Archive for the ‘Supplements’ Category

Body Building Supplementation - What Is Creatine Ethyl Ester?

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Most involved in the sport of bodybuilding know that creatine is a common supplement used by many in the sport to enhance performance, muscle size and strength.  Creatine comes in many forms, one of them being creatine ethyl ester.  If you’ve ever asked what is creatine ethyl ester then this article can help.

Technically speaking creatine ethyl ester is formed when an organic compound called ester attaches to a creatine monohydrate molecule.  This results in creatine ehtyle ester being formed.

Why use the ethyl ester form over other forms of creatine?  This form has been known to cause very little if any cramping, dehydration or bloating.  These are common side effects of regular creatine.  The ethyl ester form is also absorbed directly by muscle cells.  This can help reduce the loading phase.  The absorption qualities of this form has been found to be much greater than a regular form of creatine.  This is because it has properties that enable it to dissolve rapidly in lipids and oils.

To understand what is creatine ethyl ester it is important to know more about it.  Those that have used this supplement have reported increase muscle mass in 2 to 3 weeks.  Performance is greatly enhanced during high performance exercises.  It has been reported to improve memory.  It is effective in both men and women.  The required dosage for effectiveness is lower than that of creatine monohydrate.

Men or women can benefit from using creatine ethyl ester.  Those that want to increase their muscle strength, all around sports performance and building muscle mass will benefit from its use.  There are many choices when it comes to creatine supplementation.  Ask around your local gym and see what types body builders are taking and if they have been effective or not.  You want to know if the users increased their strength, size or both as a result of taking this supplement.

What is creatine ethyl ester?  It may be a superior form of creatine.  For more information or to discover a systematic body building program that is all natural and effective in packing on pounds of lean muscle while burning bodyfat.  Click here now:

Body Building System

Body Building Supplementation - Is Creatine A Steroid?

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Is creatine a steroid?  This is a commonly asked question among those interested or already using the supplement.  There are similarities between the two in that they both enhance a persons performance as well as aiding in increased muscle mass.  The similarities end there.

The major difference between the two is their chemical makeup.  Anabolic steroids are synthetically produced hormones while creatine is a protein that is naturally produced in our bodies. You can also increase your creatine intake by eating foods that contain creatine such as red meats.  To increase the level of steroids in your body you must take a synthetic product.

Steroids can be anabolic or androgynous.  The anabolic form promotes muscle growth.  The androgynous kind produce masculine type features like facial hair, etc.  These effects are different from those produced by creatine.  This supplement mainly produces or increases energy in the body.  This allows an athlete to perform at an enhanced level than if he weren’t taking the supplement.

Is creatine a steroid?  Another difference between the two is that you can obtain creatine through foods such as red meats. Steroids cannot be obtained through food intake.  They are released by special glands in the body.  In order to take in additional steroids then you have to use supplements (or manufactured steroids).

One more difference centers around the harmful effects that these products can have on the body.  The dangerous effects of anabolic steroids are well known.  The long term effects of creatine usage are not well understood at this point.  It is always wise to consult your physician before taking creatine.

Discover a systematic body building program that is all natural and effective in packing on pounds of lean muscle while burning bodyfat.  Click here now:

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Body Building Supplementation - Does Creatine Build Muscles?

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Creatine is probably one of the best known and widely used supplements on the market today.  Bodybuilders and athletes have been using creatine in their workouts for years because of its performance enhancing qualities.  A common question that many body builders have asked is does creatine build muscles?  This article will help answer that question.

Creatine accomplishes a few things when taken.  It helps muscles retain water so when you weight train your muscles will respond and grow more efficiently.  Creatine also assists in developing strength and increased endurance as well.

If you understand what creatine does and the effects it has on muscle building the your expectations will become more realistic when using it.  Using creatine does not mean you will grow huge muscles overnight or even in a few weeks.  You have to do the work.  If you aren’t lifting weights while supplementing with creatine your results will be poor.  Creatine is only an adjunct to the hard work you do in the gym.

Does creatine build muscles?  Using creatine while you are weight training will assist your muscles in growing bigger and stronger.  Creatine alone will not build up your muscle size or strength.  Think of it as helping your muscles respond to the work you are doing in the weight room more effectively.

Creatine hydrates muscle cells.  This hydration (taking in water) makes the muscles look fuller and bigger.  It may also stimulate protein synthesis.  It is possible that creatine supplementation may increase the production of human growth hormone.

It is best to use creatine after you have begun a weight training routine.  You will begin to see results in your muscle strength and growth as time goes on, as long as you are putting the work in.  If you do stop taking the creatine you will likely lose the effects it had on water retention in the muscle cells.  The good news is if you were training hard with the weights you won’t lose the muscle you have gained.

Does creatine build muscles?  All things being equal it certainly will help. Discover a systematic body building program that is all natural and effective in packing on pounds of lean muscle while burning bodyfat.  Click here now:

Body Building System

Body Building Routines - Muscle Building Supplement Advice

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

A great number of people performing body building routines use supplements in their workouts.  Their are a great number of these on the market today and by following some muscle building supplement advice you can maximize their effectiveness to help you build muscle and stay lean.  Here are some suggestions to follow:

1.  Use supplements with natural ingredients. Most supplements will have negative side effects associated with them.  Those made with all natural ingredients will usually have less side effects than those manufactured synthetically.

2.  Study and understand the side effects. You need to take the time to research the possible side effects associated with any supplement that you begin taking.  Some will have more serious side effects than others.  Some can be lethal.  Take the time to know what you are taking and calculate the risk associated with it.

3.  Only take supplements that YOU need. Don’t start taking one just because everyone else is.  Analyze what your specific needs are then find one that will help fulfill that need.

4.  Shop around for price and value. Supplements can be very expensive.  Just because one is expensive that doesn’t mean it is better than a lower cost one.  Find the best deal you can.  Always compare ingredients between lower priced items and the more expensive.  You may find a supplement at a lower cost with the same ingredients.

5.  Review the product. Take the time to ask questions about the product you are considering to buy.  Go online and read reviews from people that have actually used it.  Don’t underestimate the power of this.  People will be brutally honest about their experience with a product and if it is getting poor reviews then it likely isn’t going to live up to its claims.  This can save you a bunch of money and time.

Muscle building supplement advice can be helpful in choosing those products that will help you achieve your goals both in and out of the gym.  Learn as much as you can before purchasing any supplement.  This will help you choose only those supplements that you need, save you time and money.

If you want to build serious muscle in record time with a proven muscle building diet and supplement plan then click here now:

Muscle Building System

Body Building Supplmentation - Can Creatine Cause Anger

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

There are several forms of creatine on the market today.  As a supplement this is used by athletes (very commonly by bodybuilders) to enhance energy levels and build muscle mass.  For the most part the average person doesn’t need excess creatine as it is a naturally occurring derivative of amino acids and can be found in red meat.  Body builder’s needs are different and they will use this as an adjunct to their workouts.  A concern among users is this - can creatine cause anger? This article will discuss the answer.

There are common side effects reported by users of creatine.  Among them mood swings, anger and increased aggression are common.

One explanation as to why anger and aggressive behavior is seen when taking creatine is that testosterone levels can increase during cycling phases of the supplement.  Testosterone has been known to increase aggression in both men and women.  It has been reported by some user that their feelings of anger had ceased when they stopped taking creatine, then returnd again when they were back on it.

One study suggests that the feelings of increased anger, aggression and depression among users of creatine is dehydration. Most people will not drink enough water while taking the supplement although they are advised to increase their water intake. These negative feelings are also enhanced if the user already suffers from depression.  The same study suggests that these moods can be controlled if creatine is used as recommended, three to five mg a day for three weeks, then three grams two to four times a week.  You should also take a break from the supplement for one week after you complete a cycle.

Can creatine cause anger?  Their is a risk of this as well as other side effects.  Body builders continue to take the supplement as they feel its benefits outweigh the negatives.

Discover a systematic body building program that is all natural and effective in packing on pounds of lean muscle while burning bodyfat.  Click here now:

Body Building System

Body Building Supplementation - Should Teenagers Take Creatine?

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

As kids are developing and becoming more involved in competitive sports the temptation is there to take supplements to enhance their performance and to maintain their competitive edge.  Those teenagers entering the sport of body building can be easily influenced by their peers as well as the muscle magazines that run ads constantly regarding supplementation.  One of the more common ones is creatine.  This raises the question should teenagers take creatine?

There is research that suggests short term use of creatine can actually benefit teenagers.  Contrary to that there is little evidence to support its long term use.  Kids can enhance their performance in sports (including body building) simply by performing daily, consistent activity in their chosen sport.  They don’t need supplementation at this stage in their lives. Most physicians and health experts would agree.

The research that is available to us at this point regarding the short and long term use of creatine in teenagers shows conflicting support.  One cannot determine the effects of long-term use of the product based on the current research.

Creatine is readily available over the counter and can be easily purchased by teenagers.  It is also commonly available online as well.  Because of this it will be difficult to prevent teenagers from purchasing and using the product.  The answer to should teenagers take creatine can best be answered with open communication between parents, MD and teenagers.

Another concern that teenagers should consider when contemplating using creatine is that many forms of the supplement have not been approved by the FDA.  Without this approval one cannot be certain exactly what they are getting or what the effects of the product will be.

Should teenagers take creatine?  The research is inconclusive and until the long term effects are known it isn’t worth the risk.  Discover a systematic body building program that is all natural and effective in packing on pounds of lean muscle while burning bodyfat.  Click here now:

Body Building System

Body Building Supplementation - What Kinds of Creatine To Take

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

There are many different kinds of manufactured creatine on the market today.  Most will accomplish the same thing and are just packaged differently.  What kinds of creatine to take in your body building supplementation will take some research on your part to find which is best for you.  This article will outline the different forms of this supplement.

As you are likely aware creatine is the most common supplement used in body building today.  It is a naturally occurring amino acid found in red meat.  It is primarily used in the sport to improve strength and muscle mass.  It is probably one of the most researched supplements as well.

Creatine has been found to have two main functions.  The first is that it will increase the size of your muscle cells; the second is its ability to assist in ADP/ADT production.  This is our body’s energy source so creatine is a form of immediate energy.

There are five main categories of creatine.  These are creatine monohydrate, creatine citrate, creatine phosphate and creatine malate.

1.  Creatine Monohydrate: Probably the most common form compared to the other products.  Creatine is mixed with water to produce creatine monohydrate.  It does cause bloating and it’s effects are not statistically significant in the research.  It was also found not to penetrate into the muscle cells effectively.

2.  Creatine Citrate: This is also a popular form of creatine.  This form dissolves rapidly in water and is combined with citric acid.  This combination is supposed to produce greater muscle energy but has not been statistically supported.  Some disadvantages include there is less concentration of creatine in this form compared to monohydrate and it is much more costly than creatine monohydrate.

3.  Creatine Phosphate: This form of creatine is combined with a phosphate molecule.  It can assist in energy production. It’s disadvantages include it is not as effective as the monohydrate form in the research and it is expensive.

4.  Creatine Malate: Formed from combining creatine with malic acid.  The malate form may have higher potential for energy production than the monohydrate form but it has not been supported in the literature.

5.  Creatine Ester: Formed by combining creatine with an ester molecule.  It is supposed to penetrate cell membranes more effectively than other forms of creatine.

So as you can see when deciding what kinds of creatine to take there are many choices.  It is important that you compare ingredients of the forms you are considering taking.  Ask around your local gym and see what types body builders are taking and if they have been effective or not.  You want to know if the users increased their strength, size or both as a result of taking this supplement.

Discover a systematic body building program that is all natural and effective in packing on pounds of lean muscle while burning bodyfat.  Click here now:

Body Building System

Body Building Supplementation - Liquid Creatine

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Body builders and athletes in other sports often resort to using creatine as a supplement to augment their workouts.  It’s main purpose is for energy supply as well as building muscle mass.  Creatine is used in activities that call for bursts of energy like sprinting or max lifts.  Liquid creatine is another form of this amino acid derivative covered in this article.

The liquid form of creatine is available in various forms.  The liquid form is found in a premixed drink.  It is marketed as being readily available to the body’s system since it is quickly absorbed in its liquid form.  This gives it an advantage over the powder form of creatine.

The liquid form of creatine has some advantages over the powder form.  In theory if the liquid is absorbed more quickly into the system it means that it would take a lesser amount of this form of creatine to create the same effects as the powder form.  The major disadvantage is that the liquid form of creatine is relatively unstable in solution.  This means that it will break down more quickly than powder form.  When it breaks down it forms a waste product called creatinine which is useless to the body.

Normally when taking a creatine powder it is recommended that the used ingest increased amounts of water.  Creatine liquid doesn’t cause water retention in muscles thus allowing users to ingest a normal amount of water.  The typical recommended dose of the liquid form is 5ml.  Larger individuals may need to take a slightly larger amount to see results.

Those individuals that are pregant or nursing, diabetics, have high blood pressure and those on multiple medications should avoid the use of creatine as its effects are not well known in these cases.  Always consult your physician if you are planning to start taking this supplement.

Discover a systematic body building program that is all natural and effective in packing on pounds of lean muscle while burning bodyfat.  Click here now:

Body Building System

Body Building Supplementation - How Does Creatine Affect Women Body Builders?

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

There is an increasing trend for female athletes, including body builders to use supplementation to enhance their workouts and their physiques.  As more and more females are participating in the sport of body building and the competitive level grows body building supplementation is becoming more mainstream.  But how does creatine affect women body builders?  This article will focus on this topic.

The first question that most female bodybuilders will ask is will creatine have the same affects as anabolic steroids.  The answer to this is no in that most are concerned that creatine will cause male like characteristics like steroids can produce. Creatine is not an anabolic steroid.  It is a natural substance found in our bodies as well as other sources like red meats. Steroids are synthetically produced.

Different manufacturers may make claims that the side effects of creatine are small or nonexistent.  You should be aware that women bodybuilders using creatine have reported common side effects such as stomach cramps, muscle cramps, nausea and diarrhea.  This does not occur in all female bodybuilders but they are possible.

Research has shown that creatine levels are higher in women vs. men.  If you have higher creatine levels then you may not see dramatic or immedicate effects of using the supplement like someone with low creatine levels would.  Excessive supplementation could lead to gastrointestinal disorders like those listed above.  It is best that women use the recommended dosage and a type of creatine that is manufactured specifically for women.

Other side effects reported by females using creatine is increased frequency of urination.  This may be due to the body excreting more of the supplement from the body.  There are no conclusive studies demonstrating the effects of creatine on pregnant women or the unborn child so it is best to avoid creatine supplemenation when pregnant.

Research continues on the effects of creatine on women bodybuilders.  There is evidence that the side effects are minor and can usually be controlled with modifying the dosage and with nutritional modifications.

Discover a systematic body building program that is all natural and effective in packing on pounds of lean muscle while buring bodyfat.  Click here now:

Body Building System

Body Building Routines - What Supplements Should I Take For Bodybuilding?

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

When performing a body building routine many people ask what supplements should I take for bodybuilding?  My immediate response to that question is NONE until you analyze your workouts and your diet strategies.  After doing this you can look further in to taking supplements.

The reason for this is that many “bodybuilders” aren’t working out effectively and haven’t made the necessary dietary changes.  Without proper workouts and appropriate nutritional intake all the supplements in the world aren’t going to help you.  If you are under the belief that simply by taking supplements you will get huge and ripped you are wrong.  whether pills, powders, liquids or whatever form they are in supplements are meant to enhance well rounded body building workout and a sound diet plan.

If your workouts and diet are in place you can commit to taking supplements.  These must be taken in the correct way for them to be effective.  They must be taken as instructed.  They can greatly enhance your body’s recovery on off days from training in addition to giving you much needed energy during your workouts.

Supplements can enhance anyone’s body building workouts.  They should be taken to fill any nutritional void you may have in your diet.  There are many supplements on the market today and using the correct ones will greatly enhance your ability to burn fat and build muscle.

They are not magic.  You can change your physique and improve your health without them.  If you do decide to take them they can assist you in getting into better shape perhaps more quickly than if you don’t take them.

Click here now for the short list of my recommended supplements:

Supplements.

If you want to build serious muscle in record time with a proven muscle building diet and supplement plan then click here now:

Muscle Building System