Trisha Sugarek MacDonald

­­Q: What is the importance of protein for serious athletes?    

A: Serious athletes need protein to help build lean muscle, support muscle growth and development, and elicit rapid muscle repair since they are continually pushing their bodies to the edge.

Q: How has the face of the sports nutrition market changed in recent years?

A: Now a $3.2-bilion industry projected to grow 21% between 2008 and 2013, sports nutrition products are no longer just a niche category used by elite athletes, such as pro athletes and hardcore bodybuilders to augment their rigorous training and give them a competitive advantage. General consumers who lead active lifestyles have now sought out sports nutrition supplements to improve their physical look, energy and performance as part of a pathway to leading a healthier lifestyle. Moreover, their brand selections in this category are highly influenced by the endorsements of serious athletes and bodybuilders whom they aspire to emulate.

Q. What are the recommended macronutrient needs of school-age and preadolescent children? And why are certain healthy fats important in children’s nutrition?

1. What is the importance of vitamin D in the body?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient that requires conversion in the liver and kidneys to form the physiologically active form of vitamin D known as calcitriol. Active vitamin D functions as a steroid hormone in the body, augmenting calcium and phosphorus absorption in the kidneys, which helps to form and maintain healthy bones and teeth. The principal physiological function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of both calcium and phosphorus, as well as to promote bone mineralization.