Navigating Supplements At The Pharmacy

Whether exercising or participating in sports, achieving peak fitness is a common goal. Weekend warriors want help to achieve new personal bests. Professional athletes need an advantage against the competition, without performance-enhancing drugs (PEDS) or other stimulants. Supplements have come to the forefront as an effective way to help boost performance. Athletes at all levels now have access to the same supplementation thanks to pharmacies. Using natural, bioavailable supplements can boost energy levels, support recovery, improve muscle strength, and make cells more efficient. Choose these top natural supplement options at a local pharmacy.

Crank up your creatine

Creatine monohydrate is widely used, studied, and considered as 1 of the most effective supplements today. This naturally occurring compound in muscle tissue helps produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), essential for muscle function. Creatine levels deplete over time and are used during high-intensity exercise. Multiple studies have shown that creatine supplementation help increase muscle strength, power, and size. Creatine may also help with recovery, boost energy production in muscles, and even improve cognitive health.

A protein supplement for muscle growth

Consistent athletic performance or endurance training breaks down muscle, which impacts future performance. Protein derived from food is used to produce the amino acids necessary to restore damaged muscle. Sufficient protein consumption combined with resistance training helps with muscle synthesis and growth, helping athletes to improve performance. Consuming high amounts of protein after exercise is recommended but many athletes fail to consume the daily recommended amounts. Supplementing with an organic, grass- fed protein supplement supports muscle repair and growth. The essential amino acids provided by a supplement also helps to boost performance naturally.

Boost your BCCAs

Branch-chained amino acids (BCCAs) are a group of amino acids found in the muscle and is used for protein synthesis and energy production. As the body does not create the 3 essential BCCAs, namely leucine, isoleucine, and valine, proper diet is essential. Some athletes may not get the necessary BCCAs from diet while others need more to help synthesize protein more effectively. Supplements from natural sources are available at pharmacies. A BCCA supplement reduce muscle breakdown and promote recovery, especially after strength training.

Vitamin D for athletic performance

Also called the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D is essential for multiple functions, including athletic performance. Since vitamin D acts as a hormone in many respects, there are links to boosting compounds like testosterone, which helps with athletic performance. Studies also show that vitamin D is crucial for muscle function, bone health, mitochondrial health, and hormone regulation. As deficiencies are common, since vitamin D is acquired via sunlight exposure and diet, supplementation can be a game-changer for athletes.

B12 help your fitness

The B-complex vitamins are 8 essential B vitamins that are involved in almost every process in the body. Some are more important for muscle growth, energy production, and athletic performance. B12, for instance, is critical for energy production, helping to efficiently convert food into energy. For athletes, this may be the difference between excellent and poor performance. B12 is also essential for neurological and skeletal muscle function, improving efficiency while reducing fatigue and helping with repair. While B12 can be acquired via food like lean meats, supplementation may be necessary for low protein or vegan diets.

Get the best supplements for performance

Improving athletic performance can be challenging. Even when giving maximum effort, some athletes may have trouble with muscle growth, efficiency, and recovery. While many factors can impact performance, a lack of high-quality vitamins, nutrients, and compounds is a common cause. Athletes need more than the average sedentary individual. Natural fitness supplements can help fill the gaps, helping boost performance. Work with a pharmacist who can recommend natural sources of creatinine, protein, BCCAs, vitamin D, and B12.