The video game industry has a long, storied history of incredible characters. The journeys that they have taken us on, dangers they’ve faced, and challenges they have overcome all paint incredibly intricate pictures of who these people are and what they stand for.
When getting to know your supplements, sometimes it can be challenging to remember which does what and why because you don’t spend this kind of meaningful time together with them. You don’t understand them yet and without going through the trials and tribulations one might experience throughout a narrative, grasping that personal connection may be a challenge.
To help overcome this, we’ve put together a list of popular supplements and characters from video games that we feel embody the spirit of each. Hopefully this helps you get to know the “personality” of each ingredient so that you can feel a bit more comfortable in choosing what supplement is right for you!
Creatine – Mario
The OG. Mario is one of the oldest and longest standing recurring characters in all of video games and for good reason. From the original Mario Bros to Super Smash Bros, to the more recent Mario Odyssey, Mario and his gang have been a staple in our lexicon for decades thanks to dependably great games that provide fun for the whole family. Creatine is the Mario of supplements. It has been around for actual decades due to an incredible amount of research and data that shows that it simply works. How? Creatine supplementation increases your muscles’ stores of a fuel called phosphocreatine. When you pop that Super Star and burst into a sprint, it’s creatine that gives you that first push. No fuss, no frills, there’s pretty much no wrong place to add creatine and we can’t wait for that to continue.
Caffeine – Sonic
Gotta Go Fast! Compared to the fastest blue hedgehog around, even caffeine feels slow, but that shouldn’t stop you. Sonic has things to do and places to be and so do we all, but not all of us have seemingly infinite energy to get everything done. Caffeine consumption can help you reduce feelings of tiredness and feel more energetic and aware. Feel more focused, burn more calories, and get more done thanks to the most Sonic-esque ingredient in all of supplements!
Protein – Minecraft Steve
For millions of players, there is a simple joy in breaking blocks down and building them back up into entirely new worlds. Minecraft and its mascot Steve have been showing us the power of raw creativity and the wide breadth of what can be built with the right blocks. Protein, and its associated amino acids, are those building blocks. Your body has thousands of different types of proteins, each built from the same 20 building blocks. Growing muscle requires exercise plus an ample source of building blocks and maintaining a diet high in protein to make sure your body has what it needs to function (and build) at its most efficient.
Adaptogens – Lara Croft
When you spend your days delving into ancient tombs and investigating long-forgotten curses, you have to be ready for anything. Booby traps, hidden pathways, claustrophobic caves, and more can put your mind and body through the wringer, and no one is better at dealing with these stresses than the Tomb Raider, Lara Croft. If you’re looking to be more like Lara, adaptogens may be a great place to start! This class of supplements is known for helping you and your body deal with stress both mental and physical. Whether it be fighting off oxidative stress or keeping those stress hormones in healthy ranges, adaptogens are important to keeping you focused on the golden idol at the back of the ancient tomb. Some great examples of adaptogens include ashwagandha, holy basil, and mushrooms like cordyceps and reishi.
Antioxidants – BJ Blazkowicz
Oxidative species, also known as free radicals, are the negatively charged particles that can cause damage to many systems throughout the body. If left unchecked, they can lead to cell damage and much more. Enter BJ Blazkowicz, the antioxidant of gaming! Known for single-handedly tearing down an alternate universe version of a successful Nazi party, BJ Blazkowicz is a one-man baddy-breaking machine! Fight back against those things that wish to do you harm with antioxidants like polyphenols, anthocyanins, carotenoids, and much more!
HMB – Kratos
BOY! There are few things more fulfilling in a fitness journey than feeling your muscles grow and get stronger. That strength, however, can come in many forms! Whether it’s lifting extra weight on the barbell, or taking down the entire Greek and Norse mythological pantheons, being strong means something different to everyone. Kratos, the demi-god son of Zeus embodies this strength just like one of our favorite ingredients, HMB. Short for β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate, HMB is a metabolite of Leucine that has been shown to activate the pathways responsible for maintaining muscle mass when combined with exercise. If you happen to run into any mythical creatures on your way to the gym, we can only hope they steer clear!
L-Theanine – Cortana
If you haven’t tried the games (you should), and you haven’t read any of the books (you *absolutely* should), you might not know how important Cortana is to our beloved faceless soldier Master Chief. The famous Spartan 117 is a modified super-soldier capable of incredible feats, but he wouldn’t be nearly as successful without the help of Cortana. Cortana is an artificial intelligence built to live with and work beside Master Chief and support his goals and mental state. L-Theanine is an amino acid shown to promote a sense of restful serenity either in your home or on the battlefield fighting the Covenant. It never hurts to have a little help keeping your head straight in stressful situations.
READ MORE: What Is L-Theanine And What Benefits Does It Provide?
L-Citrulline – Geralt of Rivia
As a Witcher of School of the Wolf, Geralt of Rivia is a master of many things. He is adept at identifying and slaying monsters, brewing potent potions, combatting magic, and most importantly fighting with his two trusty swords. Geralt’s skill comes in how he is able to flow through combat gracefully, using his opponent’s momentum for his gain. Be like Geralt and enhance your flow with L-Citrulline. L-Citrulline helps to increase nitric oxide in your blood, which helps your blood vessels relax and expand, allowing for better blood flow and nutrient delivery.
Both the video game and supplement industries are brimming with possibilities, but can admittedly feel a bit unapproachable. The best way to start is by understanding the basics. We hope that getting to know some of the most popular supplements through the lens of video game characters helps paint a clearer picture of how these ingredients can improve your life so you can make better, more educated decisions about your health every day.
