THE DAILY DOSE
10 Supplements That Will Improve Your Fitness Levels
Often when people think of fitness, they think of exercise. Many people don’t realize how much nutrition has to do with how well the body can handle physical activity and how stamina levels are affected by what someone eats or doesn’t eat.
The modern diet is often lacking in the proper amounts of essential vitamins and minerals the body needs to participate in and maintain optimal fitness levels. That is why many people turn to dietary supplements for exercise and athletic performance. Taking supplements to help boost your fitness levels can be a helping hand on the road to a better level of athleticism, but it’s important to know which supplements are best for you. Below we’ll take a look at 10 particular supplements that will improve your fitness levels.
Should you take workout supplements?
As previously mentioned, supplementation is designed to do just that: supplement. It is not a replacement for healthy eating, nor should it be treated as such. However, as people age and the body begins to slow production of certain nutrients or lose the ability to process and store others, supplementing certain vitamins and minerals is entirely necessary, regardless of diet.
The same can be said for those wanting to up their fitness performance. It is also worth noting that you will not reach optimal levels of muscle gain if your diet is not where it should be, so supplementation should follow diet if you want to live up to your full fitness potential. For example, if you’re working out to gain muscle but your body is breaking down more protein than you consume, you aren’t likely to see much difference.
What supplements should I take if I just started working out?
Starting a new workout routine can be difficult, even if diet is up to par. The body has to get used to moving more than it used to and it can be tough to get into a good physical routine that is both challenging and feasible in terms of your current state of health.
Two of the most commonly used supplements by fitness enthusiasts are branched chain amino acids and protein. As mentioned, taking protein is a great start because your body needs it to build muscle, and studies have shown it to be effective in long-term muscle building.
You’ll also want to invest in some branched chain amino acids, as muscle also needs a good level of BCAAs to induce protein synthesis. In the event that you have a hard time getting going, you can also take something for a pre-workout jolt, such as caffeine or a pre-workout blend that contains both caffeine and carbohydrates.
Dietary supplements for exercise and athletic performance
There is a myriad of different health supplements that can help encourage overall fitness levels aside by encouraging the growth of lean muscle mass.
1. Vitamin D3
Some research has found that being deficient in vitamin D can hinder athletic performance greatly, and that those with adequate levels were able to improve performance during fitness testing in comparison to those without adequate levels.
2. Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is needed in the creation of red blood cells, which help to transport oxygen where it needs to go. Without adequate levels of oxygen in the body, physical fitness will suffer greatly.
3. DHEA
Bone health is important when it comes to fitness, because healthier bones lead to increased ability to participate in different workout routines. DHEA was found to boost bone health, making it easier to work out effectively.
4. Synapsin
Research has found that regular exercise can increase synapsin levels within the body, thus leading to elevated levels of protein.
5. G.A.C.
Otherwise known as glutamine, arginine, and carnitine, this group of amino acids gives the body energy by converting glycogen. This can aid fitness levels due to helping the body return to a healthy body weight, increasing stamina, and improving circulation. It has also been shown to prevent muscle loss.
6. MK-677
This active nonpeptide has been shown to encourage fat-free mass in weight loss efforts, thus leading to greater physical fitness overall.
Best supplements for endurance athletes
To take endurance and stamina up a level, some supplements stand out more than others. The following are thought to improve athletic performance when taken regularly.
7. Fish oil
Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help increase overall endurance levels by improving neuromotor functions. The ingredient that is thought to be the biggest driver is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). One study on female soccer players found that it could have a positive impact on reaction time as well as precision and efficiency.
8. Creatine
Creatine is one of the most popular supplements for physical fitness because of the effects it has on building muscle and overall levels of strength. It is naturally occurring in the body and gives cells energy to keep moving.
Many studies have found that the use of creatine supplements during an exercise regimen can significantly increase the body’s ability to gain muscle, increase levels of strength and fat-free mass, and improve physical performance.
9. Beta alanine
Typically used during high-intensity workouts, this particular supplement has been shown to delay muscle fatigue and improve stamina. When it comes to endurance exercises, beta-alanine can help you go the extra mile.
10. Sodium phosphate
Sodium phosphate is more commonly used a food preservative; however, studies have shown that the supplement can lead to an increase in red blood cells’ ability to transfer oxygen throughout the body, thus reducing tiredness levels and increasing stamina.
Taking supplements that will improve your fitness levels could be the boost you need to stay on track with your physical goals. Vital RX’s Fitness Subscription Box contains many of the aforementioned ingredients to help you boost your overall levels of physical fitness and get on the road to a healthier you.