Muscle building supplements are formulated to improve performance during weightlifting and other resistance training exercises. These supplements are also involved in stimulating muscle growth and facilitating healing after a session of strenuous exercise. Unless you have a chronic medical condition, most muscle building supplements will be safe for you.
The ingredients in most supplements are naturally acquired; most of them are proteins, vitamins or plant extracts such as Tribulus Terrestris and Creatine. Some of the top supplements include the following:
Proteins
Proteins are body building minerals. They promote the growth of the muscles during and after exercise, and they also facilitate healing. According to research conducted by the British Journal of Sports Medicine, protein supplements have a significant role in muscle growth. The study analyzed data collected from a group of 1863 muscle builders who had been training for about six weeks.
Weightlifters and body-builders can get supplemental nutrition in the form of protein bars and shakes. These supplements usually give the needed 1.6 grams of proteins for every kilogram of body weight.
Creatine
Creatine is a natural substance that’s found in fish and meat. It’s produced by body organs such as the liver, pancreas, and kidneys. When taken as an oral supplement, creatine improves performance during resistance training.
The most common form of Creatine is Creatine Monohydrate, which has been shown to improve performance and increase muscle mass.
Creatine is beneficial for bodybuilders, but it is not necessary to take more than 5 grams per day. For the initial loading phase, which is the first 3 days, most bodybuilders take 0.3 grams of creatine per kilogram of body weight.
Caffeine
Caffeine is another natural substance that can be used to enhance performance during training. Mostly, caffeine is used as a stimulant to help people stay alert.
Caffeine is referred to as an ergogenic substance and falls in the same category as Creatine. Caffeine helps increase resistance and support muscle growth after strenuous exercise. Caffeine supplementation is only for those taking resistance training.
Prohormones, Steroids and Testosterone Boosters
Prohormones are precursors to hormones. This means that they are chemical substances that contain the needed bits to assist the body in creating hormone testosterone.
Prohormones are considered milder than steroids. Steroids are chemical substances that resemble hormones in your body. This means that when taken, the steroids will bind to the androgen receptors the same way testosterone will, thereby bringing an anabolic effect. This way, the body’s ability to burn fat and build muscle will be enhanced.
On the other hand, prohormones assist the body in creating more testosterone. Testosterone binds to androgen receptors, and this enhances anabolic activities, burning more fats and building muscle. In this case, it is your natural testosterone that will be at work.
Testosterone boosters are substances, mostly natural materials, which stimulate the body to increase the production of testosterone. Common testosterone boosters include Tribulus Terrestris, Tongkat Ali and ZMA. Because these substances are natural, and they stimulate the body to produce its testosterone, they do not cause any of the side effects associated with some supplements.
SARMs
Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator, also known as SARMs, were created as an alternative medicine for obesity and muscle wasting conditions. What these supplements do is bind to the androgen receptors to increase anabolic activities in your body. Because they are selective, these substances are considered safer alternatives to prohormones and steroids.
One of the most common SARMs is Ostarine. You can read more about this on Nootropic Underground.
Supplements and Chronic Diseases
Always consult your physician if you have a chronic condition or any life-threatening health condition before deciding to take supplements. Severe side effects of supplements have occurred to those with diabetes, heart disease and other conditions that may render the supplements harmful.
Overdosing on supplements is detrimental to your health. For example, when you overdose on protein supplements, your body might end up with a high concentration of ammonia from the breakdown of excess proteins, and this can cause health problems.
