Glucosamine is a compound consisting of glucose and amine molecules. Generally, it is not found in our daily food and the body uses different building blocks for its synthesis. Mainly found in the cartilage and connective tissues, glucosamine is regarded as an essential element in the maintenance of healthy, strong and flexible joints and cartilages. It provides cushioning around the joints, helps in the production of the protective coating of mucous in the digestive tract and also qualifies as a raw material for wound healing.

With age, the production of glucosamine in the body is reduced and this can lead to reduced flexibility and inflammation in the joints. To cover its deficiency in the body oral supplements are available in the market, sourced mainly from shell fish such as shrimp, lobster, crabs etc.

Supplementation

Artificial glucosamine is available mainly in the form of glucosamine sulphate and glucosamine hydrochloride. In Europe it is accepted as a clinical medicine but is used mainly as a dietary supplement in America, as it has not been recognized as a medical treatment by the Food and Drug Administration. The use of glucosamine as an alternative medicine is very common throughout the world; still it is advisable to consult your physician or the pharmacist before buying a supplement. While doing so, go for a well known and reliable brand name as the concentration and purity in the supplements is not very closely monitored. The supplement is available in capsule, tablet, liquid and powder form.

Safety

Clinical studies suggest that oral intake of glucosamine is safe for humans. However, people with diabetes should be careful in its use as it is suggested that it might increase insulin resistance in the body and create long term problems for diabetics. This claim, though, is not clinically proven. As the main source of synthesized glucosamine is shell fish, people who are allergic to shell fish should also be careful while using these supplements. Theoretically, though, it would appear to be safe as the allergens in the shell fish are present in the flesh of the animal and glucosamine is obtained from the substance called ‘chitin’ found in the shell. Alternatively, there are also supplements available that source glucosamine by the fungal fermentation of corn.

For many bodybuilding enthusiasts, the intense workouts, focused dieting, and periodic competitions are like a drug themselves. The power that comes from working hard and sculpting your body into something you could have only imagined can be intoxicating. But when exercise and diet carry a bodybuilder only so far, many will often use bodybuilding and steroids together to take their look to the next level – the long term effects of which can be devastating.

The connection between bodybuilding and steroids is one with a long history. Anabolic steroids are supplements that bodybuilders use to enhance their workout and diet – the use of which will quickly and significantly boost muscle mass. Steroids are able to achieve this rapid growth of muscle because they contain testosterone – a hormone naturally present in men and women that is responsible for the building of muscle. When testosterone is enhanced by the addition of steroids, its job function is increased.

Because men naturally contain more testosterone, they are able build more muscle mass than women. But when women bodybuilders add steroids to their diet and exercise regime they are able to build muscle mass on the same level as men. Many women who combine bodybuilding and steroids, therefore, will also begin to take on many male physical characteristics.

Bodybuilding and steroids is actually an illegal combination for many reasons. For one, those bodybuilders who use steroids have an unfair advantage over those bodybuilders who build their muscles naturally. In order to maintain a level playing field for competitors, it is necessary to ban the use of steroids.

But most importantly, the long term effects of bodybuilding and steroids have been shown to be disastrous. Linked to everything from acne and hair loss, to insomnia and depression, steroids can have physical ramifications that are simply not worth their use. Some of the more serious side effects include hallucinations, weak ligaments, high blood pressure, and even cancer. In more than one case, steroids have been linked to fatalities.

Bodybuilding is a sport of extreme discipline and sacrifice. For those who take it seriously, the power is in their hands – and only their hands. Bodybuilding and steroids, while attractive to those who are looking for fast results, can have disastrous long term effects impacting physical health and longevity.

L-tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that plays a role in the creation of protein. The body can make it from the amino acid phenylalanine but nutritional sources include animal meats, wheat, oatmeal and seafood.

It performs a multitude of important roles in the body including the alleviation of depression, enhancement of thyroid efficiency, strengthening of the immune system, prevention of neurological degeneration and protection of the skin.

Bodybuilders find it useful for several reasons:

1. It offsets the stress and fatigue associated with intensive training.

2. It helps in the retention of muscular protein.

3. It heightens mental alertness thus helping to offset mental fatigue.

With any amino acid supplement overdosing can lead to weakness and nausea so care should be taken in applying small doses and increasing them gradually until an optimum level is reached. Bear in mind that many protein powders and other supplements are fortified with amino acids so check the labels carefully. The manufacturer’s instructions should be followed in all instances.

Taurine is the second most abundant amino acid in the muscle after glutamine. It performs several useful functions and can act in a way similar to creatine in that it expands cells by helping the muscle to hold more water, thus increasing cell volume. The added benefit for bodybuilders is that these expanded muscle cells boost hydration and stimulate greater protein synthesis giving an enhanced muscle fullness.

The best time for bodybuilders to take taurine is thirty minutes before training and again immediately afterwards as this will heighten the effect of training. With any amino acid supplement overdosing can lead to weakness and nausea so care should be taken in applying small doses and increasing them gradually until an optimum level is reached. Bear in mind that many protein powders and other supplements are fortified with amino acids so check the labels carefully. The manufacturer’s instructions should be followed in all instances.

Lysine is an essential amino acid therefore it must be obtained from the diet as the body cannot produce its own. It is an essential building block for all protein in the body and can be found in animal meats, fish, dairy products, legumes and brewer’s yeast. It performs many useful functions in the body and has proved to be especially useful in treating herpes and cold sores. Lysine also increases the absorption of calcium so it may help to prevent and treat osteoporosis.

To the bodybuilder, lysine offers many benefits:

1. It helps build muscle protein.

2. It helps maintain nitrogen levels.

3. It supports the production of hormones.

4. It speeds up recovery from injury or overtraining.

Although lysine can be readily obtained from many foodstuffs, supplementation can enhance the effects noted above. No problems have been reported with normal usage but high doses exceeding 15 grams can cause stomach problems and cramp.

L-carnitine is synthesized in the body from the amino acids lysine and methionine but it can also be found in nutritional sources such as red meats, dairy products and avocados. Its main role in the body is to help metabolize food into energy. L-carnitine does this by transferring long chain fatty acids into mitochondria where they are oxidised to produce energy.

L-carnitine is heart friendly and has been used for many years in the treatment of heart disease. Studies have shown that it can increase the heart’s output and function, stimulate energy supply to the heart and improve overall cardiac performance.

Many bodybuilders use it for the following reasons:

1. It promotes muscle growth.

2. It increases energy.

3. It helps to burn fat.

4. It helps to prevent muscle fatigue.

L-carnitine is a relatively safe supplement provided the manufacturer’s recommendations are followed. As with all supplements, remain aware that l-carnitine could be contained in other products so read the labels carefully to ensure your daily intake does not exceed four grams.

Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that the body cannot make naturally. It is found in nuts, seeds, chocolate and raisins.

Arginine is used by the body in the execution of many important physiological processes including hormone secretion, output of growth hormone, removal of toxins from the body and enhancement of the immune system. It is also a precursor of nitric oxide which vasodiolates vessels in the body. For this reason arginine is often used to treat conditions such as angina, high blood pressure, cardiac disease, sexual dysfunction and infertility. Recent research has also highlighted arginine’s ability to scavenge free radicals, remove bad cholesterol, enhance fat metabolism and regulate salt levels.

There are several reasons why arginine appeals to bodybuilders:

1. It prevents the retention of water under the skin thus minimizing bloating and helping to create a ripped appearance.

2. It helps the body to retain nitrogen that is essential to the muscle building process.

3. Its vasodilating abilities support muscle growth.

4. It enhances protein synthesis.

5. It helps to boost the immune system allowing harder training and minimizing the minor illnesses that come from overtraining.

With any amino acid supplement overdosing can lead to weakness and nausea so care should be taken in applying small doses and increasing them gradually until an optimum level is reached. Bear in mind that many protein powders and other supplements are fortified with amino acids so check the labels carefully. The manufacturer’s instructions should be followed in all instances.

HMB stands for beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate. It is a metabolite of leucine, one of the body’s essential amino acids, with small amounts found naturally in catfish, grapefruit and alfalfa.

It has become very popular amongst athletes in recent years mainly due to the role it plays in the synthesis of muscle tissue. HMB has been subjected to many studies that have reached some interesting conclusions. One study showed that supplementation with 3 grams of HMB per day increased participants’ strength by a factor of three compared with placebo takers. Supplementing with the same amount also saw a reduction in bad cholesterol compared with the placebo group.

Clearly there is significant scientific backing for claims that HMB can speed up muscle growth, strength, endurance and fat loss. There are no known side effects when taken properly in amounts ranging from 3-5 grams each day. It should be taken before training or at bed time for best results.

Ecdysterone is a powerful compound that can help to maximise your genetic potential to build muscle. It exists in the herbs Rhaponticium and Cyanatis Vaga. Although it has been known about for many years the expense associated with its extraction meant it was not viable for commercial production. Recent advancements in extraction technology, through in-vitrio cultivation, have made wholesale production possible.

Ecdysterone has been subjected to over 50 studies with the following major findings:

1. It increases lean muscle mass.

2. It increases endurance.

3. It stimulates metabolism.

4. It decreases blood sugar levels.

5. It reduces fatty tissue.

6. It prevents loss of muscle mass and promotes growth of muscle fibers.

7. It is suitable for both men and women and has no known side effects.

Ecdysterone seems to create a kind muscle building environment in the body by maintaining a positive nitrogen balance and by increasing protein synthesis. The recommended dose for Ecdysterone is 80-120 mg per day although dosages of up to 600 mg per day can be safely taken.

Creatine is a supplement widely used in the bodybuilding circuit as a substance to enhance muscle growth and promote the functions which are involved in creating more muscle mass. In this article I will explain what creatine is, dispel the myths around the supplement and how it can help you achieve your bodybuilding goals.

Creatine is a naturally occurring substance in the human body and it aids your muscles to work at strength for longer – this is its primary function. Since creatine is found in products like meat, people who eat a lot of meat will generally have a higher concentration of creatine in their muscles than say vegetarians or those whom don’t eat much meat.

It is also known that taking creatine in the body as an added substance, such as creatine supplements that bodybuilders take, enhances the strength of the muscles and improves recovery time when the muscle actually grows. This is the reason every competitive bodybuilder uses creatine when bulking and adding muscle mass.

When creatine as a supplement first came out there were many myths circulating about the safety of the substance, with stories of weights crashing down on people and alsorts of similar horror stories – while it isn’t known why stories like these were spread they have since been proven to be false and creatine is now considered by most to be a safe supplement, just like protein powder or any other common supplement used in bodybuilding.

Creatine will enhance any strength trainers workout session as it allows you to lift for longer, this means instead of burning out at 3 repetitions of a heavy weight, you could in fact lift for a longer period of time, say 10 seconds, along you to complete a full working set of 8 repetitions, which is regards as the best number of reps to promote muscle growth. Due to the fact you lifted heavier for an adequate number of repetitions, the muscles will now repair and grow larger than they would have been able to previously.

The body needs 20 different amino acids to make protein for the tip-top growth. Amino acids help your body be healthier by building up your muscles, hair and nails, your blood supply, skin and other internal organs.

The human body can create 12 of the necessary amino acids, the remainder need to come from the foods you eat. These are known as the essential amino acids; the 12 made by the body are called non-essential amino acids.

A well-balanced diet contains the necessary amino acids the body needs and then some. The body needs both essential and non-essential amino acids for tissue protein synthesis. Read the rest of this entry

You’ve shocked your muscles to stimulate growth, you’re work out sessions are going well, now all you need to know is what is the best supplement to stimulate muscle growth?

Let me make one thing clear before your read on – don't believe all the hype surrounding bodybuilding supplements!

There is no miracle supplement, so don't waste your money on over hyped products that claim to perform miracles. Many of these products will do your more harm than good. Read the rest of this entry

People who have made the conscious decision to stay fit and look great have realized that there is a lot of help available for them to achieve their health and fitness goals. They make sure they have a balanced and healthy diet, they stay away from bad habits and they utilize whatever exercise equipment is available.

For some individuals, however, they feel that they would generate even better results if they add just a little bit more help – and this time, it comes in the form of bodybuilding supplements. More popularly used by body builders themselves, more and more individuals have noticed that these supplements also do a lot to improve their own physical efforts at developing their bodies – not necessarily to the effect of body builders. Read the rest of this entry

Bodybuilding is a disciplined sport that requires intense dedication. There is not a magic pill that will pump you up overnight; however, there are some top bodybuilding supplements that will aid in muscle growth and help improve your immune system and your recovery periods.

Before detailing the best supplements you can find, it is important to understand that the basics of your bodybuilding program should be based on your diet and nutrition plan. You should be giving your body the necessary proteins from a well-balanced diet and also the rest your body needs to recover, then and only then should you consider adding bodybuilding supplements. Read the rest of this entry