Supplements (plz read and contribute)

[NSR81]

dear members,

i really want to ask a question that really hits a lot into my mind and i seem not to have a so called "logical" answer about it.

i really don't know what's the deal about supplements. i hear some guys encouraging me to take it, and other people aren't against it completely, but they still believe that they are as what they are called, supplements.

i am in my 4th year in honors medical biophysics program and supplements, especially creatine, were a topic that we had to study in 3rd year. there main role is enlarging the size of the muscle via stimulating the muscle to increase its size in response to amounts of water entering the muscle, which carry the dissolved creatine inside.

i was today at GNC store in a mall here in London, Ontario, and i was looking at the massive amounts of supplements there, such as Pro-creatine, glutamine, Amino1000, and so on. honestly, i was like a mouse surrounded with lions, not just cats.

I really want to know if supplements are really essential to workout and what if i only keep eating properly, especially proteins, does that take away the importnat, if so, role of creatine or supplements generally

i've been working out for like 6 months and a lot of guys are saying that i didn't grow that much because i don't take supplements, or barely take them, and told me that it's mostly unlikely to grow that big wothout them

i'm really sorry for being long but honestly if i wasn't sure about the enthusiasm and support of this amazing forum, i wouldn't have done so

thnx again and hope u a great time

[Big A]

I am IFBB Pro and I have never used 'normal' supplemetns, like creatine, glutamine, etc. I ALWAYS use a whey protein powder (up to 6 times a day) and then I use all the stuff I need to enhance my gear - liver protectants, appetite stimulators, etc.

Actually I lied - for the first year I used all the stupid crap that Weider sells believing that it was the miracle cure I needed... I soon woke up.
Just EAT and you will grow. If you don't take enough protein in, just take a whey shake several times a day.

[Pusher]

Agreed. Food should be your #1 supplement. Steak, chicken, turkey, ham, potatoes, rice, ect, ect, ect. The only gain I saw from creatine was an increase in muscle fullness, nothing I couldn't get from a few cups of rice. I do use protein powders many times daily since it only takes 30secs to shake up and drink 20-40g's of protein.

[irondan68]

How big a different does eating the right carb makes. Everyone talks about protein everyone know basically you want 1 1/2 grams of protein a day per pound you weigh

No one really talks about carbs how much to take what source to use etc. I believe the carbs you get in like Cream of Rice & oatmeal etc. are not as good for you as the carbs from rice Potatoes etc.

Any tips about carbs??

[Linchu]

I never saw benefits from creatine, not the miracle benefits everybody talks about. I believe in protein shakes... they are easy to make, easy to take and a very good source of protein, but your FOOD is the most important thing, if you eat right you will grow. I got my best results not from supplments but from the right diet.

[MonStar]

I use food.

Any whey, glutamine, creatine, etc. Just basics.

[hyper]

Originally posted by MonStar
I use food.

Any whey, glutamine, creatine, etc. Just basics.

Same here!

[bombtech]

protein, protein, and did I mention protein!

[BadKarma]

1 gram for every pound you weigh

[Ozzy]

Agree with the above, supplements are useful if you have a busy life style where it might not be convenient to have food when your body needs.

Don't bother with all the fancy products out there as 99.9% are a waste of money.

A solid protein powder/bulking powder (depending on your goals) is all you would need to add to your daily intake IMO.

[Barlow]

dont be forgeting your EFA's ! and vitamins!

[Paul Bunyan]

protein intake is extremely important and I use protein powders daily. I also take a good muti-vitamin and mineral supplement. Also, I use fish oil caps daily and add extra C, E and B complex.

The quality of the food you eat is extremely important so pay attention to what goes into your mouth.

PB

[GOOSE]

suppliments are just that....... a suppliment to your normal diet!!!!

i agree creatine is a load of s@#$, but protein shakes and glutamine you can never get enough of!!
just be careful when buying protein shakes make sure they have the highest BV by making sure they mainly consist of whey protein as it has the highest BV of all the proteins!
with regards to glutamine dont ever mix glutamine with your protein shakes as it is a compleate waist as your body uses it to help digest the food, if you want to mix it in get l-glutamine!

The right amount of carbs is also essential, you ant gonna grow without the gas in the engine and carbs are just that!
if you dont have enough energy to get through the workout your body goes catabolic and turns on the amminos in your body to supply the energy, so you end up loosing muscle!

[Pusher]

Don't forget the flax oil or mct for fuel on zero carb days.