• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Workout Supplements for Women

January 25, 2011 by ds_77039 Leave a Comment

Regular aerobic and strength training exercise can help you gain muscle, lose fat, tone your body and feel more energized throughout the day. If you walk down the supplement aisle at the grocery store, you’re likely to see a seemingly endless variety of products for nearly any fitness goal. While such supplements are legal, they may not always work and may not be safe. Keep in mind that supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and talk to your doctor before starting supplementation.

Protein

The amino acids in protein are the building blocks of new muscle. While most women shy away from the idea of bulking up, adding muscle can actually make you appear slimmer while boosting your metabolism. Most adults get plenty of protein through diet alone, but protein supplements offer a quick and convenient way to up your intake on the go. Talk to your doctor about your individual protein requirements, as any excess protein you consume will be stored as fat in your body.

Caffeine

That cup of coffee you down in the morning before dropping the kids off at school may also help you in the gym. According to the American Council on Exercise, a 400 to 600 mg dose of caffeine before you hit the gym can improve endurance and reduce fatigue during your workout. Even though caffeine may seem harmless, toxicity can occur and may cause serious side effects.

B Vitamins

Each of the eight B vitamins are water soluble, meaning that your body is unable to store them. The B vitamin complex helps convert carbohydrates to energy in the body while helping metabolize fat and protein. A deficiency in vitamin B12 may cause fatigue, and pregnant women are at greater risk of a B9 deficiency that may cause birth defects. Talk to your doctor to see if B vitamin supplementation may help boost your energy during workouts.

Glutamine

Glutamine, the most common amino acid in the body, may become depleted after intense physical stress, such as after a rigorous weightlifting session. While results of clinical studies have been mixed, women looking to gain muscle may benefit from glutamine supplementation. If you participate in endurance events such as long-distance running, glutamine may help reduce your risk of infections, like cold and flu, after athletic events.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Living Healthy

About ds_77039

Lydia Stephens began writing professionally in 2009. She has written online for eHow, Garden Guides, SheKnows.com, ModernMom, YellowPages and LIVESTRONG.COM and has been published in "Stringing Magazine" and "Xiamen Wave." Stephens played competitive soccer for 19 years, has been weight lifting since 2007 and enjoys running. She has a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from the University of Texas.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search

ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

spot a child molester

The Stranger You Know: How to Spot a Child Molester’s Tricks

Do you think you would be able to tell if a sexual predator … [Read More...] about The Stranger You Know: How to Spot a Child Molester’s Tricks

Must Have

ToniBox

Meet Toniebox – A Loveable Storytime Friend For Your Kids

If you are looking for something to occupy your children … [Read More...] about Meet Toniebox – A Loveable Storytime Friend For Your Kids

Did you know?

Signs You're Having a Miscarriage

Signs You’re Having a Miscarriage

Baby Hair Growth

Baby Hair Growth

How to Ask a Guy You Are Seeing Where You Stand

How to Ask a Guy You Are Seeing Where You Stand

Signs of Gestational Diabetes

Pregnancy & Signs of Gestational Diabetes

Emotional Development of Adolescents

Calories Burned Sitting in a Steam Sauna

The Calories Burned Sitting in a Steam Sauna for 15 Minutes

When to Take a Toddler to the Emergency Room With a Fever

When to Take a Toddler to the Emergency Room With a Fever

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2021 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.