By Bodybuilding Supplement Catalog
Just about every guy who has ever stepped foot in the gym is interested in getting stronger and building more muscle. Otherwise, why bother to work out at all, right?
But if you’re like most lifters, it probably didn’t take you long to realize that gains in lean mass are pretty hard to come by, especially after the first few months of training, when just about everything you do works to some extent.
So, no matter what your experience level in the gym, incorporating protein supplements, along with the guidance of your doctor, could be a valuable aid in your quest to build more muscle. Make sure to ask your doctor about any dietary changes you’re considering, and then get to building — with protein, keeping in mind factors like HGH to optimize your muscle-building potential!
Well, assuming that you ARE training hard, then you need to take a look at the other components of your program, starting with nutrition. And when it comes to your diet, nothing is more important than quality protein for success in bodybuilding and other strength-training activities.
If you’re not getting in enough quality protein on a daily basis, then it may be time to consider adding a protein supplement to your regimen.
Why Protein?
At this point, you might be wondering just WHY protein is so important in building muscle, and that’s definitely a valid question.
To understand the answer, it’s helpful to understand a little bit about your muscles.
Basically, your muscles consist of water and — protein! Now, there are various other components, such as fat and glycogen, but water and protein form the bulk of your muscle bulk. And, while it’s not quite as simple as a “your muscles are made of protein so you need to eat protein,” that’s really not too far out.
In fact, the proteins in your muscles are built from amino acids that either you ingest OR your body creates from other nutrients. Of to 20 different amino acids in your body, eight of them are deemed essential, because you CANNOT manufacture them.
You need to get the essential amino acids from the foods that you eat. Now, guess which kinds of foods supply amino acids, and the essentials in particular?
Bingo! it’s protein.
So, to maintain proper health and supply your body with the nutrients it needs to support and increase your muscle mass, you have to eat enough protein to cover your basic requirements, plus extra for growth.
Why Protein Supplements?
Of course, you can get lots of protein from foods like meat, eggs, dairy, and even nuts and beans. Eating these foods can cause problems for some people, though, such as bloating and bowel discomfort for those with lactose intolerance.
It’s also difficult to carry whole-food protein with you everywhere you go, especially if your choices require refrigeration.
Finally, eating a ton of meat or eggs (or any food) can be hard your digestive system, and may even have some long-term health effects, particularly if you have a family history of heart disease or certain cancers.
Fortunately, a high-quality protein supplement can alleviate all of these problems, and it’s relatively economical, to boot. Even the best protein powder for bodybuilding, for example, won’t set you back more than a few cents per gram.
What Can Protein Supplements Do For You?
The really good news about protein supplements is that, not only can they help you meet your protein needs, research is showing that they may provide several additional benefits beyond whole food.
Several recent studies have shown that adding protein powders to your strength-training program can help you recover more quickly from your workouts, build more muscle mass and strength over time, and maybe even boost the amount of testosterone in your muscles.
So, no matter what your experience level in the gym, protein supplements could be a valuable aid in your quest to build more muscle. Make sure to ask your doctor about any dietary changes you’re considering, and then get to building — with protein!
