Common Supplements - What To Know
You may have seen supplements becoming more and more popular in the last few years to support training and lifestyle.
If you’re thinking of using certain supplements it’s important to do your research, we’re diving into 3 commonly used supplements and what to know…
Firstly - how should supplements be used?
Supplements are exactly what they say on the tin, something to support your diet and make up if you are slightly lacking in certain nutrients. However, they are not a replacement for the nutrients we find in food and should not be treated as such. Lets take a look at 3 key supplements…
PROTEIN
Protein is one of the most common supplements associated with fitness, often coming in the form of whey. Protein supplements can be useful to help meet your daily targets, help build and repair muscle and can be a good alternative when you haven’t got time for a meal after training.
It’s important to note that it is not essential to use protein shakes or bars in order to build muscle, sufficient protein can come through our diet, but using the additional supplement can help boost muscle recovery and repair.
How much should I use?
A single serving of protein powder usually contains around 15-30g protein and we don’t recommend using more than one product per day. We recommend following the stated guidelines for usage for each specific product.
CREATINE
Creatine is another common supplement that helps build muscle mass and strength as well as aiding high intensity training. Supplements tend to contain around 3-5g and it is widely used to help aid performance and recovery
You should note that simply taking creatine every day will not mean that you can suddenly lift much heavier, your increased strength will come from consistency in training - the supplement will help the body produce energy which can help improve your performance.
How much should I take?
Usually creatine is taken in dosages of 3-5g per day, as always, consult the instructions for each individual supplement.
COLLAGEN
Collagen is a popular supplement used to help strengthen hair, skin and nails as well as improving joint health. Collagen comes in many different forms including powder and tablet style supplements. Again, collagen is not a replacement for a healthy and balanced diet but research shows it may help improve hair skin and nails too.
How much should I take?
This will be dependent on which style of collagen you use as it can be powder, liquid or tablet form. Use the guidleines on the indiivual product as to how much you should consume per day.
Key Things To Remember
It’s always a good idea to consult a health professional before you start taking supplements for advice and guidance on how to use and whether the product is right for you.
Supplements are not a replacement for a healthy and balance diet. We should aim to get our daily intake of vitamins and minerals through our food, using supplements to help where necessary.
If you start using a supplement and feel unwell, we recommend you stop suing ti and consult a health professional.
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