Protein Supplements and Bodybuilding - Essay Example

? of the Are Protein Supplements necessary for Bodybuilding? Bodybuilding is a strength related exercise in which, the bodybuilders require energy rich diets especially protein rich foods. For overcoming their bodily and training related demand, they start taking protein supplements that are quick ways of obtaining proteins within less time. However, protein supplements cannot replace whole meals that are essential for healthy routine of bodybuilders. Protein supplements are not necessary for bodybuilders as bodybuilders can have protein rich foods to fulfill their demand of additional proteins. Bodybuilders can obtain more proteins from diets such as eggs, red meat, fish and many other whole meals that are able to facilitate the bodybuilders with essential protein intake. However, bodybuilders try to make use of protein supplements that are not essential for their day to day routine. There is a general misconception about intake of protein supplements and being a bodybuilder, the bodybuilder perceive that intake of protein supplement is essential for their muscle growth and bodily maintenance. Protein supplements are useful, but not necessary for bodybuilders and this is just a wrong thinking that needs proper research and reasoning. This paper presents the notion that protein supplements are not necessary for bodybuilding. The bodybuilders regard supplements pervasive for their training and daily routine as bodybuilders. People have different misconceptions regarding the usage of supplements and their efficacy for growth of their muscles and maintenance of symmetry. Brill and Keane (1994) inform that the supplements have no impact in terms of improved athletic presentation or strength related sports (p. 398). However, with extensive usage of supplements for bodybuilding or other strength related sports, there are chances of health vulnerability. Protein supplements that are employed for various purposes related to bodybuilding are not essential for gaining strength, but they are used for muscle building, gaining or losing weight and much more. However, this cannot be said that protein supplements are necessary for bodybuilders as there are many other sources of obtaining proteins that are not injurious to health in any way. The natural ways of obtaining proteins are through having whole meals in place of proteins. Scientists believe that additional or increased usage of proteins whether it is in form of powder or shake is not good for health as it is able to injure health of bodybuilders. The protein supplements cannot be employed as substituted products for whole meals as nothing can replace natural diet with unnatural diet (Brill & Keane 398-399). Bodybuilders require additional supply of protein diets because it is essential for their training period, muscle building and regular balance maintenance. However, the protein supplementary requirements for each bodybuilder are different and unique. The bodybuilders require proteins according to the category of exercises that they do, the time duration of these exercises and bodily needs well suited for the individual (Wolfe 551). Every bodybuilder cannot have the same recommended intake of proteins. So, the protein supplements required for each bodybuilder are not similar, but individualized. Age, gender and bodily requirements of individuals also require different protein rich diets. Protein supplements are not essential for most of the people who use them as people have such diets that are already rich in protein and calories and do not require an additional intake of proteins. Protein supplements keep the capacity of augmenting muscle hypertrophy and the supplementary form of proteins such as protein shakes and protein powders upgrade the muscle hypertrophy followed by exhaustive exercises. Bodybuilders inform that they are able to obtain additional strength increase by having hundreds of grams of proteins each day. However, as per research based scientific knowledge, the overly usage of protein supplements can result in the failure of appetite. Therefore, additional usage of protein supplements by bodybuilders can become a reason for creating problems for the bodybuilders (Phillips 691). Muscles require protein as they are essential for putting up mass and milk and eggs are good source of proteins  ("True Natural Bodybuilding: food supplements to build muscle mass."). A high intake of proteins is required in daily routine for gaining results in terms of most favorable muscle development. There are foods that are usually rich in proteins like ‘red meat, poultry, eggs and fish’ as they are capable of fulfill the requirements of proteins for the muscles of bodybuilders. However, protein supplements have the capacity of improving the protein diet in day to day routine. With the support of protein supplements, bodybuilders can obtain an increased amount of proteins within less timeframe. But, no one can deny this fact that protein supplements are not capable of becoming a substituted diet in place of natural whole meals. The protein supplements are just additional intake of proteins and the healthy and essential proteins can be directly obtained from foods rich in proteins ("Which Bodybuilding Supplement Should You Take for muscle growth?."). Therefore, it cannot be said that proteins are essential for bodybuilders as bodybuilders can have protein rich diets to improve their protein intake. Laws (2013) also informs that protein supplements are not necessary for bodybuilders as they are able to rectify their routine with protein rich foods, which are part of their training schedule. Bodybuilders require additional proteins because their training and physical development depends on high protein intake due to which, they adopt the easy way out of protein supplements. However, protein supplements are not the only solution as there are ways of obtaining proteins through natural means. Bodybuilders believe that they require protein supplements essentially in place of their routine diets, however, this is wrong as whole meals and natural diets cannot be replaced by protein supplements. Bodybuilders require additional protein intake due to which, they prefer protein supplements as they keep the capacity of improving the protein intake of bodybuilders within less timeframe. The bodybuilders can get the same results with better health because of natural foods that are rich in proteins. Protein supplements can also become a reason for causing unhealthy routines for the bodybuilders. Before using the protein supplements, the bodybuilders should be aware of their own bodily requirements and individual needs in terms of protein intake as additional intake of proteins can cause lack of appetite and much more for the bodybuilders that can be damaging later on. Natural foods that are rich in proteins and whole meals can be used for fulfilling the need of additional proteins and protein supplements are not essentially required. Works Cited Brill, Janet Bond, and Michele W. Keane. "Supplementation patterns of competitive male and female bodybuilders." International Journal of Sport Nutrition 4 (1994): 398-398. Laws, Daryl. "Protein supplements not necessary for bodybuilding." Thetimesnews.com, 2013. Web. 14 Nov 2013. . Phillips, Stuart M. "Protein requirements and supplementation in strength sports." Nutrition 20.7 (2004): 689-695. "True Natural Bodybuilding: food supplements to build muscle mass.." True-natural-bodybuilding.com, 2013. Web. 14 Nov 2013. . "Which Bodybuilding Supplement Should You Take for muscle growth?." Relentlessgains.com, 2013. Web. 14 Nov 2013. . Wolfe, Robert R. "Protein supplements and exercise". The American journal of clinical nutrition 72 (2 Suppl) (2000): 551S–7S. Read More