One thing all athletes agree about is that injuries are a common occurrence. Muscle injuries, in particular, are more prevalent, but they are mostly minor. However, how one deals with muscle injury makes the real difference. Muscle injuries vary in degree, and they all follow different treatment routines. Muscle repair supplements are mostly used for recovery after workouts to increase muscle mass. They also contain special ingredients that can target various muscle groups to treat tears causing injuries. Here is more information about the best muscle repair supplements after injury.
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What Causes Muscle Injury?
Muscle injury occurs when more pressure is applied when lifting heavy objects, especially among weightlifters, sportspeople and athletes. Any muscle is subject to tearing, but the most affected ones are the calf, rotator cuff muscles, hamstrings and quadriceps. Muscle injuries can be mild, moderate or severe, depending on the level of muscle damage.
Basic Muscle Repair Supplements
Basic muscle repair supplements are available in food and are the main ingredients in recovery supplements. Some of the common supplements available in food include;
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Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)
BCAAs amino acids speed up muscle repair after injuries or heavy lifting. When these muscles tear, the branched-chain amino acids are responsible for repairing these tears to form new muscle tissue. These amino acids also reduce muscle soreness to reduce protein breakdown.
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Creatine
Muscles use glycogen as an energy source for better functionality. Injured or fatigued muscles result from depleted glycogen in the muscles. Therefore, the amount of glycogen in a muscle determines how an individual performs. Creatine is a great supplement for stimulating and increasing muscle glycogen storage. As a result, it can help prevent further muscle injury in the recovery process. Although the body produces creatine, the quantity is insufficient to increase muscle contraction for bodybuilding. Creating can be used on its own or with protein powder.
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Whey Protein Powder
Whey protein powder is a reliable muscle repair supplement that contains nine essential amino acids. These amino acids explain why this protein powder is preferable for pre-and post-workout routines. Besides, it has shown its effectiveness in muscle recovery, especially after heavy workouts. Therefore, any injuries suffered during workouts can benefit from using whey protein powder. Whey also maximises absorption of the muscle recovery supplement to increase muscle mass quickly.
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Electrolytes
Electrolytes are the minerals that allow the body to stay hydrated and perform optimally. Muscle injury or fatigue causes cramping from lactic acid build-up. Therefore, taking muscle recovery supplements with electrolytes helps flush out the lactic acid causing muscle soreness. Although hydration also helps with muscle cramping, minerals too are essential. Increasing sodium, calcium, magnesium, and potassium intake ensure muscles can function properly.
Best Supplements for Muscle Repair
PREPD Recover Powder
PREPD Recover Powder combines a unique formulation of electrolytes and resistant starch for improved hydration in sports performance. This supplement is hypotonic and easily replaces fluids and salts after workouts and sports. The PREPD Recovery Powder also contains whey protein isolate and branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) to boost muscle repair. It comes in two flavours, chocolate and vanilla.
The PREPD Recover Powder chocolate has 23.4 grams of protein, 416 mg sodium, 452 mg potassium and 180 calories per serving. The PREPD Recover Powder vanilla contains 22.2 grams of protein, 454 mg sodium, 238 mg potassium, and 163 calories per serving. Therefore, athletes and weightlifters can choose one based on their recovery needs.
Transparent Labs Creatine HMB
The Transparent Labs Creatine HMB is a muscle repair supplement with higher creatine monohydrate and beta-hydroxyl-beta-methyl butyrate contents. It helps repair torn muscles by increasing muscle mass to replace lost glycogen. This supplement is available in fruit punch flavours and unflavoured categories. It is perfect for individuals who want to gain muscle strength rapidly after an injury.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder is a well-known protein powder among bodybuilders. It helps with rapid muscle recovery after strenuous workouts and moderate muscle injuries. It contains 24 grams of proteins in each serving, with glutamine, BCAAs and electrolytes.
Vital Protein Collagen Peptides
Vital Protein Collagen Peptides is a supplement that facilitates muscle recovery and repair after injury. It contains collagen peptides, glutamine, and BCAAs that target various muscles to treat minor tears and injuries. It can also improve muscle mass which supplies more glycogen to prevent the muscles from being too worked up.
Many foods naturally contain the necessary minerals and nutrients required for muscle repair. Unfortunately, these foods may not provide sufficient nutrients to treat muscle injury rapidly. All the supplements listed here are safe for use and mostly used by athletes. PREPD Recovery Powder offers more rehydration benefits, a bonus to muscle recovery.
