If the Moderators could please add a simple poll with the following options, I’d be grateful.
Yes, Protein Powders
Yes, Weight Gainers
Yes, Fat Burners
Yes, Performance Enhancers (strength, energy, stamina)
Not yet, they’re expensive
I will when I have more information concerning their usage and effects
No, I don’t plan to
First and foremost. Supplements are not steroids. They are just an extra addition to your diet. Mostly supplements come in a powder form and all the nutrients are extracted from natural sources. Protein powders and weight gainers are whole foods. Why do people use them you may ask? Because it gets monotonous and time consuming to have 6-7 whole food meals daily, and because people like me get sick of having 1 dozen raw/boiled eggs a day. Its convenient, economical, tastes nice and effective.
Some supplements just act better than whole foods, they are absorbed quicker, transported quicker, and theres less wastage, hence they’re more efficient.
Performance enhancers include creatine (mono or ethyl) glutamine and arginine. These are naturally occurring in whole foods and in the human body. For example, an egg white has all the essential amino acids. What this category of supplement does is that it increases your workout output, you can lift heavier, push out more reps, recovery quicker, get a better pump and so on. Its like overclocking a Processor, graphics card or even a wireless router to increase ranges.
Protein supplements, those that want to gain and maintain muscle mass need up to 1 to 1.5grams of protein per body pound. Since protein supplements are easier to digest and prepare, they become top priority. An average serving of whey protein (its a quick digesting protein derived from milk) in a glass of milk has about 33-35 grams of protein.
Weight gainers - They provide an array of macro (protein, carbs, healthy fats) and micro (vitamins, minerals, fibre) nutrients. eggwhites, milk, chicken, beef, potatoes, bananas, oatmeal, veges, etc etc etc in powdered form. All the healthy stuff in powder form.
Fat burners - Weight management. They can curb your appetite (i don’t recommend this sort), increase your metabolic rate, increase body heat (thermogenesis), improve the body’s usage of fat as energy and so on.
if any of you use some other kind of supplement, please mention. Whatever you’ve used in the past, add that too.
Any questions regarding their use, side effects and dosages, please feel free to ask. Also please mention what brand you use,
and if u have a particular reason or rationale for not using them, add that in too.
If you can, post a picture of your supplements stack too.
Here’s mine. Couldn’t grab a picture of my GNC Ultra Mega Gold Multi Vitmains. Shall post a pic of that as well as the few other additions I need to get later.
