Nutrition science
What diet makes us powerful?
Physical and cognitive performance is highly dependent on diet. The basis is energy intake to meet needs plus sufficient essential nutrients such as specific amino acids and fatty acids as well as vitamins. In nutritional medicine, we measure individual needs by taking into account age, gender, body composition and state of health. We also take training and competition aspects into account.
For recreational sports enthusiasts, a diet with natural foods tailored to their individual needs is usually sufficient; dietary supplements are generally not necessary. The more intense the stress, the more likely nutrient deficits become. Supplementation involves health, performance and doping-related risks and should therefore only be carried out after appropriate medical diagnostics and should always be accompanied by specialists.
Lia Bally is Professor of Nutrition and Metabolism at the University of Bern. As a scientist (PhD) and medical practitioner (MD), she is Senior Physician and Head of Nutritional Medicine, Metabolism and Obesity and also Head of Research at the Department of Nutritional Medicine, Metabolism and Obesity at Inselspital Bern.
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