Does Quercetin Improve Performance in Endurance Athletes?

October 7, 2009 · Posted in Cycling, endurance, running · Comment 

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Everyone was excited with the initial studies done on Quercetin and endurance athletes looked for promising results to improve their athletic performance. However, studies in humans have been disappointing.

 Quercetin is a phytochemical that is part of the coloring found in the skins of apples and red onions. It has been isolated and is sold as a dietary supplement. Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. Research shows that quercetin may help to prevent cancer, especially prostate cancer.

Early studies in mice demonstrated evidence of being a potent performance enhance in mice. In the study two groups of mice were given either quercetin or placebo and did pre  and post testing on a wheel treadmill. The mice that received Quercetin were able to run 37% longer that their counterparts who received the placebo.

Several studies in humans both athletes and non-athletes were done with Quercetin and have not produced the same results. F.R.S. financed a small study which demonstrated that the highly trained human athletes improved their performance on Quercetin. The subjects were then given placebo and they also had signifcant improvement in their performance.  A second study was done using 12 untrained men and gave them quercetin and did find improvement after 1 week.

However 3 additional studies have had disappointing results. Runners in the Western States Endurance Run, a 100 mile  were given quercetin and saw no difference. A similar study done by the same researchers found no difference in cyclists.

 The most recent study was done by Coca Cola, which was testing a new drink with Quercetin. “There were simply no differences” between the quercetin and the placebo group, says Kirk J. Cureton, a professor of kinesiology at the University of Georgia and lead author of the study. It just does not improve endurance.

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These Boots Were Made For Walking

September 8, 2009 · Posted in running · Comment 

…And that’s just what they’ll do.

When you’re about to go out for a walk, run, or even a marathon there is one constant in the formula: shoes. Running shoes in particular. Any avid athlete will tell you that the right type of footwear can make or break a deal. There are few people who jog barefoot or in flip-flops, and I imagine that all of the above would be horribly uncomfortable in heels.your-best-tennis-shoes

When going out for shoes, it’s important to know exactly what kind of foot you have. The first thing to examine is your arch. Do you have a high arch, a middle arch, or a low arch (flat foot)? If you look at your foot from the side measure it in comparison to your toes. An arch ending above the toes is considered high and extremely below the toes is considered low. Another issue in discovering your foot type is the roll of your ankle. Take a piece of paper and place it on the floor; the darker the paper the better. Wet the bottom of your foot thoroughly and step down onto the paper. A wide print would define your foot as a pronator, whereas a narrow print would define your foot as a supinator. The type of foot you have makes all the difference in the type of shoe.

A great set of running shoes is designed to take the impact for you with every step and provide support that can stem all the way to your neck. Remember, expensive does not always mean best! The material and quality construction plays an important role in a shoe being the best.

Take a look at your current running shoes. Has there been significant wear in the soles? Are there any flaps coming apart or material deteriorating? Think of how often you run and for how many years you’ve had the shoes. A good pair of running shoes will last up to 600 miles of running and can make all the difference in your performance and endurance, not to mention physical brightness the next day!

Visit www.epoboost.com to learn more about how you can improve your performance, speed and strength. You have nothing to lose with a 90 day money-back guarantee.

Boost your endurance with EPO-BOOST™ and you’ll run faster and farther, we guarantee it!

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