How many times have you looked at the cover of Muscle and Fitness, and thought to yourself I wish I could look like that? In order to get that kind of chiseled physique, bodybuilders have turned to supplements like whey protein and creatine as part of their daily workout regimens. While both are proven methods of building muscle mass, there has been much controversy regarding the safety of these supplements, especially when used over extended periods of time. This article will discuss the top five bodybuilding supplements and how safe they are.
1) Creatine
Creatine is one of five different energy systems in your body, specifically used to supply energy to muscles. It’s made naturally by your liver, kidneys, and pancreas; it’s also found in food like fish and red meat. Although athletes have been using creatine supplements since 1993 to improve their athletic performance, recent studies show that it can also help with brain health. In addition to treating muscle diseases such as muscular dystrophy, researchers believe creatine may be useful in treating Alzheimer’s disease by providing a major source of fuel to neurons. Your cells need both carbohydrates (sugars) and oxygen (via breathing) to make enough energy for everyday life.
2) Protein Powder
Getting enough protein is important when you’re trying to build muscle, but it can be hard to get enough protein from food. Whey protein powder is popular among bodybuilders because it’s a convenient way to supplement your intake of both nutrients and calories. But there are some concerns about using it too much. For one thing, drinking a large amount of whey protein within a short time period may lead to nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea—especially if you aren’t used to consuming large amounts of protein in one sitting.
3) Fish Oil
If you’re taking steroids, it’s even more important to supplement with fish oil. This particular supplement is full of omega-3 fatty acids, which are very good at reducing inflammation caused by these types of drugs. Some steroids can also increase cholesterol levels, so it’s helpful to have a little extra anti-inflammatory power at your disposal as well.
4) Vitamin D
This vitamin is essential for promoting healthy bone formation, helping to regulate blood pressure, supporting brain health, reducing inflammation, and managing autoimmune disorders. Vitamin D also plays a critical role in regulating muscle growth—when you’re deficient in it, your body can’t convert calories into lean muscle mass. If you want to maximize your ability to bulk up safely without resorting to steroids or other drugs, you need more vitamin D in your diet! While supplements aren’t always necessary (and should never replace real food), it’s crucial that those looking to get big do so by including foods that are rich in natural vitamin D or their diets.
5) Multivitamins
For several years, multivitamins have been considered important for anyone looking to lead a healthy lifestyle, but some recent research has suggested that certain vitamins might actually be harmful. Some studies suggest that taking a multivitamin can cause prostate cancer in older men, so more research is necessary before doctors will recommend them as a preventative measure. If you’re already healthy, however, it’s probably safe to take a multivitamin. Multivitamins are also useful if you’re on medication or have medical conditions like heart disease; they’ll help make sure your body gets all of its required nutrients.
Anabolic Steroids
Steroids are powerful muscle-promoting drugs, but they come with a host of negative side effects that can be as serious as increased cholesterol or heart problems. The risk of side effects is not worth the risk, so you should stick to natural supplements. You can find many anabolic steroids in the bodybuilding market but some have side effects or have limited studies to support their claims. This site would never promote anything which is unsafe and may cause adverse reactions like Anabolic Steroids do, so we’ll only discuss the safest products here. Check out our list of recommended safe supplements below