Naturopathic Care for Athletes
Athletes have unique nutritional and recovery needs to optimize performance, prevent injury, and maintain long-term health. Naturopathic care supports athletic performance through strategic nutrition, hormone optimization, injury prevention, and recovery protocols.
Common Health Concerns
- •Performance optimization and energy
- •Recovery and muscle repair
- •Injury prevention and healing
- •Hormonal balance for performance
- •Gut health and nutrient absorption
- •Immune function and illness prevention
- •Overtraining syndrome and fatigue
- •Female athlete triad (menstrual dysfunction, low energy, bone loss)
Relevant Modalities
Related Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
What supplements should athletes prioritize?
Core supplements for athletes include protein powder for recovery (whey, pea, or collagen-based), creatine for strength and power, omega-3 fish oil for inflammation and recovery, vitamin D for immune and bone health, iron if deficient (especially female athletes), electrolytes for hydration, and adaptogenic herbs like rhodiola or ashwagandha for stress resilience. Specific needs depend on sport type, training volume, dietary patterns, and individual labs. Avoid proprietary blends with undisclosed ingredients. Quality and third-party testing (NSF Certified for Sport) are essential.
Why did my period stop after increasing training?
Hypothalamic amenorrhea (loss of menstruation) occurs when training volume or intensity increases while energy intake is insufficient, causing hormonal shutdown to preserve energy. This is part of Female Athlete Triad alongside low energy availability and decreased bone density. Even if performance feels fine, missing periods indicates inadequate fueling and increases stress fracture risk and long-term bone loss. Treatment requires increasing calorie intake, modifying training volume, reducing stress, and restoring healthy body fat percentage. This requires medical evaluation and often multidisciplinary care.
How can I optimize recovery between training sessions?
Optimal recovery includes post-workout nutrition within 30-60 minutes (protein + carbs), adequate total protein (1.6-2.2g/kg body weight for athletes), quality sleep (8-9 hours), hydration with electrolytes, anti-inflammatory nutrition emphasizing antioxidants and omega-3s, active recovery or rest days, stress management, and targeted supplements like tart cherry for muscle recovery and curcumin for inflammation. Monitoring resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and subjective recovery can guide training intensity adjustments to prevent overtraining.
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Dr. Sanika Kshirsagar, ND
Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine (ND)
Bastyr University, Kenmore, WA
Medical Disclaimer: The information and content provided on this website is for informational purposes only and not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. It is not meant to substitute for the professional advice provided by your physician or any other healthcare professional. If you suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your healthcare provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read on this website.