What’s in my Sports Nutrition Supplements?

Confused by the information overload out there? Don’t know your L-Tyrosine from your L-Carnitine? Or unsure what ingredients to look out for when building the perfect stack for your goals?

Check out our handy A-Z directory to de-code those labels and get to grips with the science that will unlock your potential.

Need to know more? Get in touch for personalised planning…

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The supplements world has come a long way and today the industry is full of incredible products backed by progressive, cutting edge science, but we understand it can be hard to make sense of ingredient labels.

So if you are having trouble deciphering the contents of your supps use our handy quick reference guide to look up the most-used compounds and get a snapshot of common uses.

(This table isn’t exhaustive and it’s important that you fully understand any supplement before you decide to start incorporating it into your plans. If you are in any doubt about whether a particular ingredient is safe or suitable for you we advise you to consult your doctor before consumption)

Ingredient Use Benefits
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) Energy production, antioxidant Improves glucose metabolism, boosts antioxidant levels
Ashwagandha Stress reduction, cognitive function Adaptogen that reduces stress and anxiety, may improve memory and focus
Astragalus Immune function, fatigue Enhances immune system, reduces fatigue, promotes longevity
Beta-Carotene Antioxidant, eye health Converted to vitamin A, protects cells from damage, supports eye health
Biotin Hair, skin, and nail health Promotes healthy hair, skin, and nails, improves metabolism
Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) Muscle growth, recovery Stimulates muscle protein synthesis, reduces soreness
Broccolini Extract Detoxification, cancer prevention Contains sulforaphane, promotes detoxification, may have anti-cancer properties
Caffeine Energy boost, focus Improves alertness, enhances fat burning
Calcium Bone health, muscle function Supports strong bones, aids muscle contraction
Capsaicin Thermogenesis, metabolism Increases calorie burning, may suppress appetite
Chromium Blood sugar control Improves insulin sensitivity, regulates blood sugar
Citrulline Malate Muscle performance, blood flow Enhances nitric oxide production, improves blood flow, reduces fatigue
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) Energy production, antioxidant Supports cellular energy production, protects cells from damage
Collagen Joint health, skin health Supports cartilage repair, reduces joint pain, improves skin elasticity
Creatine Muscle strength, power Increases muscle creatine stores, improves workout performance
Curcumin Inflammation, pain relief Powerful anti-inflammatory compound, reduces pain and inflammation
DHEA Hormone balance, energy Precursor to various hormones, may improve energy levels and mood
Electrolytes Hydration, muscle function Replenishes electrolytes lost during exercise, prevents cramps
Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) Skin health, hormonal balance Supports skin health, may ease PMS symptoms
Fiber Digestion, heart health Promotes gut health, regulates digestion, lowers cholesterol
Fish Oil Heart health, brain function Provides omega-3 fatty acids, reduces inflammation, supports cognitive function
Folic Acid Cell growth, fetal development Important for cell growth and DNA synthesis, crucial for pregnant women
Garlic Immune system, circulation Supports immune function, reduces blood pressure, improves circulation
Ginkgo Biloba Memory, circulation May improve cognitive function, enhance blood flow
Glucosamine Joint health Reduces joint pain and inflammation, supports cartilage repair
Green Tea Extract Fat burning, metabolism Increases thermogenesis, boosts metabolism
Iron Red blood cell production, energy Prevents anaemia, promotes oxygen delivery
L-Arginine Nitric oxide production, blood flow Promotes blood flow, may improve performance
L-Carnitine Fat burning, energy transport Enhances fat transport for energy, may improve exercise performance
L-Glutamine Muscle recovery, gut health Supports muscle repair, strengthens gut barrier
L-Theanine Relaxation, focus Promotes relaxation, reduces anxiety, improves cognitive function
L-Tyrosine Stress response, cognitive function Supports stress management, may improve focus and alertness
Lycopene Antioxidant, prostate health Powerful antioxidant, may protect against prostate cancer
Maca Energy, stamina, libido Adaptogen that may boost energy and stamina, potentially improve libido
Magnesium Muscle function, relaxation Supports muscle relaxation, aids sleep, regulates blood pressure
Magnesium Citrate Muscle function, relaxation Highly absorbable form of magnesium, supports muscle function and relaxation
Manganese Bone health, metabolism Supports bone health, regulates enzyme function, involved in metabolism
MCT Oil Fat burning, energy source Provides quick-burning energy source, may support weight management
Melatonin Sleep, circadian rhythm Regulates sleep-wake cycle, improves sleep quality
Multi Enzyme Complexes Digestion, nutrient absorption Aids in digestion of various nutrients, may improve nutrient absorption
Niacin (Vitamin B3) Cholesterol control, energy Lowers bad cholesterol, boosts energy levels
Peppermint Extract Digestion, nausea Soothes intestinal discomfort, relieves nausea and indigestion
Potassium Fluid balance, muscle function Maintains electrolyte balance, supports muscle function
Prebiotics Gut health, digestion Promote growth of beneficial gut bacteria, improve digestion and immune function
Probiotics Gut health, immunity Supplement beneficial gut bacteria, improve digestion and immune function
Protein Powder Muscle building, recovery Provides protein for muscle growth and repair, supports satiety
Pycnogenol Antioxidant, circulation Powerful antioxidant, improves circulation, may have anti-inflammatory benefits
Quercetin Inflammation, immunity Reduces inflammation, supports immune function
Raspberry Ketones Fat burning, metabolism Proposed to boost metabolism and fat burning, limited research
Resveratrol Antioxidant, longevity Powerful antioxidant, promotes cellular health, may have anti-aging benefits
Rhodiola Rosea Stress reduction, energy Adaptogen that reduces stress and fatigue, may improve energy levels
Salt (Sodium Chloride) Hydration, electrolyte balance Maintains electrolyte balance, crucial for hydration
Saw Palmetto Prostate health May improve prostate health in men, reduce urinary symptoms
Selenium Antioxidant, thyroid function Important antioxidant, supports thyroid function
Spirulina Nutrient source, detoxification Rich in various nutrients, may support detoxification, boost immune system
St. John’s Wort Depression, mood Herbal remedy for mild to moderate depression, may improve mood
Taurine Muscle function, hydration Supports muscle function, regulates electrolytes, aids hydration
Turmeric Inflammation, pain relief Powerful anti-inflammatory compound, reduces pain, supports joint health
Vitamin A Vision, immune function Supports healthy vision, strengthens immune system
Vitamin B12 Energy production, nervous system Essential for energy production, maintains healthy nerve function
Vitamin C Immune function, antioxidant Boosts immune system, protects cells from damage
Vitamin D Bone health, immune function Supports bone health, strengthens immunity
Vitamin E Antioxidant, skin health Protects cells from damage, supports skin health
Vitamin K Blood clotting, bone health Essential for blood clotting, contributes to bone health
Watermelon Seed Extract L-citrulline source, nitric oxide Provides L-citrulline, which may improve blood flow and performance
Whey Protein Muscle building, recovery Highly digestible protein source for muscle growth and repair
Xanthine Complex Energy, performance Contains caffeine and other stimulants, may improve energy and focus
Zinc Immune function, metabolism Supports immune system, regulates metabolism