnesium, a key electrolyte, plays a pivotal role in 300 enzymatic reactions. Bisglycinate has been shown to be the best form of magnesium because it is chelated (bonded) to an amino acid (glycine). Magnesium in the form of bisglycinate ensures increased intestinal absorption and prevents diarrhea. Finding a company that formulate Magnesium in this form is hard, hence why some sport drinks cause intestinal issues.
Other ingredients that are important:
Malic Acid– a critical addition to a sports drink formulation since it reduces muscle tenderness and assists in soft tissue recovery. 
Taurine- is an amino acid that helps regulate the level of water and mineral salts in the blood by keeping potassium and magnesium inside the cell. At the same time, taurine prevents excessive sodium from entering the cell. L-Taurine’s properties have been validated in numerous studies.
L-Carnosine- Also,an amino acid, helps fight muscle fatigue in fast twitch fibers and aids in athletic performance. 
In addition, a complete range of complex B vitamins for energy production should be included in the drink as well. 
Maximum Carb Efficiency
“Research has shown that a combination of diverse sugars maximizes carbohydrate absorption during exercise. Since glucose and fructose are absorbed at different rates, both glucose and fructose polymers should be present to optimize multiple pathways of absorption during exercise. Most commercial brands use only glucose polymers.
Literature reveals that a glucose-fructose combination, versus water or glucose alone, is the best choice for carbohydrates in a sports drink. The glucose-fructose combination results in improved power performance, running time, time to fatigue during cycling, and a perceived higher level of exertion during both strength and endurance exercises.”
Does your sports drink make the cut?
“Of the more popular brands, Powerade contains high-fructose corn syrup as a source of carbohydrates; it lacks electrolytes and any recovery ingredients. Gatorade has no vitamins and contains only sodium and potassium. Both these brands rely solely on glucose as a carbohydrate source and lack fructose. Another popular brand, Vitamin Water, has no sodium or chloride and contains only trace amounts of magnesium.
Coconut water has very high levels of potassium without any sodium content, and low levels of magnesium. Analysis of coconut water reveals that it primarily contains sucrose as a main carbohydrate source, rather than glucose and fructose in an appropriate ratio of 3:1.” 
Its Dr. Silvermans professional opinion, that non of these aforementioned commercial brands contain a proper formulation to aid in athletic performance. Instead, they hinder athletic performance.
What to look for in your “Sports Drink”.
“When looking for a good sports drink do your due diligence. You research what kind of food to eat, now its time to research the best sports drink. Look to companies that provide the powder that you mix your own, found in Cycling and performance shops. Talk to your Sports Medicine practitioners for their opinion on what works best for you. Look for the following ingredients when you are reading your labels.
The drink should contain the 4 electrolytes as ingredients and have the appropriate 3:1 ratio of glucose to fructose. In addition, it should include magnesium in the bisglycinate form, as well as malic acid, taurine, L-Carnosine and complex B vitamins to aid in athletic recovery, states Dr. Silverman”
Read your labels, do your work. You are only given one body and its highly tuned and complex. Treat it with respect and take care of it and your body will perform as it was designed to do.
Dr. Terry Weyman is the Clinic Director of Chiropractic Sports Institute, www.gotcsi.com

How to reduce inflammation through diet and supplementation

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By Dr. Terry Weyman

We all suffer in various degrees of inflammatory pain. However, in the world of high level athletics or business, the pain can interfere with our performance not only on the physical level but the mental as well. Each of us needs to focus on reducing our individual inflammation issues and diet is a great way to start. Every ounce of energy spent doing another physical task is lost and can’t be used for performance output. Let’s look at which foods can increase inflammation and which ones will help decrease inflammation.

When you’re on the road, training/competing or trying to recover from an injury there are foods you want to avoid no matter how deep the temptation. These foods will increase the biochemical response which in turn slows the healing time. You also risk the injury not healing properly and creating a chronic condition.

• All Grains and Grain products– including white bread, pasta, wheat bread, pretzels, cereals, crackers and any product made with grains or flours from grains. This also includes most deserts and packaged foods.

Why grains? Most people think about “carbo loading” prior to training or competition, but consider that “modern grains” have only been consumed for a short time in the history of man kind and with chemical additives, seem to affect our body and its ability to heal. In history, grains were left for livestock and not consumed. Most grains now contain Gluten, Hydrogenated Fats, Vegetable Oil and Refined Sugar. Gluten and Lectins (sugar protein) both can cause digestive system inflammation as well as many other biochemical conditions that can lead to poor digestion, absorption and nutritional gain.

• Trans Fats (partially hydrogenated oils)- these are found in margarine, deep fried foods and most packaged foods.
• Seed and vegetable oils– anything with corn or seed oil, such as safflower oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil or soybean oil. Foods such as mayonnaise, tartar sauce, margarine and most salad dressings.

For the same reasons above with grains, these oils can impede the digestive system and cause numerous conditions ranging from Celiac disease to athletic induced headaches.

• Soda and sugar– sugar will always increase inflammation and bacteria growth. Stay away from any drink in a can!
• Dairy– all dairy products increase both inflammation and mucus which impedes the healing process
• Meat, eggs and fish that are grain fed- Look for free range

Now that I have ruined your, day lets look at how to heal your body and get maximum performance out of your living system. My goal is to heal you faster and make you perform better than you have ever performed in your life.

• All fruits and Vegetables– the more raw, the better
• Red and Sweet potatoes– Eaten with protein is even better
• Fresh, free-range fish– Avoid farm raised fish and catfish since they have elevated Omega 6 fatty acids. Free range fish and better yet, cold water fish have high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids which are the good Omegas and decrease inflammation.
• Meat, Chicken, eggs from GRASS fed animals. Look for free range. Wild game are the best since we know they eat grass and have a leaner meat.
• Omega 3 eggs • Raw Nuts- Great snake food, such as almonds, cashews, pistachios, macadamia, walnuts and brazil nuts for the enriched fiber and essential oils
• Spices– such as ginger, garlic, oregano, fennel, red chili pepper, turmeric, basil, rosemary, etc
• Oils and Fats– moderate amounts of organic butter, coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil
• Salad Dressing choices- extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard dressing along with spices.
• Beverages– water, organic green tea. If you must drink alcohol go for red wine or a stout beer.

Basic plan for meals, look at protein as your basis and start the day with an Omega-3 egg omelets, steel cut oatmeal with ground up chia seeds, raisins, berries or brown sugar. Meal shakes with fresh fruit. Mid day have your chicken and fish and snack on fresh fruit, nuts, yogurt or fresh fruit shakes.

Limit your evening meals to fresh fish and keep it light since most of your digestion is done earlier in the day. Try and eat prior to 6:30pm as well, so the food does not sit in your digestion track all night. You will sleep better and not gain those unwanted pounds.

If you are unable to eat correctly or you’re in training and need a little extra help due to the strain on your system then supplement your diet with the following:
• A Good Pharmaceutical Multivitamin and Mineral without iron
• Vitamin D3
• EPA/DHA Omega 3 fish oils. Make sure they are pure from pesticides and are made from cold water fish that is free range
• Calcium/Magnesium combo


Prior to competition:
• Take a probiotic supplement to help digestive enzymes process to get the food to your muscles
• Take a joint supplement a week before to bring extra nutrients to your joints (Glucosamine and Chondroitin sulfate)

Post Competition
• Take a proteolytic Enzyme to help degrade the proteins that can be produced in excess after an acute injury
• Calcium/Magnesium to reduce muscle spasms
• Fish Oils to reduce inflammation

The statement, “you are what you eat” is a true statement. You would never put junk gas in your race car yet you would be surprised what some athletes put in their body. How much better would they heal or perform if they followed the simple rules laid out above? Eat well, compete hard and recover fully.

Dr.Terry Weyman is the owner of Chiropractic Sports Institute. You can reach him or purchase any of the above supplements on his website www.gotcsi.com and he can be followed on twitter at DrTerryW.

Eat for the Seasons for Maximum OUTPUT

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By. Dr. Shari Phillips, LAc

The most basic foundation of good health and longevity is nutrition. Nutrition is the one thing that the majority of us have full control over and thus can make a conscious decision of what we eat on a meal to meal basis. However, the simplicity of nutrition is often overlooked, as many of us lead a busy lifestyle, which often results in grabbing food on the run. Although many “fast food” institutions now have an improved selection of healthy snacks and offerings than ever before, we still miss the simplicity of what to eat and when.

Eating within the seasons, is a 3000 year old philosophy founded in Chinese Medicine and is a basic rule of thumb to provide proper nutrition. This philosophy is based on eating foods that are nourishing to the body within each particular season, keeping the body’s immune system sharp and able to fight any flu or cold that tries to invade. Additionally, the Chinese have also discovered that each food has an “energetic” temperature as well, which make certain foods more appropriate to eat in a variety of ways to provide optimum health.

For example, when you have a flu or cold and you are lacking in energy, the body needs foods that are easy to digest and supportive to the immune system while the body continues to fight the illness. Do you recall when your Mom or Grandmother suggested a good bowl of chicken soup when you were feeling low? Chicken soup is exactly what the body needs to fight a flu or cold. Chicken itself has a “warm” energetic nature that also helps keep the body warm while trying to fighting the pathogen. Additionally, the broth in the soup supports easy digestion, while the noodles and light vegetables nourish the brain and body with the correct amount of nutrients. Eating in this manner, combined with good rest and adequate fluids, speeds the body’s recover and helps strengthen your immunity.

The concept of eating within the seasons not only ensures that the body gets the nourishment it needs during a particular season, but also provides a “preventative” measure to keep one healthy from season to season.

In Chinese Medicine, each season has an associated organ:(how can a belief that has lasted 10,000+ years be too far off?)

Fall = Lung Winter = Kidneys

Spring = Liver Summer = spleen and stomach

Although the seasons are sometimes “blurred” here in Southern California, and we often enjoy a warm, sunny day, it is very important to continue to eat foods that are warm and nourishing, as February is still a “winter” month. Foods like soups and stews, root vegetables (carrots, yams, onions, potatoes, beets and parsnips, etc) are still the best choice during this season versus choosing foods that have a “cold” energetic nature, such as salads and some fruits. Yogurts, ice cream, cold smoothies, salads and certain fruits, are best reserved for summer, when the days are hot and our bodies naturally desire foods with an energetic cooling nature.

Food is medicine, so choose wisely to ensure optimum health!

Shari Phillips is a highly decorated Acupuncturist who originally practiced in Toronto, Canada. She has post graduate degrees in Cardiology, Nutrition, Orthopedics and Womens health. She practices next to CSI in Westlake, Ca. For more info@shariphillipsacupuncture.com

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