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Pre-workout supplements
Pre-workout supplements are among the most heavily-marketed products targeted to recreational and elite athletes. In this article we will discuss if they work and if they are safe. What are pre-workout supplements? Also known as multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements, these are products designed to be taken before exercise to enhance performance. They typically contain several ingredients in various quantities which are sometimes undisclosed and marked as “proprietary blends” (1, 2, 3). Common ingredients Common ingredients in pre-workout supplements include caffeine, creatine and beta-alanine (2, 3), branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), nitrates (2), citrulline, taurine, tyrosine and B vitamins (3). Jagim et al. analysed 100 pre-workout products and found that, in average, they…
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Should you take BCAAs?
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) is the name given to three of the nine essential amino acids. BCAAs are sold as a sports supplement to increase muscle synthesis and recovery. Today we answer the question: Should you take BCAAs? What are BCAAs? BCAAs or branched-chain amino acids are leucine, isoleucine and valine. They are essential amino acids (EAAs), meaning they cannot be made by our bodies and must be taken from the diet. Unlike other amino acids, BCAAs are not metabolised in the liver (1, 2) but in skeletal muscle (2). They can be oxidised and used as energy (2, 3). BCAA supplements are commonly used in athletic populations. Most supplements…
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Vitamin D and athletic performance
Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, is well known for its role in bone health. Other roles include muscular and immune function, hence the interest for studying vitamin D and athletic performance. What is vitamin D Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble vitamin (1). The active form of vitamin D is 1,25-dihydroxycholecaciferol (a.k.a. 1,25-dihydroxivitamin D) (2, 3), which interacts with vitamin D receptors (VDRs) (1). Sources of vitamin D Most of the vitamin D we get (80-90%, 4) is synthesised in our bodies from 7-dehydrocholesterol (2) after exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from the sun (2, 4). The remaining 10-20% is obtained from the diet (4). Sunshine The actual amount…
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Athletes and their immune system
Many people think that athletes are the healthiest human beings in the planet. However, fitness does not necessarily equal health. High level performance can take a toll in athletes and their immune system. Regular moderate exercise mitigates inflammation and all the health conditions caused by it. However, a large volume of high intensity exercise combined with travel and stress can depress the immune system and lead to illness (1). The following factors have an impact on the immune system in the context of athletic activities: Diet Energy When energy intake is not enough to match energy output, immune function can be compromised. This is a common problem for athletes who…
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What is glycogen?
Glycogen is how our bodies store carbohydrate. It is predominantly stored in our muscles and liver and provides the glucose needed for exercise, particularly the high intensity type. What is glycogen? Glycogen is a branched polymer of glucose used as fuel storage. Plants store glucose in starch, we do it in glycogen (1). Most glycogen in the body is located in the muscle (~300-700g) and liver (~100-200g) (2, 3). Each gram of glycogen is stored in our muscles with 3-5g of water. Therefore, carbohydrate loading will lead to weight gain (3, 4). Roles of glycogen Some of the roles of glycogen include: Fuel source, providing carbohydrate to working muscles (2,…
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Book review: Eat Like An Athlete (Simone Austin)
Eat Like An Athlete is a book for active people who want to optimise their performance through healthy eating habits. The author Simone Austin is an advanced sports dietitian and an accredited practising dietitian. She has been the president of Sports Dietitians Australia (SDA) for many years and has worked with multiple sports teams in her home state of Victoria, Australia. She is also a media spokesperson for Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA). I’ve listened to Simone at many DAA and SDA conferences and I have spoken to her a few times. She is energetic, approachable and eloquent and this comes across in her writing. Eat Like An Athlete The…
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Nutrients to prevent and treat concussion
Concussion is a serious health risk for athletes participating in many sports including but not limited to contact disciplines. Learn how to protect yourself with nutrients to prevent and treat concussion. What is concussion? Concussion is an injury caused by direct or indirect impact to the head (1, 2), rapid acceleration or deacceleration, such as in motor vehicle accidents or intense changes in pressure (2). A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (mild TBI or mTBI) which causes short-term impairment in neurological function (1, 2). Concussion affects approximately 1 to 6 in 1000 people per year (2). Effects and symptoms of concussion The effects of a concussion…
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Exercising in the heat
Exercising in the heat represents a number of challenges for an athlete, ranging from discomfort to severe health threats. This is particularly relevant this year, as we approach the summer Olympic games in Tokyo, where temperature and other ambient conditions can be severe and non-predictable. Effects of heat on the body Our bodies function best at temperatures between 35 and 39°C (1). Exercise stress can result in exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome, which consists in decreased integrity and function of the gastrointestinal system. This condition is worsened when our core temperature goes up to 39°C. A compromised gut can, in turn, cause other issues such as bacteria entering the bloodstream, decreased nutrient…
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Recipe: Chocolate peanut butter protein shake
This recipe is for the chocolate + PB combo lovers out there. It is great as a post-workout drink if your next meal is a few hours away or can sub for breakfast as it is high in protein and reasonably filling. This shake can be made dairy-free depending on the protein powder you use. I used natural grass-fed whey protein isolate (WPI) from 180 Nutrition. I’m also a big fan of the True Protein natural WPI. For a dairy-free/vegan version, you can use pea or rice protein (or a blend) from one of the brands mentioned before. I used peanut butter powder from True Protein. Other supplement shops also…
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Product review: Revvies Energy Strips
Caffeine can be a useful tool in your arsenal to enhance athletic performance. Caffeine supplements come in many forms, all of which have pros and cons. Revvies Energy Strips deliver caffeine in a super convenient package. Revvies Energy Strips Revvies Energy Strips are a caffeine sports supplement. Each strip contains 40mg of caffeine, equivalent to about half a cup of coffee according to the manufacturer. If you have been following my posts on caffeine, you’ll notice that this is less than 1mg per kg of body weight for most of us. The strips are small and super light weight, so they can be carrier around in your bag or shorts.…
