Supplements

[Rob C]

What supplements, if any, are people using?

For longer rides I'm on PSP with a Nuun tablet added for good measure. Depending on how long I've gone for and what I've done I also use a boots own brand protein/recovery drink post ride or workout. I've used Rego in the past but read that it didn't have enough protein in it and I think that protein is something that I'm lacking.

[Andrew G]

PSP22. I tend not to bother with recovery drinks for normal rides unless they are very long ones but I sometimes use REGO after races, particularly after a TT on Saturday if I'm doing another on the Sunday.

[huw williams]

Here's the word on protein

I noticed it making up an increasingly greater percentage of a range of energy drinks lately when doing research for an upcoming sports drinks feature in Cycling Weekly. There's plenty of research into the benefits out there, this is from a recent issue of Peak Performance:

[color=#0000FF]Compared to the extensive research on carbohydrate beverages, there are relatively few studies examining the effects of adding protein to sports beverages. However, there is growing evidence that protein may be a worthwhile ingredient in the sports drinks of endurance athletes.At least three studies have been published in the past few years reporting that the consumption of carbohydrate-protein sports drinks improves cycling endurance. Researchers from the University of Texas examined cycling performance during three hours of varied-intensity cycling, intended to simulate competitive cycling conditions. Following this period, the athletes rode to exhaustion at a standardised intensity. The study participants rode significantly longer (26.9min) when receiving a carbohydrate-protein beverage, than when receiving carbohydrate-only (19.7min), with both sports beverages significantly outperforming a placebo beverage.Similarly, our Human Performance Laboratory (James Madison University, US) examined time-to-exhaustion performance in cyclists while consuming sports beverages(3). A group of male cyclists rode 29% longer when consuming a carbohydrate-protein beverage compared to a carbohydrate-only drink.[/color]

So in practical terms, get yourself along to Holland and Barrett or the weight lifting shop in Croydon, buy a huge tub of Whey Protein Isolate and stick a scoop in your bottle every time you go out.
Apart from performance benefits there are also health benefits from eating a little extra protein.

'Complete' protein - the kind you find in animal limbs, fish, poultry, eggs and stuff... contains each of the nine essential amino acids which supports your immune system amongst other important functions. 'Incomplete' protein, which you find in nuts, seeds and grains has one or more of these missing (vegetarians should be aware of this and use supplements).

Incomplete plant proteins can be combined to make 'complete' proteins though, rice and peas being a good example. Do not put rice and peas in your bottle!

[-Adam-]

I'm getting a shipment from Belgium shortly

[Robh]

[quote="-Adam-"]I'm getting a shipment from Belgium shortly

[huw williams]

I think Steve Broomfield has a good on-line supplier which might do cheap protein products

[quote="Robh"][quote="-Adam-"]I'm getting a shipment from Belgium shortly

[kieran]

[quote="huw williams"]Here's the word on protein

'Complete' protein - the kind you find in animal limbs, fish, poultry, eggs and stuff... contains each of the nine essential amino acids which supports your immune system amongst other important functions. 'Incomplete' protein, which you find in nuts, seeds and grains has one or more of these missing (vegetarians should be aware of this and use supplements).

Incomplete plant proteins can be combined to make 'complete' proteins though, rice and peas being a good example. Do not put rice and peas in your bottle!

[huw williams]

I do too - when I can remember to get it. An excellent addition to salads and roast veg dishes

[Paul H]

I use Wey Protein especially when I want to lose weight. Im not keen on using them all the time as they contain loads of artificial sweetners.

[George]

Yes I've tried Whey protein but unfortunately it gives me terrible flatulence, it does help but you don't get something for nothing in this World

[Grahame]

Energy drinks....

Recovery drinks...

"Magic" weight loss powders and protein mixes...

Createne...

Testosterone...

Cera...

It's a slippery slope I thell you. Where do legal supplements end and doping products start?

[Paul H]

[quote]Yes I've tried Whey protein but unfortunately it gives me terrible flatulence,

[Snoop Doug]

[quote="George"]Yes I've tried Whey protein but unfortunately it gives me terrible flatulence, it does help but you don't get something for nothing in this World

[Jon H]

[quote="-Adam-"]I'm getting a shipment from Belgium shortly