Keeping one’s body at peak performance can be a full-time job. Building a routine that incorporates high-quality supplements can be critically helpful in supporting an athlete’s immune system, mental clarity, physical performance, and overall energy levels.
There are many supplements that get pushed my way every month - not only in response to my personal athletic endeavors, but also because I own a sports acupuncture practice with the goal of improving my patient’s health and performance. With that being said, I am very picky and only work with companies that set the bar high. I also only carry products that I personally have tried, used and love.
Below you can find my daily routine, including the supplements I use occasionally and as needed. If you want to learn more about each supplements, you can visit the JADA featured products page (where you’ll also find a few discount codes!)
MORNING ROUTINE:
We all have so much going on every day, it can feel nearly impossible to do any sort of self-care routine in the morning when we’re getting kids out the door, packing food for the day, getting in a workout, feeding the dog, organizing the house and getting ourselves out the door on time! Self-care, supplementation and replenishing our bodies can feel even more daunting when you add a tough workout into the morning routine.
Because we live in a time crunch society, I pile some of my supplements on top of each other for ease and consistency. They each pack a punch and keep me energized and focused after my workouts and during my 15-hour workdays.
1. Shilajit: has been shown to boost mitochondrial (the cell’s powerhouse) function, which improves overall energy levels. It is also rich in fulvic acid which is a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Beyond helping with everyday health, it can increase longevity and slow the aging process (something that, unfortunately, extreme athletics can speed up).
2. DoTERRA Lifelong Vitality Pack: is full of essential nutrients, antioxidants and metabolic benefits that will help increase energy, vitality and overall health. Workouts have an ability to both drain and nourish us; this multivitamin keeps me functioning at the top of my game and helps me from getting sick.
3. Isagenix Probiotic: helps to restore an optimal balance of beneficial gut bacteria so the digestive system is firing on all cylinders and all nutrients ingested can be used for athletic endeavors or stored for future endeavors.
4. Isagenix Protein Shake (with added greens) has 24 grams of high-quality undenatured whey protein, low glycemic, high fibers and healthy fats. Recovery after a workout doesn’t get much better than this! Give your body what it wants in a convenient, healthy, and yummy form. Not to mention, it has two out of five servings of vegetables in every scoop which helps increase energy, performance and general wellbeing. Five servings of veggies can be hard to obtain daily. Why not give yourself a leg up on the day with TWO servings every morning?!
5. Ionix Supreme: is a nutrient packed supplement that has Adaptogens which deliver energy and stamina to the body, helping protect the body from low energy and stress and helps improve mental focus. This is an athlete’s dream supplement. - it keeps us from post workout brain fog!
NIGHT ROUTINE:
I live a super packed day EVERY DAY and sometimes I find it hard to shut my mind off. But I also know it is necessary to get a good night’s sleep if I want to keep performing at my best in athletics and my career. I don’t take sleep lightly; it is critical to my success! Therefore, I take Mental Tranquility every night. This ensures that I get a good night’s sleep. It is also a nourishing formula, which means I wake up more well-rounded and energized than I went to bed. As I describe it, this formula is the mortar between the bricks. It will help you feel revitalized, rested and ready to tackle your next adventure.
1. DAO Mental Tranquility: helps a busy athlete fall asleep and stay asleep. Even without difficulty sleeping, this formula helps build the type of energy that keeps you going and going and going!
OCCASIONAL USE/AS NEEDED:
Sometimes we need a little boost in certain areas of our life. Here are some of the ways I use other supplements to keep me performing at my peak!
1. Energy Bits: spirulina is a great form of raw energy for optimized health and energy. These little powerhouse tablets have over 40 micronutrients and loads of protein, giving athletes plenty of energy to tackle all of their tasks - they are amazing before or during a strenuous/long workout!
2. DAO Digestion: athletes need all the nutrients from the foods they eat. This formula helps the body properly digest and process food.
3. DAO Emotional Balance: This Chinese medical formula soothes frazzled nerves. It helps athletes recover by coursing their energy so that they feel balanced and grounded.
4. DAO Women’s Health: after a woman’s period, they can feel very tired and drained. This formula helps build back blood and energy, so they can sustain a high level of training and performing.
5. CW Recovery Gummies: a blend of CBD, turmeric and ginger promotes joint health and decreases inflammation, helping an athlete recovery after a race, training session or a long day at work.
6. CW Sleep Gummies: the blend of CBD and melatonin ensures that a busy, tired and wound up person can get a deep night’s sleep, helping them recover so they can tackle their next day with vigor.
7. Magnesium Oil: this is an amazing supplement which releases tight and fatigued muscles. It can also help improve sleep when used at night.
8. CW salve: when I have an area of nagging pain, I apply CBD salve and it goes away as quickly as it came.
As always listen to your own body and do what feels good for it! I hope you find some of these suggestions useful, please feel free to ask a JADA Practitioner at your next appointment for more information!
Dr. Hilary Patzer, L.Ac., Craniosacral, Neurokinetic & Level III Fascial Stretch Specialist