Unlock Your Endurance Potential: Proven Supplements for Performance Boosts
When it comes to endurance sports every small edge counts, from the way we train to the way we fuel. But beyond your typical carb-loading and electrolyte strategies, there’s a growing body of research pointing towards certain supplements that can significantly enhance endurance performance.
Over the next few weeks, I'll be diving into five scientifically-backed supplements in a brand-new podcast series. Each episode will explore how these natural boosters work, the research behind them and how you might integrate them into your own training and racing. Here’s a quick look at the stars of the show:
1. Blackcurrants
Packed with powerful anthocyanins, New Zealand blackcurrants have been shown to increase blood flow, improve fat oxidation and enhance recovery. Studies suggest endurance athletes can experience improvements in performance times and reduced fatigue after just a few weeks of supplementation.
2. Pine Bark Extract
Derived from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, this supplement is rich in antioxidants and has been linked to improved circulation, reduced oxidative stress and better endurance capacity. Athletes taking pine bark extract have reported greater time to exhaustion and enhanced recovery.
3. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
CoQ10 plays a critical role in mitochondrial energy production - the powerhouse of every endurance athlete's engine. Supplementing with CoQ10 can support higher energy output, reduce exercise-induced fatigue and improve overall performance, particularly in longer, more demanding sessions.
4. Beta-Alanine
If you've ever felt that deep muscle burn during a hard effort, beta-alanine could be your new best friend. It helps buffer acid build-up in muscles, delaying the onset of fatigue and allowing you to push harder for longer. Its benefits are particularly noticeable during high-intensity bursts within longer races.
5. Creatine
Often associated with strength and power athletes, creatine also offers surprising benefits for endurance athletes. By improving short-term energy availability and aiding recovery between bouts of intense work, creatine can enhance overall training quality and long-term endurance capacity.
These aren't just fads - they’re supplements with real scientific backing and practical, noticeable effects.
In the upcoming podcast series, we’ll be looking at:
The key studies and what they actually tell us
How much to take (and when)
Who stands to benefit the most
Practical tips for endurance athletes
Whether you’re chasing a marathon PB, lining up for your first IRONMAN, or simply want to get more out of your training, this series will help you unlock your potential, naturally.
Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss the first episode!