Supplements

[AceKing]

What do you guys think bout supplements, such as protein, creatine, no2 etc. do you think its an okay thing to use or is it bad for you. im 17 and was wondering if it is okay for me to use them. Most of you will say just eat good food and exercise, i do that but i dont get fast results and strength gains the way i would with supplements. so just making sure before i start using them.

[kenpo.stylist]

it all depends...if you are strength training consistently, I would advocate the use of some of the more serious supplements like creatine, although I've heard of it's use by athletes who train strictly aerobically and see decent results. In this case, doing your homewrok about each of the supplements that you are curious about will give you the answers you need.

I would suggest looking around the web for info on exactly what each supplement does and decide if you may benefit from there. For example, you say you're 17yrs old, so you most likely would have much less need of a testosterone booster than I would at 31.

NO2, or Nitric Oxide Boosters as they are commonly known, are simply vasodilators. Meaning they relax the blood vessels and allow more blood to flow. One very popular vasodilator is the almighty Viagra...same effect. Typically they are any combination of mostly L-Arginine(found in more than one form; Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate, L-Arginine, Arginine-Ketoisocaproate), and other ingredients which act synergistically, creatine ethyl ester, nicotinomide, L Citrulline, etc. I personally use BSN Nitrix and have seen very decent results with it, however if you are not following the label and excercising intensely, I would think you are simply producing very expensive urine.

Creatine is naturally produced in our liver, pancreas, and kidneys. Once in the bloodstream it is converted into creatine phosphate, and used by the muscle cells to produce ATP, or as we nerds who never slept through biology class could tell you is simply adenosine triphosphate...PURE ENERGY for the muscle. If you would like to build lean mass, lose that pudge in the gut, or just get more energy for your workout and reduce recuperation time, creatine is for you. Again, there are many different ways to take creatine. There are pills, powders you mix, effervescent powders, liquids, and even nutrition bars. There are also different types of creatine to be aware of. Creatine monohydrate, creatine ethyl ester, kre alkalyn which is simply a buffered creatine, creatine ethyl ester malate, etc. You have to research what each are and how they might be of benefit to you. I personally have used a bevy of creatine products, but found best results from BSN Cellmass. I'm currently using the cheapest form which is pharmeceutical grade pure creatine monohydrate powder, and am seeing decent results.

Whey protein...there's a topic. If you need it, take it. If you don't need it, don't take it. Basically, if you need your muscles to recuperate and don't take enough protein in with your normal diet, it is a good idea to take some powder and make a shake. You can do all sorts of yummy things with protein powders, and they taste a helluva alot better than when I first started taking them 15 years ago You can mix berries with them in the blender, all kinds of fruit, even cookies and ice cream if calories aren't an issue for you. There are many different kinds of protein powders out there ranging from simple whey and soy isolates to complete meal replacement powders enriched with anything from glutamine for recovery, creatine, vitamins and minerals, and branched chain amino acids(building blocks for your body). Again, you get what you pay for...but it doesn't hurt to keep an eye out for a good deal at your local GNC who sometimes clearances your supplements to make room for new product. I've saved as much as 90% by keeping a keen eye on the shelves and a kind word to the sales staff.

With all these products you should follow the labels...they are written for a reason. Also you have to decide what you can afford. There was a time when I was spending over $300/month on these top-shelf supplements and I've learned that I see the same results with some of the lower priced brands...but there is no replacement for knowledge...know why you take each supplement and how much you should take and when to take them. My advice would be to pick up a muscle and fitness and read read read. Also, try not to buy into the six page ads trying to convince you that you need supplementX because Joe Schmoe used them to win the 2006 muscle beach open, or whatever contest. You can find all sorts of resources online, such as bodybuilding.com, which I have found to contain a wealth of knowledge on the subject as well as good prices(no, I'm not affiliated with them, and will not profit from listing them, just thought they are a good site with a huge archive of info).

Anyway, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask, and Good luck. Hope I've helped some.

[Aodhan]

Creatine is naturally produced in our liver, pancreas, and kidneys. Once in the bloodstream it is converted into creatine phosphate, and used by the muscle cells to produce ATP, or as we nerds who never slept through biology class could tell you is simply adenosine triphosphate...PURE ENERGY for the muscle. If you would like to build lean mass, lose that pudge in the gut, or just get more energy for your workout and reduce recuperation time, creatine is for you. Again, there are many different

One note: When you supplement creatine, your organs stop producing it. You still get the benefits since you are taking in more than you would produce anyway, but just thought I'd throw that out there.

I have a short monograph on creatine in this forum, do a search by author Aodhan with Creatine in the title.

Aodhan

[AceKing]

thanks for the help i guess i just need to research some of this stuff.

[Jiffy]

When it comes to suppliments, I'm always dubious. I think that while a lot of people do use them properly, there are even more than don't know what they are doing. Just make sure you fully research it and use the suppliments in the doses that will give you the benefits you require.