Archive for the ‘nutrition’ Category

Bodybuilding Dieting, Tips to Do it Right

Friday, November 14th, 2008

by Ricardo d Argence

All right, so you want to get strong and go to the gym to work. You may think that pumping weights is all you have to do, but it is not that simple.

Nutrition plays a very large part of recovery and growth. Bodybuilding diets are constantly changing due to the increase of your muscle mass, if you put muscle on you have to eat more, if you lose muscle you need to eat less. So how do you keep an eye on what is happening inside the body?

Watching your weight daily is important if you are trying to increase your mass. If your weight is going down or staying the same, you may need to consider eating more. If you find yourself gaining a lot of weight you need to take a closer look at what you’re eating. Be careful, while you can expect to gain fat while attempting to gain muscle, you should keep an eye on it to ensure you don’t gain too much fat.

Fat calipers are another great way to determine if you are building muscle or fat. When you use calipers every two weeks, you can see what precisely is going on, for example if you see your muscle going down from not eating, the calipers will reveal that you should eat more. Eat less if the calipers show that your body fat percentage is increasing.

Every good gym will have a set of calipers and assuming it is the same person doing the measurments each time you will get a honest reading as for what is going on. After you have figured out the amount of millimeters and your bodyweights, it is then that the chart which comes with calipers will determine what bodyfat percentage you are.

In order to figure out what the amount of your body fat you have, you need to take your body weight, in pounds, multiply it by your body fat percentage. This formula will tell you what your total body fat is. Subtracting this amount from total weight will estimate your free fat mass. This total includes not just muscle but all structure in the body, but it is a good estimate for our purposes.

After these two figures have been worked out, you should keep notes of your total body fat and free mass. You can then compare these measurements in the future to check if your body fat percentage has increased. You’ll discover that with proper food consumption and balanced exercise and nutrition, the amount of mass without fat increases while bodyfat total decreases. If you don’t eat enough, your muscles and fat free mass will decrease, but your body fat will increase.

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Chromium Supplements: What is the best source?

Friday, October 17th, 2008

by Peter D Vizard

Only recently has medical research begun to establish the amount of chromium that our bodies need to help regulate blood sugar (glucose), maintain a healthy weight, reduce stress and increase energy. What we do know is that the essential mineral chromium comes in two forms: chromium 3+ (”trivalent” which is obtained from certain foods) and chromium 6+ (”hexavalent” that is a toxic form of chromium). Your body benefits most, obviously, by a sufficient amount of chromium 3+.

In addition to enhancing the action of insulin in the body, chromium also plays a major role in the metabolism and storage of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Its exact role is yet unclear and additional studies will have to be conducted to establish this relationship. These studies will have to involve analyzing foods for its chromium content, determining the benefits of chromium, finding out if chromium supplements can help and computing how much amount of chromium is needed to address chromium deficiency.

There are many different foods that contain chromium. Unfortunately, the chromium amount found in these foods is quite small, approximately 2 microgram per serving. Examples of foods rich in chromium include vegetables, fruits, meat, seafood, spices and whole grain products. if you do not want to lose more chromium than usual, then you should stay away from foods that contain high amounts of sugar. These foods are known to deplete the chromium reserve in your body. To give you and idea how much chromium is contained in these foods, check the list below.

Broccoli and red wine lovers may find this list especially helpful! But it is unwise to over-indulge in either, of course. Foods that are high in sugar actually cause chromium depletion. Thus, people with type 2 diabetes should avoid sugary foods and instead consume food that is high in chromium because of its ability to regulate blood sugar (pancreatic insulin). Chromium also plays an essential role in regulating your metabolism and the storage of fat, carbohydrates and protein.

Chromium is found in two forms: chromium 3+ (”trivalent”, obtained from food) and chromium 6+ (”hexavalent” that is the toxic form of this mineral). To function in a healthy manner, your body requires a sufficient form of chromium 3+. Chromium from foods is not well absorbed by your body; your physician may determine that taking a chromium supplement is right for you.

High-quality chromium supplements are available in your local pharmacy or health food store as well as from online vendors. If you buy locally, be sure to ask questions of the store staff to make sure you’re receiving a legitimate chromium supplement. Buying chromium online is especially convenient since you can do a little homework about the vendor through the “about chromium” section of the web site. You may also find better discounts from reliable, legitimate online vendors as well as free shipping with your order.

 

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Some interesting creatine info

Saturday, October 11th, 2008

by Caleb Lee

Creatine is one of the most popular supplements taken during the training period for muscle building. While talking about creatine info, first thing someone should mention is the wide ranges of resources of creatine in the nature. Although, creatine is one of the most common forms of supplements available to boost up muscles, few of us know the facts about this interesting supplement. Accordingly, here is some interesting creatine info necessary for the body builders and people in general.

The first important creatine info is that, creatine is a natural ingredient. Many a times although taken in other forms and ways, creatine, is a natural compound. It can produce itself within the human body.

Creatine is not only part of the human body but is found in the animal kingdom as well. The most common source of creatine comes from animal protein. Red meat, fish, etc., has adequate quantities of creatine. Creatine monohydrate is the chemical substance responsible for producing creatine.

Oddly enough creatine does not provide energy if taken before a workout. Many bodybuilders, and others, take creatine whenever they want to. Taking creatine before a workout is a waste of money and good creatine, and can cause the creatine to be turned into fat. The most advantageous time to take creatine is after the workout. After the workout the creatine will work on the muscle tissues. The amount taken should be saturated with a substance.

Loading is a belief of bodybuilders that has been around for quite awhile but it is a false notion. Info about creatine specifies that the creatine loading has to be balanced. Also, the quantity consumed ties into the stage of the training period.

Some creatine info that may please you a lot is that generally creatine is free from side effects. Many a body builders are in the notion that creatine has consequent side effects. On the contrary, creatine monohydrate supplements have no side effects. Still, many believe that creatine consumption can lead towards cramps in muscle, dehydration, stomach discomfort etc but none of these conceptions are true.

A commonplace notion that creatine can be taken in any form is a wrong concept. There are several forms of creatine available and this creatine is meant for different purposes. This creatine info that creatine is meant for different purposes is now almost known to all. The amount of consumption varies depending on the phase of the training periods.

Creatine info should include useful as well as the popular sources of creatine. The most common form of creatine is the creatine monohydrate. There are also protein supplements. These supplements are in protein drink form and are popular with the bodybuilders. Creatine’s main source is found in Creatine Ethyl Ester, which is readily available. When making your choice in creatine supplements be sure and research all creatine info you can find.

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Muscle Building Supplements, What You Need to Know

Monday, September 29th, 2008

by Ricardo d Argence

Lots of people want to look intelligent and have a muscular build these days. Everyone dreams of a body that is well built. Now, the question arises as how to built such a body.

The majority prefer to do their regular workouts in a gym. The building stones, the body building supplements, of a well built body are required to be taken besides from using exercise equipments.

These supplements have their own mechanism in the body. They give benefits by toning up the muscles to attain a perfect shape for a symmetrical body and vitalizing the physical stamina. Along with this, some dietary cares are indispensably required. You should eat less and quality food only, and after that enough work out is required to keep the body fit and healthy.

Bodybuilding supplements are available in various forms such as capsules, tablets, liquids and powder. Basically body supplements contain proteins, vitamins, hormones and other such things which can boost body muscles. Most importantly it is necessary to know and understand the way of dose administration. If taken in adequate quantity and in a proper manner, these supplements start showing their effect on the body.

One of the most popular muscle building supplements, currently, is creatine. It can be from natural or manufactured sources. In its natural form it is found in red meat. Creatine that has been manufactured can be found in various forms: tablet, liquid, serum, and injection form. All of this provides the necessary energy for your muscles. Cellular dysfunction also benefeits from Creatine.

Glutamine has become a popular source with body builders these days. It’s properties generate quality muscles. Glutamine comes in a soluble powder and helps to stock up non-required amino acids. Leucine and Glucosamine are amino acids that are well used supplements by body builders. These are taken during extensive workout periods. Those allergic to seafood are advised to avoid Glucosamine as it is an amino sugar.

Multivitamins are also being used as a muscle building supplement. There are plenty multivitamin products available and these help in accelerating the muscle building process. These vitamins are very efficient as they bring out the energy from carbohydrates, fat, and protein. As an antioxididant they help the body get rid of free radicals.

Taking muscle building supplements will help you grow muscles fast and efficiently. As you contuniue with your body building your system will require different supplements along the way. Many times all muscle building supplements will be needed simultaneously. Those who consume supplements need to make sure they take the supplements only as directed by their physical trainers or fitness experts.

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Strong muscles need effective muscle building supplements

Tuesday, August 5th, 2008

by Caleb Lee

A well-built body is a dream of everyone. Many of the enthusiasts are in the process of making their body muscular with the aid of regular physical exercises and muscle building supplement available from a number of sources. The trend of this kind of supplements is quite ancient, but the structures and ways of intake have undergone much change over time. While earlier people used to opt for the natural supplements like creatine, today there are also certain artificial ingredients used as muscle building supplement. This is, in fact, more convenient as the sources are now varied and the body builders can opt for several choices when they look for the supplements.

As you are looking for some good quality muscle building supplement, it is always advisable to consume such supplements in accordance with the suggestions of the expert trainers or physicians. Unhealthy sources of such supplements can be easily fatal to some extent. Therefore, be careful about the sources you are using as supplements to accelerate the body building process.

Muscle building supplements most popular today has become creatine. Some are manufactured while others are found in natural form. Red meat is a great source of natural creatine. Synethic creatine that is manufactured is availabe as serum, liquor, tablets and injections. These provide much need energy for the muscles. The chance of cellular dysfunction also is benefited by this supplement.

Body builders are also using another muscle building supplement which is Glutamine. This leads to the building of quality muscles. Glutamine is usually found in soluble powder form. Glutamine helps store up non-required amino acids. Leucine and Glucosamine, amino acids, are also relevant supplements used by muscle builders. These are used extensively during rigourous training periods. Glucosamine is an amino sugar and should be avoided by those allergic to seafood.

Vanadyl is a perfect carbohydrate supplement, which along with a comprehensive diet and other nutritional supplements, should be used by body builders. This is one of the major forms of muscle building supplement that is encouraged for new trainees for a carbohydrate free diet. This supplement is acutally a filler agent of carbohydrates. A similar carbohydrate supplement is Maltodextrin which will degrade the enzymatic process rapidly

Essential fatty acid is also a muscle building supplement. It is very helpful in providing energy, for proper development of tissues, and for burning fat. This supplement also strengthens tissues of brain and nerves. However, intake of fatty acids should be according to the need of the body and the fitness program.

Mulit-vitamins are another kind of body building supplement. These vitamins are manufactured by the score and widely prevalant on the market for accelerating muscle building. These vitamins bring out the energy from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. They also aid vasodilatation in the muscle tissue. Besides all this they are great antioxidants, helping get rid of free radicals in the body.

For a muscle builder to grow muscles in a fast and efficient manner, he will have to consume a variety of muscle building supplements. Different supplements are prescribed for various phases of the training period in body building. Many times all muscle building supplements will be needed simultaneously. Consumers of supplements should also be sure to take these supplements strictly as designed by the physical trainers and fitness experts.

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