Muscle & Weight Gain Powder

Weight gainer is a nutritional supplement that combines whey protein with lipids and carbohydrates to help individuals gain lean muscle mass and weight. MayoClinic.com recommends a range of 1.2 to 1.5 g of protein per kilogram of body weight daily. To get your weight in kilograms, take your weight in pounds and divide by 2.2.

How to Use It

Measure 8 to 16 oz. of milk or water and pour it into a grated shaker or cup. Now, measure two to four scoops of weight gainer powder, approximately 60 to 120 g, and pour that into the milk or water. Now, vigorously mix the powder with the liquid until the powder has been completely dissolved. Once dissolved, consume the mixed shake.

When to Use It

Use weight gainer if your attempt to gain weight through eating an adequate amount of food is not enough to spur weight gain. If you are pressed for time and need a replacement for a meal, use your weight gainer to avoid missing out on the calories you need to build muscle. If you are struggling to eat enough because you become full too fast, use the weight gainer to help you get additional calories. Finally, the weight gainer can be used as a snack between meals to pack extra calories into your diet. The most effective time to drink a weight gainer shake is right after a workout, when your muscles are most receptive to nutrient uptake.

Benefits

Weight gainer powders are nutrient dense and packed full of calories. This limits the amount of space they take up in the stomach, allowing you to consume more calories than you normally would be able to consume through eating alone. Weight gainers are packed full of protein, the building block of muscle. This allows your muscles to create additional muscle mass. Weight gainer powder is also convenient. Powder can easily be stored in a small sandwich bag or airtight container and mixed anywhere there is water available. Use of these powders after a workout also speeds the recovery process, according to a study conducted by John Berardi appearing the journal "Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise."

Considerations

Weight gainer is considered safe for most individuals, but you may need to consult your doctor if you have allergies. This is especially true if you have milk allergies since the whey found in gainers is a milk derivative. MayoClinic.com says that excessively high intake of protein should be avoided because it may cause harm to your kidneys. Diabetics should consult with their doctor about the influence that a weight gainer might have on their condition. Whey protein may reduce your blood sugar levels, which may require you to adjust your insulin levels to compensate.