Nutrition for flexibility

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Hi Tanya,

I'm a 23 year old female, and I recently took up ballet again.  I haven't done ballet since I was about 7 years old.  What are some good food tips on how I can get my flexibility back.  What types of foods should I eat.  Is there any specific vitamin, foods, fruits, vegetables I can take to enhance flexibility and strength.  I know I need to drink lots of water, no more juices or caffinated beverages, but what foods should I take more of?  What vitamins are good for strengthening your flexibility.  What things should I look for in the foods i take?
Answer -
There is one natural component known to improve flexibility: gelatin. There's also its plant equivalent found in sea weads.

It supports the connective tissue in ligaments, cartilage, vertebral discs, and joint linings.

Vitamin C is good for your purpose because it is essential for the synthesis of collagen and the reconstruction of connective tissues.

There also are three clinically tested supplements:

1) Glucosamine is a major component of cartilage. It helps the body make joint lubricants.

2) Chondroitin supports the strength and flexibility of all connective tissues in the body.

3) Methylsulfonylmethane provides the body with the raw materials to manufacture connective tissues.

Hope it helps,

Tanya Zilberter, PhD



Thanks for your help Tanya... what kind of foods would I find these things? any suggestions?  

Answer
Gelatin is sold in groceries, it's also in every Jello or you can do your own dishes with it like gellied boiled fish, poultry or meats. Sea weeds are rather expensive in the US but if you need an example, it's those dark green sheets for sushis, or dried or marinated kelp.

Vitamin C is in citrus fruits, kivis, strawberries, dark green veggies.

The rest of my list are supplements that can be bought in health foods stores or in vitamin departments of groceires.

Good luck!

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