Carbohydrate Supplements

Everybody knows you can purchase high end protein supplements to boost recovery and results, but few know about the high end carbohydrate supplements which can dramatically enhance performance, recovery and results. We’ll now take a look at the different types of carbohydrates, why they are important, and how carb supplements can help you to gain far more muscle than you ever have before – period.

Carbohydrates are the nutrient most responsible for providing the body with energy. Our bodies find carbohydrates incredibly easy to turn into usable energy, and will always try to use carbohydrates as energy first, before turning to other nutrients like protein and fat if there is a carbohydrate shortage.

Two main groups of carbohydrates exist: simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates are sugars – like fructose (fruit sugars), dextrose, and the like. Sugar found in sweet foods and the sugar you put in your coffee are simple carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrate make-up is such that they are incredibly easy for our bodies to turn into useable energy. Of course, the flip side is if that energy isn’t burned quickly, it turns into fat. And, simple sugars are high GI (Glycemic Index) so cause an insulin spike when consumed.

There is a right and a wrong time to take simple carbs. At the wrong time they can damage performance, and in the wrong amounts over considerable time, it can be damaging to your health and put fat on you. At the right time, it can help you to build lots of healthy lean muscle mass with no ill effects.

Complex carbohydrates are found in foods such as potatoes, pasta and rice. As they are more complex in nature, hence the name, the body isn’t able to break them down and turn them into energy as quickly as simple carbs. Consequently, they are lower GI so don’t cause an insulin spike, and are much more suited to usage as performance energy and your gradual recovery after a workout or sporting event.

Carbohydrate supplements come in several forms and thus have several uses. Complex carb supplements are best used pre-workout/performance to store up on energy, and are great to take throughout the day after a workout to help gradually replenish carbohydrates without causing insulin spikes. Simple carb supplements are best used post workout only, when causing an insulin spike is desirable, because insulin is the most anabolic hormone in the body, and an insulin spike will literally force-feed your starving muscles post-workout with protein and carbohydrates to ensure recovery starts right away.

Sometimes carbohydrate supplements will include other ingredients – even protein – or may even be sold as whey protein, but is actually more of a carb powder with whey protein added. Be sure to check all ingredients to ensure you are getting what you want, so you will get the results that you want.

Don’t worry about cost. Carbohydrate supplements are extremely cheap but their effectiveness and convenience is equivalent to that of whey protein, and a must for those who want better results.