Exercise can improve your quality of life, but it can also be hard on your body. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, wear and tear on the body for a competitive athlete is an unfortunate reality.

CONSIDER THESE STATISTICS:

More than 95,000 people in the US visited a doctor for an acromioclavicular (AC) joint-related injury in 2008.

25,000 ankle sprains occur in the US each day.

Accident and emergency departments in the UK saw a 14 per cent rise in sports injuries from 2011 to 2012.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most commonly injured ligaments in the knee.

• Athletes who suffer an ACL injury have a much higher risk of arthritis later in life.

Sports injuries and damage to the body from wear and tear are bound to happen to a competitive athlete. Wear and tear is also a risk for the regular exerciser. While no one will dispute the importance of exercise and competitive sport, the way you care for your body now will determine how well it functions later. If you want to keep exercising and competing, it’s time to give your body the TLC it deserves to buffer damage that may occur down the road.

SPORTS HEALTH 101

Exercise recovery after a tough workout or competition is all about managing inflammation. While the word inflammation may make you think of a swollen, twisted ankle, post-exercise inflammation occurs every time you engage in physical activity. Some inflammation is necessary to strengthen the body after a workout, but excess inflammation after strenuous activity can cause damage.

There are three specific ways you can support your health and bounce back faster after exercise or competition:

1. Use anti-inflammatory enzymes.

Yes, you can have too much of a good thing when it comes to inflammation. Taking protective enzymes is critical to calm the inflammatory response in the body after exercise. Serrapeptase is a natural anti-inflammatory enzyme with extensive clinical research to back its ability to improve joint, lung and tendon health – without any harmful side-effects often caused by over-the-counter anti- inflammatory drugs.

For athletes and exercisers alike, this enzyme is worth noting. Once you visit your doctor with a sports-related ailment, you’ll quickly realise that anti- inflammatory meds are some of the most prescribed drugs in the medical community. A safe enzyme alternative comes as a welcome relief to calm inflammation, promote recovery and encourage the body to heal – naturally.

Serrapeptase’s natural anti-inflammatory benefits are known worldwide. Doctors in Germany have begun to prescribe the enzyme to their patients as an anti- inflammatory alternative. Serrapeptase is widely used by physicians, registered nurses, chiropractors, naturopaths and alternative medicine practitioners to ensure rapid recovery.

2. Try natural pain management.

Chronic pain in athletes and exercisers is almost impossible to bear. But the use of long- term pain medication, including over- the-counter drugs, can be a slippery slope. The natural mineral magnesium is Mother Nature’s remedy for safe pain management. Aches and pains, joint stiffness and inflammation can all be alleviated with the regular use of magnesium oil.

In the Western world, close to 80 per cent of the population is thought to be magnesium-deficient. What does a magnesium deficiency look like? You may experience fatigue, muscle twitching, leg cramping and even insomnia. A gentle magnesium supplement can ease post- workout muscle cramping, with added benefits to improve heart health.

Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant, and it is one of the best exercise recovery tools to have in your arsenal. Natural magnesium is available in spray oil or gel form to improve cell membrane permeability. A healing soak in a magnesium bath after a tough run or rigorous match may be just what the doctor ordered to correct an underlying deficiency and support safe pain management.

3. Restore energy levels.

Proper recovery after sports and exercise can refresh you in time for your next competition. A five-carbon sugar called D-Ribose is the cornerstone of cellular regeneration to support post-workout cellular energy. D-Ribose plays an important role in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the heart and muscles. ATP transports energy to cells and is vital for cellular survival.

In short, renewed cellular energy is critical for health recovery. D-Ribose benefits professional athletes, exercise lovers and anyone in need of support when recovering from a health issue.

D-Ribose is gentle and safe enough for children to use. This source of energy makes for faster recovery after competition and training. When D-Ribose is taken in combination with malic acid and magnesium, it can result in noticeably improved energy levels.

If you’re feeling run down after starting a new workout regimen or following a tough sports season, cellular regeneration is the starting point for long-term recovery. D-Ribose has a multitude of applications in fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) rehabilitation.

In day-to-day life, D-Ribose can keep the pep in your step by restoring energy reserves depleted by overwork and stress.

Natural healing is integral to any sports recovery programme. The body is a beautiful machine that is fully capable of healing itself, with the proper care and support. Powerful anti-inflammatory enzymes, natural minerals and even simple sugars can work together for short- term and long-term relief. Regular exercise is important for a long and healthy life. Exercise support and recovery are just as important to protect the body against wear and tear that could lead to injury.