Weight Gain Supplements

Weight gain supplements assist the human body to acquire mass. Weight gain supplements provide carbohydrate, protein, and fats and complement the daily diet. Many athletes and fitness enthusiasts use weight gain supplements to boost their muscle mass. However, weight gain supplements are best taken under proper supervision and guidance of a qualified health practitioner.

Dietary supplements for Weight Gain

Supplements for weight gain are primarily used to increase body weight or to enhance the physical appeal. Some of the widely used supplements are as follows.

Whey protein: Whey protein is a premium quality protein derived from cow’s milk.

In technical terms, whey protein is a mix of globular proteins separated from whey, the liquid material developed as a by product of cheese.

Creatine: Creatine is a natural compound that supplies energy to all the body cells, especially muscles. Creatine keeps the muscles active and energized for a longer period during a workout and curbs muscle fatigue.
Sports drinks: Sports drinks rehydrate the body and provide the body with carbohydrates, vitamin, minerals, and calories. Sports drinks are generally low in proteins, but they augment rehydration in the body to delay workout fatigue and muscle damage.

Amino acids: Amino acids are small molecules that serve as the building blocks of proteins. Amino acids help promote energy during a workout. Amino acids can be consumed in their natural state or can be consumed in capsule form.

Natural Supplements for Muscle Gain

Supplements help in development of muscle proteins, which enhances the muscle mass. Some of the natural supplements for muscle gain are as follows.

Beta-alanine: This amino acid may boost muscle gain when combined with regular exercise. In a study published in US National Library of Medicine, it was found that beta-alanine supplement increases muscle carnosine content, which aids performance during a high intensity workout and attenuate fatigue.

Amino acid mixture: Some studies reveal that the combination of whey protein, glutamine, and amino acids may lead to increase in muscle gain and functional strength as opposed to the consumption of whey protein alone.

Herbal Supplements for Body Gain

There are numerous herbal supplements available to boost weight gain. The herbal supplements work on healthy digestion and proper absorption of nutrients such as protein, fats, and carbohydrates to achieve healthy weight gain.

Some of the herbs used in herbal supplements are

Gingko
Ginseng
St. John’s wort
Echinacea
Ephedra

Protein Supplements to increase Muscle

Protein supplements facilitate muscle growth. Protein supplements meet the increased requirement of the body during a muscle workout in order to achieve quick and desired results. Mostly considered safe, protein supplements are popularly known as protein shakes.

However, supplements should only be used after a detailed consultation with a physician or a certified trainer. Too much protein is harmful for the body, and not every protein supplement available in the market delivers what it promises. Moreover, different types of supplement provide different results, so it is important to take expert advice to achieve desired fitness levels.

References:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov

Should I Eat More To Gain Muscle?

You can eat to gain muscle mass. There are some foods to gain muscle mass, some of which include complete proteins such as those found in fish, eggs, cheese, meat, milk, and a lot of other animal products. Eat about 1 and 1.5 times your body weight in proteins.

Include some carbohydrates in your diet so that the glycogen stores of your body can be tapped into. Maintain the intake of salt. If you consume lots of salts, it leads to water retention in the body, therefore giving you a puffy appearance.

Spread your proteins and carbohydrates over 4 to 5 meals through the day.

Does Protein Supplement Improve Performance?

While protein supplements can be great for your health, over a period of time it is always better to consume proteins that are natural. Animal products are more beneficial for your body than protein supplements. If you are planning on strength and endurance training, these protein supplements are absolutely great.

For injuries and surgeries, protein supplements can help you get quick and fast recovery. High quality protein supplements can be really beneficial for your body. Protein supplements benefits are usually at par with the benefits of natural protein-based diets. Apart from these protein supplements health benefits, you also have improved athletic performance.

Are Body building Supplements Harmful?

Bodybuilding supplements are dietary supplements constituted of nutrients including proteins, essential fatty acids, glutamine, branched chain amino acids, and creatine, and are widely consumed by bodybuilders and athletes. Although many bodybuilders swear by these supplements, a lot of people also claim that these supplements are harmful.

Bodybuilding supplements contain ingredients such asartificial sweeteners, soy, and steroid-like substances. These substances can adversely affect your blood sugar levels, induce migraines, and may cause impotency in men. Some of the other possible side effects of bodybuilding supplements are liver injury and changes in the blood-lipid profile.

At the end of the day, anything in excess is harmful. This holds true for bodybuilding supplements too. If supplementation is followed within reasonable limits, it can help maximize your muscle gains. However, excessive supplementation can be detrimental to health.

Submitted on January 16, 2014