{"id":424,"date":"2021-06-13T17:11:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-13T17:11:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2022-04-22T15:31:46","modified_gmt":"2022-04-22T15:31:46","slug":"red-s-its-not-your-favorite-color","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/motusvitapt.org\/red-s-its-not-your-favorite-color\/","title":{"rendered":"RED-S – It’s Not Your Favorite Color…"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Now that we know what it is not, let\u2019s talk about what it is!<\/p>\n

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Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S).  <\/span>In simpler terms, it is when the body does not have enough energy needed to perform optimally for health and sports performance.  <\/span><\/p>\n

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When the body does not have enough fuel, it makes adjustments and starts to reduce how energy is used.  <\/span>This effects hormones, metabolism, and overall function.<\/p>\n

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And this can lead to a lot of problems now and in the future.<\/p>\n

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So it\u2019s pretty important to think about, talk about, and be aware of.  <\/span>Especially when it comes to your young athlete. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Let\u2019s start with the 3 main presentations of RED-S.  <\/span>They are low energy level, amenorrhea, and low bone density.  <\/span><\/p>\n

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But it is also important to understand that there are so many more body systems that can be effected by RED-S.<\/p>\n

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It can lead to problems with metabolism, cardiovascular health, gastrointestinal health, and mental health.  <\/span>It can impair the immune system\u2019s ability to fight infections and lead to more illnesses.  <\/span>It can cause high cholesterol.  <\/span>It can also lead to increased stress and depression.  <\/span><\/p>\n

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Yikes!<\/p>\n

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This is why RED-S is an important topic to be aware of.<\/p>\n

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So what can you do about RED-S?  <\/span>How can you help your athlete to protect their bodies against RED-S?<\/p>\n

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Fuel is the answer!<\/p>\n

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Your athlete needs to have enough fuel in order to fully participate in practice.  <\/span>Without enough fuel, there won\u2019t be enough energy in the tank because the body will try to conserve energy.  <\/span>And when there is not enough energy, the body starts to redistribute where the fuel goes.  <\/span><\/p>\n

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Organs get energy first.  <\/span>Then the fight or flight (stress) system.  <\/span>Then bones and muscles.  <\/span>Then the immune system.  <\/span>And the hormones are the last to get fuel.  <\/span><\/p>\n

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So you can see, if the energy source is low there might not be enough fuel for their bones and muscles to work effectively (leading to fatigue and injury).  <\/span>There might not be enough energy to fight injury or illness (leading to sickness or slower healing times).  <\/span>And there might not be enough energy for their hormones to function correctly (leading to changes in menstruation, problems with insulin, and issues with growth).<\/p>\n

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So let\u2019s talk about each of these more specifically.<\/p>\n

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Bone Health<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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In females, 50% of their peak bone mass occurs between 11-14 years old.  <\/span>Peak bone mass doesn\u2019t occur until around 19 years old.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Estrogen increases the calcium uptake into the blood and deposits it into the bone.  <\/span>Progesterone helps this activity to occur.  <\/span>Testosterone helps to stimulate bone growth, formation, and the absorption of calcium.<\/p>\n

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It has been found that Low Energy Availability (not enough fuel) alone can lead to poor bone health.<\/p>\n

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Add in the hormones released by stress (which we know is high in teen female athletes) and you have more of a negative effect on bone health.<\/p>\n

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So, if hormones are not getting the fuel they need, they can not help with bone growth, bone strength, and bone density.  <\/span>This is what leads to stress fractures and fractures in athletes.<\/p>\n

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And bone loss in athletes with RED-S may be irreversible!<\/p>\n

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Menstruation<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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Primary amenorrhea is when there is no period by 15 years old.  <\/span>Secondary amenorrhea is the absence of 3 consecutive menstrual cycles. Oligomenorrhea is a cycle that lasts longer than 45 days.<\/p>\n

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When hormone levels are abnormal, there is low body fat, there is low energy availability, and there is added exercise stress, the result can be changes in menstrual function.<\/p>\n

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When energy levels are low, the hormones that regulate menstruation are altered which affects the menstrual cycle.<\/p>\n

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So again, if hormones are not getting the fuel they need, they cannot function properly and the result is a change or dysfunction to the menstrual cycle.<\/p>\n

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What does RED-S look like?  <\/span>How do you know if it is occurring?<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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This looks like anemia, chronic fatigue, increased frequency of illness or infections, and the presence of fractures or stress fractures.<\/p>\n

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Look for these signs:<\/p>\n