****BODYBUILDING SUPPLEMENTS A-Z****
Below is a list of Supplements from A-Z. Also a brief description of what they are and what they do. Also a rating of how effective they are.
A glimpse at how the rating system works.
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Ratings
o - Garbage
* - Bad
** - Okay
*** - Gettin' There ( may be useful )
**** - Good ( Is useful )
***** - Excellent ( A must have ! )
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Amino Acids
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Amino Acids are basically proteins that are broken down into their basic building blocks. Amino Acids are very important factor in anabolism (the building of muscle tissues). They are essential, But if you already have a high protein diet you may not need these. Otherwise, a good choice.
Rating ****
Andro\Norandro
===============
These are testosterone raising supplements. They are converted into testosterone after a chemical reaction in the body. Should be used if you are looking for a nice pump during your workout. It is best when used with tribulus terrestris to enhance and prolong the testosterone increase. You should only take this product if you are over 21, if you are under 21 your own natural testosterone levels are still developing and you don't want to mess with that. (19-Nor + Androdiol = Best gains)
Rating ***1/2
Boron
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A few supplement companies have claimed boron raises your testosterone. But I can assure you, it doesn't. Do not waste your money on this garbage.
Rating 0
Carnitine
===============
This is an amino acid that promotes fat burning. But it doesn't do too good of a job. One of the fats that it does burn off is a good fat (triglycerides). Also gives mild energy boost.
Rating ***
Chitosan
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This is a popular "fat blocker", and some studies have actually shown that this can block the absorption of fat to your stomach. But it may also stop the absorption of other essential vitamin and minerals. I would recommend this product only for those looking to lose weight, not to gain muscle. You may have seen commercials about a product called "Cheat and Eat" which is based on chitosan.
Rating **1\2
Chromium
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This is probably the most famous of all the fat burners of the market. Chromium is a good product, It has been proven that chromium can help you lose fat and gain muscle. The best chromium product is chromium picolinate.
Rating ***
Chrysin
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This is an extract from a plant. It prevents the conversion of testosterone to estrogen, which is common when you take any supplement that increases testosterone production and you do not want that to happen. So if you are taking any supplement that increases testosterone, it's good to add chrysin.
Rating **
Colostrum
===============
This product claims to raise your IGF-1 (Insulin Growth Factor). It's found in a mother's breast milk. But it doesn't give you anything good because the IGF-1 increase is only good for the mother's baby. Which makes it useless for you and me.
Rating 0
Creatine
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Creatine is one of the muscles' main energy sources, the muscle will store more creatine then we consume in our normal diets, (creatine is found in a variety of foods, one of the best sources is lean red meat, so it is a good idea for vegetarians to supplement it) by supplementing it the muscles will soak up the extra creatine. When muscles absorb creatine it also brings water with it, your muscles are 70 % water) this makes the muscles bigger and harder. Also when you ingest creatine it is stored, and about 20 minutes later it is transformed into ATP. ATP's are what give your muscles 'energy' during a workout, on creatine you might be able to push a few more reps than usual. The best type of creatine to take is creatine monohydrate. Many companies tell you that you should 'load' on creatine. Which means you should take up to 4 times as much creatine than usual during the first few weeks on creatine. It is optional to load.
Rating *****
Dandelion
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This is a diuretic which is pretty useful. Many bodybuilder use dandelion before contest to get that ultra lean look. It is included in the popular product 'taraxatone.' I recommend not to buy dandelion individually, instead purchase a product like taraxatone.
Rating ***1\2
DHEA
===============
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) is another testosterone booster. It doesn't work too well on It's own. But It is useful when stacked with tribulus terrestris and andro.
Rating **
Ephedrine
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This is a potent thermogenic herb. It's is compared to caffeine in regards to energy. It is also believed to burn fat. This is a very popular herb and is used in many thermogenic products. Take Ephedrine 15-20 minute before a workout, to boost energy.
Rating ***1/2
Essential fatty acids (EFAs)
======================
It was once said that all fats are bad. This is not entirely true. Now, don't get the idea that you can go to your favorite fast food restaurant and gain muscle. Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. The "good" fats are called linoleic (omega-6) and linolenic (Omega-3.) These are commonly found in cold water fish like flounder, or in certain oils like soybean oil. So, If you are on a very low fat diet, EFAs can be very helpful in giving you energy throughout the day.
Rating ***
Ginkgo Biloba
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This herbs helps concentration. Which may be helpful to some people at the gym who can't keep up with their sets (slacking off). I have never tried ginkgo myself but I've heard from so people that it works, and from other that it only brings on a painful headache. If you have trouble focusing on your workout at the gym, give it a try.
Rating **1\2
Ginseng
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Ginseng is an herb that help you cope with stress. I'd say that about half of the people on ginseng actually experience results. It comes in many different forms like, Indian, American, Korean, and Siberian ginseng. They are all not that different but Siberian is the best.
Rating **
Glucosamine
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This very popular arthritis medication that help your body form cartilage. Many bodybuilders experience pains at their joints throughout the day from weightlifting.
Rating **
Glutamine
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Glutamine is an amino acid. It's the amino acid which is found most in human muscle tissue. Therefore making it an essential to all bodybuilders. Everyone knows that you need protein to get any bigger, and glutamine is the number one part of the protein the makes you grow. Glutamine is one of the best, if not the best supplement on the market today.
Rating - ****1/2
Guarana
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Guarana is consider to be the herbal form of caffeine. Guarana is in almost all 'energy' products. It can give you a good boost of energy during a workout. Best if combined with Ma Huang.
Rating ***
5-HTP
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5 Hydroxytryptophan is converted into seratonin in your body. 5-HTP is supposed to help suppress your appetite. Many people claim that it actually works. If you have trouble dieting, then give it a try.
Rating ***
Hydroxy Citric Acid (HCA)
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HCA is another appetite suppressant. HCA is not very popular and doesn't work for everyone. Even if it does work for you, It won't have a great effect.
Rating *
Lipoic Acid
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This is an insulin like substance. It is found in many creatine products like Cell Tech. Lipoic Acid actually works great when used with creatine. Bodybuilders using insulin with creatine can get steroid like gains. This effect won't entirely happen with Lipoic acid, but you will get some good gains.
Rating ***1/2 (w\creatine)
Ma Huang
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This Herb gives you a lot of energy. But it can also be harmful to some people with high blood pressure. Otherwise it is a great herb to take before a workout for energy. Ma Huang has also been believed to be a fat burner.
Rating ***1\2
Medium Chain triglycerides (MCT)
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These are a type of fat which are less easily stored than normal fat. Back in the days' when Weight gainer's were the biggest and the best thing around MCT were very popular. Today my favorite weight gainer contains MCT's (Champion Nutrition's Heavyweight gainer 900). Do not consume these thinking it will help lose fat or gain muscle. MCT's are not important, but are better than regular fat.
Rating *1\2
Melatonin
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Melatonin is the hormone which, in our bodies, tells you when to go to sleep. It is a natural sleep aid. It may not be that powerful, but it not addicting like other sleep aids. Bodybuilder's use Melatonin because the only time you grow is while sleeping.
Rating **
Mexican Yam
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Mexican Yams are supposed to be converted into DHEA in the body. I say, If you want DHEA buy DHEA! Don?t buy this!
Rating 0
Phosphates
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Phosphates are used to increase your endurance. They are also used with creatine, like in EAS Phosphagen HP. I don't believe this is a good product. Bill Phillips (EAS) made it popular in his creatine.
Rating *1\2
Pregnenolone
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This is another testosterone elevating hormonal compound. It also raises the female hormone progesterone which is a catabolic hormone. Catabolic means that breaking down of muscle tissue, which is very bad. In conclusion this is another supplement that does just about no good at all.
Rating 1\2
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Bodybuilding Supplements A-z (a Must Read)
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