AOk For Fitness

Everyone knows that doing regular exercise is beneficial to our health but many are unaware of the extra support the body needs, particularly by those exercising intensively and regularly such as marathon runners and triathletes.

Dr Michael Colgan, internationally acclaimed research scientist, author and lecturer on human performance states in his book (All New Sports Nutrition Guide – Apple Publishing) that when we exercise, especially aerobically, we use 12 to 20 times more oxygen than when we are sedentary. This results in a rapid increase in a process of energy production in the body known as uncontrolled oxidation.

When you exercise, especially for a lengthy period, intensively, or both, uncontrolled oxidation pushes your free radical production to very high levels. This contributes to muscle soreness and even damage (injury). Uncontrolled oxidation can be seen in the rusting of steel, the browning of a cut apple and the rotting of meat.

So, ironically, by exercising we are producing more of the undesirable free radicals that contribute to degeneration and ageing. Besides a good diet, getting enough quality sleep and replenishing the increased demand for nutrients with supplements, we also need to ensure that our antioxidant levels are optimised.

The antioxidant properties of AOk have been tested by the two main recognised industry standard tests: oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). Results have shown that AOk has exceptional antioxidant capabilities making it one of the best drinks available for combating free radicals. The four carefully selected ingredients in AOk provide four different sources of antioxidants in a synergistic combination. This helps to increase the potency of the drink by providing a wide range of antioxidants to help neutralise free radicals.

AOk is an excellent daily source of antioxidant protection that can help to quench the increase in free radicals that result from exercise.

Tart Cherries in AOk assist in recovery from exercise:

Tart Cherries – The numerous anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Tart Cherries are proven to help reduce the symptoms of exercise induced muscle damage.

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2006 concluded that strength loss and pain from exercise were considerably reduced in those drinking cherry juice several times a day. This clearly showed the potency of cherry juice in decreasing some of the symptoms of exercise induced muscle damage. Most notably, strength loss averaged over the four days after eccentric exercise was 22% with the placebo but only 4% with the cherry juice.