Weight Gain Supplements
Many people are genetically indisposed to gain weight in
the form of lean muscle mass. Usually this is because they
have an exceptionally high metabolic rate, but there can be
others as well. For these people, following the golden rules
of body building will still yield results, but often not as
dramatic ones as they might hope. This is where specific weight
gain supplements come in.
If you do have trouble gaining weight, you will need to consume
more calories. This may sound ludicrously obvious, but it
is worth saying anyway. As a rough guide, count the number
of calories you consume in an average day and add 1000. Gaining
muscle mass requires a lot of fuel, particularly so if your
metabolism is not optimized for it. You will need lots of
complex carbohydrates to support the muscle regeneration process,
as well as simple ones to power you through your workouts.
You will need an abundance of protein from which to build
your new muscle mass, and you will need all of the other macronutrients
that a body builder needs.
Fortunately all of these things are conveniently supplied
in specially formulated meal replacement products for people
who have trouble gaining body mass. These products, often
called weight gainers, typically contain plenty of complex
carbs, as well as protein and essential fatty acids. They
can also contain special anabolic ingredients to assist with
the muscle building process, such as Glutamine to shorten
recovery times and prevent muscle deterioration, amino acids
to support muscle growth and repair, Creatine to increase
strength and muscle mass, and HMB to help repair damaged muscle
faster. Often taken during or right after exercise, weight
gain formulas can help a person with the most stubborn metabolism
to gain lean muscle mass and improve their workout performance.
Creatine, mentioned above, is the other big weight gain supplement.
Creatine not only increases strength, reduces recovery time
and improves general brain function, it actually literally
increases the size of your muscles, making them stronger and
enabling you to lift even bigger weights. If you have trouble
gaining weight, Creatine may just work wonders for you. Usually
supplied as a soluble powder and often added to meal replacement
shakes.
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and essential
in the synthesis of new muscle fibre. The protein in your
muscles is one-third composed of amino acids. Little wonder
then that they are another essential body building supplement.
Branched chain amino acids, or BCAAs, are particularly important
as they promote healing, supply energy and prevent the deterioration
of muscle tissue all at once. BCAAs are difficult to obtain
through consuming whole foods, so amino acid supplements are
a convenient way to make sure your body has enough. Remember
that if just one aspect of the muscle building process falls
short, the whole thing can short circuit and your workouts
will be for nothing.
Glutamine is another essential amino acid. In fact it is
the most abundant in the body, and studies have shown that
Glutamine prevents reduced immune function, reduces recovery
times and stimulates the production of growth hormone, all
of which are great if you are undertaking an intensive weight-training
programme.
Protein supplements are popularly consumed during and right
after training, to ensure that the body has an immediate supply
of protein when the muscle transformation response is initiated,
and that none of your hard work goes to waste. Whey protein
is favoured due to its quick absorption rates and the fact
that it contains so many essential amino acids. Taking casein
protein before sleeping will ensure a steady release of protein
throughout the night, when the rate of muscle building is
increased. This is therefore also a popular choice.
ZMA is a precise combination of Zinc, Magnesium and Vitamin
B6, which is known to increase testosterone production, which
allows you to work out harder, for longer, and therefore achieve
faster results. It is seen as a safe and legal alternative
to prohormones, which are banned in many countries.
Essentially, any supplement that enables you to work out
harder, or longer, reduces your recovery time, increases your
awareness or otherwise facilitates the building of new muscle
tissue, will help you gain weight.
Weight Gain Supplements
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