Who needs weight gain drugs?
In bodybuilding, there is a clear trend in taking drugs that stimulate and accelerate the process of muscle growth:
- Beginners
At the initial level of training, muscles are very sensitive to strength training. They grow even from small loads. Therefore, beginners can practice in the first months without using special tools.
Mass gain drugs can be used at this stage, but their quantity is kept to a minimum. Sports nutrition is mainly used.
- Intermediate level of training
Sports nutritional supplements are used to the maximum, but their use no longer provides sufficient effect. Therefore, pharmaceutical drugs begin to be used. First experiments in taking anabolic steroids are often carried out.
- Advanced level
Assumes that you already have a sufficient amount of muscle mass. And the same large number of drugs used - sports nutrition, anabolic steroids and pharmaceutical drugs. All for the sake of progress.
CATEGORIES OF ADDITIVES[edit | edit code]
ON THE HORIZON[edit | edit code]
The discovery of the controlling role of genes in anabolic processes gave rise to ideas for fundamentally new food additives. They will amaze consumers with the power of their action.
1.Enzyme inhibitors
2. Calcium metabolism stimulants
3.PPAR-gamma activators
EXTENDING LIMITS[edit | edit code]
Science discovers new properties of long-known components. Popular supplements are now recommended for other purposes.
4.Proton neutralizers
5. Androgen receptor activators (SARMS)
6.mTOR activators
7. Energy stimulants
You've probably heard about the feeling of “muscle joy”, or even experienced it. The euphoria during exercise helps greatly with training. Agree, if every workout gave rise to a lot of pleasure, the impact of bodybuilding would be completely different. As scientists have established, a person feels delight from physical movement under the condition of excess production in the body of the so-called. neurohormones: dopamine. norepinephrine, epinephrine and serotonin. Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) acts as an intermediary in the synthesis of all these compounds. This substance has already been isolated and sold as a medicine under the name Ku-wan. It is intended for people suffering from a rare genetic disease, when the synthesis of neurohormones is impaired from birth. Additional intake of BH4 in athletes leads to a sharp surge of mental strength and at the same time accelerates the loss of adipose tissue under the influence of norepiephrine. Instead of a rare and expensive medicine, scientists promise to create a cheap nutritional supplement based on royal jelly. It contains biopterin, which stimulates the synthesis of BH4 in the human body. Today you can start taking a combination of folic acid, magnesium, copper, vitamin B6 and vitamin C. You can also take royal jelly along with iron and niacin. All these measures are guaranteed to increase the production of neurohormones. The plant Rhodiola rosea, which, alas, is listed in the Red Book, has the same effect.
8. Nitrogen donors
A decade ago, the list of sports nutrition products was replenished with nitric oxide (ON) donors. This compound, which the body produces from arginine, causes the lumen of blood vessels to dilate and thereby increase blood flow, improve muscle nutrition and stimulate muscle growth. Taking donors before training enhances pumping, and on the day of rest, donors accelerate the transport of nutrients into the muscles, helping recovery. However, nitric oxide is short-lived and breaks down quickly in the body. For this reason, vasodilation is short-lived and there is no significant anabolic effect. Meanwhile, it can be no less than from the effects of steroids. The effects of synthetic androgens are reduced to an increase in the number of working testosterone receptors. Normally, this number is relatively small because the body does not produce that much testosterone. In addition, only a small number of testosterone molecules manage to penetrate muscle cells. Long-term expansion of muscle blood vessels will lead to a purely statistical increase in this indicator. As a result, the number of working receptors will increase, just like taking steroids.
According to experts, nitric oxide donors are the most important sports nutrition product for bodybuilders. During training, the muscles harden and squeeze large blood vessels. So, contrary to popular misconception, strength exercises, which are accompanied by significant muscle hypertrophy, do not improve, but worsen blood flow. Recovery will begin no earlier than the muscles relax, but complete muscle relaxation takes more than a day. During this period, the muscles do not receive enough nutrients, oxygen and anabolic hormones.
Scientists promise to create long-lasting additives with a long-lasting effect in the near future. The most promising is the experimental drug Glycocarn, which is a complex glycine compound. Until it goes on sale, take nitric oxide donors along with the antioxidant pycnogenol. Taking the supplements together prolongs the effects of nitric oxide and even mimics the effects of Viagra, the researchers report.
9. Against pain
Exercising with weights puts stress on your joints. Over time, this leads to pain and inflammation. The use of traditional ibuprofen is contraindicated for bodybuilders. A popular drug blocks muscle growth. Fish oil, glucosamine and chondroitin are recommended for athletes to prevent inflammation, but these drugs do not relieve pain. Traditional analgesics are also not suitable due to numerous side effects. Scientists are searching for natural compounds with dual effects. One of the new supplements is already on sale. It is called OligoFlex and, according to the manufacturer, it successfully fights both joint inflammation and pain.
10. Delivery methods
At least 25%, or even half, of the active ingredient in nutritional supplements for muscle growth is destroyed by the acidic environment of the digestive tract. Proponents of a government ban on the sale of dietary supplements in the United States cite shocking data according to which three-quarters of popular supplements are completely destroyed in the stomach and are therefore profane. A similar problem exists in official pharmaceuticals. Medicines are destroyed not only by the hydrochloric acid of the stomach, but also by numerous enzymes that fill the blood. It is for this reason that the effect of drugs in laboratory and practical conditions varies greatly. According to experts, the expensive procedure of microencapsulation, when the drug is sealed inside tiny spheres that look like ordinary powder, will sooner or later become cheaper and move into the dietary supplement industry. Microspheres are very stable. They cover the medicine with a durable shell and deliver it to the diseased organ without loss. Another way is to pair the supplement with a substance that begins to be absorbed in the mouth and esophagus. Sugar compounds called cyclodextrins may be such a promising supplement partner. While waiting for new, more effective medications, take supplements strictly on an empty stomach if directed to do so. Remember that many additives interfere with each other.
Sports nutrition for gaining muscle mass
Sports nutritional supplements are the first step into the world of mass-building drugs.
Some of them are quite effective and almost all are safe for health (the only side effects are rare allergic reactions and gastrointestinal upset). They are sold legally and are easy to purchase.
All these factors determined such popularity. Sports dietary supplements confidently occupy first place as effective drugs for gaining muscle mass.
The most effective nutritional supplements for increasing lean body mass:
- Gainer
Helps to rapidly gain weight due to its high calorie content. But due to the carbohydrate content, it can also contribute to the accumulation of fat deposits. Mainly suitable for people who have difficulty gaining weight.
- Protein
A universal nutritional supplement that helps in gaining muscle mass. It is an additional source of protein and is equally effective for both mass and relief training.
- Creatine
The additive has a narrowly targeted effect - quickly increases the performance of the trained muscles. There is a sharp increase in strength and endurance, and as a result, muscle mass.
That is, as the working weights increase during training, the volumes gradually increase.
- Vitamin and mineral complexes
They are not direct stimulators of muscle growth, but act as accelerators of metabolic processes in the body. A lack of any vitamin or microelement can significantly slow down progress.
As you may have noticed, the list of the most effective supplements for gaining muscle mass does not include widely advertised amino acids. For example, BCAA, L-glutamine, Arginine, Taurine and others.
This is because amino acids are not the best way to gain weight.
They are designed to accelerate muscle recovery (extra-term and short-term recovery), and affect the acceleration of growth only indirectly.
Think for yourself, how can an additional intake of 5-10 grams of protein (a standard portion of amino acids) help “explode your muscles” if, for example, you do not get 50 grams of protein from your daily requirement from regular food? The answer is obvious.
Mandatory Supplements
These supplements are not intended to improve your workout performance, muscle, endurance, or strength. They just might help you stay healthy and provide your daily vitamin and mineral needs.
Multivitamins and minerals
People who do strength training and/or diet (a balanced but calorie-restricted diet - what I always call a diet) need more vitamins and minerals than people with a sedentary lifestyle.
Any vitamin-mineral complex in digestible form can be very useful. Good brands are presented, for example, on iHerb.com, in the pro brands section.
Fish fat
If there's one nutrient that modern diets (outside of the handful of people who eat a lot of fatty fish) can't get enough of, it's fish oil.
Fish oil is the hottest supplement today, and companies are investing a lot of money in research, so the research base has accumulated large. Omega-3 fatty acids normalize metabolism, protect the heart, help fats oxidize more vigorously, and help control inflammation. It's easier to list what fish oil doesn't do.
If you cannot or do not want to eat fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, herring, etc.) up to 5 times a week, then try taking fish oil supplements, choosing companies that ensure high-quality purification of heavy metals from it.
Flaxseed oil is commonly suggested as an omega-3 alternative to fish oil. However, the body's conversion of flaxseed omega-3 into EPA/DHA is very inefficient in most people. In addition, flaxseed oil oxidizes very quickly and becomes almost harmful. The average recommendation for athletes for EPA / DHA is 1.8-3.0 g per day.
Calcium
Calcium deficiency is a very common thing, especially in people who refuse dairy products (and it is fashionable to refuse dairy products these days).
Calcium is fundamentally important for women. Women are much more likely than men to suffer from osteoporosis during menopause. Therefore, you should start taking care of your bone health as early as possible. And calcium is not just about teeth, bones and nails - it plays an important role in muscle contraction, that is, during any movement. Without calcium, muscle movement is basically impossible, so the body has a large storage area for it - bones. When there is a calcium deficiency in food, “bone” calcium is used.
The minimum daily dose of calcium is 1000 mg in a highly digestible form (citrate, malate).
If you want to get all your calcium from dairy products, then note that 100 grams of cottage cheese contains 120-150 mg of calcium. That is, even 3 standard packs of cottage cheese per day do not replenish the calcium requirement. Hard cheeses contain the most calcium (600-1200 mg), but due to their fat content, cheeses cannot be considered as the main source of calcium.
Zinc and magnesium
People who do strength training are often deficient in magnesium and zinc:
zinc - for those who refuse red meat;
magnesium - for those who do strength training, because its losses increase with heavy training.
Both minerals are very important for the body. Additionally, some studies show that combining zinc and magnesium at night helps with sleep and recovery. On average, the daily intake of zinc is 25 mg (the preferred form is picolinate), magnesium is 400-500 mg (citrate is the best form for absorption, while the oxide is most often seen on sale).
Anabolic hormones and weight gain
After 3-5 years of regular and competent strength training in the gym, the rate of muscle mass gain slows down significantly or stops completely.
And even complex intake of several types of nutritional supplements does not bring the desired result.
Then it’s the turn of anabolic steroids, simply put in bodybuilding slang – pharma for gaining muscle mass.
One of the indications for taking anabolic steroids in medicine is the treatment of muscular dystrophy. As for their consumption by healthy people, their muscles begin to grow at an accelerated pace.
Gaining 10-12 kg of muscle weight in 2-3 months of a steroid course for bodybuilders is the norm.
More information about what steroids are and how to use them can be found in the articles “Anabolic steroids” and “Drawing up a course of steroids.”
The best drug for weight gain is, without a doubt, an anabolic steroid. But as effective as it is, it is also dangerous to health.
The more steroids you take, the more negative side effects you experience.
Pharmacy medicines for gaining muscle mass
Many people start using pharmaceutical drugs to gain muscle mass in order to avoid negative effects on the body.
Unlike steroids, pharmaceutical drugs are not prohibited by law and can be easily purchased. In addition, the quality of drugs is controlled by government agencies.
However, here too, not everything is as smooth as we would like.
The most effective pharmaceutical drugs for gaining muscle mass are “Infezol” and “Neoton”.
“Infezol” is a solution of complex amino acids for intravenous administration (a drip must be installed). The key to effectiveness is 100% absorption of amino acids.
For comparison: various forms of amino acids in the form of dietary supplements (tablets, capsules, powder, liquid) are absorbed by the body by 50-70%.
The situation is similar with “Neoton”. This is intravenous creatine with 100% absorption.
For example, creatine monohydrate is absorbed by only 30%! And if even such a low percentage gives a pronounced result in the growth of muscle mass and strength, then imagine what the effect of 100% will be.
These nuances are used by sports doctors to train performing athletes. As for ordinary gym goers, these drugs are of little use for them for a number of reasons, ranging from a banal fear of injections to the inability to regularly give themselves IVs.
Pharmaceutical drugs for muscle growth in the form of tablets have become more widely used in bodybuilding.
Among them are “Riboxin”, “Mildronat”, “Potassium orotate”, “Asparkam”, “ATP-long”, “Actovegin” and others.
Although they are positioned as drugs for gaining muscle mass, their effectiveness is slightly lower than the use of sports nutrition, and cannot be compared with the effectiveness of anabolic steroids.
However, these drugs are widely used by intermediate and advanced athletes, as they strengthen the heart muscle. And this is very important when there is a sharp gain in muscle mass, which usually happens when taking steroids.
In addition, they perfectly accelerate overall recovery after strength training, and also participate in the Krebs cycle (energy production in the body).
TOP 3 Supplements for Muscle Gain
Whether it is possible to achieve significant muscle hypertrophy with the help of dietary supplements depends on the person himself. They don't work by themselves. The action of the supplements is aimed at accelerating muscle hypertrophy, subject to regular strength training, proper nutrition and proper rest. With the help of supplements, an athlete can achieve the desired result a little faster, while feeling more comfortable, but they do not work miracles.
It’s easy to get confused in the assortment of any sports nutrition store, especially for a beginner who has not yet really understood what result he is expecting. The TOP 3 most popular, safe and effective products for muscle tissue hypertrophy will help make your choice easier. It is difficult to say which product is the most effective. All of them are good in their own way; you need to choose based on the needs of your own body, the characteristics of the training and the goals being pursued.
Creatine monohydrate
A beginner should start his journey into the world of sports nutrition with creatine. This food supplement is universal, suitable for almost everyone, well tolerated by the body, and the convenient release form simplifies the process of taking the product.
Creatine is a carboxylic acid that is synthesized in the body of all vertebrates, so the dietary supplement is easily absorbed by the body. Properties of the food additive:
- increased strength and endurance;
- stimulation of muscle hypertrophy;
- increase in muscle fiber volume;
- acceleration of recovery after exercise;
- increasing the rate of glycogen synthesis in the body.
Creatine improves physical performance, helping you train longer and more efficiently. However, the supplement has one caveat - it retains fluid in the muscles. It is because of this side effect that a visual increase in muscle volume is achieved from the first days of taking creatine.
Another useful property of this substance is the regulation of the force of contraction of the heart muscle. This improves anaerobic exercise tolerance, so the supplement can be recommended to increase an athlete's endurance.
The most popular form of release is monohydrate powder. It is taken 5 g per day, pre-mixed with any sweet drink, such as juice. Taking this dietary supplement is not tied to the time of training. You should be prepared that in the first weeks of use you may experience digestive problems.
Gainer
Another undeniably effective supplement for athletes is a gainer. It is a protein-carbohydrate mixture, often additionally enriched with vitamins and amino acids. It is the best choice for ectomorphs - people with a thin physique who cannot gain weight through active training and increasing the daily calorie intake.
The gainer performs two functions at once - it stimulates an increase in muscle mass and replenishes energy after a workout. Accordingly, it should be taken after exercise. Features of this supplement:
- high content of carbohydrates and protein;
- helps maintain high energy levels during exercise if taken prior to exercise;
- used to close the protein-carbohydrate window after exercise;
- accelerates muscle recovery.
Available in powder. It is recommended to take with water, milk or juice, after stirring the cocktail in a shaker. The dosage is determined individually and depends on the amount of proteins and carbohydrates in the product. It is best to take a gainer immediately after training.
It is also possible to take the product before and after exercise to increase energy during strength training, and then immediately close the protein-carbohydrate window. Gainer can be combined with creatine; both products complement and enhance each other’s effects.
The disadvantage of a gainer is a large number of calories. People who are prone to rapid weight gain have a chance to “float with fat,” since the carbohydrates from the cocktail will not have time to be used for their intended purpose and will be deposited in fat traps. However, it all depends on the proportions of proteins and carbohydrates. In the classic version, the ratio of carbohydrates to proteins is 3:1, but you can find a 1:1 gainer on sale - this option can be used by all athletes.
Protein
Muscle fibers are built from protein, or rather, from amino acids, into which protein entering the body with food is converted. This is why proper nutrition and sufficient consumption of easily digestible protein are so important in bodybuilding. Normally, to gain muscle mass, you need to consume at least 2-2.5 g of protein per kilogram of your own weight per day. In practice, this is quite difficult to achieve, especially for people of thin build, who simply do not have time to eat so much meat, eggs and dairy products - natural sources of protein - in a day. It is to help athletes with poor appetite that the most popular nutritional supplement, whey protein, was created.
The main advantage of sports protein over natural protein sources is complete absorption by the body. This makes it easy to calculate the protein deficiency and “finish” the required daily requirement at any convenient time.
Sports nutrition manufacturers offer three types of protein:
- egg is the highest quality, healthiest, but also the most expensive product for athletes;
- whey (casein) – made from whey, easily digestible, but contains lactose;
- soy - created specifically for vegetarians, but the quality is much inferior to other types of dietary supplements.
If possible, it is better to prefer powder made from eggs. But its cost is significant, plus it can put a strain on the liver if the recommendations for use are not followed, so it is better for beginners to start getting acquainted with sports nutrition with whey protein.
Soy protein is recognized as a product of the lowest quality; in addition, there is an opinion that soy is harmful to men, as it inhibits the production of their own testosterone. This supplement is often chosen by vegetarians due to the lack of a better plant-based alternative.
Useful properties of such additives:
- stimulates muscle hypertrophy;
- helps to reach your daily protein intake;
- accelerates recovery after training;
- improves metabolism.
It is recommended to take protein in the form of a shake before or immediately after a workout. It should be remembered that such a dietary supplement will not replace a full diet; it should be taken in addition to protein products, and not instead of them.
