Do Supplements Give Athletes An Edge?

For the success of any training program, rest and recovery both hold tremendous importance . However, these are not planned out effectively most of the time which can lead to overtraining syndrome —a condition when athletes work out harder without giving their bodies enough time to recover.

It’s important to balance overload and recovery during your training.

Coconut oil has been around for centuries, but it was only recently recognized as a superfood. It has a unique composition of fatty acids that are beneficial to your health, leading to fat loss, better cognitive functioning, and glowing, healthier skin.

If you’re considering this superfood in your diet, here are some of the benefits you should know about:

Ever thought about how athletes maintain their perfectly ripped figure? Do you think it’s just a balanced diet that keeps them in shape? Turns out, there’s a lot more to achieving the perfect body and maintaining it. We’re talking supplements!

 According to a study , supplements do indeed improve strength and body mass, and also repair and heal damaged muscles.

Previously, people used to rely heavily on carbohydrates  to build endurance and maintain their stamina levels during workouts. However, there are several other alternatives in the market, mainly supplements that serve as a better choice to boost stamina. Let’s check them out!

One of the most common mistakes made by novice athletes (and some intermediate ones as well) is underestimating the importance of post-workout recovery. When it comes to workouts, you can’t transform your body without sweating. To lose fat, build muscle and achieve your overall physique goals, you have to push yourself to the limit in every workout session.

However, most people fail to understand that muscle building doesn’t happen during workout sessions – it happens after them. This is why most professional trainers call post-workout recovery the most disregarded aspect of training.

One of the primary reasons why the importance of post-workout recovery has been overlooked is that science, up until recently, focused mostly on the training itself, with little attention provided to the recovery aspect. However, that started changing in 2008 when researchers from the University of Alabama  published a paper in which they shed light upon the importance of exercise recovery. The researchers discovered that post-workout recovery was essential for things such as the normalization of blood pressure and heart rate, the restoration of the body’s energy stores and the replenishment of cellular enzymes.

Let’s take a look at some of the other benefits that make post-workout recovery such a vital part of training.

Food not only gives us energy but also supplies essential micronutrients responsible for healthy bodily functions. While most of us have tough routines every day and are often forced to eat on-the-go, planning our meals to fulfill our daily requirements of these micronutrients is the last thing that crosses our minds.

In this situation, taking nutritional supplements ensures that you get your daily requirements of all the essential micronutrients without putting in too much thought into your diet plan.

Here are a few supplements that you must include in your health regimen after discussing their dosage with your doctor.  

Vitamin C

Ascorbic acid, more commonly known as Vitamin C is a highly water-soluble vitamin and should be consumed in ample amounts as the body is incapable of producing it on its own.  

Vitamin C is found abundantly in various vegetables and fruits, such as citrus fruits, vibrant-colored peppers, broccoli, and much more, however, many people fail to consume this vitamin every day.

Health Benefits

Vitamin C strengthens the body’s immune system and wards off small infections and colds. According to various studies , vitamin C proves to be a promising tool in the prevention of various types of cancer. Because this vitamin counteracts free radicals, it prevents cellular damage caused by these harmful chemicals.