Are You Protein Deficient? Protein is nicknamed “the building block of the body” for a reason: so many functions and aspects of good health (and fitness and strength) depend upon it. The amino acids that comprise protein enable the formation and functioning of all living tissue. But not all protein sources are equal, and getting the wrong types of protein, or incomplete proteins, could leave you languid and unable to meet your fitness goals. Here’s why protein matters, how much you actually need, and how to spot signs of protein deficiency. What does protein actually do? Protein transports oxygen through … Read More

How L-Glutamine Helps You Build Muscle A healthy diet is essential to a good workout, and a healthy diet for bodybuilders and dedicated athletes often contains supplements. The right supplements can help the body prepare for and recover from a workout. But not all supplements are the same, and every amino acid, vitamin and mineral plays a different role in your ability to reach peak performance and health. If you are considering a supplement while getting into shape, look for one that contains a high count of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks to protein, and work to … Read More

The Top 5 Best Protein Powders for Men of 2018 Without protein, you die. That was a bit morbid, but hey, I think you get what I’m trying to say here. If you work out, particularly via high-intensity workouts, you really need to make sure you have more protein in your body than the normal person. Otherwise, you will be subject to the dreaded muscle atrophy. No one spends hours in the gym to lose muscle. But protein powder supplements are confusing and risky because many don’t offer what they say they will. That’s why I’ve created this of the … Read More

Are Bone Broth Supplements the Next Big Trend? We all want to find the secret formula that will help us live forever. In this search for eternal youth and eternal life, people tend to cycle in an out of trends, using miracle foods and fat-busting exercises to obtain optimal health. Over the last few weeks, bone broth has become the latest trend in a long history of health fads and crazes. That’s right: bone broth. The product that used to just be the base of your grandma’s soup is now hitting grocery store shelves with inflated price tags, being used … Read More

What Supplements Should You Take Post-workout? When you’re looking to build muscle and get fit, your exercise routine isn’t the only thing that matters. Yes, a solid workout plan is vital to the process. But the things you eat and the dietary supplements you take following your workout are arguably just as important for helping you achieve your goals in the fastest window of time. After all, you could work out long and hard, only to leave your muscles tired, worn down and torn. And while periods of rest are vital, taking too much time to rest your sore, aching … Read More

Amino Acids Beat Gatorade for Hydration (and Pretty Much Everything Else) Gatorade has long been the go-to water cooler drink for athletes of all levels. The bright-colored sports drink giant clocked in $5 billion revenue in its last earnings report, blowing nearly every competitor out of the water. But there’s at least one game where Gatorade can’t seem to pull off the win: hydration. In a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, another “ade”—an amino acid drink known as enterade ORS—beat Gatorade on the Beverage Hydration Index (BHI). Not only did the amino acid drink provide … Read More

Why Timing Matters for your Protein Drink You’ve picked out your protein powder and are all set to hit the gym. But before you start downing your workout beverage, there’s one thing you need to keep in mind: timing is everything. With the wrong timing, even the highest quality protein shake won’t be absorbed properly by your body. And in that case, what’s the point? More people than ever are using protein supplements, which makes absorption a more common issue than ever. The global market value for protein supplements (led by protein powders) hit $12.4 billion in 2016, with a … Read More

The Supplements Every Vegan Bodybuilder Should Be Taking Going vegan might seem “high and mighty” for some of us, but it actually comes with a host of benefits. Ethical issues aside, veganism has caught on with a number of bodybuilders who have sidestepped all animal products and still maintain a sculpted figure. Gym-goers are still skeptical of a diet without meat and its byproducts. And rightfully so. How do you make up for the loss of protein? Legumes, quinoa and plant-based protein powders can replace meat and poultry in a vegan bodybuilder’s diet. That’s not the hard part. The most … Read More

Should You Splurge on BCAA Supplements? More than half of America’s adult population uses dietary supplements. Branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) make up an important chunk of the supplement market. It’s a common misconception that BCAA supplements are meant solely for bodybuilders. But the truth is that if you exercise on a regular basis, BCAAs can really boost your performance and help you stay fit. Before we get into the benefits and necessity of these supplements, you should know what BCAAs are, and how they interact with your body. BCAAs make up 35-40% of essential amino acids in your body. … Read More