A QUICK GUIDE TO SPORTS NUTRITION
Whether your’re a beginner or a pro, knowing the ins and outs of exercise supplements can be a daunting task. Which is why we have prepared for you a quick condensed guide of everything you need to know about exercise supplements.
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Protein Powders are the lifeblood of all exercise enthusiasts whether it be a long distance runner, a weight lifter or someone just looking to drop a few sizes – protein powders are the cornerstone for this.
They provide your body with the fuel they need to feed your muscles and push you into dropping those stubborn pounds or to simply add a bit of definition to the muscle groups you’re currently working on.
Creatine is an innovative new product that more and more people are using every day. Creatine is naturally produced in your body from the consumption of foods that contain amino acids. Amino acids are essentially the building blocks of protein. Creatine can be found in a variety of meats and fish, however you would need to eat a large quantity to really have any appreciative effect from the creatine when exercising. Creatine powders and supplements cut out the the monumental task of consuming copious amounts of food by offering you enough in just one shake or drink. Creatine is used to boost your energy and endurance levels from anything to short-medium bursts of exercise, perfect for sprinters, swimmers and even some styles of bodybuilding. Creatine can aid in increased muscle size, strength and power.
Pre-workout blends and powders
Pre-workout blends and powders are a supplement consumed before an exercise session, they usually contain fairly high levels of caffeine, or guarana extract to boost your energy levels. Because they have high levels of caffeine these products need to be respected and the serving suggestion needs to be followed. Due to their nature in boosting energy levels a lot of people find that they help improve their exercise sessions which in turn will boost their strength and potential for muscle growth.
Branched Chain Amino Acids or BCAA’s for short refers to three amino acids: Isoleucine, Valine and Leucine. BCAAs are perfect for people with a low dietary protein intake as BCAA’s promote muscle protein synthesis which essentially promotes muscle growth over a period of time and can also aid in a reduction of fatigue in beginners.
Another huge benefit of using BCAA’s is the aid it provides when dieting. Quite often when people diet they will lose both fat and muscle weight, BCAA’s can help prevent the degradation of muscle from the catabolic effects of dieting.
We sell a wide range of foods with added protein. Some of these will be meal replacement products which can be used in place of a meal when dieting or looking to shave off a few extra pounds, however some other varieties we sell aren’t for this purpose and are for use in between meals to maintain a high level of protein intake throughout the day, they can also sometimes be used in place of a protein shake which helps by adding a bit of variety in your protein intake, and to keep things interesting.
ZMA tablets, or Zinc Monomethionine Aspartate is a supplement that can contribute towards a healthy sleep which will help your muscles recover quicker after a particularly rigorous workout session. As well as this the supplement contains Zinc which helps support your immune system and magnesium which can play a role in improving your metabolism.
Glutamine is usually found in powder form and it can help to prevent muscle catabolism which is the breakdown of muscle usually encountered when dieting. Not only does it aid in preventing this, but it can also contribute to a healthier immune system and an increase in muscle growth.