Nutrition for Energy

In order to lose weight good nutrition is important it helps optimize the body's energy system to work efficiently so exercise can be more effective. When people try to lose weight many reduce their food intake dramatically, eventually the nutritional status becomes low. As the body burns fat or carbohydrates the cells require essential nutrients to complete the chemical process. An imbalance in the nutritional state very often affects energy levels, the result is we may feel low and drained of energy!

Obviously the muscles don't become paralyzed from deficiencies in certain vitamins or minerals but an imbalance can affect us in different ways. Have you ever had that feeling where you want to get up and exercise to lose weight but your body just don't seem to want to know? If you do manage to drag yourself up but within five minutes do you feel drained or even faint?

NUTRITIONAL FACTS

Many of the B vitamins are required for the process of energy metabolism. If a reduced calorie diet does not provide enough B vitamins the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates may be affected and result in a feeling of lethargy.

Vitamin C not only helps fight resistance to infections it also helps repair and maintain muscle tissue and blood vessels. Stronger lean body tissue is essential in order to exercise long enough to burn sufficient calories for permanent weight loss.

Sufficient quality protein is also necessary to limit loss of lean body tissue when losing weight. The less lean tissue loss the less a reduction in the basal metabolic rate.

Proper nutrition means providing all the components - protein, carbohydrate, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and electrolytes. The body can last for a long time on a calorie reduced diet but requires a regular supply of essential nutrients to help the body use that stored energy - body fat!

Its not necessary to buy tons of vitamin and mineral pills just to ensure you obtain all essential nutrients. Taking one multi-vitamin pill each day should be plenty to help keep up energy levels so you can exercise effectively.