Bodybuilding is a sport that involves intense training to build lean muscle mass and reduce excess body fat. While the actual workouts are essential for maximizing your gains, proper nutrition lays the foundation for intense training. And the nutritional demands of male and female bodybuilders differ greatly. And one of the first, and most important considerations, for a female bodybuilder is determining the right number of calories to consume on a daily basis.
The bottom layer, the subcutis, is mostly fat -- you can impact how much you have, but not its structure. The epidermis is made of keratin, the same protein in hair and nails. The dermis is almost 2/3 collagen. Foods that suppo...
You can build a representation of the process that starts with the energy of the sun and ends in your tummy to create a greater understanding of how food webs work. To build your own food web, connect the dots on where the food...
Your child needs a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein and whole grains to build healthy muscles and bones, keep his immune system high and improve his concentration throughout the day. Talk to your child's ped...
According to the University of Illinois McKinley Health Center, whey protein can help protect your body from viruses and bacteria by increasing your immune system function. Whey protein is available in supplemental form and is ...
The latter two may provoke greater fat reserves, which hide your lean muscle and may reduce muscle tone and definition. The next time you draw up a grocery shopping list, add lean, muscle-friendly foods.
Heart disease is often associated with the buildup of cholesterol plaque in the arteries, which is largely associated with consuming too much saturated fat and cholesterol. By focusing your diet on lean foods, you can drastical...
Protein-rich foods provide amino acids -- the building blocks of lean tissue. Carbohydrates and fats help fuel your muscles. Maintaining proper hydration and eating plentiful fruits and vegetables are also important for prevent...
It is believed that serotonin plays a crucial role role in anxiety and sexuality. It also curbs your appetite, preventing you from overeating. Low levels of serotonin can cause depression, anger, insomnia and mental illness. Ma...
A nutrient-rich diet can help build collagen in your body. Collagen is a tough protein that forms the structure and strength of your skin, bone, tendons, cartilages and other connective tissues. Many foods contain nutrients tha...
Cholesterol is converted to bile in the liver. Bile salts dissolve fats in the digestive tract and facilitate intestinal absorption of fat molecules as well as the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Consuming foods with low de...
And because testosterone is the primary growth --- or anabolic --- hormone, if you allow this to happen, you will undercut your ability to gain lean muscle mass. Consult your physician before beginning any new diet or exercise ...
Described by the manufacturer as a "potent anabolic pre-workout performance cocktail," SuperPump 250 purportedly triples your lean muscle mass after only one workout. SuperPump 250 is not a drug, it's a dietary supplement, acco...
Hemoglobin, the main component of red blood cells, carries vital oxygen through your bloodstream. Your doctor may suggest a diet rich in folate, iron, B-6, B-12 and vitamin C to support iron absorption. Fortunately, many foods ...
All food helps your body in some way. Food provides energy and nutrients to sustain life. The key is to find foods that work to build lean, healthy muscle instead of store fat. Protein is vital to creating muscle, and foods hig...
Despite what late night commercials for fitness products say, a flat tummy is not the result of the latest ab machine or fad diet. The best way to get a flat tummy is through hard work and a sensible diet. Flabby abs are the pr...
Serotonin is especially important because it plays a role in depression and mood balance. As serotonin is made from the amino acid tryptophan, eating foods rich in tryptophan can help to build up your serotonin levels. Some oth...
This way, you can keep your favorite handlebars and hand grips. The rear pull brake or pedal brake can remain as the primary braking system. If you're looking for a new type of cycling experience, you can build a leaning trike ...
Children have more collagen stored in their bodies than do adults. This is why children's skin appears smooth and wrinkle-free naturally. Elastin is another protein in the skin that helps to maintain skin flexibility. In order ...
In the battle for weight control, choosing lean foods that contain little fat most of the time allows occasional indulgence in richer menu items. Consistently building meals around low-fat foods will result in weight loss, if i...
According to Oklahoma State University Extension, some of the functions of protein include making enzymes, hormones, muscles, organs, skin and hair. Protein is an important part of the diet, but as the Harvard School of Public ...
What you eat has a direct impact on your body's fat-storing mechanism and its fat-burning mechanism, so trimming your waist means combining a consistent exercise routine with foods that help decrease the amount of fat storage a...
Protein contains amino acids, which help to build muscle. High protein sources contain fewer calories than fat or carbohydrate foods. Consume a variety of fruits, vegetables, grain and healthy fats to obtain an adequate amount....
Eating the right foods can make a big impact on whether you gain lean muscle or increase body fat. Some foods contain muscle building nutrients that can effectively help you initiate muscle growth and build lean muscle tissue.
While you may need slightly more calories to support your muscles' needs to repair and grow after strength training, eating these calories in the form of junk food will only make you gain fat. Unprocessed, whole foods that are ...
In order to see consistent progress, you'll need a well-rounded, easy to follow nutritional program. A well-thought-out diet will give you the nutrients you need for muscle gain, without extra pounds of unwanted body fat. Get y...
Despite what you have heard, proteins, carbohydrates and fats are all important in your diet when you're trying to build lean muscle mass. The key is differentiating between the good and bad, and proportioning how much of each ...
When eating to gain muscle, an assortment of smart choices is the best path to follow. Protein, fats, carbs and vegetables play roles in muscle growth. However, emphasizing some foods can enhance your muscle gains.
Consistent exercise and an increase in calorie intake help to promote the development of lean muscle mass. Foods high in protein provide amino acids---the building blocks for muscle synthesis. Eating the upper limits of protein...
Bulking is characterized by intense weight-lifting sessions and a surplus of food. To build lean muscle and avoid fat gain, follow a structured bulk diet.
When a person engages in an endurance sport or needs energy for long periods of time, the body continually uses the glycogen to fuel that activity. Endurance athletes often have a special diet so that they can store extra glyco...
Be sure to round out your diet with healthy carbohydrates like whole grains and vegetables, as well as monounsaturated fats like nuts and olive oil to provide ample nutrition and discourage fat accumulation while you build lean...
Consuming about .75g to 1g of protein per pound of body weight daily helps build muscle mass. Consume complete proteins that contain all of the amino acids that the body can't produce on its own. This list is by no means exhaus...
It is gained when you progressively overload your muscles with a resistance that they are not accustomed to. This causes micro tears in muscle fibers and growth to ensue. But even the best weight lifting plan is only partially ...
Lean Cuisine is a name that has been around since 1981, but the selections within the various lines of these frozen prepared foods keep growing to accommodate the sophisticated palate of the contemporary dieter. Lean Cuisine, a...