Here’s why athletes prioritize micronutrients for joint health
When it comes to the world of sports nutrition, navigating the field can be difficult at best. From protein powders and shakes to bars, supplements and extracts, the market is vast and it can be difficult to tell the good from the bad. And while some shy away from supplements altogether, the world’s best athletes are increasingly advocating the benefits of a well-balanced diet aided by certain supplements that help them achieve peak performance.
For Damien Fitzpatrick, the benefits of micronutrients have become essential when it comes to staying in top shape as an athlete. Founder of PILLAR Performance and a former NSW Waratah, Damien knows all too well the demands of professional sport on the body, the explosive energy and endurance required for training and play, the importance of recovery and sleep to avoid injury. Although he made his way into professional sports without much hindsight after high school, it wasn’t until his early twenties that he began to face the tolls of his sporting code with injuries from the LCAs that kept him out of the game for some time. number of years.
As he recalls, it wasn’t until a third ACL injury to the same knee occurred in France that he began to struggle with the potential end of his career. “Brutal surgery, a difficult recovery and countless months of rehabilitation at the foot of the Swiss Alps followed before I could pursue my dream of playing rugby professionally. This return to rugby came at a cost, however, as I was able to play and my recurring ACL problem was sorted out – my knee cartilage was almost nonexistent and the joint severely compromised.
With knee function compromised, Damien struggled to sustain the training demanded by his sport and relied on excessive amounts of anti-inflammatories to cope with the force and load placed on his knee. When his team doctor raised concerns, they began to look for natural ways to reduce inflammation, turning to things like omega 3 fish oil and curcumin, which helped Damien to extend his career well beyond the end point that was initially presented to him by his surgeon. For Damien, this represented an opportunity and the seeds of PILLAR Performance were planted.
“Teams were starting to use these products more and more as part of their athletic programs, but the formulations and potency of these formulations were not developed for people with high physical performance, which means their benefits were being developed. struggled to be actually realized. This put me on the path to creating PILLAR Performance, building a line of products that I wish I had had when I was a player.
It may sound like any other supplement on the market, but PILLAR Performance sets itself apart from the rest in that it is specifically formulated for athletes. Where macronutrients may have been a priority in the past, Damien thinks it’s the micronutrients we should make a priority. “I felt the nutrition puzzle wasn’t that simple,†he says. “The reality is, how to fuel health and performance is much more complex, and arguably microphones – vitamins and minerals – are the heavyweights in an optimally functioning body.”
The range includes a number of fundamental micronutrients that are sure to improve performance and aid in optimal functioning. From triple magnesium powder that provides multi-action support for neuromuscular function and recovery, to the likes of D3 Sport Effect for bone strength and Motion Armor for joint longevity, PILLAR Performance reflects a brand that has deep understanding. needs of athletes and how best to meet them through science. The ingredients are carefully researched using clinical research for sports nutrition. The result: a product line that reflects the intersection of clinical research and the elite athletic experience.
“The power of glucosamine and chondroitin for the joints, zinc for immunity, and the right activated forms of magnesium for optimal recovery are all components of sports micronutrition that can benefit elite coaches – people. that have been ignored by the industry for so long, “says Damien.” It is precisely for this reason that we have developed a line of sports micronutrition to support elite training, competition and physical results. , by bridging the gap between micronutrition and sports supplements.
To learn more and buy the PILLAR Performance product line, visit the official website here.