Supplements for Athletes

Physical fitness and good health is very important for athlete. Each athlete has his own goals and body to take care of. There is a special training program and nutrition plan from which each supplement is being weighed and estimated, each food reviewed. Everyone has to have an edge of a healthier lifestyle than others.

The Peterson Group, an online community aiming for to create awareness on the real effects of alternative, complementary and integrative medicines, has athletes registered as members. We ask them what supplements they are taking and how sure they are on its effectiveness. We have gathered their answers and here are the results of the survey:

Caffeine for Endurance

Caffeine has given an edge to tennis players, cyclists, soccer players, runners, rowers, and others in scientific studies. In some trials, the stimulant boosted athletes’ speed. In others, it helped them last longer before they spent all their energy. Some studies show that caffeine can curb soreness after exercise, too. This kind of nutrient cannot only be found in coffee. You can take in caffeine through energy drinks and shots, tablets, chewing gum, sport gels and sprays. A little warning from our athlete friends though, each individual has special caffeine needs so you must first read the label before taking it.

Creatine

Experts consider creatine safe for healthy people, such as athletes. Some people take a higher dose for the first week -- about four servings of 5 grams each per day -- to “load” their muscles with the supplement. Then they drop to a “maintenance” dose of about 2 grams per day.

Beta-Alanine for Burning Muscles

Athletes take beta-alanine in a capsule or a drink powder to curb that burn so they can push through the exercise. A cyclist states that he take beta-alanine for 4 weeks which is backed up by some studies conducted in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Ergogenic Drugs

Ergogenic drugs are substances that are used to enhance athletic performance. These drugs include illicit substances as well as compounds that are marketed as nutritional supplements. Many such drugs have been used widely by professional and elite athletes for several decades. In recent years, research indicates that younger athletes are increasingly experimenting with these drugs to improve both appearance and athletic abilities.

In the United States, they have released the Athlete Guide to the 2015 Prohibited List just recently. The list is intended to provide practical guide on the detailed information regarding how prohibited drugs can affect an athlete.