Hydration: The Key to Peak Athletic Performance

athlete in a gym hydrating

Have you ever wondered how crucial hydration is for an athlete's peak performance and overall health? Understanding the science of hydration can make the difference between a personal best performance or a trip in an ambulance. Recent Australian statistics shed light on the criticality of hydration in sports. According to the Australian Institute of Sport, […]

Protein Balls for Hormone Health

chocolate protein balls on a wooden board

These protein balls can be a great snack to manage energy levels, support hormonal balance, and provide a dose of protein and iron without excess sugar. Enjoy one or two as a nutritious snack throughout the day. Ingredients: 1 cup rolled oats 1/2 cup almond meal 1/4 cup chia seeds 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds 1/4 […]

Magnesium and bone health

woman running through a field with a stormy sky in the background

Whether you’re running marathons, lifting weights, or participating in team sports, your bones bear the brunt of your intense physical activity and constant training regimen. While we all know the importance of calcium and vitamin D for bone health, we often forget the role magnesium has in bone health. The Magnesium-Bone Connection Research suggests 20% […]

Medicinal Mushrooms

Photo from above a selection of medicinal mushrooms on a wooden table.

Medicinal mushrooms have gained popularity in recent years for their potential health benefits, including those that can be advantageous for athletes. Mushrooms are a great inclusion in your diet as they have many health and nutritional benefits. Mushrooms contain several B vitamins, including niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid and riboflavin. Mushrooms also provide antioxidants and […]

Sports Naturopathy

Photo of Kate Smyth naturopath, performing an examination on a patient.

Sports naturopathy, also known as sports-focused naturopathic medicine, uses natural healing approaches and offers many potential benefits for athletes. Naturopathic practitioners (Naturopaths) aim to maintain optimal health through a balanced and yet comprehensive approach. Naturopathy complements other conventional medical and allied health practices. Potential benefits of sports naturopathy for athletes include: Holistic Approach: Sports naturopathy […]

Training Fasted

Photo of a female athlete kneeling down on the ground as she is exhausted.

Training fasted involves exercising without food and/or energy drinks for a period of time. The most common fast lasts for 8/12 hours or extended to 16 hours as an overnight fast. During this period, we tap into fat stores in the form of ketone bodies and stored glycogen. Runners often train fasted unconsciously as a […]

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and athletes

Photo of a female athlete wearing a hoody on a dark gloomy day

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as seasonal depression or seasonal mood disorder, can have many impacts to your way of life, including your athletic performance. While SAD’s prevalence in Australia may differ from other regions, it is still important to explore the experiences of female athletes living with SAD. In this blog post, we […]

PMDD-premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Photo of a female lying down on the ground with her hands to her head in discomfort.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a health concern best described as a form of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMDD affects 3-8% of women worldwide but is not well understood or researched. What are the symptoms? PMDD symptoms include anger, irritability, depressed mood, anxiety, lack of pleasure, a sense of overwhelm, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, changes in […]

Salt tablets and electrolytes

Photo of jars of watermelon and orange in glass jars ogf water with straws.

Most athletes consider the balance of electrolytes when thinking about hydration and recovery, especially over endurance events.  But are salt tablets and electrolytes really necessary? Before we answer this question, let's recap on electrolytes and the role they perform in the body. Sodium is the key electrolyte responsible for controlling extracellular fluid balance while potassium […]

Race preparation

Photo of a female runner with sunglasses on running in the Zurich marathon.

With any goal or challenge, a holistic approach to race preparation can help. It is never too early to start planning. Training for a key event is no different, and you may just be surprised at what else you learn about yourself along the way. As discussed in an episode of “On Purchase” podcast (with […]