Sports pharmacy has been a passion of mine from the beginning of my career. Not because I was a high-performance athlete but because I loved sports. I also happened to marry a sports performance fanatic.
Boosting athletic performance is not just for the elite athletes. Executives, stay-at-home parents, teachers, and… pharmacists can all benefit from understanding how to boost performance. Even if you aren’t jumping high, running fast, or treading water for hours, you need to be able to perform at your best. Diving into sports pharmacy can help all your patients boost performance.
Supplements can be a great way to boost mental and physical performance. Let’s explore a few options that you can easily offer to your community. Now is a great time to create a performance section and help your patients perform like Olympians!
My Sports Pharmacy History
I have been fortunate in my career to consult with many athletes and professional teams over the years. I was the sports pharmacist for all my hometown’s minor league teams (we didn’t have big league ones). I also consulted with a few NFL teams and athletes. Trust me, the fan girl in me was squealing with delight when I got certain players’ cell phone numbers in my cell phone!
The Quest for Enhanced Performance
Many of you know that I am a water polo mom. My 14-year-old Jaxon has aspirations for playing for Team USA on the men’s senior team one day. If you haven’t ever watched a water polo match, I highly encourage you to do so. The Olympics right now are a perfect time. Here’s a link to the water polo schedule.
Water polo athletes are some of the fittest athletes you will ever come across. No, they cannot touch the bottom of the pool. They “jump” by doing certain kicks in the water. Yes, they are trying to drown each other sometimes!
So, how do you take some of the fittest athletes and push their performance even further? The answer lies in going beyond their physical shape and providing their bodies with what they need most: oxygen, energy, hydration, and efficient removal of metabolic byproducts.
Sports Pharmacy Supplements
Many of these desired effects can be achieved through supplements. Now, for professional, international, and collegiate athletes, what’s in the supplement matters. Taking the wrong ingredient can have career-ending consequences. Here’s a link to WADA’s list of banned substances for 2024.
Now, for most of you pharmacy owners reading this, you won’t have to worry about your patients being drug tested after a pick-up basketball game. What you are probably most concerned with is finding products that are efficacious and affordable.
In July, my son and his team were preparing for the Junior Olympics. Understanding the important role of supplements, I wanted to ensure Jaxon’s team had every possible advantage. Teenagers aren’t exactly known for their impeccable self-care routines, so I stepped in with a couple of supplements and a strategic hydration plan to give them a boost.
Shout Out to Our Supplement Heroes
After crafting a simple sports pharmacy regimen for the teenagers, I needed to get the products fast. I immediately called some of my favorite independent pharmacy supplement companies, and they rose to the occasion to help my son’s water polo team. Here is a look at the products that were provided to the team and why I selected them.
Approved Medical Solutions (AMS)
AMS was my first call. Nothing impacts athletic performance quite like optimized nitric oxide (NO) levels. Nitric oxide plays a crucial role in widening blood vessels, allowing for better blood flow. This means more oxygen and nutrients can reach the muscles while waste products are efficiently removed. Enhanced NO levels can significantly improve endurance and recovery, making it a game-changer for athletes.
I think of optimizing NO levels as a foundation for any improvement in health. Whether you are working with a 50-year-old female trying to lose weight, a burned-out 35-year-old executive, or an athlete looking to boost performance. Optimizing NO levels will help everything else you take and do work better.
I love AMS’ nitric oxide. It is 100% oxalate-free, which means it won’t cause any kidney stones. Its ingredients are more bioactive. They also have an easy 10-second saliva test to 1. See if you need supplementation, and 2. To prove the supplement is working. They only sell to healthcare professionals. Get your account HERE.
Vinco
I wanted the boys to have B12, which is known for its role in increasing endurance among athletes. Since I don’t know the boys’ genetic profiles (that’s next on my list to do), I needed to get them activated B12. Vinco’s liposomal line is unrivaled in awesomeness! Their activated B12 supplement ensures that the boys get the maximum benefit, enhancing their energy levels and overall athletic performance.
All of your customers, patients, or local athletes will be able to immediately benefit from this supplement since it has the activated form of B12. It won’t matter what their DNA says. Whenever I am broadly or blindly recommending B vitamins, I always make sure they are activated forms.
If you aren’t selling Vinco supplements in your pharmacy, you should be. They have been a great supporter of independent pharmacies for decades, and their products are innovative and top-notch quality. See all their liposomal products HERE.
Biolyte
Staying hydrated is critical for all doers, athletic or otherwise. It can be especially important for water polo players who may not realize how much they’re sweating cause they are surrounded by water. Proper hydration is vital for maintaining athletic performance. Dehydration can lead to decreased strength, speed, and endurance, as well as impaired cognitive function.
Biolyte was the perfect solution.
Given the logistics of the JOs in California, we opted for their fruit punch powder instead of pre-made bottles. This choice made it easier to ship and store while still providing the necessary hydration to keep the team at its peak.
Find out more about getting Biolyte in your pharmacy. It is a top seller for many of my members, and Kris will take great care of you.
The Ultimate Performance Bundle
If you’re looking for an easy and effective way to boost your athletic performance, even if you’re not spending hours treading water, I highly recommend this bundle of supplements. It’s a low-cost, highly-effective game-changer.
Creating Performance Bundles for Your Pharmacy
To help boost your over-the-counter (OTC) sales, consider creating a section dedicated to performance bundles for various needs. With school sports seasons around the corner, your community will appreciate the opportunity to enhance their performance, and your pharmacy can become their go-to resource.
By offering curated bundles for different athletic needs, you can cater to a wide range of customers.
Here are a few ideas for performance bundles:
1. Endurance Bundle: Include supplements like nitric oxide boosters, B12, and electrolytes to support long-distance runners, cyclists, and swimmers.
2. Strength Bundle: This bundle focuses on protein supplements, creatine, and nitric oxide boosters for weightlifters and bodybuilders.
3. Recovery Bundle: Offer anti-inflammatory supplements, magnesium, and BCAAs to aid in muscle recovery and reduce soreness.
4. Executive Bundle: Put together nitric oxide booster, adrenal support, and B-complex to help with mental clarity and sharpness.
5. Teacher Bundle: Immune boosters, hand sanitizer, adrenal support, and sleep support to give every teacher the edge they need to make back-to-school as smooth as possible.
By providing these tailored bundles, you can meet the specific needs of your high-performing customers and help them achieve their goals, whether they are on a field, in a pool, at the office, or at home.
