Vitamins and Supplements, Natural Health Products, Organic Foods

What are Fitness Supplements?

There are so many reasons why fitness is great for our overall health and wellbeing. To supporting optimal energy levels to building muscle to losing weight, we all have our own goals in mind when it comes to fitness. It can be difficult to get everything you need through food alone and that is where fitness supplements come into play. Help reinforce your efforts and reach your fitness goals faster with supplements designed to assist in getting you there.

Certain supplements can help support your lean body goals—plant-based or whey protein for lean muscle support, apple cider vinegar for weight loss support, pre-workout products for fitness and endurance and amino acids to promote muscle health and recovery.

Why are Fitness Supplements Used?

While it’s important to be physically active in order to achieve your fitness goals, many people opt to add in fitness supplements to help them reach these goals more quickly. Fitness supplements are used for a variety of reasons like losing weight, increasing energy levels, improving endurance and building muscle.

Discover Which Supplements are Right for You

There are many types of fitness supplements from capsules to tablets to powders to drinks, ensuring that there is something out there for you, no matter your preference. But which supplements are right for you? Well that all depends on the goal you’re trying to reach.

Looking to Lose Weight?

If you are looking to lose weight and need some extra added support on top of working out, try supplements like apple cider vinegar, L-carnitine or green coffee bean extract. These products provide weight management support in a variety of ways. Apple cider vinegar is a high-powered system cleanser and diet aid that contains an abundance of vitamins and minerals helping the body to cleanse and detox. L-carnitine is popular among exercise enthusiasts due to its role in converting fat into energy. Also, green coffee bean extract is a stimulant-free herbal supplement that focuses on supporting optimum fat burning potential.

Want Extra Help with Fitness and Endurance?

If you’d like to increase energy levels and improve endurance, there are a variety of options available. Creatine is a popular energy and endurance support supplement that energizes the body for optimum performance enhancement. People can also reach for Swanson Ultra Pure Energy which offers an immediate and balanced energy boost with a blend of adaptogenic herbs and botanicals that work together to support positive mood, concentration and healthy stress levels.

Do You Want Additional Amino Support?

If you are looking to focus mainly on supplements to assist with your workouts, L-glutamine, BCAA and taurine may be good options for you. L-glutamine not only provides fuel for activity, but also helps to support muscle growth and recovery. BCAA (branched-chain amino acids) play a vital role in muscle growth and recuperation. Another A-list amino acid for anyone that exercises is taurine. Taurine helps support energy production and maintains electrolyte balance making it particularly important for athletes or anyone who participates regularly in strenuous physical activity.

Need More Protein?

To pack in more protein, look for protein powders that help support your health and lean muscle goals. As one of the more popular fitness supplements, protein gives you longer-lasting energy and helps your body build muscle. Eating protein in the morning will make you less likely to have cravings or overeat later in the day and consuming prior to a workout will help give your body fuel to get through. No matter the goal, everyone needs protein to stay healthy.

What is Protein?

Proteins are an essential part of our bodies; protein is part of every cell, organ and tissue. The building blocks of protein are amino acids.

There are 20 different amino acids that combine in different ways to make all types of protein. Some amino acids can’t be produced by our bodies; therefore, we have to consume them. These are the essential amino acids.

Protein sources are grouped into one of two groups based on the amino acids they contain.

• Complete protein sources provide all nine essential amino acids that our bodies can’t produce on their own.

• Incomplete protein sources are low in one or more of the essential amino acids. However, incomplete proteins can be complementary, meaning that two or more incomplete protein sources can be eaten to provide an acceptable amount of all essential amino acids.

How Much Protein Do I Need?

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for daily protein is 46 grams for women and 56 grams for men. Protein should account for between 10-35% of daily calories. However, these numbers may vary depending on activity level and other dietary needs.

What are the Different Types and Forms of Protein?

Depending on your specific goal with protein, there are a variety of types and forms out there. Protein comes in powders, bars, shakes and even capsules depending on what you prefer. There are organic options or vegan options like pea or hemp protein, or you can opt for the standard whey protein. If you’re on the go and do not have time to mix a protein shake, grabbing a delicious protein bar may work best for you.

No matter what your fitness goals are, there are bound to be supplemental options to help you along the way.