You’ll also notice a few dozen very emotional and thought provoking responses to last weeks video on Christian Boeving saying, “…you should be smarter than that…” when it comes to choosing bogus bodybuilding supplements.

I got a lot of feedback defending the “good guys” in the supplement industry and I would like to believe there are some really high quality products out there but when I see a video like this, I really lose all my trust and hope.

After watching that video, I have 3 questions for you…

1. How do you feel about supplement companies being able to make products for $1-2 and than selling them to you for $60?

2. What do you think of the supplement industry being unregulated and not needing FDA approval?

3. Why do you justify buying supplements when you know that supplement companies can easily put out low quality products?

It’s no wonder the supplement industry is a 24 BILLION dollar industry – anybody can make them and we keep buying them because we’re pathetically desperate!

Hey, I’m guilty too – I won’t lie. I’ve been in the supplement store, just like you, and have given in to my lust for instant gratification thinking, “Maybe this will help me muscle up quicker..”

Here’s some more of my own thoughts with supplements…

1. Even IF certain supplements are high in quality, I never expect them to work miracles.

2. I’ll ask myself, “What am I trying to get this supplement to do that my training, diet and lifestyle can not?”

3. I’ve lost 90% of my trust in the supplement industry.

4. I’m so skeptical that even when a new product comes out and it’s from someone I trust, I’m not even interested in “looking into it” because I’ve wasted enough time and money in the past only to be disappointed.

5. I know that my body is not getting what it says on the actual bottle and I can’t believe what the store owner says because (for the most part) they just want to sell you the product they have the biggest margins on (i.e. biggest profit).

6. I’ve never seen a friend muscle up on supplements or hear someone say, “I got big because of this supplement…” Have you? Seriously, all the guys I know who are really muscular and strong have at least one of the following commonalities…

- they either have amazing genetics.

- they have used anabolic steroids.

- they have a true love for good old fashioned training.

- they live and breath a healthy bodybuilding lifestyle.

- they have been consistent and committed to their goals since they started.

7. Lastly, you just don’t know what you’re putting in your body. You don’t – no matter what it says on the bottle -how in the world do you really know if it’s good or bad?

Do you think any company is going to admit the truth about their absorption rates and manufacturing process? Why gamble your health and money on supplements if you’re not confident in the return you’re getting for your investment?

Instead, I would encourage you to put your efforts into the 90% that DOES work.

1. A structured and progressive training program.

2. A healthy and balanced eating plan.

3. A lifestyle that provides 8 hours of sleep each night.

If you’re sick and tired of the pills and powders that promise the physique of your dreams but deliver nothing but gastrointestinal stress then get started with my muscle
building program to muscle up the natural way… By Vince Del Monte

Read more other articles about: How To Get A Six Pack and Strength Equipment

Whey protein is a pure, natural, high quality protein from cow’s milk. It is a rich source of the essential amino acids that are needed by our bodies daily and are the building blocks for healthy muscles, nails, skin, and other body tissue. Whey is the by-product of making cheese and was usually thrown away as a waste product.

Whey protein is an excellent choice of protein for people of all ages. Researchers now know that whey protein provides numerous benefits in areas that include sports, weight control, immune support, bone health, and general well-being. It is naturally found in mother’s milk and also used in baby formula. Whey protein isolate is the purest form available. Whey protein is being considered for use as a fortifier of grain products because of its considerable health benefits and bland flavor. In addition, whey protein is easily digestible, lactose-free and is a rich source of branched chain amino acids or BCAAs.

It also contains the highest known levels of BCAAs in any natural food source and these are of particular benefit to athletes and anyone who exercises hard. Although protein is also found in other foods such as meat, soy and vegetables, whey protein is proven to have the highest absorption rate (digestion) in comparison to all other foods.

Whey protein is really a relatively safe health supplement however a maximum of 30 grams of protein should be taken at one sitting as excessive single doses could overload the liver. The safety of whey protein has been well recorded in many scientific studies and there is obvious proof that taken regularly, in conjunction with regular exercise, it will result in significant muscle gain. Quite a few specialists concur that whey protein is a great element for massively building body muscle.

It is best taken in powder form combined in juice or milk, spread throughout the day to maintain a positive nitrogen balance. Determined muscle builders often consume as much as 150 grams each day but as a guideline, daily protein intake for active trainers can be calculated by taking your weight in pounds and multiplying by 1 or 1.5. However keep in mind, when building body muscle you need to work out how much protein is taken from food and other sources, and then spread the remaining whey protein balance over the day.

Whey protein is extremely favored by bodybuilders since it provides the required building blocks to produce the amino acids that the entire body uses to build lean muscle tissue. Numerous studies have proven that whey protein consists of the perfect combination of amino acids, in just the right concentration with regard to optimal performance in the body. Additionally it is thought that pure whey protein has a function as an anti-oxidant and immune system builder.

Whey protein is generated during the process which sees milk turned into cheese. It is actually also found naturally within dairy products, eggs, soy and vegetable proteins but none of these even comes close in quality to whey protein powder. It also scores tremendously in providing the branched chain amino acids (BCAA’s) which are essential for building body muscle.

Many bodybuilders would concur that supplementing with whey protein is an important component in achieving significant muscle gains. This article will examine the facts relating to whey protein as a health supplement and help you choose whether you need to follow this specific strategy.

I wrote guides you may be interested in reading: How To Get A Six Pack and Fitness Weight Training

Nothing is more confusing in the world of bodybuilding than the all-too controversial topic of muscle-building supplementation. Just flip open any muscle magazine and you will be instantly flooded with endless advertisements for all kinds of pills, powders and liquids that promise dramatic gains in minimal time.

Health & fitness supplements are a multi-billion dollar industry, and their carefully planned out marketing campaigns have been sucking in good, honest people just like you for years.

Before I go any further, I want you to truly understand one important fact…

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going!

If your goal is to achieve a strong, muscular body, I guarantee that you will not get there by pounding back bodybuilding pills and powders. If supplements actually followed up on the promises that they made, everyone would be huge and muscular.

You might be thinking by now that I am completely against the use of supplements.

This is definitely not the case!

All I want you to realize is that supplements are just that: supplements. They are there to supplement your diet and fill in those missing gaps that whole food simply cannot provide.

If you’re training hard and eating properly, supplements can definitely help you reach your goals faster than you would without them. However, supplements are not there to replace anything. They are simply there to give your program an extra boost.

The important thing is for you to learn which supplements are worth your money and which ones are not. But with the endless number of products out there and all of those greedy marketers trying to get their hands on your money, how can you possibly know who to listen to?

Luckily for you, that’s what I’m here for!

Here are a few supplements that make the cut on my “approved” list..

Multivitamins

While it may be true that natural foods contain all of the vitamins and minerals necessary for an average person to stay fit and healthy, those who train intensely with weights have much higher nutritional requirements.

Intense workout sessions place heavy demands on the body, and therefore greater amounts of vitamins and minerals are necessary to allow for optimal performance and recovery.

Taking a high-potency multivitamin everyday is a great way to make sure that you’re receiving all of the vitamins you need. Vitamins perform literally thousands of functions within your body that are not only important to overall health but are critical in the muscle-growth process.

Protein Supplements

If you’re looking to add a considerable amount of muscle to your frame, you will need to eat roughly 1-2 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight every day, which should be spaced out over 5-7 meals. This is extremely difficult to do using strictly whole-foods, and this is where protein supplements come in handy.

Whey shakes, meal replacements and protein bars will allow you to easily boost your protein intake and consume a quick meal without endless preparation and cooking.

Creatine

Creatine is found naturally in fish and red meat, but in order to obtain a significant amount you’d have to eat a lot of these foods. Creatine is the most researched sports supplement available and has been shown time and time again to be both safe and highly effective.

Creatine will aid you in building muscle by hydrating your muscle cells, increasing your short-term energy stores, buffering the effects of lactic acid and by improving your recovery.

For the best results, use 5 grams daily.

Essential Fatty Acids

Otherwise known as the “good fats”, essential fatty acids are highly beneficial to the muscle growth process. Among their many positive effects on overall health, EFA’s can help to speed up your results by increasing testosterone levels, improving your metabolism and volumizing your muscle cells. Flax seed oil and extra virgin olive oil are great sources of EFA’s.

These are just a few of the basic, proven supplements that will help to enhance your gains. Just remember, supplements will NOT do the work for you! They are just one small piece of a much larger puzzle.

It’s also very important to remember that there are far more worthless supplements out there than there are legit ones. Every month a new company comes out with some new “revolutionary breakthrough” that promises huge gains. You must be aware of this and not allow yourself to get sucked into the never-ending mass of marketing B.S.

Here are a few supplements that are marketed heavily but that you should definitely avoid…

Citrulline – Considered “the next big thing in bodybuilding”, citrulline supposedly works by increasing the body’s levels of nitric oxide, which translates into greater power output and muscle growth. Sounds great, except for the fact that there isn’t a single study out there that supports its benefits.

Ecdysterone – Ecdysterone is what is known as a “plant sterol”: a compound found in plants that is structurally similar to anabolic human steroids such as testosterone. After various tests and studies, most scientists concluded that ecdysterone simply did not have any anabolic effect on humans whatsoever.

N02 – Although still a very popular muscle building and strength gaining aid that continues to fly off the shelves, anyone who pays attention to the latest research knows that N02 has basically been “debunked” at this point.

Not only is there no clear-cut evidence that arginine (the active ingredient in N02 supplements) raises nitric oxide levels in the body (the claimed benefit of these products)… but there is also no evidence that increased nitric oxide levels even have any positive effect on muscle growth or strength increases in the first place.

Make sure to choose your supplements carefully. Here are a few other products that I would generally suggest steering clear of…

• tyrosine
• chromium picolinate
• taurine
• methoxy
• myostatin blockers
• carnitine

By Sean Nalewanyj

Check out my other guides on: Workout Exercise and Body Fitness

Protein supplements are a staple in any bodybuilder’s supplement arsenal.

Depending upon who you listen to, you’ll get different answers for “how much protein” you should consume in order to build muscle.

Bodybuilding magazines and supplement manufacturers tell you should consume at least “2 grams of protein per pound of body weight” because you need all that protein to recover from your workouts and increase muscle mass.

But are they blowing these dosages way out of proportion?

I mean, supplement companies who promote massive dosages (I’ve seen up to 5g/lb of body weight!) couldn’t POSSIBLY be trying to get you to consume more of their product so you’ll go and buy another tub, right?

Well a recent study looked at just how much protein is “enough” and how much is “too much”.

Protein Study: How Much Protein Should You Consume?

A group of highly trained athletes consumed one of five different doses following a bout of resistance exercise.

* Og: The “control” group

* 5g

* 10g

* 20g

* or 40g

Following exercise, ALL groups increased muscle-protein synthesis, but the 20g dose produced nearly DOUBLE the amount of muscle-protein synthesis than the control group!

The 40g dose was even higher, but not by all that much. Therefore, it appears that even after resistance training, your body can only USE so much protein (somewhere between 20g and 40g) and then the rest gets burned up as fuel.

By not consuming “too much” protein, your body can focus on burning FAT for fuel instead of the excess protein which is why OA is considered more of a “build and burn” bodybuilding program.
So stop overdosing on protein, will you?

Consume about 20g in 5 meals throughout the day and add a separate 30-40g serving immediately after your workouts to ensure full muscle-protein synthesis when you need it the most. By. Jeff Anderson

Just thought you may be interested in reading these guides: 100 Whey Protein and Abs Training

Purchase Supplements

We at supplement products appreciate that every bodybuilder is looking for the best anabolic products to build a body full of lean muscles without accumulating fat during practicing. Every expert bodybuilder should know that getting the protein requirements for their bodies from the diet could accumulate cholesterol in their blood vessels and they also know that the best way to get the fuel needed to feed their muscles is through using anabolic steroids.

Now in the market there are hundreds of anabolic steroid products that claims to be the best bodybuilding supplements but, most of these products are either illegal or of no effect because the majority of the companies that are producing these products care only about sales.

When you tend to choose the suitable anabolic steroid for building your own body, you need to search thoroughly for the best product to buy. the first thing that you need to look for a reputable company selling wholesale bodybuilding supplements as you will be able to get the best products with very reasonable price as you are buying in wholesale prices and not in retail prices.

Dealing with a strong company like supplemental products will provide you with the best supplements for body building with cost effective prices. Another benefit for dealing with supplemental products is that you will get a product that is backed up with a team of experts performing extensive researches to deliver the best products in the market.

There are several illegal anabolic steroids in the market that may cause serious risks to your body so, when you are choosing a supplement product you need to make sure that it is legal because this means that it is safe to use and will boost your muscles and give you the chiseled appearance that you had been opting for.

Without the usage of the proper legal anabolic steroids you could suffer from different risks because of using illegal anabolic steroids. Apart from the hazards that you may encounter from the usage of illegal anabolic steroids, you will be also losing a lot of money and time because you are using the wrong product.

While you are using anabolic steroid you need to have someone to talk to if something is unclear, supplemental products back up all their anabolic steroids with a well trained team that are able to answer all your questions. Dealing with other companies will deprive you from this important feature as you will get the product then you are on your own.

Bottom line, dealing with the right company to get the best bodybuilding supplements is a major point so, do not risk your body and do not risk your health. Choose supplemental products and you will get the best anabolic steroids that will boost your muscles in a completely safe way. Pay your money in the right place and get the shape you have ever dreamt of.

Don’t get me wrong, there are muscle supplements out there that actually work. However, there is just way to many products out there that do little except for the occasional upset stomach or dizziness associated with product use.

There are a few things that you can do to protect yourself:

• Ask for a sample of the product before you buy.
• Find out if the manufacturer will refund costs and accept the unused portion back for a refund.
• Make sure there is actually a way to contact the manufacturer by telephone.
• In the supplement industry, there are many fly-by-night companies who are open for business one day only to have disappeared the next day.

Matthew Iannotti is a Nutritional Researcher and the author of Sport Supplement Secrets. To learn more proper nutrition, weight loss and fitness training. Visit: http://www.SportSupplementSecrets.com or more information about Wholesale Bodybuilding Supplements and Supplements For Bodybuilding you can contact us.

Please also check out my other guides on: Weight Training Equipment and Muscle Increase

Best Creatine Supplement

Top creatine supplements come in many varied ways. It is wise to research the many different ones that are on the market today in order to make the best possible choice when you choose your creatine supplements.

Creatine Monohydrate was considered to be one of the best when it came to stamina and strength performance. This top creatine supplement was one of the most popular back in the 70’s and 80’s but now there are more effective products on the market today. Ethyl Ester is one of the newer products available to help athletes improve their performance and develop their muscles. Ethyl Ester is a derivative of creatine.

This product is absorbed much faster by the body. It is a little more lipophilic which causes it to have a longer half life in one’s body compared to creatine monohydrate. There has been a lot of research done into creatine and it is felt that creatine monohydrate has properties than can affect diseases such as muscular dystrophy as well as neuromuscular system diseases. It also seems to help elderly people who suffer from muscle atrophy, Parkinson’s disease, muscle fatigue as well as other diseases that affect brain pathologies.

Another top creatine is Creatine Malate. This product helps to reduce bloating and increases stamina. Basically, this is a creatine that binds to malic acid. Malate helps to increase energy at the cellular level. This top creatine has always been highly rated and is an excellent add-on to any blend of creatine.

Another top creatine is Creatine Asperate. This one binds with aspartic acid. Although it is similar to malate it can provide even better results for athletes who are trying to build up their endurance. Creatine Asperate helps to re-energize an athletes energy system. Bloating is also not an issue with this top creatine.

Creatine Magnesium Chelate is one of the newer forms of creatine in todays market, and it binds to magnesium. If you are looking to increase your absorption of chelated minerals this is one of the better ones to do it with. Magnesium as a supplement is excellent for your body and comes with many positive benefits. It also has a cardio protective effect, as well as helping with your energy cycle. Some users have reported that they suffer with stomach distress. This chelation give you a a bioavailable form of creatine as well as magnesium.

Creatine Ethyl Ester HCL is considered to be more potent than Creatine Monohydrate. This product is known for being more powerful than other creatines. It has faster absorption rates than other products, and also delivers quicker results than creatine monohydrate. This product seems to penetrate the muscle cell directly.

Creatine is one of the most comprehensive researched products. Although originally intended for people who were looking to build muscle strength and endurance, it now is showing great value for an aging population. It is expected that as research continues there will be other discoveries that will add to this list of top creatine products. The future for this product is wide open and you can expect to see other creatine formulas come along that will have more value than the ones described above.

I suggest you check out my other guides on: Pilates Equipment and 7 keto

Keto 7

Nobody wants to be overweight. Almost 50% of women and 25% of men are trying to lose weight at any given time. However, most are not successful in fighting fat. In the past 25 years, obesity has increased 6%, with 61% of American adults being overweight. Among those who do lose weight, 95% regain all of the weight they lost within three years. However, recently a nutritional supplement called 7-ketohydroepiandrosterone (7-keto) has been studied for its ability to help people lose weight.

People who are overweight have a much higher risk for developing heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, certain types of cancer, gout, and gallbladder disease, than those who are of normal weight. It can also cause sleep apnea, infertility in women, and osteoarthritis. You are more likely to have health problems the more overweight you are. Half of the 61% of Americans who are overweight are obese. Obesity, stated in the simplest terms, is excessive fatness. A body mass index (BMI), which takes into account a person’s weight and height to determine total body fat in adults, of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, while a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.

Being overweight or obese can harm health in many ways. The risk for Type II diabetes increases greatly in overweight and obese individuals. Diabetes increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, which are the leading cause of blindness, kidney disease and a major cause of leg amputation. Obesity can also cause the heart to work harder, leading to enlargement and heart failure over time. Cancer has also been linked to weight gain, as excess fat changes metabolism and leads to abnormal cell growth. Overweight people are more likely to get rectal, colon, kidney, prostate, breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers. Being overweight can also lead to osteoarthritis, issues with anesthetic agents, and slower wound healing. Obesity is the second leading preventable cause of death after cigarette smoking. The more overweight an individual is, the higher his or her mortality ratio will be.

There are very little obese and overweight people in many European countries because Europeans have access to a variety of healthful foods. Those who live in the Mediterranean eat great amounts of fruit, vegetables, fresh fish, lean meats, and olive oil. According to many studies, this type of diet can result in a long, healthy life. A lot of the reason my Americans are so overweight has to do with the fact that we are so busy. Our way of life of eating on the run from fast food restaurants and eating high-calorie snacks as we watch TV only worsens our weight issues.

Excessive food intake is not the only factor to blame for being overweight. As we age, our metabolism and energy expenditure changes, both of which contribute to fat storage and obesity. When overweight individuals change their eating habits and lose weight, their body attempts to maintain fat stores and minimize the weight loss. This occurrence is known as the “set point” for body fat. According to its theory, the set point will adjust itself to maintain a comfortable weight for the body. If calories are restricted, the metabolism will slow to preserve fat stores, which is nature’s way of preventing starvation.

Once the weight is lost and calories are no longer restricted, the metabolic rate will rise once again. Research has determined that the human body has a genetically determined set-point weight that is controlled by metabolic hormones and fat cell enzymes. However, there are ways to adjust the set point. Recent studies using 7-keto have been able to increase the activity of the enzymes that are associated with metabolism. Even a minor shift in our metabolic rate can have a huge impact on calories burned. 7-keto plays a role in many body functions, which include immune response, memory, skin integrity, and weight management and is a safe DHEA metabolite.

DHEA has been shown to suppress weight gain, even when the subject eats more. However, DHEA should not be used for weight loss because it causes a build-up of testosterone and estrogen in men and women, which increases their risk for reproductive cancers including breast and prostate cancer. 7-keto offers many of DHEA’s benefits without the conversion into sex hormones, and happens to be even more potent than DHEA for stimulating enzymes in the liver which are responsible for burning calories.

7-keto has been proven in many studies to be an effective weight loss aid. In one study, two groups of fifteen subjects were given either 7-keto or a placebo, and exercised three times a week for 45 minutes each time. They were also assigned a 1,800 calorie diet. The study, which lasted eight weeks, proved that there was a significant decrease in body weight and body fat in the 7-keto group, which was not found in the placebo group. The group using the 7-keto experienced a significant increase in T3 thyroid hormone activity, while still in acceptable normal ranges. Although 7-keto can jump start weight loss by boosting metabolism and lowering the body weight set point, it cannot produce weight loss without a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Those participating and the weight-loss study took 100 mg of 7-keto twice a day. 7-keto has been proven to be safe for long term use in both experimental and clinical trials and toxicology studies have found no adverse effects in doses as high as 140,000 mg in an average-sized adult. Furthermore, 7-keto impacts the T3 hormone by shifting one’s weight set point, which in turn helps to keep pounds off now and in the future. After the individual loses weight, they can reduce the amount of 7-keto used, or they can rely upon regular exercise to support an increased metabolism.

If your body weight begins to increase, you can use 7-keto once again as needed to support the metabolic rate. Although instant weight loss is impossible, a steady and successful weight-loss program is possible with the consumption of nutritious foods, aerobic activity five times a week, drinking 64 ounces of water each day, and committing to a more healthful lifestyle. Along with these, the use of 7-keto as a dietary supplement to boost our metabolism and lower our set point is a great way to give us a jump start on weight loss.

Adding supplements to your diet to help reduce weight is a great choice for many Americans. Loosing weight can be difficult and if you suspect your weight gain is because of some other underlying problem, such as low thyroid consult your doctor before beginning a supplement or diet program. Great supplements such as 7-keto DHEA can be found at your local or online vitamin store. Darrell Miller. Visit VitaNet Health Foods, VitaNet sells high quality supplements like Source Naturals 7-Keto DHEA to boost metabolism and loose weight.

I wrote guides you may be interested in reading: Pilates Equipment and Weight Gain Supplements

Muscle Building Supplements

Want more muscle faster? Take ibuprofen.

Ok, that’s not advice I really want to give but apparently ibuprofen and acetaminophen are muscle building pills!

A study has shown that taking the regular recommended dosage of ibuprofen and acetaminophen results in greater gains in muscle mass and strength.

The study took 36 men and women with an average age of 65 and put them on weight training program for 3 months. They were each given one of the following:

1. Ibuprofen
2. Acetaminophen
3. Placebo

No-one know what they were receiving until the end of the study.

It was expected that the increases in strength and lean muscle tissue would be observed for the placebo group. Surprisingly however, the groups taking Ibuprofen or acetaminophen saw significantly more increases.

Says Dr. Trappe,

“the chronic consumption of ibuprofen or acetaminophen during resistance training appears to have induced intramuscular changes that enhance the metabolic response to resistance exercise”.

What exactly these changes are, no one knows yet.

The results were as follows:

1. The placebo group experienced a 7 percent growth in muscle mass.
2. Those taking either acetaminophen or ibuprofen experienced a 40 percent to 60 percent larger increase than the placebo group.

Specifically, muscle volume increased 11 percent in the ibuprofen group and 13 percent in the acetaminophen group, compared with 9 percent in the placebo group. Muscle strength increased 30 percent in the ibuprofen group and 28 percent in the acetaminophen group, compared with 23 percent in the placebo group.

I have to admit, that’s significant. (Measurements taken at quadriceps).

Bear in mind that we are talking about untrained elderly individuals. Earlier, short term (24 hour) studies showed the opposite effect on young males i.e. protein synthesis levels were reduced compared with the control group.

However, therein may lie the answer. Dr. Trappe theorizes that in the long term the body may try to overcompensate “for an initial blocking of the enzyme the muscle needs to grow — prompting muscles to send out fresh and powerful signals demanding even more enzyme than the body would normally produce.” Source: bio-medicine

We have additional information on this subject you may be interested in reading: Muscle Women and Weight Lifting Equipment

Superdrol

Muscle building supplements to help the athlete increase his body weight, specifically the lean muscle mass. These are often called legal steroids by some and include such popular supplements as Superdrol, Phera-plex and Halodrol.

Superdrol clones are still out there and you can find legal steroids online if you know where to look. With the recent activity of the FDA and the trouble the Bodybuilding.com recently went through many online retailers aren’t going to bother with prohormones or designer steroids anymore. Most have had a quick 48 hour sale or stopped selling them altogether. There are a few online supplement companies that are still rolling the dice.

For right now there still several prohormones that have not been banned by the FDA and are actually legal steroids. If you are looking to buy legal steroids because you want to stay out of trouble you can pick up some clones and “generics” of the original Superdrol. The chemical ingredient you are looking for is 2a 17a di methyl etiocholan 3-one 17b-ol so make sure that is on the label when you buy a Superdrol clone.

Superdrol, Halodrol 50, and Epistane are is still the most effective prohormones for gaining muscle mass or getting ripped on a low calorie diet. They are strong enough to shut down your own natural testosterone production so make sure you have your post cycle therapy lined up so that you can keep all of your gains. They may be legal to buy but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat them like regular steroids. The same protocols for safety must be adhered to.

Stock up on the best prohormones while you still can. The government is continuing to crack down on them and they won’t be legal much longer. The banned list for designer steroids gets bigger every year.

Today’s athletes are fortunate to have such a broad range of supplements to help them improve their natural performance. Please be responsible and learn as much as possible about the supplements you’re considering, especially those that could be considered as legal steroids.

Other posts you may be interested in reading: Workout Video and Used Fitness Equipment

Health Fitness Nutrition

Five years after telling a bunch of angry apes to keep their filthy paws off him, Charlton Heston starred in Soylent Green. In the film, a megacorporation solves a starving world’s need for nutritious food by turning the dead into dinner. This is complete science fiction, of course: Most of us are so short on key nutrients we couldn’t possibly be someone’s square meal.

In fact, studies show that 77 percent of men don’t take in enough magnesium, that many of us are deficient in vitamin D, and that the vitamin B12 in our diets may be undermined by a common heartburn medication. And we haven’t even mentioned our problems with potassium and iodine.

It’s time to play catch-up. Follow our advice, and a cannibal will never call you junk food.

Vitamin D

This vitamin’s biggest claim to fame is its role in strengthening your skeleton. But vitamin D isn’t a one-trick nutrient: A study in Circulation found that people deficient in D were up to 80 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke. The reason? D may reduce inflammation in your arteries.

The shortfall: Vitamin D is created in your body when the sun’s ultraviolet B rays penetrate your skin. Problem is, the vitamin D you stockpile during sunnier months is often depleted by winter, especially if you live in the northern half of the United States, where UVB rays are less intense from November through February. Case in point: When Boston University researchers measured the vitamin D status of young adults at the end of winter, 36 percent of them were found to be deficient.
Hit the mark: First, ask your doctor to test your blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. “You need to be above 30 nanograms per milliliter,” says Michael Holick, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of medicine at Boston University. Come up short? Take 1,400 IU of vitamin D daily from a supplement and a multivitamin. That’s about seven times the recommended daily intake for men, but it takes that much to boost blood levels of D, says Dr. Holick.

Magnesium

This lightweight mineral is a tireless multitasker: It’s involved in more than 300 bodily processes. Plus, a study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that low levels of magnesium may increase your blood levels of C-reactive protein, a key marker of heart disease.

The shortfall: Nutrition surveys reveal that men consume only about 80 percent of the recommended 400 milligrams (mg) of magnesium a day. “We’re just barely getting by,” says Dana King, M.D., a professor of family medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. “Without enough magnesium, every cell in your body has to struggle to generate energy.”

Hit the mark: Fortify your diet with more magnesium-rich foods, such as halibut and navy beans. Then hit the supplement aisle: Few men can reach 400 mg through diet alone, so Dr. King recommends ingesting some insurance in the form of a 250 mg supplement. One caveat: Scrutinize the ingredients list. You want a product that uses magnesium citrate, the form best absorbed by your body.

Vitamin B12

Consider B12 the guardian of your gray matter: In a British study, older people with the lowest levels of B12 lost brain volume at a faster rate over a span of 5 years than those with the highest levels.

The shortfall: Even though most men do consume the daily quota of 2.4 micrograms, the stats don’t tell the whole story. “We’re seeing an increase in B12 deficiencies due to interactions with medications,” says Katherine Tucker, Ph.D., director of a USDA program at Tufts University. The culprits: acid-blocking drugs, such as Prilosec, and the diabetes medication metformin.

Hit the mark: You’ll find B12 in lamb and salmon, but the most accessible source may be fortified cereals. That’s because the B12 in meat is bound to proteins, and your stomach must produce acid to release and absorb it. Eat a bowl of 100 percent B12-boosted cereal and milk every morning and you’ll be covered, even if you take the occasional acid-blocking med. However, if you pop Prilosec on a regular basis or are on metformin, talk to your doctor about tracking your B12 levels and possibly taking an additional supplement.

Potassium

Without this essential mineral, your heart couldn’t beat, your muscles wouldn’t contract, and your brain couldn’t comprehend this sentence. Why? Potassium helps your cells use glucose for energy.
The shortfall: Despite potassium’s can’t-live-without-it importance, nutrition surveys indicate that young men consume just 60 percent to 70 percent of the recommended 4,700 mg a day. To make matters worse, most guys load up on sodium: High sodium can boost blood pressure, while normal potassium levels work to lower it, says Lydia A. L. Bazzano, M.D., Ph.D., an assistant professor of epidemiology at Tulane University.

Hit the mark: Half an avocado contains nearly 500 mg potassium, while one banana boasts roughly 400 mg. Not a fan of either fruit? Pick up some potatoes—a single large spud is packed with 1,600 mg.

Iodine

Your thyroid gland requires iodine to produce the hormones T3 and T4, both of which help control how efficiently you burn calories. That means insufficient iodine may cause you to gain weight and feel fatigued.

The shortfall: Since iodized salt is an important source of the element, you might assume you’re swimming in the stuff. But when University of Texas at Arlington researchers tested 88 samples of table salt, they found that half contained less than the FDA-recommended amount of iodine. And you’re not making up the difference with all the salt hiding in processed foods—U.S. manufacturers aren’t required to use iodized salt. The result is that we’ve been sliding toward iodine deficiency since the 1970s.

Hit the mark: Sprinkling more salt on top of an already sodium-packed diet isn’t a great idea, but iodine can also be found in a nearly sodium-free source: milk. Animal feed is fortified with the element, meaning it travels from cows to your cereal bowl. Not a milk man? Eat at least one serving of eggs or yogurt a day; both are good sources of iodine.

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