Supplements typically help athletes improve performance when used to supplement, not replace, sound nutrition. Their impact may depend on factors like genetics, gut microbiome health, daily nutritional intake and training intensity.
Bulk offers a vast selection of protein powders, amino acid supplements and nootropics designed to promote focus and restful sleep (reducing biological stress and increasing restful restorative rest). In addition they have workout accessories as well as vegan and gluten free options available!
Protein
Supplements are an integral component of an athlete’s training regimen, but for optimal results they must be combined with proper diet, recovery and rest to achieve results. A tailored approach to nutrition and supplementation that incorporates functional medicine lab work where appropriate can help athletes train smart and reduce unnecessary injury risk.
Protein is an integral component of any sport nutrition plan. It can help build muscle mass, promote protein synthesis and aid recovery from exercise. Experts advise athletes that carbohydrates and proteins comprise between 45% to 65% of their daily caloric intake.
Your body can get most of its protein needs met through eating healthily, particularly if whey protein is chosen because it’s easily digested and high in leucine (an amino acid essential to protein synthesis). But it is also important to consider overall protein quality when selecting products, as milk (full fat, semi-skimmed or skimmed), fish meat and eggs contain significant levels of leucine as well as other forms of protein.
Electrolytes
Electrolytes include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium chloride and bicarbonate – they provide body fluids with an electric charge and regulate many important functions such as muscle contractions, nerve impulses and hydration.
Dietary sources of electrolytes can include foods such as fruits and vegetables. But for people who sweat heavily during intense physical exercise or in hot weather conditions, sports drinks with added electrolytes may provide a quick solution.
These drinks can provide essential electrolytes lost through sweat, helping prevent dehydration and minimize muscle cramps. Furthermore, they may increase hydration by aiding water absorption more efficiently in your gut.
Ideal hydration is critical for performance in athletes, while supplement use should be informed by functional medicine lab testing (where applicable) to ensure their supplements align with an athlete’s gut microbiome health, stress levels and daily nutritional intake – this combination can result in greater athletic performance and faster recovery times.
Multivitamins
Supplements can provide athletes with extra vitamins and minerals, but should only be considered after they have established a solid daily diet with fresh produce such as fruit, vegetables and whole grains containing high quality proteins – read this article for further reading on this subject.
Vitamin C can assist with collagen production, helping maintain bone and joint health and reduce inflammation associated with sports injury. Furthermore, Vitamin C aids the body’s absorption of calcium – another way it may aid with injury prevention.
Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium, helping athletes prevent osteoporosis while giving them more energy by supporting healthy muscles. Vitamin E, another common antioxidant, may reduce oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels which could lower cardiovascular disease risk among athletes.
Omega 3
Omega-3 fatty acids have long been recognized for their beneficial effects in improving muscle function, reducing inflammation and speeding recovery time while simultaneously increasing protein synthesis. Omega-3s can be found both in oily fish as well as supplements; for optimal performance and to avoid injury it is advised that an ample supply is consumed regularly.
However, many athletes do not consume sufficient EPA and DHA to achieve an ideal omega-3 index of 8-11%. Supplementation containing these essential fatty acids can improve muscle, cardiovascular system and brain conditions that are susceptible to stress for athletes.
Etixx EPAX is designed for athletes who don’t consume enough oily fish on a regular basis and need an additional source of omega-3. It contains high concentrations of EPA and DHA in triglyceride form as well as vitamins D and E for maximum effectiveness.
