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Combining Modern Science with Ancient Wisdom

By Melissa Shays, ND, LAc, PC

There is more to cycling performance than mental strength and ample energy gels. Regardless if you are racing, training to improve your personal best, or enjoying a scenic ride, your health and wellness play a role in your experience. Licensed Naturopathic physicians (ND) are able to bring cyclists an innovative set of personalized treatment options that focus on performance, recovery, and feeling their best. Naturopaths attend a four-year graduate-level naturopathic medical school and receive standard education in laboratory testing, physiology, pathology, and prescription medication. They are also trained in clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, and have a strong background in disease prevention.

Naturopathic medicine is an excellent choice for the endurance athlete. The rigors of training and competition can change an one’s hormone levels, thyroid function, energy levels, and blood markers. Naturopathy believes that looking at the overall health picture is more important than treating the symptoms alone. Treatment includes nutritional supplements, herbal extracts and prescription medications while conforming to the international sport governing bodies banned substances list.

Labs

Hemoglobin (Hgb), Hematocrit (Hct) and Ferritin (Ft) are common blood constituents that are monitored in endurance athletes and are markers for iron deficiency and thus, oxygen carrying capacity. These levels decrease in elite cyclists by 11.5% during the Tour de France[1]. Unusually high Hgb and Hct values can be indicators that an athlete has been artificially increasing their red blood cell production (blood doping). Iron from supplements and dietary sources is poorly absorbed by the body and for those who are not iron deficient, especially healthy men, supplementation with high doses may have negative consequences. Naturopaths can order these tests and have training in effectively managing deficiency.

Studies

There is an overwhelming number of sports supplements — one can barely keep up. Naturopaths are able to evaluate scientific literature for the validity of the claims as well as keep up with recent studies on athletic performance and B12 levels, glutamine, vitamin C, probiotics, sleep duration, creatine, etc. It is important to consult with someone trained to review natural treatments for potential health benefits and safety issues, and naturopaths are specialists in the dose, form, duration and personalization of dietary supplements.

Herbs

Herbal medicine has many traditional uses and can treat a variety of conditions.

Taking an extract of Rhodiola rosea just prior to exercise may allow a longer duration of activity[2]. Rhodiola is a member of a group of herbs called adaptogens, which have been used in other cultures for hundreds of years. Today, they are used to increase resistance to stress and, for a cyclist, this means better performance. There has been little clinical research conducted on the use of adaptogens in endurance athletes, but if you look at the label of most commercially made recovery drinks and sports supplements, you will usually find an adaptogen or two listed. Examples include: Rhodiola, Eleuthero (ginseng), Cordyceps, Ashwaganda, and Schisandra. Careful consideration must be given to the use and timing of adaptogens as they can have side effects or reactions with prescription medications.

Nutrition

Athletes need to consume adequate amounts of food — what to ingest, how much and when to eat it is important. The goal is to consume

aliments that provide an adequate balance of energy to maximize training effects and to maintain an ideal body weight. Failure to do so can result in loss of muscle mass, impaired recovery and an increased risk of fatigue, illness and injury. Exercise stresses many of the metabolic pathways and increases nutrient needs. People who are vegetarian or vegan have additional considerations. A holistic approach to nutrition addresses digestion, blood sugar issues, joint inflammation, and gastro-intestinal (GI) symptoms. Naturopathic nutrition is comprehensive and whole foods-based. This works well to optimize a cyclist’s ability to absorb micronutrients to restore glycogen and electrolytes while rebuilding muscle mass with fewer supplements.

Underlying Conditions

Have you had your Vitamin D levels checked? If not, you should. Frequent infections, high blood pressure, headaches, gynecological issues, thyroid dysregulation, injury recovery and blood sugar issues — all of these conditions affect a cyclist’s ability to perform optimally. The big picture benefit to looking at head to toe symptoms is that a naturopath is able to spend the time needed to truly discuss and fine-tune the entire body.

Your health can help you charge up a hill or it can sit like an elephant on your chest. To be your best, naturopathic care may be a non-invasive way to improve your riding. By combining laboratory monitoring with scientific assessment, modern science with ancient wisdom, herbal medicine and prescription medications, a natural option is available to you.

For more information on Naturopathic Medicine you can go to www.naturopathic.org.

Reference:

1. International Journal Sports Medecine, 2009 Feb; 30(2):130-8. Epub 2008 Sep 4

2. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2004; 14:298-307

Melissa Shays is a licensed Naturopathic Physician and Acupuncturist. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Utah State University, and is a graduate of National College of Naturopathic Medicine with a Naturopathic Doctoral Degree and a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine. She is a member of the American Medical Writer’s Association and the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians. She works with Upper Echelon Fitness and can be reached at melissa@shays.net.