Personal Fitness Professional - May 2008 - (Page 29)

coﬀee beans are roasted, they form a substance known as benzopyrene. A published study from the Harvard School of Public Health concluded that benzopyrene could have carcinogenic eﬀects, while the National Cancer Institute found no link. What can be concluded is that some diseases are promoted in an acidic environment, and the general goal of health is to create an alkaline body. • While most of us use caﬀeine for a quick pick-me-up, it can induce a state of stress. The adrenal glands produce a stress hormone that can linger in the bloodstream after consumption. Cortisol is released from the adrenal gland in a typical ﬁght-or-ﬂight response, while muscle energy is used for normal metabolic function. • Certain studies found that high quantities of caffeine could promote blood sugar imbalances in a small percentage of people with hypoglycemia or diabetes, while the American Cancer Society did not match these ﬁndings. The studies showed a chemical called alloxan had a higher incidence of diabetes because it aﬀects insulin production, and high caﬀeine consumption had shown to stimulate the production of alloxan. • On average, a cup of brewed coﬀee contains about 100 milligrams of caﬀeine, while instant has about 65 and decaﬀeinated about three. What is considered high is very individualized; however, the Olympic Committee once banned athletic events for athletes who tested with a high content in their blood. • As with any drug, withdrawal symptoms can occur. One of the most common is headaches caused by the sudden increased circulation to the brain when blood ﬂow is less constricted. Other indicators might be fatigue, sleepiness, irritability, lethargy, discontent, depression, poor concentration and, in some, even ﬂu-like nausea and vomiting accompanied by muscle pain and stiﬀness. Are there antioxidants in coffee and chocolate? Of course, but they also exist in heroin and cocaine. Consider the Facts It is really important to consider all of the facts before reading a study and then rushing to jump on or oﬀ the caﬀeine bandwagon. It is easy to pull just one piece of information from a study and skew it to prove almost anything. For example, some studies promote the powerful antioxidants found in dark chocolate and coﬀee. Are there antioxidants in coﬀee and chocolate? Of course, but they also exist in heroin and cocaine. Does that make you any more prone to consume those substances? You can acquire even greater beneﬁts by consuming “real foods” chock full of nutrients and beneﬁcial antioxidants and phytochemicals. The group of antioxidants touted in caﬀeine is polyphenols, plant compounds that act as antioxidants and protect against heart disease and cancer. Coﬀee contains polyphenols, but so do many other plant foods. Grape skin practically overﬂows with polyphenols, and the deeper their color, the richer the source of polyphenols. Green, leafy vegetables such as bok choy or mustard greens are whole foods high in polyphenols, ﬁber, quality vitamins and minerals and, in some cases, essential fatty acids. Consider all the perceived beneﬁts of energy and the positive antioxidant eﬀect from caﬀeine to determine your path. Then, for example, contemplate the fact that perhaps wheatgrass juice contains a much wider array of antioxidants and also provides the body with a surge of cumulative energy. Rather than constricting blood vessels and oxygen as caffeine is apt to, wheatgrass juice oxygenates all the cells and provides life-giving enzymes. Rather than stimulating the body to produce stress hormones, it actually supplies health-inducing hormones. Carefully consider the wordings when reading studies to form your opinion or lifestyle choices. As Americans, we do get antioxidants from caffeine; however, most Americans also consume a nutrient-poor diet, limited fresh vegetables and fruits, high saturated fats and low nutrient-dense foods. Take a look the current obesity rate, and it’s easy to see why we get more antioxidants from caffeine and coffee than perhaps other foods. Tea, bananas, beans and corn contain high levels, so chow down! Lots of other tasty stuff is loaded of antioxidants, so pick and choose your weapons wisely. Observe for yourself the way some facts might or might not be controlled in studies pertaining to caffeine and its effects on sensitivity, cancer, cardiovascular disease and addiction, to name a few. Living a healthy life in the 21st century requires us to be intensely discriminating. Your health depends upon your resolve to take personal responsibility and make the best choices. If you employ good common sense, you do not have to search for scientiﬁc approval before consuming any food or substance. Starbucks, anyone? Scott Josephson, MS, is the Director of Operations at Hippocrates Health Institute, a premier life-changing property in West Palm Beach, Florida. Scott is a national-level conference speaker throughout the United States and Canada, a recipient of numerous awards and is frequently published covering a wide range of industry topics. In addition to several certifications, he holds a degree from the University of Miami and is on the advisory board of the American Fitness Professionals and Associates. His work portfolio includes Geraldo Rivera, Wimbledon Champion Chris Evert and athletes from the New York Giants and New York Mets. For more information, contact Scott at sjosephson@hippocratesinst.org. ● MAY2008 · WWW.FIT-PRO.COM 29 http://WWW.FIT-PRO.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Personal Fitness Professional - May 2008

Personal Fitness Professional - May 2008 Contents Letter from the Editor, Writers Live Your Supertrainer Legacy Current Controversies Effective Employee Manuals Product Profiles The Coolest Training Zone The Making of a Top-Notch Boot Camp Instructor Mark Your Calendar Caffeine Exercise Spotlight Product Profiles New on the Market [Spotlight] Trish Muse

Personal Fitness Professional - May 2008

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