Aloe Vera Sports - Information
  The Use of Aloe Vera in Sports & Fitness Training
1. Getting Fit Naturally: Training, Health & Nutrition 
To train at optimal levels for fitness an athlete needs to be in the best of health, physically and mentally. In the winter, particularly, it is vital to maintain an active immune system to help combat infections. Colds and influenza can spread quickly through a team training together, or staff working together. 
Another vital factor in maintaining good health is optimum nutrition. The Aloe Vera drinking gels taken twice or three times per day (an ounce or two at a time) will help the body fight off viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. Even if an athlete then does become infected, drinking the Aloe will help ensure that the unpleasant symptoms will be reduced and recovery times accelerated. The shorter the recovery time the less "condition" is lost: it is said that if an athlete has trained for six months to get really fit, this state will be reversed within just three weeks of ceasing training. 

The major beneficial effects of all of our Aloe Vera drinking gels are: detoxification of the body - with improved digestion, absorption & elimination; boosting of the immune system with increased resistance to infection and shorter recovery times; accelerated skin and deep tissue healing with greatly reduced scarring; increased energy levels and improved stamina, with better sleep and enhanced mood; a steady improvement in many chronic conditions such as arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, allergies and catarrh - and, in conjunction with the topical Aloe preparations (see Section 3 below), acute problems such as joint and ligament sprains & strains, torn muscles, bruising, lacerations, etc. Forever Freedom is the latest specialised drinking gel for cartilage problems and acute sports injuries, or for arthritis and other "wear and tear" conditions. This Gel is supplemented with Chondroitin, Glucosamine, MSM and extra Vitamin C - all well-documented as being of significant help in maintaining healthy joints under stress, in healing joint problems, and maybe even helping to grow new cartilage. 

2. Staying Fit: Preventing & Healing Injuries with Topical Aloe 
The topical FLP Aloe Vera preparations should be used in conjunction with the drinking gels (especially Forever Freedom) for maximum effectiveness against strain and injury. It is now understood that, taken internally, Aloe Vera allows new cells to form in near-perfect conditions. All our cells are "turning over" every day, but at very different rates. Skin cells are replaced in about 30 days; the cells of major organs like the spleen, kidneys and liver turn over in about three to six months; the lungs take about a year; bone takes the longest - from one to seven years. 

The FDA in the USA fully accepts the research findings that Aloe Vera enhances new cell growth: this attribute is clearly seen in the rapid healing of wounds, cuts, abrasions, and burns (including so-called "turf" burns caused by falling or skidding on the artificial surfaces of football pitches or tennis courts). They also confirm that wounds treated topically with Aloe Vera tend to heal without scarring, and without the production of "proud flesh" at the wound site. Aloe also protects wounds against infection (it is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal), which can otherwise be a major problem, significantly slowing down the healing rate. 

The latest addition to our range for joint protection is Forever Active HA (hyaluronic acid), which provides a unique form of low molecular weight HA, with moisturizing and lubricating properties. Our bodies naturally produce HA while we are in our youth, but as our bodies age, the production slows down, causing our joints to suffer the consequences. Forever Active HA replenishes this natural lubricant, reviving your joints. Also contained in this new nutritional are Ginger Oil and Turmeric, two herbs that the Chinese have used to promote proper joint function. All this combines to make it one of the most powerful nutritional joint and skin moisturizing supplements on the market. 

Prevention: Professional sports players and athletes always spend time on a thorough warm-up before they compete: you only have to watch a modern tennis game on television, a cricket player getting ready to bowl, or a team preparing to play football, and you will see them stretching, bending, running on the spot, and so forth. What you do not see is the preparation they have been through before appearing on the court or the pitch: anyone with known problems will have been under the hand of the team physiotherapist, having massage to the muscles under stress, possibly utilising heat creams and lotions to bring blood and warmth to the area. Equally importantly, after the event, they will go through the same process again: this time they may receive a full massage, with perhaps ultrasound treatment to any joints or muscle groups that suffered during the game, athletic event or training session. Now everyone can also drink Forever Freedom every day to have the benefit of all the legendary properties of Aloe Vera Gel, plus the added benefits provided by the joint-maintaining supplements. 

It is at least as important for amateur sports players and athletes to warm up well, and to thoroughly prepare their muscles and joints for the competition ahead - or the practise run, or the gym circuit. This alone may prevent half the strains and injuries that are suffered in a match, in a training session, or in competition. This is especially true at the beginning of a new season, or after an enforced layoff, when the muscles and joints are particularly susceptible to strain or injury. Similarly, after a session, the athlete should follow a regime designed to repair any strains or soreness of the joints and muscles. 

FLP has a set of special products for external use: these are all based upon stabilised Aloe Vera gel in varying percentages, mixed with appropriate natural plant substances to enhance their specific use. The list below, summarises their usage in a variety of sports-related problems and conditions. 

As you can see from the product list, there are five topical FLP Aloe preparations for use in sports-related problems: the Activator (or Aloe First when a spray is more convenient), the Lotion, the Gelly, the Aloe MSM Gel and the Heat Lotion. They all contain very high percentages of stabilised Aloe Vera Gel, and all except the Activator are mixed with other natural products to achieve the required effect. 


FLP Products for Topical Use - (Adapted from "Healing Winners" by Bill Coats & Spanky Stephens)

Product: Aloe Activator - 99.6% stabilised Aloe Vera Gel (strained) or Aloe First spray Conditions: Acute - sprains, strains, bruising, cramp, swelling, soreness; painful joints, muscles or tendons;skin irritation or inflammation.
Treatment: Soak gauze in Aloe Activator and wrap the area; pack with ice; top up with fresh Activator every hour or so. Mix Activator with Gelly on a gauze pad and freeze to make an excellent compress for sprained joints.

Product: Aloe Lotion - 75% stabilised Aloe Vera in cream base
Conditions: Acute & Chronic - swelling, joint pain, sore muscles, tendonitis, bursitis, over-use injuries. Excellent general massage cream.
Treatment: Use as a massage cream, with or without Ultrasound. Apply the Lotion liberally to affected areas, massaging well for 5 mins or so. Repeat at least 4 times per day
Product: Aloe Vera Gelly - 80% stabilised Aloe Vera in gel base
Conditions: Acute & Chronic - turf burns, grazes, cuts, bruises; fungal infections (such as athlete's foot); itching, blisters, insect bites/stings, allergies, sunburn.
Treatment: Clean the area thoroughly, wipe over with Aloe Activator, then apply Gelly liberally to the affected area several times per day.
Product: Aloe Heat Lotion - 70% stabilised Aloe Vera with Eucalyptus and Wintergreen in cream base
Conditions: Acute & Chronic - tendonitis, joint and muscle pain, etc, where heat is desirable. Also excellent as warm-up rub before training & competition, and to relieve symptoms of colds and flu
Treatment: Apply liberally to the affected area and massage well into the skin. Avoid the area around the eyes & other sensitive tissues. Rub into muscles for warming-up. Apply to throat and chest for sore throat or cold/flu relief.
Product: Aloe MSM Gel - 40% stabilised Aloe Vera Gel with Methyl-sulfonyl-methane
Conditions: Acute & Chronic - swelling, joint pain, sore muscles, tendonitis, bursitis, over-use injuries. Can also help with pain and stiffness from old injuries.
Treatment: Apply liberally to the affected area and massage well into the skin. Repeat at least three times per day.
Aloe Activator
The Activator is virtually pure Aloe Vera Gel with just tiny amounts of plant-based substances added for stabilisation, then filtered to remove the pulp. This clear solution is a powerful anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal agent - it is a very effective broad-spectrum healant. In this very pure form, the Aloe is extremely penetrative: it is feasible to utilise this feature to carry additional healing agents through the skin. Note that where a spray would be more effective or easier to use, the Aloe First is an excellent alternative to Aloe Activator.

Aloe Lotion
Approximately 75% stabilised Aloe Vera Gel in a cream base, the Aloe Lotion is a first-rate massage cream. It can be used on its own, or - since it is a light cream, not an ointment, it can act as an ideal contact medium for Ultrasound treatment, Because of its high Aloe content it is effective on sore, over-used, muscles and joints, superficial or deep bruising, and general aches and pains.

Aloe Vera Gelly
Around 80% stabilised Aloe Vera Gel in a jelly-like base, this product is especially useful where longer contact with the skin is required, for example, with cuts, scrapes, abrasions of the skin, and friction or "turf" burns. The Gelly has been found to reduce healing times for these kinds of problems by half to two-thirds of the normal time.

Aloe Heat Lotion
About 70% stabilised Aloe Vera Gel combined with natural plant-based "heating" compounds such as Eucalyptus and Wintergreen, in a cream base. The Heat Lotion can be used before and after training to relieve muscle spasm, joint or muscle pain due to overworking or intensive training, and to prepare muscles after an enforced layoff or at the beginning of a new season. It is also a great warm-up cream.

Aloe MSM Gel
MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane), is an organic sulphur compound: in combination with our stabilised Aloe Vera Gel it is powerfully anti-inflammatory and an excellent conditioning and healing cream/gel for the skin. Sulphur is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, found in every cell, and the body uses MSM to create new healthy cells. MSM should be available in our food, but it is lost when washed, cooked or steamed. The Aloe MSM Gel can be used on its own where joints are inflamed and swollen, or muscles are strained and sore - in the short term it can give instant relief from acute pain, and in the long term it is excellent for relieving stiffness and soreness from chronic joint conditions or old injuries. If you are already gaining benefits from the Aloe Heat Lotion, you can add in an application of the MSM Gel for enhanced pain relief.

3. The Healing Properties of FLP Aloe Vera Products
Application of the stabilised Aloe Vera Gel, made up into the various lotions and creams described above, produces the following positive effects:
- Immediately soothing and comforting the skin
- Penetrating deeply without heat (except for the Heat Lotion)
- Promptly relieving pain, tightness and swelling in sprains, strains and bruises
- Rapidly reducing inflammation in muscles, tendons and joints
- Eliminating fungal infections such as Athletes Foot, and viral problems like cold sores
- Instantly relieving the pain of burns, grazes and abrasions of all kinds, including turf burns, and enhancing healing

Healing Methods - Preparation
Before any of the topical Aloe products can be used, the skin or wound must be cleansed very thoroughly. This is especially important because of Aloe's extremely penetrative quality: any "bugs" or contaminants remaining on the surface could be carried deep into the skin and cause a reaction. The area should be washed carefully with a cleansing solution (Aloe Liquid Soap is good for this), then all traces of the cleanser should be removed with fresh water. After this, a swab soaked in Aloe Activator can be wiped over the area to leave it ultra-clean and ready for the application of the appropriate lotion or gelly. If there is an open wound or graze, the area can be thoroughly sprayed with Aloe Activator to avoid too much painful direct contact.

Healing Methods in Practise
The various Aloe Vera topical products can be used lavishly and frequently to expedite the healing process, unlike many proprietary creams and lotions, which can generate allergic reactions or local sensitivity if used too often.
Professional trainers in the States have noted that healing of joint sprains, muscle strains, and skin wounds etc may be achieved in thirty to fifty percent less time when using the FLP Aloe products - this is very significant for any sports enthusiast or professional athlete.

Healing Joint Sprains
It is often beneficial to use several of the products in conjunction with each other to achieve the maximum effect: for example, in treating a sprained ankle, an excellent compress can be made by squeezing Aloe Vera Gelly on to a gauze pad, then soaking the whole thing with Aloe Activator before binding it over the damaged ankle. This treatment can be carried out on the pitch, and will bring great relief almost immediately. Once the patient is off the pitch, the trainer or physiotherapist can apply an ice-pack over the Aloe-soaked gauze-GB">
Making an Aloe Ice-Pack
Because of the stabilisation process, the Aloe Vera products can safely be frozen: so a simple ice-pack can be made by using the Gelly/Activator gauze pad as described above - simply place the pad in the freezer for ten to twenty minutes until frozen. The frozen pad can then be applied directly to the sprained joint or strained muscle. You can even make ice cubes from the Aloe Activator, then use them directly to massage a sprained joint or strained muscle to bring quick relief.

The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the FDA. The products discussed are not intended to diagnose, mitigate, treat, cure or prevent a specific disease or class of diseases. You should consult your family physician if you are experiencing a medical problem.