23
Dec
Reading time - 10 mins
Building the right stack of supplements for your specific goals is crucial to help you get there. Here are the 4 must-have supplements that you can be taking to help you achieve your fitness and health goals.
Protein is essential in assisting your body to recover after training, including muscle repair. They can increase your overall protein, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals intake. There is a broad range of protein powders available, including whey blend protein powders, whey protein isolate powders, casein, lactose-free, plant-based protein and weight gainer protein powders. So which protein powder is best suited for your health and fitness goals?
Whey protein powder blends contain a mix of whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate. They can also have other proteins to make it a "blend". They contain essential and non-essential amino acids and are high in protein. Most whey blends are high in protein and low in carbs and fats, making them a great protein for weight loss goals as this type of protein helps to keep you fuller for longer. Protein blends are generally less expensive because they contain a mix of WPC and WPI.
Whey protein isolate is a rapidly absorbed protein and easily digested. Whey protein isolate is refined to ensure each serve has the maximum amount of protein with the least amount of carbohydrates and fats. They also contain a high content of BCAAs, which will support muscle recovery and lean muscle gain. This type of protein is great for weight loss goals and for recovery post workout.
Plant-based protein powders are a high quality alternative to whey or casein-based protein powders designed for anyone following a plant-based protein diet or anyone who has difficulty digesting dairy products. Plant-based protein powders contain either one or more of the following protein sources pea, brown rice, golden pea, sacha inchi, soy and hemp. They provide high-quality amino acids, which will help you achieve your health and fitness goals as well as help to increase overall protein intake.
Weight gainers are formulated for those who are serious about gaining weight and maximising muscle mass. Weight gainers provide a blend of protein, carbohydrates and nutrients to help create a calorie surplus. They can be a convenient and cost-effective way of increasing calories that provide a blend of essential and non-essential amino acids. Some weight gainers also support digestive health with added digestive enzymes to improve the breakdown and absorption of nutrients into the body.
Pre-workout is designed to boost athletic performance and provide mental focus to help you achieve your fitness goals. They can be the perfect pick-me-up if you’ve just woken up or are tired from a long day’s work to increase physical energy with stimulants. Amino acids found in pre-workouts can also improve brain function to give you laser focus during a training session. Pre-workouts contain amino acids, including Beta-Alanine, that can increase strength and delay fatigue while boosting recovery time due to reducing inflammation on a cellular level.
Fat Burners can be the perfect addition to your stack if you want a kickstart to your body composition goals. They are designed to support energy requirements when you are in a calorie deficit and training hard, and they will also support calorie processing to support your body’s metabolic processes with the addition of the amino acid carnitine. Fat burners also include ingredients to support mental focus, mood and performance for added extra support.
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and are crucial for the functioning of the human body. Amino acids are involved in the regulation of mood, support of the function of major organs, and repair and building of various tissues, including muscle, collagen, hair, skin and nails.
20 amino acids are involved in protein metabolism. Of those amino acids, there are 9 amino acids that are considered essential, meaning that they are required to be consumed through complete sources of protein or essential amino acid (EAA) supplements.
Within the essential amino acids, three critical amino acids specifically improve muscle repair and growth, known as Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA), which include L-leucine, Iso-leucine and Valine.
EAA and BCAAs supplements will also improve electrolyte balance by providing magnesium, sodium and potassium, which can be lost due to excessive sweating or an intense training session.
Amino acids are suitable for anyone looking to recover faster, grow muscle faster, perform better and feel great while doing it.
Recovery is integral in helping you achieve your fitness, body composition and health goals.
Glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid that promotes muscle protein synthesis therefore, your body relies heavily on glutamine to promote cell growth and recovery. Glutamine is also used to improve gut health and support immune health.
Sleep is one of the most, if not the most important, factors in recovery. Improving sleep quality can reduce stress and fatigue, optimise recovery and enhance athletic performance.
Achieving 7-9 hours of sleep every night can be challenging, but some supplements can help improve sleep quality and decrease stress and anxiety. Sleep and recovery supplements can be useful in helping you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, reduce waking up during the night and naturally improve melatonin levels in the body. They can also support the nervous system by inducing relaxation and reducing stress.
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