Choosing the Right Protein Supplement for Your Body's Needs

Protein is an essential macro nutrient in your diet and the central building block of all human muscle fibers. It's highly important to supplement your diet with high quality protein supplements, especially when engaged in heavy training or conditioning, as the extra protein helps to rebuild the muscles you're breaking down and straining in the gym. Most protein supplements are whey based, which is an ingredient derived from milk and dairy. Some people can't tolerate dairy products, or prefer not to, and so soy and other vegetable-based protein alternatives exist on the market.  Due to the carbohydrate content, sometimes a gluten sensitivity must be considered when reviewing protein ingredients as well.

Protein Supplements

All Supzilla stores carry a broad range of premium protein supplements and powders, including our famous bulk scoops by the pound. Which one you choose to consume depends heavily on your body type and current fitness goals. Part of the Supzilla promise is the custom advice you'll get from our fitness and nutrition experts here in the store about what supplements you should be taking to reach your goals. We thought we would share some insights on protein supplements from our store pros for easy reference.

Protein Isolates

Protein Isolates are highly concentrated servings of quality whey protein that contain more grams of protein with less carbohydrates, lactose, and fat content. Isolates are fast-absorbing and ideal for post-workout refueling. Rapid digestion means generating free amino acids more rapidly when your body truly needs it. While protein isolates are absorbed and digested more quickly, the protein molecules and amino acids are also quickly spent, making isolates a short term solution for protein supplementation. Our pros often recommend Rule1 brand proteins due to the clean formula, high quality of ingredients, and variety of blends and uses. 

Casein Protein

Casein on the other hand, digests much more slowly in the body. Casein is the most abundant protein in milk and forms a gelatinous structure when broken down in the stomach, hence the slow absorption and depletion. We recommend casein protein supplements for meal replacement shakes and pre-bedtime snacks, as the nutrients stay with you longer and satisfy the body's need for raw building blocks longer than isolates.

Protein Blends

Of course, the most common approach to quality protein supplementation is a healthy blend of pure protein isolates with slow digesting casein. A healthy blended protein will offer the best of both worlds, with fast absorbing isolates for immediate digestion and other slow-moving casein proteins to last for a few hours after consumption.

Interested in getting some high quality protein to help build strong muscles?

Stop in to your local Supzilla store and talk to one of our fitness pros about the product that's right for you and your fitness goals.

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Creating a Starter Supplement Stack for Her

It’s time to acknowledge the ladies of Supzilla Nation out there actively working toward new levels of health and fitness! We see you working on being the best you possible, and here’s a high five. Now let’s talk about your supplement stack.

You’ve started exercising or eating healthy and you’re doing well, but you want to take your fitness to the next level. The only problem is you don’t know where to start! Don’t worry you’re not alone. Getting started with the right supplements can be a little overwhelming with so many brands and types on the market. Instead of focusing on a specific brand, let’s break it down into categories. We carry high quality fitness and nutritional supplements in a variety of price ranges, and sometimes a choice simply comes down to preference. Here are the top things you will want to include in your beginner stack.

Beginner Supplement Stack for Her

BCAAs

Branched Chain Amino Acids are a great addition to any healthy lifestyle and fitness regimen. They help with protein synthesis, or the creation of muscle. BCAA’s can also help regulate blood sugar levels and can be taken throughout the day. There are many flavors and brands to select, from watermelon to sour apple and unflavored options.

Protein

Many people simply do not get enough protein in their diet, so supplemental protein powder or a ready to drink protein shake is a great way to ensure your body is getting the fuel it needs to build muscle. Many women opt for protein powders with low carbs and fats, with about 120-160 calories per serving. A great way to find a protein flavor and brand you like is to try a sample serving. Many companies sell small serving size sample packs. Don’t forget we also offer Ohio made all natural protein by the scoop in all our stores!

Multivitamin

Including a multivitamin in your diet is essential because many times we don’t get enough nutrients from our foods and supplementing can help make up for shortcomings. Look for a multivitamin pack. These packs contain more potency in the vitamins, a multivitamin capsule or tablet can only pack in so many ingredients, and a multipack is able to deliver more than a single pill.

These three supplements are great fundamentals for any stack. You can always build upon this by adding supplements for energy, increased metabolism, or endurance. Something to keep in mind is supplements are just that; supplemental. They should not replace a healthy diet and exercise, but rather support these efforts by filling in the gaps in your nutrition. They may help you achieve your goals, but there is no magic pill for a healthy lifestyle.

Any of our knowledgeable store associates can help you build a supplement stack and choose products that are right for your needs and goals. Come in to get started and take your health to the next level!

Find a location near you and come grab a scoop!

Creating your First Supplement Stack: For Him

Alright Supzilla Nation, are you looking for the best supplement stack for your first foray into nutritional and fitness supplements? For the guys out there looking to see some amazing results, we’ve put together a beginner stack to get you started.

When choosing supplements, it’s best to go with products that are backed by proper science and research. We only carry the best brands on the market, all of whom offer top of the line nutritional products that have stood up to rigorous testing.

Folks that are new to fitness often cling to supplements as a shortcut, but keep in mind that supplements are intended to be supplemental. Training and nutrition should be the primary focus to meet your goals with healthy nutritional and training supplements deployed to help push you that extra mile toward results.  As long as you’ve got a solid plan for training and diet, we’ve got the perfect supplement stack to help you reach your goals.

SUPPLEMENTS FOR BEGINNERS

PROTEIN

When people talk about supplements for fitness training, they’re mainly talking about protein. It’s the king, and for good reason. Protein is a key supplement to add to your supplement stack, as it’s the primary building block for generating healthy new muscle tissue after you’ve broken it down in the gym. Protein comes in a variety of forms and flavors, based on either whey or soy, and generally produces the following results;

• Filling in the protein macronutrients missing from the average diet

• Refueling your muscles with the building blocks for increased size and strength

• Aiding in fat loss as the body converts protein nutrients into muscle fibers

When choosing a protein supplement there are many options to consider. Whey protein is rapidly digested and can help repair your body quicker. Another protein option is casein, this type of protein is slow digesting and makes for a good snack or meal replacement because it will keep you full longer. Research shows drinking protein before exercising is more beneficial than afterward. Consider drinking a fast digesting protein before your workout. Although protein is great if you’re on the go and need a quick food source, it should not replace all of your protein sources from food.

Supzilla offers a wide variety of protein products as well as our “by the scoop” model, allowing you to come grab a scoop of your favorite flavor as you need it.

GREENS

If you’re like most people, your diet is sorely lacking in quality fruits and vegetables, which means you’re missing out on key vitamins that are essential to health and recovery. A greens supplement is a great way to fill in the gap for any missing nutrients. It won’t replace fruits and vegetables in your diet but if you’re not getting enough, green supplements can help.

FISH OILS

Fish oil is one of the most universal super-supplements on the market.  Fish oils have many health and wellness benefits including an anti-inflammatory effect that can replace your need for pain relief. Fish oil can help with cardiovascular health, arthritis, skin problems, and joint pain by giving your body an extra dose of Omega 3 fatty acids.  Studies have shown fish oil to help with weight loss, fertility, pregnancy, increasing energy levels, and improved memory and cognitive function. You will want to find a quality fish oil with a combination of EPA and DHA. Our supplement associates at Supzilla will help your find the right product for you.

CARB SUPPLEMENTS

A fast digesting simple carbohydrate source can be consumed before, during, and/or directly after your exercise and helps with protein synthesis by replacing glycogen stores that were used during your workout. Taking a carbohydrate supplement before and after working out will help build muscle, restore energy, and help with a faster recovery. There are carbohydrate powders and supplement drinks available for those training who need carbs to restore energy and build muscle mass. 

Obviously our Supzilla stores carry a whole range of supplementation products designed to achieve performance results inside and outside of the gym, however this list gives the guys out there a place to start.

These supplements will help you get more out of your training program, including increased energy, better recovery, muscle strength and growth, and improvements in overall health. Supplements can help improve all the effort you are putting into your health and wellness by giving you that added edge.

Stop into any of our Supzilla stores and ask one of our associates to help you create a supplement stack to crush your goals and fuel your transformation!

Come get a scoop!