Enhance Athletic Performance with Sports Nutrition Supplements

Be it a runner, swimmer, cyclist, soccer player or any other sports person, they consistently work toward improving their performance. To achieve their goals, sports men and women undergo rigorous training and exercise. This requires high levels of energy, which is where nutrition comes into play. 

A balanced plate of food packed with all essential nutrients is a must in their daily routine. But, sports persons also resort to supplements in various forms including protein shakes or vitamin capsules. Why? 

Although food and hydration form the basis of a healthy diet, they require additional support in meeting stringent physical demands. Sports nutrition supplements give them an edge in training and performing better. 

But, that’s not all. Let’s look at how sports supplements help athletes in detail. 

What are Sports Nutrition Supplements?

Diet plays an important role in the way we feel and the way our body functions. However, in certain cases eating healthy food and drinks might not be enough to fulfill the daily nutritional requirements. This is especially true for athletes, who need double the amount of calories per day (appx 2500) as compared to normal individuals. 

Supplements act as an additional source of nutrition that athletes add to their diet to meet daily nutritional requirements, gain energy, improve athletic performance, fulfill fitness goals or combat any nutritional deficiencies. 

These dietary supplements contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, or plant based extracts. They are sold in a variety of forms, with most popular being powders, capsules, tablets, liquids, and bars.

Common Sports Supplements That Athletes Take

You must have heard of whey protein and granola bars in the context of sports nutrition. An average athlete usually requires a balanced plate of macronutrients, ie., carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Along with this comes other vitamins and minerals like iron, B vitamins, vitamin C, etc. 

However, every athlete is different. So, their dietary requirements are dependent on several aspects including: 

• The type of sport they’re into
• The kind and amount of training required
• The intensity of the workout
• Any nutritional deficiencies
• The type of diet they eat, vegetarian, non-vegetarian, vegan, etc. 

Depending on their individual needs, here are some of the common supplements found in vitamin supplements store that most athletes include in their diets: 

• Branched Chain Amino Acids or BCAA
• Creatine
• Glutamine
• Glucosamine
• Protein supplements 
• B vitamins
• Caffeine

But, why do athletes take these sports nutrition supplements and how do they help? 

The Benefits of Sports Supplements for Athletes

Boosts Energy

This might sound obvious, but it isn’t so. Unlike normal individuals an athlete has to take to high intensity strength training and workout, which lasts for hours together. To perform repeated bouts of rigorous exercise like weight lifting or sprinting, they need adequate energy.  

While sleep helps energize the body, there are days when one doesn’t get the right amount of sleep. Plus, too much caffeine intake to stay awake and energetic can be harmful. Sports supplements that contain creatine, beta alanine, B vitamins, or caffeine gives them energy to keep going with their training. 

Beta alanine and creatine are nutrients known to improve performance in moderate to intense workouts. They allow the body to comfortably perform reps. Caffeine helps improve endurance and strength, while B vitamins keep fatigue at bay. Energy improves focus, enabling them to get the best out of their training. 

Provides Athletes with Proteins

Also known as the building blocks of the body, proteins play a vital role in healthy functioning of the body. They aid in: 

• Growth of cells
• Repair and maintenances of cells and tissues
• Biochemical reactions necessary for digestion, energy production and muscle contraction
• Regulation of hormones
• Providing structure to cells and tissues
• Improving immunity 
• Transportation and storage of nutrients

Active individuals like athletes require more protein, around 1.2 to 2.0 grams per kg of their bodyweight to improve muscle growth, muscle strength and recovery. 

For athletes, especially those on plant-based diets, require protein supplements to get the daily dose of this nutrient. There are different types of protein powders like whey, casein, pea, etc. to choose from. Quality protein powders filled with nature’s goodness like Vega One Nutritional Shake are great to get the daily protein boost. 

Replenishes Lost Electrolytes

Athletes sweat profusely given the amount of training they undergo. Sweating results in the loss of electrolytes, minerals like calcium, sodium, and potassium, which are essential for various bodily functions. Deficiency of electrolytes results in fatigue, headaches, cramping, nausea, and blood pressure problems. 

While water can help, it is not enough for prolonged exercise in hot or humid weather. Quality sports drink packed with electrolytes, as well as other vital vitamins and minerals is a great pick. Make sure these drinks are free of sugar, which can be detrimental to health. 

Fastens Recovery

Muscle pulls and injuries are common among athletes. While training for strength and flexibility, hamstring or muscle pulls are commonly heard of. However, they want to get back on track as soon as possible. Apart from proper rest and a healthy diet, sports nutrition supplements help aid the recovery process. 

Supplements containing amino acids, zinc, magnesium, vitamin B6, and omega 3 fatty acids can be extremely helpful in quickening the recovery process. Amino acids found in proteins support the repair of tissue while omega 3 fatty acids reduce inflammation caused during training. 

You can find protein blends, ZMA capsules, or supplements with omega-3 fatty acids in vitamin supplements store. Make sure to consult your trainer before picking one. 

Conclusion

Being nourished is key to good health and optimum athletic performance. Healthy Planet Canada offers a range of affordable, natural sports nutrition supplements to back your sports performance. Consult your healthcare provider or sports dietician to pick the right supplements for you.