The Best Supplements For Body Building

Bodybuilding is a physical activity that may be performed either recreationally or competitively. Bodybuilding involves extreme muscle hypertrophy, or muscle growth, due to an intensive weightlifting regimen and a strict diet high in both calories and protein. Bodybuilding is an activity that demands significant dedication and hard work. Certain dietary supplements may encourage muscle mass gain or improve your recovery abilities. If you are considering using supplements to assist your bodybuilding, review health risks and side effects with your doctor beforehand.

Bodybuilding Information

Bodybuilding is an activity that is popular among both men and women. Bodybuilders have long used ergogenic aids, or substances that enhance athletic performance, to lift more weight and reduce healing time following vigorous rounds of weightlifting. Dietary supplements are often used by bodybuilders to provide more protein, assist the endogenous production of hormones that encourage muscle growth and supply nutrients that allow them to perform more physical work than usual, notes Phyllis Balch, a certified nutritional consultant.

Helpful Supplements

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, commonly used supplements among bodybuilders and other athletes, include creatine powder, DHEA, protein powder, antioxidant formulations, multivitamins and energizing capsules. Other dietary supplements that may be helpful for bodybuilders include potassium bicarbonate, OKG, MSM, sodium phosphate, colostrum and calcium pyruvate. Clinical evidence for these supplements' effectiveness may not be extensive, indicating the need for further research to help validate their beneficial health effects.

Featured Supplement

Potassium bicarbonate, also known as potassium hydrogen carbonate, is a commonly used supplement among bodybuilders. Balch notes that potassium bicarbonate is often used in combination with sodium phosphate to delay the onset of muscle fatigue by mitigating the accumulation of lactic acid as well as improving your muscular power and endurance. The Linus Pauling Institute states that potassium bicarbonate supplementation may contribute to decreased urinary acid and calcium excretion and increased bone formation.

Disclaimer

Bodybuilding is a physically and physiologically demanding activity that requires proper nutrition. Before using dietary supplements to help gain muscle mass or treat bodybuilding-related soft tissue injuries, meet with a sports medicine professional to review the inherent risks and benefits associated with supplementation as well as any possible drug interactions that might occur when using dietary supplements. Avoid self-treating with dietary supplements and always follow the instructions provided to you by your doctor about how to use supplements.