Novak Djokovic
I came across this article in the Wall Street Journal via Chris Kresser, The Healthy Skeptic. He had posted it on his Facebook page and posed the question, “Gluten-free diet helps Djokovic conquer the tennis world. Imagine if he had gone full paleo!” I think that’s an important question for all of us to ponder.
I remember very clearly how much better I felt when I adopted a gluten-free diet back in 1999 — it was after years of feeling horrible and suffering the ravages of malnutrition and everything that went along with it. Within a week of being on the GF diet, I noticed a huge improvement in my energy level and while I was far from actual recovery, I knew that the health benefits of the diet were real and that it was something that I needed to do in order to live a normal life again. I also know that when I hold true to a strict paleo diet, I notice an even greater surge in energy and just overall sense of well being. If it’s something you haven’t tried before, do yourself a favor and give it a try. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes. While much of the Celiac Handbook Website contains recipes for some very un-paleo dishes, there are plenty here that would work well.
For more information on the paleo (or primal) diet, look at any one of these Websites for more information; The Health Skeptic, Mark’s Daily Apple, Whole 9, Primal Wisdom, Robb Wolf’s Paleo Solution, and so many more if you do a Google search..
How did Novak Djokovic conquer the tennis world?
Maybe the answer is as simple as this: Since last year, he’s swearing off pasta, pizza, beer, French bread, Corn Flakes, pretzels, empanadas, Mallomars and Twizzlers—anything with gluten.
It’s no secret that Djokovic has had a breakout season, or that he has been, by any reasonable standard, the world’s best athlete of 2011. On Sunday, he beat Rafael Nadal in the Rome Masters, his fourth-straight win over the Spaniard. It was his second win over Nadal on clay in two weeks, and again, amazingly, he did it without losing a set. The match ran Djokovic’s 2011 record to 37-0 with seven titles.
As the French Open begins Sunday, Djokovic’s amazing streak—the longest to start a season since 1984—is threatening to push Roger Federer (the winner of a record 16 Grand Slam titles) and Nadal (the French Open’s five-time champion) off the front pages. But the transformation from odd man out to invincible overlord also is leaving gobsmacked tennis fans searching for answers. Clearly something has clicked for the Serb. But what?…
