Muscle Memory digital Dec/Jan 2019 | Page 22

It may sound gimmicky to you, but juicing really can benefit muscular fitness athletes – and not just those who possess smaller stature. Researchers at Lund University in Sweden, following a three-month study, concluded that the thylakoids in leafy spinach can accelerate your weight loss efforts by 43 per cent. This conclusion was based on consumption of the spinach in juice form by subjects early in the day. The research- ers also found out that cravings were curbed by a monumental 95 per cent. So why leave this ultra-healthy nutrition strategy on the table? If you’re a hulky beast with a relatively high level of calorie consumption each day, you may in fact stand the most to gain. So don’t hesitate to use your blender for mixing nutrient-dense greens in addi- tion to making shakes! 33% is the re- duction in your risk of developing Amyotrophic Lateral Scle- rosis (ALS) if you regularly consume omega- 3s commonly found in the Mediterranean diet rich in fish, nuts and oils, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. 20   MUSCLE MEMORY JUICING THE OTHER KIND. 2,000 & 4,000 IUS A daily dose of vitamin D slows down the growth of fat cells. Although current guide- lines suggest a daily intake from 400-600 IUs, research is clearly showing that this is way too low. Vitamin D promotes normal cell growth throughout your body, maintaining hormone balance and a healthy immune system. GET CRACK'IN When you consume eggs for breakfast – yes, the yolk as well as the albumen – you’re really doing your fitness nutrition a good turn. While small in size, each egg contains a total of six to seven grams of protein; if you have four or five eggs, you’ve made a delicious sub- stitution for a full-blown protein shake. According to a study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, consuming eggs early in your day significantly reduces the occurrence of food cravings throughout the day. By providing long-lasting satiety, eggs are a fantastic weap- on in your efforts to lose weight, or more specifically fat. Need more motivation? Remember that it’s the same protein helping your cutting down that also builds your muscle. | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2019