Many randonneurs take ibuprofen as a matter of course to prevent feeling pain during a long ride. Others wait until an injury occurs and then take it. A recently published article says a study suggests taking common painkillers such as ibuprofen for only a week can significantly raise the risk of having a heart attack. The…
I recently suggested that a rider suffering from leg cramps during a 1200 apply some topical magnesium. His immediate response was “Never! Magnesium is a muscle relaxant and I don’t want to go to sleep.” It always amazes me how close-minded people can be. Surely a cramp is a muscle spasm and relaxing those muscles would…
Beyond Cholesterol — What Really Causes Heart Disease? According to Dr. Thomas Dayspring, a lipidologist (expert on cholesterol), and Director of Cardiovascular Education at Foundation for Health Improvement and Technology (FHIT), most heart attacks are due to insulin resistance. He has also stated that LDL “is a near-worthless predictor for cardiovascular issues.” Evidence suggests high…
Could it be as simple as not having enough magnesium in your body? Magnesium is much more than a simple electrolyte – it is involved in more than 300 biological functions and is essential for heart health. Any prescribed doses of magnesium are likely to be woefully inadequate because of a fear of possible side effects. The symptoms of…
Since 1978 when Dr. Gabe Mirkin coined the term RICE, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation have been the gold standard for treating athletic injuries. But now the ice age is melting, and a series of studies that show that injury treatment with cold therapy and total rest may actually delay healing has even Dr. Mirkin…
In 2012, Belgium scientists published a study that concluded that repeated bouts of intensive endurance exercise at the elite level may result in the pathological enlargement of the right ventricle, which, according to the article, is associated with potential health hazards including sudden cardiac death. The publication was the cause of considerable debate among experts…
Extremely fit and active people are increasingly succumbing to heart problems such as atrial fibrillation, heart attacks and strokes. In many cases there is no obvious warning and the medical profession is unable to explain why such healthy active people are suffering these conditions. John Hughes says: “All the literature I’ve read is confused on…
At last I think I might have found a nutritional supplement that works for me on randonnees. I used this on the recent Perth-Albany-Perth 1200 and it is the only supplement I have tried that I have had success with. It really does seem to live up to its claims to enhance energy, focus and…
Activities that maintain cardio fitness – such as running, swimming and cycling – led to better thinking skills and memory 20 years on. Researchers at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, tested almost 3,000 healthy people with an average age of 25. They underwent treadmill tests of cardiovascular fitness during the first year of the study…