Salt supports athletes by assisting with hydration and electrolyte balance during training. Salts are composed of sodium and chloride, two of the most important electrolytes in the human body. Although most people know of electrolytes from sports drinks, sodium is making its way into PWO sports nutrition supplements as well, where it helps to: Maintain membrane … [Read more...]
Pre-Workout
Pre-workout supplements are taken by athletes, bodybuilders and weekend warriors to improve workout performance. Pre-workouts typically include a mix of nutrients meant to improve performance, boost fat loss, promote blood flow, support muscle mass, and enhance focus and other aspects of cognition.
Glycerol as a Pre-Workout
Glycerol supplementation may help to enhance exercise performance through hyper-hydration. The structural backbone of all triglycerides, glycerol is a simple alcohol that is most routinely used as a sweetener, solvent, and humectant in culinary and medical spheres. Glycerol may serve as a pre-workout supplement by: Enhancing metabolism. Glycerol supplements may enhance … [Read more...]
Taurine as a Pre-Workout
Amino acid-like compound taurine appears to have multiple benefits for intense physical training and muscle recovery. Taurine is an organic compound naturally found in high concentrations in the brain, muscle, and other tissues. Taurine holds some promise as a pre-workout aid through: Protecting muscle against damage. Taurine's antioxidant properties counter oxidative … [Read more...]
Nitric Oxide as a Pre-Workout
Nitric oxide is a key vasodilator provided by many pre-workout supplements, though research on its benefits for exercise performance is conflicted. Nitric oxide (NO) plays such a vital role in many physiological processes that the researchers who first elucidated its physiological properties were awarded the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine. Among its … [Read more...]
BCAA as a Pre-Workout
BCAAs may be useful as a pre-workout aid, but the need for supplementation remains controversial. BCAAs are amino acids with a specific chemical structure that are found in all protein-containing foods. BCAAs have been a popular sports supplement since the 1980s, and are believe to aid exercise by: Supporting muscle growth. BCAAs decrease the breakdown of muscle … [Read more...]
