Bodybuilding supplements are substances taken by bodybuilders or athletes involved in weight training, football, baseball, track or any other sport to aid in the building of muscle mass or aid fat loss. Supplements may also be used to improve sports performance and improve recovery from athletic events.
Amino acids and proteins
Bodybuilders often take as a supplement a powdered form of protein, the essential building blocks for muscles, as it is necessary to consume large quantities and protein shakes are convenient. The most commonly consumed type is whey protein since it is a naturally complete protein and is a rich source of branched chain amino acids (valine, leucine, and isoleucine), containing the highest known levels of any natural food source. It is also very quickly absorbed by the body and metabolized.
Casein is the richest in glutamine, and has casomorphin which help release aminos over a long time. Soy protein is also naturally complete, however due to isoflavones (phytoestrogens) that may exhibit estrogenic activity in people, some bodybuilders avoid it. Many people also will use egg (white) protein, as it is a lactose- and dairy-free complete protein. Protein powder is generally consumed immediately after exercising, or in place of a meal. As muscles are primarily made of protein, increasing the intake of protein in the diet allows muscles to repair themselves and grow more readily.
Glutamine
Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid found in human muscle and is supplemented as supplement manufacturers claim the body's natural glutamine levels are depleted during anaerobic exercise and therefore may cause a deficiency. Glutamine is not an essential amino acid which means the body can naturally replenish its own stores. It is argued that supplementation by bodybuilders may still be required as deficiency may lead to a weakened immune system and wasting of muscle tissue. Many bodybuilders supplement with glutamine. It plays a vital role in protein synthesis. It is sold as a micronized, instantly soluble powder.
Branched chain amino acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein – the body breaks consumed protein into these in the stomach and intestines. There are three branched chain amino acids (BCAAs); each has numerous benefits on various biological processes in the body. Unlike other amino acids, BCAAs are metabolised in the muscle. Some claim BCAAs have an anabolic/anti-catabolic effect on the muscle (build muscle/work against muscle breakdown). For more information on this visit the articles on each of the specific aminos: leucine, isoleucine, and valine.
Amino acids and proteins
Bodybuilders often take as a supplement a powdered form of protein, the essential building blocks for muscles, as it is necessary to consume large quantities and protein shakes are convenient. The most commonly consumed type is whey protein since it is a naturally complete protein and is a rich source of branched chain amino acids (valine, leucine, and isoleucine), containing the highest known levels of any natural food source. It is also very quickly absorbed by the body and metabolized.
Casein is the richest in glutamine, and has casomorphin which help release aminos over a long time. Soy protein is also naturally complete, however due to isoflavones (phytoestrogens) that may exhibit estrogenic activity in people, some bodybuilders avoid it. Many people also will use egg (white) protein, as it is a lactose- and dairy-free complete protein. Protein powder is generally consumed immediately after exercising, or in place of a meal. As muscles are primarily made of protein, increasing the intake of protein in the diet allows muscles to repair themselves and grow more readily.
Glutamine
Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid found in human muscle and is supplemented as supplement manufacturers claim the body's natural glutamine levels are depleted during anaerobic exercise and therefore may cause a deficiency. Glutamine is not an essential amino acid which means the body can naturally replenish its own stores. It is argued that supplementation by bodybuilders may still be required as deficiency may lead to a weakened immune system and wasting of muscle tissue. Many bodybuilders supplement with glutamine. It plays a vital role in protein synthesis. It is sold as a micronized, instantly soluble powder.
