The Best Supplements for Athletes Parts I, II, and III

bestsupplementsforathletes

The Best Supplements for Athletes – Part I

Cordyceps is an all natural supplement used by endurance athletes everywhere. Swimmers, runners, cyclists, triathletes and even mountain climbers have all used Cordyceps with immense success. Cordyceps is very popular with athletes because it has been used for centuries to increase energy, endurance, and oxygen capacity. These three health benefits, along with numerous others, are the reason that Cordyceps is perfect for athletes.

Cordyceps helps athletes battle weakness and fatigue. This adaptogen herb is well known for boosting energy, endurance, and stamina. It also increases lung and oxygen capacity, and improves lung function. The increase in energy, endurance, and stamina allows athletes to train longer and harder, with less fatigue. The improved oxygen capacity, lung capacity, and lung function makes breathing significantly easier during physical exertion.

In 1993, the Chinese Women’s Track and Field team shattered 9 records at the Chinese National Games. This was a shock to everyone who watched and heard about the events. How could the little known Chinese Track and Field team break so many records? How could they have achieved such huge performance gains?

When people began to speculate, the coach immediately revealed his all natural secret: the girls had supplemented their diet with a drink made from Cordyceps! Although he also attributed diet and exercise to their success, he credited Cordyceps for their increased energy and oxygen capacity.

Studies have shown that supplementing with Cordyceps can increase the ATP (adenosine triphosphate) stores in the liver (J Altern Complement Med. 2001 Jun;7(3):231-40). In addition, Cordyceps is a powerful antioxidant and can defend against oxidative damage to our cells, and in turn, the mitochondria. Healthy mitochondria means the cells can produce more ATP.

If more ATP is available to the body’s cells, the total amount of fuel available to the body increases. In addition, Cordyceps boosts oxygen capacity. Increased ATP and oxygen capacity are two major components that increase energy at a cellular level.

For these reasons, Cordyceps has been used by athletes for centuries. It is a tried and true, proven and all natural supplement that is perfect for increasing energy and endurance and improving lung function. All of the benefits that Cordyceps has to offer help to make athletic training a more productive and enjoyable experience.

The Best Supplements for Athletes – Part II

As we discussed in a previous article, adaptogenic herbs work to normalize the body while simultaneously providing positive health benefits. Cordyceps Sinensis and Rhodiola Rosea are two adaptogenic herbs that are particularly beneficial to athletes due to the array of health benefits they provide.

Cordyceps Sinensis and Rhodiola Rosea for Athletic Performance:

• Increase Energy
• Increase Endurance and Stamina
• Increase Oxygen Capacity
• Boost Lung Function
• Battle Weakness and Fatigue
• Decrease Muscle Recovery Time
• Stimulate the Production of ATP (Adenosine-5′-Triphosphate) and CP (Creatine Phosphate)
• Balance the Stress Response System by Limiting the Release of Cortisol

Perfect Revive combines the power of Cordyceps Sinensis with Rhodiola Rosea and Acai Berry. Grape Seed and Skin Extract has a synergistic effect on the three to increase energy and improve overall athletic performance.

The Best Supplements for Athletes – Part III

In the last two sections of this article, we discussed the benefits of Cordyceps, Rhodiola, and Acai for athletic performance. Perfect Revive is the perfect pre-workout supplement, but which supplements are the best for post work out?

After completing a cardio workout, an athlete’s muscles need to be replenished with protein within 30 minutes (strength training widens that window to 1 hour). Liquid protein tends to be the most bioavailable and digestible form of protein and is usually recommended over solid forms of protein.

Perfect Plant Protein is an ideal blend of raw and organic hemp, mushroom, and brown rice protein. Vegetarian protein powders are easily digestible and perfect for building and maintaining lean muscle mass. This vegetarian protein powder also contains an immune system enhancing blend of super food mushrooms including Reishi, King Trumpet, Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Turkey Tail, Shiitake and Maitake. Perfect Plant Protein is ideal for mixing into shakes, smoothies, or any of your favorite beverages.

The Health Benefits of Perfect Plant Protein

• Build and Strengthen Lean Muscle
• Boost Energy
• Boost the Immune System
• Boost Metabolism
• Improve Digestion
• Improve Respiratory Strength
• Maintain Healthy Cholesterol
• Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar
• Maintain Cardiovascular Health
• Maintain Healthy Eyesight and Hearing
• Slow the Process of Aging
• Strengthen Skin, Hair, and Nails

Even with adequate protein intake, athletes often end their days with sore and tired muscles. This is where Blue Ice Calm Balm comes into play. This ultra soothing balm is the perfect combination of Wild Crafted Shea Butter, X-Factor Gold Butter Oil, Blue Breeze Organic Coconut Oil, and Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver Oil enriched with soothing Camphor, Eucalyptus, and Menthol. This balm works deep within the muscle tissue to deliver natural and effective pain relief.

Sources:
http://www.perfect-supplements.com/Perfect-Cordyceps.html
Ancient Cordyceps in the Modern World by Dr. John Holliday, MD
The Journal of Complementary Alternative Medicine June 2001
http://www.perfect-supplements.com/Rhodiola-Rosea.html
The Herb that Came from the Cold by Peter Jaret of Alternative Medicine Magazine
The Rhodiola Revolution by Richard P. Brown, MD and Patricia L. Gerbarc, MD
http://www.perfect-supplements.com/Perfect-PlantProtein.html
Importance of Protein for Quick Muscle Recovery by Lauren Rae, NASM-CPT
British Journal of Nutrition August 2012


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