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Calcium Affects More Than Just Bones

Posted by Andrea Hacker MS, RD on March 18, 2013

The Starting Line:  Is calcium good for your bones, but bad for your heart?   Calcium is the most abundant mineral in our bodies, and it is 99% stored in our bones. When we do not get enough calcium through diet, the body will take it from our bones to maintain necessary blood calcium levels. Over time, this loss of calcium from the bones can result in low bone density. Peak bone mass is reached by 30 year...

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Caffeine and Running

Posted by Janine Wong MS, RD on December 10, 2012

The Starting Line:  Does caffeine improve running performance?   Caffeine is a safe and naturally occurring drug, well known for its “energy boosting” properties. Many beverages and foods naturally contain caffeine, and it is a popular additive in energy and sport drinks and gels (see table below). Caffeine is absorbed rapidly via the stomach lining, peaks in the blood in 30 minutes to 2 hours,...

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Dietary Supplements

Posted by Janine Wong MS, RD on November 6, 2012

The Starting Line:  Which dietary supplements are safe and effective?   A dietary supplement is any product designed to increase a specific component of the diet, including vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, and amino acids. Many substances can be sold over the counter as dietary supplements, even steroids. A recent study by Tscholl, et al concluded that the incidence of supplement use among athletes i...

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