| Bodybuilding supplements are designed to provide | | | | therefore try to shop around for the best products |
| extra support for bodybuilders, by making sure that | | | | offering the best value. |
| their muscles have all the vitamins, energy and protein | | | | Try researching the various ingredients used in the |
| they need to grow effectively during training. Both | | | | different supplements to better understand the way in |
| synthesized (chemical) and natural (herbal) bodybuilding | | | | which each ingredient works to either promote muscle |
| supplements are widely available on the internet and in | | | | growth or retard muscle reduction. Buy only the |
| health stores, and in recent years, the market has | | | | medicines that use legal (and above all safe) |
| become very competitive. | | | | ingredients that are known to aid muscle fibre growth. |
| It is extremely important that bodybuilders avoid taking | | | | Only these safe and legal products can help you to |
| or even acquiring banned and illegal bodybuilding | | | | get the most from your training, without risking the |
| supplements (for instance anabolic steroids and growth | | | | detrimental effects of taking banned substances. The |
| hormones) as not only can they lead to a competitive | | | | basic supplements commonly used by bodybuilders |
| bodybuilder being banned from competition, these | | | | are high-power multi-vitamin and mineral complexes. |
| substances can also have a very detrimental effect | | | | Many also take high-energy and high-protein foods to |
| upon those who take them. The use of anabolic | | | | allow their bodies to stand up to often punishing work |
| steroids has been linked to tissue damage, heart failure, | | | | outs for longer. |
| mental illness and reproductive dysfunction. | | | | The chemicals usually found in synthetic supplements |
| Bodybuilding supplements often play a crucial role in | | | | include Vanadyl, Leucine, Ketoisocaporate, |
| the daily routines and training of bodybuilders. They can | | | | Alpha-Ketoglutarate, Beta-Ecdysterone, Hydroxycitric |
| help them to reach their full potential as bodybuilders in | | | | Acid and Ornithune alpha-ketoglutarate. |
| terms of muscle bulk, mass, tone and definition. It is | | | | Natural supplements commonly contain extracts of |
| therefore very important that only effective, safe and | | | | Tribulus terrestris, Coleus forskohlii, Panax Ginseng and |
| healthy supplements produced by reliable | | | | Avena sativa, as well as minerals and natural |
| manufacturers are used. One should always consider | | | | stimulants. |
| the potential risk of taking cheaper supplements, | | | | All of these products are considered to be powerful |
| especially those sold ‘under the counter'. | | | | bodybuilding supplements that can be used safely, but |
| Because there are so many good (and probably many | | | | of course, every individual may respond differently to |
| more bad) supplements available, you should consider | | | | the substances they consume. Whilst these |
| shopping around for the best products. Try asking the | | | | substances have no or few reported side-effects on |
| staff in your health-food shop or pharmacist; ask your | | | | healthy individuals, it is always advisable to consult a |
| trainer or mentor, if you have one; speak to the | | | | health professional if you have any doubts about your |
| leaders of your gym or training center, and research | | | | ability to take them safely. Naturally, if you are allergic |
| online. Most of the better supplements contain the | | | | to any of these substances, you should never take |
| same or similar ingredients, though in different quantities | | | | them. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have |
| and, of course, at different prices. You should | | | | any concerns. |