WATER: THE MOST IMPORTANT NUTRIENT IN MMA The human body is estimated to be 60-70% water. Vital organs including the brain, lungs and kidneys are dependent on an adequate water supply to survive. Additionally, water is needed for temperature regulation and to transport nutrients to all cells within the body. Every function within the human body is dependent upon and is regulated by water. Water transports vital elements, oxygen, hormones and chemical messengers to all areas of the body. Proper hydration is essential in the transformation of a lean, healthy physique. Adequate amounts of water daily speed up metabolism, allow for cellular regeneration, aid in proper protein synthesize resulting in an increase in lean muscle mass and a decrease in stored body fat, and so much more. The intense training associated with mixed martial arts depletes the body of necessary fluid. This decrease in water can have a catabolic effect on the fighter directly impacting performance as well as affecting a practitioner’s ability to drop the necessary weight prior to weigh-ins. Without water, the body digresses into a drought state which is a shock to the system. This shock results in a histamine release causing an absorption of any and all fluid that is ingested. Fighters will become a sponge and hold on to fluids instead of excreting them to make the necessary weight cut. This drought state results in an imbalance within the water regulation system within the human body. Off-setting this system makes it difficult for fighters to manage their water weight.
How much water should an individual fighter drink daily? This number varies on the person; their body size, how much that individual sweats during exercise, overall goals, etc. A quick rule of thumb is that a mixed martial artist should drink at least three liters of water daily, which equals 13 cups. On active days when weight loss is recorded as a result of sweating, that individual should add 16 ounces of water for each pound lost due to sweat in addition to the three liters consumed daily. Water is the most essential nutrient needed by the human body. Maintaining proper hydration levels increases metabolism, decreases body fat, and improves an individual's lean muscle mass as well as overall MMA performance.
Check out these great MMA articles MMA Diet (http://www.squidoo.com/mma-diet) Nutrition is one of the most important facets of any complete strength and conditioning program. Fueling your body with the proper macronutrients allows a fighter...
Famous Female MMA Fighters (http://www.squidoo.com/female-mmafighters) Thanks to popular female fighters and personalities such as Megumi Fujii, Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos and Gina Carano, people have started to take notice of the...
What is MMA? (http://www.squidoo.com/what-is-mma) If you envisioned mixed martial arts or MMA as some kind of televised death match, you'd be right and wrong. Technically, MMA is a combat sport in which competitors...
Flexibility Exercises (http://www.squidoo.com/flexibilityexercises) Mixed martial arts is a dynamic sport. Those who practice MMA must have strength, power, endurance and ability. Because MMA is so demanding, a high level of...
Essential MMA Supplements(http://www.squidoo.com/essential-mmasupplements) Because mixed martial arts is so demanding on the human body, supplements are needed to aid in recovery, increase lean muscle mass and prepare the body for exercise. Below...