Clean Run - March 2013 - 48

which are readily available to the body. In general you want a ratio of about 4:1
of Omega 6 to Omega 3 for maintenance. In addition, optimal levels of fatty acids promote healthy development of bones and joints. So add salmon, sardines,
mackerel, and other white fish to your dog’s diet. Not only do some of the canine
edible nuts and seeds contain EFAs, they have amino acids, too—bonus!

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Glucosamine is naturally found in the body in the form of an amino sugar and
is involved with cartilage formation and repair. It may have anti-inflammatory
properties and promote repair of connective tissues, joints, and mucous membranes. Chondroitin sulfate is part of proteoglycans that give cartilage its elasticity, is involved with regulating/blocking inflammation in the joint, and stimulates glycosaminoglycans and collagen synthesis. Athletes work and train hard
and increase the demands on their bodies, which increases degradation of their
tissues. With most athletes, the body’s own natural supply cannot keep up with
demand and supplementation is needed. Ongoing research and studies continue to explore the bioavailability and the efficacy of these products.
DMG (N,N-dimethylglycine) is an amino acid that increases oxygen to the tissues
and its utilization by the cells, is involved in detoxification of the body, protects
cells, helps rebuild liver cells, is an immune system modulator, enhances cellular
healing, and reduces lactic acid build-up. It is a powerful antioxidant as well. Food
suggestions: brown rice, brewer’s yeast, liver, and pumpkin seeds. Choline aids in
the formation of DMG and is beneficial to the nervous system. The foods rich in
choline are egg yolks, soy, wheat germ, beef, chicken, veal, and turkey livers.
Coenzyme Q10 is essential for the production of ATP in the cell. If the body
has enough CoQ10 available then it should be able to maintain the energy in
the cells. All kinds of different cells in the body are working really hard during
exercise and are sometimes on overload. It is beneficial for them to have the nutrients that they need to perform their jobs. In addition, CoQ10 is also a strong
antioxidant that is beneficial for the athlete. Food suggestions: meat, poultry,
fish, soybean and canola oils, and nuts.
Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid that is a building block of the brain tissue, and is associated with brain energy, neurotransmitter production, and nerve
generation. It elevates cognitive performance and memory retention, helps the
body adapt to mental and physical stress, and supports healthy mood. It has
been demonstrated to speed up the recovery from athletic events or injury and
prevent muscle soreness. Soybeans, lecithin, meat, offal, fish, vegetables, and
dairy products are a good source of phosphatidylserine.

Treats
Most performance dogs are trained using food rewards. The various functional
foods and nutrients mentioned above can be given as rewards and training treats.
And, specially designed treats can fulfill the energy and metabolic requirements
needed for the canine sprinter when given at the appropriate times. One such treat
is Mach Morsels.
Mach Morsels are treats that provide the nutrients needed immediately during exercise and replenish the nutrients that will be needed for storage for future use. The
timing of feeding these ingredients before the event is very important so that there
are high blood levels of the nutrients available to the body, and the timing of giving
the ingredients after the event is mandatory so that the body will absorb and store
the nutrients. Many dog owners are using Mach Morsels for various activities and
sports, and the results have been rewarding. The dogs are not as fatigued (especially
at the end of the day or long weekend at trials), which results in fewer injuries, and
their body recovers more effectively post-event. These treats can also be customized to accommodate other physical or emotional issues that an athlete may have.
Mach Morsels were designed based on experience and use of herbs, antioxidants,
adaptogens, and the knowledge gained from researching human and canine sports
nutrition. As mentioned above, right before the start of a high-intensity event, the
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dog’s body needs quick fuel like simple
sugars for the muscle cells and the neurons to work. When carbohydrates are
available in abundance during exercise,
it can help prevent the breakdown of
amino acids for fuel. Mach Morsels provides this quick fuel when fed at the
appropriate time. Also, and equally as
important, feeding Mach Morsels within 30 minutes to 2 hours after the performance helps the body to replenish
energy and electrolytes, and recover
from the waste products of metabolism.
Mach Morsels have whey protein in
them to provide the amino acids necessary for the body to recover and the
cells to function. They also have herbs
and phytonutrients (molasses and tart
cherry extract, for example) to increase
speed, strength, and performance, and
to decrease fatigue, long recovery time,
stress, and injury. For more information
go to www.machmorsels.com.

Avoiding Fatigue
The canine athlete should be properly
conditioned both physically and nutritionally for training and before competition. When the athlete’s body is
prepared then he will perform better,
recover quicker, have fewer injuries, and
stay healthy longer. Providing the right
functional foods (phytonutrients and
nutraceuticals) at the appropriate times
will prevent fatigue, injury, and stress in
the athlete. This is because the nervous
system becomes more precise and the
reflexes get quicker, which results in
increased muscle firing and better balance and coordination. Properly fed
muscles are stronger and more powerful for locomotion and for supporting the skeletal system. Healthy, toned
ligaments and tendons are less prone to
sprains and strains. Stamina and endurance will be heightened as fatigue and
physical and psychological exhaustion
decrease. Inadequate recovery may increase the risk of developing illness or
becoming injured. The recovery period
is just as important as the workout.
There are three main scenarios that
lead to fatigue: 1) Decrease in blood
sugar; 2) Decrease in glycogen stores in
the muscle and the liver; and 3) Depletion of potassium and glutamine.
Clean Run | March 13

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Clean Run - March 2013

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