Taking legal performance supplements is thought to improve athletic performance in a variety of ways. Many athletes are looking for a competitive edge that will help them to achieve more. However, caution must be used when taking any supplement.
Some athletes use diuretics to adjust their weight. By helping the body to shed water weight, diuretics allow athletes like wrestlers to compete in a lower weight class. Diuretics carry the risk of causing dehydration, which may produce muscle cramps, dizziness and exhaustion. Severe side effects may include potassium deficiency, heart arrhythmias and drops in blood pressure.
Creatine is naturally produced to help muscles release energy. By helping the muscles to make more adenosine triphosphate, creatine helps athletes who need short bursts of power, like weightlifters or sprinters. Creatine also helps to build muscle mass and to improve post-workout recovery. Side effects may include stomach and muscle cramps, nausea, diarrhea and weight gain, and extremely high doses may damage the liver or kidneys.
Stimulants are taken to enhance athleticism. By increasing blood pressure and heart rate, and by stimulating the brain and nerves, stimulants increase alertness, reduce fatigue, suppress appetite and improve endurance. Overdoses, however, may cause heart palpitations and other cardiovascular problems and milder problems like insomnia and nervousness.
Chromium picolinate stimulates insulin activity within the body. Increased insulin activity helps with the breakdown of glucose and fats, which helps to keep the body leaner. Although research has not yet proven this claim, athletes believe that chromium picolinate may enhance protein synthesis to stimulate muscle growth. Side effects may include hypoglycemia as well as kidney and liver damage.
Very little research has been done to determine the long-term consequences of using performance supplements. Athletes who are considering taking enhancers should discuss the advantages and disadvantages with a doctor. Also, athletes should check with their sports organization to make sure that enhancers are allowed.
Some athletes use diuretics to adjust their weight. By helping the body to shed water weight, diuretics allow athletes like wrestlers to compete in a lower weight class. Diuretics carry the risk of causing dehydration, which may produce muscle cramps, dizziness and exhaustion. Severe side effects may include potassium deficiency, heart arrhythmias and drops in blood pressure.
Creatine is naturally produced to help muscles release energy. By helping the muscles to make more adenosine triphosphate, creatine helps athletes who need short bursts of power, like weightlifters or sprinters. Creatine also helps to build muscle mass and to improve post-workout recovery. Side effects may include stomach and muscle cramps, nausea, diarrhea and weight gain, and extremely high doses may damage the liver or kidneys.
Stimulants are taken to enhance athleticism. By increasing blood pressure and heart rate, and by stimulating the brain and nerves, stimulants increase alertness, reduce fatigue, suppress appetite and improve endurance. Overdoses, however, may cause heart palpitations and other cardiovascular problems and milder problems like insomnia and nervousness.
Chromium picolinate stimulates insulin activity within the body. Increased insulin activity helps with the breakdown of glucose and fats, which helps to keep the body leaner. Although research has not yet proven this claim, athletes believe that chromium picolinate may enhance protein synthesis to stimulate muscle growth. Side effects may include hypoglycemia as well as kidney and liver damage.
Very little research has been done to determine the long-term consequences of using performance supplements. Athletes who are considering taking enhancers should discuss the advantages and disadvantages with a doctor. Also, athletes should check with their sports organization to make sure that enhancers are allowed.
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