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Page 22 | Abby's Magazine | instagram.com/abbyshealthfood Humans like to play sports, watch sports, and talk about sports. We admire the character, strength, and grit of our favorite athletes. If you're an athlete or sports-lover, you know there's something magical in competing to be your very best. No matter what kind of fitness journey you're on, you might wonder about taking dietary supplements to get some specific benefits. Let's check out popular ingredients for athletes, and how to pick the right ones for you! Supplements for Athletes Are you considering specific proteins, minerals, vitamins, or herbs for athletes? Some products may claim to be, say, the best herbs for runners, the best herbs for muscle recovery, or feature various health claims. It's always a good idea to do your research when considering supplements for athletic performance. This could mean reading articles from reliable sources, talking to store associates, and checking with your healthcare professional. The following are some common supplement ingredients with solid research behind them. COLLAGEN Collagen provides amino acids that are building blocks to support healthy joints.* Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. Collagen peptide supplements have been studied for supporting the function and flexibility of skeletal muscles and tendons. MULTIVITAMIN Athletes are physically active and desire speedy recovery to support their training. It's important for active bodies to get sufficient micronutrients—vitamins and minerals—to support healthy function of the body's many systems. Multivitamins can be a perfect combo of multiple micronutrients in just one tablet a day (or in delicious gummies!). For example, the active body needs Vitamin D3 and Zinc, as well as Chromium and Selenium—each can play a role in supporting healthy muscle function.* FISH OIL Scientific research links consumption of certain Omega fatty acids with a variety of health benefits, including muscle support. These beneficial Omegas include EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) that are found in fish oils and microalgae oil. It's believed that EPA and DHA support a healthy inflammation response in the body, which can in turn support muscle function.* MAGNESIUM The adult body contains around 25 grams of the mineral Magnesium, with around 60% found in the bones and 27% found in muscle. Magnesium is linked to both the physical structure and the ongoing creation of skeletal muscle. It may also support muscle performance (how muscles contract and relax). If you're weighing different Magnesium supplement options, be sure to look for a form that can be easily absorbed by the body, like Magnesium bisglycinate. VITAMIN D Many cells in the body have Vitamin D receptors, and this includes your muscles. Research finds that Vitamin D plays an important role in how muscle cells grow and work. Several studies have shown a strong correlation between Vitamin D sufficiency and optimal muscle function. To put it another way, your body needs balanced levels of Vitamin D to support healthy muscle function and muscle recovery. ZINC Zinc is a mineral that supports the healthy functioning of skeletal muscle. According to a 2020 publication on Zinc and physical performance, Zinc "has been found to affect myogenesis [formation of muscle tissue] and muscle regeneration due to its effects on muscle cell activation, proliferation and differentiation." A 2018 analysis of Zinc studies suggests that based on their lower levels of Zinc, athletes likely need more Zinc than people who aren't physically active. Top Supplements FOR ATHLETES By New Chapter By New Chapter