What Supplements Should I Take for Muscle Growth?

If one thing has remained constant in the world of sports performance, it’s that everyone is always looking for ways to gain an edge over the competition. Sometimes this takes the form of illicit activities, such as the consumption of steroids or the use of so-called “doping” methods, but much more often, the things that give us the advantage are the everyday patterns of behavior – getting enough sleep, eating right, exercising regularly, etc. However, for those who seek gains beyond what’s obtained through healthy living, fitness supplements are a virtual necessity. By adding certain nutrients to your diet in the right amounts and at the proper times, you can induce physiological processes that make your muscles grow, improve your endurance, or even help to reduce soreness or fatigue. To learn more about what supplements you should take for muscle growth, keep reading as the people from aminoVITAL® explain.

Popular Supplements for Muscle Growth

Athletes of all stripes use some form of supplement to improve their performance during exercise, both in the short term and long term. Depending on the supplement, users report a variety of benefits that they say help them push through difficult workouts and recover faster afterward, often with positive effects on their overall gains. Below, we examine three of the most popular fitness supplements and their effects on muscle growth.

Whole Proteins

Pretty much everyone who’s ever picked up a weight has also tried a protein shake at some point. Protein-based products – namely powders and shakes – are so ubiquitous these days that you can buy them at almost any grocery store, drug store, or other convenient neighborhood establishment; in fact, over the last few decades, protein drinks have established themselves as the most common fitness supplement in the world. While most of these products use whey protein, there are many other types as well, including pea protein, soy protein, hemp protein, and brown rice protein.

Part of what makes whole proteins so popular as a supplement is that they have proven effective at helping people build bigger muscles. As we work out, our muscles are subjected to significant strain, producing damage that must be healed. Protein supplements provide the resources to begin and sustain this process, which ends with muscles that are bigger and stronger than before. However, these products often contain counterproductive elements as well, such as large amounts of sugar that can sabotage a person’s weight loss efforts.

Creatine

Despite its popularity, creatine has been the subject of many rumors in the health and fitness community, most of which are unflattering. The truth about creatine, however, is that it can be a potent source of mid-workout energy. The primary benefit of this supplement is that it increases strength and stamina during exercise, which lets the user push themselves harder at the gym or on the field; the end result is a better workout and, therefore, better gains.

However, creatine has been shown to increase water retention, which can lead to bloating in some people who take it. Creatine can also cause diarrhea or stomach cramps if taken in large amounts or without sufficient hydration, though most who use it will not see many side effects, if any.

Amino Acids

As one of the newest supplement varieties on the market, amino acids still have a bit of catching up to do. That said, these products are becoming ever more popular among the health- and fitness-conscious for a few reasons. One of the primary advantages of amino acid supplements is that they provide many of the same benefits as other supplements – especially protein – in a much more efficient form.

Because free-form amino acids don’t need to be broken down via digestion the same way that protein does, someone who uses an amino acid supplement will see the effects much more quickly than if they had taken whole proteins. Amino acid supplements also reject the excessive calories, carbs, and sugars found in many popular protein-based products, instead providing only those nutrients essential for improving performance. In essence, amino acids are a more advanced version of the familiar protein shakes we’ve all been drinking for years.

Choosing the Best Supplement for Muscle Growth

As always, deciding which fitness supplement is right for you will largely depend on your individual goals. For example, someone who is especially thin and wants to gain lots of mass quickly might be better served by a protein-based product that includes all the calories they’ll need to gain weight or a creatine-based supplement that can provide extra energy during exercise. On the other hand, those looking to build lean muscle while improving endurance and limiting soreness will probably be served best by an amino acid supplement that can provide all the advantages they’re looking for without the unnecessary or unhealthy additives that appear in other products.

Quality Amino Acids Available Today from aminoVITAL®

If you’ve tried other fitness supplements and were disappointed, or if you just want to a pre-workout drink mix, post-workout drink mix, or just try the next big thing in sports performance, give an amino acid supplement a shot today. The supplements available from aminoVITAL® are made with the highest-quality amino acids developed and produced by Ajinomoto, a global leader in the field. Each supplement from aminoVITAL® contains only those ingredients that help power your muscles and repair your body, without lots of sugar or other frills. To learn more about these products and how they can help you achieve your health and fitness goals, visit us online or call (888) 264-6673 today.