Vitamins are essential for good health. This much we can agree on, but then things quickly become murky. There is so much information, contradictory research and advertising out there about the vitamin needs of endurance athletes, and how

of nutrition, it ranks foods based on their effect on blood sugar levels.The rise in sugar levels is graded from 0 to 100; the higher the number, the faster the absorption of carbs. Foods such as oatcakes, strawberries and cashew nuts have a low GI (under 55

, I have calculated the correlation for the ‘over two years' experience’ group. The correlation came out as -0.342. A perfect correlation would be +1 or -1. We therefore cannot say that increased running will always lead to reduced stress, but we can

and decrease levels of C-reactive protein in the blood, which is a marker of inflammation. "Cocoa powder contains no added sugar and, compared with dark chocolate, less saturated fat," says Susan Kleiner, author of Power Eating (Human Kinetics, £13.99).Eat

body mass index – or BMI – of 25-29.9) or obese (with a BMI of above 30) will face health issues, regardless of how often – or fast – they run. But some studies show that heavy people who exercise can be cardiovascularly healthy and may live longer than

, as in lowered mortality and heart-disease risk. Which isn’t to say walking does nothing for you (it does). Running simply does more, as two major studies have proven recently:Regular vigorous activity reduced mortality risk significantly among 17,000 men

-limb alignment may also be useful, and orthoses can sometimes help as well. —Nick Critchley, chartered physiotherapist and exercise physiologist at the Medifit Health & Fitness Centre, London

’ll find in your local chemist and health food shop right now. (Just don’t expect to find that ‘magic’ pill or potion that will transform you from a 10-minute miler into a world-class marathon runner overnight.) Supplemental IncomeBe sure to visit

, nuts and legumes Encourage muscle growth and prevent muscle breakdown May offset protein breakdown in muscles; supplements can increase muscle growth or recoveryCoenzyme Q-10 Helps release energy from food to body's cells Can be made in the body; food

and prevention, and a whole section dedicated to schedules for 10K, half-marathon and marathon races, the Guide to Running is full of practical advice that really works. If you want to make the most of your running, this Guide could be all you need.Available from