Caffeine Aids People with Exercise-Induced Asthma

January 11th, 2010 - Barbara Feiner

People with asthma have an 80% chance of experiencing exercised-induced asthma (EIA), an acute narrowing of the airway that causes difficulty in breathing.

About 10% of elite athletes, as well as 10% of the general population, are also afflicted with EIA, even if they’re not asthmatics.

The condition is usually treated with albuterol, an inhaler-dispensed medication that opens the airway and increases air flow to the lungs.

In a recent study, Indiana University researchers have discovered that ingestion of a large dose of caffeine—9 mg per kilogram of body weight—within an hour of exercise can reduce EIA symptoms. Smaller dosages of 3 to 6 mg caffeine per kilogram of body weight also reduced EIA symptoms like wheezing and coughing.

For someone weighing 150 pounds, 3 to 9 mg caffeine per kilogram of body weight equals around 205 to 610 mg of caffeine. As a reference, one cup of coffee contains 80 to 135 mg caffeine.

No additional benefit was noted when caffeine was combined with an albuterol inhaler, according to study coinvestigator Timothy Mickleborough, PhD, an IU associate professor of kinesiology.

He and his colleagues have also found that a diet high in fish oil and antioxidants and low in salt has the potential to reduce EIA severity and possibly decrease the need for drug therapy.

For Your Organic Bookshelf: Exercising Safely with Exercise-Induced Asthma

Tags: antioxidants, asthma, caffeine, exercise, fish oil, fitness, Health, sodium
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Post-Exercise Protein Power

January 10th, 2010 - Barbara Feiner

Do you rely on popular sports drinks for a boost after exercising?

If so, you may want to switch to a bowl of whole-grain cereal and skim milk.

Researchers at the University of Texas, Austin, have found the latter choice is easier on the wallet and equally effective.

“The milk provides a source of easily digestible and high-quality protein, which can promote protein synthesis and training adaptations, making this an attractive recovery option for those who refuel at home,” says UT exercise physiologist Lynne Kammer, whose study of cyclists was published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.

Kammer and her coauthors encourage amateur athletes and those who engage in moderate physical activity to pop into the kitchen for this quick-fix breakfast combo after a workout.

We, of course, recommend organic cereal and milk to reduce your exposure to pesticides, chemicals, additives and hormones.

Kids on the Move (Part 2)

January 4th, 2007 - Barbara Feiner

Yesterday, I posted ideas for keeping kids active and confident in 2007. Here are some additional tips from Randy McCoy, curriculum director for The Little Gym International.

Lead by example. Some kids aren’t eager to try new physical activities. To encourage them, don’t demand; demonstrate the skill yourself and provide positive motivation. Your child will likely want to give it a try.
Repetition, repetition, repetition. Repetition of a skill is necessary for kids to internalize and eventually master it. It also gives them more opportunities to experience success, build confidence, and develop strength and endurance.
Safety matters. If your children are participating in organized physical activities, make sure they’re led by trained instructors. Sports equipment should be appropriately sized for children.
Don’t mistake kids’ physical development for Olympic training. Your child may be the fastest runner in the class, but this isn’t a reason to shun other activities in pursuit of a gold medal. Focus on fun and health—not fame and world records.

Suggested Reading from OrganicAuthority.com:

Kids on the Move

January 3rd, 2007 - Barbara Feiner

As a parent dedicated to organic living, you play a crucial role in shaping your children’s exercise habits and attitudes.

Here are some tips on keeping kids active and confident in 2007 from Randy McCoy, curriculum director for The Little Gym International. The company’s gymnastics-based classes help kids ages 4 months to 12 years develop motor skills and self-confidence.

Kids should try their best—but they don’t have to be the best. For most kids, success is about more than winning or losing; it’s about benefiting from the learning that occurs when taking on a challenge, trying their best and having fun.
Positive reinforcement is a must. Kids thrive in environments where they feel supported and safe. Even more important, children who play and work out in these environments are more likely to continue physical activities later in life.
Challenge your child. It’s healthy to present new challenges and risks, but do so without expectations. Let kids take challenges at their own pace.

Tune in tomorrow for Part 2 of this story.

Hula Hoopla

December 10th, 2005 - Barbara Feiner

Gaiam’s Dance Hoop Workout kit

The hula hoop that baby boomers used in the 1950s to “shake their booties” has reemerged as an innovative new workout tool.

The Dance Hoop Workout kit from eco-conscious Gaiam includes an adjustable, weighted hula hoop designed specifically for adults, as well as a 40-minute, total-body workout DVD set with an energizing soundtrack. The hoop is more substantial than the one you may have enjoyed as a kid, which makes it easier to keep in motion, while challenging your muscles.

Incorporating hula-hooping, rhythmic dance and yoga moves to trim and tone your waistline, arms, glutes and thighs, the Dance Hoop Workout kit boosts your heart rate and increases strength and flexibility. Step-by-step instructions and low-impact moves make the kit an ideal option for individuals at all fitness levels.

Debi Pillarella, the American Council on Exercise Fitness’ 2004 Director of the Year, has predicted that hula hoop workouts will become increasingly popular. “It adds an element of play and fun to core stability work,” she noted in an article on WebMD.

According to Gaiam, there is evidence that children in ancient Rome used a ring made of grapevines as a primitive hula hoop. The ancient Greeks, creators of the Olympic Games, also used something resembling a hula hoop as a fitness tool.

Inventor Betty Hoops drew upon her background as a Reiki practitioner, yoga instructor and massage therapist to create the Dance Hoop Workout method, which she has taught since 1998.

“It’s a whole-body experience, very similar to yoga,” she says. “It puts people back into their bodies on a conscious level and makes them feel alive again. It can stimulate that mind-body connection.”

“We’re always looking for new ways to help people to get healthy and enjoy themselves,” adds Susan Haney, Gaiam’s vice president of retail marketing. “We developed the Dance Hoop Workout kit with Betty Hoops to give people another creative way to get in shape and maintain the mind-body connection Gaiam is known for promoting.”

The Dance Hoop Workout kit retails for $40, but it’s on sale now for $24.99.

Caffeine Aids People with Exercise-Induced Asthma

Post-Exercise Protein Power

Kids on the Move (Part 2)

Kids on the Move

Hula Hoopla

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