Shredding muscle means losing body fat percentage to expose more muscle definition. Supplements alone cannot do this because only proper diet and exercise lead to improvements in body composition and fat percentage.
That being said, some supplements can help you burn fat faster to achieve your muscle-shredding goals in less time. In addition, natural diuretic substances help draw water out from under the skin to better reveal muscle definition.
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Add some shredding supplements to your diet to achieve your fitness goals in less time. Remember to always consult with your doctor before taking any dietary supplement.
Dandelion Root
According to the Herbal Highlight section of the September 2010 issue of "Muscle & Performance," dandelion root acts as a natural diuretic, increasing elimination of fluids from the body.
Dandelion root up regulates the excretion of salts from the kidneys, leading to increased urination. Traditionally used as a digestive aid, laxative and tonic for the liver, gallbladder and kidneys, dandelion may draw subcutaneous water out from under the skin to help reveal muscle definition.
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and consult with your doctor before beginning to take dandelion root.
Forskolin
An extract of an Ayurvedic herb known as coleus forskohlii, forskolin has shown to reduce body fat in exercising men, according to "Natural Anabolics," by Jerry Brainum. Forskolin acts to increase free-form, or available, levels of the fat-burning hormone testosterone, within a normal range.
The herb may also act on the thyroid to increase production of the thyroid hormones that regulate the body's thermostat and fat-burning processes. Only your doctor can decide if coleus forskohlii fits with your unique body chemistry and lifestyle.
L-Glutamine
Often thought of as a recovery agent, L-glutamine also enhances fat burning, according to "Good News on Glutamine," by Matthew Kadey in the March 2010 issue of "Muscle & Performance."
Moreover, glutamine supports the immune system, which can become compromised during intense training or periods of stress, according to "The Cortisol Connection," by Shawn Talbott.
Intense shredding diets can lead to muscle loss, which glutamine prevents by donating fuel and amino acids to the muscles during training and recovery. L-glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid and can be obtained through proper diet. Consult with your doctor before supplementing with additional L-glutamine.
BCAAs
Like glutamine, branched-chain amino acids, or BCAAs, protect lean muscle from being cannibalized during shredding diets, says Brainum. L-leucine, L-valine and L-isoleucine absorb very quickly in the body because they bypass the liver in digestion.
Traveling directly to muscles, they provide a fast source of energy. L-leucine, in particular, triggers muscle protein synthesis, which speeds muscle recovery and prevents muscle loss. Losing muscle leads to a decline in metabolic rate and takes away from the shredded muscular look.
You can also get BCAAs by eating dietary sources of protein, so check with your doctor before adding these supplements to your shredding program.