As the calendar flips forward to 2014, it is time to think about the best ways to achieve our fitness goals.  Regardless of what they say in those late night infomercials, there is no substitute for daily exercise. The good news is,  there are some all natural supplements that can help maximize your workout efforts.  Here are 6 Supplements that will help you reach your fitness goals…

#1 – Perfect Cordyceps

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. Cordyceps works to make athletic training a more productive and enjoyable experience.

#2 – Perfect Acai Revive

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.

#3 – Perfect Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) AKA instant cell food.  Most of the fats found in the standard American Diet (SAD) are long chain triglycerides which take far longer to be broken down and used for energy.  Medium chain triglycerides, similar to carbohydrates, are rapidly absorbed and converted into cellular energy. Unlike carbohydrates, fueling your workouts with fat will help your body avoid an insulin spike and the resulting “crash” that may occur during your workout.

To use coconut oil as a pre-workout, mix a few tablespoons into your favorite warm caffeinated beverage. Perfect Supplements recommends either green tea or black coffee. Coconut oil can also be used during bulking season as a quick, easy, and healthy source of extra calories.

#4 – Perfect Plant Protein

In the last three sections of this article, we discussed the benefits of Cordyceps, Rhodiola, Acai, and Coconut Oil 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

#5 – Perfect Desiccated Liver

Desiccated liver is the original body building superfood for a number of reasons! Containing over 70% protein by weight and many of the important amino acids, desiccated liver from healthy grass-fed cows is an ideal supplement for building and maintaining lean muscle.

Desiccated liver supplements also contain naturally occurring iron and vitamin B12; two nutrients that are absolutely vital for cell growth. Desiccated liver supplements can be taken post workout for recovery or throughout the day to help build muscle mass. Because desiccated liver contains naturally occurring iron, you do not need to worry about taking too much. Some body builders have been known to take up to 100 capsules of desiccated liver per day!  

Best yet, desiccated liver contains an anti-fatigue factor that may help you power through even the toughest workouts. Quoting from the Weston A. Price website:

“Liver’s as-yet-unidentified anti-fatigue factor makes it a favorite with athletes and bodybuilders. The factor was described by Benjamin K. Ershoff, PhD, in a July 1951 article published in the Proceedings for the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine.

Ershoff divided laboratory rats into three groups. The first ate a basic diet, fortified with 11 vitamins. The second ate the same diet, along with an additional supply of vitamin B complex. The third ate the original diet, but instead of vitamin B complex received 10 percent of rations as powdered liver.

A 1975 article published in Prevention magazine described the experiment as follows: “After several weeks, the animals were placed one by one into a drum of cold water from which they could not climb out. They literally were forced to sink or swim. Rats in the first group swam for an average 13.3 minutes before giving up. The second group, which had the added fortifications of B vitamins, swam for an average of 13.4 minutes. Of the last group of rats, the ones receiving liver, three swam for 63, 83 and 87 minutes. The other nine rats in this group were still swimming vigorously at the end of two hours when the test was terminated. Something in the liver had prevented them from becoming exhausted. To this day scientists have not been able to pin a label on this anti-fatigue factor.”

#6 – Green Pasture Blue Ice Calm Balm

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:

Ancient Cordyceps in the Modern World by Dr. John Holliday, MD
The Journal of Complementary Alternative Medicine June 2001

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

Importance of Protein for Quick Muscle Recovery by Lauren Rae, NASM-CPT
British Journal of Nutrition August 2012

http://www.westonaprice.org/food-features/liver-files

http://ebm.sagepub.com/content/77/3/488.short