Here you can find short, definitive reviews – called “All About” articles – of the most important exercise, sport, nutrition, and health related topics. We add a new article each week. And each article is indexed by topic – to your right.
To stay up to date, either subscribe to the Precision Nutrition RSS Feed or sign up for weekly email updates. And, if you’re new to the site, make sure you check out our most popular “must read” blogs and articles.
Many muscles coordinate shoulder movement. If they don’t work together — or more likely, if some muscles are strong and some are weak or inhibited, they can’t work together effectively. The result: imbalance and eventually, injury.
Since humans invented fire, we’ve enjoyed the benefits of cooking food. However, cooking food has its drawbacks, including the development of carcinogens. Here’s how to prevent harmful chemicals while still enjoying that summer cookout.
Carrying a lot of excessive body fat makes health, body composition, and athletic performance worse. But here’s the problem — collectively, we’re not very good at losing fat either. We need a better solution. Knowing how fat loss works may be helpful.
It’s been said that gluttony is overcome only when someone has a “full soul” and derives pleasure from passions that come from simple pursuits in life. What are you missing by over-indulging?
Gluttony has traditionally been defined as a “sin of immoderation” linked to earthly excess. Here’s why “going medieval” may actually be relevant to modern eaters seeking leanness, health, and a better relationship with food.
Recipe for muscle growth: Lift heavy thing. Eat protein. Sleep. Repeat.
Yoga: It can relax you, enlighten you, help keep you from falling down, protect your heart, put the brakes on overeating, and just maybe give you a yoga booty. Om.
Including more plants in your diet can make you healthier, provide important nutrients, and possibly help conserve environmental resources.
If your idea of a warm-up involves a few pec flexes, ogling gym hotties as you lean on the treadmill, or just leaping right into that 300 lb bench press, you might want to rethink. A good warm-up can make you stronger, faster, and more mobile; and help prevent injury too.
Fish oil is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can keep you healthy, smart, and lean.
If you’re eating a standard Western diet, you’re probably getting less than half of the dietary fibre you need to stay healthy (and despite this, you probably think you eat enough). Yet dietary fibre is crucial for GI health, staying lean, and preventing chronic diseases. Live longer and leaner via lentils!
Greens supplements can function as a serving of fruits and vegetables, and contain vitamins, minerals, fibre, and phytonutrients. With supplements, it’s actually pretty easy being green!
The thyroid is one of the “master controllers” that regulates nearly every major metabolic function in the body. If it slows down or speeds up, this can drastically affect health and body composition.
Whether it’s prebiotic or probiotic, learn how to care for all your zillions of biotics, aka friendly bacteria.
Growth hormone can make you more muscular, stronger, and leaner. Find out how to make this important hormone work for you, in and out of the gym. We’ll show you how to sleep your way to the top… of your growth hormone peak, that is.
Strength training is using muscular force against resistance. And it’s for everyone, regardless of goals.
In Part 1 of this series, we looked at the physiological part of appetite. We learned that many hormones, neurotransmitters, glands and organs regulate appetite. Now we’re going to look at the interactions between biology and environment, and how you can become a better, more aware eater.
Ever wonder what makes you hungry? Why some foods look more appealing than others? Why you’re always hungry for dessert? Or why you might open the fridge full of food, then stand there and say, “We have nothing good to eat!”? We’re driven by a complex play of chemicals that orchestrate food intake, desire, and food associations.
There are dozens of varieties of plant oils available. Which ones are healthier, and why?
Why are fruits and veggies so darn good for you? Lots of reasons.
If honey, maple syrup, and agave nectar are “natural”, are they “healthy”? Learn about “naturally” derived sweeteners and their effects in your body. You may want to pass on that date sugar if a lean body is your goal.
Searching for the most efficient way to get lean, get conditioned, and get tough? Look no further than HIIT. We can’t promise it’s easy… but it sure gets results.
Go to the grocery store and pick up 5 bags of groceries. Then go ahead and take one bag directly to the dumpster. Umm… what? Yep, we waste about 20-25% of all food purchased for the home. Wasting so much food has major consequences for our own and others’ health — including the health of the planet.
Testosterone: it’s like Austin Powers’ mojo. It keeps both men and women lean, strong, and frisky.
Insulin is an important anabolic hormone. However, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing.
No, it’s not a new superhero: G-Flux is a new way to think about how your body uses energy — and how to harness that power to get lean while eating abundantly.
If you remember elementary school, you probably remember some kind of experiment involving sprouting seeds. Perhaps you stuck a few bean kernels in a jar, kept them moist, and were rewarded in a few days with green shoots. Well, the same process works for making grains, nuts, and beans/legumes more digestible now that you’re a grownup. Hey — science works!
We all know that vitamins and minerals are important, but why? Here’s what you need to know about what’s in your food… or your Flintstones chewables.
Some speculate that if it weren’t for seafood, we wouldn’t even be human, since our brains began to increase in size when we incorporated seafood and other meats into our diet. Without fish we might still be apes swinging around in trees. Find out why fish is good for us… and why we should be concerned about it.
What you eat is important. However, when you eat it can be just as critical.
Get over the Cheech and Chong humour — hemp is an important and valuable source of nutrients that might help you gain muscle, lose fat, and stay healthy.
Protein powders can be helpful if you aren’t getting enough protein from whole food, or if you want the convenience and portability of a protein source that won’t spoil easily. How are protein powders made? What’s the difference between types?
From Old McDonald’s farm to McDonald’s, meat’s come a long way, and not always for the better. All about meat, how it affects your health, and how to choose a more ethical steak.
You’ve learned about what to eat to meet your health and body composition goals. But what about when you eat it?
Feel like slamming back 5 cups of coffee and 81 grams of sugar? Woowee!! It’s energy drink time! Yeah!! Once you get over the nausea, heart palpitations, insulin whiplash, and chemical toxicity, you’re gonna feel great!
Research suggests that whole grains are good for you. But before you feel smug about downing those “whole wheat” pretzels, organic corn chips, or “enriched” Wonder Bread slices, find out the facts about whole grains.
Our body needs sodium for nearly every function. But most of us have too much of a good thing. Why your ketchup may be more dangerous than your salt shaker.
All fats are not created equal. Why fat is important for optimal health and functioning. Believe it or not, eating fat can keep you lean.
If you’re looking for a caffeine-free alternative to tea that still offers a phytochemical punch, consider this traditional South African medicinal plant.
We know by now that we should eat fish oil to get beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. But think… where did the fish get it from? Hint: Check the sides of your fishtank or the sand on the beach.
