As the New Year dawns so do the new fitness regimes and local osteopath Dr Geoff Hayhurst is urging fitness enthusiasts not to harm their bodies by overtraining with aggressive exercise programs, and is advising how omega fatty acids can help you achieve optimum performance.
“Many people in Northern Ireland start an exercise program or take up a new sport at this time to help meet weight loss goals, however their efforts can end up doing more harm than good,” says Dr Hayhurst.
“Diving straight into a strenuous exercise program may seem the right thing to do but if you overdo it and injure yourself then you are more likely to develop stumbling blocks on your journey towards your healthier lifestyle.”
Dr Hayhurst explains, “Overtraining occurs when the body is not given sufficient time to recover and recuperate which causes increased stress and promotes the proliferation of free radicals and inflammatory reactions in the muscle tissue, which causes pain. Research has also shown that starting even moderately intensive training has the same impact on the muscles resulting in an increased risk of injury and inflammation.
“You can help protect your body from the effects of overtraining by increasing your intake of stabilised omega fatty acids. In particular omega 3 which naturally reduces inflammation in the body, a major cause of aches, pains and injury, and helps improve joint suppleness as well as speeding up healing which aids recovery.
“The essential fatty acids, omega 3, 6, 7 and 9 (found in marine and plant oils) when combined also help support heart and lung function, protect against unnecessary aggravation of injuries by keeping joints lubricated, prevent muscle breakdown, enhance and improve mental focus, boost immunity, promote the combustion of fats to supply more energy, which in turn increases stamina and helps aid weight loss.
“The best time to start increasing your omega intake is at the start of a new fitness program or indeed the beginning of a sporting season, when muscles and joints are not quite as supple and strong. You can do this by adapting your diet to include more oily fish for example mackerel or you can take a high quality nutritional supplement such as Paradox Omega Sport. This unique supplement includes a blend of omegas 3, 6, 7, 9 stabilised by powerful polyphenol antioxidants (found in olives) which preserves the important fatty acids naturally and prevents the oil from tasting and smelling of fish. Paradox Omega Sport has the extra benefit of containing natural vitamin D, necessary for the maintenance of strong bones”
Look after your body this New Year with the following tips from Dr Hayhurst.
– Devise an exercise plan for yourself including a set of specific goals
– Gradually increase the intensity of your exercise program
– Ensure that you undertake activities which ensure that the whole body is conditioned rather than just certain parts as this will reduce the risk of overuse injuries and help to make your exercise program more varied and interesting.
– Stretch before and after your exercise program
– Incorporate rest days to help your body be fully prepared for the next session of physical activity
– Ensure you incorporate essential fatty acids into your diet by eating 3/4 portions of oily fish or by taking an omega oil supplement such as Paradox Omega Sport.
Paradox Omega Sport is available from chemists and health stores throughout Northern Ireland and online at: www.paradoxoil.com. (Price £9.99 for a 1 month supply).
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