Bodybuilding supplements are part of many a weight trainer's nutritional
regimen, whether they are beefing up just for personal satisfaction or
training for a weightlifting competition. These supplements are
designed to build a weightlifter's muscle mass and provide him or her
with increased energy and stamina. As any bodybuilder will tell you,
building muscle takes quite a bit of effort. Why not speed the process
along a bit by taking supplements?
To acquire those hard, prominent muscles, a person needs to work out
harder and more often than usual. In addition, he or she needs to eat a
nutritious diet, one that is rich in fruits and vegetables, but most
especially food that is rich in protein. Bodybuilding supplements are
usually filled with protein, which is essential in building muscle mass
and maintaining muscular health. Bodybuilders can take protein
supplementation in the form of protein bars, shakes, and pills. Whey
protein supplements are particularly popular because they contain fat,
lactose and protein, which are all important if you're working out.
Whey protein is composed of a number of protein components, which
include peptides such as lactoferrin and lactoperoxidases, as well as
bovine serum albumin immunoglobulins, and glycomacropeptides. These
protein subfractions also play a preventive role in health by hindering
the emergence of various ailments and improving the immune system.
Another important bodybuilding supplement is glutamine. It's not only
important, it's necessary. This amino acid is essential in the
repairing and building of muscle tissues. The muscles produce
glutamine, but if you're working out, your body consumes glutamine much
faster than it can be replenished naturally. This is why glutamine
supplements are a requirement for serious bodybuilders. These
supplements make sure that the needed amino acid reaches the muscles in a
short amount of time for maximum effect. Glutamine plays a role in
making muscles look strong and healthy, not flat and dehydrated.
Moreover, it also helps make the immune system function more effectively
to increase resistance to disease. Experts recommend that glutamine
supplements be taken on an empty stomach and that plenty of water be
drunk. Doing so will help hydrate the muscles faster, making them look
better and feel stronger.
A number of bodybuilding supplements contain creatine, also known as
creatine monohydrate. Some people believe that creatine is almost or
just as good as anabolic steroids when it comes to building muscle, but
without the stigma attached to steroids. Just like glutamine, creatine
significantly helps in the hydration of muscles. The resulting
creatine-rich fluid in the muscle will enable greater leverage and it
will require the muscle to move less and carry more weight. In
addition, the presence of fluid in the muscles will encourage the cells
to stretch and cause them to grow -- giving rise to those prominent and
hard muscles of which bodybuilders can be proud. Creatine is available
in powder form, to be mixed into a shake. Use a blender or shaker to
mix it with non-fat milk, and you'll get a concoction that looks just
like a milkshake.
Another amino acid that is important to bodybuilders is something called
L-arginine, specifically, L-arginine. This substance can be found
naturally in foods like seeds, nuts, and chocolate; however, it is also
carried in many bodybuilding supplements. While the presence of fluid
in muscles is desirable, water retention under the skin is not -- and L-arginine helps prevent this. It also helps the body retain nitrogen to
facilitate the muscle-building process and its role as a vasodilator
provides assistance to the muscles as they grow. Arginine is important
in helping proteins in the body synthesize. In addition, like creatine
and glutamine, it also enhances the functioning of the immune system to
enable bodybuilders to train harder and avoid minor ailments. But don't
be overly enthusiastic when taking bodybuilding supplements, especially
amino acids. Too much of them could cause nausea and weakness. They
should be introduced gradually and the dosage built up as the body
becomes accustomed to them.
Other types of protein such as egg protein, soy protein, and casein
protein can be found in dietary supplements to help bodybuilders grow
their muscles. But whichever types of bodybuilding supplements you
choose (or your trainer chooses for you), make sure that you couple it
with a nutritionally-balanced diet. By doing this, you will see that
all those hours you sweated it out at the gym will bring the results you
desire faster.