Posts Tagged ‘creatine’

Many weight lifters eventually take the time to investigate the possibility of using supplements to aid in their sport. While supplementation can be beneficial to gain or lose weight, increase lean body mass, or increase athletic ability, choosing supplements should be done wisely.

Protein Supplements

While many would consider any protein powder to be equal to any other that is available on the market this is just not the case. Whey protein, has become the standard protein to use because it is easy to mix and is easily digested in the body. Whey protein also helps fight free radicals in the body. Another protein supplement is Casein. Casein is a milk derived protein powder that has a few key advantages over Whey. Casein moves through the digestive tract at a slower rate than whey, allowing the body to absorb more of the nutrients. Casien protein is also higher in glutamine, a substance that helps promote tissue repair after a workout. A potent protein mix is a combination of Whey and Casein before and after your workout.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are another supplement that have been given much attention. These are said to combat free radicals which are by products of energy production within the body. When the body produces energy it releases substances that roam through the body pulling oxygen from vital processes.  Antioxidants can be found in multivitamin supplements, but its also a good idea to eat them; blueberries and strawberries are particularly good sources of antioxidants.

Creatine

Creatine is another supplement that has achieved much well deserved attention. Creatine can help with your recovery time and has also been shown to give an extra boost of energy during workouts. How does it do this? Creatine is a substance that is delivered straight to your muscles, providing it with a constant supply of energy that will allow you to continue to work in the gym for longer periods of time. Creatine supplements primarily benefit weight lifters, sprinters and other high energy/short burst sports and not endurance athletes.

Finally, it’s worth noting that the FDA does not regulate the supplements industry. Because of this, when buying supplements be sure to look at the company that produces the supplements. Make sure the company is reputable and do your research regarding the supplement you wish to take. There is a wealth of information to be found on the internet and it’s also a good idea to look on weight lifting or other related forums to see if there is anyone that has experience with the product you are looking to use. Apart from this however, the above mentioned supplementation can help you to increase your overall performance as a weight lifter.