October 28, 2019

Six Recovery Supplements for Athletes

Originally published on HVMN by Nate Martins.

Why is recovery so often skipped?

Athletes know it’s essential to build muscle. It’s crucial to cool down, eat protein, stretch, hydrate, and give your body an opportunity to replenish and repair post-workout.

Maybe it’s our busy schedules; we’re off to the next thing so fast, often unable to account for the extra half-hour of recovery after workouts. Maybe it’s because we don’t know the best way to recover; with so many muscles and so much information out there, it can be difficult to truly optimize recovery.

Maybe it’s a desire all athletes share; an innate need to be better, and a willingness to push ourselves until we get there. Any signs of slowdown feel instead like we’ve come to a complete stop.


Table of Contents

Skipping Recovery is a Mistake

Recovery Supplements

BCAA

HVMN Ketone

Protein

Buffers

Omega-3

CBD

Building a Recovery Schedule

Supplementing Recovery



For many athletes, it’s a combination. Still, we’re humans who share the same basic biology: muscle fibers that need rebuilding, glycogen stores that need repleting. While workout recovery supplements shouldn’t be solely relied upon, they can absolutely augment the recovery process.


Skipping Recovery is a Mistake

Recovery provides ample time to repair the muscle breakdown that happens with a regular workout. Post-workout recovery should be part of every training plan.

It’s a process that synthesizes protein, rebuilds muscle fibers, restores lost fluids and allows the body to metabolically remove waste products. While good ol’ fashioned rest is absolutely important, supplements can be introduced to help make the most out of that down time and reduce muscle soreness.

To put the body in the best position to again break itself down with another workout, recovery is key to progress and even safety, as worn-down muscles are more likely to be injured. Recovery isn’t just important after things like overload training.


In order to benefit from even regular training, it’s necessary to first have a simple recovery process in mind and then add new methods (like supplements).


The foundations are things you’ve probably heard coaches and trainers lamenting for years.

Hydration is essential, as our muscles are 75% water. Maintaining fluid balance and can even improve endurance performance.1,2 Protein resynthesis also requires hydrated muscles.

Diet can also play a part. Since exercise triggers the breakdown of muscle protein, it’s beneficial to consume some amount of protein after a workout.3 Rebuilding and repairing muscles need amino acids to promote the development of new muscle tissue.4 Carbohydrates play a similarly important role in restoration, as they replenish glycogen stores depleted during workouts. But, no need to go too crazy: consuming even 0.5 - 0.7 grams of carbs per pound of bodyweight within 30 minutes of training can lead to adequate glycogen resynthesis.3

Consumed together, protein and carbs can stimulate the insulin secretion that is a key signal to promoting glycogen synthesis.5

Hydration and diet are the traditional ways to enhance recovery. However, these supplements can supercharge the process, helping put the body in the best position go harder during its next workout.




Recovery Supplements

There are two results when it comes to supplements: objective (measured through research) and subjective (experienced personally).

While some supplements are tried and true, validated with results over years of research, others are more cutting-edge, and still require additional research to provide conclusive results. You could try them out yourself and assess your experience.

It's always better to do some thoughtful self-experimentation rather than relying wholly on sport science research, as many studies of supplements are conducted on trained athletes in their primes; it can be hard to conceptualize these results if you don’t fall into that category. It’s important to quantify the subjectivity of using supplements, looking at your own performance and feelings when employing them in training and recovery.

Science supporting supplement use is plentiful, but don’t discount the subjective, personal feeling because you’re the athlete actually experiencing them.

BCAA

Your muscles need protein to rebuild. The body breaks down protein into amino acids which are then transported throughout the body to be used in protein synthesis for other muscles; branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are the building blocks to maintaining muscle mass.6

BCAAs are a type of essential amino acid, meaning the body can’t produce them itself–so it’s essential to obtain them through diet or supplementation. Studies incorporating BCAA to a post-workout meal broadly show enhancement of muscle protein recovery.7 Other studies in rats have showcased beneficial effects on protein synthesis,8 and a study in humans illustrated that BCAA supplementation alleviated skeletal muscle damage.9

Most BCAA supplements employ the three types of BCAA in some combination: leucine, isoleucine, and valine; however, leucine is often the highest-dosed of the three as it is the most widely implicated in muscle protein synthesis.10


  • How to supplement: About 20g daily, split up in four or five servings

  • When to supplement: Can be consumed pre-workout, but is best employed immediately after a workout

  • Try: Evolution Nutrition BCAA5000

Are your workouts suffering from improper recovery?


We'll show you how you can shorten your recovery time easily.




HVMN Ketone

D-BHB, the ketone body present in HVMN Ketone, acts as an anti-inflammatory recovery tool, which helps reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress from the buildup of free radicals.11 These can cause damage to the cells. BHB can also help to reduce inflammation by decreasing the activation of a pro-inflammatory part of the immune system called the NLRP3 inflammasome.12

BHB can help to decrease the impact of exercise on the body: studies of athletes using HVMN Ketone before a workout have seen a decrease in the breakdown of intramuscular glycogen and protein during exercise when compared to carbs alone.13

HVMN Ketone also expedited the resynthesis of glycogen by 60%,14 and boosted signals for protein resynthesis by 2x when added to normal carbohydrate or protein post-workout nutrition.15

These benefits help put the muscles in a position to recover effectively, enabling them to replenish the necessary energy stores for your next workout.

    • How to supplement: 25ml of HVMN Ketone (one serving)

    • When to supplement: 30-60 minutes after a workout with normal post-workout carbs and protein

  • Try: HVMN Ketone

  • Protein
    More generic protein supplements, protein powders, or protein rich foods, often contain ample amounts of the more popular components: BCAAs, EAAs and leucine. Before splurging on a fancy BCAA supplement, consider increasing your protein intake to achieve muscle building, and supplementing as part of a powerful recovery stack. Learn more about ways runners can supplement recovery.

    In the first few post-workout hours, consuming protein can help the body begin to repair muscle damage, reduce the response from cortisol (the “stress hormone”), and speed glycogen replenishment (especially if you aren’t able to consume the optimal amount of carbohydrate).16 After a workout, increasing the availability of protein in the body accelerates the resolution of muscle inflammation and promotes muscle-building.17 Whole foods like chicken, milk, eggs, yogurt, and beans can provide necessary protein, while supplementation further introduces protein into the body, making it readily available for use.

    There are a few different options athletes can take with regards to protein.

    Whey is the most popular protein for workout recovery; the body absorbs it the fastest, and many consider it the most effective for muscle protein synthesis.18 Consider using whey as soon as you finish your workout.

    Casein is more beneficial for long-term recovery because of the time it takes the body to absorb it. Casein protein releases amino acids that slow the digestive process; a study showed that consuming it before bed led to a 34% reduction in protein breakdown.19 This makes it ideal to take before sleeping, as it slowly releases amino acids to keep your muscles fed overnight.20

    You may be asking why we didn't include soy-based proteins here. Though they're an option for vegetarian or vegan athletes, science indicates they're less effective than milk-based proteins.

    Protein rich foods can also be a source of creatine, which is an organic acid best known for its positive effect on explosive strength performance. But it could help you with recovery too. For example, one study showed creatine supplementation reduced fatigue in swimmers21 and another study showed creatine helped speed up glycogen re-synthesis.


    Together, whey and casein protein supplements can be incorporated daily to tackle different aspects of recovery and encourage muscle growth and rebuilding after a workout.


    That said, many whole foods are just as good (if not better) in terms of protein content–but they’re less convenient and tasty than a protein shake.


    Buffers

    The process of recovery can start even before your workout ends; some supplements, taken before or during exercise, can reduce the damage exercises cause the body, making it easier to go again.

    We’ve previously discussed the role of lactate in exercise, and the resulting acidity (thanks, acidic hydrogen proton). During periods of intense exercise, lactate accumulates in the blood, making it acidic–this acidity is often associated with fatigue because when our blood is too acidic, our brains send signals (read: nausea) to make our muscles stop working so we can recycle all that extra lactate.

    Buffers are meant to protect against lactate buildup and provide resistance against fatigue caused by acid accumulation. Two of the most popular are Beta-Alanine and sodium bicarbonate.

    Beta-Alanine is an amino acid, but different than BCAA; it’s not used in protein synthesis but is instead converted into carnosine, which helps reduce lactic acid accumulation in the muscles, leading to improved athletic performance and reduced fatigue.22,23


    By reducing lactate accumulation (and thus the stress of exercise on the body), Beta-Alanine can help make it easier for the body to recover by making that recovery time shorter.


    Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) also protects the body against acidity. By binding to the protons that cause acidity, sodium bicarbonate is able to reduce blood pH and potentially provide resistance against fatigue.24 Regarding recovery, sodium bicarbonate applies the same principle as Beta-Alanine–less recovery time.

    • How to supplement: For Beta-Alanine, two and eight grams daily (split evenly throughout the day) depending on the person. For sodium bicarbonate, 200 - 300mg per pound of bodyweight.

    • When to supplement: Both should be taken 30 - 60 minutes pre-workout

    • Try: For Beta-Alanine, try Transparent Labs Beta-Alanine, and for sodium bicarbonate, try Prescribed for Life Sodium Bicarbonate

    Omega-3

    Fish oil is a popular supplement used to obtain omega-3 fatty acids, with the goal of preventing the process of inflammation.25 Inflammation refers to a spectrum of processes that can affect healthy people (such as athletes), as well as those who are less healthy (such as heart disease patients or people with joint pain).

    The two main fatty acids in omega-3 fish oils are docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which are broken down into signalling molecules called eicosanoids that can block inflammation pathways in the cell.

    For athletes, acute, low-level inflammation can actually be beneficial for performance because it encourages healthy adaption. However, chronic, high levels of inflammation can be detrimental–so taking a sensible approach in deciding when to use anti-inflammatory supplements can be beneficial in the long run of an athlete’s career.


    Inflammation happens throughout the body–not just in the muscles.


    There are other body systems in which it can be helpful for athletes to reduce inflammation. For example, research suggested that fish oil supplementation helped decrease airway inflammation, and improve post-exercise lung function by 64%.26 This is important because during exercise, airways can narrow, restricting airflow–which can be detrimental, because oxygen is necessary for muscle function.

    • How to supplement: 250mg - 500mg daily

    • When to supplement: Best taken daily, with many incorporating the supplement into daily nutrition routines

    • Try: Kado-3 by HVMN

    CBD

    The legalization of marijuana has made use of the ancient plan less taboo. Though many people are only beginning to understand its benefits, cannabis has quite a rich history of human use. It’s not yet a mainstream supplement and is being researched as it becomes more widely available.

    Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the 104 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids found in cannabis.27 CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant and then diluted with a carrier oil. Its use for athletes is slowly becoming more widespread, as cannabis is explored and stigma dissipates.

    CBD isn’t psychoactive–that’s tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is also found in cannabis and causes the psychoactive feelings often associated with marijuana. The absence of psychoactivity may be part of the reason for CBD’s increasing adoption as a natural pain relief alternative to pharmaceuticals.

    For recovery, it has been used as a pain treatment for thousands of years.28

    Interestingly, the body has a system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which helps regulate several bodily functions from appetite to sleep to pain.29 The body produces these endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system. Essentially, our bodies have a special way to process and use cannabinoids.

    Studies on both rats and humans illustrate the benefits of CBD. Two studies (in rats) showed reduced pain response to surgical incision, and reduced sciatic nerve pain and inflammation.30,31 In humans (using a product called Sativex), studies in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis have shown CBD improved pain during movement and at rest, and improved sleep quality.32

    For delivery methods, the most popular is orally, through a dropper–but other methods include topical creams and through foods mixed with CBD oil.

    • How to supplement: 1mg is a standard serving size (about one dropper full), but depending on experience with CBD and size / weight, that dose can be increased or decreased

    • When to supplement: As needed

    • Try: Green Roads CBD Oil (different strengths depending on user), or
    • CBDPure Hemp Oil 600

    Building a Recovery Schedule

    It’s necessary to budget recovery time into your training program. Read our detailed look at muscle recovery techniques and exercises to see what might work for you.

    The timing of recovery in relation to exercise is also important, as each supplement and technique should be optimized for best results.

    Before a workout (most important when if you are in a heavy training block or have important races/sessions without much of a break): Incorporate pre-exercise supplements that might mitigate the damage caused by the exercise. Examples include nitrates, bicarbonate, HVMN Ketone, and BCAAs 30 minutes before exercise. Omega-3 can also be taken daily for best results.

    After a workout: Fuel that includes a mix of carbohydrates (for glycogen resynthesis) and protein rich in BCAAs or leucine (for muscle repair) should be taken as soon as possible after exercise. CBD oil can also be used as necessary, with no required timeframe. Active recovery can also be employed here, including things like foam rolling, stretching, a cool down period (like walking or slowly cycling), and ice baths (although the placebo effect is likely a big contributor to any benefit here).


    One aspect of recovery that’s too often overlooked is rest.


    While this isn’t a supplement, sleep and rest days are necessary for muscles to recover. Lack of sleep can lead to muscle degradation,33 but many don’t get the ideal seven-to-nine hours nightly. Yawn, by HVMN, is a natural sleep aid with melatonin that decreases the time it takes to fall asleep while improving the efficiency of sleep.34

    Sleep quality can be optimized by creating an ideal environment for sleep. Screens can have a negative impact here,35 so 60 - 90 minutes of screenless time before bed is important to combatting the blue light from screens that can decrease our natural melatonin. Blackout curtains and a cooler temperature in the bedroom can encourage restful sleep.

    Similarly, recovery days are important to ensuring muscles have adequate time to replenish depleted energy stores, fluid loss and repair damaged tissues.36 Between complete rest days, techniques for active recovery–like easy runs, yoga, cycling, or plyometrics–can increase blood flow and promote recovery.




    Supplementing Recovery

    These supplements can help optimize the recovery process, one that can begin before a workout (pre-hab), continues immediately post-workout and extends several hours after exercise. Without thoughtfully approaching recovery, you could be compromising those gains.

    Things like protein and BCAA have been employed by athletes for decades, but it’s also worth investigating newer supplements like CBD to see if they’ll be beneficial for your workout (and recovery) goals.

    The benefits of supplements are best explored on a personal basis, as each person will react and employ them differently. Regardless of approach, serious athletes know recovery should be taken seriously and implemented consistently for best results.

    March 28, 2017

    Do You Need to Wear an Orthotic All the Time? 7 Points on Foot Support

    Support is one of the most overused terms in running. You have support shoes, maximum support shoes, arch supports, metatarsal supports, etc. But how is the foot really being supported? That is a good question. Another good question is who needs this support? And if you do need foot support, do you need it all of the time? View full article →
    January 12, 2017

    I Blew It! Getting Back on Track After the Holidays

    The holiday season is a time when according to some studies the average American gains 5 pounds! Remember, it is far harder to lose those 5 pounds than it is to not gain them in the first place. So, now the question becomes: how do you get your nutrition plan back on track, as well as prepare for the coming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays? Here are 7 tips if you have “blown it!” View full article →
    November 12, 2015

    7 Things You Need to Know About Shin Splints

    Most people know them as shin splints, but they are technically referred to as medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS). Also, shin splints have been incorrectly labeled anterior compartment syndrome. For a full discussion of the terminology and anatomy, Massage Today has an excellent article on these subjects, should you be so inclined. But for our purposes, shin splints are exercise-related pain in the shins, either down the front of the leg or down the inside of the leg. It may be caused by an irritation of the tendons and muscles near the shin bones. This injury is most often seen among runners and can be extremely painful.

    Shin Splints

    Of course, most runners really don’t care about the technical aspects of shin splints; they want to know how to get rid of them and not have them come back! So, let’s look at 7 things you need to know about shin splints.

    1. It’s easier to not get shin splints than it is to get rid of them! You remember that old say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?” It is very true of shin splints. Using proper footwear, strengthening the foot and lower leg, stretching, and doing some specific drills can keep you shin splints-free (more about those later.). But, if you ignore this warning and get shin splints, what do you do next? 
    1. The best news is that in most cases shin splints hurt a lot more than do damage. Only in very rare cases (usually in women) do they lead to stress fractures. The bad news is that shin splints can be chronic and take a very long time to heal. The treatment at the onset of shin splints is to discontinue running (possibly substituting the elliptical trainer, cycling etc.), ice, and judiciously use anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen. If possible, do not attempt to return to running before the inflammation goes away. Initially, a trip to the doctor is not usually necessary, as self-diagnosis is pretty straightforward.
    1. Before returning to running, it is very important to figure out what caused the shin splints in the first place. Generally, runners with a structural imbalance or irregularity, such as foot placement (usually overpronation or underpronation), are predisposed to shin splints. With overpronation, the runner’s foot flattens out causing a pulling in the shin area. With underpronation, there is insufficient shock absorption because of a more rigid foot, causing more stress to the shin area. Other causes of shin splints include an imbalance between the calf muscles and the shin muscles, too many miles on hard surfaces, and running in inappropriate footwear, especially track spikes.
    1. Once the cause has been identified, a trip to a running specialty store for new shoes may be in order, as well as the purchase of some shoe inserts to correct structural imbalances and support the foot. For more on shoes, check out our article, If the Shoe Fits..., and for much more on supports we have What's in a name? A Primer on Inserts, Orthotics, and Arch Supports and 7 Points of Foot Support. Once you have the footwear and foot support aspects figured out, you then need to work on the leg and foot.
    1. Assuming you don’t have an “A” race or a key track meet scheduled this weekend, it is best to not try to run until the pain and inflammation are resolved. Once that has been achieved, I recommend the following protocol:
    • Do “Charlie Chaplin” or foot drills daily before running. They are so named because you will resemble the “Little Tramp” while doing them. An excellent resource explaining these drills can be found at org. These drills are amazingly effective when done CONSISTENTLY, including before you get shin splints and after they go away.
    • Do calf stretching. I recommend doing both the standard heel-drop Achilles stretch, as well as doing the heel-drop stretch and then slowly moving the knee forward to stretch the rest of the calf muscles. I find using stairs or a curb to be the most effective, though some like to use a ProStretch 
    • Those people who are prone to shin splints are also the same ones who seem to be predisposed to Plantar Fasciitis. So now would be a good time to integrate rolling a golf ball 20 minutes each day with each foot. This technique massages out the knots in the fascia and helps to prevent plantar fasciitis. Again, better to not get it than to have to get rid of it.
    • Wear compression socks or calf sleeves. These are garments that are tightly woven and provide support to the shins and calves. They are not a cure-all, but do provide some relief and help with inflammation. There are many brands of compression wear now, but I am somewhat partial to the SLS3
    • Reintroduce running gradually. Don’t try to push through the pain. If possible, try to train on softer surfaces, such as trails, for a while. A good, conservative protocol to begin activity again can be found at Return to Running. Also, check out our 4-part series on returning to running after a long layoff at The Long Road Back.

    For more informative articles, check out our blog page at Stridetek.com, as well subscribe to our monthly newsletter. Articles are posted there regularly on a variety of topics. Also, our popular half-marathon training article and training plan are available at StrideTek Half-Marathon Training Plan.

    November 12, 2015

    Ironman World Championship: A Primer

    The NBC coverage of the 2015 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii will air on Saturday, November 14, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. ET. The Ironman World Championship special is a condensed version of the eight-hour pro race, and also focuses on inspiring stories of age-groupers and celebrity participants. View full article →
    November 12, 2015

    Full Stridetek Half Marathon Training Plan

    Here is the complete Stridetek Half Marathon Training Plan - all in one place! View full article →
    November 11, 2015

    Wearable Technology for Runners - A Breakdown of GPS Devices

    Many people are drawn to running because of its minimalist nature. Shoes and shorts are all that are really needed (a shirt may be added for modesty). But thinkers are often drawn to running, and thinkers like numbers. So where do those numbers come from? View full article →
    November 05, 2015

    Stridetek's Core Technology

    Stridetek's Core technology was discovered by George Anderson of the Raiders, widely regarded as the pioneer of modern athletic training.  Watch this video to learn about the philosophy and technology that went into creating Stridetek products. 

     
    November 01, 2015

    Weeks 1-5 Stridetek Half Marathon Training Plan - Let's Do This!

    StrideTek is proud to announce that it will be sponsoring a unique 16-week training plan leading up to a PR (personal record) in the half-marathon! This training plan will debut on Monday, November 2nd, and will be released in three 5-week blocks, plus race week. Best of all, this training plan will bedifferent than you are used to, but it has been very successful in taking distance runners from being merely “finishers” to being much more competitive. View full article →
    October 29, 2015

    What's In a Name? A Primer on Inserts, Orthotics, and Arch Supports.

    Running shoes. Pretty much everybody knows what those are. But what about orthotics, arch supports, gel inserts, cushion inserts, arch cushions, heel pads, heel cups, etc.? It seems like those terms are used somewhat interchangeably. So why does any of this matter? The answer is that it can be confusing and overwhelming when suddenly faced with an injury situation that may require more than just a new pair of shoes. View full article →
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