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One
of the most currently debated issues in the supplement
industry is in relation to the consumption of multivitamins
and the role that they play in enhancing overall health both
in and out of the gym.
Can bodybuilders
benefit by supplementing with extra vitamins and minerals?
Let's review some basic biology as well as the function of
each specific vitamin in order to find the answer...
In the grand
scheme of things, your body is basically one giant mass of
chemical reactions. Each of these individual reactions is
fueled by small proteins called enzymes, which work by
lowering the amount of energy that is needed for a specific
reaction to occur. Enzymes require the use of a
"co-enzyme" which alters its shape and allows it
to perform its job properly. Co-enzymes are also referred to
as vitamins. |
So when it all comes down
it, vitamins are needed to fuel the thousands of chemical reactions
going on within your body at all times. Not only does this play an
important role in overall metabolism and body health, but it also
plays a vital part in the muscle-building process.
Here is a list of the
major vitamins and the ways in which they will aid you both in and
out of the gym...
Vitamin A
- Is crucial to the process of protein synthesis where individual
amino acids are combined to form new muscle tissue. It also helps
the body to produce glycogen, the stored form of carbohydrates
within the body.
Vitamin B1
- Also known as "thiamine" and is heavily involved in
protein metabolism as well as the production of hemoglobin which
helps to carry oxygen around the body.
Vitamin B2 -
Also known as "riboflavin" and aids in the fat burning
process as well as helping the body to produce energy from
carbohydrates.
Vitamin B3
- Also known as "niacin" and increases vasodilation within
the muscle tissue, helping you to appear fuller and more vascular.
Vitamin B6
- Also known as "pyridoxine" and is very important because
of its effect on protein digestion. Muscle-building diets require
larger than normal amounts of protein, and this means that your body
needs a higher amount of vitamin B6 than the average Joe.
Vitamin B12
- Also known as "cobalamin", vitamin b12 ensures that the
brain and muscle tissue are communicating efficiently and this has a
direct effect on muscle growth and coordination.
Biotin -
Helps the body metabolize amino acids and produce energy during
workouts.
Vitamin C
- Heavily involved in amino acid metabolism and the formation of
collagen. Collagen is found in your connective tissue and keeps your
joints strong and healthy. Vitamin C also plays a role in the
production of steroid hormones in the body and also enhances the
absorption of iron. On top of all of this, vitamin C is a powerful
antioxidant which flushes out free radicals and prevents damage to
your body cells.
Vitamin D
- Helps the body to absorb calcium and phosphorus more efficiently.
Calcium is very important during muscle contractions and also helps
to maintain strong bones and joints. Phosphorus is involved in the
synthesis of ATP, the usable form of energy within the body.
Vitamin E
- A very powerful antioxidant which helps to hunt out and neutralize
free radicals. This will help to flush out many of the natural
metabolic waste products your body produces and maintain the health
of your cell membranes.
As you can clearly see
above, vitamins play a very important role when it comes to building
muscle and gaining strength. Hard training bodybuilders certainly
require higher amounts of these vitamins than the average sedentary
Joe, as these vitamins are depleted during intense sessions in the
gym.
In addition, a
calorie-dense diet requires a higher intake of vitamins to aid in
the digestion process. In fact, being deficient in just one vitamin
can literally affect thousands of small process within the body.
So, are
multivitamins necessary for bodybuilders?
Absolutely!
From protein synthesis to
energy metabolism to digestion to vasodilation, multivitamins should
be an important part of any effective supplementation plan.
For an honest, unbiased
review of over 20 of the most popular muscle-building supplements on
the market today, visit my website by clicking the link below.
You'll learn which supplements are worth your money and which are no
more than pure marketing hype...
About The Author
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Once an awkward,
pencil-necked "social reject", Sean Nalewanyj is
now a renowned bodybuilding expert, fitness author, and
creator of the most celebrated natural bodybuilding program
online today: "The Muscle Gain Truth No-Fail
System".
If you can spare
just 24 minutes a day, then you too can build a powerful new
head-turning body that will skyrocket your confidence, drive
gorgeous women crazy, and leave your friends, family and
co-workers staring in disbelief... ALL in just a matter of
months: www.MuscleGainTruth.com |
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