Novak Djokovic's Gluten-free Rise to the Top - Part 2

So why has Djokovic got so much quicker?

Firstly, if you have a food sensitivity, it creates inflammation in the gut. Inflammation in the gut will cause a reflex inhibition of the core-abdominal musculature. A lack of core function will create instability in the joints and reduce strength, speed and power.

Removing the offending foods for long enough will allow the immune system to calm down and for the inflammation to reduce, allowing the core muscles to function at their optimum. Some foods however, will need to be eliminated for ever, such as the case with Celiac's disease.

This will enable maximum, strength, power and speed.

In addition, he has lost weight. He has probably lost weight from excess water retention and excess body fat. So not only is he stronger, but lighter too, which equals a much greater power to weight ratio.

He also has more energy and can sustain a high level of performance for longer periods.

I’m amazed that elite level sport still blindly advocates high gluten meals like pasta and bread. I would estimate that around 95% of clients I have tested, tested positive to gluten/gliadin.

Identifying and eliminating food sensitivities is not only useful to maximise performance, but also to overcome many conditions.

I have helped people with the following conditions after identifying food sensitivities:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Crohn’s Disease
• Chronic Fatigue
• Acne
• Eczema
• Asthma
• Hay fever
• Obesity 

I use the most advanced and most accurate form of testing currently available, The Mediator Release Test.

Tests have shown a 94.5% sensitivity and a 92.7% specificity with a split sample reproducibility of >90%. Most other tests show below 50% for accuracy or reproducibility.

It tests 150 different foods and food chemicals against four different immune responses whereas most other tests only test against one immune response. Testing against just one  immune response means you can be tested but still not identify a number of offending foods.

Please contact me if you would like to take a food sensitivity test, but I can’t promise you’ll be number one in the tennis rankings by the end of the year.

 

Comments

[Paula]

So just eating gluten free could make the difference for Novak? What about eating pasteurized dairy, sugar and non organic foods? Did Djokovic change those too? It is amazing that so many tennis players and atheletes are not looking at their conventional diets when many have the money to employ knowledgeable people. Why is that? Maybe they don't have symptoms. I eat gluten and it seems to be ok. I have energy and good digestion yet my ancestors are from Denmark. Could most of us benefit from gluten free diets and how would I know it is better?

[Leigh Brandon]

Hi Paula,

Consuming pasteurised dairy, sugar and non-organic foods will certainly rob anyone of nutrients/energy. Unfortunately, money doesn't guarantee good advice.

Conventional diets are still taught in universities and their courses are often sponsored by food manufacturers. Some sport teams are sponsored by fast food companies and the players are only allowed to eat their products in public (despite the fact that they are likely to reduce performance).

As stated, most people I have tested showed a sensitivity to gluten containing grains. A lack of symptoms doesn't mean it is not causing a problem. It can take 10-20 years for symptoms to appear.

My own experience of coming off gluten was a reduction in body fat, better skin and more energy! The improvements you might get (if you are sensitive) is difficult to predict.