Dietary supplements have long assimilated into the physical sports realm. While many competitive athletes regard supplements as a staple, the benefits of supplementation for esports professionals are still largely under debate.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best supplements you may try as a competitive gamer or esports athlete, along with their scientifically-backed benefits. We’ll also discuss how effective these supplements are in enhancing your gameplay performance and improving your overall quality of life.
Nonetheless, keep in mind that this is not medical advice. Before commencing any supplement, you should consult your healthcare professional, especially if you are currently on any medications or have any medical condition.
Also, it’s best to stay within the recommended dosages given by the brand manufacturer or your healthcare provider to minimize the risk of adverse effects. And while we’ve done a great deal of in-depth research to put this list together, you should still perform your own analysis before purchasing any product.
With all that in mind, let’s dive into it!
Can a Good Supplement Help me Hit More Headshots?
Let’s begin by setting some realistic expectations.
Supplements are not a divine gift from the gaming gods that’ll significantly boost your gameplay with just a snap of the fingers.
Supplements may improve certain aspects of your health, which in return can affect how well you play. But taking supplements with the hopes of negating the effects of unhealthy lifestyle habits is unrealistic. Supplements may serve as building bricks to fortify your health, but it’s more crucial to get these foundational pillars set: Getting enough good-quality sleep, practicing a balanced diet, and getting sufficient exercise.
As per its name, a supplement helps to supplement a healthy diet and lifestyle, not so much to replace it. And popping some pills on a daily basis is not the secret to landing each shot and emerging the MVP in every game.
Best Supplements for Esports Athletes and Gamers
If you’re keen on starting on some supplements, it’s best to get professional medical advice. Once given the green light, you can try out that supplement for a month or two to see if it helps. Look out for side effects or signs of an allergic reaction, such as rashes, difficulty breathing, or swollen lips and face.
Here are some supplements that may be beneficial for those in the competitive gaming industry. Keep in mind that starting with one supplement is much safer than stacking multiple at one go. This way, you’ll be able to pinpoint the exact supplement helping or causing side effects.
For Physical Wellbeing
Vitamin D. Commonly associated with various health benefits, Vitamin D helps with maintenance of healthy bone, muscle, nerve, and immune function [1]. The sun is one of the best sources of vitamin D. Hence, people who have a career that places them indoors most of the time are proven to be at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency [2]. As a gamer, you likely won’t be spending much time basking in the sun. Nonetheless, before supplementing with vitamin D, it’s best to get your blood work done to confirm you have a deficiency. One well-established brand you can get your hands on via Amazon is NatureWise’s Vitamin D3.
Lutein & Zeaxanthin. The potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of lutein and zeaxanthin may help improve the sharpness of your vision, reduce the damage of blue light on your eyes, and decrease your risk of eye diseases [3]. As a competitive gamer, you may spend prolonged hours in front of your screen, so you may wish to pick up a lutein/zeaxanthin supplement, such as the Puritans Pride Lutein With Zeaxanthin.
Vitamin B12. While this supplement isn’t specifically catered towards gaming enthusiasts, vitamin B12 supplementation may help support healthy nerve function, improve mood, reduce your risk of anemia, and boost energy levels [4]. If you’re on a strict vegan diet, you may be at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, but in any case, it’s good to get your B12 levels checked before supplementation. One well-known brand available on Amazon is Nature’s Bounty Vitamin B12 supplement.
For Enhanced Mental Performance
Ashwagandha. Nicknamed the “royal herb” due to its multifaceted benefits, ashwagandha may bolster your gaming performance by improving your reaction time, attention, and executive function (which is your ability to multitask, plan, and follow instructions) [5]. Additionally, there seems to be a limited risk of side effects or sedation associated with this supplement when taken within a safe dosage [5]. You may consider the vegan-friendly NutriRise Organic Ashwagandha Capsules available on Amazon.
Curcumin. Marked as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, curcumin may significantly boost your attention and working memory, which is your short-term memory responsible for reasoning and decision-making [6]. Curcumin is the main compound found in turmeric, a traditional Indian spice that you can add to your cooking for that extra kick of flavor. Curcumin can also be sourced from supplements, such as the Nature’s Nutrition Turmeric Curcumin Supplement you can purchase online.
L-theanine. L-theanine is actually an amino acid, which is the building block of proteins. According to research, it may improve your attention, working memory, and reaction time [7, 8]. Nonetheless, more research is warranted to confirm these health benefits. You can get L-theanine off a digital shelf, and one great candidate is the Sports Research Suntheanine® L-Theanine Supplement.
Tyrosine. Yet another amino acid, tyrosine is essential for the production of certain brain signaling chemicals that regulate mood. Because of this, tyrosine supplementation may be helpful during stressful seasons, reducing the decline in mental and cognitive (brain) performance resulting from stress or lack of sleep. Back-to-back competitions and packed training schedules can peak your stress levels, so tyrosine supplementation may help support your memory and performance during those periods. One reputable brand is the NOW L-Tyrosine Supplement [9, 10].
Do I Need to Take Supplements?
Many supplements have been marketed to boost memory, reaction speeds, and attention, which in theory, sounds like it could help improve your gameplay. However, dietary supplements aren’t a staple for esports athletes to excel in competitions and games.
The truth is, they work for some, and not for others. Therefore, if you find they’re effective in certain aspects, such as for improving your memory or enhancing your focus, then feel free to continue taking them (though you should ask your healthcare provider if they’re safe for long-term use).
However, if you experience some side effects while taking those supplements, even though you’re keeping to the recommended dosage, then it’s best to eliminate them from your routine. Unless specifically recommended by your healthcare professional to do so, you don’t need to consume supplements, especially if you don’t observe any benefits from them. That’s your hard-earned money down the drain!
Final Verdict: Supplementation for Boosted Performance
Just another reminder that popping several pills each day won’t magically enhance your skills. Whether it’s landing more headshots, improving aim and dexterity, or boosting your game sense and map knowledge—supplements aren’t the definite answer. Ultimately, nothing can replace regular practice sessions, good team mates and an overall healthy lifestyle in enhancing your mental performance and gaming skills.
With that in mind, we hope our list of best supplements for gamers helped you in making the right decision.
Disclaimer: This is an educational post on supplements for gamers. It should not substitute the advice given by your healthcare professional. EsportsHeadlines.com and the author of this post disclaim any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, as it is not meant for diagnostic or treatment purposes.