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People with chronic pain who were on prescription painkillers were at 49% higher risk of mental illness and 82% higher risk of developing substance abuse.
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When mothers received COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, the vaccine effectiveness against COVID-related hospitalization was 35% among infants less than six months and 54% in the initial three months of their life.
Get the most from your exercise routine with the help of workout supplements. But how effective are these and how do they affect the body? Here’s what you need to know, as well as products that you should try.
Workout Supplements Effects
If you’re a regular gym-goer, then you’ve already heard of pre-workout supplements. Available in pill, capsule or powder form, pre-workout supplements have become increasingly popular among gym buffs and athletes. These supplements help increase your energy, endurance, strength and overall performance, letting you get the most from your workouts.
However, not all workout supplements are the same with some being more effective than others. To help you avoid any side effects, it’s important to only try FDA-regulated and doctor-approved supplements. Here are eight facts that you need to know when it comes to choosing the right workout supplement for you, as well as some of the best pre-workout supplements you can try today.
1. Caffeine improves energy and mental alertness
The ingredient that keeps you awake in coffee is the same one that improves your focus and helps you burn fat while working out. One of the most common ingredients in pre-workout supplements, caffeine can improve your performance by giving you more energy and mental alertness. Studies have also shown that it can improve your ability to produce force quickly, which is important for intense workout routines.
Per studies, caffeine is a great energy booster before starting a workout. Unsplash (CC0)
2. Creatine enhances energy production and muscular strength
One of the most researched sports supplement ingredients, creatine affects your performance by working to replenish your ATP stores, which in turn gives your muscles the energy to contract. Research has shown that it can safely increase your lean body mass level. It’s also considered the number one supplement for increasing strength and power.
3. Citrulline supplies muscles with oxygen and nutrients
An amino acid naturally produced by the body, citrulline helps supply your muscles with the oxygen and nutrients that they need to perform better. Taking citrulline has also been shown to help reduce muscle soreness that is usually experienced days after working out. As such, citrulline is recommended for endurance and weight-training workout routines.
Ingredients like citrulline in your pre-workout supplement can help supply your muscles with the oxygen they need to perform better. Unsplash (CC0)
4. Beta-Alanine combats acid and muscle fatigue
During intense exercises, our bodies tend to have acid buildup, which results in muscle fatigue. This is where beta-alanine comes in, combating the acid to help you last longer. Because of this, beta-alanine is known as highly effective in endurance exercises.
5. Sodium Bicarbonate helps avoid muscle burn and fatigue
Also known as baking soda, sodium bicarbonate in pre-workout supplements acts as a buffering agent that fights acid buildup in your body. Taking sodium bicarbonate also helps reduce the “burning” feeling you get in your muscles, helping you last longer. Some studies have also shown that sodium bicarbonate can help you perform better in exercises like sprinting, cycling and intense running.
Per studies, sodium bicarbonate is effective in reducing muscle burn and fatigue during and after a workout session. Unsplash (CC0)
6. Taurine is a great brain booster
A potent brain booster when taken alongside caffeine, taurine is often overlooked as an essential pre-workout supplement ingredient. It helps reduce oxidative stress, activate GABA receptors, reduce brain cell inflammation and help deliver repair nutrients to your muscles by improving your blood flow.
7. BCAAs improve endurance and reduces fatigue
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) consist of leucine, valine and isoleucine. Together, these three molecules help improve your overall endurance and reduce muscle fatigue, making it a great addition to any pre-workout supplement. There is also some evidence to support BCAAs’ muscle-building effects.
In addition to reducing muscle fatigue, BCAAs can also help improve your endurance, making it perfect for activities like running. Unsplash (CC0)
8. Nitric Oxide improves your blood flow
Produced naturally by the body in small amounts, nitric oxide is beneficial for working out by improving your blood flow and decreasing the amount of oxygen needed during exercise. Per studies, it can even increase your running time before you feel exhausted, making it a great ingredient to look for in your supplements if you like running or cycling.
Best workout supplements to try today
Now that you know what to look out for in workout supplements, here are some of the best options you can get today. Whether you’re looking for the best workout supplements for building muscle or the best workout supplements for improved performance, here are our top picks:
With 100% pure creatine, Anabolic Warfare's Creatine Carnage pre-workout supplement offers the best-tasting powder creatine while helping you improve muscle strength. It also doesn't cause water retention, which is a common side effect in pre-workout supplements containing creatine. Natural tasting and effective, it’s the perfect pre-workout companion.
With L-citrulline, nitrosigine and L-arginine, Anabolic Warfare's Pump-N-Grow pre-workout supplement is guaranteed to help improve your blood flow, build muscle and even work as a male libido enhancer to help you perform better. It’s also caffeine-free, enabling you to enjoy all its benefits without an energy crash after.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one pre-workout supplement, Bodylogix’s Natural Pre-Workout is for you. It has creatine, beta-alanine, taurine, caffeine, L-arginine and a number of essential vitamins to help improve your training capacity. It also has no artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners and is NSF Contents Tested to ensure its purity and potency.
Build lean muscle and reduce muscle damage after an intense training session with Bodylogix Natural BCAA. Delivering the optimal 2:1:1 ratio of pure leucine, isoleucine and valine, this pre-workout supplement is the perfect muscle maker. Free from preservatives, colors or sweeteners, it’s also certified by the NSF to ensure you get only pure ingredients to improve your workouts.
If you want a BCAA alternative, then NutraOne's Amino Energy pre-workout supplement is for you. It offers the optimal ratio for BCAAs with the added flavor of blackberry lemonade, making it a great pre-workout drink to prepare you for the challenge ahead.
Give your body a quick energy boost before your workout with Bodylogix's Caffeine. Free from any sugar, fat or carbs, these caffeine tablets will help improve your performance by reducing fatigue, providing mental focus and giving you better endurance. It’s also lactose- and gluten-free and is proudly vegan.
