When you visit the supplement shop or aisle, you are confronted by so many choices! Each product is advertised as “the one you need”, but what do you truly need? How do you know exactly what is in each supplement? Remember that health supplements are not subject to any kind of scrutiny and could contain ingredients that are not disclosed, or not consistently measured. Nobody would know… certainly not the consumer. You could even accidentally ingest something that is on the banned list.
This is why I prefer to use Tailorblend and mix my own supplements. This way, I get exactly what I need and I know EXACTLY what is in my supplement and the quantities of each ingredient. I can avoid banned substances and won’t accidentally ingest something that is prohibited in my sport. I can also ensure I get everything I need in one supplement, so that I don’t have to use multiple products each day.
I made the perfect workout support BCAA blend for me using @tailorblend! I am a middle distance track athlete, so I need to fuel my body for shorter and faster distances. I am also post menopausal so I have to consider carb sensitivity and insulin resistance, as well as being hypoglycaemic. With Tailorblend I can cater for this.
I started with BCAAs. Branch chain amino acids are essential to the body and can not be made by the body, so we need to take them in from food or supplements. BCAAs decrease muscle fatigue, and alleviate muscle soreness, and help to build muscle.
I added electrolytes. Electrolytes are essential minerals that your body needs to stay hydrated before, during, and after exercise. But they do more than that. Electrolytes also support our body’s vital functions, such as muscle contraction (including the heart), blood pressure, nerve signalling, and much more.
I added L-glutamine. It is recommended to consume glutamine prior to or during exercise to support hydration, electrolyte transport, and BCAA metabolism.
Finally, I added vitamin B6 and B12. B6 function is the breakdown of muscle glycogen which aids energy production and B12 helps send oxygen to your muscles as they’re in use. It also contributes to the production of red blood cells.
If you run further than 10 km or longer than 90 minutes, you may need to consider adding a carbohydrate source to the workout mix. While a little more expensive, I recommend Agenanova or Palatinose, especially if you are insulin resistant.
Agenanova is a new complex soluble carbohydrate derived from maltodextrin which can deliver prolonged and stable energy supply coupled with extraordinary low sugar content (Dextrose equivalent of <1, compared to ordinary maltodextrin with DE up to 20). Agenanova has a low glycaemic index (GI), completely dissolves in water, has a significantly reduced starchy taste, and no sweetness, thus making it very easy to consume during sporting events.
Palatinose doesn’t cause excessive insulin peaks and, therefore, is perfect as a sugar substitute for those suffering from: metabolic syndrome, hypoglycaemia, insulin resistance and diabetes. Studies have shown that its slow-release characteristic, greatly benefits endurance athletes, who require sustained energy over long periods. It has also been found that Palatinose can promote the release of energy from fat reserves, in physically active people.
If you run shorter than 800m or a sport with sudden short bursts of sprinting such as soccer or hockey, I would consider adding Creatine. Creatine boosts muscle energy, and is most effective in activities that require short anaerobic explosive bursts including weight training, sprinting and soccer. Creatine does not of itself build muscle but as a result of increased power to the muscles, the athlete is able to exercise more vigorously and therefore more rapidly build lean muscle mass. This can be beneficial to those who have reduced hormone levels and are struggling to hold on to lean muscle mass.
My Tailorblend workout blends can be customised for you! If you would like to try one of my BCAA blends, just let me know.