From better heart and lung health to weight maintenance and a reduced risk of certain cancers, working out has many benefits. However, hitting the gym also makes your body work harder and burn through nutrients more quickly. Replacing those lost nutrients with food alone may not be enough, so consider incorporating these four fantastic supplements into your routine to get more out of your workouts.
Pump up With Protein
Protein is essential for replacing body fat with lean body mass. When you don’t get enough protein, you can feel lethargic and weak, so add a convenient protein shake to your breakfast or post-workout snack. Whey powder is the gold standard for protein supplementation, but there are also many high-quality, plant-based protein powders for vegans or those with dairy allergies. Hemp, soy and pea are the best types of plant-based protein because they contain all the essential amino acids.
Fuel Cell Regeneration With Antioxidants
Losing fat and building muscle means that your cells are turning over faster than they did in your couch potato days. Fuel healthy cell renewal and stave off the signs of aging with an antioxidant supplement. Incorporating antioxidants nutrition bars into your daily meal plan is an easy and delicious way to satisfy your body’s antioxidant requirements.
Build Muscle With Creatine
Creatine is a nutrient that your body naturally produces as a source of energy for muscles and tissues. Taking extra creatine as a supplement boosts your muscle’s natural creatine content to increase muscle gain and improve muscle performance. Creatine also helps muscles retain water to stay hydrated and decreases the breakdown of proteins in your muscles to prevent deterioration.
Increase Energy With a Vitamin B Complex
Do you ever wake up feeling sluggish and think about skipping your workout? Give your body the energy boost it needs with a vitamin B complex supplement. B vitamins are a group of nutrients that play key roles in getting oxygen to your blood cells and fueling your metabolism. Because these vitamins are water soluble, you need to replenish your supply daily, so pop a B complex supplement first thing in the morning to power through your workout and the rest of your day.
Although supplements can help you get more out of your workout, they’re no substitute for a balanced diet. Remember to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and nuts or seeds each day. Go easy on sources of empty calories like sweets and snack foods.