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This article has been written by Jason Jackson, Sport Nutritionist and Scientific Advisor at Sons
Marathon season is nearly upon us and the main focus for all runners is preparing your body for the task ahead. Less thought may be given to the period that follows a marathon, however.
The intense training volume can take its toll on our immune system and suppress the production of our natural killer cells, neutrophils, and macrophages - the white blood cells and lymphocytes responsible for fighting off viruses, infections and early signs of cancer[1].
Distance runners are particularly susceptible to upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in the two weeks immediately after taking part in a competitive marathon or triathlon event. Typical symptoms include cough, sore throat, headache, fatigue, and body aches. Consider further the time of year that marathons take place, with cold and flu spreading freely, and the potential risk of sickness can be understood.
The Journal of Sport Science and Medicine published a study on the effect of the yeast extract Beta-Glucan (known by its commercial name "Wellmune") on both the health and wellbeing of marathon runners.
The setting was the Carlsbad Marathon, overlooking the Pacific coast between San Diego and LA. The study featured 75 athletes with an average age of 36 (the oldest participant was 53).
Thirty minutes before their daily breakfast, the athletes consumed 250mg of the immunostimulant Wellmune. The effects were significant.
The Wellmune group experienced less than half of the URTI symptoms and a third of the infections as the control group[2]. Athlete wellbeing was measured using the Profile of Mood States (POMS), a methodology used in over 2,900 clinical studies to provide a reliable assessment of wellbeing. Overall, the "global mood state" improved by 11%. Specifically, fatigue fell by 48%, anxiety and restlessness decreased by 38%, and attention and memory scores improved by 38%.
Beta-Glucan can be derived from oat, mushroom or yeast. However, it’s not interchangeable. Only the Baker's Yeast byproduct (saccharomyces cerevisiae) has consistently demonstrated immune-supporting properties[3].
For those who are interested in the additional protection that Wellmune offers, the Son's Immune Health Supplement includes 250mg of Baker's Yeast Beta-Glucan, the same amount used in the Carlsbad Marathon study. It is also bolstered with additional supplements noted to reduce URTI symptoms, such as zinc[4] and vitamin C[5].
Good luck!
[1] Peters and Bateman, 1983.
[2] Talbott & Talbott, 2009
[3] Walsh et al., 2011
[4] Prasad et al., 2000
[5] Peters et al., 1983
If you thought all hope was lost as you find more and more hairs on your pillow each morning, think again. Minoxidil is a safe and effective form of treatment for hair loss that men around the world have been swearing by for years.
So, how is Minoxidil taken to make sure you’re getting the most out of it? Let’s examine how Minoxidil should be applied and what to avoid when using it.
Hair loss can be concerning for any man who is not prepared for it. Oftentimes, significant loss can take place before noticing it as it can be quite subtle. Often it’s a passing glance in a mirror, with wet hair coming out of the shower, or a helpful comment from a friend or from a photograph on social media when it becomes apparent.
So how do we spot balding at the crown area of our scalp? And what course of action should be taken once it has been spotted?
Let’s take a look at how you identify hair loss at the top of your head and the treatment options that are available to you.
It isn’t just topical applications that are used for fighting hair loss and restarting the growth process again; some patients are also prescribed the oral form of Minoxidil as an alternative application.
You might be wondering why some are prescribed the Minoxidil tablets instead of the topical application, and how they fight hair loss.
This article will provide clarity on the matter and enlighten you on the benefits of taking Minoxidil orally.
