Supplement Cycling
If you can’t remember the last time you went a day without caffeine, or have ever wondered if you should take a break from muscle supplements and legal steroids, you’re certainly not the only one.
While there are plenty of sports nutrition supplements that you can take every day, all year-round, others require a little more strategy. ‘Cycling’ these supplements—taking them for specific periods of time and then not taking them for specific periods—can benefit your health and actually help you reach your fitness goals more effectively.
What’s supplement cycling?—and how do you cycle them, exactly?
Protein, branched-chain amino acids, and glutamine can (and should!) all remain a steady part of your routine.
Protein helps us build muscle and keep cells and organs functioning properly, so consistency is key. White recommends including 20 to 30 grams of protein in each meal and snack. For powder supplements, he likes whey protein because it’s quick and easy for our body to digest, and contains amino acids in amounts that closely reflect our body’s needs for recovery and growth.
Branched-chain amino acids, or BCAAs, can be found in protein supplements. Many training junkies supplement them separately, too. These three amino acids, which include leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Particularly important for preserving and building muscle mass. (Most supps contain a 2:1:1 ratio of leucine to isoleucine and valine.) Experts often recommend between five and 10 grams both before and after exercise.