Basic Bodybuilding Supplements

Basic Bodybuilding Supplements

Creatine: A non-protein amino acid manufactured by the body in the liver, kidneys and pancreas. Creatine helps volumize the muscles, and helps boost exercise performance in activities requiring short bursts of intense activity. Creatine has also been shown to help recovery from sports and bodybuilding activites, both speeding muscle repair and easing pain and soreness.
  
Glutamine: The most abundant amino acid in the body, L-glutamine is mainly manufactured and stored in skeletal muscle. Glutamine has been shown to help prevent muscle catabolism (the breakdown of muscle for energy), help promote anabolic activity, and possibly reduce the impact of overtraining syndrome on the immune system. For this reason, glutamine is of particular interest to those engaged in intense bodybuilding and sports activities.
    
Amino acids: The body uses amino acids to construct proteins for building muscle and other needs. If the body does not have essential amino acids available from the diet when needed, it will break down its own muscle tissue. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA's) are popular with bodybuilding athletes and strength trainers for their anti-catabolic properties, and possible glycogen sparing activity.
    
Arginine alpha-ketogluarate (AAKG): Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate helps boost NO (nitric oxide) production, which increases blood flow. It is believed that the increase in blood flow also helps carry more nutrients and oxygen to muscles to promote anabolic activity and increased energy when bodybuilding or engaging in intense sports activities.
 
Thermogenic stimulants: Thermogenics are weight loss supplements that work to increase metabolism, causing the body to burn more calories while boosting energy. Many thermogenics also help suppress appetite. Look for supplements that contain synephrine (a.k.a Citrus aurantium or bitter orange), caffeine, guarana, kola nut, green tea, or yerba mate.