How Safe is Your Water Bottle?

October 26, 2009 · Posted in Cycling, Nutrition, Recovery, endurance, running · 1 Comment 

stainless_steel_water_bottleThe FDA suggests that polycarbonate plastic bottles are safe, but many scientists disagree. It is safe to say that plastics are not the safest compound that it was once thought to be. Plastics release harmful chemicals when scratched or heated. The most common chemical is Bisphenol A (BPA). The is a long list of health disorders associated with BPA including development and reproductive abnormalities, altered growth rates, early puberty in girls,reduced sperm count, altered functions in reproductive organs in both sexes, altered behaviors, higher rates of cancer, and neurological disorders. Although BPA is only lethal at very high doses, increasing evidence suggests that it can disrupt key body functions at very low doses, and builds up in our bodies over time with each exposure.

Bottled water is harmful to the environment, your health and your wallet. As convenient as they are, they are by far the most durable pollutants on the planet. As they break down into smaller and smaller parts, they get into the food and water systems and effects can be seen in fish and animals ingesting these toxic pollutants. BPA has been shown to leach out into bottled water and individuals refilling their water bottles increase the leaching process and hazard to their body.

The only safe water bottles are made of glass, yet they are inconvenient, breakable and heavy. Aluminum and stainless steel bottles are two other alternatives. There is some concern over the liners in the aluminum bottles and whether they leach BPA into the water. Stainless steel may be an excellent alternative. They are less harmful to the environment, recyclable and do not alter the taste of the water.

So for now the recommendation is stainless steel as the best choice for water bottles in athletes.

How safe is your water bottle? Let us know what you are using? Are you a cyclist? What kind of water system is safe?

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Endurance Running, Swimming, Cycling – Ice Baths BRRRRR…

October 21, 2009 · Posted in Cycling, Recovery, Swimming, endurance, running · 2 Comments 

icebath_runningIf you bike, run, or swim at high intensity for any period of time you may have experienced sore muscles and discomfort.  Many endurance athletes are spending 15 minutes or so in an ice bath to ease the pain after a long run.

Ice baths or cold water immersion therapy constricts blood vessels and decreases metabolic activity, which reduces swelling and tissue breakdown. Once the skin is no longer in contact with the cold source, the underlying tissues warm up, causing a return of faster blood flow, which helps return the byproducts of cellular breakdown to the lymph system for efficient recycling by the body. This means that not only do you suppress inflammation but you also get rid of of the broken down tissues from the body. So ice baths reduce inflammation of tissues and joints, relieves soreness, and speeds recovery.

Ice baths require more than just 1 tray of ice. Get about 30 lbs of ice and add to water and climb in brrr, soak for 15 minutes and yes, your teeth will be chattering. Stay no longer than 15 minutes or you may cause tissue damage. Some people suggest getting into the tube in cool water and add the ice to create less of a cold shock to the body.

Another option might be to hop into a cold lake (if you are lucky to have one nearby) and stand in cold water for 15 minutes. Wrap up and drink a warm beverage while sitting in the tub. Have fun and feel great the next day!

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