Author Information
Get Ahead has 7 Published Articles

United States of America,
California,
Lafayette,
Lafayette,



The Other Categories of Bodybuilding Supplements

Posted On : Aug-20-2011 | seen (799) times | Article Word Count : 547 |

The concept of bodybuilding supplements dates back from ancient times, back when athletes in ancient Greece were advised to consume large quantities of both meat and wine.
The concept of bodybuilding supplements dates back from ancient times, back when athletes in ancient Greece were advised to consume large quantities of both meat and wine. Several herbal concoctions and tonics have also been used by strongmen and athletes across cultures for the purpose of increasing strength, vigor, stamina and overall physical prowess. Modern technology has allowed the production of specific bodybuilding supplements which contain the important components needed by the body to not only develop muscle growth and strength but also to improve workout stamina and provide faster muscle recovery.

Laws regarding bodybuilding supplements rose to avoid its unsafe and irresponsible use. These bodybuilding supplements are either in the form of vitamin supplements, protein, BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids), glutamine, essential fatty acids, creatine, and testosterone boosters. Even though many bodybuilding supplements are consumed by the general public, their salience and frequency of use differs when used by bodybuilders and certain athletes.

Protein, BCAAs, glutamine, essential fatty acids, and creatine are the more “natural” categories of these bodybuilding supplements. The reason they are more “natural” is because their components can be found in everyday foods, unlike Prohormones, Thermogenic Products, and Testosterone Boosters.

Prohormones are precursors to hormones and these were most typically sold to bodybuilders as a precursor to the body’s natural hormone, testosterone. They have no health risk and usually have minimal hormonal effect by itself. The primary function of a prohormone is to enhance the strength of the hormone that already occurs in the body – which in this case, testosterone, the hormone behind the male physical characteristics and physique.

Prohormones should not be confused with steroids because steroids add hormones while prohormones do not. The conversion of prohormones requires naturally occurring enzymes in the body. There are side effects, however, because prohormones can also convert into DHT and estrogen. To deal with this, various supplements have incorporated aromatase inhibitors and DHT blockers such as chrysin and 4-androstene-3,6,17-trione. Most prohormone products have not been thoroughly studied to date and the health effects of prolonged use are still unknown. These bodybuilding supplements were initially available over the counter but were then made illegal without prescription.

A thermogenic is a broad term for bodybuilding supplements that the manufacturer claims will cause thermogenesis which causes increase in body temperature, metabolic rate, and consequently an increase in the rate of the burning of body fat and weight loss. Almost every product found in this type bodybuilding supplements comprised the “ECA stack”: ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin. Due to its links on having a high rate of serious side effects and number of deaths, ephedra and ephedrine, its alkaloid, were banned for use in weight loss formulas. Ephedrine was later replaced with bitter orange or citrus aurantium (containing synephrine).

Testosterone boosters utilize several naturally occurring plants and vitamins as well as synthetic chemicals to yield increase in testosterone levels. Bodybuilding supplements of this type are questionable, however since there is still lack of valid scientific testing of their potency and especially due to evidence that they are ineffective. However, in placebo-controlled studies, it is found out that Eurycoma longifolia showed increase in strength and arm circumference and its capability to suppress estrogens, which are potent inhibitors of testosterone production.

Article Source : http://www.articleseen.com/Article_The Other Categories of Bodybuilding Supplements_75333.aspx

Author Resource :
If you want to know more about bodybuilding supplements visit IntoBodyBuilding.com. There you will be able to read about blog post and product information about bodybuilding supplements.

Keywords : bodybuilding supplements, supplements, steroids,

Category : Health and Fitness : Supplements

Bookmark and Share Print this Article Send to Friend