Herbs and other medicinal plants are widespread in the sports nutrition industry. Most likely, you, without knowing it, are already taking herbal supplements! Find out which herbs are best suited for specific health and bodybuilding goals.
Herbal supplements are far from the first thing that comes to mind when someone in the gym, on a forum on the Internet or anywhere else starts a conversation on the topic of sports nutrition. There are many more popular supplements: creatine, nitrogen boosters, whey protein, etc. Herbal supplements are rarely mentioned, if at all. In case of the close grip pull ups the right supplements are there.
You may not be aware, but medicinal herbs are considered the oldest dietary supplements. They have been used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes for several millennia. Indeed millennia, this is not a typo. Naturally, herbal supplements were not supplied in capsules and powders and were not sold at retail, but they were the key to saving lives, improving health, and also maintaining the strength of athletes of that time.
Surely you are wondering what kind of herbal supplements you need to consume to get the maximum effect. Of course, as with any sports supplement, it depends on your goals. For weight loss, it is recommended to take some herbs, to preserve youth – others, and to strengthen health others. Let’s try to figure out which herbal supplements are best for you.
Alfalfa
Alfalfa is used as a diuretic, to improve the health of the kidneys, bladder and prostate, the prevention of asthma, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, dyspepsia and thrombocytopenic purpura.
Alfalfa seeds contain the amino acid L-Canavanin. In the process of assimilation in the body, L-canavanin is split into canaline and urea. Canalin reduces the activity of pyridoxine phosphate, a concomitant factor of amino acid metabolism, thereby potentially reducing the activity of amino acid enzymes.
Blueberries
Blueberries are primarily known for their vision benefits, but they also provide many other health benefits. Blueberries are useful in diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, varicose veins, general retinopathy, atherosclerosis, diarrhea and night blindness. The facts even survived in the history that the Air Force pilots during the Second World War took blueberries to sharpen night vision during complex missions.
Gingko Biloba
Do not laugh, Gingko Biloba is useful not only for the elderly! This herbal extract of the gingko tree – the oldest tree known to man – has repeatedly become the object of laboratory research, testing and double “blind” control. It has been established for certain that Gingko Biloba helps to increase the flow of oxygen to the brain and other tissues.
Gingko Biloba is proven to improve mental clarity and short-term memory, increase concentration and mindfulness. For you athletes, this provides better focus and more productive exercise in the gym. Combined with another natural supplement, ginger, Gingko Biloba also helps reduce stress. With the best crossfit pre workout supplements you can have the best deal.
Milk thistle
Milk thistle (milk thistle) is known as an additive to improve liver health. It prevents and reduces the degree of damage to the liver by toxins and chemicals. In addition to improving liver function, milk thistle also helps lower cholesterol and inhibits the growth of cancer cells in the breast and prostate gland.
