Best Types of Supplements for Bodybuilding
You have been hitting the gym, lifting heavy. You are determined to see some major gains. You want look awesome on the beach and hit that big PR you have been aiming for. Although you are happy with your progress so far, you want more.
And you want it fast, right?
You already dialed in your nutrition with tons of added calories and lots of protein, but now you are looking for the best supplements to take your bodybuilding efforts to the next level.
Here are a few of my favorites for building muscle quickly and helping manage some of the aches and pains that come with lifting heavy.
Useful Supplements for Bodybuilders
Whey Protein
For muscle building and improving body composition, whey consistently out performs any other type of protein powder available. Whey is one of the two proteins found in milk (the other is casein). When cheese is made, whey is the liquid left over. Whey is a complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids needed for health and muscle building. It is also easily and quickly absorbed, ensuring all the protein you take in is being used by your body as needed.
But, whey protein doesn’t just contain random amino acids, it is high in a specific amino acid called leucine that actively promotes muscle growth by stimulating the release of muscle building hormones. A comprehensive literature review of all the research on body composition and whey protein found that the addition of whey protein helps with overall weight loss, fat loss, and promotes an increase in lean body mass. The effects were particularly significant when whey protein was combined with resistance exercise. The bottom line is adding whey to your day can help you build muscle and get lean.
How to Take Whey Protein
There are a few kinds of whey protein found on the market. The three main types are concentrate, isolate, and hydrolysate. The difference between them has to do with how they have been processed. The more processed they are, the more expensive they are.
Whey concentrate is the least processed and is about 80% protein. The other 20% is fat and lactose, or milk sugar. This makes it taste better than the other two and is the cheapest. If you are just starting out with protein powders or are sensitive to taste, this may be a good option. But, it would not be ideal for those with lactose intolerance.
Whey isolate has less lactose and fat when compared to concentrate and is slightly more processed. It is the “middle” choice between concentrate and hydrolysate. It might not be appropriate for those very sensitive to lactose.
Whey hydrolysate is the most beneficial for gaining muscle because it is the best absorbed and may also increase insulin levels when consumed, leading to muscle building. But, hydrolysate will be more expensive than the other two choices and may need a little “doctoring up” to taste good.
No matter which type you choose, whey is most effective when consumed either before or after a workout when the body is actively building new muscle. Look for a supplement that contains around 20-30 grams of whey protein per serving for a post-workout drink.
Just to note, if you are trying to lose body fat, drinking a huge amount of whey protein isn’t going to miraculously help you drop those extra pounds. You still need to exercise and eat a balanced diet. Calories are still calories, even if it comes from protein, so be aware of how many you are consuming.
Caffeine
Caffeine has been extensively studied for its ability to boost performance for endurance training and high-intensity exercises. It is very beneficial for aerobic exercise, but since bodybuilding is anaerobic, the research results for caffeine are mixed.
A 2009 study evaluated caffeine use in collegiate football players during an anaerobic weight lifting activity. The athletes took a caffeine dose of 5 mg/kg of body weight or a placebo and completed three anaerobic exercises 60 minutes later. Perceived exertion, heart rate, and blood pressure were measured. Fifty nine percent of the participants who received caffeine saw improved performance in a bench press and a 40-yard dash. There was no difference in perceived exertion, heart rate, or blood pressure (5).
Another study took a look at the impact of caffeine on a one-rep max exercise. Twenty two participants took 6 mg/kg of caffeine or a placebo one hour before exercise. They then completed a one repetition max bench and leg press. There was no effect of caffeine on muscle strength or endurance when compared to the placebo. The perceived effort was also the same for both groups. Based on this study, researchers concluded that caffeine does not increase strength or endurance for weight training. Meanwhile, another study showed the exact opposite result with weight training and caffeine. The caffeine group was stronger than the placebo group.
How to Take Caffeine
The results for the impact of caffeine on bodybuilding and strength gains remain mixed. This is probably a case of individual variation and how each person reacts to caffeine. Some people are able to drink a cup of coffee before bed with no side effects, whereas others feel jittery with only a cup or less. So, whether you choose to use caffeine to boost your endurance is related to how well you tolerate it and if you see a difference in your workouts.
If you want to try caffeine, the recommended dose is 150-300 mg about 30-60 minutes before your workout. That is the equivalent of 2-3 cups of coffee. Start at the lower end to see how you react. If you get jittery, anxious, or your heart starts racing then back off. With caffeine, more is not better. Too much caffeine can raise your heart rate and decrease your performance.
Creatine Monohydrate
Creatine is a popular muscle building supplement with a ton of research (over 500 studies) to back up its use and safety. It can increase muscle and strength gain from a workout by about 5-15%. It works by boosting the availability of creatine and phosophocreatine in the muscles to help maintain energy during weight training. Research has found that taking 20 grams of creatine for only 5 days can increase creatine stores in the muscles by up to 30% and phosphocreatine by up to 40%. This means it acts quickly.. It also helps speed up recovery after a workout.
How to Take Creatine Monohydrate
The recommended dose for creatine is 20 grams per day for the first week, then 5 grams thereafter for maintenance. Be aware that when you first start to take creatine, you may see the number on the scale go up. This is because in order for creatine to enter the cells, it needs to hold on to water. The increased water in the cells may cause a 2-4 pound weight gain.
Branch-Chain Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and therefore the building blocks of muscle. There are three specific amino acids, referred to as the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) that are particularly beneficial for weight lifting and muscle building. These BCAAs are leucine, isoleucine, and valine. When taken during or after a workout they have been shown to increase muscle synthesis, reduce soreness, and improve endurance.
A 2010 study examined the impact of BCAA supplementation on muscle soreness after a squat workout in 12 female participants. The participants drank 100 mg/kg of body weight of BCAA or a dextrin solution before completing seven sets of 20 squats each. The muscle soreness peaked on days two and three, but the level of soreness was significantly less in the BCAA group. The BCAA group also maintained leg strength, when compared to the placebo group. Researchers concluded that BCAA may help mitigate some muscle damage and soreness that occurs after strength training exercises.
How to Take BCAAs
The ideal dose for BCAAs is 3-6 grams before or during exercise. The ratio of BCAAs in a supplement matters also. It should be about two parts leucine to one part isoleucine and valine. One thing to note, if you don’t want to take multiple supplements, is that whey protein is high in leucine and also contains the other BCAAs. For most people, using a whey protein supplement and eating a high protein diet, provides the BCAAs needed for muscle building.
Nitric Oxide Boosters
Nitric oxide (NO) is a substance produced by almost every cell in the body that acts as a vasodilator, relaxing the blood vessels. This helps it increase blood flow to various tissues and muscles. There are many several types of supplements and foods that help boost the production of NO, used to treat a variety of health conditions, but that can also help with strength exercise.
A popular NO-boosting supplement is called L-citrulline or citrulline malate. It has been shown to decrease muscle soreness by boosting NO production. A 2010 study gave participants 8 grams of citrulline malate or a placebo before doing a bench press. Those who received the citrulline were able to perform almost 53% more repetitions when compared to a placebo group. They also reported 40% less muscle soreness 24-48 hours after the session.
How to Take Nitric Oxide Boosters
There are many supplements and foods that help boost NO. As mentioned above, citrulline is a popular supplement that has been shown to improve output during workouts and reduce muscle soreness. Citrulline comes in two forms: L-citrulline and citrulline malate. Citrulline malate is combined with malic acid and is the type most commonly used in research. The dose for L-citrulline, since it is more concentrated, is 5 mg and for citrulline malate is about 8 mg.
There are also several foods that are able to boost NO, particularly those that contain nitrate and flavonoids. Nitrate is found beets, pomegranate, and dark green leafy vegetables. The nitrate in these foods is able to be converted to NO. Flavonoids, an antioxidant found in fruits and veggies, can also boost NO. For the biggest benefit and NO boost, consider adding beet or pomegranate extract, powder, or juice to your pre-workout routine.
Omega-3 Fats
Omeag-3 fats are essential fats for human nutrition, meaning they must come from the diet. The three omega-3s, EPA, DHA, and ALA have been extensively researched for their anti-inflammatory and disease-preventing benefits. EPA and DHA are found primarily in fish. ALA is the plant-based form of omega-3s and is found flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts. The body has to convert ALA into the active omega-3s, so although it is beneficial, the poor conversion rate makes it less effective.
The biggest benefit of omega-3s for body builders has to do with exercise recovery and reducing soreness after workouts. The muscle soreness you feel after a tough workout is inflammation and omega-3s are powerful anti-inflammatories.
A 2009 study evaluated the use of omega-3s on perceived pain after a workout. Subjects received either 1.8 grams per day of omega-3s or a placebo for two days after completing leg exercises. Subjects who received omega-3s reported significantly lower perceived pain and improved range of motion at 48 hours after the exercise.
How to take Omega-3s
There are many different options on the market for omega-3 supplements. The best ones are those that contain DHA and EPA, since those are the active forms of the fat. If you are not vegan or vegetarian, you can take a fish oil supplement to meet your omega-3 needs. Be sure to choose a quality supplement that does not contain mercury.
Krill oil is another option as it tends to be less contaminated and resists oxidation better than other fish oils. Algal oil is made from algae that the fish eat, therefore it is the original source of DHA and EPA. It is also considered vegan or vegetarian and is less contaminated with toxins, making it a great choice.
No matter which you choose, the recommended dose is 3-6 grams per day of omega-3s if you are actively training to prevent inflammation and promote faster recovery.
Beta-alanine
Beta-alanine is an amino acid, although it is a non-essential one. This means that the body can make the beta-alanine it needs from other amino acids. So why take a beta-alanine supplement? Well, beta-alanine as the ability to help control lactic acid and other acidic compounds that are formed during workouts. Acid build up in the muscles is what leads to fatigue and muscle failure.
Beta-alanine reduces muscle acid by increasing levels of a compound called carnosine, responsible for modulating acid build-up. Supplementation with 2-6 mg of beta-alanine can increase carnosine concentrations by 20-80%. Taking a carnosine supplement alone, surprisingly does not increase carnosine in the muscles.
Taking a beta-alanine supplement can also help delay fatigue during workouts. A 2009 study of football players evaluated supplementation with beta-alanine prior to and during training. Those who received the supplement had higher training volumes and lower fatigue when compared to those who received a placebo.
How to Take Beta-alanine
The recommended dose for beta-alanine is 4-6 grams per day. It needs to be taken consistently to raise muscle carnosine, so just taking a supplement occasionally won’t help. Many pre-workout formulations contain beta-alanine, but unless you are going to take it every day, it is probably not worth it.
Glutamine
Glutamine is another non-essential amino acid. It is the most common amino acid in the muscles, making up about 61% of muscle tissue. During intense training, glutamine becomes depleted, which is why it is so important to eat protein after a workout. You don’t want to lose this important amino acid and lose muscle. Glutamine is particularly important in the “cutting” phase of training as it can help you lose body fat while protecting lean muscle. It can also boost your immune system, preventing illness.
Glutamine also helps with recovery. It is able to clear high levels of ammonia from the body that are created during exercise. This can mean that body will recover faster and promotes detoxifications after a tough bodybuilding session.
How to Take Glutamine
The recommended dose of glutamine is 10 grams post-workout to prevent soreness, promote glutamine repletion, and protect muscles. You will want to continue to take glutamine for 5 days post workout (or eat glutamine-rich foods) as it takes that long to recover from a tough session. Glutamine is also found in bone broth and gelatin, so you may consider adding those to your diet as well.
Supplements and Bodybuilding
There are so many supplement options out there claiming to help you gain muscle and improve your recovery time, but it is always best to proceed with caution. Yes, certain supplements can be a helpful part of your muscle gain program, but you always start slowly when introducing them to you daily regimen.
There is little research about how some of these supplements interact with each other. So, tread carefully, picking one or two to try and seeing how your body reacts. If you are concerned, ask your doctor or dietitian what is best for you.
With dedicated effort at the gym, a dialed-in diet, and a few tailored supplements, you will definitely see those gains you are working hard for.
- Published in Blog
Best Types of Supplements That Help You Get Stronger
While weight loss may be a goal for many, some of you may want to gain some weight. Not just any weight though, but strength gains. Sure, you can add some extra protein in your diet or change up your training at the gym. However, if these lifestyle changes are not having any impact on your strength, then you may need extra support.
In this case, a supplement may be just the thing to help you reach your strength gain goals.
Now when you think of strength supplements, anabolic steroids may pop into your mind. However, when used to increase muscle and performance the potential side effects produce more harm than good. Instead, there are many natural supplements out there that can help you increase strength safely and effectively.
And if you are thinking that such supplements are just for bodybuilders, then think again. That’s because muscle strength gains can benefit anyone trying to be their healthiest.
Maintaining muscle strength, especially as you age, is important for reducing injury, preventing falls, and improving all-around mobility. Also, training to strengthen muscles can also help you strengthen your bones, control blood glucose levels, maintain a healthy weight, reduce joint pain, and improve heart health risk factors like blood cholesterol.
Let’s look at some of the latest and best natural supplements for strength gains. When you add these supplements as part of a balanced, healthy diet and exercise program, you can improve your chances of meeting your ultimate health and fitness goals.
Just be sure to let your healthcare provider know before adding any new supplement to your daily regimen.
Creatine monohydrate
If you’re into fitness, I’m sure you’ve heard of creatine. However, you may not be completely aware of what this supplement is and what it does.
Creatine is a compound found naturally in muscle cells as well as in foods like beef, pork, and fish. The supplemental form of creatine, called creatine monohydrate, is often used to increase muscle performance during high-intensity, short-duration resistance exercises like strength training. It is found to be relatively safe for most people, with the most common side effect being water retention in the early stages of use.
Research shows that using creatine monohydrate supplementation during resistance training can increase lean tissue mass as well as upper and lower body strength in older adults. This supplement could also enhance energy stores, protein synthesis, and could possibly reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
Other research shows that creatine supplements can also help young athletes increase maximal strength, which is the maximum force a muscle is able to exert in a single voluntary contraction. Results of this study show that short-term supplementation of creatine may assist with enhancing efficiency and strength development.
A 2018 study on a similar age group of young adults looked at creatine supplementation on eight weeks of resistance training. Study results show that those young males provided 0.07 g/kg/day creatine supplementation during the resistance training showed increases in muscular strength in as little as two weeks.
Also, strength gains were significantly greater in four of six exercises completed during training in the creatine group versus placebo. There was some muscle damage, but researchers suggest that this is due to the greater training intensity enabled by the supplement. As well, this muscle damage may lead to greater protein turnover and enhanced muscle adaptation.
The position of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) is that creatine supplementation “is the most effective ergogenic nutritional supplement” that athletes can use to help increase “high-intensity exercise capacity and lean body mass during training.”
The ISSN also reports that creatine supplementation has not been shown to have any detrimental effects on healthy individuals who could benefit from the supplement.
Research shows an effective dose of creatine to be 0.3 g/kg/day for 5 to 7 days and then maintenance dosing of 0.03 g/kg/day for 4 to 6 weeks. Also, the ISSN reports that 0.3 – 0.8 g/kg/day equivalent to 21–56 g/day for a 70 kg individual has not been shown to have any clinically significant or adverse effects in clinical populations.
Research suggests not using creatine monohydrate with other supplements or at higher doses than those suggested since it could increase risk of liver and renal health issues. Be sure to ask your doctor before starting this supplement to be sure you take the safest dose for you.
Whey protein
Protein supplements are a well-known complement to any healthy lifestyle regimen, especially if you are a busy individual that needs convenient portable nutrition.
Although there are many kinds of protein supplements out there, whey protein is perhaps the most common. Whey protein is one of the main proteins found in dairy products and is a good source of the essential amino acids that the body needs to function.
Whey is found as a supplement in its powdered form and can be added to milk, water, or yogurt to make smoothies as well as to any soft foods to add protein. The benefits of whey protein in helping strength gains range from performance to recovery.
For example, a study of preconditioned older women found that whey protein supplementation helped promote increases in skeletal muscle mass, muscular strength, and overall functional capacity as compared to placebo. This study had the whey protein group ingest 35 grams whey protein daily for twelve weeks while performing resistance training for three days a week. Another similar study confirmed these results in a similar group of older women.
Furthermore, a study of college-aged males looked at the impact of whey protein supplementation on extreme volume resistance training. The young men performed six weeks of high-volume resistance training and consumed 25 grams of whey protein a day. Study results suggest that whey protein supplementation may be used to improve body composition during high-volume resistance training.
When it comes to recovery, research shows that whey protein can improve maximal strength, repetitions to failure, and peak power.
It has also been shown to improve acute recovery of exercise performance after a strenuous resistance training workout. Also, whey protein supplementation yields small to medium positive effects on restoring contractile function compared to placebo.
As far as timing, research experts recommend consuming whey protein post-training and post-competition within a 60-minute time frame for best recovery results.
Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)
Another strength gain supplement that can be found in powdered form, or capsule, is branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). BCAAs are essential amino acids such as L-isoleucine, L-leucine, and L-valine that cannot be made in the human body and therefore must be consumed in the diet.
These proteins are found in red meat, poultry, and dairy products in the omnivore diet and intake of them has been linked to increased heart disease and type 2 diabetes risk. However, it is suggested that this risk is not directly linked to BCAA intake, but to the low fiber intake of some individuals found to ingest high levels of BCAA in their dietary pattern. Therefore, individuals with a balanced diet full of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, along with the protein, would likely benefit most from BCAA intake.
Research shows that ingestion of BCAAs can stimulate myofibrillar muscle protein synthesis. This finding suggests that the supplement could help those performing resistance exercises improve muscle recovery. This improved muscle recovery is vital to optimal overall strength performance and gains.
Other research shows that BCAAs improved low muscle strength in patients with chronic liver disease and improved small-to-moderate levels of exercise-induced muscle damage in healthy individuals.
In a study of those with hepatocellular carcinoma, BCAA supplementation was found to be generally safe without serious adverse side effects. Therefore, BCAAs are thought to be generally safe in healthy adults as well in recommended doses.
Although more current dosage requirements have not been determined yet for the mix of the three BCAAs, 2006 findings show that up to 65 milligrams per pound of body weight should be safe.
However, it is recommended that you speak with a qualified healthcare provider first before starting this supplement to ensure you take a safe dose.
Beta-Alanine
Another amino acid containing supplement for strength gains is beta-alanine. This compound is a non-essential amino acid made in the liver and found in animal meat products like beef, pork, and chicken.
The benefits of this amino acid on muscle health is thought to stem from its role as a limiting factor on carnosine synthesis. Without beta-alanine, carnosine would not be able to increase muscular carnosine reserves.
This is important because carnosine enhances muscle excitation-contraction. Research shows that five weeks of 6.4 grams a day of beta-alanine produced increases in power output for loads equal to and increases in kilograms lifted at 1 repetition maximum, power outputs gained at maximum power, and the number of sets executed.
Besides increasing power during strength training, beta-alanine has also shown the ability to improve power in cardiovascular exercises. One study shows that beta-alanine supplementation can reduce 10-kilometer running time and lower lactate concentration in physically active adults as compared to placebo. The runners receiving the beta-alanine consumed about 5 grams of beta-alanine a day with 1 gram of resistant starch.
This study reveals the ability of beta-alanine to increase power in such individuals since a high blood lactate is what leads to athletes “hitting the wall” of their workout. Beta-alanine can therefore help extend the ability of athletes to work out before hitting that threshold.
The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) reports that beta-alanine is generally safe in healthy populations at recommended doses. The only side effect noted was tingling which can be lessened by using divided smaller doses or using a sustained-release formula. They also recommend that supplementation of four to six grams of beta-alanine a day for two to four weeks was found to improve exercise performance.
More research is needed to see if the strength and performance benefits extend beyond 25 minutes of exercise.
Glutamine
This amino acid is the most abundant amino acid in the body and plays a variety of important roles in metabolic health. Glutamine levels in the body tend to drop during critical illness and after surgery, which suggests that this amino acid may play a role in preventing illness and injury.
It is thought that this role stems from glutamine’s role in antioxidant defenses as well as its role in nitrogen transport throughout the body. Taking these roles in mind, it makes sense that athletes tend to use glutamine to help reduce the breakdown of muscle and improve protein metabolism, which can enhance strength gains.
A 2015 study looked at the impact of L-glutamine supplementation on the muscles of healthy participants after eccentric exercise. This type of exercise is defined as the motion of a muscle lengthening under a load. Study results show that L-glutamine supplementation helped produce faster recovery of peak torque of the knee extensor muscles and reduced muscle soreness after eccentric exercise.
Researchers suggest though that this recovery of muscle force may be greater in men than women.
Another study looked at the impact of a supplement blend containing L-glutamine on postoperative recovery of quadriceps muscle strength in those who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Study results show that a combination β-hydroxy-β-methyl butyrate, L-arginine, and L-glutamine supplement could suppress the loss of muscle strength after TKA.
It is also suggested that adding in nutrition and exercise to this post-surgery regimen may help patients to maintain quadriceps strength.
Finally, a 2018 study looked at the effect of leucine or leucine and glutamine supplementation on recovery after eccentric exercise. Study results show that both supplement groups improved the rate of recovery compared to placebo. Researchers suggest that short-term intakes of 20 to 30 grams of L-glutamine seem to be tolerated in healthy human adults without serious adverse effects.
Caffeine
We’re all familiar with caffeine from popular pick-me-ups like coffee and energy drinks. However, caffeine may also help with strength gains. Caffeine is a bitter substance found in many food and drink items like coffee beans, kola nuts used to make cola drinks, tea leaves, and cacao pods used to make chocolate.
Caffeine is best known for its energy-boosting properties, which comes from its ability to stimulate the central nervous system.
This stimulant supplement is relatively safe for most people in doses typically found in commercial food and drink products. It’s recommended that healthy adults consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine a day to prevent adverse effects like restlessness, anxiety, or insomnia, for example.
Certain groups of people like pregnant women, children, and those with mental illness should limit or avoid caffeine intake to reduce risk of harmful health effects.
If you’re a healthy adult, and not in the at-risk group, then caffeine could help you improve muscle health and in turn help improve strength gains. A 2018 meta-analysis of studies showed that caffeine ingestion improved strength and power of upper body muscles. These findings are from studies on men however, so more research must be done to confirm the same results in women.
Fish Oil
You may have heard of fish oil as a healthy fat beneficial for heart health. However, this supplement could also help improve strength gains.
Fish oil is typically sold as a blend of two long-chain omega-3 fatty acids known as eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and or docosahexaenoic (DHA).
Research shows that fish oil supplementation could help improve protein synthesis and increase muscle volume in older adults. These findings suggest that fish oil could help preserve lean muscle mass in this population that is vulnerable to loss of such muscle with aging. In turn, it could help improve health outcomes and mobility in this population.
These benefits also stem to athletes and other active individuals too. A 2018 study looked at the impact of fish oil supplementation on the muscle health of professional Rugby players during pre-season training. Over five weeks, the athletes took a protein-based supplement daily containing 1546 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids of which there was 551 milligrams each of DHA and EPA.
Study results show that this type of supplement helped reduce lower body muscle soreness and better maintenance of explosive power as compared to baseline.
Side effects of fish oil are usually mild such as bad breath, unpleasant taste, nausea, heartburn, or diarrhea. Those who take blood clotting medicines should avoid fish oil, and it’s unclear whether those with seafood allergies can safely consume fish oil supplements. Therefore, it’s better safe than sorry, so avoid this supplement if you are allergic to fish or seafood.
Summary
No matter what your age or health goals, strength gains in your muscle mass can benefit your overall health. And although changes in your diet and exercise regimen can be helpful, it may not always be enough to reach your strength gain goals. Therefore, a natural supplement like those listed above can be a safe addition to your daily regimen to help you boost strength, metabolism, and improve mobility.
It’s important before starting any new supplement regimen to talk to your healthcare provider first. This is because if you have any chronic health issues and/or are taking any specific medications for such conditions, then you may encounter interactions. So, if this is the case, just keep your diet as healthy as possible with plenty of fiber, protein, and other nutrients, and stay active most days to keep your lean muscle as strong as possible without supplements.
However, if you can add a supplement or two, then you may experience some extra added benefits than a diet and exercise program alone can provide for strength gains. But whatever regimen you decide, any small healthy change you can make in your lifestyle regimen will make a difference when it comes to helping you improve your overall health. If you’re not sure where to start, be sure to ask a qualified healthcare provider like a dietitian or physician to guide you towards your best health.
- Published in Blog, Fitness, supplements
Frequently Asked Questions About BCAA Supplementation
There are hundreds of amino acid types, but the focus of this article are branched chain amino acids.
Otherwise known as BCAAs, these acids help your muscles recover from strenuous activity, rebuild, and grow stronger, bigger, and better.
BCAAs are essential amino acids, meaning your body needs them to function, but cannot make them on its own.
Therefore, you need to get them in your daily diet.
There are many benefits of BCAA’s, some you will experience right away, and some that are more of a residual, long-term effect.
There are three amino acids in the BCAA category: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Each acid operates in a different way, and provides different benefits to your body.
Branched chain amino acids can be found naturally in protein-rich foods. Meats, beans, nuts and some grains all have high concentrations of BCAAs.
On the other hand, you can also supplement BCAAs in order to get a much higher and more concentrated dose. This option is usually ideal for athletes and people who exercise heavily.
What Are Amino Acids?
If you’re an active individual, you know the importance of eating healthy and ensuring that your body gets enough nutrients.
For athletes, strength trainers and fitness enthusiasts, the daily dietary needs are well above those of an average individual.
If you work out regularly, your body will crave additional nutrients.
The official dietary guidelines are just a starting point, meant for the average, relatively active individual.
If you’re an athlete or weight lifter, your diet plan might look a little different.
Primarily, you’ll need extra protein, which serves as the building block of healthy muscle And the building block of protein.
Amino acids
So, what exactly are amino acids?
Basically, amino acids are organic compounds that combine to form proteins, which are an essential part of many processes in the body.
Amino acids are vital for many functions of the human body, and even more important for strength trainers.
They also help to build and repair muscle tissues, among many other uses in the body.
What Are BCAA Supplements?
The average person will likely get enough amino acids from their daily diet to function normally.
However, that is sometimes not the case for athletes, and especially for bodybuilders.
Fitness enthusiasts need extra BCAAs in their body, in order to keep up with the strain they put their bodies through.
Weightlifters can have a hard time getting adequate branched chain amino acids in their diet.
Luckily, there are BCAA pills and powders that can help supplement your natural intake.
The top-of-the-line BCAA supplements will provide a high dose of leucine, isoleucine and valine in an easy and convenient package.
Capsules can be taken with water, while powders need to be mixed into a liquid, such as water or milk.
Higher quality BCAA powders will have a tasty flavor, so you’ll actually look forward to taking them after your workout.
Some products will also contain additional ingredients meant to speed your recovery and help build muscle, such as beta-alanine and citrulline.
What Are the Benefits of BCAAs?
The most notable benefits of BCAAs are:
* Increases muscle endurance – BCAAs can protect and fuel your muscles, allowing for longer workouts. They help delay mental and physical fatigue and muscle pain, allowing for more intense exercise and increasing the results of your efforts.
* Prevents muscle breakdown – BCAAs can also help to prevent exercise-induced muscle breakdown. This helps reduce muscle soreness, speed recovery, and improve muscle growth.
* Promotes protein synthesis – BCAAs have been shown in clinical studies to promote protein synthesis, which is essentially the process of rebuilding damaged proteins in the body. This helps repair the damage you do to your muscles during exercise.
* Promotes muscle growth – by activating protein synthesis, BCAAs help to increase muscle growth after exercise.
* Speeds up recovery – by adding a good BCAA supplement to your diet, you can speed your post-workout recovery significantly, due to the above benefits.
* Helps shed fat – by assisting your body in using fat stores for energy during workouts, BCAAs can help you drop unwanted fat from your body.
* Helps increase muscle tone – if bigger, more defined muscles are what you’re after, BCAAs can help.
* Prepares your body for muscle growth – in essence, BCAAs help prime your body to grow muscles. This will increase your results and make your time at the gym more efficient.
* Absorbs quicker than amino acids from food – amino acids in supplement form absorb significantly faster than those found in whole foods. See the explanation below.
Who Can Benefit from BCAAs?
A wide range of people can benefit from taking branched chain amino acid supplements.
Those who can benefit the most are:
* Men of all ages – Just about any man (over 18 years old) can benefit from additional BCAAs in their diet. Especially for those who are active, these supplements can have a huge positive effect.
* Women of all ages – Both sexes require adequate amino acids to achieve the best results. Any woman over 18 who is active can benefit from adding a BCAA supplement to her diet. Generally, these supplements don’t contain many gender-specific ingredients, so the best BCAA for women will typically be the overall best product.
* Athletes, bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts – Anyone who is active will greatly benefit from taking a BCAA. These simple supplements will help you lose more weight, build more muscle, and recover quicker. BCAAs for bodybuilding is highly recommended.
* Vegetarians and vegans – BCAAs are found naturally in foods, but the best food sources are typically meat products. If you do not eat meat, you’ll have a harder time getting a sufficient amount of amino acids in your diet. Adding a BCAA product to your diet can help greatly.
How Do I Take BCAAs?
First and foremost, you should always follow the instructions found on the product packaging and should always speak with your doctor before taking any supplements. This goes for any supplement.
Do not take more than instructed, unless you ask your doctor first.
As far as when to take BCAA supplements, there are several times throughout the day where they can be beneficial.
Some of the most beneficial times are before, during or right after your workouts.
Most of these supplements come in powder form. Many people mix them into water on their own, or add them into shakes with other supplements, fruits, milk, etc.
If you plan to consume your shake during your workout or on the way to the gym, using a BlenderBottle can make that process a lot easier, since you can blend on-the-go.
Most of the better BCAA products will blend fairly easily, so you shouldn’t need an actual blender in most cases.
BCAA Pills vs Powders: Which is Better?
Most popular BCAA supplements come in one of two forms: pills or powder.
Generally speaking, powders are more common, but pills are also popular due to the convenience factor.
So, what’s better – BCAA pills or BCAA powders?
We usually recommend powders.
BCAA powders are generally cheaper, offer more customizable doses, and are more flexible in how they are used.
For example, you can throw BCAA powders into your pre-workout or intra-workout drink, you can mix them with other supplements, etc.
Also, BCAA powders make taking high doses of BCAA easier.
If you’re on a training plan that calls for significant amino doses, you’ll end up having to take a ton of pills to reach the desired amount. With powders, it’s simply a teaspoon mixed into your drink.
Lastly, the powder form is almost always cheaper when you look at the per-gram cost – sometimes significantly cheaper.
Supplement costs can really add up for regular trainers, so cutting costs without sacrificing quality is always recommended.
With all that said, BCAA pills do have some benefits.
Mainly, they are a bit more convenient because you don’t have to mix them with anything. Simply swallow a couple to get your dose.
They are also tasteless, whereas some BCAA powders might have a harsh taste.
Lastly, pills are generally unflavored and don’t contain any additives, while powders are generally flavored.
As for the effectiveness of the two different forms, there won’t be much difference.
You will essentially be getting the same thing, just in a different form. Powders might digest slightly faster, but the difference is minor.
All factors considered, in the fight between BCAA powder vs pills, powders come out on top in our opinion.
Are there Any Side Effects of BCAAs?
As with any supplement you take, it’s important to understand the potential for unwanted side effects.
Generally speaking, BCAA side effects are mild, and the majority of people don’t experience any negative effects at all.
With that being said, certain supplements can cause some side effects.
For example, many BCAA supplements include beta-alanine.
Beta-alanine is known for one strange side-effect: many people experience a tingling sensation when taking it.
This tingling sensation is normal. It will go away once your body gets used to the supplement, or as soon as you stop taking the product.
Also, keep in mind that not all BCAA powders include beta-alanine, but some do.
Everyone is different, so be aware of your body and be sure to report any unwanted effects to your medical professional.
Just about anyone who works out on a regular basis can greatly benefit from adding a BCAA supplement to their diet.
- Published in Blog, supplements
Frequently Asked Questions About Post Workout Supplementation
Why is Post Workout Nutrition Important?
About 1-2 hours before your workout, you’ll want to eat a balanced meal consisting of plenty of protein and carbohydrates, which will give you the fuel you need for a successful workout. After exercising, you should consume a balanced meal to help meet post workout nutrition standards. post workout nutrition is very important.
During exercise, your body exerts itself to the extreme. It burns tons of calories, uses water to cool itself down, and depletes its stores of amino acids and other nutrients in order to build and protect muscle. Because of this, it’s important to replace those lost nutrients immediately after exercising.
After exercising, you’ll want to rehydrate with plenty of fluids, and eat a big meal with a lot of protein. Protein is the building block of muscle, and is absolutely essential for post workout recovery. Protein is made up of amino acids, which your body use to rebuild muscle, repair cells, and perform essential bodily functions.
Protein can be found in meats, dairy, eggs, grains, nuts and seeds. You can get a lot of protein naturally in your diet, but for weightlifters, it can be hard to get enough protein strictly from the foods you eat. Weight trainers need quite a bit of protein in their diets, often twice or more the standard daily recommended amount.
Because weightlifters need so much protein, they often supplement their diets with protein powders and other post workout supplements. Protein powders provide a convenient and affordable way to increase daily protein intake.
Protein powders are widely used in the weightlifting community. They provide a steady stream of amino acids to fuel muscle recovery and recharge the body. While protein powders are popular and effective, there are also post workout supplements that go beyond the basics and deliver the optimal blend of post workout recovery ingredients.
What Is a post workout Supplement?
post workout supplements are supplements that you take soon after exercising, in order to replace lost nutrients and jump-start your recovery. Often, they’ll contain a mix of amino acids, which are the building blocks of muscle, as well as other ingredients to assist in recovery, rehydrate your body, and replace the nutrients that are lost during intense exercise.
Most post workout recovery supplements come in the form of powders that are mixed into milk, water, or blended into shakes. They are designed to be absorbed and digested quickly, so that they can get to work right away. You can also find recovery supplements in the form of capsules or pills, which can be more convenient in some cases.
What is the Science Behind post workout Supplements?
The main ingredient in most post workout supplements is branched chain amino acids, or BCAA’s. There are 3 amino acids that are consider branched chain amino acids; leucine, isoleucine, and valine. These three amino acids are absolutely essential to the building and preservation of healthy muscles.
BCAA’s, and leucine in particular, help to stimulate protein synthesis. Basically, that means they help your body absorb and use protein more efficiently. Recent studies have also shown that BCAA’s can also help increase the amount of protein your cells can efficiently use. Because of this, BCAA’s can increase the efficacy of protein powders, allowing your body to use protein more effectively.
BCAA’s and all the essential amino acids are found in protein powders like whey protein isolate. So, why would you need to take a post workout supplement if you’re already taking a protein powder, you may ask? Basically, while whey protein takes several hours to fully break down and digest, the BCAA’s in post workout supplements digest very rapidly, because they are free-form and do not require digestion to enter the bloodstream.
Other common ingredients in post workout products include electrolytes, which help you stay hydrated, and protein powders, such as whey protein isolate. Both of these ingredients can be taken on their own, but for some people it’s nice to have it all in one easy package.
What Are the Benefits of a Post Workout Supplement?
post workout supplements are designed to help your body recover after a strenuous workout. They typically contain a blend of ingredients including amino acids, BCAAs, protein, creatine, and more.
Each formula is different, but they all aim to achieve a similar goal: faster, better post workout recovery. Some potential uses and benefits of these supplements include:
post workout Recovery
post workouts aim to support the recovery process following strenuous exercise. They do so by providing the nutrients that were depleted during the workout, and supplying specific ingredients aimed at supporting recovery. Several included ingredients can help.
Branched chain amino acids, or BCAAs, can help stimulate protein synthesis which helps build muscle and start the recovery process. A 2006 study found that BCAAs helped with muscle building and protein synthesis because they activate key enzymes involved in the process. BCAAs can also help to reduce muscle soreness, with several studies showing soreness levels as much as 33% lower in participants given BCAAs after exercise.
Other ingredients may help with recovery by improving hydration. Glutamine can speed recovery by improving muscle hydration. Taurine helps to regulate fluid balanceand may contribute to cell hydration.
Muscle Growth
post workouts are designed to help your muscles recover from exercise and grow stronger as a result.
BCAAs – and specifically leucine – are beneficial. Multiple studies have shown BCAAs to be beneficial in building lean muscle mass when combined with resistance training. Protein powders also help, by supplying amino acids needed for muscle growth. Recovery is a key part of the muscle-building process, and proper post workout nutrition is key to a good recovery.
Muscle Soreness
post workouts may help to reduce muscle soreness, making recovery more pleasant. Do note that muscle soreness is a normal side effect of intense workouts, and while some supplements might help, it’s likely that you’ll always experience some level of muscle soreness after exercise.
BCAAs play a key role. Several studies confirm that participants given branched chain amino acids after resistance training report muscle soreness levels as much as 33% lower than the control group. Protein powders can also help reduce soreness and speed training session recovery.
Convenience
After you exercise, your body needs nutrients, fluids and amino acids as soon as possible. This helps restore lost nutrients and kickstart the recovery process. While no replacement for a good meal, post workout supplements are a convenient way to ensure you get certain key nutrients quickly after concluding a workout.
While beneficial, these supplements are best used in combination with healthy post workout meals. See this guide for some post workout nutrition guidelines.
Who Can Benefit From post workout Supplements?
A wide range of people can benefit from adding these products to their daily supplementation routine. The people who will see the most benefit are:
* Weightlifters – Anyone who lifts weights should be taking some sort of post workout product. Weightlifters put their body under intense strain, so it’s very important for them to replace those lost nutrients and get a jump-start on recovery. People who like to train often will also appreciate the reduced muscle soreness that these products promote.
* Men and Women – Both men and women can greatly benefit from a good post workout product. Any active individual, regardless of their gender, can benefit. Generally, there is no need to take a “gender specific” recovery product, but there are a few designed specifically for women.
* Dieters – Anyone on a diet should take post workouts after exercising. When you diet, you can run the risk of not getting enough protein and nutrients.
* Athletes – Since these products help you recover after strenuous activity, athletes and endurance runners can benefit from taking a post workout supplement. These products can help you recover quicker, and reduce muscle soreness, which can make it easier to continue doing the activities you enjoy.
How Do I Take a Post Workout Product?
Generally, post workout supplements should be consumed immediately after exercise, or even during your workout. Because these products fuel recovery efforts, the sooner you take them, the better.
While you should try to take your post workout as soon as possible, it’s not a huge deal if you have to wait to get home to take it. In general, you should consume your post workout supplement within 45 minutes after your workout. This will ensure adequate time for the supplement to digest and begin fueling your recovery in the most efficient way.
If for some reason you miss that 45-minute timeline, you should still take the recovery supplement. It will still help you recover – it just won’t do quite as much as it would have if you’d taken it within that 45-minute post workout window.
Most people like to make a post workout recovery drink to consume immediately following their workouts. You can use a BlenderBottle to make recovery shakes on-the-go. It’s a good idea to keep a pre-made shake in your car so that you can drink it on the drive home from the gym. Using a BlenderBottle will make it easy to keep the shake mixed and ready to drink.
As with any supplement, it’s important to follow the instructions on the product packaging. Do not consume more than the recommended amount. Also, be careful about mixing too many supplements together, as that can cause side effects. As always, we recommend speaking to your doctor before beginning any sort of supplementation.
Are There Any Side-Effects?
Most people will not experience any side effects from taking post workout supplements. BCAA’s themselves should not cause any side effects, and they are the main ingredient in most of these products.
That being said, some post workouts contain ingredients that can cause side effects, such as creatine. While very effective at increasing muscle mass and endurance, creatine can cause bloating and temporary weight gain. This is because creatine increases water retention in the muscles, leading to extra water weight. This is a very minor and temporary side effect, and does not bother most people.
Some ingredients used in these products can also cause dehydration, but only if you don’t drink enough fluids. Proper hydration is especially important for athletes, so make sure you’re getting enough water on a daily basis. Exercise heats the body, and the body uses water to cool itself down, so you will always lose some fluids during your workouts. Also, common ingredients such as creatine can cause dehydration on their own, so drinking more water than normal is recommended when you’re using post workout supps.
What to Look for in a Good post workout Product
There are a wide range of products available in the “post workout” category. It’s hard to wade through all the options and find the one that’s right for you. Let’s go over some things you should look for when selecting a product.
* Ingredients – number one – what’s in it, how much is in it, and what can it do for you. Take a close look at the ingredients and note whether or not it contains everything you’re looking for. Also, keep in mind the supplements you already take (like protein powder) and how they’ll stack with the post workout.
* Brand reputation – who makes the product? Are they a well known, well respected company? You can read post workout supplement reviews to get an idea of the quality of the companies who make these supplements.
* Value for money – how much does it cost? More accurately, how much does it cost per serving. When comparing two or more products, calculate the cost per serving and compare that, rather than the cost of the product itself.
* Taste/flavor – does the flavor sound good to you? You’ll want to find something tasty or at least decent, otherwise you won’t want to actually use the product! Read product reviews.
We all realize that exercise is obviously very important – you should be following a regular exercise schedule with a good mix of weightlifting and cardio routines. However, exercise by itself will simply not give you the results you want: you need proper nutrition.
Good nutrition is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, and it’s even more important for weightlifters. In fact, most experts agree that maintaining a healthy diet is the #1 factor in reaching fitness goals. Exercise puts a lot of strain on your body – proper nutrition gives your body the energy and tools it needs to fuel your muscles for exercise, and repair them afterwards.
Weightlifters and fitness enthusiasts need to follow healthy diets to reach their goals. Overall diet is very important, so you should establish and follow a bodybuilding nutrition plan. Just as important as your overall diet is pre-workout and post workout nutrition.
- Published in Blog, Fitness, Nutrition, supplements
Best Types of Supplements to Speed Up Recovery
There is nothing worse than doing a tough workout and barely being able to walk the day after due to extreme soreness.
A little soreness here and there isn’t a huge deal, but when the aches and pains affect your ability to continue your workout program there might be a problem. After all, you want to get back to the gym as fast as possible because you know consistency is the key to seeing change.
Luckily, there are a few research-backed supplements that can help speed up recovery, reduce pain, and help you get right back to your training.
How Recovery Works
Although exercise is incredibly healthy for you, it damages muscles and tissues, creates acidic waste products, and increases inflammation. The soreness you feel after a tough session stems from a combination of microscopic tears in the muscles, the build-up of acidic compounds, and inflammation triggered by the workout.
Additionally, you may have some nutrient depletion after a hard workout, particularly depletion of protein, carbohydrates, and electrolytes. All of these need to be replenished or you will start to feel lethargic and maybe even lose muscle mass.
These supplements are designed to tackle all the common causes of soreness and fatigue in different ways.
Beta-alanine
Beta-alanine is an amino acid that can help neutralize some of the acidic compounds formed during exercise. Once it is ingested, it is used to make a compound called carnosine that actively reduces acidic hydrogen ions in the muscles. Reduction of acidity caused by exercise will help delay fatigue, reduce muscle damage, and help the body recover faster.
A 2008 study evaluated the effects of beta-alanine supplementation on the athletic performance of college football players. The subjects received either 4.5 grams of beta-alanine or a placebo for 30 days, starting three weeks before pre-season training camp. Researchers measured various performance markers including sprint, power tests, and line drills. The subjects also completed questionnaires about soreness, fatigue, and workout intensity. The subjects who received the beta-alanine reported less fatigue and soreness after a workout indicating a quicker recovery. They were also able to exercise at a higher intensity before fatigue set in.
How to Take Beta-alanine
In order for beta-alanine to increase carnosine levels in the muscles it must be taken regularly. Optimal results are seen after 2-4 weeks of regular intake. The recommended dose is 3-6 grams per day. Beta-alanine is known to cause a “pins and needles” feeling in some people, so if that happens you want to split up the dose or try taking it with food.
Beetroot
Beets are a red, root vegetable that sometimes show up in salads or roasted as a vegetable option. But, beets are incredible for promoting recovery. Beets contain a combination of nutrients that can be used to replenish many of the nutrients lost during a workout. They are high in B6, folate, vitamin C, and many minerals that act as electrolytes such as potassium and calcium.
A 2016 study evaluated the impact of beetroot juice on recovery after sprints. Twenty athletes were given either beet juice or a placebo for three days. They completed a sprint test on day one and then on day three of taking the supplement. Researchers measured various markers of inflammation, recovery, and performance. Those who received the beet juice had a faster recovery, more strength, and increased performance. Another study showed similar results with beet juice lowering inflammation and soreness.
How to Take Beetroot
There is no specific recommended dosage for beetroot. But, you can add it to your routine in many different ways. Obviously, you can eat whole beets. They taste great roasted or shredded into a salad.
You can also drink beet juice, but watch out for the sugar content because juicing anything concentrates the sugar content. Freeze-dried beets are becoming a popular potato chip alternative, so look for those for a quick portable snack.
Beetroot also comes in powdered form which can easily be added to any smoothie or post-workout shake. The options are endless for how you can harness the power of beets to boost your recovery.
Protein
A tough workout breaks down muscle. When it is broken down, the body must then repair and regrow stronger muscle. But, it needs enough protein in order to initiate this process as muscles are made from amino acids (found in protein). For this reason, in order to help your muscles repair and get stronger, you want to have protein immediately after your workout or at least within 30-minutes. The goal is to have somewhere between 20-30 grams of high quality protein.
How to Take Protein
There are many different ways to meet your post-workout protein goal. Obviously, you can get 20-30 grams of protein from food. This would mean eating around 3-4 ounces of meat, poultry, or fish. You could also drink 24 ounces of milk, eat 3 eggs or a cup of beans. Getting your protein from real food is great when you have plenty of time to prepare a meal after your workout, but let’s get real, a lot of us don’t have the time.
Instead, you may want to rely on protein supplements which are convenient and easy to use. Many come pre-mixed or packaged in individual servings where you can just add water or a liquid of choice.
The thing with protein powders is that there are literally thousands of them on the market made from a variety of different ingredients. Whey, casein, egg, beef, pea, soy, and hemp are just a few options you might come across. So, which do you chose?
First, let’s start with what the research says. Whey protein consistently out performs all other types when it comes to building muscle, helping you lose fat, and for quick and rapid digestion. It has been shown to boost muscle recovery and promote tissue repair. It contains all nine essential amino acids needed for human health.
Casein, the other protein found in milk, also has all nine amino acids. The main difference between casein and whey is that casein is digested more slowly. In the end, research has found that they both can help support muscle recovery and repair, they just go about it slightly differently.
Which should you choose? The answer probably a supplement that contains both. While whey gets to the muscles fast, casein continues to provide amino acids for muscle repair for several hours after your workout.
But, if you are sensitive to lactose, follow a vegan diet, or don’t eat dairy, casein and whey are not good options. They are the two proteins found in milk. Instead you will have to choose one of the plant-based options such as pea, hemp, or soy.
Soy is the only plant-based protein with all nine essential amino acids, so it would probably be the closest to whey or casein. One thing to note, it does contain phytoestrogens, which can mimic the effect of estrogen in the body. It may not be appropriate for people with specific hormone-related illnesses or concerns.
The other types of vegetarian protein options are not complete proteins, they are usually missing or low in at least one amino acid. But, that doesn’t mean they can’t help your muscles recover. A 2015 study found that supplementing with pea protein resulted in as much muscle gain as supplementing with whey, even though pea protein is low in methionine.
The bottom line is you need protein after your workout to promote recovery. Experiment with various types to see which works best for you. The type you choose may depend on your diet restrictions, cost, and personal taste preference.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fats are essential fats found in foods like fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds. They can promote recovery by lowering inflammation caused by tough workouts.
A 2014 study supplemented 26 physically fit men with either soy bean oil or tuna oil. The tuna oil contained 560 mg of DHA and 140 mg of EPA. Subjects were evaluated for recovery markers and inflammation after a workout. Those who received the omega-3s recovered faster from exercise, as measured by their heart rate going back to normal quicker.
A 2011 study evaluated the effect of omega-3s on post-exercise soreness. Eleven participants performed bicep curls while taking 3 g of omega-3s or a placebo for 14 days. Signs of inflammation were assessed before and after the workout. Soreness was 15% less in those who received the omega-3 .
How to Take Omega-3s
There are many different options for omega-3 supplements on the market. The primary concern when choosing one is to be sure that it contains both EPA and DHA, the most active forms of omega-3 fats.
Choose a fish oil that is sourced from smaller fish, such as sardines, which is likely less contaminated with heavy metals, like mercury.
Krill oil is another good option because it is well absorbed and also less contaminated. Algal oil is a vegan option for EPA and DHA.
Dosage for omega-3s can range between 1-6 grams of fish oil per day. Experiment with dosage amounts and muscle soreness to see how much you personally need.
Glucosamine
Glucosamine is made from the amino acid glutamine and glucose (or sugar). It is a compound that is essential for joint health and reducing joint pain. Exercise puts stress on the joints. Supplementing with glucosamine can help delay some of the damage and degradation, preventing osteoarthritis.
A 2007 study evaluated the effects of glucosamine on decreasing knee pain and recovery after injury. Participants were given 1500 mg of glucosamine or a placebo for 28 days. Knee pain, flexibility, and swelling were measured during the study period. At day 28, the glucosamine group had improvements in knee flexibility and swelling when compared the placebo group.
How to Take Glucosamine
The recommended dose for glucosamine is 1500 mg per day. Sometimes it is recommended that the dose be split up into 3- 500 mg doses. It should be taken with food. Some glucosamine supplements are paired with chondroitin, which is also beneficial for joint health.
Curcumin
Curcumin is the active ingredient in a popular spice from India called turmeric. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory that can be used to reduce swelling and pain in muscles.
A 2015 study evaluated the use of curcumin on muscle soreness. Seventeen subjects were given either 2.5 grams of curcumin twice a day or a placebo for two days before a single leg jump exercise workout and for three days after. Inflammation markers, performance, and pain were measured. Curcumin significantly reduced pain during the exercise, improved the jump height, and reduced inflammation markers after the exercise.
How to Take Curcumin
Curcumin is found in the spice turmeric, so if you enjoy the flavor you can always add it to your food. There is no standardized dose for turmeric, but most experts recommend anywhere from 500-2000 mg per day. The WHO recommends a dose of 1.4 mg per pound of body weight, which means a 150 pound person would need around 210 mg per day.
Curcumin is fat-soluble and should be taken with food. Additionally, look for supplements that contain piperine (a black pepper extract) which can help increase absorption.
Branch-chain amino acids (BCAAs)
Amino acids are the building blocks of muscles. But, there are certain amino acids, called branch-chain amino acids (BCAAs) that are particularly beneficial for muscle building and recovery. The three BCAAs are leucine, isoleucine, and valine.
BCAAs increase muscle synthesis, reduce perception of fatigue, and decrease post-exercise muscle soreness. BCAAs are used up during exercise, so they must be replenished in order to properly repair muscle.
A 2017 study investigated the effects of BCAA supplements on recovery and muscle damage. Sixteen participants were given either BCAAs or a placebo at a dose of 0.087 g/kg of body weight and a ratio of 2:1:1 of leucine to isoleucine and valine. The participants performed squats at 70% of their one rep max. Those who received the BCAAs had increased strength and reported less muscle soreness when compared to the placebo group.
How to Take BCAAs
BCAAs are available in specialized supplements that can be taken before, during, or after a workout. The recommended dosage is 5-20 grams depending on your body weight and physical activity level. The ratio of leucine to isoleucine and valine should be 2:1:1.
Whey protein is high in BCAAs, so if you take whey you really don’t need a separate product.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation, lower oxidative stress, and prevent fatigue after exercise.
A 2008 study evaluated the effects of 14 days of CoQ10 supplementation on recovery and athletic performance. Subjects were given 100 mg of CoQ10 or a placebo twice a day for 14 days. Subjects who received CoQ10 had less oxidative stress after exercise. They were also able to increase the amount of time they were able to exercise.
How to Take Coenzyme Q10
Dosages for CoQ10 can vary from 50-300 mg per day. Most research on athletic performance and CoQ10 utilizes levels around 300 per day. Since CoQ10 is a natural antioxidant in your body, there is no major danger of toxicity. At very high doses there are reports of headaches and stomach discomfort. Some people report insomnia with CoQ10, so consider taking it in the morning.
Look for a supplement that has the ubiquinol form of CoQ10, which is best absorbed. It should also be taken with a meal.
Glutamine
Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body and makes up 60% of the amino acids found in muscles. During exercise glutamine is significantly depleted. Glutamine supplements may help support a faster recovery and maintain muscle mass. Glutamine also helps muscle cells stay hydrated, important for muscle recovery. A 2011 study found that glutamine helped reduce muscle soreness and prevented strength loss.
How to Take Glutamine
At least 5-10 grams of glutamine should be taken immediately after a workout to support repair of the muscles. Glutamine supplements are frequently paired with creatine supplements and these two compounds work well together to keep muscle cells hydrated.
Citrulline Malate
Citrulline malate is a compound that helps remove ammonia from the body, which can contribute to muscle soreness. It helps the kidneys remove waste products from the body.
A 2010 study investigated the impact of citrulline malate on exercise performance and muscle recovery. Subjects performed two training sessions where they did a bench press. They were given 8 grams citrulline malate before one of the two sessions and a placebo on the other. Those who received the citrulline were able to increase repetitions by 53%. They also had 40% less muscle soreness in the 48 hours following the exercise.
How to Take Citrulline Malate
Recommended dosage for citrulline is 5 to 15 grams per day. You may experience some stomach discomfort at higher dosages, so you can split it up if needed.
The Bottom Line for Recovery
If you are looking to gain muscle or change your physique, you have to take recovery seriously. Recovery is not just about getting enough protein or the right supplements, it is also about actually resting from time to time.
It is not necessary to exercise every day to see progress. Anywhere from 3-6 days a week may be adequate, depending on your goals and schedule. If you have to do something active every day, consider throwing in a few “active recovery” days where you go for a walk or do a yoga class, instead of a tough workout.
Finally, the best thing you can do for recovery is get enough sleep, so aim for 8 hours a night.
- Published in Blog, Fitness, supplements
Best Types of Supplements for Bulking & Gaining Weight
You would love to gain some weight in a healthy way and maybe put on a few pounds of muscle.
That way you will at least look like you have been working out, right?
Gaining weight healthfully is not just about eating a ton of extra calories a day (although that does somewhat help), you also want to throw a few supplements into the mix to support your efforts.
These supplements work in different ways, some can help add additional calories, while others help boost performance so you can work out harder.
How Weight Gain Works
First, you need to understand how weight works. The body resists gaining or losing weight. It tries really hard to stay the same. So, in order to gain or lose weight you have to put in some effort. For weight loss, you have to eat less and for weight gain, you have to eat more.
You can figure out how many calories you burn with a simple calorie calculator. This will give you the number you need to maintain your weight. You will then need to eat more calories than that. Aim for 500 extra to start, so you don’t feel overly stuffed or full.
But, if you want to gain weight you probably don’t want to gain it all in fat. This means just eating a bunch of extra calories won’t be enough. You will have to take into account the type of extra calories you will be eating.
The muscles need protein to build muscle. After you exercise, the muscles will only grow if there is enough protein available and if that amount exceeds the protein that was lost during the workout.
Without protein to replenish the muscles after a tough workout, the muscle will just consume itself.
The muscles continue to breakdown about 24-48 hours after the workout, so you don’t need to just worry about your protein immediately after your workout. Forty-eight hours is the critical window where you need to continue to eat enough protein.
How much protein do you need?
The recommendation is based on body weight. In order to gain weight, you want to eat 0.5-0.9 grams per pound. This means if you weigh 150 pounds, you will need 75-135 grams of protein per day. Four ounces of meat, chicken, or fish has about 28 grams of protein.
This means you will have to eat about 11-20 ounces to meet your daily protein requirements. You can also use supplements if that is easier.
Hormones also impact muscle growth, particularly insulin and testosterone. We will talk about some ways to increase testosterone, but insulin is also important. After a workout, if insulin is high, then muscle breakdown will be prevented.
How do you get your insulin up after a workout? By eating some carbohydrates in addition to your protein.
The bottom line to gain weight with your diet is to:
1. Eat more calories. Add healthy fats to get your calories up.
2. Eat more protein to be sure you are putting on muscle.
3. Don’t forget those carbs to keep insulin levels up and prevent muscle breakdown.
Once you get your diet dialed-in you can use supplements can give you the edge you need to help you reach you weight gain goals.
Whey Protein
You need protein to gain muscle mass and a whey protein supplement is the best way to do this.
Whey consistently demonstrates that it is the best type of protein for building muscle, basically it out performs all other types.
Whey is one of the two proteins found in cow’s milk, the other is casein. It is a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids needed for human health. In addition, the amino acid composition in whey is ideal for muscle building. It is high in branch-chain amino acids, particularly leucine, that helps promote muscle growth by stimulating the release of muscle-building hormones.
Due to its composition, it is easily absorbed, which helps ensure the amino acids where get to the muscles where they are needed. Adding whey to your routine is the best way to get your muscles the protein they need to help you gain weight.
How to Take Whey Protein
When you go out to look for a whey supplement, you might feel overwhelmed because there are so many different kinds. The three main types available are whey concentrate, isolate, and hydrolysate. The main difference is how they have been processed. The more processed they are, usually the higher the price.
Whey concentrate is usually the best tasting and cheapest because it is higher in fat and lactose (milk sugar) when compared to the other two. This would not be a good choice for someone who is lactose intolerant.
Whey isolate also has a bit of lactose so you may want to avoid this if you are very sensitive to it. It is slightly more processed than concentrate and more expensive.
The best choice for someone who wants to gain weight is whey hydrolysate. This is generally the most expensive, but has additional benefits for weight gain. It has been found to increase insulin levels, which is necessary to put on muscle. Whey hydrolysate probably tastes the worst out of all three options, but feel free to add fruit, peanut butter, or other flavorings to it.
Since muscles need protein for 24-48 hours after a workout to re-build, consider adding whey to your daily routine. It is most beneficial right after a workout. Try to get in 20-30 grams of whey protein immediately following a weight training session.
Creatine
Creatine monohydrate is one of the most extensively researched dietary supplements. Over 500 studies have shown that it can increase muscle and strength gain by 5-15%. It works by boosting creatine and phosphocreatine in the muscles. When these two substances are high, you can push harder during your workout, so you can see muscle gains faster. It also helps improve muscle strength and increases hormones responsible for muscle building.
Creatine can also help your muscles look bigger by increasing water in the cells. Sometimes it is all about the look, isn’t it?
But, no matter how great creatine might be as a supplement, it won’t work if you don’t exercise, as it doesn’t magically make your body build muscle.
How to Take Creatine
If you are taking creatine for gaining weight, you want to “load” the creatine the first week. This means you will take 20 grams per day for the first 5-7 days. During this time, expect to see a 2-4 pound weight gain from the water the muscles will pull in to hold on to the creatine in the cells. After that, you can drop down to 5 grams per day for maintenance.
Weight Gainers
Weight gainers are supplements with huge amounts of protein and calories to help you gain weight. Eating more calories, especially from protein, can be really hard because protein is so filling. These types of supplements were designed to help you out.
Many of these supplements contain over 1,000 calories per serving. It would be really hard to make a 1,000 calorie supplement of protein alone, so many of these also have a mega dose of carbs included. The macronutrient breakdown for most of these supplements is anywhere from 75-300 grams of carbs and 20-60 grams of protein.
There isn’t a huge amount of research on these products specifically, although not all people react the same to such a large boost in calories and protein. Meaning, you may not see the huge mass gains you expect from using these supplements.
How to Take Weight Gainers
Weight gainers are ideal for people on the go who have trouble eating enough food. They allow you to get a ton of calories in one easy step. They can be used as a meal replacement or snack. Many of them contain vitamins, minerals, or other added nutrients. You want to be sure that you are not getting too much of any one nutrient if you are taking other supplements in addition to the weight gainer, so be sure to carefully check the labels.
Beta-alanine
Beta-alanine doesn’t promote weight gain, but can help reduce fatigue and increase exercise performance so you can work out harder. It works by preventing the build-up of acidic compounds that are created during workouts. Basically, it reduces muscle burn, so you can work out longer. It does so by increasing the levels of a compound called carnosine in the muscles. Carnosine helps neutralize the acidity created during weight training.
How to Take Beta-alanine
Supplementing with 2-6 mg per day can help increase carnosine by 20-80%. Beta-alanine needs to be taken consistently to increase levels of carnosine in the muscles, just taking it occasionally won’t help.
When looking for a beta-alanine supplement you might encounter a few carnosine supplements as well. But, those surprisingly are not as effective as beta-alanine in increasing carnosine in muscles. Carnosine when taken orally gets broken down into other compounds, so it never reaches the muscles where it is needed.
HMB
Beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) can help reduce muscle breakdown after a workout and boost recovery. HMB is a molecule that is produced during the processing of the branch-chain amino acid leucine. It is one of the reasons why leucine is always recommended for muscle building.
Although the body naturally produces HMB, taking it as a supplement has shown to encourage muscle growth and reduce muscle break down. Ideally, HMB should be taken immediately after a workout for the most benefit.
How to Take HMB
Dosage of HMB is based on body weight. The recommended amount is 17 mg per pound of body weight. This would mean a 140 pound person would need about 2.5 grams a day. It will take about 2 weeks to see the benefit of HMB.
Testosterone Boosters
Testosterone is a hormone that is needed to build muscle. There are several different supplements that claim to boost testosterone. Some have more research behind them than others. A few popular ones are:
* D-aspartic acid
* Fenugreek
* DHA
* Tribulus terrestris
* Ashwagandha
* Ginger
* Zinc
* Vitamin D
The research on these supplements is mixed. For example, one small study on ashwagandha, muscle strength, and testosterone, showed that 300 mg of ashwagandha twice a day did increase testosterone levels, muscle mass, and strength for young men. A 2013 study found supplementing with 3g of D-aspartic acid in combination with a weight training program significantly increased muscle strength and mass. But, interestingly enough, there was no increase in testosterone levels.
Much of the research on these other “testosterone boosters” has been done on men with low testosterone levels or sexual dysfunction, not on those who want to gain weight. If your testosterone levels are normal, you may not see a huge change with these supplements.
How to Take Testosterone Boosters
Since the research on these is mixed, proceed with caution. Many of these supplements, like vitamin D, ashwagandha, and ginger, are generally considered safe for most people at normal doses. Avoid taking supplements with multiple ingredients, as there isn’t enough research to determine how these boosters interact with each other.
Branch-chain amino acids (BCAAs)
Protein is made up of amino acids, each of which has a different composition. There are three amino acids, valine, leucine, and isoleucine that are referred to as the “branch-chain amino acids” because of how their side chains branch off. This is probably way more organic chemistry than you need to know. The point is that branch-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are important for muscle growth and reducing muscle loss.
A 2016 study evaluated the use of BCAAs on 17 resistance-trained athletes. They gave the athletes either a BCAA supplement or a carbohydrate-only supplement for 8 weeks, while the subjects continued to work out and follow a low-calorie diet. Those who received the BCAAs maintained lean muscle mass and increased strength. Researchers concluded that even on a low-calorie diet, those who received the BCAAs still were able to gain muscle mass.
How to Take BCAAs
BCAAs are widely available in food, every food with protein has BCAAs. Whey protein is also great source of BCAAs. If you are getting enough protein, you probably don’t need a separate BCAA supplement.
If you want to take BCAAs alone, the dose is 3-6 grams before or during your work out. The supplement you choose should be two parts leucine to one part isoleucine and valine.
Caffeine
Caffeine won’t directly cause you to gain weight. Most caffeinated drinks, like coffee or tea, don’t have any calories and you need calories to gain weight. But, caffeine does enhance performance. There is significant evidence that moderate caffeine intake, about 3-6 mg/kg of body weight, can enhance athletic abilities. But, there is a limit to caffeine’s ability to increase performance. After about 6 mg/kg, there is no improvement. But, the ability to work harder during a workout could eventually result in muscle gain.
How to Take Caffeine
Caffeine is most effective when consumed without water, in a capsule or supplement form. But, regular coffee can work too. A cup of coffee has about 100 mg of caffeine, depending on how strong you make it. For a 150 pound person, 200-400 mg of caffeine is the recommended amount for optimal athletic performance.
But, tread with caution with caffeine. You probably already know how too much caffeine might affect you. If it makes you jittery or anxious, back off. Too much caffeine at once can be dangerous and lead to heart problems.
Citrulline
Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid that the body is able to produce on its own, but is also found in food. Although it won’t directly result in weight gain, it does allow you to work out harder which could eventually help with increasing muscle mass.
A 2010 study evaluated the impact of citrulline on bench press performance and recovery. Forty-one subjects performed two sets of bench presses and were given either 8 grams of citrulline or a placebo. The subjects were asked to do repetitions to fatigue at 80% of their one rep max. The subjects who received the citrulline were able to do 53% more repetitions than the placebo group. They also reported 40% less muscle soreness after the exercise session. The reason for these findings is that citrulline is able to increase blood flow to the muscles, which may result in a boost in performance.
How to Take Citrulline
There are two types of citrulline on the market, L-citrulline and citrulline malate. For sports performance, citrulline malate is the preferred type. The recommended dose is 6-8g of citrulline malate about an hour before exercise.
Tips to Gain Weight
The bottom line with weight gain, just like weight loss, is patience. Unfortunately, we are all shaped differently.
For some people, putting on muscle mass can be easy and fast. For others, they may never have the muscles mass they desire.
There is only so much you can do to modify the shape of your body. The best thing you can do is to continue to work out, get enough calories and protein, and try a few supplements that can help, the rest is up to your genetics.
- Published in Blog, Fitness, supplements
What is Leucine?
Leucine is a branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) that is critical for muscle repair and protein synthesis.
In fact, leucine may be considered the most important of the three BCAAs.
The other two branched-chain amino acids are valine and isoleucine. Leucines’ importance is due to it being the primary amino acid involved in the building of muscle tissue.
As an amino acid, Leucine is one of the “building blocks” of protein and muscle tissue.
As you consume protein your body breaks it down into amino acids. Those amino acids help build muscle and help the body function properly.
It has been noted in studies that leucine helps wounds heal, regulates blood sugar levels, and produces growth hormones.
Leucine is one of the nine essential amino acids that the body needs to grow and function properly.
Unlike nonessential amino acids, essential amino acids cannot be created by the body. Therefore, the essential amino acids need to be digested through foods or supplements.
The greatest natural sources of leucine through the diet are animal proteins such as poultry, eggs, and meat.
Leucine can also be ingested through other sources such as beans and legumes.
In supplements you will see “L-Leucine” and “Leucine” as ingredients. These two terms refer to the same active ingredient.
Leucine has many potential benefits, but most studies are centered around its effects on muscle growth and athletic performance.
Leucine Uses
There are many potential uses for leucine supplements, some of which are more proven than others.
Some of these potential benefits include:
* Strength performance: In one study, researchers had participants supplement with 4 grams of leucine each day during a 12-week resistance training program. This documented study showed that L-leucine supplementation resulted in a significant increase in strength performance. Leucine may be used as a nutritional supplement to enhance strength performance – either on its own or combined with other BCAAs.
* Muscle recovery: A study where participants supplemented before doing squats suggest that leucine may be useful for muscle recovery following exercise. Ultimately, leucine strongly promotes protein synthesis in skeletal muscles, and protein synthesis is vital for proper post-workout recovery.
* Muscle loss: In a two week study the researchers supplemented meals of older adults with 4 grams of leucine per meal, three times a day. Researchers in this study found leucine supplementation may improve muscle protein synthesis in response to lower protein meals in older adults. This may be beneficial for slowing muscle loss in older populations, but more research is needed.
* Muscle gain: It is thought that leucine supplementation may be beneficial for muscle growth, when combined with strength training. Results have shown that low levels of leucine signals mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTor) to be disabled. When leucine levels reach sufficient levels, mTor is increased and muscle building can begin.
There are more claimed benefits of leucine supplementation, but they may not have adequate clinical evidence supporting them.
As a whole, leucine supplements need more clinical research in order to fully realize its potential benefits.
It’s also worth noting that there are many documented benefits of branched chain amino acids, as BCAAs in general are very well-studied.
There have been fewer studies looking specifically at Leucine by itself.
How to Take Leucine
Leucine is known to be bitter tasting as a powder, so you may want to consider capsules if you cannot stomach bitter tastes.
If you want to consume the powder, it can be mixed with protein shakes, smoothies, etc.
There are also flavored powders available, which help to mask the bitter taste of leucine.
There is not an established daily dose for leucine, but most studies above consisted of 4,000 – 5,000 mg per day.
Examine.com notes that leucine is typically supplemented in the 2,000 – 5,000 mg per day range.
Depending on your personal goals, manufacturers recommend taking leucine before and after workouts. It may also be beneficial to take before bed to help recovery during sleep.
Side Effects and Precautions
There are no known harmful side effects for taking branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplements such as Leucine.
There may be some potential interactions with pharmaceuticals, however.
For instance, leucine supplements combined with diabetic medications can drop blood sugar levels. Therefore, patients with hypoglycemia should not take leucine supplements.
Be sure to ask your doctor or physician before taking supplements. That way, your doctor can check to see if there are any side effects or interactions with medications or foods.
Leucine supplements should not be used by infants, or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Published in Blog, supplements
Create Your Own Supplement Stack
Branched-Chain Amino Acids
Goals: Increased strength, focus, energy, muscle building, decreased catabolism
BCAAs are the essential amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine. They are called “essential” because the body cannot manufacture them, thus they must be acquired in the foods and supplements we ingest.
BCAAs make up a large proportion of the total amino-acid content in skeletal muscle, and during exercise, they are readily broken down (catabolized) to produce energy. Taking BCAAs before, during and after training ensures that the blood has an abundance of essential aminos necessary to fuel your workout and support recovery. Taking BCAAs preworkout and intraworkout conserves your muscle BCAA stores, increases fatigue resistance, protects the body from catabolism and decreases recovery time.
The BCAA leucine boosts the release of the anabolic hormone insulin. You want insulin levels to be rapidly elevated after your workouts because this hormone carries nutrients such as glucose and amino acids into muscle cells — promoting greater protein synthesis and muscular gains. Remember, for the greatest results, make sure that each serving of your BCAA supplement has at least twice as much leucine as isoleucine and valine (i.e., at least 2:1:1, leucine:isoleucine:valine ratio).
What are they? BCAAs are the essential amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine, which share a unique branched-chain structure (hence their name) and are stored in muscles. They’re considered “essential” because our bodies cannot produce them, so they must be taken in through the diet.
How do they help you refuel and recover? During heavy training, the body takes BCAAs from active muscles to be used as energy — a catabolic process. Refueling with BCAAs immediately after exercise boosts blood levels and shuts down catabolism. In addition, taking BCAAs provides the body with surplus leucine, which turns on anabolism and supports heightened protein synthesis. The anti-catabolic and anabolic support offered by BCAAs helps speed recovery and boost muscle growth.
Creatine
Goals: Energy (ATP), strength, power, anabolism
The research supporting creatine as a strength and muscle builder is undisputable. Creatine taken preworkout is rapidly taken up and stored in skeletal muscle where it provides much-needed high-energy creatine phosphate to supply muscles with the substrates to quickly make ATP (energy for contraction). Having elevated creatine stores available in working muscle promotes dramatic increases in strength and power during explosive and extended performances, with less time needed for rest.
When taken after exercise, creatine monohydrate can replenish and boost muscle creatine stores. Having extra creatine around after training not only provides energy substrates for future exercise bouts but also promotes greater protein synthesis (into recovery) by physical and hormonal mechanisms. First, it increases the amount of water taken up by muscle cells — which swells the muscle and signals for increased repair. (It also makes your muscles look bigger.) Second, it increases the production of insulin-like growth factor-1 and decreases myostatin levels (the “anabolic brakes”) during recovery from heavy training.
Beta-Alanine
Goals: Increased exercise intensity and volume, power, strength gains
In skeletal muscle, beta-alanine reacts with histidine to produce carnosine. Beta-alanine is the rate-limiting substrate in the formation of carnosine; thus, when it is supplemented adequately, it elevates
muscle carnosine levels. Research shows that just four weeks of beta-alanine supplementation can increase muscle carnosine levels by more than 60 percent. Elevated muscle carnosine increases exercise performance through its ability to reduce skeletal muscle acidity during prolonged high-intensity exercise. Since fatigue during heavy exercise is exacerbated by the accumulation of acidic metabolic byproducts, it makes sense why increased intramuscular carnosine levels would be beneficial to bodybuilders and strength athletes alike. Research has shown that stacking beta-alanine with creatine can significantly improve exercise endurance performance.
Formulation: Preworkout 2 to 3 grams; postworkout 2 to 3 grams
Citrulline
Goals: Vasodilation (increased blood flow to exercising muscle), muscle pump, energy
This amino acid also helps prevent muscle fatigue because it assists in production of energy by increasing the rate of phosphocreatine and ATP production. Citrulline converts to arginine (the precursor to nitric oxide) in the body and optimizes blood and nutrient delivery to working muscles.
Once L-citrulline is in circulation, it is converted to L-arginine by the kidneys, leading to increases in blood levels of L-arginine and nitric oxide. Recent research indicates that citrulline supplements increase blood levels of arginine and nitric oxide more effectively than arginine ingestion. Increased production of nitric oxide promotes vascular dilation, which helps support blood delivery and metabolic waste removal throughout the body. It’s this nitric-oxide-potentiating effect that gives L-citrulline supplements their pump-promoting properties. Beyond creating incredible pumps, a single preworkout dose of citrulline was recently shown to combat exercise-induced fatigue, increase time to exhaustion and substantially decrease muscle soreness.
Although this may sound like a logical approach, ingesting L-arginine does not boost blood arginine levels as well as pure L-citrulline. This is because the gut and liver contain enzymes called arginases, which serve to break down and eliminate exogenous arginine. So, because of these arginases, L-citrulline is more efficacious in elevating blood arginine and NO than arginine itself. In fact, a study presented in 2006 illustrated that acute ingestion of L-citrulline elevated plasma arginine levels by approximately 227 percent (within four hours of ingestion) compared to only 90 percent with the equivalent dose of arginine.
Formulation: Preworkout 2 to 3 grams; intraworkout 2 to 3 grams
Caffeine
Goals: Energy, focus, intensity, increased exertion
Although caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, its effects on energy levels go far beyond its energetic buzz. Many studies show that preworkout caffeine supplementation dampens perceived exertion and muscle pain during exercise and into recovery. As such, many find that preworkout caffeine promotes higher workout intensity and volume, resulting in greater gains in a shorter time.
Formulation: Preworkout 200 to 300 milligrams; intraworkout 100 to 200 milligrams (optional)
Your workout window should be split into three supplemental periods: preworkout, intraworkout and postworkout. Here are the critical time periods.
Preworkout: 30-60 minutes before training
In the hour before training, you should be priming your internal environment for work. This means optimizing your mind and body with the right macronutrients and supplements necessary to maximize performance.
In a shaker, mix 10 to 20 grams of your favorite whey protein isolate or blended protein supplement in 12 to 16 ounces of water. Leave some room in the shaker cup because you will be adding the rest of your preworkout ingredients to this shake. Whey protein contains high levels of essential amino acids, which serve to keep blood amino acids high at the onset of exercise.
Intraworkout: 10-20 minutes into training
During your workout, you want to assure that your body and mind are full of key substrates needed to fuel your workout. In fact, there are key amino acids (like glutamine and branched-chain amino acids), micronutrients and electrolytes that can be depleted because of increased metabolism and sweating associated with exercise. Proper fueling during this period will ensure that you sustain your workout intensity from start to finish.
In a shaker, fill with 12 to 16 ounces of your favorite electrolyte sports drink (can be sweetened with sugar or sugar-free — depending on goals). You will mix your intraworkout supplements in this drink and sip it while you are on the gym floor. This cocktail is designed to replenish lost electrolytes and substrates needed to push you through your workout. There are quite a few powders on the market that you mix with water, or simply use a ready-to-drink electrolyte beverage like Gatorade or Gatorade G2.
Postworkout: Immediately after training
Immediately after you train, your body’s internal environment is optimized for nutrient absorption. As such, immediately postworkout is the perfect window to provide macronutrients and supplements that replenish what was lost, for greater gains in recovery, muscular development and performance.
- Published in Blog, supplements
Protein
Amino Acids
Both muscle and milk contain all the naturally occurring amino acids, and thus meat and dairy products are valuable foods (both have high biological value, and dairy sources have higher values). The most abundant amino acids in muscle are the three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), leucine, valine, and isoleucine, which together account for 20% of the total amino acids found in muscle protein. Both meat and dairy protein have high BCAA content.
Athletes at Risk of Insufficient Protein Intake
People with extremely low protein intakes may suffer from protein deficiency, which can compromise function and ultimately lead to loss of body protein (atrophy). Certain groups of athletes are primarily recognized as being at risk from protein and energy deficiency: female runners, male wrestlers, boxers and other athletes in weight category sports, ski jumpers, male and female gymnasts, and female dancers. Although protein intake for these groups may be adequate on average, certain people within these groups may have protein intakes well below the RDA due to low energy intake.
Another group that has been suggested to be at risk is vegetarian athletes. Plant food
sources typically contain lower-quality proteins that have low levels of one or more
essential amino acids .
In addition, the digestibility of plant protein can be low compared with animal protein. Although some concern exists that vegetarian athletes may struggle to meet the protein requirements, the evidence for this is lacking, and adequate protein intake seems possible through a balanced vegetarian diet.
Amino Acid Metabolism
The metabolism of most amino acids is linked to the metabolism of other amino acids, and some amino acids can be synthesized from other amino acids. This feature is especially important in conditions of limited dietary protein intake or when metabolic requirements increase. Some amino acids are essential and are not synthesized in the body, whereas others can be synthesized in the body (nonessential amino acids) .
Amino acids are involved in a variety of biochemical and physiological processes, some of which are common to all and some of which are highly specific to certain amino acids.
Amino acids are constantly incorporated into proteins (protein synthesis), and proteins are constantly broken down (protein degradation or breakdown). The vast majority of the amino acids in the body are
incorporated into tissue proteins, but a small pool of free amino acids also exists (about 120g of free amino acids are present in the skeletal muscle of an adult). Amino acids are constantly extracted from the free amino acid pool for synthesis of various proteins, and breakdown of protein makes amino acids available for the free amino acid pool.
Timing of Protein Intake
The timing of food intake after exercise is important to the balance between protein
synthesis and protein degradation. Studies have investigated protein ingestion immediately after exercise, 1 or 3 hours after exercise, or before exercise. In one study by Tipton et al. (2001), volunteers ingested 6 g of essential amino acids plus 35 g of carbohydrate immediately before and immediately after completion of an intense leg resistance exercise bout. Amino acid uptake seemed to be greater when the nutrients were ingested before the exercise bout than immediately afterward, but the anabolic response was similar in magnitude for both preexercise and postexercise feeding. This study suggested that the anabolic response to exercise and amino acid and carbohydrate ingestion is greater with preexercise ingestion versus immediately postexercise, and it was suggested that the observed differences were likely related to the delivery of amino acids to the muscle. Free amino acids ingested before exercise may result in increased amino acid delivery (because of increased blood flow to active muscles during the exercise session) and lead to superior amino acid uptake compared with amino acids ingested after exercise. However, this study was performed with essential amino acids. When some of these studies were repeated with whey protein (and no carbohydrate), the difference between feeding before a bout of resistance exercise and after was not evident. The current consensus is that ingesting protein soon after exercise (within approximately 1 hour after exercise),
which is more practical than preexercise protein consumption, is the best way to increase net protein synthesis postexercise.