Market research suggests that l-arginine is a very popular amino acid supplement among male students. L-arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid that’s involved in several metabolic pathways. Accordingly, a typical western diet provides approximately 3-6 g of l-arginine per day . L-Arginine and Growth Hormone For athletes, two of the most important pathways include…
Read MoreAs a former competitive athlete (in the sports of cycling and winter biathlon), I know that there’s nothing more frustrating than an interruption in your off-season training schedule from getting sick. With all of the buzz surrounding probiotics, do they actually work to prevent upper respiratory tract infections in athletes (URTI’s)? To answer that question,…
Read MoreLeucine is an essential/branched-chain amino acid which has been gaining considerable research attention lately for its potential performance-enhancing or ergogenic effects. In particular, researchers have been interested in its ability to promote muscle synthesis as well as to reduce muscle loss during dieting. Like many supplements that have their roots in animal studies, translating these…
Read MoreCompetitive athletes need to recover quickly from bouts of training as well as competition to prepare for subsequent events. Studies have shown that postexercise consumption of carbohydrates and protein results in better recovery than consumption of carbohydrates alone.
Read MoreCreatine supplementation is almost turning into the Aspririn® of the supplement industry. No, it’s not quite a complete parallel in terms of why people supplement with creatine, but new uses are often being found for this traditional sports supplement. Either way, I guess it’s too late for the slogan, “Creatine, the wonder supplement that works…
Read MoreWith the recent buzz surrounding the obesity epidemic, particularly in developed nations with the Americans leading the way, people are starting to look closer at dietary factors that affect their weight. Branched-chain amino acids, of which there
Read MoreBoth exercise enthusiasts and competitive athletes are often looking for ways to improve their athletic performance and shed body fat. In most cases, this involves optimizing their training methods and nutrition. Some also look towards nutritional or dietary supplements to help. One common target for potentially improving athletic performance involves increasing blood flow to muscles…
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