Supplements can help runners increase endurance and improve performance.
Running can be very taxing on your system. Making sure you have all the proper vitamins and nutrients can help you maintain your health as well as increase your endurance and improve your performance. While a healthy, balanced diet can provide you with most of the vitamins you will need, supplements can be beneficial in helping you get nutrients that are harder to find in natural foods. Several supplements are specifically helpful for runners.
Vasodilators
Vasodilators improve blood flow through the body by widening the blood vessels. This helps runners because it allows oxygen and nutrients to flow more quickly through the body and to the cells where they are needed.
Glutamine
Glutamine is usually found in your muscles, plasma and skeletal muscles. This amino acid is reduced by intense exercise, including running. Glutamine supplements can replace the amino acids in your system, boosting your immune system and shortening the time you need to recover between workouts.
Antioxidants
When you run or perform other strenuous exercise, your body produces free radicals that cause cellular damage. Antioxidants prevent and fight off free radicals. Beneficial antioxidants include selenium, carotenoids and vitamins C and E. Many antioxidants can be found in multivitamins.
Multivitamins
Multivitamins help runners get all the vitamins and minerals that may be missing from their diets.
Although multivitamins are geared to the general public, they are useful for athletes because they offer all the vitamins and minerals that may be missing from your daily diet. Vitamin E, for example, is not easily obtained from dietary sources, but is beneficial because it helps runners recover from the stress induced by long runs.
Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are important for runners because they provide lubrication and protection for joints. This enables your joints to move more easily and reduces rubbing or inflammation. Lack of fatty acids can lead to stiffness and injury.
Joint Support
Running is especially hard on your joints and ligaments. Support supplements can strengthen your joints and prevent damage caused by the impact of running.
Omega 3
While Omega 3s are known for their impact on heart health, they are also beneficial because of their natural anti-inflammatory properties. Although they do not stop pain as quickly as a pain killer, they can decrease joint paint and arthritis symptoms.
Caffeine
Caffeine help runners train harder and longer.
Caffeine's stimulant effect can often help you train harder and longer. Caffeine increases power output by releasing calcium stored in the muscles.
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