Instant muscle gain is the main motto upon which fitness and bodybuilding ad campaigns are based. Companies that sell nutritional supplements and powdered protein products often promise a quick fix to anyone who uses their products. Commercial sport nutrition companies are clearly taking advantage of people’s willingness to believe the unbelievable. Consequently, tons of powdered protein and “miracle pills” are purchased and consumed daily by people hoping for immediate muscle gain. Interestingly, commercial protein powders and dry pet food are packed in very similar containers—the only difference is that pet food products are generally superior to sport nutrition products. In fact, if you ever try to serve your pet a commercial protein shake, you’ll realize that cats and dogs hate the smell and taste of human powdered-protein products. Animals know better. They hate the strong chemical odor, artificial additives, and sweeteners, as well as the degraded, cheap, and over-processed proteins that are typically found in sport nutrition and diet products. Regardless of whether human protein products are graded below the standard suitable for animal consumption, there is no doubt that muscle nourishment must come from chemical-free and minimally processed sources. Muscular development is an issue that goes far beyond just pumping iron and shoving protein. In fact, incorrect pumping and cheap-quality protein may adversely affect overall metabolism and impair muscle gain. The principle of muscle nourishment is complete nutrition in sufficient amounts. In other words, all essential nutrients and fuel needed—including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, probiotics, EFAs, essential amino acids, carbs, fat, and fiber—must be consumed in sufficient amounts to afford a complete recuperation and muscular development. Carbs, even though not technically essential, should be regarded as conditionally essential food for muscles because of their profound anti-catabolic effect on muscle breakdown as well as the enhancement of insulin’s anabolic actions on the muscles. Proteins should always come from whole-food sources. Animal and marine foods such as eggs, fish, and other seafood are the best sources of complete protein. Dairy foods, particularly yogurt, cheese, and whey protein, are rich in branch-chain amino acids and immuno-supportive globulins, which help inhibit muscle protein breakdown and promote recuperation. It is also critically important to ingest sufficient amounts of protein and avoid chronic low-protein diets. Protein deficiencies force the body to break down muscle protein for other metabolic purposes, thereby causing undesirable muscle waste. Just as important as proteins are the essential fatty acids, whose anabolic actions are major contributors to the overall growth impact. Finally, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are necessary to catalyze all cellular functions including energy production and to prevent a metabolic shutdown. Antioxidants help neutralize toxins and accelerate the removal of inflammatory compounds that otherwise would inhibit recuperation and muscular development. Active individuals need to consume more nutritional supplements (from natural, chemical-free sources) than people who don’t exercise to satisfy their body’s increased demand for all the above essential nutrients.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 09:59:07 +0000
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