Nutritional Supplements: An option for athletes

There are many questions about the use of nutritional supplements in sports, however it all depends on what they are being used for. If supplements are appropriately used under the supervision of an expert, they are likely to have effective results without posing any risk to your health.

In many cases, the end doesn‘t justify the means and much less in sport when it comes to using substances prohibited by international agencies.

Athletes may seek to do everything necessary to be among the best in their discipline, however this may lead them to using an inadequate supplement that may even be criminalised by international agencies.

Moreover, supplements are allowed, but we can fall into the trap of using them to excess in the hope of achieving better results. This ambition can actually turn out to be quite dangerous.

How good are supplements?

In fact, nutritional supplements can help us achieve maximum performance as an athlete as long as they have been assessed scientifically for their benefit, function, effectiveness and safety.

Supplements can help you meet your fitness goals, but it must be strongly emphasised that they should be taken under the supervision of a nutritionist because sometimes fitness coaches or consultants are not adequately prepared to recommend appropriate doses and as a general rule, following the recommendations of products can lead to excess.

We should note that sport is not necessarily against the use of dietary supplements, but ir is highly recommended that you seek specialist advice in order to inform ourselves about the risks of taking these products and also to find out what is the most appropriate dose to take as an individual.

Falling into a routine of excessive consumption can be quite easily done, especially if we have no idea how to use a supplement properly. This itself can cause damage to the human body and can lead to chronic problems, as well as risking our career as either a professional athlete or a fan of adrenaline sports.

Risks while taking supplement

Risks as a result of taking nutritional supplements will always exist because it they are external compounds that add all kinds of nutrients to the body.

It all depends on the substances and amounts ingested, but the chances of future problems can range from improper liver function and long-term heart problems caused by overtraining, to muscle tissue damage that will prevent optimal performance and may even lead to withdrawal from competitions.

Types of Supplements

Caffeine:

Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and promotes fatty acids. It takes one to two hours to take effect and remains active for between three to five hours in adults. It is then excreted through the urine and some of its effects are tachycardia, hypertension, arrhythmia, and tremors. The recommended amount is 1 to 3 milligrams per kilogram of body fat.

Creatine:

Creatine is a chemical found in muscles and nerve cells, derived from amino acids.
This water accumulates and makes cells stronger and bigger. The dose can range from 10 to 20 grams per day, among its benefits is that it can delay fatigue, increase muscle mass and strength.

Sports Drinks:

Sports drinks are a rich source of carbohydrates and provide readily available energy. They are very useful and practical and also are readily accessible in price.

Anabolic steroids:

These are considered generally unwise, as their consumption is accompanied by multiple side effects. Although they are usually very effective and provide quick results, their use is not recommended by specialists.

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