The Ultimate Summer Supplements Guide
, by Hi-Health, 4 min reading time
, by Hi-Health, 4 min reading time
Is your body ready for summer? Whether you want that summer six pack or a little help beating the heat, we’ve put together a summer supplement guide that will have your whole body beach-ready in no time.
The key to a beach-ready bod is a healthy diet and exercise – no surprise there. But, there are certain supplements that can help increase your ability to reach your goals. To burn fat and build muscle for summer, consider the following nutrients:
PROTEIN
Protein is a macronutrient, meaning your body needs large amounts of it to keep it healthy. As the main building block of muscle, protein helps build muscle and regulate our metabolism. Protein is beneficial for weight loss because it can help control appetite and promote healthy blood sugar. Fast-absorbing protein, like whey, can help build and repair muscle and protect against muscle tissue breakdown during intense workouts.
AMINO ACIDS (BCAAS)
If you want those six pack abs, you need to train hard—but, intense training can take a toll on your body. That’s where amino acids can help. Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) like L-Carnitine and L-Glutamine help increase muscle performance and reduce muscle breakdown—which makes them essential for post-workout recovery, so you can hit the gym just as hard the next time around.
GREEN TEA
Burn baby burn! Green Tea has natural chemicals that provide many benefits including antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.* High in antioxidants, catechins, found in green tea, have been shown to create thermogenesis (heat produced by the body which burns fat) and may prevent cell damage.*
CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID (CLA)
Conjugated Linoleic Acid is a powerful, naturally occurring polyunsaturated fatty acid found in grass fed beef and dairy. It helps to reduce body fat by decreasing the amount of fat your body stores.* It also maintains lean muscle mass by helping the body to efficiently burn calories.*
The summer sun can be harmful to your body and health in a variety of ways. It can deplete important nutrients that help your body function properly and cause damage to your skin. Protect yourself from powerful sunrays with these helpful nutrients.
ELECTROLYTES
Summer heat can cause excessive sweating. When your body doesn’t have enough water to replace what you’ve lost, it can leave your body dehydrated and not functioning properly. Electrolytes can help. Essential electrolytes include Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Magnesium and Phosphorus which all play a role in fluid balance, muscle and neurological functions. A deficiency in electrolytes can greatly hamper your body’s performance.
LYCOPENE
Lycopene is a carotenoid and antioxidant compound that gives tomatoes, grapefruits and other fruits and vegetables their color. Some studies suggest a diet rich in Lycopene may also help protect your skin from sunburn, too.