Nutrients That Keep Bodybuilders Looking Young

If you’re a body builder, depending on your lifestyle, you may engage in activities that could age you before your time. Body builders who tan regularly or use performance-enhancing drugs such as steroids, may experience premature effects of aging. Consuming certain nutrients may help you fight signs of aging, which may include hair loss, loss of lean muscle mass and wrinkles.

Protein

Loss of lean muscle mass associated with aging is common in older adults. Regardless of your age, if you’re a body builder trying to increase or maintain muscle mass, you’ll require more protein than sedentary individuals. Consuming recommended amounts of protein and training regularly will help you decrease loss of lean muscle associated with aging, which may help you look younger. According to the American Dietetic Association, if you’re a strength-trained athlete such as a body builder, you require at least 1.2 grams to 1.7 grams of protein per kilogram of your body weight, which is equivalent to about 0.55 grams to 0.77 grams of protein per pound of your body weight each day.

Vitamin A

If you’re a bodybuilder, making sure you consume adequate amounts of vitamin A on a daily basis may help prevent signs of aging related to your vision and skin. Vitamin A is used to help improve vision, treat age-related eye disorders such as macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma, and is applied to skin to help reduce wrinkles and protect skin from UV radiation. The Institute of Medicine Food and Nutrition Board’s recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, for vitamin A is 900 micrograms per day for adult men, 700 micrograms per day for adult women, 770 micrograms per day for adult pregnant women and 1,300 micrograms per day for adult breastfeeding women.

Concerns

Body builders who take steroids may have an increased risk for premature hair loss. Although it’s important to consume adequate amounts of vitamin A to look and feel young, consuming too much vitamin A can actually increase hair loss. In addition, The American Academy of Dermatology reports that consuming too little dietary protein or iron, having an eating disorder or losing more than 15 pounds may also lead to hair loss.

Antioxidants

Since many competitive body builders tan using ultraviolet radiation, they may have an increased risk for premature aging skin. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E may help protect you against cell damage, and help keep you looking and feeling young. Vitamin E is used to help fight aging skin and reduce sunburns.