Sports Supplements

Originally Posted 12/15/2007

Recently I was discussing nutritional sports supplements with a fellow colleague in the field of nutrition.  As we discussed some of the more popular supplements on the market and in use today I realized that the focus in this area of athletic performance has increased significantly compared with when I was in organized sports.  Athletes are now taking various ergogenic aids as early as at the high school level especially in sports like football and wrestling.  There are several potential benefits to taking nutritional sports supplements.  Some of these benefits include: increased strength increased lean body mass reduced protein breakdown following exercise improved tissue repair/wound healing decreased muscle fatigue/time to exhaustion…the list goes on.  Certainly these are appealing benefits to an athlete who is looking for the edge on his or her competition.  However it is important for an athlete to be a well-informed consumer when considering supplementation.  Otherwise he or she may be putting themselves at risk for serious negative and deleterious health effects resulting from improper supplementation.

When working with clients I make it a point to help them understand how specific supplements will affect their biochemistry and ultimately their sports performance.  I also  explore with them the potential side effects of using various supplements so that they can make informed decisions.  For example there are many sports supplements that when regularly ingested require that certain nutrients/vitamins/minerals are readily available and in good supply within the body in order for them to work properly.  If one of these types of supplements is taken by an athlete who isn’t aware of the nutritional requirements for effectiveness that individual may be at risk for depleting their body of vital nutrients and missing out on the full benefit of that particular ergogenic aid.

It is also important for athletes to realize that their particular sport plays a large role in what kind of supplements they should be taking if any.  Just as a ballerina and a football player would not eat the exact same diet (never mind the difference in quantity!) they would also most likely not take the same sports supplements.  Each sport is unique with respect to its requirements for energy/endurance strength/power speed flexibility and coordination just to name a few.  This translates into needing different supplements to support those variations between sports.

At the foundation of all of this (and in my opinion far and away more important than taking supplements) I make sure my clients are nourishing their bodies with the best foods for their unique physiology each and every day.  Supplements can be a great ally to an athlete’s armamentarium however they should not be looked at as a panacea.  If you are considering supplementation be sure to discuss your situation with an experienced sports nutrition specialist.  You’ll be way ahead of the game and on your way to your best season ever!

Live well.
Ryan