Ever since completion of my residency training, I have had the opportunity to work with professional athletes from every major sport. It has been my interaction with athletes in the clubhouse, my private practice, and casual conversations off the field that made me aware that proper nutrition was surprisingly atypical among many elite performers.
As most people, I too was somewhat naïve and assumed that all professional athletes must have access to the very best of everything…including nutrition education, supplements, and even food. While this is true, to some degree, it is often not the case in other circumstances. I quickly realized that athletes are often over-exposed to products and “experts” and have a difficult time sifting through the myriad of information that is placed in front of them. They are targets, and this overwhelming abundancy of information, both good and bad, can often confuse and mislead vulnerable individuals. I have seen team trainers, strength coaches, and players unknowingly misinformed. These imprinted beliefs ultimately impact dietary behavior.
Among athletes, there is a relatively good general understanding of macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fats). Most have very little appreciation for the role of micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, metabolites, fatty acids). And, there is suboptimal compliance with a well-balanced diet, rich in fruits and green leafy vegetables. There is also a widespread assumption that megadosing with supplements (i.e. taking a supplement empirically in the absence of known benefit or documented deficiency) is always safe and beneficial.
My point is that even athletes that have achieved the highest level of success can have poor dietary/nutritional foundation and behaviors…so, you can imagine that dietary misconceptions and fallacies are prevalent among children, adolescents, recreational and amateur athletes, as well as non-athletes. A lack of individualized nutrition education and healthy dietary behaviors are pandemic.
As a physician, I prefer to practice evidence-based medicine; yet, I attempt to remain open-minded. My approach to sports nutrition can be simplified into 5 principles:
- Promote a well-balanced diet and calorie distribution
- Individual macronutrient needs
- Individual micronutrient needs
- Disease-specific (medical) considerations
- Sports-specific considerations
This physician, as well as the American Dietetic Association, Dietitians of Canada, and the American College of Sports Medicine believe that physical activity, athletic performance, and recovery from exercise are all enhanced by optimal nutrition.
It is my intent to relay accurate information pertaining to nutrition and supplementation, offer evidence-based science to support claims whenever possible, and personal experience to engage you in an educational and stimulating blog experience.
Enjoy!
Dr. Michael O’Neal