What’s a pre-workout stack you ask? This is a combination of ingredients (supplements and powders) to help with your workouts. They can provide you with more energy, focus and better performance. This combo can also be taken to increase energy even if not working out. Our hope is you are so energized that you will want to exercise!

We have listed ingredients below so that you can look for these specifics products when shopping.

Drink ingredients:

• Creatine: Did you know this is one of the only supplements proven to increase energy, muscle growth/recovery, and brain power? Yes, it’s true – it is not just for muscle-bound body builders anymore because almost everyone can take it for mental function, energy, and preserving muscle mass. It is also excellent for concussion victims. Take 5 grams – about 1 tsp. per day and make sure its pure and simple creatine with no added sugars or caffeine. A formula that combines these ingredients is very effective: Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl) ; Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin) ; Ascorbic Acid ; Ascorbate (from Magnesium Ascorbate) ; Vitamin E (d-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate); Chromium (Polynicotinate); Magnesium (Citrate); Zinc (Citrate); L-Glutamine; L-Isoleucine; L-Leucine; Ornithine Alphaketoglutarate 2:1 ; Taurine; L-Valine; Red Beet Root; Betta Berries™ Antioxidant Blend; Creatine Monohydrate; Alpha Lipoic Acid; Resveratrol;

• Marine Collagen (hydrolyzed and with Vitamin C): As we age, our body’s ability to produce new collagen declines and existing collagen begins to break down. The loss of collagen effects skin, joints, and bones. The decreased collagen may also lead to increased digestive problems, weakened immune system, and increased risk of chronic illness. An article in the Globe and Mail turned me on to collagen’s benefits for tendons, bones, ligaments, and repair after exercise as the scientists gave 15 grams to the athletes (so you will need to take about one and a half tablespoons). The researchers saw great improvements in the 15-gram dose. By the way, 5 – 10 grams didn’t do the trick – it must be 15g or more. Since then I have gone on to find these additional benefits of marine collagen: it builds bone strength, boosts thyroid, improves skin, hair, and nails – and even wrinkles, stabilizes blood sugar, boost the mood hormone and brain function, reduces inflammation, heals inflammation and immunity within the gut and helps with joint pain. Read more about Marine Collagen in this blog post. Clear Medicine has flavoured and unflavoured marine collagen from Nova Scotia! Look for marine collagen that has added Vitamin C which helps with absorption.

• Whey Protein: For immunity, muscle, metabolic, antioxidant and strength benefits toss 1 to 2 scoops (at least 20 to 30 grams for women; and 30 to 40 grams for most men) in your cup. I prefer vanilla flavour because it can mix easily with the creatine and collagen. If you can’t take whey protein – plant based proteins can work too.

Add all these ingredients together in a shaker cup or mason jar with water and shake until blended.

Add these supplements for extra power, focus and energy:

Herbal pre-workout support (containing caffeine): look for a supplement containing  L-tyrosine, Green tea, catechins L-citrulline, Citrus aurantium, Caffeine (anhydrous), African mango 4:1. These ingredients may promote fat-burning and enhance energy. At Clear Medicine this is called Clear Thermo and it is an excellent booster to take before a workout! Green tea appears to help activate the body’s “thermogenic activity” and may reduce appetite as well it promotes the use of calories as energy and thus may assist our “fat-fighting” efforts. The caffeine is shown to improve fat-burning during workout. It can enhance your performance and recovery during explosive as well as endurance activities. Citrulline may also increase exercise performance by increasing the availability of amino acids in your blood. It also may reduce the amount of ammonia your body produces during exercise.

In Lipids Health and Disease (2005), the efficacy of Irvingia gabonensis seeds (African Mango) in the management of obesity was tested in a double-blind randomized study involving 40 subjects with an average age of 42.4 years. Twenty-eight subjects received Irvingia gabonensis (1.05 g three times a day for one month) while 12 were on placebo. The same diet was fed to all the participants. At the end, the Irvingia group lost 5% body weight while the placebo group lost 1%. The obese patients under Irvingia gabonensis treatment also had a significant decrease of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and an increase of HDL-cholesterol, while none of these changes were noted in those given the placebo.

Dose – take three to four capsules 20 to 30 minutes before a workout to improve energy and focus. 

Dopamine Support formula: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that affects brain processes that control movement, emotional response and is the source of brain power and energy. We recommend a formula that combines these ingredients DL-Phenylalanine, L-Tyrosine , Rhodiola rosea extract (standardized to contain 1% rosavins), L-Methionine, Octacosanol. Clear Energy is a great dopamine support loaded with all of the above ingredients.

A formula with these ingredients benefits your brain and also gives your energy a boost. Recent studies have found that tyrosine supplementation helps the aging brain. Did you know it can also help your reaction speed? A German study found that people eating foods rich in tyrosine also had better cognition on tasks needing fast reactions.

Dose – take three capsules 20 to 30 minutes before a workout to improve energy and performance.