Two Inexpensive Supplements to Build Muscle Mass That Really Work


Extensive muscle building requires patience, dedication and a disciplined approach to sound nutrition and exercise principles. The Internet is full of articles and blog postings that discuss long term results and how patience pays off.

While it is abundantly true that a long term plan must be set into action to achieve maximum muscular development, many people want muscle building results now!

Exercise science has indicated that muscle hypertrophy, or muscle growth, requires ingestion of adequate quantities of dietary protein coupled with regular, intense resistance exercise. 

A complex series of biological processes occur to stimulate the growth of lean muscle mass.

This natural occurrence can be painfully slow to those who are trying to increase their muscularity. The fact is, an environment that is conducive to muscle growth must be created in order to achieve rapid development of muscle mass.

Supplementation

Including muscle building supplements in a muscle building nutrition plan is critical for rapid muscle growth. However, too many people concentrate on creating an anabolic environment to enhance muscle growth. 

An anabolic environment, or conditions that promote maximal muscle growth, is important, but creating an anti-catabolic environment is just as, if not more, important for building big muscles fast.

Catabolism occurs when malnutrition or extreme stress from exercise causes muscles to shrink, or atrophy. Many experts consider catabolism to be the primary cause of slow muscle growth and development.

Using dietary supplements that create an anti-catabolic environment should be the number one priority for those who want to gain muscle mass fast. In addition to anabolic supplements such as creatine monohydrate, the following two supplements must be included for rapid, noticeable gains in muscle mass.

Branched Chain Amino Acids

BCAAs, also referred to as "energy aminos", can provide as much as 15% of the energy used in intense exercise. Without adequate levels of branched chain amino acids present in the blood, especially l-luecine, muscle tissue may be broken down and used as energy. 

This catabolic phenomenon defeats the entire purpose of working out for muscle gains.  

HMB 

HMB has been considered a powerful anti-catabolic supplement. The compound is a metabolite of the branch chained amino acid l-luecine and can drastically reduce muscle breakdown and promote an environment that influences rapid muscle development.

Anecdotal evidence has indicated a result of noticeable gains in muscle mass in as few as 5 days when as little as 3 grams of HMB is taken daily. People who are interested in developing large amounts of muscle mass should take note that HMB is often fed to feedlot steer to increase their fat-free body mass.   

My preferred brand of HMB by Optimum Nutrition. ON is a highly reputable company that has been producing quality bodybuilding and fitness supplements for many years. 

Rapid Results

Supplement manufactures often claim that their products can produce steroid-like results. While most of these claims are unsubstantiated, BCAAs an HMB can produce results that are about as close to anabolic steroid use as a person can get. It should be noted that one of the primary functions of anabolic steroids is to create an anti-catabolic environment within the body and to expedite protein synthesis. These are precisely the mechanisms that make BCAAs and HMB so effective.

Those who want a quick boost of muscle growth and wish to dramatically increase the amount of muscle they can gain in a short amount of time should give serious consideration to branched chain amino acids and HMB supplementation.

Also Read:
Six Tips to Make Your Arms Look Bigger Instantly 
Creatine Monohydrate as a Muscle Building Supplement
DHEA as a Muscle Building Supplement

Sources:
  • William N. Taylor, M.D. Anabolic Steroids and the Athlete, Second Edition. Published 2002 McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers.
  • Dr. Warren Willey. Better Than Steroids. Published 2007 Trafford Publishing.
  • Matilde Parente, MD. Can a Power Booster Also Be a Longevity Booster? Date Accessed 09 August 2011. lef.org.

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