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Muscle Building Supplements Made Easy!
"Ahhhhhhh! I need to build muscle quick, but there's 50 million freakin' different products out there and I don't know where to start!" If this sounds vaguely familiar to something you've heard yourself mutter, you're not alone! We get e-mails and phone calls from customers all the time asking for our advice in choosing the right products to help them gain muscle quickly and effectively.
First of all, you don't necessarily need supplements to gain muscle. However, they will definately help you build muscle a lot quicker. Supplements are simply tools to increase your muscle building potential. Read Big Cat's articles on nutrition and supplementation for more in-depth information. Most people start out with a multi-vitamin, protein, and creatine.
First off, there are several types of supplements that make muscle grow, recover, and rebuild faster. Here's a list of the top supplement types people use to produce the best results:
Protein
Creatine
Glutamine
Multi-Vitamin
Natural Test Booster
HMB
Growth Hormone
NO (Nitric Oxide)
Anti-Estrogens
Protein Bars
Amino Acids
Methoxy, Ecdy
ZMA
Already know what you want? View all muscle building products by category.
Choose A CategoryProteinCreatineGlutamineMulti-VitaminNatural Test BoostersHMBGrowth Hormone BoostersNO (Nitric Oxide)Anti-EstrogensProtein BarsAmino AcidsMethoxyEcdyZMAOther
With all these different types to choose from, what should you take to most effectively aid in the muscle building process? Let's start by explaining each one of these types so you have a better understanding of what to expect from each of them.
NOTE: To sort product by price, servings and more, simply click the VIEW ALL links in each category.
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Protein Products
Protein is made of amino acids. Amino acids are the basic building blocks of muscle. Therefore, protein is an essential ingredient for muscle building. You can't build muscle without it! You will want to take in about 1-2 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight throughout the day. So an average person who weighs 150 lbs would want to consume between 150 and 300 grams of protein in a day. Protein shakes and bars are convenient and provide high quality protein.
There are several forms of protein including: Whey, Soy, Egg, and Casein. So which kind is best? Well that depends on how and when you want to use them. View our in-depth articles on this subject
Whey - Basically, whey protein is awesome for post-workout supplementation because that's the time when your body needs protein the most, and whey is digested very quickly (about 30 minutes). View all Whey products.
Casein - Casein, on the other hand, is digested very slowly (over 2 - 7 hours). This means it's great to use a protein supplement with casein before bed because the longest time your body goes without protein is during the night while you are sleeping. View all Micellar Casein products.
Egg - Egg protein (albumen) digests at a medium pace (1.5-3 hours) so it's a good anytime protein to provide a good sustained release of aminos to the body. View all Egg Protein products.
Soy - Soy protein is the vegetarian's friend because it's one of the only complete protein sources derived from plants. Soy is a good overall protein, although it's not as effective in terms of absorbtion as whey or egg albumen. Additionally, soy has many recognized health benefits for women. View all Soy products.
Blends - Either protein supplements are straight whey, soy, egg, or casein; or they are a combination of any or all of these kinds of proteins. What can a blend of proteins offer that a straight protein cannot? Basically, different rates of digestion. This means you can take a blended protein any time to get quick, medium, and prolonged absorption of protein. ProM3 is one of the best in the blended proteins category.
Low Carb - Of the many protein supplements, the two other main categories are weight gainers and low carb protein shakes and bars. These two are on opposite spectrums of each other. Yep, you guessed it low carb protein shakes are good for those dieting or trying to lose or maintain weight. View all Low Carb products.
Weight Gainer - Weight gainers are high calorie protein products that are great for people who are looking to bulk up. If you are having trouble gaining weight, taking in extra high quality calories will usually do the trick. View all Gainer products.
Top 5 Sellers
Optimum 100% Whey Protein
[ Choose Flavor ]
BSN Syntha-6
[ Choose Flavor ]
Optimum 100% Casein Protein
[ Choose Flavor ]
Gaspari Nutrition MyoFusion
[ Choose Flavor ]
CytoSport Muscle Milk
[ Choose Flavor ]
View All In This Category - Go
Creatine
Creatine works very well for increasing muscle mass. It is naturally occurring in the body. It's safe and very effective for anybody, especially if you've never used it before. We have tons of great articles on creatine, so you can become an overnight expert on it! The basics behind it are this: it increases ATP (the main energy source muscles use for explosive power) availability so that you can perform more reps and sets and lift more weight, consequently growing more muscle tissue. Creatine should be cycled. Many have found great results taking it for four weeks, followed by one to two weeks off. There are quite a few different types of creatine which you can view by top sellers. For example, there is pure creatine monohydrate, liquid creatine, micronized creatine and many more.
Okay, so now your head's spinning with different creatine products and types. What's best? The creatine supplements with built in dextrose, aminos and other goodies are probably the best, but cost-effectively a good micronized creatine taken with grape juice wouldn't be a bad choice. Take creatine post-workout.
Top 5 Sellers
USPlabs Jack3d
[ Choose Flavor ]
BSN NO-Xplode
[ Choose Flavor ]
Gaspari Nutrition SuperPump250
[ Choose Flavor ]
Higher Power Micronized Creatine
[ View Product ]
Optimum Micronized Creatine Powder
[ View Product ]
View All In This Category - Go
Glutamine
L-Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid found in muscle tissue. It helps prevent muscle wasting and improves recovery. The better and quicker you recovery, the sooner and harder you can hit it in the gym! Glutamine is safe to take year-round. Some of our favorites are listed below.
Glutamine should not be taken at the same time as creatine because they compete for receptors to be absorbed. Take glutamine pre-workout and creatine post-workout.
Top 5 Sellers
Optimum Glutamine 1000 Caps
[ View Product ]
MHP Glutamine-SR
[ View Product ]
Optimum Glutamine Powder
[ View Product ]
4Ever Fit L-Glutamine
[ View Product ]
Cheap Supplements Glutamine
[ View Product ]
View All In This Category - Go
Multi-Vitamins
You can't forget about this! It seems so basic and simple, but it's very important! If you are deficient in even one vitamin or mineral, your gains can really be hampered. A good multi-vitamin is a must for the best gains in muscle mass, not to mention good health.
People who are working out need more vitamins than the average couch potato, so your supermarket brands won't cut it.
Some of the best ones for bodybuilders and athletes are below.
Top 3 Sellers
Optimum Opti-Men
[ View Product ]
Universal Animal Pak
[ View Product ]
AST Multi Pro 32X
[ View Product ]
View All In This Category - Go
Natural Testosterone Boosters
Raising your testosterone helps you to gain muscle, enhance your mood, maintain a healthy libido, and more! Steroids do a great job of raising test levels, but they are not legal for use. These all-natural products would be perfect for you!
You can also use these natural products when you are off of your prohormone cycle.
This category includes popular products with ZMA, Tribulus, and much more.
Top 3 Sellers
Optimum ZMA
[ View Product ]
Universal Animal Stak
[ View Product ]
MHP T-Bomb II
[ View Product ]
View All In This Category - Go
Anabolic Flavones (Methoxy, Ecdy)
Methoxyisoflavone and Ecdysterone are the latest advancements in supplementation for anabolic gains. They are non hormonal flavones that naturally increase protein synthesis, nitrogen retention, and muscle growth. They work very well taken in conjunction with protein because they increase the absorption of protein. Some companies even combine the Methoxy into the protein for you.
The most popular supplements with these ingredients are below.
Top 3 Sellers
Gaspari Nutrition SuperPump250
[ Choose Flavor ]
Universal Animal M-Stak
[ View Product ]
SciFit EcdySterone 300
[ View Product ]
View All In This Category - Ecdy Or Methoxy
Amino Acids And BCAAs
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Bodybuilders can especially benefit from supplementing amino acids because they aid in repair, growth, and development of muscle tissue. Among the most beneficial and effective supplements in any sports nutrition program are branched chain amino acids. These are the essential aminos leucine, isoleucine, and valine. If you are looking for better results, make sure you are taking your amino acids! You'll be surprised at how well they work.
The most popular amino supplements are below.
Top 3 Sellers
Gaspari Nutrition SuperPump250
[ Choose Flavor ]
SciVation Xtend
[ Choose Flavor ]
Optimum BCAA 1000 Caps
[ View Product ]
View All In This Category - Amino Acids Or BCAA
NO (Nitric Oxide)
Nitric Oxide is a free form gas that is produced in the body and is used by the body to communicate with other cells in the body. The fact that nitric oxide increases blood flow should make it of interest to bodybuilders, as increased blood flow will serve to deliver more nutrients to muscles, thus helping muscles become larger when subject to stress. People are noticing huge increases in muscle pumps while using this product!
The most popular NO (Nitric Oxide) supplements are below.
Top 3 Sellers
BSN NO-Xplode
[ Choose Flavor ]
Gaspari Nutrition SuperPump250
[ Choose Flavor ]
USPlabs Jack3d
[ Choose Flavor ]
View All In This Category - Go
ZMA
ZMA is a scientifically designed anabolic mineral formula. It contains Zinc Monomethionine Aspartate plus Magnesium Aspartate and vitamin B-6, and is an all-natural product that has been clinically proven to significantly increase anabolic hormone levels and muscle strength in trained athletes. It is all natural! Studies have shown that supplementing with 30mg of Zinc and 450mg of Magnesium per day can elevate testosterone levels up to 30%! In a recent study, the strength of a group using ZMA increased by 11.6% compared to only a 4.6% increase in the placebo group.
This is a great choice for people wanting to avoid prohormones. The most popular ZMA supplements are below.
Top 3 Sellers
Optimum ZMA
[ View Product ]
Higher Power ZMA
[ View Product ]
NOW ZMA
[ View Product ]
View All In This Category - Go
HGH - Growth Hormone
Growth Hormone, a polypeptide hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, is the latest advance in bodybuilding supplementation! Human Growth Hormone levels decline rapidly after age 30.
The most popular HGH supplements are below.
Top 3 Sellers
Applied Nutriceuticals HGH Up
[ View Product ]
Fountain Of Youth HGH Complete
[ View Product ]
Universal GH Max
[ View Product ]
View All In This Category - Go
HMB
It is a new and exciting supplement that is one of the most popular body building supplements today. HMB is a metabolite of leucine, one of the body's essential amino acids. Many of the world's champions and athletes are using HMB and receiving dramatic results. Specifically, HMB plays a role in the synthesis of muscle tissue. It has the ability to burn fat and build muscle consistently in response to exercise. A seven week long study showed a much greater gain in muscle when a group of 28 participated in a regular weight-training program.
The most popular HMB supplements are below.
Top 3 Sellers
Optimum HMB 1000 Caps
[ View Product ]
SciFit HMB
[ View Product ]
EAS Pro Science HMB
[ View Product ]
View All In This Category - Go
Other Muscle Building Products
Many other products help with your adventure in gaining muscle. Here are some of the best, with links to full info:
Protein Bars - Get the protein and calories you need.
Anti-Estrogens - Decreasing estrogen can give you better results.
Dessicated Liver - Great source of amino acids.
DHEA - For men over 35.
Ribose - Have more energy for your workouts.
Hardcore Products - Our most extreme products.
Muscle Building Combos! - We put together the best stacks!
View OTHER GOAL Categories

How to Build Muscle Fast

You have to give special attention and effort to finish any task and bodybuilding is no different. To build your muscles, you should follow a special routine and diet. Without relevant determination, commitment and information, muscle building cannot be achieved within few days. As it takes considerable time frame, the person's patience is of paramount importance, as being impatient can spoil the exercise agenda as well as the dietary system.
read more
Weightlifting Exercises
Weight Lifting Exercise
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Weight Lifting Belts
Weight Lifting Bench
Weight Lifting Diet
Bodybuilding Exercises
Body Building Exercise
Brabell Squat
Body Building Routine
Dead Lift
Exercise Addiction
Bodybuilding Supplements
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Choosing Supplements
Chromium Picolinate
Clif Energy Bar
Coenzyme Q10
Strength Training
Strength Training
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Benefits of CardioTraining
Strength Training Benefits
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Fitness Programs
24 Hour Fitness Path
Best Home Fitness Equipment
Beauty and Fitness
Best Equipment
Bodybuilding Tips
American BodyBuilding
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Bodybuilding equipment
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getting in shape

3 Fat Loss Nutrition Tips To Blast Fat!
I was at the bookstore looking at some magazines when something caught my eye. The subtitle read Hot Bodies Best Diets. I can't remember exactly which magazine featured the subtitle but it was one of the popular tabloids. I had two questions immediately. What do they mean by "Hot Bodies"? What do they mean by "Best Diets"?
According to the magazine "Hot Bodies" means skinny and "Best Diets" means diets that make you skinny. I looked through the magazine and I found that celebrities use all kinds of different diets just like non-celebrities. There was a common factor with all the diets in the magazine, calorie deficit. A diet that results in calorie deficit does not necessarily mean a quality diet, but it does mean weight loss. In my opinion all quality diets share some characteristics.
The key factors in quality diets are:
Calorie intake (matters whether you're consciously counting or not)
Consumption of sufficient quantity of essential nutrients
Consideration of individual likes and dislikes
Consideration of metabolic abnormalities
Occasional breaks from the diet
Recognizing that you don't have to stick to the program 100% of the time to see the benefits
Click To Enlarge. A Diet That Results In Calorie Deficit Doesn't NecessarilyMean A Quality Diet, But It Does Mean Weight Loss.
1. Junk Food
Does consuming junk food (highly processed foods) make you fat? That depends on how much junk food you eat and your average daily metabolic rate. Isn't junk food bad for your health? That depends on how much junk food you eat, your energy expenditure and whether you have any metabolic abnormalities.
Click To Enlarge. Whether Junk Food Will Make You FatDepends On How Much You Eat?
2. Do Calorie Sources Matter If A Calorie Is A Calorie?
A calorie is a unit of energy. It is the amount of energy or heat that it takes to raise the temperature of one gram of water one degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit). The energy derived from foods when they are oxidized in the body is measured in kilocalories (thousands of calories).
A kilocalorie is the amount of energy required to raise 1000 grams of water one degree Celsius. Kilocalorie is written as "Calorie" (with a capital C) or it may be abbreviated to "Kcalorie" or "Kcal." Therefore, whenever the word calorie is used in connection with food or nutrition, the meaning is always kilocalorie or calorie.
In terms of fat loss, a low calorie diet consisting of Twinkies will result in weight loss just like a low calorie diet consisting of fruits and vegetables. When considering which is more nutritious fruits and vegetables wins hands down. Which is more filling? Fruits and vegetables win again. When considering issues other than energy content it's not just about calories.
RELATED VIDEO: Your 12-Week Daily Video Trainer
Your 12-Week Daily Video Trainer - Tuesday, Week 6: Fruits & Vegetables!Kris Gethin is your own Daily Personal Trainer! Today we have some advice on what types of fruits and vegetables will work best for this transformation. Check out today's nutrition plan
Watch More From This Series Here.
We get calories from four sources including protein (4 Kcal per gram), fat (9 Kcal per gram), carbohydrate (4 Kcal per gram) and alcohol (7 Kcal per gram).
Are all calories the same? Yes and No.
Technically speaking a calorie is a calorie. The definition of a calorie does not change, but different calorie sources have different properties, and they affect the body in various ways. So, when considering nutrient value, affects on appetite, intolerances, and allergies, there are differences in calorie sources.
On a final note, some low-carb advocates claim that calories from fat are different than calories from carbohydrate. This assumption comes from the fact that short term weight loss is usually greater, even when eating the same amount of calories, with a low carbohydrate diet than a higher carbohydrate diet; however this occurs due to water loss.
Click To Enlarge. Greater Short Term Weight Loss With LowCarb Diets Is Due To Water Loss.
3. Supplements
Do you really need to spend hundreds of dollars per month on supplements if your nutritional practices are optimal? I doubt it. Let me re-word that, no, you don't.
Supplements add to the program. They do not replace sound training and nutrition. Legendary protein researcher, Kevin Tipton, says, "There is no reason to recommend protein supplements per se because there is no evidence that supplements work better than foods." I am not anti-supplement, but I am anti-nonsense.
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Undercover Calories - These Secrets May Be The Key Reason You Can't Lose Weight!
Have you tried repeatedly to lose those last 10 vanity pounds with no success? Stuck in a rut even though you're watching what you eat? The secret to all your troubles may be 'hidden' in the foods you're eating!

8 High-Sugar Foods To Avoid & Smart Choices To Replace Them!
Here's a list of 8 foods you need to have a close eye on if you are watching how much sugar you consume. Get the facts on how much sugar bagels and other popular foods have and healthy alternatives that are available!

Fight The Fat - The Opponent? A Calorie!
Ever wondered what a calorie really is and how it can help you in your fight to lose fat? Then look no further as I discuss what a calorie is, macronutrient breakdown of protein, carbs, fats, and much more right here!
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Related Articles 25 Fast 'No Willpower' Ways To Lose Weight! Restaurant Dining Tips For Athletes & Healthy Eaters! 6 Sweet Secrets To Stay Slim!
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Walden Farms Calorie Free DressingIncredibly Delicious And Perfect For Eating Healthy!Learn More!

sixpack workout

If you have ever tested the Ab Circle Pro in a store, then you were probably amazed at how great it was at specifically targeting the abs and oblique muscles. I think most people are all skeptical about seeing new exercise equipments that we see on TV, but once in a while something shows up that really does live up to the hype to get you great abs. To really see if the Ab Circle Pro is best for you, it is highly recommended to read several reviews from other consumers, and also to check it out yourself to see if it works for you. Results may vary from one person to another because not everyone has the same type of genetics to get same results at same time.
After testing out the Ab Circle Pro, what I really liked was that it combined a strong aerobic exercise with cardio. The circular motion of going from side to side gets your abs burning, and gets your abs moving as well. This type of movement is necessary to shape and tone those muscles around your waste to build strong sexy abs. I was very impressed with how many calories I was burning while on a machine that looked more like a ride at an amusement park, but don’t let the looks fool you when you see somebody using Ab Circle Pro. However, this is not a toy because you can see serious results after trying Ab Circle Pro.
Twenty minutes per day is more than enough to get serious results in a few weeks for almost anyone who wants great abs. You can burn calories much faster with this machine and that means quicker results as well. You should always combine a good work out with a healthy diet, but if you are looking into getting the Ab Circle Pro, then I would say that you have made a wise choice because it really works for you.
The best part about the Ab Circle Pro is that you can try it for 30 days to see if you like it. After this time you can ship it back if you are not satisfied. You really have to use it for at least a few days to see if it’s something you are going to use on a regular basis, and trying it out in a store doesn’t give you enough time to get its full effect.

Visit Official Ab Circle Pro Site For More Info

This guide presents a bodybuilding training

Use Bodybuilding To Lose Weight this Summer!
This guide presents a bodybuilding training routine designed to get you in top shape for the summer with only 3 weekly weight training sessions of 1 hour or less and 3 weekly sessions of cardio of 40 minutes or less. Minimum equipment is required.
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Bodybuilding Resource Guide for Teens
Wednesday August 25, 2010
Since I have been getting a lot of emails from confused teen bodybuilders who are just starting out their bodybuilding journey, I decided to put together some resources that teen bodybuilders can use to get started on the right track.
Bodybuilding Resource Guide for Teens
How To Get Started
The Biggest Mistakes Teens Make When They Start Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding Supplements for Teens
Bodybuilding Workout Routines for Teens
How Bodybuilding Can Help You Become a Better Student
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Which One is the Best Bodybuilding Training Routine For Muscle Gain and Fat Loss
Sunday August 15, 2010
When I'm asked which one is the best routine to perform when looking for bodybuilding gains, my answer always is to use a bodybuilding routine that you have never used before. In this manner you always keep the body guessing. The quickest route to stagnation and lack of gain is to follow a bodybuilding routine for months to an end with no changes to it.
Initially, when you start using a new bodybuilding workout your body needs to learn how to cope with the stress. It does this by growing the muscle, provided that your bodybuilding diet and sleep habits are in order. However, once the nervous system begins to adapt, the body then starts activating less and less fibers every time that the workout is performed. This is one of the ways in which the body prevents itself from growing out of control. You have to keep in mind that your body does not want to change and it will do whatever it takes to stay the same. Remember from your biology class that the body likes to stay in a state of homeostasis (a state of balance and no change). The way to get around this is by varying your bodybuilding workouts.
In your bodybuilding journey you will discover that the more advanced you become, the more you have to vary your training tactics. Now, variation works best when it is performed as part of a logical plan of periodization.
Learn more about periodization and how to implement it in your bodybuilding workouts by looking at the articles below:
Sample Periodization Bodybuilding Workout Training Routine #1
Sample Periodization Bodybuilding Workout Training Routine #2
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What Exercise Burns More Fat - Bodybuilding Training Exercise with Weights or Cardiovascular Exercise?
Sunday August 8, 2010
Since the 80's cardiovascular exercise has been touted as the best exercise for burning body fat. However, if you look at the physiques of people who only do cardiovascular exercise, they still do not have a completely fit and toned body? Why is that?
Find out why in my latest Bodybuilding FAQ: What Exercise Burns More Fat - Bodybuilding Training Exercise with Weights or Cardiovascular Exercise?
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When Is The Best Time To Perform Your Bodybuilding Workouts?
Saturday July 31, 2010
The question of what is the best time to perform your bodybuilding workouts is a very common question that unfortunately gets answered in a different way, depending of who you ask. In this blog I want to give you some specific guidelines so that you can determine what is the best time to workout for you.
In a nutshell:
The Best Time to Workout = The Most Convenient Time for You.
While this may sound overly simplistic, this is a practical and true statement. No need to over-complicate matters.
For more tips on how to schedule your workouts please take a look at my latest Bodybuilding FAQ - What Is The Best Time To Perform Your Bodybuilding Workouts?
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Muscle Building Nutrition - Fat

Muscle Building Nutrition - Fat
Athletes should aim to limit fat to 15-30% of total calories although, in practice, most strength trainers achieve an intake of around 20% in an effort to maintain low body-fat levels. Be careful not to drop your fat intake too low or you will almost certainly miss out on certain vitamins - such as vitamin E - and a vital sub­group of fats called the 'essential fatty acids'. Eating them in the right quantities could even boost your performance in the gym.
What are essential fats?
The two essential fatty acids - linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid - are vital to your health and cannot be made in the body. When you eat linoleic acid, your body converts it into a number of other fatty acids, including gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and docosa­pentanoic acid (DPA). Linoleic acid and its derivative fatty acids are called omega-6 fatty acids (there is a rigid link, or 'double bond', on the sixth carbon atom in the fatty acid chain). When you eat alpha-linolenic acid, your body converts it into eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaoic acid (DHA), and these are called omega-3 fatty acids (the rigid link occurs on the third carbon atom).
Both omega-6 (from most vegetable oils and margarines) and omega-3 (from oily fish and certain nuts and seeds) fatty acids are essential for good health. They are involved in cell membrane structure, especially in the retina of the eye, the brain and the heart, and the body also uses them to produce a group of hormone-like substances called 'eicosanoids'. These regulate many processes in the body such as the inflammatory and immune responses. Many experts believe that it is the wrong ratio of omega-3s to omega-6s that contributes to many health problems, such as heart disease, inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis and pain, even slow post-workout recovery. In other words, a high omega-6 intake and low omega-3 intake causes your body to make too many eicosanoids promoting inflammation and pain.
For optimal health and performance therefore need to consume them in the right proportions - roughly five times more omega­6s than omega-3s. That means you should consume 1 g of omega-3s for every 1-5 g of omega-6s each day. Most people consume far more omega-6s than omega-3s.
How can omega-3s help strength trainers?There is mounting evidence to suggest that a high intake of omega-3s reduces inflammation, pain and joint stiffness. Eating more omega­3s and less omega-6s could help you recover faster after a heavy workout in the gym and reduce any pain and swelling in your joints.
Omega-3s can also benefit your cardio workouts. Eating more omega-3s enhances aerobic metabolism, which means increased endurance and fat burning. Oxygen delivery to your cells is improved because omega-3s reduce blood viscosity and make red cell membranes more flexible. So, your cardio workouts will be more effective.
How can I get the right amount of omega-3s?Oily fish - such as mackerel, pilchards, trout, salmon, herring and sardines - are the richest sources of eicosapentanoic acid and docosahexaoic acid, the very long chain omega-3s. However, alpha­linolenic acid (the precursor to eicosapentanoic acid and docosahexaoic acid) is also found in other foods -like sweet potatoes, walnuts, almonds, rapeseed oil, walnut oil, soya oil, flaxseed oil, flaxseeds, chicken and beef. Alternatively, supplements and foods fortified with omega-3s (e.g. omega-3 enriched eggs, margarine and bread) can also help increase your intake. The best sources of both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are given in Table below.There is no recommended daily amount for omega-3s, although the government advises eating at least 1 portion of oily fish per week, which will provide around 2-3 g eicosapentanoic acid and docosahexaoic acid. A separate recommendation of 0.65 g eicosapentanoic acid and docosahexaoic acid/day has also been made.
The Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acid Content of Various Foods
Food
Portion
Omega-3s
Omega-6s
Omega-6 : Omega-3 ratio
Good sources of omega-3s
Rapeseed oil
1 tbsp
1.5
3.1
1 : 0.49
Cod liver oil
1 tbsp
2.7
0.9
1 : 3
Flaxseed oil
1 tbsp
7.5
1.8
1 : 4.2
Walnut oil
1 tbsp
1.4
7.5
5.3 : 1
Salmon
100 g
1.5
0.6
1 : 2.5
Herring
100 g
1.8
0.6
1 : 3
Trout
100 g
2
1.4
1 : 1.4
Omega-3 fortified egg
1
0.7
0.7
1 : 1
Typical fatty acid supplement

0.5
0.1
1 : 5
Good sources of omegs-6s
Corn oil
1 tbsp
0.1
7.9
79 : 1
Soya margarine
1 tbsp
0.1
3.5
25 : 1
Mayonnaise
1 tbsp
0.4
7.2
18 : 1
Safflower oil
1 tbsp
0.05
10.1
202 : 1
Soya oil
1 tbsp
1
7.2
7.2 : 1
Goal



5 : 1

Antioxidants

Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that quench free radicals (see below) and include enzymes, vitamins, minerals and plant substances called phytochemicals. The most popular antioxidant supplements include beta-carotene and other carotenoids (such as lycopene found in tomatoes), vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, Coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid, conjugated linoleic acid, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), proantho­cyanidins (found in pine bark and grape seed extract), curcumin (found in turmeric), the amino acids cysteine and methionine, and catechins (found in green tea).
What are Free Radicals?
A free radical is an atom or molecule containing an unpaired electron. It is highly unstable and reactive, and capable of damaging fat-and protein-containing tissues.
Free radicals are continually produced during normal cell processes and at low levels even have a useful role : they help manufacture prostaglandins, kill bacteria and heal wounds. It's only when free radicals are present in excessive numbers that they cause problems. They can destroy cell membranes, membrane proteins, DNA( the genetic material found in every cell), enzymes, blood cholesterol and mitochondria membranes and, over a period of time, free radicals damage is thought to be development of atherosclerosis several cancers and the ageing process.
Should Athletes take Antioxidant Supplements?
The more you exercise, the more free radicals you generate. This is due partly to the 10-20­fold increase in oxygen consumption, the increase in lactic acid production and the increase in heat generation. Heavy weight training is one of the worst. It results in microtears in the muscle that generate more free radicals, and this is partly responsible for post-exercise soreness and tenderness.
The body tends to adapt - thankfully - by producing higher levels of antioxidant enzymes to deal with the additional amount of free radicals. So could supplements provide any further benefit?
Well, antioxidant supplements will not stop you producing free radicals nor will they enhance your strength and performance. However, they will bolster your body's defences against increased free radical attack, and studies have found that supplementation helps reduce the damage to muscles and other tissues caused by exercise. You also get less post-exercise discomfort, swelling and soreness.
What are the Optimal Doses of Antioxidants?
Professor Anthony Diploc from the University of London at Guys Hospital has proposed optimal intakes, which would give greater protection from disease. For betacarotene, the optimal level would be 15-25 mg, for vitamin E, 50-80 mg and for vitamin C 1O0-150 mg, all of which areconsiderably greater than current average intakes. Mel Williams, Professor at the Dept. of Exercise Science, Physical Education and Recreation at Old Dominian University, USA, advises 500-1000 mg vitamin C, 400-800 mg IU Vitamin E and 50-100 micro gram selenium.
Food or Supplements?
The best advice is to get as many antioxidants as possible from food. It is not possible to replicate what you get from food in a pill. Food contains hundreds of phytochemicals, all of which have slightly different antioxidant actions. Taking a selected few in the form of a supplement will not give you the best protection.
The Department of Health and the World Health Organisation advise a minimum of 400 g or five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Aim to consume at least 2-3 portions of fruit and 3-4 portions of vegetables - the more intensely colored the better. (The Table given below shows the healthiest fruit and vegetables, ranked by researchers at Tuft's University for their ability to soak up free radicals.)

ORAC Score
Fruit

Prunes
5770
Raisins
2830
Blueberries
2400
Blackberries
2036
Strawberries
1540
Raspberries
1220
Plums
949
Oranges
750
Red grapes
739
Cherries
670
Vegetable

Kale
1770
Spinach
1260
Brugsel sprouts
980
Broccoli
890
Beetroot
840
Red peppers
710
Onion
450
Sweetcorn
400
A number of experts have recommended optimal doses of selected antioxidants, which are considerably higher than the intakes you could hope to get from a normal diet. For example, to get 80 mg vitamin E you would need to consume 162 g (about 15 tb sp) sunflower oil (one of the richest sources of vitamin E) daily. To obtain 25 mg beta carotene you would need to eat 333 g carrots (that's six carrots) daily. Therefore, it makes sense to take a daily antioxidant supplement