The Current 7 Best Supplements for Performance Athletes… and How They Align With Your Body Type and Fitness Goals
While the core of any athlete’s plan for improving their performance should be built around diet and exercise, supplements can also play a part. In fact, the right supplements can be an excellent addition to any athlete’s lifestyle. Here are seven of the best supplements for performance athletes and why they are so great for those who need to get the most out of their body every day.
Whey Protein
Most athletes know that protein is an important building block for muscles. Whey protein is one of the most popular types of proteins because it has all nine essential amino acids, providing benefits to the muscle synthesis process. It’s also easily available and can be consumed in a shake or in bar form, which can be great for busy athletes who want to get their protein fix on the go.
Fish Oil
While it’s not necessary to take a supplement to consume fish oil, many performance athletes choose to do so because they don’t like eating fish or find it more convenient to take a fish oil pill. Fish oil helps improve heart health, which is an important concern for any serious athlete since the heart is the center of the cardiovascular system.
Coenzyme Q10
Sometimes shortened to CoQ10, Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring substance in the body. CoQ10 helps protect the body from harmful molecules and facilitates the completion of important bodily functions like digestion. CoQ10 can usually be found in powder or pill form.
Magnesium
Magnesium is not produced by the body, so it needs to be obtained through magnesium-rich foods or supplements. Athletes have a strong interest in magnesium because if it’s role in energy production. This mineral has a range of great uses, from improving heart health to helping athletes improve their energy and endurance levels.
Creatine
Creatine has been a top supplement for serious athletes for some time. This naturally occurring metabolite is found in many types of red meats. Creatine is valuable for athletes, especially those who are looking to build muscle, because it helps maintain a consistent supply of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) for the body, allowing an individual to exercise harder and longer.
Vitamin D
While Vitamin D might not be considered a traditional supplement for athletes, it is very valuable for active people because of its positive impact on the body’s skeletal system. However, recent research shows that Vitamin D could also be a key nutrient in preventing muscle pain, certain types of cancer, and type 1 diabetes.
Iron
Iron is one of the most critical supplements for performance athletes and women in particular. According to the CDC, roughly one out of every ten women is iron deficient. Iron helps the body transport oxygen throughout the bloodstream, which is a critical function for both exercise as well as recovery.
If you are going to be taking any of these supplements, make sure you do sufficient research. If you have questions about side effects or potential risks of any supplements, contact a medical professional. With proper research, supplements can be an excellent addition to any athlete’s diet and exercise plan.