If you’re an athlete, then you know that injuries are a part of the game. And, as any athlete knows, recovering from injury can be just as important as preventing them in the first place.
Fortunately, there are a number of sports supplements that can help speed up the healing process. In this article, we delve into our top three supplements for repair and recovery.
Amino acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which play a role in many cellular activities, including repairing injuries. Proteins are essential for the body to form new tissue and heal wounds. The body breaks down amino acids from food to form proteins, and these proteins are used to rebuild tissue that has been damaged. The amino acids in protein also stimulate the production of growth hormones, which promote cell growth and healing. When you are injured, your body goes into an emergency mode and releases amino acids to help with the healing process. The best way to ensure that you have enough amino acids available to repair your injuries is to eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of protein-rich foods and supplement as necessary.
Found in: Protein powders and BCAA/EAA supplements.
Recommendations:
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| Inception Labs Fortitude | ATP Science Noway Protein |
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| ATP Science Zeus Juice | Zealea Whey Protein |
Collagen
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and is responsible for the structural integrity of skin, hair, nails, bones, and tendons. It is important for wound healing as it helps to form a structural scaffold that supports new tissue growth. Collagen is able to do this by binding to other proteins and cells, which helps to create a strong adhesive network. This network provides stability and support to the wound while new tissue forms. Collagen production increases during the healing process and helps to rebuild damaged tissue.
When selecting a collagen supplement, it’s important to understand the collagen source and its bioavailability. The bioavailability of a nutrient is the degree to which that nutrient is available to the body to be used. Hydrolyzed collagen peptides are more bioavailable than other collagen sources.
The increased bioavailability of hydrolyzed collagen peptides is that they are more easily digested and absorbed by the body than other collagen sources. This increased digestibility may be due to the breakdown of the collagen peptides into smaller molecules during the hydrolysis process. These smaller molecules can more easily cross the gastrointestinal barrier and be absorbed into the bloodstream. Additionally, hydrolyzed collagen peptides are thought to be more bioavailable because they are able to stimulate the production of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which is involved in tissue growth and regeneration.
Found in: A variety of products including proteins and specialised joint & ligament supplements.
Recommendations:
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| ATP Science Noway Protein | ATP Science JOLT |
Hormonal supplements
Hormonal supplements are not just for athletes anymore. A growing body of research suggests that these supplements can also help people recover from injuries. For example, testosterone has been shown to promote the healing of broken bones and improve tissue repair. Similarly, human growth hormone has been shown to promote the regeneration of nerve cells and reduce inflammation. In addition, cortisol supplements have been shown to reduce bruising and swelling. While these supplements are not a panacea, they can play an important role in the recovery process. As such, they should be considered an important part of any Injury Recovery Program. One of the most powerful natural compounds for boosting testosterone is Shilajit. Shilajit is found in a clinical dose in both Inception Labs Transcend and Ascension.
Found in: Specialised hormonal supplements
Recommendations:
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| Inception Labs Transcend | Inception Labs Ascension |
Author
Walley, Elise. 2022. Top supplements for rehabilitation and repair from injury.