The Proper and Improper Use of Supplements - Essay Example

Running head: the proper and improper use of supplements the proper and improper use of supplements The use of food supplements by the athletes and other body Builders has been discussed in detail in this article. Various types of supplements are discussed and a note on how they function has also been explained in detail. The pros and cons of the supplements like creatine, whey protein, Casein protein, BCAA, Ecdysterone, HMB, Anabolic steroids etc are documented. Towards the end stress is given on proper usage of these supplements to enhance body building without side effects Introduction Since the beginning of Civilization people have been interested in maintaining good health, developing strong bodies and extending their live span. However, figuring out just how to achieve this goal has been an endless quest that continues today. Attaining a great body and reaping the benefits of great health and longevity is no easy task. Although, a combination of genetics, good nutrition and a good work-out regiment may contribute to this goal, that alone, may not be enough. Bodybuilding supplements are substances taken by athletes involved in weight training or other sports to aid in the building of muscle mass or aid fat loss. Bodybuilding supplements may also be used to improve sports performance and improve recovery from events and training. There is a common misconception among non-supplement-users that supplementation for muscle-building purposes are the same as steroid use or, at the very least, leads to steroid use. However, this charge is often challenged by supplement users on the grounds that supplements do not mean to change natural hormone levels beyond natural limits, while anabolic steroids do. Exercise supplements, however, involve raising a particular nutrient level far beyond what is typically consumed by a human for the explicit purpose of experiencing a positive side effect when combined with weight training. Pros in Use of Health Supplements: Supplements are not needed to gain muscle. By definition, it means to make an addition and by no means do they replace proper diet and exercise. However, a good bodybuilding supplement will definitely help you build muscles a lot faster. Anyone who needs more energy, wishes to build muscle faster, like to increase lean muscle mass, recover from training faster, lose fat and aims to improve endurance should use health supplements. Anybody who does excessive workouts or training needs to supplement them with products having high quantity of protein, vitamins and other necessary minerals. Some of the commonly used supplements are discussed in this section. Whey protein is the most commonly used type of protein. It contains high levels of all the essential amino acids not produced by the human body, and is absorbed by the body very quickly. Whey protein comes from milk during the process of turning milk into cheese. Although protein is found naturally in dairy products, eggs, soy and vegetable protein, none of these compares in quality or ease of use to whey protein powder. It also has the highest value in providing branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) which contribute to building and retaining muscle. It is not the only form of protein supplementation available to bodybuilders, but it is widely acknowledged to be the best. Creatine is a good example of an exercise supplement in that, while it is found in the body naturally, users typically ingest far more than is usually needed in order to saturate their muscles and achieve a much greater muscle gaining benefit. Creatine is an organic acid naturally occurring in the body that supplies energy to muscle cells for short bursts of energy (such as lifting weights). A number of scientific studies have proven that creatine can increase strength, energy, and muscle mass in addition to reducing recovery time. Also, recent studies have shown that creatine improves brain function and reduces mental fatigue. Creatine is rightly heralded as bodybuildings ultimate supplement. It can significantly increase lean muscle mass quickly, improve performance in high intensity exercise, raise energy levels and speed up recovery rates. Once it reaches the muscles it is converted into phosphocreatine, a powerful metabolite that is used to regenerate the muscles ATP (adenosine triphosphate) energy source. The beauty of creatine is that it is 100% natural and occurs in many foods; therefore it is unlikely to be banned from any sports or international competitions. Casein protein (or Milk protein) is the richest in glutamine, an amino acid that aids in recovery, and has casomorphin which helps the body to absorb the amino acids over a long time. Glutamine has been linked to protein synthesis. It prevents one’s muscle from being catabolized (eaten up) in order to provide Glutamine for other cells in the body. Glutamine helps maintain cell volume and hydration, speeding up wound and burn healing and recovery. BCAA stands for branched chain amino acids and is increasingly being recognized as an important supplement in the field of sports nutrition. In short the term refers to three essential amino acids - leucine, isoleucine and valine. Amino acids are widely known as the building blocks of protein. When protein food is eaten it gets digested into individual amino acids and short chains of amino acids that are sufficiently small to be absorbed into the bloodstream. They are then used by the body to build and repair tissues amongst other things. Ecdysterone is a powerful bodybuilding supplement that can help to maximize our genetic potential to build muscle. 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. It increases lean muscle mass, reduces fatty tissue, increases endurance, prevents loss of muscle mass and promotes growth of muscle fibers, stimulates metabolism. HMB stands for beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate. It is a metabolite of leucine, one of the bodys 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. Growth hormone boosters have much effect on our ability to build muscle. Many experts feel that supplementation with growth hormones offers exciting possibilities to adult bodybuilders. In the past growth hormone was available only in injectable form but recent years have seen the development of HGH precursors and more advanced delivery systems, Human Growth Hormone is responsible for the regulation of insulin, protein synthesis, transportation of amino acids across cell membranes and fat metabolism. Clearly, these are processes that are of relevance to serious bodybuilders. Users have reported higher energy levels, enhanced libido and greater cardiac output. In addition, superior immune function, lowering of blood pressure and improved cholesterol levels have been documented. Anabolic steroids are classed as illegal drugs and are banned by most legitimate sports organizations. There can be no disputing the fact that testosterone boosts the development of muscle mass and aids sporting performance. Equally there is no doubt that its use can adversely affect the health and wellbeing of users. Of course, building muscle and increasing strength requires a whole lot more than simply taking a few bodybuilding supplements. No matter how good or powerful the supplement is, it takes sheer hard work and determination to achieve any degree of progress and success. Cons of Health Supplements: Ingesting supplements alone would never guaranty increased muscle growth. In fact this would be a route for disaster. The body needs many different types of food to perform as a super human machine, as well as the proper amount of sleep. These nutritional products serve as an enhancement of athletic performance. One shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that sound nutrition forms the basis of any muscle building program and no amount of supplementation with the latest and greatest products will make up for bad eating habits. The bottom line is bodybuilding supplements should be used IN ADDITION to regular food, not INSTEAD OF it. Further many new users tend to use extreme dosages in view of the initial outcome. This many a times proves to be dangerous and causes a range of side effects depending on the type of the supplement. Extremely high individual doses of whey protein supplements are not recommended as this could overload the liver. One will get bigger benefits if the intake is spread throughout the day. It would appear that creatine is totally safe and effective as it has never been shown to be harmfully toxic - no adverse effects have been shown in any studies. However just like any product, it is not recommended to over-supplement once your muscles are saturated with creatine - there is simply no need to. Before wasting money on a pile of bodybuilding supplements one must really need to work out on what he or she is hoping to achieve. For anybody only certain supplements could be of use and this is something that can only be determined by the physical and performance goals. One should never make the mistake of copying training partners or believing all the garbage spouted in magazine ads. One should decide first what he or she wants to achieve and then choose the supplements that will help reach the goals. Though hormones have been proved to be of great help to athlete and weight lifters, it must never be used by persons below 20 years of age. As these people are in their growth phase, the testosterone hormone may affect the functioning of other hormones and enzymes Theres no denying the positive effects that anabolic steroids have on the muscle building process, but the health risks associated with using them are equally clear for all to see. Its use can adversely affect the health and wellbeing of users. The androgenic properties of testosterone can affect the body in many ways but often users see these as inconveniences that can be treated by using other drugs. Body muscle building cannot be achieved without dedication, sheer hard work and sound nutrition. With a solid foundation in place one can help the process along with supplements like creatine, whey protein, prohormones, testosterone boosters and amino acids. References Anabolic Steroid. 11 February 2008. The Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., Wikipedia Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved Feb. 16, 2008 from Bodybuilding Information. SEOguruINDIA. Retrieved Feb. 16, 2008 from Bodybuilding Advice That Delivers Success. Bodybuilding advice. Retrieved Feb. 16, 2008 from ‘Can Growth Hormone Enhancers Boost Muscle Growth?’2008. Bodybuilding advice. Retrieved Feb. 16, 2008 from Creatine Supplements.2008. Bodybuilding advice. Retrieved Feb. 16, 2008 from Creatine. 16 February 2008. The Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., Wikipedia Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved Feb. 16, 2008 from Online. Bodybuilding Supplement. 9 February 2008. The Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., Wikipedia Encyclopedia. Retrieved Feb. 16, 2008 from PDR Healths.Drugs and Supplements.2008. Retrieved Feb. 16, 2008 from Protein Supplements. Bodybuilding advice. Retrieved Feb. 16, 2008 from Zest For Life.Branched chain amino acids information page.09 February, 2008. Anyvitamins. Retrieved Feb. 16, 2008 from< www.anyvitamins.com/branched-chain-amino-acids-info.htm > Read More