February 22, 2008
Choosing Muscle Building Supplements - Separate The Grain From The Chaff
Just one look at those glossies with glistening bodies of supermen and women and you come around looking for the wonder muscle building supplements that seem to be the staple diet of these stars. The fact however is that these are commercial products that are often of dubious value which is why there is not a single product that has lasted as long as say, cornflakes! Therefore, when it comes to choosing a muscle building supplement, you must be careful in what you invest in. There is also a real danger of getting taken in by some unethical vendor of a steroid-like product that does you more harm than good.
At the same time, if you are working out a lot and are looking to develop rippling muscles, then your nutritional needs are definitely more than those of a sedentary worker and you do need muscle building supplements. The trick is in knowing what to use. You will need to be able to resist the lure of modern advertising and take a decision about the muscle building supplement you should use. The only way out is to educate yourself on the advantages (and disadvantages) of the products you are considering.
Your Dietary Needs Must Be Met
The supplements you do need are quite simple really – you need to give your body protein at around 1 ½ grams per pound of bodyweight if you are taking moderate to heavy exercise. Thus if you weigh in at around 150 lbs, consider giving yourself around 200 grams to 225 grams of high quality protein per day. You should also give yourself a creatin supplement and some glutamine. These compounds help your muscles grow and repair faster. As a result you see results sooner.
Be Sure Of Your Supplement
If you do consider commercial products that promise amazing results in a very short time, do read the fine print carefully and do some research on the possible side effects. These have to be listed quite clearly on the packaging and you should be able to tell if the supplement is useful or is merely a means of parting you from your money. Stay away from steroid type drugs and nutritional supplements that have their origin in some far away exotic-land. While there is great value in traditional medicine, be sure of the origins of what you are planning to ingest!
Those indulging in extensive exercise must ensure that the body gets replenished as well. Typically, you will need to take six meals and will have to go heavy on the proteins. Generally, animal protein is considered higher quality but if you have vegetarian preferences, cottage cheese, whey protein and protein powder are also great substitutes.
Make a thick milkshake with protein powder, milk, fruits and peanut butter and have it throughout the day. Cut down marginally on the carbohydrates and fats in your meal if you feel that you need to knock off a few pounds as well. Increase the percentage of proteins and combine the diet with healthy exercise. In just a few weeks you will find a spring in your step and a glow on your face. Its hard work, but its worth it and choosing the right muscle building supplements helps make your journey to a great physique easier.