A Few Things About Bodybuilding Supplements

Have you been looking for discount bodybuilding supplements? Well, you are not the only one. As long as there have been competitive athletes, they have searched for ways and means to try to enhance their performance and beat their opponents. Bodybuilders are no different in this respect. The goal here is to try to increase their lean muscle mass, and still maintain their health.

In days gone by this was accomplished by taking steroids, until they were banned from competitions. There are still instances that hit the news from time to time where they still get used and abused, but this can do more harm than good to your health.

Today bodybuilders and other athletes are choosing natural supplements to increase muscle mass. They are called natural because regardless of whether or not you are into athletics, they are in our bodies, and we need them to function on a daily basis. The better supplements are designed to assist our bodies to function at optimal levels. Before you begin a major training program, go on a strict diet do yourself a favor and get a checkup first. We have all heard the stories where some professional athlete died on the field because of a condition they didn’t know they had. That is not the kind of fame any of us wants to have.

If you are wondering what type of natural supplements to choose, protein is probably the most essential element to anyone who is a serious bodybuilder. You need it to build and repair muscle. Lifting puts your muscles under a lot of stress, and you need extra protein when you are constantly breaking down and repairing your muscles.

One of the most popular supplements used by bodybuilders is whey protein. Whey is easily absorbed into the body by adding it to shakes, other drinks, or sprinkling it on many foods. Other protein supplements include egg whites, milk protein called casein, or soy.

The majority of Americans get most of our protein from meat, which is high in fat, and doesn’t digest very well. If you want to build lean muscle this is not the most efficient source of protein for you. That being said, proteins are still one of the most important building blocks for muscle growth to have in your diet. To get the best results focus on getting protein that is very low in fat and easily absorbed into your body.

Increasing your testosterone also will increase your muscle mass. You can accomplish this by taking pro hormones, vitamins and minerals. Do some research about pro-hormones and possible side effects like increased breasts, acne, male pattern baldness, liver, or prostate effects.

A third subset of supplements that bodybuilders commonly use are called thermogenics. These work by increasing your metabolism and burning body fat. They are used a lot by dieters to lose weight, but bodybuilders also use them to lower their percentage of body fat. Ephedra had been banned by the FDA in 2004, but then lifted in 2005. The thermogenics on the market today can be used safely as long as you follow directions. They can help with your bodybuilding program by helping you safely reduce your body fat percentage.

So to sum it all up bodybuilding supplements are designed to help bodybuilders increase their muscle mass and decrease their fat percentage. To be successful, follow a complete plan that includes weightlifting (exercise), adequate rest, and proper nutrition along with supplementation. If you're interested in learning more about the subject, do your own research on the Internet it can be a valuable resource.

What’s So Beneficial About Soy Products?

The more I hear about Soy products and if they are beneficial or not I decided to find out a little more about them, and what they actually do.

To begin with Soy is a complete source of protein containing essential amino acids. They also contain high levels of polyunsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and low levels of saturated fat.

The American Heart Association (AHA) did some studies recently and no longer recommends eating soy to lower cholesterol, but since they contain many other beneficial components, the AHA still consider Soy a healthy substitute for meats and other foods high in fat.

According to a study published in the journal, Archives of Internal Medicine, the effect of soy on blood pressure is comparable to that of blood pressure lowering medication.

When they added soy to the participants diet it significantly reduced systolic (10%) and diastolic (7%) blood pressure in women with high blood pressure; and in women with normal blood pressure the reductions were 5% and 3% respectively.

In addition women with high blood pressure, also decreased levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol by an average of 11%, and levels of apoliprotein B (particle that carries LDL cholesterol) by an average of 8%. Cholesterol levels remained the same in women with normal blood pressure.

The authors concluded that, "Dietary soy may be a practical, safe and inexpensive modality to reduce blood pressure. If the findings are repeated in a larger group they may have important implications for reducing cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women on a population basis."

So the bottom line of this study is that soy can be a healthy addition to a balanced diet.

Optimum Nutrition makes a product called 100% Soy Protein that offers a wide range of benefits and conveniences for vegetarians, those with specific food allergies, and health conscious individuals alike.

A serving provides 25 grams of lactose free, cholesterol free, non-GMO protein. It contains 2 grams or less of carbohydrates per serving (less depending on the flavor variety), and the low-fat, sugar-free formula is also ideal for anyone on a low carbohydrate diet.

To encourage a positive nitrogen balance, take 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight per day from a combination of high protein foods and supplements. For better results, eat your daily protein allotment over 4-6 small meals spread throughout the day.

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P.S. Soy Protein can also be used in pancake batters, hot cereals, and other baked goods to increase the protein content.