How Does Nutrition Impact Immunity & Inflammation?

Approximately 75-80% of the human immune system lives in the gut. Therefore, everything we eat has a direct impact on the way we feel and perform each day. The equation is quite simple, great nutrition = an improved immune response and minimal inflammation. Poor nutrition = a weakened immune system, thus leading to injury, illness, pain and fatigue overtime. Sure, genes play a role in our health and performance but eating well can actually silence “bad” genes and eating poorly can activate genes that otherwise may have never been activated.

If an athlete eats in a way that promotes chronic inflammation i.e. highly processed foods, tons of added sugar, fast food, soda etc. the body is bombarded and is unable to perform the way we would like it to. Overtime, this can greatly impede an athlete’s ability to reach their fullest potential when it comes to speed, agility, strength, and recovery.

By teaching young athletes to eat foods that improve immune function by decreasing overall inflammation, we can not only improve performance, but instead, help the athlete avoid health complications that may come with the aging process.