| It goes without saying that bodybuilders and other | | | | is the richest in glutamine, an amino acid that aids |
| athletes have above average nutritional | | | | in recovery and is absorbed over a longer time. |
| requirements. In order to keep building muscle, | | | | Soy protein contains all the essential amino acids |
| bodybuilders need a high-protein, high calorie, | | | | and is a great alternative for vegetarians. Egg |
| nutritionally rich diet. This is where bodybuilding | | | | white protein is a dairy free protein and hemp |
| supplements come into play. Bodybuilding | | | | seed contains complete and highly digestible |
| supplements improve recovery from events and | | | | protein that is high in essential fatty acids. |
| training, aids the building of lean muscle mass, and | | | | Creatine |
| improves overall performance. | | | | A naturally occurring organic acid found in the |
| Take note, however, that supplements are only | | | | body, creatine supplies muscle cells with energy |
| intended to be used in conjunction with proper | | | | needed for short bursts of effort (as with lifting |
| training and a nutritious diet. Also, most | | | | weights) allowing you to train harder. Several |
| bodybuilders make an important distinction | | | | studies have demonstrated that this product can |
| between supplements and anabolic steroids. The | | | | increase energy, muscle mass and strength and |
| difference is that bodybuilding supplements are | | | | reduce recovery times. Naturally occurring |
| aimed at filling the inevitable gaps in nutrition | | | | creatine can also be found in red meat, kidney |
| whereas steroids are intended to change | | | | meat and various other types of offal. |
| hormone levels (primarily testosterone) beyond | | | | Glutamine |
| natural limits to improve training stamina. | | | | Glutamine is an amino acid found abundantly in |
| Here is a quick look at the more typical | | | | human muscle. It can be found in bodybuilding |
| components of bodybuilding supplements and their | | | | supplements as it is thought that anaerobic |
| functions. | | | | exercise depletes the body's natural glutamine |
| Protein | | | | levels and that a deficiency may lead to a |
| Proteins are essentially the building blocks for | | | | weakened immune system and wasting of muscle |
| muscle and are typically taken immediately after | | | | tissue - not desired effects in bodybuilding. |
| exercising or as a substitute for a meal, and | | | | These are the three giants in bodybuilding |
| generally come in the form of a powder. | | | | supplements; however others include EFA's |
| Sufficient protein intake allows for optimal growth | | | | (essential fatty acids), which enhance stamina, |
| and repair of muscle tissue. Types include whey | | | | simple carbohydrates for a post-workout energy |
| protein, the most common, which contains high | | | | spike, complex carbohydrates to increase calorie |
| levels of all the essential amino acids not produced | | | | intake, and multivitamins to improve overall health. |
| by the human body. Milk protein, or casein protein, | | | | |