What are the best supplements for athletes and how can they affect athletic performance and overall health?
- Creatine Monohydrate
- Caffeine
- Protein
- Beta-Alanine
Athletes attempt to push the limits of the human body every single time they’re in training and especially when they’re in a competition. It’s a physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting job that can be made easier through the consumption of supplements from trusted manufacturers like Unilever Network Philippines.
Because athletes are constantly looking for alternative nutrition that will help them perform at their best, the sports-supplement industry has become a multi-million-dollar business. Eventually, his lead to a market that is oversaturated with a plethora of supplements that are supposedly helpful for the typical athlete.
You’d think that this has made it easier for them to choose the right supplement but it actually had the opposite effect. Athletes, especially those who don’t have a personal trainer or the weekend warriors whose idea of athletics is a few hours of pick-up games, are more confused than ever. They are finding it difficult to differentiate the supplements that work from those that don’t.
If you’re in the same position as these athletes, then you’re in luck because we’re about to tell you exactly which supplements are effective and dependable. Simply continue to read below to find out what these are and how they help you push the limits!
Creatine Monohydrate
Creatine monohydrate or creatine is one of the most popular and effective power supplements for athletes. While there are many health products that claim to boost strength and performance, creatine is one of the few that actually delivers.
Research has shown that creatine offers improvements in muscular endurance, power output, and sprint and endurance performance. It also helps in increasing muscle mass and strength, which is the goal of many athletes.
Creatine is the best supplement to take for short-burst activities like lifting weights but is not as effective for long-term endurance activities like running. Still, it is a useful tool for athletes of all types.
Caffeine
It isn’t a shocker to find that caffeine is the most used stimulant in the world. Anyone in need of an extra kick early in the morning or late in the afternoon usually results to a cup or two of coffee. And that’s basically what it is to normal and non-athletic individuals—a simple stimulant that helps increase alertness.
As for athletes, caffeine is an ergogenic aid that helps increase fat oxidation, stimulate the release of endorphins, and reduce the perception of effort and fatigue. It also has a positive effect on weight loss, metabolism, and performance. Caffeine, however, has little to offer when it comes to strength performance and you’re better off taking creatine if you want improvements in that department.
The downside of caffeine intake is that, over time, your body will build up a tolerance, so the benefits will eventually decrease. To counter this, spending a few days without caffeine can help. It’s also important to stick to the effective dosage which is 3-6mg/kg prior to exercise.
Protein
Protein isn’t like the previously mentioned supplements that offer improvements in performance, endurance, and strength, but that doesn’t make it any less important. In truth, protein could be the most valuable of all as it is essential for recovery.
Your body uses protein to repair damaged cells and also to build new ones. It is essentially the building block of the cells which makes it a key component in the recovery process.
Whey protein is the most popular and fastest digesting protein powder by far and is the one athletes use the most. In as little as 15 minutes, it allows muscle-repairing amino acids to flow into the bloodstream.
The best time to take protein—regardless of type and form—is immediately after an intense workout.
Beta-Alanine
Beta-alanine offers the best of both worlds as it is used by athletes to increase performance and improve recovery. It is a helpful and beneficial amino acid that can deliver benefits both during and after a tough workout.
To make it more clear, beta-alanine slows down the lactic acid buildup in the muscles during exercise which means it can delay fatigue if only by a little. Afterward, it helps reduce muscle soreness by boosting carnosine levels in the body.
There is one thing athletes have to note when they first take beta-alanine: it can cause your skin to tingle, but this only happens when you first start taking it and your body will eventually adjust.
Key Takeaway
Just to set the record straight, athletes don’t necessarily need to take supplements in order to reach their goals, but they do provide several benefits that make the journey easier and safer.
There are many reasons athletes should consider taking supplements from manufacturers like Unilever Network Philippines. One of which is the fact that athletes need more nutrients than the average person due to the physical stress and strain caused by training and competing.
Additionally, the stress and strain cause a lot of damage to the body which means that they will need to recover properly and speedily if they want to improve. The supplements listed above—creatine monohydrate, caffeine, protein, and beta-alanine—all help in fulfilling these things and more.
That said, we advise athletes to be wise about the supplements they put in their body. The supplements they take must be in line with the goals they want to achieve whether it’s to build muscle or increase endurance. If the wrong supplements are taken, it can prevent improvement and deter athletic performance, so keep that in mind!