| If you are looking to improve your overall | | | | their immune systems. Offers a reduced risk of |
| performance for sport or personal preference | | | | infection and illness for athletes and can also help |
| then taking sports supplements can be very | | | | with maintaining muscle mass. |
| beneficial to you. Below we look at some of their | | | | - B Vitamins - these should not be taken by |
| main ingredients and the benefits. | | | | people that are limiting their calorie intakes or on |
| - Proteins - this supports muscle growth and is a | | | | restricted diets; however they are important as B |
| favourite with body builders. Protein can help | | | | Vitamins convert proteins and carbohydrates into |
| improve recovery times and build muscle strength | | | | energy. They are also beneficial for the production |
| as well as mass when combined with regular | | | | of cells and cell repair so therefore anybody that |
| exercise. | | | | lacks B Vitamins may be at risk of any damaged |
| - Glucosamine - this plays a role in the repair of | | | | muscles not mending themselves properly. This |
| cartilage and helps with maintenance by stimulating | | | | can also result in slowing the rate at which muscle |
| cells of cartilage building blocks. | | | | mass increases. |
| - Ribose - this ingredient restores a person's | | | | As with all sports supplements, it is important that |
| energy levels in the heart and skeletal muscles at | | | | the individual taking them does so in line with the |
| a fast rate and can help with muscle growth. | | | | advised dosage guidelines. In addition they should |
| - Creatine - this improves an athlete's high power | | | | be taken along with a balanced diet and hydration |
| performance during repetitive exercises. However | | | | levels must be kept up to help the body's |
| to be effective, creatine does require high | | | | development. |
| intensity workouts to be effective. | | | | If used sensibly, sports supplements can be a |
| - Glutamine - helps sports men and women by | | | | useful aid to help improve your sporting |
| preventing muscle breakdown and to improve | | | | performances. |