Regular sport provides a number of benefits. To enhance these benefits, it is necessary to follow a good diet that is healthy, although balancing macronutrients is usually very complicated without sports supplements.
Basically, we are talking about aids to meet the goals that each athlete sets for themselves, both at amateur and professional level. In order to achieve all of them, it is essential to choose the right type of supplement to be consumed on a regular basis.
Don't forget to check out our article on the best sports supplements when you've finished learning about the different types that exist.
Protein powder
The most popular of all due to a number of positive aspects, the first being the huge variety that is available on the market today. Brands want to differentiate themselves from one another and to achieve this they do not hesitate to launch protein powders that will satisfy anyone's palate.
These sports supplements are also varied in terms of formats, ranging from small pack sizes to four-kilogram packs and even larger.
As if that were not enough, there is also great diversity in the subtypes of protein powder. There are six different ones, each offering different characteristics and properties. We are talking about Whey Protein, meat, casein, sequential release blend, vegetable and egg.
In general terms, protein powder is intended to provide the muscles with the energy they need not only to be able to carry out the exercise in question, but also to recover after exercise. This allows them to grow, gradually increasing muscle mass.
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Creatine
Precisely the same objective is achieved by consuming this sports supplement. It is a substance derived from amino acids, specifically a nitrogenous acid present not only in every muscle, but also in those cells associated with the nervous system.
It is synthesised by several organs, from the kidneys to the pancreas. Creatine-containing foods such as tuna and red meat can be used for this purpose, but athletes who want to achieve optimal results by increasing their muscle mass do not hesitate to supplement with creatine.
Not surprisingly, performance is maximised because the muscles are less fatigued compared to those who do not regularly consume creatine. In addition, muscle fibres recover as quickly as possible, which means that there is less risk of injury.
It is common for health professionals to recommend taking creatine for only three months. If you need to take it again afterwards, you should respect a period of 30 days without taking the sports supplement, resuming the cycle if the expert you consult gives the go-ahead.
BCAA
Continuing with amino acids, we come to some that have a property that is highly demanded by sportsmen and women. We are referring to the fact that they prevent the muscles from catabolising, with all the negative effects that this entails. By taking BCAAs, your body will generate energy without resorting to the muscles, so that muscle growth will continue to occur.
This is the result of the benefits provided by the three amino acids that comprise BCAAs: valine, leucine and isoleucine. The first of these maintains optimal levels of energy both physically and mentally, which is of the utmost importance when performing all types of sporting activities and training.
The second amino acid regulates the body's protein metabolism. Stimulation allows all muscles to be kept in top condition.
Finally, isoleucine makes it easier for the cells to perform a vitally important task: the absorption of glucose. This helps the muscles to continue to grow without ever catabolising.
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Glutamine
There are amino acids that have a residual presence in the body, but this is not the case with glutamine, which is considered one of the most important amino acids due to the large amount it contains in the human body.
Among other benefits is the increase in the resistance of the various muscles that are used for physical activity, regardless of the intensity.
Energy gels
Not all sports supplements are designed to increase muscle mass. The last three that we will describe fulfil other functions, starting with the energy gels that provide the necessary vigour to sportsmen and women who intend to carry out long-lasting physical exercise.
The convenient and practical format of the gels makes it possible to obtain energy every ninety minutes. In addition, following the example of the first type of sports supplement mentioned above, there are flavours to suit all tastes.
Glucosamine
Injuries are very common among athletes, but this amino acid is able to prevent injuries and also to reduce the pain they cause.
At the same time, glucosamine helps to shorten the recovery period in the event of an injury occurring during exercise.
Fat burners
Sport in itself burns fat, but with this supplement it is possible to speed up the process. This is thanks to the ingredients it usually contains, from L-Carnitine to green tea.
Basically, together they work by forcing the body to consume a greater amount of energy despite the fact that physical exercise is still performed at the same intensity as before. As a result, fat is burned globally and not in a localised manner, further promoting weight loss.
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