There are so many bodybuilding supplements available it is very difficult to know which is the right one to choose. Anybody that is into bodybuilding needs to ensure that they get the right nutrients and levels of protein in their diet to succeed. By choosing the right supplements you will be able to recover more quickly from strenuous workouts and be able to build lean muscle mass and improve your overall performance. Supplements are there to form part of your overall nutritional needs and are not designed to replace your regular meals.
Supplements are not anabolic steroids and it is very important to make that distinction. Anabolic steroids produce increases in testosterone hormone levels which helps to provide additional stamina while supplements are there to provide additional nutrition and help mainly after your exercise session. Anabolic steroids should be avoided at all costs as you can suffer some really serious side effects by using them.
Bodybuilding supplements provide different types of nutrients and the most common are discussed here:
Protein Supplements
The use of protein is essential for building muscle and these supplements are often taken after a workout session. Protein supplements are regularly found in powder form. The main advantages of protein based supplements are that they facilitate the quick repair of muscle tissue and they will fuel continued muscle growth. The most popular supplement is whey protein which provides a high level of amino acids that are not usually generated by the body. It is also possible to get egg white protein which is dairy free and is easily digestible and has high levels of essential fatty acids. Milk proteins or casein contain high levels of glutamine which is another amino acid which is slowly absorbed by the body and provides great assistance with muscle recovery. If you are a vegetarian then you can use soy protein supplements as they contain many useful amino acids.
Glutamine Based Supplements
Glutamine can be found in large quantities in your muscle tissue. It is widely believed that intense bodybuilding workouts and exercise routines severely diminish the levels of glutamine in the muscles so many glutamine supplements exist to counteract this. It is possible that your immune system could suffer deficiencies and muscle tissue wastage can occur if glutamine levels are significantly reduced. Glutamine supplements are widely available.
Creatine Supplements
Bodybuilding exercises comprise of lots of short burst repetitions such as lifting weights and creatine provides the muscle cells with more energy so that it is possible for you to perform a more intense workout. Being an organic acid, creatine is naturally produced in your body. Creatine is a favorite among many bodybuilders as it can increase your energy, help build the mass of your muscles, aid with muscle recovery and improve your overall strength. A lot of meats contain creatine as it is naturally occurring in animals.
These are the most popular of the bodybuilding supplements. There are others available such as simple carbohydrates which are designed to provide energy after exercise, complex carbohydrates which give you higher calories, EFA’s (essential fatty acids) which will give a boost to your stamina and multivitamins which look after many different aspects of your health.
You can find some great supplements at very good prices on the Internet but be careful here and use a reputable company such as bodybuilding supplements who provide high quality products from organizations like USPLabs.