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Supplement Godfather

Don Gauvreau MSc, CSCS
Don Gauvreau, A.K.A. The Supplement Godfather, is one of the leading researchers and product formulators in the sports supplement industry.
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Post-workout Supplements

Q: What’s the absolute best post-workout supplement stack you could ever take if price weren’t an issue?

A: One great thing about the absolute best post-workout stack is that it isn’t really that expensive! The stack I would recommend is pretty straightforward and includes primarily the two most important nutrients the body needs after a hardcore workout: carbs and protein! My ultimate stack would include Vitargo (as the ideal carb source), whey protein, creatine, glutamine, carnitine, and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). High molecular weight carb powders, such as Vitargo, can have a dramatic impact on power, performance, and recovery. Vitargo is made from fractionated barley amylopectin, and its high molecular weight minimizes its osmolality. Its low osmolality allows it to rapidly move through the stomach and quickly get to muscle tissue right after your workouts! It’s a no-brainer to include a good quality whey protein in a post-workout stack. 

Many clinical studies show the positive benefits whey protein can deliver as a post-workout supplement. Creatine is included because uptake is generally greater during the post-workout time frame. Recent research studies show that carnitine supplementation can upregulate anabolic hormone receptor sites and reduce exercise-induced muscle tissue damage and speed recovery, so it makes the cut! Glutamine stores are depleted during workouts and can be quickly replenished with supplementation. Finally, if you can afford it, ALA is a very effective insulin sensitizer and can provide additional benefi ts during the post-workout period. The R-ALA isomer is the most effective form of ALA, and it’s even more expensive than the regular mixed form. I wouldn’t include BCAAs in my postworkout stack because I would be taking those during my workout and the post-workout whey protein already contains high enough amounts.

For more post-workout tips and tricks, click here!