Some legal Performance Supplements have the potential to improve athletic performance. Athletes who take legal enhancers may find that they gain a competitive advantage. However, even legal substances should be taken with caution and in safe amounts.
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.
The popular supplement creatine is a substance naturally produced by the human body. Creatine helps the muscles to release energy more effectively by causing the muscles to produce higher amounts of adenosine triphosphate. Sprinters and weightlifters may experience more power, and all athletes may benefit from better post-workout recovery and improved muscle mass. Users should also know what creatine side effects include weight gain, diarrhea, nausea and muscle and stomach cramps. High doses may lead to kidney or liver damage.
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 enhances insulin activity. Enhanced insulin function helps to keep the body lean by breaking down more glucose and more fats. Although research has not determined a link, athletes also think that chromium picolinate enhances muscle growth by improving protein synthesis. Hypoglycemia, along with kidney or liver damage, may result from doses that are too high.
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.
The popular supplement creatine is a substance naturally produced by the human body. Creatine helps the muscles to release energy more effectively by causing the muscles to produce higher amounts of adenosine triphosphate. Sprinters and weightlifters may experience more power, and all athletes may benefit from better post-workout recovery and improved muscle mass. Users should also know what creatine side effects include weight gain, diarrhea, nausea and muscle and stomach cramps. High doses may lead to kidney or liver damage.
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 enhances insulin activity. Enhanced insulin function helps to keep the body lean by breaking down more glucose and more fats. Although research has not determined a link, athletes also think that chromium picolinate enhances muscle growth by improving protein synthesis. Hypoglycemia, along with kidney or liver damage, may result from doses that are too high.
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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