The BJJ supplements that you can consume are a subject of debate. There are two schools of thought here – the first says that supplements are to be avoided like the plague and that there is no need for anyone to use any kind of supplements, ever. The second school of thought says that supplements are the most useful thing that you can take in, aside from healthy foods.
Well, we believe that the truth is somewhere between. There are supplements that can definitely enhance your strength and your sharpness, but there are also supplements that are not only ineffective but can also cause harm to your body. So, what kinds of supplements should you take as a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner?
Creatine – buy here
Creatine is one of the most well-researched supplements that you can find on the market. Chances are that you have already heard of it – especially if you have had any experience as an athlete. Many people use it and the side-effects of its use are rare. The effect of its use can boil down to your muscles being able to contract harder and for a longer period of time. Long story short – it makes you stronger. And as we all know, strength is one of the most important parameters when it comes to BJJ. It can make the difference between you being able to finish your opponent by choking him out and you being finished yourself by a choke. So, this is one of the most basic supplements that has our seal of approval when it comes to use for BJJ.
Fish oil – buy here
Fish oil is a great supplement because of the fact that it contains Omega 3s. These are essential fats that our body cannot produce on its own. We must ingest them through foods and supplements. To make things worse – most of the foods that we typically eat are very poor in Omega 3 fats. If you wish your joints to be healthy and to perform well and if you wish to reduce the inflammatory processes in your body, then getting fish oil supplements is one of the best things that you can do. It’s a basic supplement that everyone should consume.
Nootropics –Buy here
Everyone that has ever trained BJJ knows that the sport goes very hard on your body. But few people realize that the mind is also important for BJJ. You need to think clearly and quickly if you are to finish your opponent while not getting finished yourself. This is where nootropic supplements come into play. They will help you think clearer and quicker – they work by altering the brain chemistry. Many people use nootropics and swear by their effectiveness. You can try them out and see if they work for you.
Magnesium – Buy Here
This too is a very important supplement for the BJJ practitioners. The best thing about it is that it will promote good sleep and that it will promote muscle relaxation and good sleep. If you’re a BJJ practitioner then you are well aware of how strong your muscles contract during any and every workout session. Well, the opposite is necessary as well. You need to relax your muscles so that they can heal and rest properly. Magnesium does this for you. It’s available in certain foods, but BJJ practitioners need it in great amounts due to the ungodly amount of effort that they expend on the mats. Get magnesium supplements – these are a worthy investment.
Vitamin D3 – buy here
The fact of the matter is that the BJJ mats are not the cleanest place in the world. Different people come and go and not all of them are fully healthy. This is why it’s very important for your immune system to work properly and vitamin D3 is a very helpful supplement that can improve its function. There are many studies that show that the incidence of a disease is far greater if your blood levels of vitamin D3 are low. Add to this the somewhat insanitary BJJ environment and you will have a big chance of getting sick. But if you add the vitamin D3 supplement then you will find out that you are healthier as a result.
In conclusion
So, regardless what your primary philosophy is when it comes to supplements and their use – there is no doubt that BJJ supplements can be very effective and important. Our advice to you is to do a bit of research of your own in order to find out whether taking supplements is the best thing to do for you. Beware though – some supplements are not without their fair share of potential side-effects. We have kept our list to the point and selected only supplements that have a very low incidence of side-effects. It’s your own responsibility to know what you will ingest in your body. We hope that the supplements will help you improve your BJJ game.
Check also:
- Strength Training for jiu jitsu: The Most important lifts
- BJJ Diet: What should you eat to win?
- Strеtсhing techniques in BJJ & the importance of flexibility