If you’re involved in sports, athletics, or any other form of physical activity, your body will obviously be placed under a great deal of stress, and as a result, it will need to repair and recover before you put it through it all over again. The words “baseball” and “supplements” generally do not resonate too well with one another, what with the semi-recent steroid scandal plaguing major league baseball, and baseball played in other parts of the world for that matter. You’ll be pleased to know however, that times have progressed hugely since then, and nowadays, when we talk about supplements and baseball, we are instead referring to sports supplements developed by reputable supplement companies. The supplement industry is currently thriving and generates billions upon billions in revenue every single financial year. Although it is the bodybuilding community that is perhaps best associated with health and sports supplements, many, many, many other disciplines can also benefit hugely from adequate supplementation, including baseball. Baseball players are highly competitive athletes, and they put their bodies through a lot, not only in practice and out on the playing field, but also in the gym as well. Their bodies are how they earn a living, so keeping them in the best possible condition is essential, which again, is why supplements are so beneficial. Here’s a look at 8 of the top supplements for baseball players.
Whey protein
To begin with, we’ll start with the most obvious, and some would say, the most popular supplement used in the baseball world, which is none other than whey protein. Protein is vital for the correct function of our muscles, plus, thanks to protein synthesis, it is also responsible for the growth and repair of our muscles as well. Every single time we move our bodies, we are using our muscles in one way or another, and as a result, we are placing stress upon them. Baseball players however, not only have to work their butts off in the gym, but they also work incredibly hard during training, and of course, during competitive games as well. This training and this activity can be very strenuous and can place a lot of stress upon the muscles, which in turn can cause them to become sore, damaged, and broken down. The muscles need to grow and recover so that they can function correctly the next day, and because of that, they need vital amino acids and proteins, which the whey protein provides. This in turn helps prevent DOMS, it speeds up recovery, it increases muscle mass, and it can help generate more explosive power as well, which, from a baseball perspective, is ideal.
Glucosamine
Glucosamine is a joint-supporting supplement that is crystalline and is found naturally within a large percentage of our connective tissue. When it is synthesized, it becomes available in supplement form, where it can then get to work on helping to protect and strengthen joints in the body. This naturally occurring nutrient makes up a major component of bone and muscle cartilage, which is the spongy tissue surrounding the joints that is responsible for cushioning the joints and for absorbing the impact that our joints take. When running for example, with each step, joints, particularly those in the knees, absorb a lot of impact thanks to the cartilage, which helps to protect them. Baseball players often experience knee pain and knee injuries, including torn ACLs, which can potentially sideline them for months, or even end their careers altogether. Glucosamine helps to protect all joints in the body, including the knees, and in the shoulders, particularly the rotator cuff, which again, due to the powerful swinging movement required by batters, and pitchers, is also often damaged and placed at risk.
Creatine
Creatine is a naturally occurring amino acid that is found in foods such as red meat and fish, as well as within the human body as well. We can produce creatine, but unfortunately we can’t produce enough to be able to provide benefits from an athletic standpoint. In the supplement industry, creatine is the second most-popular supplement currently being sold, second only to whey protein. Creatine is beneficial for baseball players, and indeed, various other athletes, due to the fact that it plays a key role in the formation of Adenosine Tri-Phosphate, also known as ATP. ATP is a fuel source for the muscles that helps them to generate more power, to produce more powerful contractions, and to ensure that they hold off fatigue, lactic acid, and other by-products associated with exercise and physical exertion. This is beneficial because creatine helps generate energy and power, both of which are critical components of any baseball player’s overall game plan. There are many forms of creatine currently on the market, though 5g of regular creatine monohydrate per day, is generally thought to be more than sufficient enough in providing plenty of energy for the body.
Multi-vitamins
Multi-vitamins are fantastic supplements because they are not expensive, they’re not fancy or overly complicated, and they have been proven to be incredibly beneficial. As you can probably ascertain, multi-vitamins are supplements made up of several different forms of vitamin, and are often enriched with added minerals. Multi-vitamins provide numerous benefits, including being able to: boost the immune system, improve vision, enhance mental focus, boost metabolism, and improve organ health and function. A multi-vitamin supplement won’t suddenly turn a regular baseball player into Babe Ruth, but it will keep him fit and healthy, and help him keep his body in the best possible shape it can be in, which will help to improve his overall game anyways.
Carbohydrate supplements
Carbohydrate supplements such as waxy maize starch, are also beneficial for baseball players, and other forms of athlete for that matter, for several reasons. to begin with carbohydrates play a critical role in post-workout rest and recovery, which will help ensure that baseball players are able to rest up and heal up quickly before a big game the next day. These carbs not only assist with recovery, they can also be used as a source of energy as well, and they will function incredibly well as a result. A carbohydrate supplement is basically like fuelling up your car before a long journey, except the fuel is the carbs, and the journey is the physical exercise. The more energy you have, the harder you will work, the faster you will be, the stronger you will be, and the better you will feel as a result. Ideally you should consume carbohydrate supplements pre, intra, and post-workout/training, as that way, at the end, you can also replenish lost glycogen stores, and can help initiate protein synthesis.
Glutamine
Glutamine is a form of amino acid that has been found to play a vital role in muscle repair and recovery following physical exertion. After intense training sessions, or particularly gruelling games, glutamine is absolutely ideal because it can prevent muscle wastage and breakdown, and can have the opposite effect, helping the muscles to repair themselves and to function as they are intended to function. Studies have also found that glutamine can boost the immune system, helping to keep you fighting fit and healthy in general, plus it can also lead to a slight increase in HGH levels, which will also help promote increased athletic ability and an increase in muscle strength and size.
BCAAs
BCAAs, or Branch Chain Amino Acids, are essential amino acids that are extremely beneficial for the body, making them very popular amongst bodybuilders and athletes in general. BCAAs get their name because of their molecular structure, which looks like tree branches under a microscope. They are made up of three amino acids: leucine, valine, and isoleucine, and they are very easy to consume. They are beneficial because, as essential amino acids, the body needs them in order to function efficiently. They promote protein synthesis, they assist with post-workout recovery and repair, and they can even help to boost the metabolism, which leads to an increase in energy levels.
Super greens
Again, these aren’t supplements designed to enhance any one aspect of your baseball game, but rather, they are supplements designed to help improve your health, fitness, and well-being in general, which in turn, should help you to become a better baseball player and to help keep you performing optimally whilst on the field. Super greens are often powdered greens supplements containing blended powders of super green foods, including ingredients such as: kale, spinach, broccoli, alfalfa sprouts, wheatgrass, spirulina, and more besides. These foods are incredibly nutrient dense, meaning that you get huge doses of vitamins, of minerals, of antioxidants, of amino acids, and much more besides. All parts of your body will benefit as a result, making these supplements incredibly beneficial for health and well-being.
